From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has extended warm greetings to the Christian community in the state on the occasion of Christmas, urging unity and support for his administration’s developmental efforts.
In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum expressed profound gratitude to God Almighty for sparing lives and enabling the state to celebrate another Christmas amidst relative peace. The Governor is currently undertaking a four-day security and resilience-building tour across Northern Borno, visiting military formations and communities affected by the insurgency.
“For us in Borno State, the period between the 2024 and 2025 Christmas celebrations has been one full year of celebrating enviable all-encompassing reconstruction and recovery,” Governor Zulum stated.
“The progress is not only in terms of physical infrastructure, but also in terms of the peace and forbearance, mutual goodwill, and harmonious coexistence among the Muslim and Christian communities, which our beleaguered state very critically desires to launch itself back to prosperity and glorious past.”
Governor Zulum highlighted the importance of the Muslim-Christian harmonious coexistence, citing a recent high-level consultation meeting with the leadership of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The meeting focused on strengthening collaborative efforts between the state government and religious bodies to combat insecurity and foster lasting peace in Borno State.
“Borno, like many states, has unique and beautiful family composition dynamics,” Governor Zulum said. “It is common to find under one roof, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, who profess different faiths.
We share meals, celebrate festivities and milestones, grieve losses together, as one family, bound by blood and love that transcends religious labels. This is our reality.”
The Governor emphasized that the state’s strength emanates from this reality, stressing the need to protect the sacred bond within homes and allow it to define individual and community engagements.
In line with his tradition of just, fair, and equitable treatment of both communities, Governor Zulum announced support to the Christian community and non-indigenes, including:
“Free transportation to non-indigenes to different parts of the country Humanitarian support to over 6,000 vulnerable Christians Cash gifts to widows and orphans Sponsorship of Christian pilgrimage and other interventions.
Governor Babagana Zulum urged every citizen of the state, irrespective of faith, to come together in the collective search for lasting security, peaceful and harmonious coexistence as the most-critical foundation for true reconstruction, recovery, and prosperity.