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Delta at 35: Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda and the Case for Continuity

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By Sunday Apah

On August 27, 1991, Delta State was carved out of the old Bendel State by the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Thirty-five years later, on this same date in 2026, the “Big Heart” of Nigeria stands as a testament to resilience, unity, and progressive leadership.

From a fledgling entity with 12 local government areas to a vibrant state of 25 LGAs, with Asaba as its thriving capital and Warri as its commercial heartbeat, Delta has journeyed through decades of political evolution, economic challenges, and developmental strides.

Today, as Deltans mark this milestone, the spotlight shines brightly on the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who assumed office on May 29, 2023.

Under his M.O.R.E. Agenda—Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security—the state has witnessed an unprecedented surge in infrastructure, human capital investment, and inclusive governance.

This feature chronicles the completed and ongoing projects that define his tenure, celebrates the state’s 35-year journey, and makes a compelling case for why Oborevwori deserves a second term to consolidate these gains.

The Foundation: Understanding the M.O.R.E. Agenda

The M.O.R.E. Agenda is not mere campaign rhetoric. It emerged from extensive grassroots consultations during Oborevwori’s time as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and his subsequent governorship campaign. Meaningful Development prioritises projects with lasting impact—roads that connect communities, bridges that open riverine areas, and facilities that improve daily lives.

Opportunities for All seeks shared prosperity through education, skills training, job creation, and social interventions. Realistic Reforms focus on institutional strengthening, fiscal prudence, and public service efficiency.

Enhanced Peace and Security underpins everything, recognising that development thrives only in a stable environment.

Three years into implementation, the results are visible across the three senatorial districts. Independent assessments, including Delta’s ranking as the second-best governed state in the 2025 Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies Governance Performance Index, affirm the progress.

Internally Generated Revenue rose significantly from ₦83 billion in 2023 to ₦158 billion in 2024, while the state’s debt profile declined substantially.

The 2026 budget, tagged the “Budget of Accelerating the MORE Agenda,” allocates about 70 per cent—over ₦1.16 trillion of a total exceeding ₦1.7 trillion—to capital projects, a historic prioritisation of long-term investment.

Infrastructure Revolution: Roads, Bridges, and Connectivity

Nowhere is the transformation more evident than in infrastructure. The administration has pursued an aggressive programme of road and bridge construction, with figures consistently cited in the range of over 500 to more than 600 projects spanning roughly 1,500 kilometres of roads and about 950 kilometres of drainage.

The Ministry of Works was strategically split into Highways/Urban Roads and Rural/Riverine Roads to accelerate delivery across urban centres and remote communities.

Signature achievements include the near-completion and dualisation of the Ughelli-Asaba corridor, a critical artery linking Delta North and Central that has dramatically reduced travel times and boosted commerce.

The Trans-Warri–Ode-Itsekiri project, dormant for nearly two decades since its original award around 2006, was revived and completed as a 20.95-kilometre corridor featuring 15 bridges of varying spans.

It now connects about 10 communities in Warri South-West, allowing residents—including traditional rulers—to access “Big Warri” by road for the first time in living memory. Economic activity in these once-isolated riverine areas has surged as farmers, traders, and fisherfolk gain easier market access.

Flyovers and interchanges are reshaping urban mobility. A major ₦78 billion contract with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc covers critical interventions in the Warri-Effurun axis: the PTI Junction Flyover, DSC Roundabout Flyover, Enerhen Junction Flyover, and associated road expansions, cloverleaf interchanges, and pedestrian bridges.

Several of these are already functional or nearing completion, easing chronic congestion in the twin cities that form the state’s economic powerhouse.

Additional flyovers at Otovwodo Junction in Ughelli (valued at around ₦39.3 billion) and Uromi Junction in Agbor (about ₦59.7 billion) address notorious accident-prone and bottleneck points, improving safety and travel efficiency toward the North and other regions.

In the riverine and rural heartlands, bridges such as the Beneku Bridge linking Ndokwa East and West, the progressing Orere Bridge (over 82 per cent complete at earlier reports, with a 500-metre span across the Orere River plus access roads), and the ongoing Ayakoromo Bridge (connecting communities in Burutu to Ughelli South) are opening previously water-dependent areas.

