Zulum meets Borno security chiefs at Biu office

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday performed his official government duties from the Zonal Department of Monitoring, Evaluation and Special Projects Office in Biu, Biu Local Government Area.

The move underscores his administration’s commitment to grassroots governance and bringing government closer to the people.

The Biu Zonal Office, which operates under the Governor’s Office, was established and commissioned by Governor Babagana Zulum in 2022 to strengthen public service delivery, enhance accountability, improve project monitoring and evaluation, and accelerate infrastructural development across the Southern Borno Senatorial Zone.

Similar zonal offices have also been established in Monguno and Bama to serve the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts, respectively.

Thursday’s engagement marked the first time the governor had officially operated from the Biu Zonal Office since its establishment, marking a significant milestone in the decentralisation of government operations.

While at the office, the governor met with the Sector 2 Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Brigadier General Edet Effiong, and the Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Benisheikh, to discuss how to consolidate the recent gains in counter-insurgency operations.

The governor’s decision to conduct official state business from the facility reflects his leadership philosophy of taking governance to the grassroots rather than confining government activities to Maiduguri.

Over the past seven years, Babagana Zulum has maintained a unique approach to governance, travelling extensively across all 27 local government areas to personally assess projects and engage directly with communities.

In addition to operating from the Government House, the governor has, since assuming office in 2019, regularly conducted official functions from the Musa Usman Secretariat, which serves as his second operational office for attending to state affairs.

Babagana Zulum is currently on a working tour of Southern Borno. On Wednesday, he flagged off the 2026 wet farming season and launched the sale and distribution of 200 truckloads of NPK fertiliser at a 50 per cent subsidised rate, alongside the distribution of free agrochemicals, knapsack sprayers, certified seeds, water pumps and 10,000 bicycles to smallholder farmers in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area.

During the visit to Biu, the governor also announced the employment of 100 unemployed graduates from Biu Local Government Area as part of measures to tackle youth restiveness, political thuggery and other social vices.

The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Alhaji (Dr.) Mustapha Umar Mustapha II.

Babagana Zulum also met with members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Biu LGA, where he announced a welfare package of ₦50,000 for each corps member.

As part of the intervention, corps members who are nursing mothers will receive an additional ₦200,000 each, while the NYSC Zonal Inspector was given ₦250,000.

Other NYSC officials, including the Liaison Officer, received ₦100,000 each in recognition of their service and commitment.