Nigeria @65: Zulum Congratulates Tinubu, says Peace Building and Recovery Efforts Succeeding

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other Nigerians on Wednesday on the occasion of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day Celebration.

Marking the milestone, Governor Zulum acknowledged the challenges the country has faced over the past six and a half decades but emphasised that Nigeria has consistently emerged stronger. He called for continued unity, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence amongst its citizens.

The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and continued support to the armed forces and other security agencies involved in counter-insurgency operations in the North East, particularly in Borno State.

Zulum, in a statement he personally signed, also expressed commitment to providing peace and development to Borno, stating, “We will not rest. We will not be complacent. We will continue to work, strive more, and fight for a Borno where everyone can dream of a better life, every farmer can till their land, our industries can thrive, and every family can sleep in peace.”

Governor Zulum’s full statement below:

“As we join our brothers and sisters across the country to mark the 65th anniversary of our independence. We celebrate the Nigerian nation’s freedom, unity, and resilience. But on this day, our reflections in Borno are particularly profound. Our journey has been uniquely tested, yet our hope remains unbroken.”

“It is indeed worth celebrating 65 years of nationhood as an indivisible nation. “Despite the threats of insecurity, such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other criminal elements, our gallant military officers and security forces are winning the battle. We must unite as a people to fight the common enemy.”

“We remember with solemn gratitude the sacrifices of our gallant men and women in uniform, the military, the police, the Civilian JTF, and all security agencies who have paid the ultimate price to keep us safe. We honour the memory of our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, who were lost to the insurgency.”

” Let me use this opportunity to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and continued support to the armed forces and other security agencies involved in counter-insurgency operations in the North East, particularly in Borno State.

“Our primary and most sacred duty has been the restoration of peace and security. We adopted a multi-faceted approach, understanding that a purely kinetic solution is not enough.”

“We have consistently and directly supported our security forces. From providing hundreds of operational vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, and sophisticated communication and other operational gadgets to consistently visiting difficult frontline locations, so that we ensure that our troops are motivated and better equipped to face the enemy. We have built and renovated accommodations for our security operatives, among many other supports.”

“Peace cannot be complete without restoration. Therefore, we have undertaken the most ambitious resettlement programme in Nigeria. We have successfully closed all the official internally displaced persons (IDP) camps within Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, moving our people from a state of dependency to dignity and self-reliance.”

“We have supported the safe and voluntary return of a significant number of our displaced population to their ancestral homes by providing them with livelihood packages. We have constructed thousands of resettlement houses across local government areas, providing shelter for returnees.”

“Our resilience-building initiative is greatly working, Socio-economic activities have picked up in resettled communities such as Baga, Malam Fatori, Kukawa, Gwoza, Darajamal, Warabe, Limankara, Logumane, Gajibo, Marte, Gamborun Ngala, amongst others.”

“We have rebuilt critical infrastructure, including hundreds of healthcare centres, primary and secondary schools, ensuring that our children can learn and our sick can be treated in their communities.”

“Dear Citizens of Borno, our vision extends beyond survival to prosperity. We are laying the foundation for a post-insurgency economy.

“Our administration’s peacebuilding and recovery efforts are greatly succeeding. The integrated policies, designed to address the root causes of insurgency, build community resilience, and promote reconciliation, have been fruitful.

Trade and Commerce as a cornerstone, we have reestablished and upgraded to an international standard our cattle markets in Gamboru Nagal, Banki and the one in Kasuwan Shanu in Jere Local Government Area.”

“We are pursuing the establishment of the African Inter-Continental Free Trade Zone in Banki and a Dry Inland Port in Maiduguri. We have invested a lot of resources to support the federal government’s initiative of international operations at Muhammadu Buhari Airport. These, among other strategic plans we have drawn, will significantly boost the economy of our state and create several employment opportunities.”

“Through our various empowerment schemes, we have provided startup capital, tools, and training to tens of thousands of our youths and women, turning them from victims into entrepreneurs and employers of labour.”

We have constructed and equipped modern and specialised hospitals, two nursing colleges, and recruited hundreds of healthcare professionals to bring quality medical services to our people. Our world-class Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital will soon be activated.”

“We have invested hugely in the education sector, recruited over 4,000 teachers and renovated schools across the state. Our scholarship programmes have sent thousands of Borno indigenes to universities at home and abroad, investing in the human capital that will drive our future.”

“In the agricultural sector, we have distributed thousands of tonnes of fertiliser, improved seeds, and agricultural machinery to our farmers. We have revived some sections of the South Chad Irrigation Project, enabling the cultivation of thousands of hectares of land and moving us towards food sufficiency.”

“My dear people, the journey is not over. Challenges remain. We still face the threat of remnant terrorists. But there is a gradual return to peace in Borno. Many of our communities have reestablished themselves, our markets are bustling, and our farms are again yielding bountiful harvests.”

“On this Independence Day, let us draw strength from our collective resilience. Let us renew our commitment to unity, peace, and the progress of Borno State within a prosperous Nigeria.”

Thank you.
God bless Borno State
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria