Cough Halts Governor’s Inauguration

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Wednesday had to halt his inauguration after suffering persistent cough while reading his speech.

Speaking during the inaugural address, after been sworn-in by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kahsim Zanna, Zulum stated that he will ensure displaced persons return to their farms.

He said: “My focus is on improving the security of the state as insecurity is the major impediment that affected people’s lives for a decade.

“I will ensure the return of our displaced people to their farmlands to ensure national food security.

“I will also fight unemployment and poverty among youths and embark on the massive reconstruction of destroyed communities.

“This will enable the people to return to their ancestral homes, while we seek more support from humanitarian donor agencies across the globe.”

However, Zulum started coughing persistently and began to have difficulties in reading further.

It was gathered that a security official had accidentally opened a tear gas which affected the governor’s breath.

He was later made to step down from the podium and led away, accompanied by Kashim Shettima, his predecessor.