By Gbenga Akingbule.
Residents of Biu and Hawul Local Government Areas erupted in cheers and jubilation as Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, toured both councils in the southern part of the state, commissioning people-centred projects.
Gatekeepers News reports that Zulum also laid foundation stone for new projects that is aimed at further developing the Southern Borno LGA’s.
Governor Zulum on Tuesday began with the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Eye and Dental Hospitals as well as a mega secondary school in Biu Local Government Area.
The newly inaugurated 40-bed capacity Eye Hospital, equipped with advanced diagnostic and surgical facilities, is to address the growing need for ophthalmological care in the southern region of Borno.
The governor also approved the appointment of a team of highly trained medical doctors and specialists who will offer treatments for cataracts, glaucoma and other vision-related ailments.
Similarly, the 30-bed capacity dental hospital will provide comprehensive oral health services, including preventive care, orthodontics and restorative treatments, ensuring that residents no longer have to travel long distances for dental care.
Zulum, during the inauguration ceremony, emphasised his administration’s commitment to improving the quality of life for Borno’s citizens.
He said, “Healthcare is one of the cardinal pillars of the Borno State’s 25-Year Development Plan and the 10-Year Strategic Transformation Initiative. Reflecting on this commitment, we allocated 15% of the state’s budget to health sector in the 2024 and 2025 fiscal year in line with the Abuja declaration recommendation for healthcare financing to prioritize health and well-being of our people.”
The Chief Medical Director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, Professor Abubakar Ali Kullima, said the two centres are not only for patients’ service but also for the training of healthcare professionals.
The CMD also stated that immediately after the inauguration, the hospital would be opened for free ophthalmic operation for citizens in the southern Borno catchment zone.
With this development, according to the state Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, “Borno is the first state in Nigeria to construct eye and dental hospitals in each of its senatorial zones
The governor also commissioned mega secondary school at Miringa, 10 km from Biu town. The school is designed to accommodate over 1,300 students.
The school consists of 60 classrooms, an ICT centre and four laboratories among other facilities that enhance teaching and learning activities.
Governor Zulum also distributed text and exercise books, uniforms, school sandals and a bicycle for each of the enrolled students to ease movement from the nearby villages.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has approved funds for the construction of new general hospitals in five local government areas including Askira- Uba, also one of the nine Local Government Areas in the Southern Borno Senatorial District
In his bid to fight poverty and empower 9,403 Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) Prof Zulum approved the sum of N1billion to boost the local economy in Biu and neighbouring Hawul Local Government Areas
A total of N560.3 million was shared to 5,603 entrepreneurs from Biu with each receiving N100,000. Similarly, N439.7 million was shared to support 1,800 youth and vulnerable families in Biu and another 2,000 entrepreneurs from Hawul local government area.
“My administration is resolved to continue supporting small and medium enterprises and youth empowerment. We desire to focus on SMEs to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and ensure that our youthful population is gainfully engaged,” Zulum said.
Furthermore, as part of his administration’s drive to revolutionize the educational sector, Prof Zulum, launched the construction of 100 houses for teachers in Hawul Local Government Council.
The project, according to the governor, is part of the 600 housing scheme for teachers in 5 LGAs flagged aimed at reducing the housing deficit faced by teachers accross the state.
During his visit to Hawul, Governor Zulum also inspected two other ongoing projects, including the permanent site for the newly established National Orthopedic Hospital, Azare, which was donated to the federal government by Borno State government, and the construction site for the new General Hospital in Shafa.
Zulum expressed satisfaction with the support from the Azare community for the project, stating that it indicates that sustainability will be ensured.
“This is a very good brief we received from the engineer. He summarises everything. The most important takeaway from him is that the community is supporting the project. With this commitment and support, I am sure there will be a very good mechanism for sustaining the management of the hospital,” Zulum said.
The governor assured that the reconstruction work would be completed soon, and the hospital would be officially handed over to the federal government for its take-off. He said, “On my part as the governor of Borno State, I will continue to do my best to ensure this project has come to fruition. “
