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Tag: Borno

  • Zulum orders recruitment of 30 medical personnel for Bama hospital

    Zulum orders recruitment of 30 medical personnel for Bama hospital

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has ordered the immediate recruitment of 30 medical personnel comprising doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and lab technicians for Bama General Hospital.

    Newsmen reports that Bama Local Government is one of the areas displaced by insurgents, whose people are now returning back due to improved security.

    The directive is contained in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy,  Mallam Isa Gusau.

    Zulum had visited the hospital on Tuesday and held a meeting with the hospital’s management and other top officials of the state Ministry of Health to identify the challenges of the facility.

    He expressed concern that the general hospital has only two medical doctors and 10 nurses and midwives in spite of growing umber of patients attending the facility.

    Zulum also approved the release of more drugs to the hospital to meet growing patients demand and the immediate rehabilitation of abandoned and dilapidated houses for doctors and other personnel.

    The governor is in Bama to inspect government projects and provide humanitarian support to residents who returned home after years of displacement.

  • Borno crowd excites me – NNPP presidential candidate, Kwankwaso

    Borno crowd excites me – NNPP presidential candidate, Kwankwaso

    The Presidential candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, said he was excited by the large crowd that received him in Maiduguri, reinforcing the hope of his party in 2023.

    Kwankwaso, who spoke to newsmen in Maiduguri on Sunday, said the crowd who defied the heavy downpour to welcome him, showed how eager the people of Borno wanted change from status quo.

    “Look at how people came out; I was so excited, I was so happy that the people of Borno are now very ripe for a change.

    “If only the people I saw on arrival yesterday will vote for us I can assure you we will win Borno,” Kwankwaso said.

    The presidential candidate said that people across Nigeria were buying into NNPP which he adopted few months ago, adding that before the election in next year, particularly when campaigns would start, the party would shock Nigerians with its popularity.

    “The more you know Kwankwaso the more you like him. The more you know kwankwasiyya the more the love..

    “We will take that goodwill to the south as we have offices from ward to state levels all over Nigeria and we are fielding candidates for all positions across Nigeria,” Kwankoso said.

    He commended President Buhari for signing the Electoral Act and called for a commitment to free and fair election.

    While condemning those speculating that he would step down for some candidates, Kwankwaso described such speculations as mischievous and needed to be stopped for real contenders to face issue based campaign.

    “Let us start the campaigns, we will separate between the chaff and grains.

    “Some people are saying that there may be no winner in the first round of voting but from our camp we believed that we are going to win in the first ballot by the grace of God, ” Kwankwaso said.

    While in Maiduguri, Kwankwaso commissioned the state party secretariat and held meetings with the party stakeholders and various interest groups.

  • Gov. Zulum inaugurates committee on repatriation, management of repentant insurgents

    Borno state governor Babagana Zulum  has inaugurated a committee on repatriation of Borno citizens leaving in Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

    Zulum while Inaugurating the committee on Monday in Government House Maiduguri, said the committee would also manage repentant insurgents, particularly how they are to come out of the bush, their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.

    Zulum said proper handling of the task assigned the committee which has the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur as Chairman, would lead to increased surrender of remnants of the insurgents and bring peace to Borno for the needed development.

    He explained that already the Federal Government had constituted similar committee on repatriation of victims of insurgency taking refuge in neighbouring countries.

    The Federal committee is headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and would collaborate with that of Borno for synergy.

    The governor, however, noted that there was currently a challenge of lack of space to accommodate surrendering insurgents as all the three camps provided for them had been filled to capacity.

     He said government had discussed with Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, on the need to have bigger camps.

    While reiterating the commitment of the state to fund the activities of the committee,  Zulum said it should also look for other source of funding from public and private organisations.

    He explained that few months ago, the state secured 15 million Euros as support from Germany and was being managed by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

    The Co-chairman, Mr Kaka Shehu, who thanked the governor for the confidence  reposed in them,  assured the government and people of Borno of thier commitment to deliver.

    Shehu said the committee would work in close synergy with its Federal Government counterpart for maximum result.

    Newsmen reports that Zulum also inaugurated a committee for the resettlement of residents of Mairari and Gudumbali, the headquarters of Guzamala Local Government area.

     The  area is the only remaining local government headquarters in Borno whose residents were yet to return since its recovery from insurgents.

  • Gov. Zulum says Borno cultivated 30,000 hectares of rice farm

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has disclosed that through the mega farm programme initiated by his administration to transform agriculture, Borno has cultivated over 30,000 hectares of rice farms across resettled communities in the state.

    he stated this during a visit by Kebbi governor, Abubakar Bagudu, to one of the rice plantations, on Wednesday in Damasak, Headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor said the return of relative peace led to the reactivation of irrigation activities around Lake Chad, Alau Dam, Baga, Nguro Soye and some liberated communities across the state.