Completed or advanced roads include the Ohoror-Bomadi Road (around 31 kilometres), Emevor-Orogun Road (Phase I completed and inaugurated, Phase II advancing), Okpanam-Ibusa Bypass in the capital territory, Upper and Lower Erejuwa roads in Warri, Obi-Ibabu/Ibabu Road, Utagba-Uno/Ndemili Road segments, and numerous internal roads in Asaba, Ughelli, Sapele, Agbor, and local government headquarters.

Flood-control and drainage works, including phases of the Airport Road and related projects in Asaba and Warri, protect homes and businesses from perennial flooding.

These are not isolated vanity projects. Each kilometre of road and every bridge shortens travel times, lowers transport costs for agricultural produce and goods, stimulates local markets, and integrates once-marginalised communities into the state’s economic mainstream. Residents in places like Emevor, Ijaghala, Kantu, Orere, and Ndokwa communities speak of transformed daily lives—farmers reaching markets faster, children attending school more reliably, and traders expanding their reach.

Human Capital: Education and Skills for the Future

Meaningful Development extends beyond asphalt and concrete to people. In education, the administration has renovated and upgraded hundreds of public primary and secondary schools—classroom blocks, roofing, furniture, laboratories, ICT centres, and perimeter fencing—benefiting over 400 schools in recent reporting periods.

Thousands of teaching and non-teaching staff have been recruited to address shortages and improve instructional quality. Bursaries exceeding ₦1 billion have supported over 60,000 tertiary students of Delta origin across multiple academic sessions, including those in Nigerian Law School and previously excluded institutions.

Technical and vocational education has received particular emphasis. Model Technical Colleges, such as those in Omadino (Warri South) and Oghareki (Ethiope West), alongside institutions like Irri Technical College, equip youths with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

At the tertiary level, Southern Delta University (Ozoro) has seen campus expansion at Orerokpe, new faculty buildings, lecture theatres, and a Faculty/College of Health Sciences.

Governing councils have been constituted for the University of Delta (Agbor), Dennis Osadebay University (Asaba), and Southern Delta University to strengthen governance.

The three newer state universities have produced their first graduation cycles, adding skilled graduates to the workforce. Salary reviews of 25–35 per cent for tertiary staff and sustained funding of polytechnics, colleges of education, nursing and midwifery institutions, and the School of Marine Technology, Burutu, underscore the commitment to quality higher education.

These investments yield dividends: higher enrolment, reduced academic migration, improved learning environments, and a pipeline of skilled manpower ready for Delta’s diversifying economy.

Healthcare That Reaches the People

Health is another pillar of transformation. Over 150 primary healthcare centres have undergone renovation, reconstruction, or upgrade across all 25 local government areas, with modern equipment—CT scanners, MRI machines, dialysis units, incubators, and 25 state-of-the-art 4D ultrasound scanners—distributed statewide. General hospitals and tertiary facilities, including Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH) in Oghara and Asaba Specialist Hospital, have received facility upgrades and specialised equipment, enabling advanced services such as sustained low-efficiency dialysis and hemodiafiltration.

The College of Health Technology in Ovrode (Isoko North), complete with an access road, stands as a landmark institution for training health personnel, alongside existing facilities in Ofuoma-Ughelli and the College of Health Sciences at Southern Delta University. Hundreds of healthcare workers, including house officers, have been recruited.

The Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme has expanded dramatically, with enrolment figures climbing into the millions and equity injections supporting participating hospitals. Free medical care for expectant mothers and children under five continues, while awards such as recognition from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for primary healthcare underscore the quality of interventions.

These efforts reduce the burden of medical tourism, improve outcomes for ordinary families, and build a healthier, more productive population.

Economic Opportunities, Welfare, and Security

Opportunities for All manifest in social investment programmes reaching hundreds of thousands of direct beneficiaries (with broader indirect impact), market infrastructure such as the completed Ozoro Modern Market ready for commissioning, and efforts to improve power supply through transmission line rehabilitation and substation revival in areas like Emevor-Ozoro.

