By Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding and transforming the state despite challenges such as insurgency, flooding, and displacement. Speaking at the commissioning of the permanent site of Government Day Secondary School, Mairi, by World Bank Country Director Dr. Ndiame Diop on Tuesday, Zulum emphasized the importance of partnerships with international organizations like the World Bank in achieving sustainable development.
The Governor highlighted his administration’s 10-Pact Agenda, which has evolved into a 25-Year Development Plan focusing on priorities such as education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure. He noted that these initiatives have led to significant improvements, particularly in the education sector, where over 2,931 classrooms have been rebuilt, reducing the number of out-of-school children in Borno State by 70%, from 2.2 million to less than 700,000.
Governor Zulum also detailed efforts to sustain school attendance, including providing millions of exercise books, textbooks, school uniforms, and bags. An annual feeding program benefiting 50,000 pupils and the distribution of 10,000 bicycles to rural students have further enhanced access to education. He emphasized that these initiatives are resource-intensive but essential for long-term progress.
To address the needs of out-of-school youth, Zulum’s administration has established vocational training centers, with plans to train 5,000 artisans annually. The goal is to equip youths with skills for self-reliance, reduce unemployment, and position Borno as a hub for skilled labor, both locally and internationally.
The Governor also announced plans to integrate the Tsangaya Islamic education system with modern curricula, including science and technology, through the establishment of Higher Islamic Colleges in all 27 local government areas. This initiative aims to prepare learners for contemporary challenges while preserving cultural heritage.
In his address, Zulum commended the World Bank’s support through projects like the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE). He expressed optimism that the partnership would continue to advance Borno’s recovery and development goals.
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