BY INUSA NDAHI, MAIDUGURI
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he was highly impressed with the educational, industrial, health, agricultural and road projects he commissioned in Maiduguri that were executed by Governor Kashim shettima’s administration in the past 8 years, despite security challenges posed by insurgents.
He also expressed hope that the orphaned children will surely get quality education and brighter future with the educational facilities provided by the state government.
The President also said, the federal government is aware that the state government had sponsored some Chibok abducted schoolgirls into various secondary and tertiary institutions both within and outside Nigeria to acquire standard and quality education.
Buhari stated this Thursday at the Shehu of Borno’s Palace while responding to remarks made by the royal father, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn El Kanemi and Governor Kashim Shettima during his one day state visit to the state to commission some projects.
He also appreciated the people of Borno for their concern for him and commended them further for their loyalty to his administration.
The President however said he was impressed with the capital projects that he commissioned especially the mega schools, stressing that it was unfortunate some Chibok schoolgirls are still under the captivity of Boko Haram.
He further commended the state government for committing itself seriously to the provision of quality education, health facilities, factories, agricultural implements and roads among others that would boost socio economic activities of the state.
Buhari reassured the people of Borno of his continued support to the state and restoration of peace and concerted effort by the federal government to free the remaining Chibok Schoolgirls and all other person(s) under Boko Haram captivity.
Governor Kashim Shettima in his remarks said without the support and concern of President Buhari in the past 4 years of his administration, Borno state could have been a history by now.
He said “all what have been achieved in the state including relative peace and growth could not have been achieved in the state without the support of President Buhari.”
Shettima further appreciated the support and fatherly role played by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn El Kanemi in the restoration of peace in the state and the north east as a whole.
According to him, Borno people are indeed highly indebted to Mr. President for his support and concern while appreciating the royal father for his royal blessing.
He noted that lack of access to education and high rate of unemployment are the root causes of Boko Haram Insurgency which informed his government’s commitment to invest heavily in education and job creation through establishment of the new industrial hub.
The governor added that he was very passionate about education and welfare of the citizenry, while expressing hope that in the coming few years, these investments in educational, health, industrial and agricultural facilities provided will definitely yield positive results in development, stressing that, the incoming governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum is a seasoned educationist, versed and competent to continue from where he (Shettima’s) stopped.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn El Kanemi earlier in his speech thanked President Buhari for visiting Borno, paid him homage in his palace and thereafter commissioned people oriented projects.
He commended Buhari for his support and efforts in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and pledged to continue to pray for the restoration of peace in the state and country at large.
The royal father appreciated the performance of Governor Shettima in the areas of education, health, housing and agriculture, even as he expressed hope that such developmental strides put in place, would definitely address socio economic lapses such as unemployment among youths which is one of the root causes of the insurgency.
Some of the projects commissioned include; Mega schools, Kidney Centre fully equipped at State Specialist Hospital, Roads and drainages among others all in the metropolis. End