Zenith Bank’s expansion of branches, including in Osubi, signals growing investor confidence. Civil service welfare has improved through the construction and inauguration of 12 four-bedroom duplexes for permanent secretaries (plus earlier units for commissioners), accompanying internal roads and drainage that remediated flooding and erosion, and the presentation of official vehicles. Salary adjustments, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, clearance of arrears, a planned 13th-month salary with legal backing, and recruitment ensuring representation across local governments demonstrate Realistic Reforms in public administration.

Enhanced Peace and Security includes the restructuring of Operation Delta Sweep, plans for divisional police infrastructure, and broader initiatives that create an enabling environment for investment and daily life. Fiscal prudence—higher IGR, lower debt—provides the foundation for sustained delivery without abandoning projects.

Celebrating 35 Years and Looking Ahead

As Governor Oborevwori congratulated Deltans on the 35th anniversary, he paid tribute to past leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants, the private sector, and the people whose collective efforts built the state.

He affirmed that Delta has entered a new era of sustainable growth and that the shining years lie ahead. Speaker Emomotimi Guwor similarly highlighted peace, unity, and human capital as the state’s greatest assets, noting the spread of over 500 projects across the senatorial districts under the MORE Agenda.

The scale of completed and ongoing works—roads and bridges in every zone, schools and health facilities upgraded, technical colleges and university campuses expanded, civil servants better housed and equipped—demonstrates balanced, people-oriented governance.

Challenges remain, as in any large state with diverse terrains and needs, yet the trajectory is clear: development is reaching upland and riverine communities alike, urban congestion is being tackled, and human capital is being prioritised.

For a second term, the logic is straightforward. Continuity will allow the completion of major flyovers, bridges, and road networks; the full operationalisation of new educational and health institutions; the deepening of economic diversification and social programmes; and the further strengthening of security and institutions.

Abandoning or disrupting this momentum risks unfinished projects and lost gains. Deltans who have seen concrete results—shorter travel times, better schools, improved health access, functional markets, and tangible welfare improvements—have every reason to renew the mandate in 2027 so that the MORE Agenda can deliver its full promise.

On this 35th anniversary, Delta State stands stronger, more connected, and more hopeful. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s leadership has translated vision into visible transformation.

Sustaining that leadership offers the surest path to consolidating the gains of the past three years and building the greater possibilities he has promised for the decades ahead. The Big Heart beats with renewed vigour—ready for more.

Olorogun Sunday Apah
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Media

Zulum Calls for Inclusive Implementation of $1 Billion HOPE-SP Social Protection Programme

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By Abdullahi Alhassan

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has stressed that tackling poverty and social inequality is essential to addressing the root causes of insecurity and instability in Nigeria.

Governor Zulum spoke at the official launch of the $1 billion Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP), themed “From Palliative to Pathways,” organised by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

The programme was unveiled by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.

The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative, describing it as a critical intervention capable of tackling some of the underlying socio-economic drivers of insecurity and insurgency in Nigeria.

He noted that poverty, illiteracy and social inequality are among the root causes of insurgency and insecurity in various parts of the world, including Nigeria, adding that military and other kinetic measures alone cannot fully end insurgency.

“The kinetic measures alone will not end the insurgency. Addressing the socio-economic and political dimensions of the crisis is critical to addressing insecurity challenges in Nigeria,” Zulum said.

He assured the Federal Government that subnational governments would provide the necessary support to help the programme achieve its objectives.

The Governor however identified poor implementation, particularly flawed beneficiary selection, as one of the major challenges confronting social intervention programmes worldwide.

He urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and its implementing agencies to ensure beneficiaries are selected using clearly defined vulnerability criteria that promote transparency, inclusivity and fairness.

“I want to call upon the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure that targeted beneficiaries are selected based on certain vulnerability criteria that will ensure inclusivity,” he said.

Governor Zulum congratulated the Federal Government, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and the implementing agencies for the initiative, expressing optimism that it would make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.

The HOPE-SP programme is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system by shifting from short-term palliative interventions to sustainable pathways out of poverty.

Speaking on behalf of Nigerian governors, Zulum stressed that lasting peace and security require interventions that go beyond immediate humanitarian assistance to address the underlying conditions that leave individuals and communities vulnerable.

The event was attended by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; and other prominent personalities.

