Zulum Addresses Multinational Groups on Girls’ Education In New York

The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, has addressed multinational groups on girls' education in New York, the United States of America.

The governor's address was to increase focus on the education of girls in Nigeria and around the world. 

The Governor traveled to the US as part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation to the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) held at the UN headquarters in New York City. 

Zulum was invited as a special guest speaker at a programme, tagged ‘Rewrite the Future’ which was held last Wednesday, to call attention towards increased investment on girls’ education around the world.

In a statement made available today (Saturday) by the spokesperson to the governor, Malam Isa Gusau, Zulum made a presentation titled, 'Investing in Girls' Education in Nigeria, with a focus on Borno State'.

According to the statement, Zulum stated that in a collaborative effort between the federal and states government in Nigeria, programmes were initiated to support girl child education.

He noted the programmes as Better Education Service Delivery (BESDA) and Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project.

"In the northern part of Borno State, a deficit of girl child education is overwhelming. 

"We need more teachers, more training of teachers, laboratory equipment etcetera to enable our children to have better education", Zulum said. 

The Governor said the state’s educational system was worsened by over 12 years of the Boko Haram insurgency which was now on decline.

He said aside deaths of over 100,000 persons and displacement of about two million, the insurgents targeted many schools. 

"Over 5,000 school buildings were destroyed by Boko Haram.

“Over 530 teachers were killed, many pupils and students were displaced or possibly abducted and conscripted into Boko Haram as spies or young fighters while some were killed” he added.