Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting wounded soldiers and the families of military and police personnel who lost their lives in counter-insurgency operations.
The governor made the pledge on Monday at the Government House, Maiduguri, while receiving the President of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Lilian Ogogo Christopher Musa, who was in the state for the launch of the “Thank You Troops” campaign.
The campaign, spearheaded by DEPOWA which unites wives of officers of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Police seeks to honour frontline troops, provide assistance to the wounded, and extend support to families of fallen heroes.
“I promise to be a champion of this noble cause by identifying with officers and men of the military. My doors are always open to partner with you in supporting the wounded-in-action, widows, and orphans of deceased military personnel to give them a sense of belonging,” Zulum said.
He commended the sacrifices of troops deployed in difficult terrains, recalling their challenges in communities like Baga before resettlement. He also reiterated plans to return more displaced communities to consolidate military gains.
Zulum further praised service chiefs, the Theatre Commander, and frontline troops for their resilience and dedication to restoring stability in the Northeast and across the country.
Mrs. Musa lauded the governor’s “unwavering and practical” support for the Armed Forces, citing his programmes for widows, orphans, and scholarship schemes for children of the fallen as “shining examples of compassionate leadership.”
She described the “Thank You Troops” campaign as a nationwide movement to honour the sacrifices of soldiers, beginning in Borno the epicentre of the insurgency in recognition of the state’s resilience under Zulum’s leadership.
Mrs. Musa also pledged DEPOWA’s commitment to complementing government efforts in improving the welfare of widows, orphans, youths, and the less privileged within and beyond military communities.