News
Zulum receives 2022 HLF award for “excellence” as Anyaoku calls him performer
Zulum receives 2022 HLF award for “excellence” as Anyaoku calls him performer
By Michael Mike
The Hallmark of Labour Foundation (HLF), a collection of highly respected elder statesmen and women amongst them technocrats, academics and diplomats, has presented Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, with its 2022 “Role Model Award for Excellence in Leadership and Good Governance”.
The HLF’s board of trustees is chaired by Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu with members that include Dr. Christopher Kolade, Professor Grace Alele Williams, Professor Itse Sagay and other eminent Nigerians.
The foundation’s core objective is “to identify worthy role models and use the achievements of these role models as examples to educate the youths that success through genuine labour is more rewarding and fulfilling”:
The HLF annual awards began on 28th of November, 1997, with its first winner: late Prof. Adeoye Lambo, first African Psychiatrist and first Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The 2022 awards which coincided with the foundation’s 26th anniversary, took place at Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday and it was attended by prominent intellectuals including Professor Attahiru Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, presented Governor Zulum with the award.
“Our recipient for the award for Excellence in Leadership and Good Governance, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, is without any doubt, a performing Governor”, Anyaoku declared before a thunderous applause of guests at the event.
Zulum’s choice, HLF’s board said, was “in recognition of his outstanding performance in leadership and good governance which has greatly enhanced the well-being of the good people of Borno State” and which “has set him (Zulum) apart as a Great Nigerian Role Model”.
The Zulum administration is credited for executive 120 capital projects in its first 100 days, 326 capital projects and 49 capital-intensive programmes in his first year; 556 capital projects by the second year and over 600 capital projects in the third year.
These were beside Governor Zulum assuming the role of Borno State’s chief humanitarian officer, traversing all communities even at risk to his personal safety, to supervise security deployments, humanitarian responses, reconstruction of communities destroyed by insurgents and safe resettlements of Internally Displaced Persons and refugees from the state.
Zulum, in his response to the award, said: “I dedicate this award to my team, and most especially to the men in uniform who work with us, supporting us to achieve and deliver good governance to our people.”
He also said the award would not make him relent but rather “encourage us to do more for the good of Borno State”.
The governor noted that “there is [still] so much to be done” promising that God willing, his dream is “to build a society that works for everyone (in Borno State)”.
The HLF award was one of over 20 prominent awards and honours received by Governor Zulum since 2019.
The governor has, within the last three months, been presented with three awards by President Muhammadu Buhari at different occasions.
Meanwhile, at Saturday’s Hallmark of Labour Foundation (HLF) awards, Zulum was not the only recipients as 10 persons amongst them judges and professors were also presented with different categories of the 2022 role model awards.
The winners include: former judge at the International Criminal Court, Judge Dr. Chile Eboe-Osuji- recognized for “HLF-Emeka Anyaoku Life-Time Achievement Award”; Honourable Justice Paul Adamu Galumje- honoured for “Courageous Service to the Advancement of our Legal System”, Otumba Olasubomi Michael Balogun- honoured for “Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Governance”, and Professor Ekanem Ikpi Braide for “Consistent Advocacy for Positive Change within the University System”.
Other recipients were Professor Peter Akinsola Okebukola for “Contributions in the Field of Education”, Professor Frank Osato Giwa-Osagie for “Contributions in the Field of Medicine”, Professor Oladapo Adenrele Ashiru also for “Contributions in the Field of Medicine”, Professor Dennis Edokpaigbe Agbonlah also for “Contributions in the Field of Science”, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo for “Contributions in the Field of Science” and Professor Tonnie Osa Iredia for “Excellence in Leadership and Professionalism in the Media”.
Troops arrest suspected jas/iswap logistics supplier on Maiduguri –GUbio road
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected logistics supplier to Boko Haram terrorists along the Maiduguri–Gubio Main Supply Route (MSR) in Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola that the suspect was intercepted at about 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 27 by troops of the 212 Battalion deployed at No. 2 Gate during a routine stop-and-search operation.
The troops reportedly intercepted an ash-coloured Golf vehicle conveying one adult male and two male minors.
During a search of the vehicle, the troops recovered items suspected to be logistics supplies for terrorists. The recovered items included motorcycle spare parts, tricycle spare parts, water pumping machines, water hoses, six bags of grains and one mobile phone.
According to the sources, the two minors were released to their guardian, Alhaji Ali Bukar, identified as the manager of Kaka Lawal Filling Station in Maiduguri.
The adult suspect, the vehicle and the recovered items have been handed over to the 7 Military Intelligence Brigade for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops arrest suspected jas/iswap logistics supplier on Maiduguri –GUbio road
Female family member of jas/iswap fighter surrenders to troops in Dikwa in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A female family member of a suspected ISWAP terrorist has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama on Saturday that the adult female surrendered at about 6:05 p.m. on Feb. 26 to troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade deployed in the area.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect fled from Tokombere Village in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state before turning herself in to the military.
She is currently in the custody of troops for further profiling and necessary administrative action.
Sources said the development was part of ongoing counter-insurgency operations under Operation Desert Sanity, a special operation being conducted by troops of Operation Hadin Kai to sustain pressure on terrorist elements in the North-East.
Female family member of jas/iswap fighter surrenders to troops in Dikwa in Borno
News
ECOWAS Parliament Concludes 2026 Extraordinary Session, Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Integration
ECOWAS Parliament Concludes 2026 Extraordinary Session, Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Integration
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Parliament has concluded its first extraordinary session of 2026, reaffirming its commitment to deepening regional integration, strengthening democratic governance, and accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The session, held in Nigeria, ended with calls for stronger collaboration among member states to address security threats, economic vulnerabilities, and climate-related challenges confronting West Africa.
In her closing remarks, the Speaker of Parliament, Mémounatou Ibrahima,
expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government and the Nigerian people for hosting the three-day legislative gathering. He specifically commended the administration of Bola Tinubu, President of the Nigeria, for providing a conducive environment for parliamentary deliberations. He also acknowledged the contributions of the ECOWAS Commission, the Community Court of Justice, and the Office of the Auditor-General, describing their participation as a strong demonstration of institutional unity within the regional bloc.
Lawmakers spent the session reviewing the strategic importance of the AfCFTA, while also highlighting implementation challenges across West Africa. Participants raised concerns over persistent non-tariff trade barriers, slow harmonization of legal and regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure deficits that continue to limit cross-border commerce.
The Parliament also expressed concern about the risk of marginalizing women, youth, and informal traders if supportive policies are not strengthened to ensure inclusive economic growth across member states.
The Parliament adopted its 2026 Programme of Activities, built around four priority pillars: citizen participation, institutional strengthening, peace and governance, and policy facilitation. Legislators described the programme as a practical roadmap toward building a more citizen-centered regional parliament capable of delivering measurable developmental impact across West Africa.
The session also endorsed the 2026 programme of the ECOWAS Forum of Women Parliamentarians, reaffirming the role of women legislators in advancing regional development and economic empowerment. Members stressed that regional cooperation remains essential amid ongoing political transitions, security challenges, and climate pressures across the subregion.
The Parliament concluded by urging member states to translate legislative ideas and policy recommendations into practical reforms and inclusive development programmes at the national level. Legislators emphasized that West Africa’s future prosperity depends on stronger political unity, enhanced economic cooperation, and sustained democratic governance.
ECOWAS Parliament Concludes 2026 Extraordinary Session, Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Integration
Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Kaga in Borno
Troops arrest suspected jas/iswap logistics supplier on Maiduguri –GUbio road
Female family member of jas/iswap fighter surrenders to troops in Dikwa in Borno
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