ZULUM AGAIN

Education partnership: Zulum meets Egyptian ambassador on follow up

Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has, on Tuesday, met with the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria on a follow-up visit to his initial visit to Egypt on education partnership.

The follow-up visit by the governor was to strengthen his initial visit to Egypt early November, 2020, during which he sought partnership for the training of academics in Borno’s tertiary institutions and preachers at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

Zulum informed the Ambassador, Ihab Awad, that Borno State government has in place schools and all the facilities for all the professionals that would be coming for them to work.

The governor also appreciated the ambassador for all his efforts towards ensuring the partnership between Borno State and his country in making it a reality.

Zulum noted that Borno is one of the states with the highest number of Nigerians who graduated from Egyptian universities.

IDP camp fire: Zulum visits, asks officials to list destroyed households for help

Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, has, on Saturday, while on a sympathy visit to victims of fire disaster at Muna Elbadawy IDP camp, directed Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to list and submit details of the number of affected households for proper intervention by the state government.

Zulum gave the directives when he visited Muna Elbadawy IDP camp situated on the outskirts of Maiduguri over the fire disaster at the camp that claimed one life, injuring 17 others with over 100 shelters destroyed,

Situated on the outskirts of Muna-Maiduguri road, the camp consisted of more than 10,000 households and 50,000 individuals.

While sympathizing with the victims, Zulum announced that the state government is looking at all possible ways to collaborate with the federal government and humanitarian partners to come up with a mechanism to resettle them and other remnants of IDPs in and around Maiduguri back to their ancestral homes or nearby towns such as Ngwom and other towns.

The governor lamented that many do not understand why Borno State government is trying to resettle IDPs back to their ancestral homes. He observed that there is no way, at any point the state government is forcing any IDP back to their homes.

Giving example on the terrible situation they are living in. The sanitary condition, poor shelter and congestion, even though the camp is not an official one, hence the need to resettle them back in a dignified manner.

The governor further explained that the resettlement will enable them to reestablish their livelihood and give them the ability to properly discipline and safeguard the moral upbringing of their children.

This will also allow the host communities to develop by decongesting its population, Zulum observed.

Governor Zulum was briefed and conducted round the facility during the visit by the NEMA Coordinator (North East), Usman Mohammad Aji, and the Director General Borno (SEMA) Hajiya Yabawa Kolo.

The coordinator informed the governor that the fire started at about 1 pm from one of the tents at the camp where one of them was cooking. However, it was brought under control by personnel of the State Fire Service.

*Who is Zulum in ur vicinity ?*

THE POLITICAL MIRACLE CALLED ZULUM.

Prof. Zulum is the sitting governor of Borno state.

He was born in a rural village in Borno state some 52 years ago. He was appointed a commissioner at 46 and he performed excellently well.

His performance as a commission forced his governor to anoint him amongst the 21 candidates that contested his party primaries.

Zulum has the zeal the service, he has the courage to take harsh decisions, he has the intellect to lead but lack the political strength and the big pulse to win elections.

In 2 years he has proven to Nigerians there are no poor state in Nigeria but poor managers of resources.

In 2 years he has proven to Nigerians the constitution is not our problem but the intellectually lazy people we elect to lead us.

Since 1999 till date no governor including those that spent 8 years in office executed 400 projects, yet Zulum executed 556 projects in 2 years.

While many state governors are swimming in wild elephant projects to steal money, building governor lodges Zulum is building WORLD CLASS primary schools for the children of the poor.

While other governors are planning to build state airports in deserts, Zulum is linking villages by roads for easy movement.

While other governors are playing the blame game Zulum is building skill acquisition centers.

Zulum is the only governor in the history of this country who 4 assassination attempt was made on his life within 1 year. The more the try to kill him the more he delivers people oriented programs.

Zulum has proven there is no religious problem but political problems with religious agbada.

Borno is one of the state IF NOT the only state in NIGERIA that is not owing pensioners.

There is a ZULUM in all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria 🇳🇬. All we need is the Shettima that will discover them and put the interest of their people above their personal interest.

Come 2023, we must search for the ZULUMs in our villages, towns and cities and send them to our state houses of assembly, the national assembly and State government secretariat irrespective of political party they belong.

If u care for good governance, spread d good news about Zulum for more Zulums to emerge come 2023.

Zulum Again 2023!!!

