Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has inaugurated three model secondary schools in Shani Local Government Area to improve access to education and reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.
The intervention responds to years of educational disruption caused by insurgency and inadequate infrastructure across southern Borno.
The schools commissioned are Government Day Secondary School Shani, Government Day Secondary School Borgu, and Government Day Secondary School Gasi.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Wednesday in Shani, with the schools in Borgu and Gasi commissioned virtually.
Speaking at the event, Zulum said the projects fulfilled his administration’s campaign promise to ensure that every child of school age has access to formal education.
“We are commissioning these schools to fulfill our commitment to provide access to education to our people and reduce the challenge of out-of-school children,” Zulum said.
He directed the commissioner for education to increase the allocation of computers and tablets to the schools to strengthen digital learning.
Lawan Abba, commissioner for education, science, technology and innovation, said each of the schools consists of three blocks of nine classrooms with digital learning facilities.
As part of his official tour of southern Borno, the governor also flagged off the construction of a Higher Islamic College in Shani.
The institution will be the 22nd Higher Islamic College established by the state government to integrate the traditional Sangaya education system into formal education.
Zulum said the college aligns with his pledge to establish one Higher Islamic College in each of the 27 local government areas of the state.
“The 48-classroom college will streamline non-formal education into the formal system through literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and vocational training,” he said.
He added that the institution would also counter negative ideologies through authentic Islamic teachings.
In the health sector, Zulum ordered the immediate employment of volunteer nurses, midwives, and community health workers at the General Hospital in Shani.
The directive was issued during an inspection visit to the hospital to address manpower shortages affecting healthcare delivery.
“The Hospitals Management Board is directed to immediately absorb all volunteer nurses, midwives, CHEWs, and JCHEWs into the state payroll,” Zulum said.
He added that the government would review the employment of other categories of volunteer health workers at the facility.
Earlier, the governor paid a courtesy visit to Muhammad Nasir Mailafiya, emir of Shani, where he pledged to address challenges facing the emirate.
