Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has presented a fully-furnished two-bedroom house to an Igbo health worker, Mrs Marbel Ijeoma Duaka, in recognition of her dedication and service to the people of the state.

Mrs Duaka, who is from Anambra State, was among the 72 teachers and health workers who receive housing units at a ceremony inaugurated by Governor Zulum on Tuesday in the Mafa Local Government Area.

In a similar gesture in October 2022, the Governor rewarded another Igbo teacher, Mrs Obiageli Mazi from Abia State, with a housing unit at the teachers’ quarters in Maiduguri for her hard work and punctuality after 31 years of service in Borno State.

While presenting the keys, Governor Zulum also announced automatic employment for her son, Anthony, a Banking and Finance graduate, at the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University.

Governor Zulum stated that Mrs Duaka has been working at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Mafa for more than two decades and never left the town, even during the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“She has 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 said.

He further directed that the allocation of the house be changed from an institutional to a personal allocation. “The allocation letter should be issued in your name. Do not leave Mafa, even after you retire,” he remarked.

Addressing her son, he added: “Your son, Anthony, will be given automatic employment at the Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri. His employment starts with immediate effect.”

Responding on behalf of her family, Mrs Marbel Ijeoma Duaka thanked Governor Zulum for appreciating her little contribution to the people of Mafa.

“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,” Mrs Duaka 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.”