DELTA AT 35: Oborevwori Hails Deltans, Declares Dawn of the State’s Radiant Epoch

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By Sunday Apah

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of Delta as the state commemorates its 35th anniversary of creation, affirming that the polity has now stepped into a transformative age marked by enduring progress, robust development and widespread prosperity.

In a statement released through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, the Governor characterised the milestone as a pivotal chapter in Delta’s historical trajectory.

He observed that the preceding three and a half decades have been shaped by the people’s unyielding resilience, steadfast solidarity and concerted endeavours.

Oborevwori paid glowing tribute to former leaders, traditional rulers, religious authorities, public servants, captains of industry and every Deltan whose contributions have propelled the state’s advancement since its establishment on 27 August 1991.

He reiterated that his administration remains resolutely dedicated to consolidating the gains of preceding governments through citizen-centred policies, comprehensive infrastructural revitalisation, broadened economic horizons and participatory governance.

The Governor noted that the sweeping metamorphosis currently unfolding across the state stands as tangible evidence of his government’s determination to realise the tangible benefits of democratic rule and to open pathways of opportunity for all residents.

He called upon citizens to preserve their unity and sustain support for the administration’s developmental blueprint, expressing confidence that Delta’s most illustrious years still lie ahead.

“As we mark 35 years of our beloved state today, we are compelled to recall the sacrifices, devotion and foresight of those who have forged Delta into what it is. The radiant era of Delta State has arrived, and in concert we shall construct a tomorrow of still greater promise,” he declared.

The Governor conveyed warm anniversary greetings to Deltans both within the state and in the diaspora, while urging a renewed pledge to peace, cohesion and shared responsibility in propelling the state forward.

Onyeme, Ibori, Okowa, Emir of Zazzau, Dafinone, Other Dignitaries Honour Marriage of Governor Oborevwori’s Son

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By Sunday Apah

Political heavyweights and leading business figures from Delta State assembled on Wednesday in Isiokolo, Ethiope East Local Government Area, for the traditional wedding of Innocent, son of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to Tobore Arigbodi, daughter of Chief Brodericks Arigbodi, Managing Director of Librod Energy Limited.

The elaborate rite, performed at the Arigbodi family country home strictly according to Urhobo customary practices, drew an array of high-ranking politicians, corporate leaders, traditional authorities and other distinguished guests from within the state and beyond.

Notable attendees included Delta State Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme; former governors Chief James Ibori and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Senator Ede Dafinone; the Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR; Hon. Francis Waive; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; and Niger Delta Development Commission Chairman Chiedu Ebie.

Also in attendance were prominent industrialists such as Chief Victor Egukawhore, Chief Eta Enahoro, Chief Tunde Smooth, Chief Johnbull Ejovi, Chief Tony Oboroh and Chief John Oguma, together with members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners, local government chairmen, senior government officials, politicians and other eminent personalities.

The occasion presented a vivid exhibition of Urhobo heritage as the two families formally sealed the union of their children through traditional rites, music and dance.

Governor Oborevwori and his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, alongside the bride’s parents, Chief Brodericks Arigbodi and his spouse, received guests with evident joy and exchanged warm greetings with the assembled dignitaries.

Festivities intensified when Port Harcourt-based musician Duncan Mighty took the stage, delighting the audience with his well-known repertoire.

The broad cross-section of political, commercial and social leaders present highlighted the extensive networks and mutual esteem surrounding the Oborevwori and Arigbodi families.

Guests offered prayers for the newly wedded couple, invoking a prosperous marriage, lasting peace and enduring happiness as they embark on their shared future.

Stop Exploiting Faith for Votes, CISLAC Tells Politicians, Clerics

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By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has warned against the growing politicisation and weaponisation of religion in Nigeria’s electoral process, cautioning political actors and religious leaders against exploiting faith to manipulate voters, suppress critical thinking and divert attention from issues of governance and development.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC said the increasing use of religious platforms to mobilise political support poses a danger to Nigeria’s democracy, national cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

CISLAC said political campaigns should be centred on critical development priorities, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, poverty reduction, employment, security and accountability, rather than religious sentiments and partisan endorsements.

