By Abdullahi Alhassan
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Saturday flagged off the construction of a 100-bed General Hospital in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare across the state.
The groundbreaking ceremony fulfilled a pledge the governor made during Wednesday’s launch of the 2026 Wet Farming Season and the distribution of subsidised fertiliser and other agricultural inputs to farmers in the area.
Speaking at the event, Zulum said the new hospital would complement the existing General Hospital in Kwaya Kusar, which would also undergo extensive renovation and be equipped with modern medical facilities to enhance healthcare delivery.
“We were here on Wednesday during the flag-off of the Wet Farming Season and promised the people of Kwaya Kusar that we would construct a befitting 100-bed General Hospital. Today, we are fulfilling that promise by laying the foundation for the project,” the governor said.
He expressed optimism that the hospital would be completed within six months, adding that the existing General Hospital would continue to provide medical services while undergoing rehabilitation and upgrading.
To strengthen healthcare delivery in the interim, Zulum approved the immediate recruitment of one nurse, five Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and two Medical Records Officers for the facility.
The Senior Technical Assistant to the Governor on Special Projects, Engr. Emmanuel Yerima Gadzama, said the hospital had been designed to meet modern healthcare standards.
According to him, the facility would feature all the essential infrastructure and equipment expected of a standard General Hospital capable of serving Kwaya Kusar and neighbouring communities.
Zulum Inspects Projects Across Southern Borno
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum continued his inspection tour of ongoing government projects across Southern Borno, visiting major infrastructure projects in four local government areas.
The governor inspected the construction of a 48-classroom Higher Islamic College in Shani, a 36-classroom Mega School in Marama, a 48-classroom Integrated Mega School in Shaffa, a 100-bed General Hospital in Shaffa and the General Hospital in Briyel.
Speaking after the inspection, Zulum expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work executed by contractors, noting that the projects aligned with his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare and education infrastructure across the state.
“I am delighted with the level of commitment demonstrated by our contractors. We have inspected several projects, including one of the ten General Hospitals currently under construction across the state, as well as an Integrated Mega School. I am satisfied with the quality of work and the standard of construction,” he said.
The governor assured residents that all projects initiated by his administration would be completed before the expiration of his tenure.
“We are gradually winding down this administration, and we will ensure that every project we have started is completed, God willing. We are also putting institutional mechanisms in place to guarantee the sustainability of these projects beyond our tenure,” Zulum stated.
The governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Musa Askira; the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele; the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development.
Others were Hon. Maina Yaumi; the Permanent Secretary, Government House and Security, Barr. Mustapha Ali Busuguma; the APC House of Assembly candidate for Kwaya Kusar, Hon. Abdulkadir Shuaibu; and other senior government officials.
