President Bola Tinubu on Saturday commended Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for his unwavering commitment to education, health, and transportation initiatives that have steadily uplifted the livelihoods of residents.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President who arrived in Maiduguri at 12:30 pm as part of a three-state official tour covering Borno, Bauchi, and Lagos, wasted no time in commissioning transformative projects. These included the international wing and new VIP extension of Muhammadu Buhari Airport, electric vehicles, intra-state buses, tricycles, and three model schools – a primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary institution.
“I am commissioning this primary, junior secondary school and senior secondary schools to the glory of God, and continuous education of our children,” President Tinubu declared during the event, highlighting the role of education in securing the future.
The President’s visit blended state duties with cultural engagement. He participated in the marriage ceremony of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Borno Governor Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to Hadiza Kam Salem. In line with Kanuri traditions, Tinubu stood in as the father of the groom, while Governor Zulum represented the bride’s family, receiving the bride price in gold coins. The event, hosted by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi at the Maiduguri Central Mosque, drew a high-profile crowd.
Attendees included seven state governors: Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), and Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), alongside senators and ministers.
President Tinubu departed Maiduguri for Bauchi State at 3:25 pm, rounding out a day of infrastructure unveilings and community celebrations.
The commendation from the President underscored Zulum’s focus on people-oriented development amid Borno’s ongoing recovery from insurgency challenges. “President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday in Maiduguri, Borno State, applauded the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for continuously investing in education, health, and transportation and for steadily improving the livelihoods of indigenes”, the statement read.