The organisation expressed particular concern over reports of large gatherings of religious leaders in parts of the North to endorse political figures and parties, including reported instances linked to political activities in Plateau and Jigawa States.

According to CISLAC, such practices risk reducing religious authority to an instrument of political patronage and electoral mobilisation.

“Religious leadership is a position of trust and moral guidance, not a commercial platform for vote canvassing or the promotion of political violence and intimidation,” CISLAC said.

The organisation urged religious leaders to resist attempts by politicians to exploit their influence and instead use their platforms to demand accountability, justice, competent leadership and improved welfare for citizens.

CISLAC also condemned the alleged intimidation of residents in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, where individuals were reportedly threatened with eviction if they failed to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The organisation described such alleged threats as a serious assault on citizens’ constitutional rights to freely choose their political representatives, participate in elections and reside peacefully in their communities.

“No political party, candidate or individual has the right to demand exclusive political loyalty from citizens under the threat of expulsion, intimidation or violence,” CISLAC stated.

Rafsanjani called on the Federal Government, state governments, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other relevant regulatory authorities to take decisive measures against the use of religious institutions and leaders for electoral manipulation, inducement, intimidation and the dissemination of falsehoods.

CISLAC further urged political parties and candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns and subject themselves to scrutiny on their records, policies, competence and capacity to deliver good governance.

The organisation also appealed to citizens to reject attempts to use religion or ethnicity as a substitute for political accountability, stressing that religious sentiments should not blind voters to the pressing socioeconomic challenges confronting their communities.

CISLAC warned that the continued commercialisation and weaponisation of religion for electoral gain could deepen divisions, undermine democratic institutions and threaten peaceful coexistence across the country.

It reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring electoral developments and advocating for a democratic culture rooted in competence, transparency, accountability and the genuine interests of the Nigerian people.

Zulum Celebrates Walson-Jack’s Legacy, Says Her Experience Remains a National Asset

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Daily Shine Nigeria
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By Abdullahi Alhassan

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has described the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, as a thoroughbred technocrat whose experience and contributions to advancing Nigeria’s civil service are invaluable.

The Governor made the remarks on Tuesday at the official launch of Walson-Jack’s two books, “Beyond the Mandate” and “I Planted,” held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, in celebration of her distinguished 34-year public service career.

Zulum commended Walson-Jack for her remarkable commitment and contributions during her service in Cross River State, Bayelsa State, and the Federal Civil Service, stressing that her retirement should not be seen as the end of her service to the nation, but as the beginning of a new chapter in which her knowledge, experience, and relationships can continue to benefit the country.

“You are retiring from an office, not from service. The knowledge, relationships and experience accumulated over more than three decades will remain invaluable national assets,” Zulum said.

He encouraged her to continue contributing to national development through mentorship, policy development, and other avenues of public service.

In recognition of her contributions and the significance of the books, Zulum announced that the Borno State Government would purchase 100 copies at a cost of ₦30 million.

The Governor wished Walson-Jack good health, fulfilment, and continued impact as she begins this new chapter, commending her for documenting her experiences and the lessons drawn from decades of distinguished service.

The high-profile event drew prominent Nigerians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson; Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the wife of former Head of State, Mrs Ajoke Murtala Mohammed; alongside other senior government officials, public servants, dignitaries, family members, and well-wishers.

After Years in Temporary Structure, Kaduna Pensioners Get Permanent Secretariat

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By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

In a landmark welfare move, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has allocated land for a permanent secretariat and an additional parcel for Urban Agriculture to the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Kaduna State Branch, ending years of operation from a temporary structure.

The offer was formally presented to the Union on Monday at the Kaduna Geographic Information Service, KADGIS, by the Director General, Dr. Bashir Garba Ibrahim.

The allocation is sequel to an appeal made by NUP, Kaduna State Branch, during a courtesy visit to KADGIS on August 5, in which the pensioners requested land to establish a permanent office.

Making the presentation, Dr. Ibrahim said the request came at the right time, noting that Governor Uba Sani is deeply committed to the welfare of pensioners and is always ready to respond to their needs.

In addition to the land allocated for the Union’s permanent office, the pensioners were also presented with an offer of land for Urban Agriculture. According to KADGIS, the farm land is expected to engage members in productive agricultural activities and provide them with alternative means of livelihood.

