By Muhyideen Jimoh
Maiduguri, Dec. 20, 2025 – President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Borno State this Saturday represents a significant moment, blending official state duty with cultural participation. His itinerary includes the inauguration of critical infrastructure projects across multiple sectors and attendance at a high-profile wedding, underscoring a dual focus on development and community engagement during the festive period.
The visit, part of the President’s yuletide engagements across selected states, is particularly symbolic for Borno—a region historically impacted by insurgency. The planned inaugurations signal a tangible shift towards post-conflict reconstruction and economic revitalization, with the federal and state governments demonstrating coordinated effort.
Aviation Infrastructure: A Gateway for the North-East
At the General Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, President Tinubu will commission new aviation facilities, including a terminal extension and a dedicated VIP wing. This development is far more than a routine upgrade; it is a strategic investment aimed at boosting air transport capacity, facilitating commerce, and improving connectivity for a region whose access has been historically constrained. Enhanced aviation services are a direct corollary to the improving security situation, as safer skies and more reliable infrastructure attract business and enable easier movement of people and goods, fostering regional integration and economic growth.
Urban Mobility and Livelihood Empowerment
The next stop, Ramat Square, will see the inauguration of a new fleet of electric buses, cars, and tricycles. This initiative is a practical example of modernizing urban transport while addressing economic and environmental concerns. The electric vehicles promise to reduce urban pollution and operational costs. More importantly, the tricycles (Keke NAPEP) are directly linked to livelihood empowerment, providing income-generating assets for individuals and cooperatives. This move illustrates a multi-pronged approach to development: improving public transit, creating jobs, and piloting sustainable technology in a major northern city.
Educational Investment: Building for the Future
A cornerstone of the visit is the inauguration of a newly constructed primary and secondary school named in President Tinubu’s honour. This project is a critical component of Borno State’s broader drive to rebuild educational infrastructure, which has been a major casualty of the long-term crisis. Expanding access to quality education is fundamental to securing long-term stability and breaking cycles of poverty. New schools not only increase enrolment capacity but also serve as beacons of normalcy and hope, directly contributing to the social recovery of communities displaced by conflict.
Cultural Integration and Condolence Visit
Beyond official duties, the President’s schedule reflects the importance of social bonds. His attendance at the wedding of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, highlights the political and cultural ties that underpin governance in Nigeria. Following his engagements in Maiduguri, President Tinubu will travel to Bauchi State to offer condolences on the passing of the revered Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. This gesture acknowledges the spiritual leader’s vast influence and demonstrates respect for the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood and its followers.
The President will subsequently proceed to Lagos to spend the end-of-year holidays, concluding a trip that weaves together infrastructure commissioning, economic stimulus, social ceremony, and symbolic condolence—a microcosm of the multifaceted role of national leadership.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
MUYI/ RSA
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