Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has gifted a fully furnished two-bedroom house to Marbel Ijeoma Duaka, a health worker from Anambra State, as a reward for her dedication, in the face of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Zulum also announced an automatic employment offer for Duaka’s son, Anthony, a graduate of Banking and Finance, at the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri.
Presenting the house keys to Duaka in Mafa Local Government Area on October 7, Zulum praised her for her selfless dedication, noting that she had served at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Mafa for over two decades without leaving her post, even during the height of insecurity in the region.
He said that Duaka had “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. She has treated most of my family members, including my mother.”
The governor directed that the allocation letter for the house be issued in her name, adding, “Do not leave Mafa, even after you retire.” He further announced, “Your son, Anthony, will be given automatic employment at the Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri. His employment starts with immediate effect.”
Duaka was among 72 teachers and health workers who received housing units during the event, which formed part of Zulum’s ongoing efforts to reward outstanding public servants and improve living conditions in the state.
This is not the first time Governor Zulum has recognized exemplary service by non-indigenes. In October 2022, he similarly rewarded Mrs. Obiageli Mazi, an Igbo teacher from Abia State, with a house for her commitment and punctuality after 31 years of service in Borno State.
Expressing her gratitude, an emotional Mrs. Duaka described the moment as the happiest of her life.
“Today is the happiest day for me because His Excellency has honoured me and appreciated what I have been doing in Mafa. He has been so good to me,” she said.
“He provided me with a scholarship to study BSc in Health Education, today he has given my son a job and given me a house. I am truly grateful.”
