From Olukayode Idowu, Maiduguri
SUNRISE NEWS, Borno, Aug 13, 2020 Borno State Government has resettled 560 persons at Auno community, six months after they were displaced by Boko Haram.
The community on Maiduguri-Damaruru Highway was early this year attacked by insurgents, which left not less than 80 persons killed and several property destroyed.
The residents were subsequently relocated to Maiduguri, the state capital while reconstruction of some burnt houses were done by the state government.
The state government decided that it was time to relocate the residents back to their homes as an office of the State Rapid Response Squad was established to fully secure the axis.
The Borno State Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement, Engr. Mustapha Gubio revealed the government decision on the relocation at a news conference in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Gubio recalled that the displaced persons fled their homes on February 9th this year, after the insurgents attacked the community, and killed 80 persons while property worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
He said that the resettled persons, hitherto, took refuge at Njimtilo, Jakana, Malam Karamti and Malam Bukarti communities of Konduga local government area.
The Commissioner said Governor Babagana Zulum had secured fund from the Bank of Industry (BOI), which facilitated the construction of 80 new houses for the displaced persons in Auno.
He disclosed that the state government will also construct an additional 100 new housing units from the fund for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Gubio said: “The state government has also inspected the ongoing construction of a vocational training centre supported by Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi Foundation in Auno community.
He said: “The project, when completed will provide necessary vocational skills to build the capacity of the people in the area.”
Also speaking, Dr Mairo Mandara, Special Adviser and Coordinator, Humanitarian Activities to the Governor, reiterated commitment to the implementation of policies and programmes, to provide alternative means of livelihood to youth and women.
Mandara urged the resettled persons to be self-reliant by focusing on their farming activities.
On her part, Mrs Yabawa Kolo, the Chairperson, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA), said that the IDPs voluntarily opted to return home to enable them resume their normal way of life.
Kolo said the Agency distributed assorted food and relief items to each of the returnees such as rice; cooking oil, mosquito nets, blankets, textile materials and mattresses.
[8/12, 6:00 PM] Michael Olugbode: Borno Governor appoints new CoS
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has appointment a new Chief of Staff.
The newly appointed CoS, Prof. Isa Marte, who will be swore in next Monday, was until his appointment the Commissioner of Higher Education.
His appointment followed the death of the former occupier of the office, Dr. Babagana Wakil, who died last month after a protracted illness.
Wakil served as Zulum’s chief of staff from Tuesday, June 25, 2019 till he died 42 days ago.
Marte, according to a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, is to handover to Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, who has been given an extra task of handling the Ministry of Higher Education in addition to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, which has been holding since the start of the administration.
Mustapha is now a Commissioner of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, with the merger on the order of the governor.
Marte, the incoming chief of staff, is a professor of pharmacology with specialty in cancer research and is a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science.
“Zulum’s choice of Professor Isa Hussaini Marte is in recognition of his proven capacity, strong passion for development, unbending principles that align with the governor’s, and above all, his proven integrity” Gusau said.
The spokesman added that Prof Marte is expected to work round the clock to efficiently coordinate all affairs of the government house to enable the full attainment of the governor’s bold vision that is already a work in progress for a peaceful, stable, economically recovered and highly progressive Borno State.
The statement noted that Prof Marte will be sworn-in on Monday, August 17, 2020, as governor Zulum looks forward to working with him at a higher level.