    He said the development also increased Borno’s local sourcing of vegetables rather than supplying it from other parts of the country.

    Addressing the farmers in one of the farms, Bagudu whose state is known for rice production, said that he accompanied Zulum to Damasak to see for himself the resumption of farming activities in Borno.

    “Let me say how honoured I am to be standing here in Damasak to support my brother.

    “When he told us the big story, I asked him, can you take me along with you (to Damasak)?  We always celebrate him (Zulum) and appreciate what he is doing for Borno and the entire Nigeria.

    “His doggedness and courage are why I joined him in coming to see this farm in Damasak, among other efforts that he is doing in returning normalcy to Borno and indeed normalcy to Nigeria”, Bagudu said.

  • 2023 Election: Zulum accepts call to contest for 2nd term

    2023 Election: Zulum accepts call to contest for 2nd term

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno says he has accepted the calls by civil servants, clubs and associations to contest for a second term in office.

    Zulum stated this receiving a cheque of N50m donated to him by a total of 150 clubs and associations to purchase the All Progressives Congress (APC) expression of interest and nomination forms, in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

    Newsmen reports that the 150 clubs and associations are under the auspices of Coalition for Zulum Good Governance Continuity Support 2023.

    “I have answered your calls to re-contest and I count on God’s guidance.

    “I saw what you did, particularly the contributions from individuals, ranging from N500 to N1000,” Zulum said.

    The governor, who listed some of the promises he made during last governorship election which had been fulfilled, said that his administration would continue to accord priority to security and good governance to enhance more development in the state.

    He assured the groups of more empowerment programmes, adding that those whose members had yet to get interest-free loans from government to boost their businesses would be considered, while those who had benefited would be considered for more support.

    Zulum called for sustain prayers for more peace and progress in the state and the nation in general.

    Earlier, Chairman of the group, Alhaji Awaji Bukar, said that their call for the governor to run for a second term in office was based on his satisfactory performance during his first term.

    He also said that they were satisfied with the development of the state by Zulum and would want him to continue.

    Bukar said that the governor had no choice than to heed the call in order to sustain people’s hope in the Borno project.

    In his remarks, the APC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Ali Dalori, thanked residents for the gesture, saying that it was an indication of their satisfaction with the governor’s performance, assuring that they would not be disappointed.

    NAN reports that this was the first time that clubs and associations would mobilise their members to raise funds to purchase form for a sitting governor in the state.

  • Police dismiss 2 Inspectors in Borno

    Police dismiss 2 Inspectors in Borno

    The Nigeria Police have dismissed two Inspectors serving in Borno for alleged unprofessional conduct.

    They are Insps. Tahir Ali, and Saidu Nadabo, both attached to the 53 Force Mobile Unit, Borno.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of Borno, Mr Abdu Umar made this known in an interview on Thursday.

    Umar said that while Ali was dismissed for allegedly killing an Army Warrant Officer Donatus Vokong, attached to Operation Hadin Kai, Nadabo was dismissed for trafficking 4.5kg cannabis sativa.

    The CP said that Ali allegedly shot and killed the warrant officer with his riffle under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 2.

    Umar said that both the suspect and deceased were attached to a unit at the palace of a traditional ruler in Maiduguri.

    According to him, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12, Mr Audu Madaki, approved that Ali and Nadabo be dismissed after they faced orderly room trial.

    He said that Nadabo was dismissed after being arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with 4.5kg substance suspected to be cannabis sativa.

    Umar vowed that any operative in the state found to have breach the code of conduct, and rules of engagement and standard operating procedure would be dealt with accordingly.

    “I have just directed senior officers of the command to arrest any personnel with riffle and is under the influence of alcohol or who engage in gross misconduct,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Zulum doles out N100m to 152 youths for renouncing thuggery

    Zulum doles out N100m to 152 youths for renouncing thuggery

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno on Friday, disbursed N100 million to 152 youths, who renounced thuggery, to enable them to set up their businesses.

    Zulum who inaugurated the disbursement exercise in Maiduguri, said the gesture was to assist the youths who completed one-month entrepreneurship training to engage in productive activities and contribute to the social and economic development of the state.

    He said that 16 of the beneficiaries would received N2 million each as seed capital while 136 others would get 500,000 each.

    According to him, the beneficiaries are expected to repay 50 per cent of the money given to them in three years.

    The governor also announced scholarship award to one child from each of the beneficiaries family, adding that the state government would sponsored their education.

    “You engaged in thuggery for many years but have nothing to show, with what we are giving you if you have good intention and the will to change, you’ll change for the better,” he said.

    In his remarks, Alhaji Saina Buba, Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Empowerment, said the beneficiaries had been supported under a special programme tagged: “Super Youth Entrepreneurship Training.

    “It is the first time in the state that many of the youths who engaged in thuggery since 1999 would be train and get support.

    “We hope it will go a long way in addressing thuggery in the state,” he said.

