The Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has granted pardon to 66 inmates at the Maiduguri Maximum Security Custodial Centre, alongside the commissioning of major infrastructural projects across the state capital in commemoration of Democracy Day.
The event, which took place at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Maiduguri, drew attention to the Governor’s use of constitutional powers under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), following recommendations by the Borno State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
“In commemoration of June 12 Democracy Day, I have approved the grant of state pardon to 66 convicts based on the recommendations of the advisory council,” Governor Zulum announced. “Some of the inmates had been serving life sentences, while others had had their sentences reduced significantly.”
Governor Zulum emphasised the significance of rehabilitation and second chances, urging the beneficiaries to reflect on their past and embrace reform. He also assured all inmates of the state’s continued support with food, non-food items, and access to educational and vocational training. “Inmates willing to learn will benefit from intensive literacy, numeracy in English and Arabic, digital literacy, and vocational skills,” he added.
To reinforce the state’s commitment, Governor Zulum announced the donation of 300 bags of rice, 50 jerrycans of cooking oil, and 5 cows to the correctional centre. He also reaffirmed that the construction of a mosque within the centre, which he had earlier pledged, would be completed within six months.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Borno State Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ibrahim Bawa, expressed gratitude to the governor on behalf of the Controller-General of the Service. He described Zulum’s interventions as unprecedented in the history of Borno State’s correctional system.
“Since my assumption of duty, this is the first of its kind,” Bawa said. “From the construction of an ultra-modern mosque to consistent donations of food and support to personnel, Your Excellency has set a remarkable standard.”
In a separate but equally significant activity to mark Democracy Day, Governor Zulum commissioned and inspected over 20 road projects within Maiduguri, including Maina Kenendi Road, Talba Road, Yerima Road, Onitsha Road, and the Ambs Mahmud Ahmed Express Road in Gwange, among others. These roads are part of ongoing urban renewal efforts by the state government to improve mobility and economic activity.
The Governor also laid the foundation for the construction of the Maiduguri International Conference Centre, a monumental project designed to reposition Borno as a hub for international engagements and events. The centre, which will sit on a seven-hectare plot, features a 2,500-capacity multipurpose hall, a 1,100-seater red auditorium, VIP lounges, a banquet hall, committee rooms, guest chalets, solar mini-grid, borehole, water tower, underground reservoir, and an exhibition park.
Presenting the design, the project engineer highlighted that the facility meets international standards, including disability access and sustainability components. The centre is expected to be delivered within the stipulated time with assurance of high-quality work.
“These projects are not just about concrete and steel. They symbolize our collective hope, our resilience, and the belief that Borno will rise beyond its challenges and become a beacon of development.” Governor Zulum stated
The Democracy Day activities reflect Governor Zulum’s dual focus on human dignity and infrastructure, celebrating Nigeria’s democratic journey with acts of mercy and symbols of progress.