Additionally, Zulum inaugurated the Higher Islamic College in Tolomari and the Garjam Junior Secondary School in Damboa.
These institutions are part of a broader initiative, comprising 47 schools constructed by his administration to tackle educational challenges throughout the state. Zulum's visit to southern Borno was aimed at evaluating ongoing projects, monitoring policy execution, and endorsing new initiatives.
As part of Zulum’s ‘Back-to-School’ program, 2,000 students in Damboa received essential supplies, including uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, and 500 bicycles to facilitate their journey to school.
To date, Zulum has successfully completed 17 of the 27 Tsangaya schools he pledged in 2022 and has approved six additional projects to support the increasing number of primary school graduates in southern Borno.
He emphasized that the establishment of higher Islamic colleges is integral to his strategy of incorporating non-formal education into the formal educational framework.
“These colleges are designed to include Tsangaya learners in a curriculum from the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), combining Islamic studies with modern subjects like science, technology, mathematics, and English,” he explained.
The governor has sanctioned a grant of N50 million for the High Islamic College in Damboa to enhance its daily operations and mitigate potential challenges. During his visit to the nearly finished 75-bed General Hospital in Damboa, Zulum expressed his contentment with the progress made and urged the contractor to adhere to the scheduled handover date.
Zulum has also approved six initiatives, which include an ICT center, a high Islamic college, and the refurbishment of various schools in Chibok and Damboa. Additionally, the governor held discussions with Brigadier Gen. Rasheed Omolori, Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, and Damboa Council Chairman Ali Kauji.
The meeting focused on the repatriation of residents to areas such as Sabon Gari, Wajiroko, and Sandiya, which have been affected by insurgent activities for the past decade.
He instructed Omolori to compile a report detailing the security requirements and expenses associated with reopening the Damboa-Biu Road, which has been closed for over ten years due to security concerns. Council Chairman Kauji expressed gratitude to Zulum for his implementation of transformative programs that have enhanced security and promoted agricultural development in local communities.