Zulum establishes N3b quarry plant, procures trucks to build more infrastructures

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has announced the establishment of a N3 billion quarry plant and the procurement of 70 heavy-duty trucks to build more infrastructural facilities and houses in the state.

The plant, sited at Pulka, aimed to reduce the riding costs of building materials for road networks and housing estates.

Zulum made the disclosures on Monday while flagging off the distribution of 70 brand-new Howo pickup trucks to the Ministry of Works and the State’s Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) at the Government House, Maiduguri.

According to him, the Howo imported trucks are to boost the operational capacity of the Works Ministry and its supervising agencies at the various roads and housing project sites across the state.

Beyond the setup of the quarry plant, the governor further revealed: “The procured trucks will enable the swift deliveries of the various construction and building materials to projects’ sites”, adding that the prompt delivery of the building materials will expedite the quick rehabilitation of several dilapidated roads and highways in the local council areas.

According to the governor, the quarry plant will also provide locally sourced materials, including granites, gravels and certified sharp sand, to support ongoing and future road projects.

“Our local sourcing of construction and building materials will reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and cut costs of completing the roads and houses,” he noted.

Regarding infrastructures in the other sectors of the economy, he said: ““We have achieved a lot in the health, education, agriculture, security, and road construction sectors.

“However, we still have security challenges when constructing roads within the state, especially in rural communities affected by the approximately 17-year Boko Haram insurgency,” Zulum said.

He said that the Pulka quarry plant has the capacity to process 120 tonnes of stone chips and gravel used in roads and housing constructions.

He stated that the state government has expended approximately N3 billion on the establishment of the Pulka quarry plant. The state government spent at least 3 billion to establish the quarry plant,” he added.

According to the governor, due to the prevailing insecurity situations, most of the contractors are not willing to work in Borno State.

On what informed the government in setting up the Pulka plant, Zulum said, “No serious contractor will take the risk of deploying his equipment to most of the implementing areas, so this is the reason we are here,” the governor reinstated.

“So, we have no option but to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Works and BORMA, under special projects, to monitor departments and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are responsible for road construction.”

2027: ADC to contest governorship elections, laments insecurity in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has already prepared to contest the governorship elections in 2027 to overcome the lingering insecurity to lives and property in Borno State.

According to the party, incessant failures in governance have also led to the resurgence of Boko Haram terrorism at the state and national levels.

The vows of taking over Borno State were made on Sunday in Maiduguri by the ADC State Chairman, Honourable Kolo Bukar, shortly after inaugurating the party’s executive members.

Besides the failures in governance, Bukar added: ‘The security challenges and resurgence of attacks in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and other parts of the country are caused by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s incompetence in governance at both the state and national levels.’

He noted that despite the numerous challenges the ADC is facing, which are not hidden but known to everyone, they will, however, be overcome with an emerging victory at the forthcoming 2027 general elections in the country.

The ADC State Chairman, who was a former member of the Borno State House of Assembly (BOHA), stated, “Despite the weakness of the opposition in the state before, the constitution of the ADC executive and his emergence as the Chairman of the party, we are going to change the political tide at the 2027 general polls.

Regarding the unseating of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Bukar said, ‘We know the political terrains and their constituents, including the topography and critical needs of the people in each of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

“Our party knows the people, and we know how to unseat the ruling APC in Borno State,” declared the Chairman at the state Congress in Maiduguri.

Bukar further revealed, “The political message we have for the people of Borno is that we are going to bring succour, good governance and several changes in the state.

“The ruling party is a complete failure. They have failed this country; they have failed Borno State.

“It has also brought insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and many challenges to the people since 2015.

“So we are trying to get to that point, and the moment ADC gets into power, we are going to ameliorate these challenges.”

He noted that the party was also shocked by the resurgence of attacks in parts of the state but saw it as a complete failure of governance at the centre and the subnational level.

Hon. Bukar pledged to the people of Borno and the country at large that the ADC is coming with what he described as a comprehensive policy to mitigate insecurity in the state and the country.

In his remarks, one of the leaders of the party, Alhaji Kashim Imam Ibrahim, said the priority of ADC is not just to take over power in Borno State and at the federal level but to wipe away the tears of poor masses in the state and the country, who have suffered from the brunt of the ruling APC’s bad governance since 2015.

“We want to take over governance in Borno and Nigeria. We want to establish a government that will tackle security challenges and address the needs of the poor. We northerners did not vote for Tinubu in 2023. He did not win the election,” said Ibrahim.

Zulum Donates ₦50m to Family of Fallen Army Officer, Reaffirms Support for Troops

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, has donated ₦50 million to the family of a slain Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel O.C. Okolo, who died in a February 16, 2026, attack by insurgents in the Mandaragirau community, Biu Local Government Area.

The gesture, announced at a funeral service held on April 10 in Obinofia-Ndiuno, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, is part of the governor’s continued support for military personnel and their families affected by the ongoing counter-insurgency operations.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq (retd), Mr Zulum said the state government remains committed to standing by families of fallen soldiers.

“The state government will continue to support families of officers and men who paid the supreme price in defending our nation and its territorial integrity,” he said.

The governor also assured that similar visits and interventions would be extended to families of other personnel who have been killed or declared missing in action in operations across the Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad region.

Mr. Zulum had earlier approved a ₦150 million support package for the families of three military officers who died in separate attacks in border communities around Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

Describing the late officer as courageous and dedicated, the governor expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

“Lt. Col. O.C. Okolo was a gallant, committed officer whose contributions to the nation will not be forgotten,” he said. “My heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues over this painful loss.”

He also prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for strength for the family to bear the loss.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Prof. Stanley Okolo appreciated the governor’s support and solidarity.

“The family members were particularly touched by the cash donation and the delegation sent from Maiduguri to attend the funeral service despite the short notice,” he said.

He further commended the Chief of Army Staff and the General Officer Commanding the 82nd Division for sending representatives to honour the late officer.

The funeral was attended by senior military officers, including representatives of the Chief of Army Staff and the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai, as well as members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) and members of the host community.