By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Public schools in Borno State, which were shut over a year ago due to incessant Boko Haram attacks, have been reopened.

The governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, announced the good news on Tuesday while receiving the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Rolf Ree, at the Government House, Maiduguri.

The governor, however, said the reopening of boarding schools in the state will be gradual and that the government would work toward stabilizing the schools’ calendar year.

The good news came as Norway also pledged more support for the three states most affected by insurgency in the North east, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, particularly in the areas of education and resettling of displaced persons.

The governor commended Norway for committing $4 million to the Save School Initiative of the government.

In his comments, the Norwegian Ambassador said his country was looking forward to assisting the North east states affected by Boko Haram to overcome challenges posed by the insurgency.

He assured the governor that his country would support efforts by the Nigerian government and Borno State to rebuild impacted communities and resettle those displaced by the insurgency.

“We will support efforts to return people to their homes. We will continue our support for the Save School Initiative and encourage international assistance toward the rebuilding of homes destroyed by Boko Haram,” Ree promised.