Borno gov employs 100 graduates to curb thuggery

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum is taking a proactive approach to combat youth restiveness and political thuggery by approving the employment of 100 unemployed graduates from Biu Local Government Area. The governor announced this initiative on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Alhaji Mustapha Mustapha II, as part of his efforts to foster stability and development in the state.

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We are here for the flag-off of the wet farming season and the sales of fertiliser at subsidised rates. I am grateful to the people of Biu for the overwhelming support and the warm reception they have always accorded us.

Zulum, who was in Southern Borno for the flag-off of the 2026 wet farming season and the subsidized sale of fertilizer, stressed that while incidents of thuggery have decreased under his administration, creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people is paramount. He outlined a plan where each local government area will employ 50 graduates, with larger councils, including Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Bama, Askira/Uba, and Gwoza, receiving 100 beneficiaries each.

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We will be doing a great disservice to our youth if we allow them to continue to engage in thuggery without empowering them. You hardly find the children of prominent politicians, governors, senators, commissioners or even councillors involved in political thuggery.

"We will be doing a great disservice to our youth if we allow them to continue to engage in thuggery without empowering them," Zulum stated, noting that children of prominent politicians are rarely involved in such activities. He emphasized that empowering unemployed youths is critical to preventing them from being exploited for criminal and political purposes. The governor also warned against the vandalism of public infrastructure, particularly electricity facilities, vowing strict legal action against offenders.

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Your Royal Highness, we must address the rising cases of drug abuse, gangsterism and other social vices if we are to bequeath a better society to the next generation.

Urging community leaders, including the Emir of Biu, to support the government's initiatives, Zulum called for a concerted effort to tackle rising cases of drug abuse and gangsterism. He specifically requested Biu Local Government to identify 100 unemployed graduates, preferably those with health-related, English, Mathematics, or Physics backgrounds, who are involved in political thuggery, to offer them employment. The governor also mentioned the upcoming unveiling of the APC governorship candidate's running mate, with 27 aspirants vying for the position.

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We will continue to invest in our youth. I want Biu Local Government to identify 100 unemployed graduates, preferably those who studied health-related courses, English, Mathematics and Physics, especially among those involved in political thuggery, and we are ready to offer them employment opportunities.