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Zulum, A Beacon Of Hope To Borno’s Less Privileged People.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Born without a silver spoon and struggled through hard work, perseverance and unwavering desire to succeed, Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum has since become a household name, especially amongst the less privileged people in the state.
Prof. Zulum is always quick to share stories about his humble beginning amongst the high and mighty, a gesture observers view as a rare display of humility amongst Nigeria’s political elites
Since he assumed office in 2019, Prof Zulum has never failed to consistently associate with the less privileged, his former constituency where he was schooled in the difficult economic hardship bedevilling many Nigerian less privileged people.
Driven by compassion and his genuine concern to assist the common people, Prof Zulum had on different occasions while on a visit to the hinterland of the state, ordered the immediate halting of his motorcade just to assist locals walking long distances by giving them a ride on his convoy and also give them cash support.
Zulum passion to liberate his people from the shackles of poverty and education backwardness has led to a rise in budgetary provisions and fund releases for the education sector and key ministries that are aimed at empowering the common people.
For the 2024 budget, the Ministry of Education was allocated the sum of N39 billion to carry out its activities- this effort, amongst others, has removed over a million out-of-school children off the streets of Borno and returned them to the classrooms where their future are being positively moulded to become responsible and productive members of the society.
Out of 1.8 million out-of-school children in 2021, we have taken measures to reduce the number to less than 800. We’re still working assiduously to bring down the number,” Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe said
No doubt, the more than a decade-long insurgency in Borno State had led many children and their parents to flee troubled areas, thereby obstructing their education where massive destruction to education facilities across the state was evident.
At a recent function during a public lecture held at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID ) which forms part of activities to mark the exit of the former Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba after completing his 5-year tenure, Prof Zulum didn’t mince words when he charged the sea of erudite scholars present at the occasion, majority of whom are indigenes of Borno State to think outside the box and collaborate to use education as tool for liberating the people of the state.
Zulum who was full of emotion, apparently on a quick trip down his memory lane, revealed how he battled through plethoras of obstacles in his unquenchable quest to gain a quality education that has since transformed his life to become a professor of soil and water engineering and currently serving his second term as governor of Borno state.
He said: “Coming from my background, I know how I suffered when we did not have competent teachers to teach us in our primary and secondary schools. I never thought I would be a professor, because both of my parents were not educated, nobody ever told me to do my assignment while in primary school, I was on my own.”
It was therefore not surprising when Governor Zulum recently released the sum of N4.8 billion as a scholarship award to 524 postgraduate students from the state, including orphans and less privileged persons.
The scholarship award according to the governor is meant for foreign and local postgraduate students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ( STEM)
In his usual touch of humanity and compassion towards the less privileged irrespective of ethnicity, tribe or religion governor Zulum during an early morning visit to a school in Maiduguri, the state capital had gifted a woman from the Southeast part of the country- a teacher in the school with the sum of N100,000 cash for always showing up early to her duty post. This announced the governor as a rewarder of not only the less privileged without demarcation of ethnic and religious lines but also a staunch believer in hard work and dedicated service.
Also, recently, during a visit to launch grains given to the state by the Federal Government, Prof Zulum, shortly after the occasion went towards the direction of the local guard on duty at the premises and immediately ordered that the sum of N500,000 be given to him – an amount that is more than his 12-month salary.
The 80-year Chadian local guard who had lived in Nigeria for over four decades and has over 20 Children was stunned by the governor’s gesture, he could not hide his feelings but continued to shout the praises of God and that of the governor, stating that the gift would go a long way in ameliorating his financial challenges.
Furthermore, 63-year-old Cecelia Joseph, a widow and mother of six children who was part of the one hundred thousand households that benefited from massive food support scheme carried out by the Borno State Governor, had praises for Zulum who had established the food support to ameliorate economic hardship being experienced by many vulnerable families across the state, including the likes of Cecilia whose husband, a commercial taxi driver was gruesomely murdered by suspected Boko Haram terrorists over ten years ago.
