For refusing to relocate from the Boko Haram-ravaged Borno State despite the heinous activities of the terrorist sect, Governor Babagana Zulum has approved N13.9 million and a car gift for a 65-year-old medical doctor serving at a general hospital in the Monguno area of the state.
Governor Zulum announced the gesture in a Facebook post on Saturday.
Dr. Isa Akinbode, whom the governor described as a “Yoruba doctor” from Ogun State, was said have continued rendering voluntary medical services at the hospital after retiring from the Borno State Civil Service.
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Zulum said the doctor, “continued to offer healthcare services to patients even when the town was faced with the most severe threats posed by Boko Haram in recent years.”
A statement on his Facebook page reads: “Dr. Isa Akinbode, an indigene of Ogun State, graduated from the University of Maiduguri and joined the Borno State Civil Service where he served for 22 years before he retired in 2016 at Monguno General Hospital.
“After his retirement, the Doctor despite reports that he was once abducted and released by Boko Haram in Monguno, remained at the General hospital in Monguno to offer voluntary medical services. Then Governor Kashim Shettima, during one his visits to Monguno, directed officials of the state’s ministry of health to engage Akinbode as a contract staff. Arising from bureaucratic procedures, officials at the state ministry of health in Maiduguri delayed formalizing the doctor’s contract, even though he continued to serve.”
Governor Zulum, according to the statement, “directed that Dr. Akinbode be paid arrears of N13.9m which accrued since based on the terms of the contract directed by the former governor in 2016.”
The statement added that, “Zulum also directed that going forward contract should be formalized for monthly entitlements. The Governor also presented a Toyota Highlander as gift to Dr Akinbode for his services to the host people of Borno.”
Zulum was further quoted as saying, “These (people like Dr Akinbode) are the kinds of people that need to be encouraged, he lives in Monguno despite all the security problems. My predecessor had during his visit to Monguno, directed that he should be engaged on contract basis, unfortunately due to some bureaucratic procedures his reengagement has not been formalized. In fulfillment of the promise of my boss, I decided to reengage him on contract basis retrospectively. We are paying all his entitlements salary in arrears, I am giving him a cheque of N13.9m. I have also approved his reengagement from 2016 being the date of his retirement.”
Governor Zulum also directed the Borno State Civil Service to give employment to Dr Akinbode’s daughter who is said to hold a degree in Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri.
THE WHISTLER had reported how Governor Zulum, in July 2020, promised financial support for Igbo traders dealing in automobile spare-parts in the state. He had commended them for not deserting the state despite activities of Boko Haram.