Receiving the offers, the Chairman of Kaduna State Pensioners Union, Mr. Aboman Ladan, expressed gratitude to Governor Uba Sani and the KADGIS management, saying he lacked words to adequately describe the joy of the pensioners over the gesture.

Mr. Ladan prayed for continued success and wisdom for the KADGIS Director General in the discharge of his responsibilities. He explained that the Union had struggled for many years to secure a permanent office space and had been operating from a temporary structure.

Describing Governor Uba Sani as a compassionate leader, the NUP Chairman said the welfare of pensioners had, for the first time in history, been given significant attention by a serving Governor.

He noted that out of about ₦30 billion in outstanding pension-related payments, approximately ₦17 billion had so far been paid in pensions, gratuities and death benefits, describing the development as unprecedented.

Mr. Ladan assured the Governor of the Union’s continued support and conveyed the commitment of pensioners to the Governor ahead of the forthcoming election, declaring that “all pensioners are for the Governor.”

He further disclosed that upon completion, the new permanent office of the Union would be named after Governor Uba Sani in appreciation of his commitment to the welfare of pensioners.

The presentation marks another step in the Kaduna State Government’s efforts to support the welfare and productivity of senior citizens through access to permanent facilities and opportunities for economic engagement.

Governor Babagana Workaphile Zulum’s New Age, 57, Opens a Vista on a Golden Future For Borno

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Daily Shine Nigeria
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Dauda Iliya

The Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, will turn 57 tomorrow, Tuesday, 25th August, 2026.

Lest we forget, his middle name is ‘Workaphile’, a fond name he acquired for his passion and commitment to work, and for his almost year-round trotting around the state, coordinating reconstruction and ministering to the needs of the terrorised population.

It is pertinent to view this year’s birthday celebration far beyond the usual, mundane, and insipid tradition of sending birthday wishes and congratulatory message placements in the print and electronic media and on social media pages, and the rollout of programmes or social activities for that purpose.

As his last birthday in office, Zulum’s new age, 57, its celebration and what he has, as a public servant and governor, accomplished by its attainment, are all bound by the bond of faith in the sacredness and potency of the covenant he struck with his fellow Bornoans who elected him their governor in 2019, and re-elected him in 2023.

The covenant: On their unshakeable faith in his character, credibility, capacity and commitment to coordinate the course of their affairs according to their needs and aspirations, they would elect him governor. He would, on his part, deploy that character, credibility, capacity, and commitment, and perhaps even more than expected, to govern them according to those needs and aspirations.

They fulfilled their own part of the covenant. They elected him in 2019, and re-elected him in 2023. He is fulfilling his part with as much zest and credibility as he can muster in all circumstances.

At 57, his zest for that fulfilment has attained its zenith. For him, there is no alternative to that fulfilment.

At 57, his focus is firmly fixed, much more than at any time over the last seven years, on breaking the tape at the finish line, with record-breaking accomplishments in purposeful and prosperous governance.

In broad terms, his own part of the covenant requires him to deploy all available resources to mitigate the terror-orchestrated humanitarian crisis suffered by his people, deliver a state safe and secure from terror and solidly placed on the broadway of sustainable recovery and prosperity in all sectors of life, come 29th May, 2027.

He has vowed not to disappoint his new age, 57, about this.

Powered by his public service name, Workaphile, he now operates his governorship machine at full throttle, steering expertly, avoiding potholes and bumps, on the highly dilapidated road of Borno governance.

It is startling to note that Workaphile Zulum has, as he attains 57, spent more than 4,000 days in office, both as Commissioner of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement and Governor, thinking Borno, serving Borno, executing programs, projects, policies and initiatives for the reconstruction, growth and development of his terror-battered state.

While receiving prominent sons and daughters of Gubio Local Government Area recently in Maiduguri, the Workaphile, also hailed as Servant Governor, reflected on the challenges he encountered at the beginning of his administration in 2019.

He recalled how he stood face-to-face with the gargantuan imperative to make enormous sacrifices to confront the state’s security and humanitarian crises.

