Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has received two awards for his exemplary leadership in providing security and public service to the people of Borno State.
The award, tagged “Nigeria’s Pride Award,” was jointly organised by Beauty of Nigeria TV, Africa Leadership Scorecard, and the Nationwide Reporters.
Governor Zulum, who doubled as the special guest of honour, was represented by his special adviser on media, Alhaji Dauda Iliya.
Alhaji Dauda Iliya was accompanied by Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, Zulum’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media.
The two awards, “Best Governor on Security” and “Most People Oriented Governor” were presented by the former Presidential aspirant in the 2011 general election, Dr Sarah Jibril.
About 15 people received awards in different categories, including Senator Pius Aynim, the former Secretary to the Federal Government.
Speaking after receiving the award, Zulum expressed gratitude to the organisers. He said, “I am exceedingly delighted to stand before you today at the 2024 Nigeria’s Pride Awards, an event thoughtfully organised by some of our nation’s most esteemed media professionals and organisations in journalism and communication.”
Zulum also said, “I extend my gratitude to the organisers for giving me two prestigious awards: Best Governor on Security and Most People-Oriented Governor
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has reaffirmed that Borno has attained a substantial level of peace and is no longer the epicentre of crisis.
The governor stated this on Tuesday in Abuja in a keynote address delivered by Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, at Nigeria’s Pride Award ceremony, where he was the special guest of honour.
Zulum said, “Borno State, once the epicentre of Boko Haram insurgency, has, by the grace of Almighty Allah, reclaimed its identity as the Home of Peace and Hospitality.”
He added, “In the last five years, we have resettled over 1 million displaced persons in their communities from IDP camps. Thousands of houses have been built or rehabilitated in conflict-affected areas, creating resettlement hubs for these returnees, signalling the return of peace to Borno.”
He also stated, “Many farmers, particularly in the southern and northern parts of the state, were able to return to their farmlands, despite the devastating floods in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.”
The governor further said, “The improvement in security has also allowed people to travel across much of the state without requiring security escorts. Trade and business activities with neighbouring states and countries like Chad, Cameroon, and Niger have also been revitalised.”
Governor Zulum also stated that as part of the post-conflict recovery efforts, his administration will prioritise technical and vocational education.
This initiative aims to equip our youth with employable skills, address unemployment, and reduce youth restiveness.