Zulum Pleads With Social Media Promoters On Comparison

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has asked his supporters, especially on social media platforms to desist from comparing the work done in Borno state to that of other states.

The plea was made in a statement signed by Professor Zulum’s Adviser on Public Relations and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau issued on Monday.

“While I am enormously grateful for all the support and promotions, I have in recent days, received messages forwarded to me, in which our work-in-progress in Borno State is being compared with some States, and in some cases, with insults,’’ the statement said.

‘’The fact is that, I feel extremely uncomfortable any time I am being negatively compared with any Governor, especially if anyone of those making the comparisons fall in any of the social media groups associated with us. I consider such comparisons unhealthy. Moreover, we are not in competition.’’

‘’The truth is that all of the 36 States have their peculiarities and priorities, depending on developmental plans and the needs of societies. In Borno’s case, we have to be desperate in our recovery efforts because we have been faced with 12 years of war, resulting to thousands of deaths and displacement of about two million people with humanitarian needs. From the World Bank’s Recovery and Peace-Building Assessment report on the northeast, Borno lost 956,453 private houses, representing 30 % of the total number of houses in across the state, to insurgent destructions. ‘’

According to the statement, 665 municipal buildings comprising ministries, LGA buildings, prisons, police stations and electric offices were destroyed in Borno. 5,335 classrooms and other school buildings were destroyed in 512 primary schools, 38 secondary schools and two tertiary institutions in the State. 201 health centres, mostly primary healthcare clinics, dispensaries and some General Hospitals were all destroyed.