Professor Zulum Borno Governor
Professor Zulum Borno Governor
Borno State: Professor Zulum in 30 Days
By Isa Gusau
Oftentimes, new Governors use their first month in office for
familiarization. But for Borno’s Governor, Professor Babagana Umara
Zulum, it was as if he won re-election.
24 hours after swearing-in, Prof. Zulum first met heads of the
military, then convened security meeting attended by traditional
rulers. He also met permanent secretaries of all ministries and
establishments, to assert control. Same May 30th, he met labour
leaders and ordered speedy completion of workers’ biometric
exercise, a critical step that enabled government to sustain
payment of salaries and pensions.
Second day in office, Prof. Zulum showed up, 8am, at the state
secretariat in Maiduguri. The Governor was there in response to
lateness and absenteeism by thousands of workers. On his third and
fourth days in office, Zulum began tour of Borno’s 27 local
government areas, for priority needs’ assessments. He started with
Gwoza and passed the night in Bama. He was also in Konduga. In the
three LGAs, the Professor identified areas needing interventions.
He directed immediate reconstruction of a bridge in border
communities of Gwoza, to link Borno and Adamawa states. He was also
quick to direct reconstruction of a college of education in Bama.
His fifth day in office was in Maiduguri. Zulum showed up at a
venue, to monitor the progress of biometrics for pensioners. It was
a follow-up to his 1st day’s directive. Professor Zulum’s sixth day
in office was sallah day. He marked it with internally displaced
persons and made special donation of food items. On his seventh
day, the Governor met members of the Civilian JTF and hunters
fighting boko haram. He increased their monthly allowances. On his
eight day, the Governor flew to Abuja, ahead of his first
presidential security meeting. The meeting at the Villa, held on
the Governor’s ninth day in office. On his tenth day, Professor
Zulum was at the Borno State University in Maiduguri. He directed
commencement of academic programmes and announced scholarship to
6,000 citizens. Later, he paid unscheduled visit to Maiduguri water
treatment plant. Dissatisfied, Prof. Zulum ordered staff
restructuring.
The Governor, on his11th day, resumed tour of LGAs. Prof. Zulum
was in Mafa and Dikwa where he identified needs and presented
patrol vehicles to Civilian JTF and hunters fighting boko haram. He
proceeded to Kala-Balge LGA for needs’ assessments and ordered
trenches to secure borders. He passed the night in Kala-Balge. On
his 12th day, the Governor traveled to Ngala to identify needs. On
his 13th day, he was at the national assembly in Abuja to witness
swearing-in of Borno’s representatives in the 9th Senate, to
enhance ties with the legislature. Prof. Zulum’s 14th day in office
coincided with June 12, Nigeria’s new democracy day. He led
citizens to Ramat square for parades; addressed citizens and
revealed plans for coming months and years. On his 15th day, Prof.
Zulum met Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) handling
humanitarian activities in Borno State. He discussed ways of
strengthening their integrity and enforcement of his govt’s lead in
determining needs and implementation. Later, the Governor
inaugurated a committee on sales of houses in government estates
through owner-occupier basis. On his 16th day in office, Professor
Zulum met the European Union, whose officials were in Borno. The
meeting focused on increasing collaboration for Borno’s rebuilding
and livelihoods. On the 17th day, Prof. Zulum visited and ordered
the construction of a Mega school for 1,200 pupils in Sulumri, a
poor community in Maiduguri. Later, he inspected Alamderi water
project and ordered commissioning.
He also inspected Water facilities in Maiduguri and Jere to
identify needs. On his 18th day in office, Prof. Zulum met with a
group of Borno elders led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe to discuss
Borno’s peace building. On the 19th day, the Governor was at the
state specialist hospital, Maiduguri, to console victims of Konduga
suicide attacks. He directed expansion of the hospital’s accident
and emergency unit. Later, Professor Zulum received in Maiduguri,
executive secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) .
Conducting them round the State University, the Governor requested
some interventions. On his 20th day, Prof. Zulum was at country
office of the World Bank in Abuja, to follow-up on interventions
for Borno. On the Governor’s 21st day in office, he was guest to
the President, Muhammadu Buhari, at the Villa. Professor Zulum had
his first one-on-one meeting with the Commander-in-Chief, dwelling
on Borno’s security. On his 22nd day, the Governor attended
inaugural meeting of the national economic council at the villa. On
his 23rd, he received executive secretary of the National Hajj
Commission towards addressing a problem with Borno’s hajj exercise.
Prof. Zulum, on his 24th day, resumed tour of LGAs. He traveled to
Hawul where he visited five populated towns. In each, he directed
major works in public schools, hospitals, markets amongst others.
On his 25th day in office, the Governor was in Biu and Buratai
towns. He directed upgrading of Biu General Hospital to a
specialist hospital; laid foundation for a new council secretariat,
inspected schools and directed rehabilitation of a vocational
training centre. The chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai
was in Maiduguri during Prof. Zulum’s 26th day in office. Both
leaders met over security challenges, efforts and
collaboration.
Prof. Zulum’s 27th and 28th days were focused on education. He
launched the federal government’s Better Education Service Delivery
for All (BESDA) targeting out of school children. Professor Zulum’s
28th day was more action-packed. The Governor flagged off
construction of two Mega schools, each for 1,200 pupils in Ajari
Cross and Abuja-Sheraton in Maiduguri and Jere respectively. He
inspected drilling of 6 deep boreholes in Fori, Ajalari Cross and
Sulumri. Inspected the overhaul of Borno State House of Assembly in
Maiduguri. On his 29th day, Prof. Zulum alongside the chief of Army
Staff, undertook an operational tour of Damboa LGA, met troops and
citizens. The European Union launched in Maiduguri, interventions
on teachers during the Governor’s 30th day in office. If Zulum’s 30
days of development activities were equated with a striker’s
performance in football, it would mean the tireless, frank and
smart Professor, has scored 30 goals in his first 30 matches. A
challenge to Messi and Ronaldo, next season!
Gusau is Special Adviser on Public Relations and Strategy to the
Governor