Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has congratulated President Bola Tinubu and other Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 65th Independence Day Celebration.
Marking the milestone, Governor Zulum acknowledged the challenges the country has faced over the past six and a half decades but emphasised that Nigeria has consistently emerged stronger.
He called for continued unity, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence amongst its citizens.
The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and continued support to the armed forces and other security agencies involved in counter-insurgency operations in the North East, particularly in Borno State.
Zulum, in a statement he personally signed, also expressed commitment to providing peace and development to Borno, stating that: “We will not rest. We will not be complacent. We will continue to work, strive more, and fight for a Borno where everyone can dream of a better life, every farmer can till their land, our industries can thrive, and every family can sleep in peace.”
He said: “As we join our brothers and sisters across the country to mark the 65th anniversary of our independence. We celebrate the Nigerian nation’s freedom, unity, and resilience. But on this day, our reflections in Borno are particularly profound. Our journey has been uniquely tested, yet our hope remains unbroken.
“It is indeed worth celebrating 65 years of nationhood as an indivisible nation. Despite the threats of insecurity, such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other criminal elements, our gallant military officers and security forces are winning the battle. We must unite as a people to fight the common enemy.
“We remember with solemn gratitude the sacrifices of our gallant men and women in uniform, the military, the police, the Civilian JTF, and all security agencies who have paid the ultimate price to keep us safe. We honour the memory of our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, who were lost to the insurgency.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and continued support to the armed forces and other security agencies involved in counter-insurgency operations in the North East, particularly in Borno State.
“Our primary and most sacred duty has been the restoration of peace and security. We adopted a multi-faceted approach, understanding that a purely kinetic solution is not enough.
“We have consistently and directly supported our security forces. From providing hundreds of operational vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, and sophisticated communication and other operational gadgets to consistently visiting difficult frontline locations, so that we ensure that our troops are motivated and better equipped to face the enemy. We have built and renovated accommodations for our security operatives, among many other supports.”
He added that: “Peace cannot be complete without restoration. Therefore, we have undertaken the most ambitious resettlement programme in Nigeria. We have successfully closed all the official internally displaced persons (IDP) camps within Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, moving our people from a state of dependency to dignity and self-reliance.
“We have supported the safe and voluntary return of a significant number of our displaced population to their ancestral homes by providing them with livelihood packages. We have constructed thousands of resettlement houses across local government areas, providing shelter for returnees.
“Our resilience-building initiative is greatly working, Socio-economic activities have picked up in resettled communities such as Baga, Malam Fatori, Kukawa, Gwoza, Darajamal, Warabe, Limankara, Logumane, Gajibo, Marte, Gamborun Ngala, amongst others.
“We have rebuilt critical infrastructure, including hundreds of healthcare centres, primary and secondary schools, ensuring that our children can learn and our sick can be treated in their communities.
“Dear Citizens of Borno, our vision extends beyond survival to prosperity. We are laying the foundation for a post-insurgency economy.”