Zulum announces “Borno Heroes” scholarship for 500 orphans of Civilian JTFs who died fighting Boko Haram

Coming January 2022, an initiative titled “Borno Heroes Support Programme” will be launched by Borno state Government for the award of educational scholarship to 500 orphans and their widowed mothers left behind by members of the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes who died during battles with Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum announced this during his 2022 budget address at the Borno State House of Assembly on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

“We plan to launch BORNO HEROES’ SUPPORT PROGRAMME. This programme involves the setting up of a Government team that will identify primary and secondary school-aged orphans of volunteers in the CJTF, hunters and volunteers who died during battles. Government will give these orphans scholarships to Federal Government Colleges and International schools. The programme is to be in phases with a pilot phase of 500 orphans” Zulum disclosed.

“Many of these Civilian JTF fighters, hunters and vigilantes have lost their lives fighting for Borno’s peace. Insha’Allah, we plan to reward their priceless sacrifices by educating the children they left behind, and by supporting their widows through a programme we plan to launch in January, Insha’Allah” the Governor said.

Zulum explained that “another component of the BORNO HEROES’ SUPPORT PROGRAMME is needs assessment of widows left behind by the deceased volunteers”. He noted that “Government will allocate required support to these widows for sustainable livelihoods”.

Malam-Fatori: Zulum orders 9 armored carriers for police operations

Towards the restoration of civil authority by the Nigerian Police in Malam-Fatori in the shores of Lake Chad, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has ordered nine armored personnel carriers for police operations, some of which have arrived.

Malam-Fatori, which came under Boko Haram occupation in 2014, is headquarters of Abadam local government area in northern Borno and has a number of communities sharing boarders with Niger Republic. Insurgents controlled the place for about six years, before the military liberated it, but so far, without civilian population.

Zulum, on Thursday in Maiduguri, inspected the first batch of three APCs, with more expected to arrive the state capital at a later date. He carried out the inspection in company of Borno’s commissioner of police, Mr Abdu Umar.

The Governor explained while assessing the APC’s, that, “while the Borno State Government procured nine of the armored vehicles, the Inspector General of Police approved the installations of arms and ammunition on them” since the state government has no constitutional powers to acquire such arms.

Zulum noted that, the APC’s will hopefully enhance operations of a special police unit towards the restoring civil authority in Malam-Fatori in order to compliment the Nigerian military.

The Governor had last month led residents and government officials to embark on the clearance of Malam-Fatori to pave way for the reconstruction of public facilities and private homes towards safe and voluntary resettlement of residents, who had fled to Niger Republic since 2014, in the wake of the Boko Haram attacks.

Zulum has in the last two years distributed about 1,000 surveillance vehicles to the military, other armed forces and volunteers in Borno’s ongoing peace-building efforts.

Zulum Inspects 5 Multi-Billion Naira Projects

… Gives CBDA’s Irrigation Packs to 120 Alau Farmers

Governor Engr Babagana Umara Zulum mni on Sunday assessed five capital multi-billion naira projects ongoing in Maiduguri and neighboring Jere Local Government Area.

The five projects include: new trailer park, flyover at the customs roundabout, a dual carriage way from custom to Muna, Kwanan Yobe road and drainage network, and Maiduguri-Bama highway.

Zulum began his assessment with the new Maiduguri trailer park and gave approval for release of additional funds to speed up completion.

The Governor moved to the Customs flyover project which connects three routes that include connecting Maiduguri to Dikwa-Ngala economic road that leads to neighbouring countries of Cameroon and Chad. The flyover is 2.4 kilometres long with two opposite lanes on top of the bridge and at the bottom.

Governor Zulum said the flyover is intended to ease traffic at the normally congested Customs roundabout in Maiduguri.

The Governor further said that he is opening up the state capital as part of response to increased vehicular movements on the roads caused by population growth largely instigated by forced migration of families some of whom have settled in Maiduguri as a result of displacement by insurgents.

Zulum was later at the site of the ongoing 10km dual carriage way linking custom roundabout to Muna and 2.5km Kwanan Yobe road and drainage construction all in Jere Local Government Area.

The Governor inspected 65km Bama-Maiduguri highway which, when completed, will link the state capital to Cameroon Republic through the commercial town of Banki. The Governor was excited by the progress of work.

“We need to speed up the process and this should not affect the quality and specifications”, Zulum said during the visit.

…CBDA’s Irrigation Packs for 120 Alau Farmers

In the course of his assessment of projects, Governor Zulum visited Alau agro community and distributed irrigation packs to over 120 farmers.

30 clusters of four people each making a total of 120 farmers were provided water pumping machines and other facilities that the Chad Basin Development Authority provided to Borno State Government with a view to enhancing agricultural activities.

