Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Wednesday inaugurated three model secondary schools in Shani Local Government Area as part of his administration’s drive to expand access to education and create employment opportunities in the state.
The schools are Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Shani, GDSS Borgu and GDSS Gasi. While GDSS Shani was commissioned physically, the other two schools were inaugurated virtually.
Speaking at the ceremony in Shani, Zulum said the projects were in fulfilment of his campaign promise to ensure that every child of school age had access to education, especially in communities affected by years of insurgency.
“We are today commissioning three schools: Government Day Secondary School, Shani, which is being commissioned physically, while Government Day Secondary School, Borgu, and Government Day Secondary School, Gasi, are commissioned virtually. This is in fulfilment of our campaign promise to provide access to education to our people,” he said.
The governor noted that beyond improving access to education, the schools would generate employment for teachers, administrative personnel and support staff, thereby contributing to local economic development.
He directed the Commissioner for Education to increase the allocation of computers and tablets to the new schools to enhance digital learning.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba, said each of the schools comprised three blocks of nine classrooms and was equipped with digital facilities to support modern teaching and learning.
Higher Islamic College
As part of his official tour of southern Borno, Zulum also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a Higher Islamic College in Shani Local Government Area.
The college, which is the 22nd of its kind in the state, is part of the governor’s pledge to establish one Higher Islamic College in each of the 27 local government areas.
Zulum said the 48-classroom college would integrate the traditional Sangaya system into the formal education sector through literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and vocational training.
According to him, the institution would also create teaching and non-teaching jobs and serve as a platform for promoting authentic Islamic teachings and countering negative ideologies.
Employment of Health Workers
In a related development, the governor ordered the immediate employment of volunteer health workers serving at the General Hospital in Shani.
During an inspection of the facility, Zulum directed the Hospitals Management Board to absorb volunteer nurses, midwives, Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and Junior Community Health Extension Workers (JCHEWs) into the state government payroll.
“The Hospitals Management Board is hereby directed to immediately absorb all volunteer nurses and midwives, community health workers and JCHEWs into the payroll of the state government,” he said.
Zulum added that the government would also review the employment of other categories of volunteer health workers at the hospital to further strengthen healthcare delivery.
Earlier, the governor paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Shani, His Royal Highness Alhaji Muhammad Nasir Mailafiya, and assured him of the government’s commitment to addressing challenges facing the emirate.