Cecilia since the demise of her husband, had continued to feed from hand to mouth with her six children. Though the blood of her husband was shed in Borno the allure of the state added to the fact that she had no one ready to lessen her burden from elsewhere had kept her in Borno State. She said that Governor Zulum is the first to have reached out to her with any form of assistance- through the food support, noting that “this will assist me and my six children immensely.”
Prof Zulum had ordered that food support should be given to all vulnerable residents irrespective of tribe, religion and political affiliations hence paving the way for Cecilia who hails from faraway Osun State, a devoted Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) member as well as other beneficiaries who are not indigenes of the state.
I’m so grateful to Governor Zulum for wiping away my tears with this food support. But I would appreciate more support from the governor and other well-meaning citizens for the education of my children. ” Cecelia who currently lives in a rented accommodation on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the state capital said.
Governor Zulum had revealed during one of the many food distributions in the state that: “We have never distinguished between Christians and Muslims in our food distribution. What we’re doing is not partisan either, it’s not based on ethnicity or religion; we advised the community to select one hundred thousand most valuable and bottom poor and this will go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the masses
While warehouses were being looted across the country during the # EndSARS protests, residents of Borno state were full of gratitude to Governor Zulum for always coming to their aid with his unprecedented distribution of food, cash and clothing to assist the less privileged.
Following the release of the N2 billion intervention by President Bola Tinubu led the Federal government to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal Prof. Zulum announced raising the number of households being targeted for palliatives from 300,000 to 400,000 households.
Each household according to the Governor, will be made up of six family members and multiplied by 400,000 which, by implication, moves Zulum’s new target to two million and four hundred thousand individuals.
“Governor Zulum has continued to stand in the gap for many of the less privileged people in Borno state ” Umar Ali, one of those who recently benefited from the food support scheme established by the governor.
News
Those taking decisions for Fubara were people who petitioned EFCC to bar him from becoming gov -Wike reveals

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has exposed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s henchmen as those who wrote petition against him to EFCC to bar him from becoming governor.
Speaking on Saturday at a mammoth reception by the Ijaw on Saturday at Abalama, Rivers State, Wike said that his stance did not mean that he hates the Ijaw.
According to the FCT minister, those currently helping Fubara to take decisions were those behind the petition to EFCC to ban him from contesting to become governor.
Noting the irony that those who petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC against Fubara, and fought to stop his emergence as governor becoming the governor’s close associates and advisers, he said:
“People have no conscience at all. People who wrote petition to the EFCC that he should not be governor are the ones now deciding for him.”
Waxing philosophical, Wike asked what could have been his fate and that of his followers had President Bola Tinubu not made him minister of FCT.
“Assuming that the president did not give us this position, what could have happened to us?”
Upon that claim, Wike told his mostly Ijaw audience that the majority of them were not benefiting from the governor.
“Let nobody deceive you that the governor is Ijaw and all of you here are Ijaw but are you benefiting?
Politics is interest. People must not come to use people and dump them. That politics of use and dump must stop.
“You surrounded yourself with people who wanted to be governor, people who I said do not mean well for Rivers. I have never seen this kind of politics where you surround yourself with people who want your seat. Kalabari people,” Wike told his Abalama audience.
The reception was graced by several dignitaries including former Senator George Sekibo and the National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih.
Speaking on the occasion, Orbih who was with Wike at Abalama, said:
“Today we travelled to Ijaw land for a grand reception in honour of Barr. Nyesom Wike.
I am glad I was there to join the good people of Ijaw extraction to celebrate the dependable, result oriented political genius of Nigeria, Barr. Nyesom Wike.
The outstanding performing Minister of FCT. I make bold to say, He is South-South PDP precious gift to Nigeria. I thank the ijaws for celebrating him.”
News
FRSC guarantees adherence with court ruling on faded number plates

The Federal Road Safety Corps has stated that it is currently studying the court ruling on faded vehicle number plates.
