By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has extended heartfelt Christmas greetings to the Christian community in the state, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to unity, inclusiveness, and sustained development.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, the Governor expressed gratitude to God for the preservation of lives and the opportunity for residents to celebrate Christmas in an atmosphere of relative peace.
He noted that the period between the 2024 and 2025 Christmas celebrations marked a year of significant progress in Borno’s reconstruction and recovery efforts.
Governor Zulum, who is currently on a four-day security and resilience-building tour of northern Borno, visiting military formations and communities impacted by insurgency, said the state has witnessed remarkable strides not only in physical infrastructure but also in peacebuilding and social cohesion.
According to him, the progress recorded reflects growing mutual understanding, tolerance, and harmonious coexistence between Muslim and Christian communities, values he described as essential to restoring Borno’s prosperity and reclaiming its glorious past.
The Governor underscored the importance of interfaith harmony, referencing a recent high-level consultation with the leadership of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
He said the engagement was aimed at deepening collaboration between the government and religious institutions in tackling insecurity and promoting lasting peace across the state.
“Borno, like many other states, has a unique and beautiful family dynamic,” Governor Zulum said.
“It is common to find brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, under one roof, professing different faiths. We eat together, celebrate together, and mourn together as one family, bound by blood and love that transcends religious labels.”
He noted that this shared reality remains the state’s greatest strength and called on citizens to safeguard the sacred bonds within families and communities, allowing them to guide collective actions and engagements.
As part of his administration’s commitment to fairness and equity, Governor Zulum announced several support initiatives for the Christian community and non-indigenes in the state.
These include free transportation for non-indigenes to various parts of the country, humanitarian assistance to over 6,000 vulnerable Christians, cash support for widows and orphans, and sponsorship of Christian pilgrimages, among other interventions.
The Governor concluded by urging all residents of Borno State, regardless of religious affiliation, to unite in the collective pursuit of lasting security, peace, and harmonious coexistence, which he described as the critical foundation for genuine reconstruction, recovery, and sustainable prosperity.