    Also speaking, Dr Mustapha Mohammed, Director of Entrepreneurship, Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, said the youths were exposed to various trades including animal fattening, fisheries, poultry, entrepreneurial skills and e-business.

    One of the beneficiaries, Tijjani Daga, lauded the gesture and pledged to ensure effective utilisation of the support to improve their lives.

    “We are grateful to the governor for the support, and from today it is bye- bye to thuggery,” he said.

  • UNICEF welcomes release of 4 girls abducted in Borno

    UNICEF welcomes release of 4 girls abducted in Borno

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has welcomed the release of four of the 22 women recently abducted by insurgents in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno.
    Newsmen reports that 22 women and two men were abducted by insurgents in three separate attacks on Pemi, Kautikari and Korohuma areas of Chibok last month.
    A statement by Information Officer, UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, Folashade Adebayo, said the organisation has urged for the immediate release of all captives.
    “UNICEF is very relieved for the released girls and their families. After their harrowing experience, it is good news that the girls are back with their families and friends, where they belong.
    “But sadly, dozens of children in northeastern Nigeria remain in captivity; the victims of an armed conflict they have nothing to do with. This is unconscionable.
    “Children have the right to a safe environment, health, education and freedom from abuse and torture – all of which remain compromised when they are in captivity,’’ the statement quoted Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria as saying.
    It decried how children in Nigeria continue to face violation of their rights, including abductions, torture, killings, recruitment into armed groups, and forced marriages, among others.
    It said that from 2014 no fewer than 1,000 children have been abducted with about 100 still missing or unaccounted for.
    “Between December and July of last year, at least 1,450 children were abducted, most from their schools across central and northwest regions of the country,” the statement said.

  • Governors donate N20m to Zamfara banditry victims

    Governors donate N20m to Zamfara banditry victims

    The North East Governors Forum on Monday donated N20 million to victims of banditry in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas of Zamfara.

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno presented the cheque to Gov. Bello Matawalle on Monday in Government House Gusau.

    Zulum who expressed sadness over the incident called on the traditional and religious leaders as well as the people of the state to embark on consistent prayers to end the menace.

    He described the incident that led to the killing of 58 persons in eight communities of Anka and Bukuyum local government areas as devastating.

    “On behalf of northeast progressive governors forum, we commiserate with Zamfara state government and people affected with bandits attack,” Zulum said.

    Zulum noted with concern the alarming rate of banditry and kidnapping in Zone and called for collaboration between the government and the people to end the situation.

    “I didn’t say people should take up arms but communities, religious leaders, traditional institutions and all critical stakeholders must work together to find a lasting solution of insecurity in the northwest,” the governor said.

    He said Borno and Zamfara were faced with similar insecurity situations.

    He said Borno was winning the fight against the insurgents.

    Receiving the cheque, Matawalle thanked the Forum for the support and promised to work harder to end the insecurity situation in the state.

    Matawalle said with different measures being taken by his government, the insecurity in the state would soon be history.

    He thanked the forum and Gov Zulum for their love and show of concern to the people of Zamfara.

    Zulum was accompanied by the Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Mohammed Ndume, Muhammed Munguno, among others

  • Humanitarian Crisis: UN delegation on assessment visit to Borno

    Humanitarian Crisis: UN delegation on assessment visit to Borno

    A United Nations delegation, led by UN Under-Secretary and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr Martins Griffths, is in Borno to assess the situation as the State Government embarked on resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their recovered areas.

    Newsmen reports that the delegation on Wednesday visited Bama town where it interacted with IDPs, government officials and military personnel.

    Speaking in a meeting with Gov. Babagana Zulum, Griffiths said UN would continue to partner and support the Borno government in improving the lives of people affected by insurgency.

    Griffiths who lauded the gradual return of peace to Borno, stressed the need for people in need to get support in time and in a dignified way from all stakeholders.

    “We therefore see our role to provide aids, assistance and support where we can through our agencies to those people in need,” Griffiths said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Zulum expressed the appreciation of government and people of Borno to UN agencies for their interventions, particularly the unique role being played by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

    Zulum urged the team to use the visit to interact with all stakeholders for first-hand information on realities on ground and efforts being put in place.

    Zulum, who explained to the team why his administration is closing some of the camps in Maiduguri because of pandemic and social vices, urged the team to visit some of the camps, particularly Muna Camp, which remains one of the worst camps in the world that is not fit for human habitation.

    “I look forward to discussing how we can best work together to reduce the suffering of people affected by insurgency, and how we can support people not only to live but to live in dignity,” Zulum said.

    The governor, who also spoke on improved security, said the death of Boko-Haram leader, Shekau, has provided an opportunity for many of his fighters to surrender to the military, adding that many hostages who were held as slaves by the insurgents also had the opportunity to come out.

    He said government and partners had built new houses for many displaced persons yearning to go back home.