“When I took over the leadership of the state, in the first 55 days of my administration, I saw my children only three times. The first four years were really challenging, but Almighty Allah has helped us to see light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

At 57, he is, more than at any time over the last seven years, firmer in his vow to beam that light permanently on the state as he strides out of office come 29th May, 2027, brandishing his towering list of accomplishments.

As he strides forth with much more gusto than ever before, Governor Workaphile Zulum knows no holidays or festival breaks. He knows no rest. Rest, for him, comes after the fulfilment of his own part of the Borno Covenant, as credibly as is required of him.

That is when he will rest in the full comfort of his uncommon credibility and integrity. He has, at 57, resolved to source his rest only from an exceptional fulfilment of his part of the Borno Deal.

Over the last seven years, he has travelled extensively across all the local government areas of Borno State, trotting even to the most remote communities to engage directly with residents, understand their challenges, and respond swiftly to their needs.

This showcases the depth of his commitment, compassion, and an unmatched sense of duty in governance.

Over the last seven years, he has galloped across his terror-ravaged terrain from Damasak at the Nigerien border and Wulgo and Gamboru at the Lake Chad shores and the Cameroonian border down to Bayo at the border with Gombe State, armed with his UN-praised Borno Model, snatching comprehensive recovery from the fangs of an epochal humanitarian crisis.

He has known and done nothing less than laying the foundations for the reconstruction of critical infrastructure; commissioning completed infrastructure; relocating and resettling displaced communities in their ancestral homes to rebuild their lives towards the rapid resuscitation of the state economy; and distributing palliatives to the vulnerable population; providing succour to communities rescued from the terrorists.

This is how Zulum has governed Borno State for the past seven years. This is how he is; at 57, he is governing it better as his covenant with his people stares him in the face.

He was just a few months away from turning 50 when he assumed office in 2019, undeniably younger and perhaps more energetic then. Yet the same fervour he brought to humanitarian work and statewide engagement at 50 remains, if not exceeds, what he demonstrates today at 57.

The Governor has consistently said: “Leadership is not about living in your comfort zone and then addressing people and addressing their concerns, but coming directly to the doorsteps of the less privileged. This has been my tradition; this has been my culture since I assumed duty as the governor of the state.”

He has always said: “I cannot remember when I lived consecutively for 10 days in my office or even one week since I assumed duty. I’m always in the remote areas attending to people, and I believe this is what we should do from now on to the end of my own administration.”

Marvelled by his credibility, capacity and commitment, and his uncommon passion for the deployment of these enviable qualities to governing Borno State, an expansive population of prominent personalities and statesmen across the country and the globe have showered praises on him.

President Tinubu in a tribute: “Babagana is one of those luminescent north stars of meritocratic rise in the Nigerian political firmament. From humble beginnings, his tenacious pursuit of personal growth and, later, expeditious state and national development serve as a guide for Nigeria’s future generations. Borno State and Nigeria at large are fortunate to benefit from his benevolent brand of modest, rigorous, and visionary political and administrative leadership.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON

“Certainly, Your Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, you are one of the best-performing governors in the federation”.

Reflecting on their succession relationship, Shettima said: “Our state was very lucky to find such a person in Professor Zulum. Allah made the recruitment of a successor. Borno State got it right with him. I think that is ‘magic'”.

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres

Following his May 2022 visit to Maiduguri, Guterres said: “The Borno I found today is a Borno of hope. It’s a Borno with a future, and I was very impressed to see the policy that is being applied here, recognising that we don’t fight terrorism just by military means”.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye

The minister was speaking at the High-level Retreat of Nigerian Ambassadors, Sahel and Lake Chad Basin Diplomatic representatives in Maiduguri

“We once travelled together with the Governor. It was a night flight. I didn’t sleep at night. This governor worked throughout the night. There were four other governors on the flight. They all slept. And when we got down in Abuja, I asked, you did not sleep. He said, yes, day and night I’m thinking of Borno State”.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR

At a January 2026 peace summit, the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar, said: “I congratulate Governor Zulum for his very glaring achievements in bringing peace and development to the state, despite numerous challenges… I also thank him for his usual hospitality and wish him the best in all his endeavours”.

