Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to leveraging the agricultural potential along the shores of Lake Chad to invigorate the agricultural sector in the state. In an official statement released on Tuesday by Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Zulum expressed this commitment during his visit to Baga, where he conducted an assessment of a portion of the lake earmarked for agricultural purposes.
The governor highlighted the importance of bolstering trans-border trade between Nigerian communities and their counterparts in Chad and Niger Republics. During the assessment, Zulum noted that as agricultural activities gain momentum along the lake’s shores, the returning communities, previously reliant on government support and humanitarian aid, would now have sustainable sources of livelihood.
Zulum articulated the administration’s goals, stating, “We are here to see how we can support large-scale farming. This town was ravaged by insurgents, and people were resettled back about the last two or three years. To provide a means of livelihood, we must exploit the potentials of Lake Chad. Our first objective is to support the Army and the Navy in clearing the waterways, enabling boat movement from Baga to Chad, thereby enhancing trans-border trade and agriculture.”
In addition to the agricultural initiatives, Governor Zulum, while in the border town of Baga, approved the construction of a High Islamic College. This college, with a capacity for over 2,000 students, will integrate traditional Islamic education with literacy, numeracy, digital education, and vocational training, further contributing to the holistic development of the region.
