Borno inauguration ends abruptly as cough disrupts gov’s speech

The inauguration ceremony in Borno state, on Wednesday, ended midway after Babagana Zulum, the governor, suffered persistent coughs while reading his speech.

Kashim Zanna, the chief judge of the state, swore in Zulum and his deputy, Umar Kadafur.

Speaking during the inaugural address, Zulum listed a 10-point agenda his administration intends working on to develop the state.

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

“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.”

Halfway into the speech, the governor started coughing persistently and began to have difficulties in reading further.

It was suspected 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.

The ceremony was abruptly brought to an end with the national anthem.