Independence Day: Zulum urges Borno residents to protect hard-earned peace

Politics

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has urged residents to protect the peace the state has worked to regain and ensure that political campaigns remain peaceful as the 2027 election season approaches.

Zulum made the call in his Independence Day message to the people of Borno and Nigerians as the country marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.

The governor paid tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers and other leaders who, he said, sacrificed for the unity, growth and development of the country through more than six decades of challenges.

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“As we celebrate 66 years of nationhood, we honour our founding fathers and all the leaders who gave their lives for the unity, growth and development of Nigeria, despite the trials our country has endured,” Zulum said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating peace, protecting citizens’ rights, strengthening the foundation for younger generations and ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.

“About two million of our people have returned to their communities, and we are working to resettle more. We must not allow a few unpatriotic people to derail this hard-earned peace,” he said.

Zulum said his administration had invested in security, human capital development, infrastructure, agriculture, resettlement and reconstruction, with more than 1,500 clusters of projects executed across the state’s 27 local government areas over the past seven years.

He attributed the improved security situation to the combined efforts of security personnel, volunteers, traditional, community and religious leaders, as well as the resilience of Borno residents.

“The improved security we enjoy today is the result of the collective efforts of our gallant security personnel, volunteers, traditional, community and religious leaders and, above all, the resilient people of Borno,” he said.

The governor said more than 30,000 homes, schools, clinics and other public facilities destroyed during the insurgency had been rebuilt, while efforts continued to resettle more displaced persons.

On education, Zulum said the number of functional secondary schools had increased from 34 in 2019 to 129 in 2026, while enrolment had risen to 1.8 million children. He added that the government was also prioritising digital and vocational education and expanding the teaching workforce.

He said his administration had also invested in agriculture to support year-round farming, strengthened the health system and expanded access to healthcare for vulnerable residents through the state contributory health scheme.

Zulum said the government was opening up business and economic opportunities in sectors where Borno had comparative advantages as part of efforts to drive post-conflict recovery.

“Borno is now an investment destination because of its strategic location. We are unlocking opportunities that will drive our post-conflict recovery,” he said.

The governor urged residents to uphold unity and peaceful coexistence, reject violence and respect the rule of law.

“As the political season sets in, let us conduct our campaigns without rancour, so we do not undermine the relative peace and stability our state now enjoys,” he said.

Zulum thanked the people of Borno for their continued support and pledged to sustain his administration’s development efforts until the end of his tenure.