Zulum’s Aide Bundi Wins National Digital Communication Award

By: Michael Mike

Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications to Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, has emerged winner of the Digital Communication category at the 2026 National Spokesperson Awards (NSAwards), earning national recognition for his contributions to government communication and digital media engagement.

Bundi received notification of the award in a letter dated July 13 while overseeing the editorial production of Governor Zulum’s flagship publication, The 7th Verdict.

The organisers said Bundi emerged victorious after a highly competitive selection process described as one of the toughest since the awards were established.

According to the award organisers, 171 nominations were received across all categories. Following an initial screening, 91 entries met the required benchmarks for clarity of objectives, measurable impact and verifiable evidence, including media coverage, digital visibility and documented communication outcomes. A second round of evaluation narrowed the field to 42 finalists across 16 award categories.

The seven-member jury, chaired by Professor Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, assessed finalists based on four key parameters—impact, innovation and originality, audience reach, and the quality of supporting evidence. Bundi beat other finalists, including UNILORIN TV, to claim the Digital Communication Award.

The National Spokesperson Awards, organised annually by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokespersons Digest, is regarded as Nigeria’s leading platform for recognising excellence in public communication, media relations, reputation management and strategic stakeholder engagement across government, corporate and non-profit sectors.

Bundi’s latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours earned by Governor Zulum’s media team. He was appointed Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications in January 2025 after serving as Special Assistant on New Media between 2019 and 2023 and Senior Special Assistant on New Media from 2023 until his elevation.

He had also previously received awards on behalf of the Borno State Governor’s Media Team, including recognition at the 2023 Spokespersons’ Communication Awards.

The latest honour is expected to further strengthen Borno State’s reputation for leveraging digital platforms to communicate government policies, humanitarian interventions, reconstruction efforts and development programmes under Governor Zulum’s administration, which has consistently maintained a strong presence across traditional and digital media.

Zulum’s Aide Bundi Wins National Digital Communication Award

Amotekun operative arrested after accidental fatal shooting in Oyo

By: Zagazola Makama

An operative of the Amotekun Corps has been arrested following the accidental fatal shooting of a man during an attempt to arrest two persons involved in a violent altercation in Saki area of Oyo State.

Police sources said the incident occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Ayemojuba Kosigi Village, via Saki.

The matter was reported to the Saki Police Division on Friday by Abdullahi Dogo, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Fulani association in Saki, who said two men of Fulani extraction, whose identities are yet to be established, engaged in a cutlass fight.

According to the report, an Amotekun operative, identified as Abdulafeez Alabi, allegedly discharged his firearm accidentally while attempting to arrest the two men, fatally hitting one of them.

The victim died at the scene, while the second individual was not reported to have been injured.

Police arrested the Amotekun operative and recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel gun as well as one expended cartridge from the scene.

The suspect is in police custody, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.

Amotekun operative arrested after accidental fatal shooting in Oyo

Zulum Clears Gratuity Backlog with N5.81bn Payout, Promises Better Welfare for LG Workers

By: Michael Mike

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has approved the release of N5.81 billion to clear a substantial backlog of gratuities owed to retired civil servants and the families of deceased workers, in one of the state’s biggest pension settlement exercises aimed at easing the hardship facing former public servants.

The governor presented cheques valued at N5,814,830,271.94 on Friday at the Government House in Maiduguri before representatives of organised labour and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to meeting workers’ welfare obligations.

Of the total sum, N2.99 billion will be used to settle all outstanding gratuities owed to the families of deceased civil servants, while N2.82 billion will clear gratuities for retirees up to December 2022, including outstanding entitlements owed to staff of the Borno State Housing Corporation dating back to 2013.

Zulum said the intervention fulfils a major campaign promise and is intended to provide relief to families that have endured years of financial uncertainty.

“We have quite a number of civil servants who have lost their lives, and their families are still battling with life’s challenges. We are presenting about three billion naira to the families of deceased civil servants so they can continue to live in peace and dignity,” the governor said.

He added that with the latest payment, all retired civil servants up to 2022 would receive their gratuities in full, while the government would immediately begin processing payments for those who retired in 2023.

The latest disbursement adds to a series of interventions by the Zulum administration to address pension liabilities. The state currently releases N200 million monthly for gratuity payments. In 2025, the government approved N8 billion for pensioners’ entitlements and teachers’ gratuities, while N12 billion was disbursed in 2020 to settle benefits owed to about 5,000 retired state and local government workers.

Commissioner for Finance, Lawan Dalorima, described the payment as further evidence of the administration’s commitment to honouring workers who dedicated their careers to public service.

According to him, despite competing financial demands, the government has continued to prioritise the welfare of citizens, particularly retirees.

The organised labour movement welcomed the development, with the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Mamman Bukar, describing the payment as timely and capable of reducing the economic hardship confronting pensioners and the families of deceased workers.

He said the exercise would strengthen workers’ confidence in the government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations.

Meanwhile, Zulum also assured local government employees that his administration is preparing measures to improve their welfare.

The governor acknowledged that local government workers face numerous challenges but explained that the size of the workforce has constrained the implementation of broader welfare reforms.

He said the state government would soon meet with leaders of local government workers to identify practical solutions.

“Borno State Government is very much aware of some of the problems facing local government employees. Very soon, we shall engage with you and see how we can address your challenges,” he said.

The cheque presentation ceremony was attended by senior government officials, members of the National Assembly, labour leaders, permanent secretaries and other top dignitaries.

Zulum Clears Gratuity Backlog with N5.81bn Payout, Promises Better Welfare for LG Workers