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Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has suspended the secretary and several directors of a local government council after finding them absent from work during an official visit, his office said on Saturday.
Zulum ordered the officials in Dikwa Local Government Area to hand over their duties to their assistants with immediate effect.
The Director of Primary Healthcare and the Education Secretary were exempted after they were found at their duty posts, according to a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Dauda Iliya.
“Residents depend on the local government for essential services. Senior officials must report for duty and carry out their responsibilities. Those who neglect their duties will face disciplinary action,” Zulum said.
He directed the state’s Local Government Service Commission to identify the affected officials and begin the process of filling the positions to ensure public services continue.
During the visit, Zulum also ordered construction work on nurses’ accommodation at Dikwa General Hospital to stop over concerns about the quality of the building.
The governor, who inspected the hospital, the nurses’ quarters and a primary school, said a new contractor should be engaged before work resumed.
“Public funds must deliver buildings that are safe, durable and fit for use. Every contractor must meet the approved specifications. Those who fail to do so will be held accountable in accordance with the law,” he said.
Zulum warned that contractors who failed to meet approved standards and contractual requirements would face sanctions.
The governor’s visit comes as his administration oversees local government services and public infrastructure projects across Borno State, in Nigeria’s insurgency-hit northeast.
Zulum Orders Suspension of Dikwa Council Secretary, Directors Found Absent on Duty
…Halts Work on Nurses’ Quarters
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed the immediate suspension of the secretary and some directors of Dikwa Local Government Council over alleged neglect of duty.
The Governor issued the directives on Friday during a working visit to Dikwa, where he found several senior council officials absent from their duty posts.
He directed the affected officials to hand over to their respective assistants immediately.
However, the Director of Primary Healthcare and the Education Secretary were exempted from suspension because both were on duty at the time of the visit.
“Residents depend on the local government for essential services. Senior officials must report for duty and carry out their responsibilities.
Those who neglect their duties will face disciplinary action,” Zulum said.The governor directed the Borno State Local Government Service Commission to compile a list of the affected officials and begin the administrative process of filling the posts to ensure that council services continue.
…Zulum halts work on nurses’ quarters
Governor Babagana Zulum also ordered the halting of construction at the nurses’ quarters after raising concerns about the quality of work.
During the visit, Zulum inspected ongoing projects at Dikwa General Hospital, the nurses’ quarters and a mega primary school.
Visibly dissatisfied with the standard of construction at the nurses’ quarters, he ordered work to stop immediately pending the engagement of another contractor.
“Public funds must deliver buildings that are safe, durable and fit for use. Every contractor must meet the approved specifications. Those who fail to do so will be held accountable in accordance with the law,” Zulum stated.
Governor Zulum warned that contractors who fail to meet contractual specifications and approved standards would face immediate sanctions.
— Dauda Iliya (@dauda_iliya) November 14, 2026
