Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved the construction of two new community secondary schools in Biu as part of efforts to expand access to quality education and meet the growing population’s educational needs.
Key Highlights:
- Zulum approves two new community secondary schools in Biu.
- GGSS Biu named a Centre of Excellence to boost education.
- Student exchange programme to promote unity across Borno revived.
- Governor donates food items and improves water supply for students.
- New 150-bed hospital to be upgraded to a Specialist Hospital.
- Seventeen volunteer nurses approved for automatic employment.
The governor made the announcement on Sunday, while speaking with journalists during his week-long tour of five local government areas in southern Borno State.
During the visit, Governor Zulum inspected several educational and health institutions, including Government Senior Science Secondary School, Government Secondary School Waka, Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Biu, the Nigerian Army University, the new general hospital, the 100 -unit housing estate, the state hotel, and the proposed sites for the Community Boys Day Secondary School and Community Girls Day Secondary School.
He disclosed that construction of the two schools—one for boys and one for girls—would commence immediately.
“Biu is increasing in terms of population on a daily basis. There is the need for the government of Borno State to increase access so that more children will be admitted into junior and senior secondary schools,” the governor said.
Governor Zulum also announced the designation of Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Biu, as one of the state’s eight centres of excellence established to promote academic excellence and foster unity among students.
According to him, the initiative will revive the state’s student exchange programme, allowing students from different parts of Borno to study together while receiving transportation support.
“We are reintroducing the exchange programme where students from northern and central Borno will be transferred to the school to study. This is to reinvigorate the culture of unity among people of the state,” he said.
Addressing Muslim and Christian female students at the GGSS Biu, the governor urged them to uphold the teachings of their respective faiths, emphasizing the importance of moral values in building a peaceful society.
He also announced the donation of 200 bags of rice, beans and cooking oil to support students’ feeding and pledged to construct an additional borehole for the school kitchen while rehabilitating the existing faulty one.
At the Nigerian Army University, the governor inspected two blocks of 12 three-bedroom flats built by the state government as staff quarters.
Read also:
- Borno Scholarship: Zulum Approves N1.649bn For Students, Medical Scholars, STEM Programme
- Zulum Sends High-Powered Delegation To Lassa After School Attack, Assures Safe Return Of Missing Students
- Zulum announces final phase of Borno IDP closure
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the establishment of a college of medical sciences to create more opportunities for Borno indigenes to study medicine and other health-related courses.
Governor Zulum also inspected the ongoing construction of a 150-bed General Hospital in Biu, announcing that the facility would be upgraded to a Specialist Hospital upon completion.
He said the upgraded hospital, together with the existing facility, would have a combined capacity of between 300 and 400 beds and provide specialised healthcare services for residents across southern Borno.
According to the governor, the upgrade is also intended to support the Nigerian Army University’s planned college of medical sciences, with the institution expected to admit its first medical students next year.
The specialist hospital, he added, will serve the remaining eight local government areas in southern Borno by improving access to advanced medical services.
In a further boost to healthcare delivery, Governor Zulum approved the automatic employment of 17 volunteer nurses currently serving at the general hospital and assured residents that additional medical personnel would be recruited to strengthen healthcare services across the area.
