By Tgnews Reporter, Maiduguri
In a heartwarming gesture of appreciation, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has gifted a fully furnished two-bedroom house to Mrs. Marbel Ijeoma Duaka, a dedicated health worker from Anambra State, and secured immediate employment for her son, Anthony, at the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University in Maiduguri.
The presentation, which took place on Tuesday during a housing allocation ceremony in Mafa Local Government Area, underscores Zulum’s commitment to rewarding loyalty and resilience among public servants, particularly those who stood firm during Borno’s darkest days.
Mrs. Duaka, a nurse who has served at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Mafa for over 24 years, was among 72 teachers and health workers honored with housing units.
Governor Zulum, while handing over the house keys, praised her extraordinary dedication, noting that she never left Mafa, even at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency when many others fled.
“She has been working here for over 24 years and has never left Mafa for a single month. During the Boko Haram crisis, most people fled the town, but she stayed throughout the conflict despite being a non-indigene,” Zulum said, highlighting her selflessness as a non-native of Borno.
She has been working here for over 24 years and has never left Mafa for a single month. During the Boko Haram crisis, most people fled the town, but she stayed throughout the conflict despite being a non-indigene
In a further show of gratitude, Zulum announced that the house allocation letter would be issued in Mrs. Duaka’s name, urging her to remain in Mafa even after retirement.
He also revealed that her son, Anthony, a graduate of Banking and Finance, would receive automatic employment at Kashim Ibrahim University, effective immediately.
“The allocation letter should be issued in your name. Do not leave Mafa, even after you retire. Your son, Anthony, will be given automatic employment at the Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri. His employment starts with immediate effect,” the governor declared to applause.
Mrs. Duaka, visibly emotional, described the moment as the “happiest day” of her life. Speaking on behalf of her family, she expressed profound gratitude to Zulum for his generosity. “Today is the happiest day for me because His Excellency has honored me and appreciated what I have been doing in Mafa. He has been so good to me,” she said.
The allocation letter should be issued in your name. Do not leave Mafa, even after you retire. Your son, Anthony, will be given automatic employment at the Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri. His employment starts with immediate effect
She also acknowledged Zulum’s past support, including a scholarship that enabled her to earn a BSc in Health Education, alongside the new gifts of a house and her son’s job. “I am truly grateful,” she added.
This gesture echoes a similar act of recognition by Zulum in October 2022, when he gifted a house to another Igbo teacher, Mrs. Obiageli Mazi from Abia State, for her 31 years of diligent service in Borno. The governor’s actions reflect a broader policy of rewarding commitment and fostering inclusivity, particularly for non-indigenes who have contributed to Borno’s recovery from years of insurgency.
The ceremony in Mafa, where 72 housing units were distributed, is part of Zulum’s ongoing efforts to rebuild infrastructure and support public servants in areas hardest hit by conflict. By recognizing individuals like Mrs. Duaka, Zulum sends a powerful message of unity and appreciation, bridging ethnic and regional divides in a state striving for peace and progress.
As Mrs. Duaka and her family settle into their new home, her story stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the rewards of steadfast service in the face of adversity.
