Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State says about two million displaced residents have returned to their communities as the state continues its recovery from years of insurgency.
Zulum disclosed this in his message to residents of Borno and Nigerians on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The governor said his administration had rebuilt more than 30,000 homes, schools, healthcare facilities and other public infrastructure destroyed during the insurgency.
He attributed the progress to the collective efforts of the state government, security agencies, volunteers, traditional and religious leaders, communities and residents.
According to Zulum, his administration has executed more than 1,500 clusters of projects across Borno’s 27 local government areas over the past seven years. The projects cover security, reconstruction, education, healthcare, agriculture, human capital development and the resettlement of communities affected by insurgency.
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“About two million of our people have returned to their communities, and we are working to resettle more,” Zulum said, urging residents to protect the relative peace achieved in the state.
“We must not allow a few unpatriotic people to derail this hard-earned peace,” he added.
The governor also highlighted progress in education, saying the number of functional secondary schools increased from 34 in 2019 to 129 in 2026. Recent reports independently confirm the increase to 129 functional schools and put enrolment at about 1.8 million learners in 2026.
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Zulum said his administration was prioritising digital and vocational education while expanding opportunities for young people.
He added that the government had invested in agriculture to encourage year-round farming and strengthened the health sector to improve access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable residents.
Describing Borno as an emerging investment destination, Zulum said the state’s strategic location, human capital and natural resources offered significant opportunities for post-conflict economic recovery.
He urged residents to maintain unity, peaceful coexistence and respect for the rule of law, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.
Zulum also called on political actors and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining security.
The governor commended the people of Borno for their resilience and support, pledging to sustain his administration’s development programmes until the end of his tenure.
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Kwara Speaker Calls for Renewed Patriotism
Meanwhile, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, has called on Nigerians to embrace patriotism, patience, cooperation, selflessness and love as the country marks 66 years of independence.
In a statement issued in Ilorin by his Chief Press Secretary, Sheu Yusuf, Danladi-Salihu urged Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences, to rededicate themselves to nation-building through hard work and commitment.
The Speaker acknowledged the economic and security challenges confronting the country but said they could be overcome through collective responsibility and national unity.
He urged Nigerians to remain committed to the ideals of the country’s founding fathers and work towards building a peaceful and economically prosperous nation.
Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, 2026, having gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960.
