By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri-
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Chapter has nominated The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, for the union’s “Distinguished Leadership Award” in recognition of his selfless and people-driven leadership.
The NUJ presented the nomination letter to Zulum’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Babasheikh Haruna and the the Governor’s Special Adviser on Community Relations, Chief Kester Ogualili, who hailed from Anambra State.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that Governor Zulum’s media aides were in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Friday, to honour an invitation by the NUJ, ahead of the union’s summit planned for May 25.
In the nomination letter, which was jointly signed by Imo chairman of the union, Chief Christopher Akaraonye, secretary, Juliet Dim and the summit’s planning committee chairman, Emma Odibo, explained that Governor Zulum was selected by a panel of journalists, after thorough evaluation of Nigeria’s leaders across the country.
The NUJ described Zulum as a selfless leader whose only interest is making lives better for his people.
Speaking after receiving the nomination, Mr. Haruna, who spoke on Zulum’s achievements in Borno, said: “Though we’ve been experiencing a lot of challenges, we are working hard to change the narrative in Borno State. As I am talking to you, a lot of transformation is taking taking place despite the crises. This has been overshadowed by what’s currently happening, but I assure you that it’s only a matter of time we will have these problems behind our us”, The Governor’s media aide said.
He stressed that Zulum is currently fixing the problem of resettling persons displaced by the insurgents in the state, while expressing optimism that peace would return to the state.
Also speaking, Mr. Ogualili, described Zulum as one of the most detribalised Nigerian, adding that the Igbo community in Borno State are so proud that the honour was coming from South-Eas.
He described Borno as a second home to the Igbo’s community, through which they have enjoyed immense benefit from Zulum right from his days as the rector of Ramat Polytechnic.
He said, “We the Igbo community in Borno thought it heartwarming for you to have remembered our principal. We are at home in Borno. Zulum does not call us non-indigenes, but tax payers. We live in Borno and that’s where we train our children. He is a true bridge builder and a certified Nationalist”, Ogualili said.
“Igbo are doing well in Borno because they are not being marginalised. We have benefited from Borno entrepreneurship programme and during Christmas, he provided vehicles for us to go home and also distributes parcel for widows in our communities. No discrimination in admissions in Borno State University. Equal chance for everyone and no discriminatory fees”, Ogualili said.
On his part, The NUJ’s Vice-Chairman, Emma Odibo, who chaired the summit’s planning committee, said the council was proud to be associated with Zulum’s achievements in Borno, especially in the fight against insurgency.
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