Mammoth Crowd Defies Rainfall To Welcome Zulum Back From Vacation

Mammoth crowd defies rainfall to welcome Zulum back from vacation

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

Hundreds of All Progressive Congress (APC), supports, top government officials and other residents of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital have defied heavy downpour to welcome Governor Babagana Zulum from over a months vocation, where he performed 2024 Hajj exercise.

The crowd which include members of clubs, association, students unions,, traders and youths groups defied the downpour right from Airport junction to Government House, Maiduguri chanting Baba oyoyo ( Baba You are welcome).

Addressing the crowd at the Government House, Maiduguri on Saturday, Governor Babagana Zulum thanked the mammoth crowd for the warmed reception and urged them to pray for lasting peace to reign in the state.

“Government is not unaware of the hardship you are facing, especially the issues of high cost of food item and other fuel and other household iems.the Federal and state governments are doing everything possible to bring succour to the people”, Zulum said.

Governor Zulum who spoke in Kanuri and Hausa said ” in the remaining part my administration we are going to support and empower women, youths and politicians in the state. “.

Speaking in an interview shortly after his arrival at the Maiduguri Airport, Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Borno State.

On security concerns, Governor Zulum stated that suicide bombings in Borno State are nearly a thing of the past, although he expressed regret over the recent attacks in Gwoza.and described it as acts of sabotage aimed at disrupting the state’s resettlement efforts for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Governor Zulum urged the people to remain calm and cooperate with the Federal and state governments to resettle IDPs in their ancestral communities.

On the 2024 Hajj exercise, Zulum praised the successful Hajj operations this year, highlighting improvements in transportation and accommodation for pilgrims from Borno State. He acknowledged some challenges but attributed them to private agents rather than government-sponsored pilgrims.