Governor Zulum commissions international standard Alpha Mechanic Village , disburts loans to SMEs

In his quest towards achieving development as well as youth empowerment which is one of the cardinal objectives of the 25-year developmental plan,
His Excellency Prof. Babagama Umara Zulum today commissioned an international standard mechanical workshop at Molai. The Governor also disbursed soft loans to about 4000 youths in the state

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS), Engr. Adam Bukar Bababe Mnse commended the efforts of his Excellency over his overzealeous commitment towards providing the desired development by provided a new face for the state. Also stating that the workshop was designed according to international standard with consultations from the technicians, and other professionals to achieve the desired objective. Listing some of the workshops which cut across panel beating, engine repairs, alignment, generator/ Tricycle repairs among others. This workshop will employ about 400 workers. The mechanical village covers 16 hectres of land with stores, restaurants, convinience facilities among others. Also, hoping that the Government will extend such project to other parts of the state.

The Hon. Commisioner Ministry of Higher Education/science, technology and Innovation added that the ministry shall look vividly into how to engage more youths in vocational training for self sustenance urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity.

On the softloan the MD Borno State Microfinance Bank stated that the Loan scheme has been in the state since 2019 where over 2bn naira has been disbursed to about 35,000 SMEs across the three zones of the state and more of such are coming. Maintained that with the zealous support of the State Government, the economy and employment issues of the state has been improving by the minute. alled on all the beneficiaries to invest properly to the benefit of all.

His Excellency in his remarks stated that the world standard Alpha mechanic village is part of his quest towards achievement of the 25-year developmental plan to alleviates the bunch of unemployment amongst the youth through support to the Automechanics in the state. Further adding that more of such projects will be in place to addressing the problems of unemployment and build self reliance amongst youth. Finally, the Gov commended the efforts of the management of BOGIS and the ministry of Higher Education/Science technology and Innovation urging them to come up with more windows of such to enable develop the state. Responding to the request on creation of more of its kind, The Gov assured the gathering that more of such Workshops would be established along Bama road, Maiduguri- Kano Road and Gamboru Ngala Road. In addition, the government will decongest Maiduguri Monday Market, there by creating more markets. Also on the pipeline are the dualisation of monday market- Gwange grave yard road. On the loan which was disbursed to SMEs cutting across dealers of electronics, mobile phones, traders among others, he called on all beneficiaries to invest to the benefit of all

Zulum visits Banki as 2,200 families receive N84m for livelihoods; municipal offices opened

… Returnees get N40,000 each for trading

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum alongside humanitarian partners were in Banki, a border town on Thursday, where N84m was distributed to 2,200 families who returned after fleeing from insurgent attacks. The funds is to enable the families engage in trading for their livelihoods, and to contribute towards reviving Banki’s economy.

During the visit, municipal offices that include Immigration, Customs, and Police posts towards restoration of civil authorities, were commissioned.

The livelihoods support and municipal office projects were executed by the Borno State Government through the UNDP's regional stabilization facility (RSF).

Zulum’s visit to Banki was alongside the UNDP’s resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Yahaya, UN resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, Director General for Africa at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Heike Thiele, Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Lein Eliiv, among other humanitarian partners.

Governor Zulum moved to Banki after a multi stakeholder meeting attended by eight Governors within the Lake Chad, officials of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, multi national forces, among others, which held in Yaounde, with focus on security cooperation, stability, and economic recovery in the Lake Chad region.

Banki is a commercial town in Bama local Government area, which shares border with Cameroon.

The town was sacked by Boko Haram back in 2014 and Zulum who had been there at different times, has been making efforts to resuscitate the town with hundreds of shelters now built for returnees.

At Thursday’s visit, each of the 2,200 returnee-families received 40,000 naira to stimulate their local businesses.

Speaking at a brief ceremony, Zulum noted that the support was to help many residents who have completely lost their means of livelihood. He expressed delight that normalcy was fast returning to Banki town.

“We are here this afternoon to support communities of Banki through the regional stabilization facility. People of Banki have completely lost their means of livelihoods. Few months back, Banki was a ghost town” the Governor said.

Governor Zulum said the support aims to indirectly impact on not less than 10,000 dependants of beneficiaries.

Zulum recalled that the first phase of the cash for livelihood support program was flagged off two months ago, during which each of the beneficiaries went home with N40,000 each.

After Zulum’s remarks, the UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP's regional Director for Africa, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa commissioned buildings for Customs and Immigration services, and a reconstructed Police Station and Barracks to enhance the restoration of the civil authorities in Banki.