On January 17, 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos issued an order restraining the FRSC from arresting or imposing fines on drivers with faded number plates.
The case, marked FHC/L/CS/253/2024, was brought before the court by Chinwike Ezebube, who argued that the FRSC, as the sole designer and producer of vehicle number plates in Nigeria, was responsible for the quality and durability of those plates.
The court considered several questions related to the responsibility of the FRSC for the fading of number plates and whether it could penalise drivers for using plates that deteriorate due to poor quality production.
In response to the ruling, the FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, explained to Sunday PUNCH that faded number plates result from normal wear and tear rather than poor manufacturing.
Ogungbemide emphasised that the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2012 as amended allowed vehicle owners to apply for replacement of lost or damaged number plates.
He assured that the corps was carefully reviewing the court’s decision and would fully comply with the judgment.
The spokesperson reiterated that the FRSC respects the rule of law and would not take any action that disrespects the court’s ruling.
“Faded number plates are not as a result of poor quality. Rather, it has to do with normal wear and tears which is why the NRTR, 2012 (as amended) in reg 39 gives vehicle owners the opportunity to apply for replacement of loss or damaged number plate.
“The corps is studying the court’s judgment but will not do anything to disrespect the court or its decision. “FRSC is a responsible organisation and will always abide by court order and rule of law.”
News
Current Prices of Dangote, BUA, Other Cement Brands This Week

The cost of cement in Nigeria has seen notable fluctuations in recent months, largely influenced by economic conditions, production costs, and government interventions.
These price changes impact the construction industry, affecting both large-scale developers and individual builders.
Below is an updated breakdown of the latest prices for major cement brands in Nigeria, including Dangote, BUA, Lafarge (Elephant), and others.
1. Dangote Cement
Dangote Cement, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, remains the largest cement producer in Nigeria, known for its widespread availability and quality. As of March 2025, the price of a 50kg bag of Dangote Cement ranges between ₦9,900 and ₦10,500, depending on location and retail supplier.
2. Lafarge Africa Plc (Elephant Cement)
Commonly referred to as Elephant Cement due to its distinctive branding, Lafarge Africa is a well-established name in the Nigerian cement industry. The price for a 50kg bag of Lafarge Cement currently varies between ₦9,100 and ₦10,500, influenced by regional market conditions and supply chain costs.
3. BUA Cement
BUA Cement, a major competitor in the Nigerian market, is recognized for its affordability while maintaining high quality. The 50kg bag of BUA Cement is currently priced between ₦8,000 and ₦11,000, with variations depending on the region and seller.
4. Ibeto Cement
Ibeto Cement, a product of the Ibeto Group, is known for its cost-effectiveness and growing market presence. As of March 2025, a 50kg bag of Ibeto Cement is available at prices ranging from ₦9,500 to ₦10,500.
5. United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UniCem)
UniCem, a brand under Lafarge, has a strong market presence, especially in eastern Nigeria. It is widely used for both residential and structural construction projects. The price of a 50kg bag of UniCem Cement currently falls between ₦11,500 and ₦13,500, with location-based variations.
Government Efforts to Regulate Cement Prices
In response to rising cement costs, the Federal Government initiated discussions with major cement manufacturers, including Dangote Cement, BUA Cement, and Lafarge Africa. These engagements aimed to address supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and price manipulation within the industry.
As part of this intervention, an agreement was reached to lower cement prices from the previous range of ₦9,000–₦15,000 per 50kg bag to a more stable range of ₦7,000–₦8,000, depending on location. However, despite this agreement, significant price reductions have not been widely observed in the market.
The persistent high cost of cement has raised concerns among industry stakeholders, prompting further government scrutiny and potential regulatory measures to ensure affordability for consumers and businesses.
Cement prices in Nigeria remain volatile, influenced by production costs, transportation challenges, exchange rate fluctuations, and market demand. While government intervention aims to bring relief, actual price reductions have yet to take full effect. Consumers are advised to monitor market trends and buy from reputable suppliers to get the best deals.
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