Tears of Joy in Biu as Zulum Empowers 400 Women With N40m Grants

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

It was not the harsh realities of Nigeria’s economy that drew tears from the hundreds of women and girls gathered in Biu last Friday. It was the overwhelming joy of witnessing a long-awaited transformation — the inauguration of the Women and Girls Skills Acquisition Centre (WGSAC), a project many described as nothing short of miraculous.

For years, empowerment programmes for women in Borno South Senatorial District, covering nine local government areas, felt like distant promises. But last weekend, those dreams finally took shape, offering second chances to girls who dropped out of school and women struggling to rebuild their lives.

During the inauguration ceremony, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum stunned the crowd after announcing a ₦40 million economic support grant for 400 women selected from eight LGAs of the zone, a moment that triggered gasps, tears, and outright disbelief among the beneficiaries.

“These 400 women are vocational trainees drawn from eight local governments,” Zulum explained. “They include women and girls previously blocked by circumstance from completing their education.”

According to him, each trainee will receive ₦100,000 in two instalments, supporting their transition into small-scale enterprises such as tailoring, catering, knitting, crocheting, and bead-making. The initiative, he noted, is designed to restore livelihoods and reduce economic vulnerability across southern Borno communities.

Just when the applause began to settle, Zulum threw in another unexpected announcement.

“Who among you has qualifications for higher education?” he asked.

Dozens of hands shot up tentatively — and in response, the governor approved instant scholarships for selected trainees to study nursing and midwifery in the state.

What followed was a wave of raw emotion. Women sobbed, some smiled through tears, and others pinched themselves in disbelief, unsure whether the grants and scholarships were real. Even after the governor’s convoy departed, the vocational centre remained filled with jubilation, prayers, and gratitude.

Friday’s event formed part of Zulum’s intensive five-day tour of Southern Borno, during which he commissioned projects, interacted with health workers and teachers, and rolled out new support initiatives targeting youth, the sick, and the vulnerable.

For the women of Borno South, however, the inauguration of WGSAC was more than an official ceremony — it was the opening of a new chapter.

As one elderly beneficiary whispered amid the crowd, “God has remembered Borno’s daughters.”

Many joined her in praying that the Almighty continues to grant the governor strength, good health, and wisdom to sustain people-focused programmes that improve living conditions and restore dignity in communities once left behind.

Zulum Flags Off Jerusalem Pilgrimage, Urges 230 Travellers to Be Good Ambassadors

Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has bid farewell to 230 Christian intending pilgrims heading to Jerusalem, urging them to conduct themselves responsibly and pray for peace and development in the state and the country.

The farewell ceremony held on Wednesday at Wulari–Jerusalem EYN Church in Maiduguri saw the governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Bukar Tijani.

“I thank our governor for facilitating this year’s Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem in Israel,” Tijani said, noting that despite past security challenges, Borno residents are now living in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

He encouraged both male and female pilgrims to be “responsible ambassadors of Borno and Nigeria” by demonstrating exemplary conduct throughout the two-week holy trip.

Tijani further highlighted the importance of unity, peaceful coexistence, and prayers for leaders and the nation, urging the group to “act as brothers’ keepers, uphold goodwill, and promote positive values.”

Executive Secretary of the Borno State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (BOCPW), Elder James Rangi Ndirmbita, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum, Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur, and the Commissioner of Religious Affairs for sustaining government support to Christian pilgrims.

He said the exercise was vital for spiritual development and strengthening bonds among diverse communities in the state.

In a vote of thanks, Bishop John Bakeni—represented by Rev. Iliya Ndirmbita—appreciated the governor for “people-orientated development projects” and for enabling the pilgrimage to become a reality for many Christians in Borno.

He noted that Christians in the state “continue to enjoy peaceful coexistence under the governor’s exemplary leadership” and assured that pilgrims would intercede for Borno and Nigeria while in the Holy Land.

Other dignitaries present included the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Babagana Malarima, and other senior government officials.

The ceremony underscored the state government’s commitment to promoting spiritual welfare, harmony, and mutual respect among its citizens as the pilgrims embark on their journey to Jerusalem.

Zulum Flags Off Mega School Projects in Hawul, Targets Out-of-School Children

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has kicked off the construction of two mega secondary schools in Hawul Local Government Area as part of renewed efforts to reduce out-of-school children and strengthen education delivery in southern Borno.

During a two-day working visit to the council, Zulum also laid the foundation for a 48-classroom High Islamic College (HIMC) in Shafa community along the Biu–Garkida–Gombi road. The facility, he explained, will operate under the accredited curriculum of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) and is tailored to blend modern and Islamic education for learners in the south senatorial zone.

“This college, after completion, will provide a holistic and modern Islamic education,” the governor said at the foundation-laying ceremony on Wednesday. “It will integrate digital knowledge, numeracy, literacy and vocational skills, in line with our campaign promises to empower young people and fight poverty.”

Zulum stated that the HIMC model is intended to produce students equipped with both formal and authentic Islamic knowledge, bridging the gap between religious study and employability.

A second mega school project was unveiled in Marama town, aimed at expanding access to quality learning facilities across all 27 LGAs in the state. Zulum disclosed that a two-storey school building with 36 classrooms and modern educational amenities will be constructed in the area.

He further announced plans to bolster the teaching workforce, revealing that more teachers will be recruited to complement the existing 4,000 currently in the public school system.

“Due to the shortage of qualified teachers, we must recruit competent ones who are indigenes of Marama community to teach in this mega secondary school,” he said, assuring residents that his administration remains committed to delivering on promises and transforming the education sector.

The governor was accompanied by the Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, who jointly performed the foundation-laying.

Beyond the education sector, Zulum also visited the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Azare, a facility rehabilitated and donated by the Borno State Government to accelerate its take-off and improve healthcare service delivery in the southern senatorial district.

Other newly commissioned projects in Hawul included a shopping complex and several market stalls designed to stimulate commerce and grow the council’s internally generated revenue.