Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum on Wednesday consulted with Borno’s council of Ulamas and the leadership of the Christians Association Of Nigeria (CAN) as the lockdown he declared ends on Wednesday.
The Governor discussed his administration’s COVID-19 pandemic response with both groups.
Zulum sought collaborative measures that can guarantee the support of worship centres, moblization of citizens on preventive measures through religious preachings and influences to arrive at the possibility or otherwise, of reopening economic activities in the State.
The Governor had on Wednesday, May 6th, 2020 extended by one week, a lockdown he initially imposed for two weeks. He announced that on April 20th and it took effect on April 22nd.
He promised to review the lockdown extension on Wednesday May 13th, 2020, during which the State’s high powered committee he appointed in March, would announce conditions and regulations to be followed in the event the lockdown is to be relaxed.
Governor Zulum has been seriously concerned by the fact that a significant portion of Borno’s population earn their livelihood on daily basis through petty trades and offering services.
Zulum has also been concerned that most of the population are farmers who need to start clearing their farmlands as the rainy season sets in.
He therefore directed the Ulamas and the leadership of CAN to submit their advice and way forward through the office of the Deputy Governor before Wednesday, for Government’s consideration.
Responding, the Chief Imam of Borno, Zannah Laisu, and CAN Chairman, Bishop Moh’d Naga both expressed appreciation to Governor Zulum for considering religious leaders as part of key components in Government’s decision making.
… Inspects 1,000 housing sites at Auno, Njimtilo …Visits more projects at state varsity
In order to to attract increased security and rebuild public confidence at Auno town, Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has directed the siting of a community outreach office which he will start using from time to time in the town, that had come under repeated attacks by boko haram.
The Governor gave the directive on Saturday in Auno town during his assessment of ongoing projects, amongst them two housing units, each for 500 houses, making 1000 houses in Auno and Njimtilo.
In February, Auno, located along Maiduguri-Damaturu high way, came under heavy attack by boko haram leading to deaths og 30 passengers, a carnage that attracted a sympathy visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to Borno state. Many residents have continually left Auno for Maiduguri.
Zulum, who currently operates two offices at the government house and the state’s secretariat (stopping workers’ absenteeism and lateness), said the new outreach at Auno will not be an office, it will be a place he will also be operating, for the purpose of having direct interactions with the residents at Auno, and nearby communities in Konduga and Kaga local government areas. Auno is not far from Njimtilo, Mainok, Benesheikh and Ngamdu, all populated communities, also on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.
An outreach directed by Governor Zulum is expected to boost public confidence especially as the governor intends to be using it from time to time.
“To encourage those that have left to come back.
As I have earlier said Auno is a very strategic town but because of the lingering security situation in Auno, most of the population have relocated to Maiduguri, Auno is only 6 kilometers away from the Borno State University, dislodging Auno would mean dislodging Maiduguri which has more than half the population of Borno. We have to take measures to secure Auno like we should do for all parts of the state. I am establishing a community outreach that will be used by me and I will be regular here” Zulum said.
The Governor while addressing a very few people left in the town directed the ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement to immediately provide food items and cash amount to those currently living in the town.
“While fighting against COVID-19, we have to be very careful of other sectors, Auno is an agrarian community, and it is now a rainning season, people need to go back to their farmlands. Most of the people in Maiduguri use to farm in Auno, it is therefore, imperative on us to focus more on Auno in terms of security provisions” Zulum said.
… Wants soldiers, police presence increased
While at Auno, Governor Zulum appealed to the Nigerian Army to relocate their formation from its existing location to Auno Secondary School, which is ahead of the town. That way, he suggested, citizens could feel safer.
The Governor also called on the Borno State Police Command to increase police presence in Auno to strengthen civil authority in the town.
… Inspects 1,000 housing sites at Auno, Njimtilo
During his Saturday outing, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum inspected projects sites where a total of 1,000 houses are being built.
At Auno, Zulum assessed 500 resettlement houses being built by the ministry of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement for internally displaced persons, IDPs.
Zulum explained during his assessment that housing units sited in two locations, is to expand Auno to eventually link it up with Maiduguri through developmental housing.
At Njimtilo, in the outskirt of Maiduguri (geographically in Konduga) Governor Zulum inspected another 500 housing estate being constructed under the supervision of a high powered committee that is led by the state’s deputy governor.
Both projects were progressing.
… Roads, housing at Borno’s University
RZulum was also at the Borno State University where he inspected ongoing road and staff housing projects.
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