Ms. Ahunna said, restoration of livelihoods and commercial activities across the border communities gives her joy, and assured their support to the Borno State Government towards bringing peace.

The UN Assistant Secretary General commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his leadership and commitment in efforts to restore normalcy.

"I see hope in the faces of the people who are here. I see hope rekindled, I see energy and interest, and motivation to restart their lives. This gives me alot of joy, because development does not come from outside, it comes from within. I want to salute the Governor here for his leadership in supporting the restoration of hope and livelihood for this community. We are very proud to be supporting and coming behind the Governor to make life better and bring back hope to this community. We look foward to the next stage of the stabilization programme, and hope that we will really help end insurgency and bring peace to Borno State." Ms. Ahunna said.

On her part, Director General for Africa at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Heike Thiele said, “we have witnessed good progress towards stabilization today. The interventions under the Regional Stabilization Facility have not only contributed to the restoration of safety but have also helped strengthen the economy by enabling cross-border trade and movement”.

RECALLED!!!

His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Engr. Babagana Umara Zulum mni FNSE in his determination to develop Borno State has in September 2019 visited Chibok and Askira Local Government Areas respectively.

Governor Zulum while on his tour paid a homage visits to all respected Royal Fathers in their respective Palaces. While in Askira, Governor Zulum instructed the immediate completion of all ongoing projects which are appreciable in numbers. Few to mention includes Completion of Yimirali Primary School, Rumirgo Primary School and others.

Governor Zulum has also directed the commencement of Damboa to Askira Road rehabilitation, Construction of Additional Blocks of Class rooms in Rumirgo Primary School, Construction of Additional Blocks of Class Rooms and Fencing of Uvu Primary School, Construction of an Earth Dam in Uvu in order to boost Agricultural activities, Connection of Uvu town to the National grid, upgrading of Uvu dispensary to a comprehensive Health Center, Construction of road from Lassa junction down to Uvu town and others.

In Chibok Local Government Area His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State Prof. Engr. Babagana Umara Zulum mni FNSE has directed the Construction of 200 Housing Units in Chibok Town, establishment of new Technical Secondary School, Establishment of Comprehensive Health Center in Mbala, completion of ongoing rehabilitation at Government Secondary School Chibok, drilling of four Mega boreholes and Solar Power installion at Mbalala Central Primary and Junior Secondary School.

Governor Zulum also vowed to provide adequate water accessibility in Chibok town among others. Governor Zulum also presented 5 Patrol Vehicles to Chibok Vigilantes and also directed the payment of monthly allowances to 500 vigilantes.

All the above mentioned are due and Completed in Six months.

Governor Zulum Has Worked!
Governor Zulum is Working!
And We Say!

Zulum Again 2023!!!

Zulum orders 100 cars, 500 tricycles as subsidy for 2,200 Keke NAPEP operators

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Saturday, in Maiduguri, hosted operators of ‘Keke NAPEP’ during which he directed the procurement of 500 tricycles and 100 Toyota cars (Corolla LE) for subsidized allocations.

At Government House meeting, held at his instance, Governor Zulum explained that about 2000 Keke NAPEP operators, who currently do not have their own tricycles, will benefit from the intervention in which case, four (4) operators will be allocated one tricycle for shared business, which means 2000 operators will own the 500 tricycles. He said another 200 persons will jointly own 100 Toyota cars.

As subsidy, all 2,200 beneficiaries will be required to repay only 50% of the market value of the tricycles and cars which they will generate from business while Government will waive the remaining 50%, Zulum announced.

The Governor directed the state’s ministry of transportation to liaise with various unions of the tricycle operators to agree on suitable and acceptable modalities for the allocation.

Zulum however, warned that, only deserving members who do not have their tricycle should be considered.

The Governor recalled that while government had banned the importation of tricycles into Maiduguri to curtail case of crimes committed and address congestions along the main roads, the coming intervention is based on need.

He further said, all measures were in the best interest of the tricycle riders while acknowledging the huue employment opportunities it has provided.

One of the union leaders amongst the operators, Alhaji Hurso Grema, expressed appreciation to Governor Zulum for the coming intervention and for some regulatory measures introduced by the Government which he said, had saved their occupation from incursions by bad elements who hitherto tried using tricycles for criminal acts.

Zulum had last year, allocated similar tricycles and cars to operators in Biu town.

Kashim Shettima Said Zulum Again!!!

Copied from the Wall of Distinguish Senator Kashim Shettima.

Facebook reminded me that I made the Speech below 3 years ago!😊. No regrets whatsoever!. Certainly, I have lost some friends & associates of several decades standing because of this singular decision. Verily, some friends are for a Season; some for a reason & some forever. Probably my relationship with the dramatis personae was ab initio anchored on a faulty foundation!. All along, it has been about their Self-interests. The genuflections, obsequiousness, the unflinching loyalty & contrived devotion were all FAKE!.

It's all about Borno & given the opportunity, I will make the same decision again.

Gov. Zulum is an authentic Person & has remained true to the relationship. Anyone who thinks otherwise might as well go & jump into the Atlantic.

PLEASE READ AGAIN...

'Why I endorsed Professor Zulum to succeed me as Borno's next Governor'

By Kashim Shettima

In the politics of Borno State, at least since 1999, we have had and maintained a tradition in which major stakeholders of a ruling party, expect from an outgoing Governor, a sense of political direction in the choice of a successor. Some people may see this tradition as a form of dictatorship but to many others, politicians with varied experiences, such an honor provides the critical step needed by our party in its transition processes.

In the last couple of days, I have come under intense pressure from many stakeholders insisting that I should anoint a successor. In all discussions, I have maintained one divine statement, which is, only Allah gives power to whom he pleases and at the time He pleases. I, Kashim Shettima am but human, a first amongst equals. I do not and cannot give power. I can only make recommendation based on my own human but informed analysis. Even at that, my recommendation cannot foreclose the fundamental right of any legitimate aspirant to contest the primary election.

We cannot pretend not to be aware that an otherwise leader in our party, the APC, has deliberately created an unnecessary division within its membership in the state. This has led, to borrow from the satirical wisdom of Distinguished Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the existence of what is akin to a match between "home based players" in the majority and with local support and a minority "foreign based players". Four months ago, when we received some fleeing leaders back into the APC fold, I had thought that those who choose to work against the majority have learned lessons. I had expected us to once again, fuse into one indivisible family so that together, we could give our party a direction and confront our opponents as a united force. How wrong I was! Perhaps, I ignored the common saying, that a leopard does not change its spots.

As we all know, we have 21 cleared governorship aspirants, if I am right. I will like to first, place on record, my deepest respect for all aspirants, including those who have joined forces to fight the majority.
Some people have tried to make mockery of the sheer number of Borno's governorship aspirants. To me, the high number only goes to show the enthusiasm, passion and determination of many citizens who want to contribute in the post conflict repositioning of Borno. All our 21 aspirants, I believe, are only eager to build on our modest efforts in order to take Borno to the next level. I salute all of them and I dare say, that all our aspirants have immense qualities which make everyone of them eminently qualified to be the Governor of Borno State especially in ordinary times. However, as we know, Borno is not in ordinary times and regardless, there can only be one Governor at a time.

I would like to say that the task of recommending one aspirant to our stakeholders has more than anything else, tested me. I have faced the test of choosing between my personal interest, my friendships, and my political associations, all on one side and on the other, my conscience and the future of Borno State.

Borno state has seen the darkest side of history. The type we cannot wish for worst enemies. Parents, brothers and sisters, have witnessed first hand, the public and brutal ex*****on of their loved ones. We have lost thousands of persons. Nearly two million persons were displaced. Majority ran for their lives, trekking for miles before arriving different safe destinations. Today, Borno still has citizens displaced in all parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Thousands of children have been turned into orphans after the gruesome murder of their parents, and similarly thousands of women have become widows of the conflict. Wealthy merchants in hundreds of communities have been transformed overnight from prosperity to penury.. Landlords have been turned into hapless tenants, and even among the homeless. Prosperous and economically viable communities were turned to graves and war zones.

Borno has witnessed a long period of gloom and doom.

Our peculiar experiences in Borno State have to my mind, made the task of choosing a potential Governor a difficult one. It was a task, which required and forced me to set aside personal interest and consider the greater interest of our dear state.. Borno is greater than Kashim Shettima and Borno is greater than any one of us.

As Governor from 2011 to date, I can say without any iota of doubt that handling the affairs of Borno State is as complex as steering the affairs of some big countries. The challenges before Borno are more than whatever anyone might imagine.

