Mudi Mohammed
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has commissioned a nine-span flyover, a dualised 2.5-kilometre road with 5 kilometres of drainage, and two mega schools in Maiduguri, saying rebuilding the state’s education system remains central to post-insurgency recovery.
The projects, inaugurated on Sunday, are part of the state government’s urban renewal drive aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving drainage, boosting economic activity and expanding access to education in communities affected by insurgency.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who served as special guest of honour and performed the symbolic cutting of the tape.
The newly inaugurated Post Office nine-span Flyover brings to four the number of flyovers constructed by the Zulum administration. It complements several kilometres of road networks executed across Borno State.
Also commissioned were the dualised Budum Tandari Junction–Kasuwan Shanu–NIETAL Shoe Factory Express Road and its associated drainage network, as well as the Larawaram Community Senior Secondary School and the Shehu Sanda Kyarimi I Primary and Junior Secondary School.
Speaking at the event, Sule commended Zulum for sustaining infrastructure and education investments despite the security challenges confronting Borno.
He said the projects reflected purposeful leadership and determination to provide infrastructure that meets the needs of the people.
“A speech was prepared for me; I wish there were no prepared speech. Because what I have seen in Borno today is worth me actually standing here and talking for two hours, commending my dear brother for the wonderful job you are doing in the area of education and infrastructure,” Sule said.
He added: “I commend you, Your Excellency, for demonstrating that even in the face of enormous challenges, government must continue to invest in its people, particularly in the education of our children.”
Zulum, in his remarks, said the projects were designed not merely to beautify Maiduguri but to improve mobility, facilitate the movement of goods and strengthen economic activities.
He said the infrastructure projects must be viewed against the devastation caused by the insurgency, particularly in the education sector.
“Today, we have formally commissioned four important projects, namely: the Larawaram Community Senior Secondary School; the Shehu Sanda Kyarimi I Primary and Junior Secondary School; the Post Office 9-Span Flyover; and the dualized 2.5-kilometre road, together with 5 kilometres of drainage, from Budum Tandari Junction to Kasuwan Shanu,” he said.
According to him, the insurgency destroyed more than 5,000 school structures, while an estimated 2.2 million children were out of school at the peak of the crisis, with fewer than 500,000 enrolled.
“Many teachers and school administrators also lost their lives in the course of duty,” he added.
Zulum said his administration had constructed more than 120 mega schools across the state as part of efforts to improve access to quality education.
He also highlighted investments in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, describing the initiative as critical to addressing the disruption of learning, livelihoods and employment opportunities caused by the insurgency.
He said the government had established five Vocational Enterprise Institutes, reactivated 11 Vocational Training Centres and established three Second Chance Skills Entrepreneurship Schools for women and girls.
“The journey of rebuilding Borno continues, and our commitment remains unwavering: to ensure that every child has access to quality education and the opportunity to build a productive and dignified future,” Zulum said.