A school teacher at Konduga, Hauwa Mohammed:

“I never thought a governor would walk into our school without warning, sit on a broken bench, and ask us what we need. But Governor Zulum did.” A displaced mother in Monguno, Mama Ya Kura, said: “Governor Zulum came to our IDP camp himself. He asked about our children’s education and health… He gave us not just food — but dignity”.

At 57, our dear covenant-fulfilling governor, Professor Babagana Workaphile Zulum, gives us joyful tidings of a golden future time.

Your Excellency, hearty congratulations; I wish you more years in your life, and more life in your years.

Dauda Iliya is the Special Adviser on Media/ Spokesperson to the Borno State Governor.

Shinkafi Hails Yari’s Appointment As Masterstroke For APC 2027

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By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The All Progressives Congress and the Presidency have announced Senator Abdul’Aziz Abubakar Yari as Director-General of the 2027 Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

The appointment was unveiled as part of the official formation of the re-election council, with party leaders describing the lineup as a team of experienced political operators tasked with delivering another term for the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a chieftain of the APC and aspirant for Zamfara North Senatorial District in 2027, welcomed the decision and said it reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to competence and inclusivity.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Dr Abdullahi Shinkafi described Yari as a man of structure with unmatched experience in party organization and elections, and said the choice signals seriousness ahead of 2027.

He traced Yari’s background to the respected Kayayen Mafara family of Talata Mafara in Zamfara State, a lineage known for scholarship, community service and integrity.

According to Dr, Shinkafi, the senator’s early upbringing combined Islamic training with Western education, culminating in an MSc from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom, a mix he said shaped Yari’s approach to governance.

Yari’s political career began at the grassroots. He served as State Secretary and later State Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party in Zamfara.

It was in that role in 2003 that he led the campaign that secured the re-election of former Governor Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura, a feat that brought him national attention as a strategist.

He later served as National Treasurer of the ANPP before winning election to the House of Representatives in 2007, where he represented Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency until 2011.

As Governor of Zamfara State, Yari played a central role in building the APC in the state at a time the party was in opposition, laying groundwork that Dr Shinkafi said helped position the APC for national power.

Today, Yari sits in the 10th Senate and is regarded within the party as one of the key figures sustaining the Renewed Hope Agenda at the legislative level.

Shinkafi noted that the senator’s strength lies in his deep understanding of party structures, traditional institutions, and youth and women groups across the country.

He added that Yari’s political network cuts across all 36 states, giving the campaign council the kind of grassroots machinery needed to convert goodwill into votes.

“With Senator Yari leading the charge, this council will be disciplined, focused and result-driven,” Dr, Shinkafi said, urging party members to rally behind the new leadership.

He called on APC stakeholders and Nigerians who believe in continuity and development to give the council maximum support to ensure victory for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.

Dr Shinkafi expressed confidence that under Yari’s direction, the campaign will deliver what he called a historic win for the APC in 2027.

Shinkafi, who is also Patron of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in 2023, former National Secretary of APGA, and Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development

FG, Borno Working to Rescue 44 Abducted Mussa School Children

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Daily Shine Nigeria
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By Abdullahi Alhassan

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has disclosed that the federal government and Borno State Government are working closely to ensure the safe rescue of schoolchildren abducted from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

The Governor stated this on Friday during a meeting with parents of the abducted children at the Government House, Maiduguri. The meeting was convened at the request of the parents, who have been calling for urgent action from the authorities.

Zulum expressed the deep sympathy of the Tinubu-led Federal Government and reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s personal commitment to ensuring the children are safely returned to their families.

He assured the parents that, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and Borno State Government will do everything possible to secure the children’s release.

“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I once again extend my sympathies over what happened at Mussa Central Primary School on the 15th of May 2026 that led to the abduction of about 44 primary school pupils,” Zulum said.

“Also, on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to sympathise with you. I want to assure you that Mr President has since directed security agencies to ensure the rescue of our children, and I believe they are working to ensure their rescue”, He stated.

The meeting was attended by the Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume; the Acting Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; and the Commissioners of Education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, the Commissioner for Inter-Governmental Affairs and Special Duties, Dr Samaila Abdulaziz Satumari, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr Juliana Bitrus.

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