Making the choice of my potential successor was beyond my thinking alone. Such a choice required a combination of very deep thoughts and wisdom. I therefore had to undertake very extensive consultations. I consulted to extents never reached in the recent political history of Borno State. I have met virtually all the critical segments that make up our dear State. I have held closed-door meetings and had frank and open discussions with our royal fathers and elders. I have visited homes and met with past and serving leaders, party stakeholders and professionals of various fields. I even went as far as employing the services of agents unknown to each other, which I sent to communities across our 27 local government areas to feel the pulses of our citizens. In all my consultations, I created one-on-one atmosphere to get undiluted opinions. I held one on one meeting with public office holders across different levels of Borno. I made sure I was getting the honest opinions of everyone. I was able to collate views as comprehensive as humanly possible. I looked at these views as objectively as possible.

Of our 21 aspirants, if I were to support and hand pick what some people might call any of my closest boys as successor; I most certainly would go for Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan or Adamu Lawan Zaufanjimba. If, on the other hand, public service is the only consideration, none of the aspirants can be more qualified than our elder statesman, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda. If loyalty to political association is my main consideration, Distinguished Senator Abubakar Kyari has proved unalloyed loyalty to political association with me. If years of sincere and mutual friendship are my main consideration, Distinguished Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai and Alhaji Mai Sheriff are my closest friends amongst all our aspirants. If the consideration is about humility and ability to carry people along, His Excellency Shettima Yuguda Dibal is legendary. I have relationship and so much respect for majority of the aspirants, the likes of Hon. Umara Kumalia, Makinta, name them. In fact, two of the aspirants, Mustapha Fannarambe and Umar Alkali are my relatives. All aspirants have divergent qualities. However, because of the situation we found ourselves, considerations for the next Governor of Borno State requires specific quips tailored to our needs for now.

From the generality of feedbacks, there is no doubt that what will define political debates in Borno's 2019 Governorship election will be promises in the aftermath of brutal conflict, deaths and destructions of communities.

Everywhere in the world, post conflict rehabilitation, restoration, reconciliation & resettlement are complex, composite & interwoven.
With humility and absolute respect for all aspirants, I will like to say, that from overwhelming opinions and feedbacks, the aspirant with an edge in understanding the Peace-Development Nexus of Borno's post conflict future is Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, mni.

As Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement since September 2015, Professor Zulum has been in the thick of our recovery and restoration efforts. He has proved to understand the dynamics. He has established enormous amount of contact in the post conflict development sector and has earned the confidence of local and international stakeholders. Borno needs such confidence in the task of completing our ongoing social and economic recovery, rebuilding of communities and livelihoods.

For our peculiar situation, Professor Zulum has shown the potentials to take Borno State to the next level. His age is also an advantage. At 48, Professor Zulum is in his prime, he is head & shoulders above me in terms of intellect, capacity & indefatigability. Zulum is without the slightest doubt, a workhorse!

Professor Zulum's story in the struggles of life will connect with electorates. Professor Zulum fought his way from grass to grace. From a humble beginning, he hawked firewood to finance his education. Through unusual courage and determination, he is today a Professor of Irrigation Engineering and member of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies.

My recommendation of Professor Zulum does not, should not and will not stop any aspirant from contesting in the primaries.
It is easy to market Professor Zulum before delegates. If we succeed, Insha’Allah, we shall go round Borno State, to remind electorates from Gwoza to Chibok, Bama to Damasak, Konduga to Kaga and all over Borno State. We shall tell electorates to look around their neighborhoods and see how Professor Zulum was able to rebuild their communities—from thousands of homes, hundreds of schools to healthcare centres and restored their livelihoods at the risk of being attacked by Boko Haram.

I will remind my fellow APC stake-holders and supporters that the contest before us is one that would require us to be together. No matter our differences, we must recognize that we stand to loose individually and as a group, when we sabotage our efforts. We must set aside our individual interests and preferences for the future of Borno and the benefit of our traumatized citizens.

I will like to express my continued and most profound appreciation to the honour done to me in giving me the task of making consultations on behalf of our great party. I believe I have to the best of my ability, justified the trust you have shown in me. No one would expect a Professor to become a stooge of any Governor. Professor Zulum has always been one with his independent mindset. Fortunately, his mindset has proved to be highly progressive and productive. His records as rector of Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri have stood him out as much as what he so much achieved in our ongoing reconstruction and Resettlement of internally displaced persons and refugees affected by the Boko Haram crisis. In choosing Professor, I know, that I will be remembered for placing Borno above my personal interest.

I will forever remain grateful for the overwhelming support and honour I have enjoyed in serving the good people of Borno State.

Allah Ya ba mu nasara!

‎Signed
Kashim Shettima
September 30, 2018.