Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum on Monday rejected the naming of two blocks of hostel in his honour at the Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri.
Zulum was at the polytechnic owned by the state government to inaugurate the hostel for 1,500 students, which was recently renovated and reequipped by the state’s ministry of higher education, technology and innovation.
The twin-project, which funds internally generated revenue from the polytechnic’s commercial activities, was named “Engr. Professor Babagana Umara Zulum Make Students’ Hostel”.
But as soon as it was announced, Zulum categorically asked that it should be renamed.
He said: “No, no, I will not allow any project named after me while I am in office. It should be after my tenure of office.”
Also while reading a plaque he unveiled to commemorate the inauguration, Governor Zulum skipped the part his name was mentioned and instead said, “in commemoration of the inauguration of male students’ hostel”.
Governor Zulum however paid glowing tributes to the Commissioner of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Dr Babagana Mustapha for the remarkable turn around of the polytechnic’s fortunes.
The polytechnic has been under the Commissioner’s direct supervision since September 2021, when Governor Zulum suspended management of the school.
Zulum took the action when he undertook an impromptu visit to the school and was disappointed with the state of affairs.
He had lamented that some facilities he knew well at the school, including laboratories, were no longer functional.
Zulum was rector of the polytechnic from 2011 to 2015.
He was also a student from 1986 to 1988 for National Diploma in Engineering, before going for Bachelors Degree, Masters, and PhD at the University of Maiduguri and University of Ibadan.
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