Tinubu Unveils Schools, Nurses’ Housing, Rolls Out Food Bank in Borno

Tada Jutha,Maiduguri

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday commissioned a series of landmark projects in Borno State, including newly built accommodation for health workers and two large-scale primary schools delivered by Governor Babagana Zulum.

The housing facility, situated near the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, comprises eight blocks with six flats each. The apartments are fully furnished and fitted with air-conditioning systems, aimed at improving the welfare and retention of healthcare personnel in the state.

At the same event, the First Lady also inaugurated Aliyakeri and Abbaganaram Mega Primary Schools, both designed to accommodate large numbers of pupils. Each school features 48 classrooms, ICT centres, sports facilities, e-learning infrastructure and solar-powered electricity to support uninterrupted academic activities.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mrs Tinubu commended the governor’s investment in critical sectors, noting that the projects would strengthen healthcare delivery and expand access to quality education.

“What I have seen here reflects a strong commitment to the people. These investments will make a meaningful difference,” she said.

Governor Zulum’s administration has so far completed over 100 mega schools across the state, with additional projects ongoing in various communities.

In a parallel initiative, the First Lady flagged off the North-east National Community Food Bank Programme, a nationwide intervention spearheaded by her office to address hunger and malnutrition, particularly among children.

She explained that the programme targets vulnerable children under the age of six, ensuring access to nutritious food through community-driven systems. According to her, the scheme is being implemented in collaboration with key institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the Bank of Agriculture.

“The idea is to connect areas with surplus food to communities in need, while building a sustainable structure that supports families and protects children from malnutrition,” she said.

As part of empowerment efforts, Mrs Tinubu also launched a N200 million support package for 2,000 vulnerable women across Borno’s 27 local government areas. Each beneficiary is to receive N100,000 alongside a sewing machine to support small-scale businesses and improve household income.

The distribution covers 400 women in Maiduguri, 200 in Jere, 100 in Biu, while the remaining local government areas have 50 beneficiaries each.

She praised the state government’s commitment to social welfare, describing the intervention as a practical step toward reducing poverty and improving livelihoods.

In recognition of outstanding service, keys to new utility vehicles were presented to eight top-performing education personnel, including teachers and administrators.

In a separate gesture, Governor Zulum awarded a house to a long-serving ministry staff member, Baba Modu Fandi, acknowledging his years of dedication. The First Lady further supported him with a cash gift of N2 million.

Mrs Tinubu also urged spouses of governors in the North-east to rally support for the food bank initiative, stressing the need for collective action in tackling malnutrition and food insecurity across the region.

Zulum, Borno APC leaders endorse Tinubu, Shettima for 2027 presidential race

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State on Saturday endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as the party’s candidates for the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was announced at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Maiduguri and presided over by Governor Babagana Zulum, with participants drawn from across the 27 local government areas of the state.

Mr Zulum, who moved the motion for the endorsement, said the decision reflected the confidence of party leaders in the current administration and the need to sustain what he described as “continuity in leadership.”

“Our victory in the next election will depend largely on our unity. We must remain committed and work together to ensure success for our party,” the governor said.

He added that his administration had maintained inclusiveness in governance over the years and expressed hope that his successor would consolidate on existing achievements.

The governor also assured residents that governance would not be overshadowed by political activities, pledging continued focus on development, especially in rural communities.

The meeting was attended by top APC figures, including Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.

Others present were members of the National and State Assemblies, former deputy governors, and party executives at state and local government levels.

The endorsement signals early mobilisation within the APC in Borno, a key stronghold of the party in the North-east, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Zulum Bags Commonwealth ‘Nurses-Friendly Governor’ Award for Health, IDP Interventions

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has been recognised on the international stage with a Nurses-Friendly Governors’ Award at the 2026 Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference held in Abuja.

The honour, presented during the gathering of health professionals from across Commonwealth countries, highlights Zulum’s contributions to healthcare development and humanitarian support, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The conference, organised under the theme “Towards Excellence: Nurses and Midwives Working Together for Quality Practice, Education and Regulation,” attracted participants from various parts of the world, including policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders in the health sector.

Presenting the award, Kathleen McCourt, President of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation, commended the Borno governor for what she described as a people-centred leadership style. She pointed to his administration’s large-scale housing programmes for displaced communities and sustained investments in health infrastructure as key factors behind the recognition.

According to her, Zulum’s efforts in rebuilding lives and strengthening public health systems have positioned him as a model for subnational leadership within the Commonwealth.

The governor was represented at the event by Professor Abubakar Kullima, Chief Medical Director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, alongside his Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi.

Earlier, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Malam Haruna Mamman, explained that the selection of awardees followed a detailed review process guided by clearly defined criteria.

Other state governors honoured at the event included those from Nasarawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Lagos, Katsina, Plateau, Anambra and Akwa Ibom states.

Zulum’s administration has been widely noted for its expansive development drive. Beyond establishing two colleges of nursing in different parts of the state, the governor has overseen a steady rise in completed projects—ranging from over 120 within his first 100 days in office to approximately 1,500 capital projects by his seventh year.

Organisers of the conference said the award reflects measurable progress in strengthening healthcare delivery systems and improving the welfare of vulnerable populations under his leadership.