Comr. Muhammad Umar Abba

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Tears of Joy!!!

Eyes welled with tears of joy and profound disbelief amongst vulnerable women and girls in Biu, for whom meaningful support had long felt a distant dream. In a stunning turn of events, that dream has become a tangible, life-changing reality.

These remarkable women, drawn from eight local government areas of southern Borno and previously hindered by circumstance from furthering their education—found themselves at the heart of an extraordinary announcement.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, during the inauguration of the “Second Chance for Women and Girls Skills Acquisition centre” on Thursday in Biu town, where they are being train in crafts from tailoring to catering, knitting and crocheting, bead making declared immediate financial support of ₦100,000 to be given in two tranches for each of the 400 trainees.

Yet the true showstopper followed. Upon enquiring which trainees possessed the qualifications for higher education, and seeing hands shoot up, the Governor unveiled an even grander gift: immediate scholarships to study nursing and midwifery. The announcement left many pinching themselves, wondering if it were all a wonderful dream.

Long after the Governor’s departure, emotions overflowed—a mix of joy, exhilaration, and sheer wonder at this transformative intervention.

This poignant moment formed part of Governor Zulum’s intensive five-day tour of Southern Borno, a sweeping mission that touched lives at every level: from health workers and teachers to hospital patients, youth groups, and the less fortunate ones. The depth of his compassion, empathy, and unwavering commitment to his people has left an indelible mark.

May the Almighty Allah continue to endow him with strength, robust health, and the wisdom to sustain this exemplary, people-centred, and purposeful leadership for the resilient people of Borno State.

07/01/2026

Shani: Zulum Inaugurates 3 Model Schools

… Flags Off Construction of 22nd Higher Islamic College, Orders Employment of Volunteer Health Workers

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Wednesday inaugurated three new model secondary schools in Shani, as part of his administration’s efforts to revitalise the education sector in the state.

The schools commissioned are Government Day Secondary School, Shani; Government Day Secondary School, Borgu; and Government Day Secondary School, Gasi.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Shani, Governor Zulum said the projects fulfilled his pledge to ensure every child of school age has access to education, thereby reducing the number of out-of-school children, a problem exacerbated by years of Boko Haram insurgency.

“We are today commissioning three schools: Government Day Secondary School, Shani, which is being commissioned physically, while that of Government Day Secondary School, Borgu, and Government Day Secondary School, Gasi, are done virtually. This is in fulfilment of our campaign promise to provide access to education to our people,” Zulum stated.

The governor directed the Commissioner for Education to increase the allocation of computers and tablets to the new schools to enhance digital learning opportunities.

The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engineer Lawan Abba, said each of the three schools comprises three blocks of nine classrooms and is equipped with digital facilities to ensure students have access to modern learning tools.

… Zulum Flags Off Construction of 22nd Higher Islamic College

As part of his official tour of southern Borno, Governor Babagana Zulum also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a High Islamic College in Shani Local Government Area.

The college, the 22nd of its kind in the state, aims to integrate the traditional Sangaya system of education into the formal sector. It will also serve as a platform to counter negative ideologies and provide authentic Islamic teachings.

Governor Zulum explained: “As part of our campaign promise of constructing one High Islamic school in each of the 27 local government areas, we are today flagging off the construction of the 48-classroom High Islamic College in Shani.”

He added: “The college will serve as a platform to streamline the non-formal education (Sangaya system) into the formal education system by introducing intensive literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, and, above all, vocational training.”

… Orders Employment of Volunteer Health Workers

In a related development, Governor Zulum has directed the immediate employment of volunteer nurses, midwives, and community health workers serving at the General Hospital in Shani.

The governor issued the directive during an inspection visit to the hospital.

“The Hospitals Management Board is hereby directed to immediately absorb all volunteer nurses and midwives, community health workers (CHEWs), and JCHEWs into the payroll of the state government,” Zulum directed.

He also announced that the government would review the possibility of employing other categories of volunteer health workers at the facility.

Earlier, the governor paid homage to the Emir of Shani, His Royal Highness Alhaji Muhammad Nasir Mailafiya, at his palace, where he promised to address challenges facing the people of the emirate.

07/01/2026

Zulum Inaugurates New GDSS Wandali Ending 30 Years on Temporary Site
…Inspects Hospitals, Schools

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has inaugurated the permanent site of Government Day Secondary School Wandali in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area. The school had been operating from a temporary site for thirty years.

The new 20-classroom school includes a computer laboratory fully equipped with digital tools.

This is the second school Governor Zulum has commissioned on Tuesday as part of a working visit to southern Borno.

The Governor affirmed his administration’s commitment to revamping the education sector through substantial investment in infrastructure, manpower development, and digital and vocational skills.

“The construction of the permanent site of Government Day Secondary School Wandali fulfils our promise to provide access to education for communities across the state,” Zulum remarked.

He added: “Let me express my administration’s resolve to revamp the education sector in the state. I want to also assure you that all necessary facilities will be provided in the school to enable it to function optimally.”

The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, noted that the school had been operating from temporary accommodation since 1996.

He stated that the school comprises 20 classrooms, a computer laboratory, administrative blocks, and fully equipped laboratories to enable students to learn digital and other skills.

While in Kwaya Kusar, the Governor also inspected General Hospital Kwaya Kusar, where he promised to rehabilitate the facility and restore its electricity supply.

He commended the Medical Officer, an indigene of Rivers State, who has served at the hospital for the past four years, praising his dedication and service.

Earlier, before departing Bayo, Governor Zulum inspected the recently inaugurated Bilingual Boarding School in Briyel, which currently has 430 orphaned pupils enrolled.

He also inspected General Hospital Briyel and assured staff that the challenge of power supply would be addressed.

The Governor was accompanied by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; Hon. Bukar Talba; the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abdullahi Musa Askira; members of the State Assembly, commissioners, local government chairmen, and other stakeholders from the area.