By Fatima Haruna (9News Nigeria Maiduguri)
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the construction of two new community secondary schools in Biu town and announced the upgrade of the 150-bed General Hospital to a Specialist Hospital to improve access to education and healthcare for residents.
Governor Zulum made the announcement on Sunday during an inspection tour of institutions in Biu as part of his week-long visit to five local government areas in Southern Borno.
To expand access for growing numbers of students, the state government will immediately commence construction of one Community Boys Day Secondary School and one Community Girls Day Secondary School in Biu.
“Biu is increasing in terms of population on a daily basis, there is the need for the government of Borno State to increase access, so that more children will be admitted into junior and senior secondary schools,” Zulum said after touring existing schools in the town.
The Governor also designated Government Girls Secondary School, GGSS Biu, as one of the eight Centres of Excellence established by his administration.
The Centres will revive the state’s exchange programme, enabling students from northern and central Borno to study together and receive transportation allowances.
The aim, he said, is “to reinvigorate the culture of unity among people of the state.”
As part of support for students, Zulum donated 200 bags of rice, beans, and cooking oil for feeding at GGSS Biu, and promised to construct an additional borehole for the school kitchen while repairing the faulty one.
At the ongoing 150-bed General Hospital in Biu, Governor Zulum disclosed that the facility will be upgraded to a Specialist Hospital upon completion.
When combined with the existing hospital, the two facilities will have a combined carrying capacity of between 300 and 400 beds.
“We are building another befitting hospital in Biu which is 150-bedded. When completed and added to the existing facility, it will have a carrying capacity of between 300 to 400 bed. That means we have upgrade this hospital to a Specialist hospital,” the governor stated.
He explained that the upgraded hospital will provide clinical services needed by the Nigerian Army University Biu to establish a College of Medical Sciences.
The first set of medical students is expected to be admitted by next year.
The Specialist Hospital will also serve the eight remaining local government areas in Southern Borno.
To strengthen healthcare delivery, Zulum announced automatic employment for 17 volunteer nurses currently serving at the General Hospital, and assured that more medical personnel will be recruited.
During the inspection, the Governor also assessed two blocks of 12 three-bedroom flats built by the state government as staff quarters for the Nigerian Army University.
He reaffirmed the state’s support to the university to expand academic opportunities for Borno indigenes.
Governor Zulum was accompanied by senior government officials on the tour of Government Senior Science Secondary School, Government Secondary School Waka, GGSS Biu, the Nigerian Army University, and the 100 Housing Estate in Biu.
