News
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
…Delivers 1,195 Developmental Projects, Programmes and Policies in 5 Years
By: Our Reporter
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State continued his commitment towards transforming the state in the first year of his second tenure of office. He consolidated on democratic gains by delivering 238 additional projects in the First Year of his Second Tenure, from May 29, 2023 to May 29, 2024. In 5 Years, Zulum has cumulatively accomplished no less than 1,195 developmental projects and capital-intensive programmes and policies that are people oriented.
It would be recalled that over 900 projects, programmes and policies were delivered during Zulum’s First Tenure [May 29, 2019 to May 29, 2023].
The 238 projects delivered in the first 365 days of his Second Tenure comprise of 220 capital projects and 18 capital-intensive programmes and policies, most of which were completed.
The achievements included 54 projects on Education, across 23 Local Government Areas, including 36 new Mega and Regular Senior/Junior Secondary and Primary Schools, High Islamic College and Integrated Tsangaya schools, including admin blocks, teachers’ quarters, laboratories, sporting facilities, solar systems, new ICT laboratories and 88 science laboratories in 22 schools, 58 vehicles for monitoring and evaluation of schools, 6,529 furniture sets for schools and education offices, among others.
In the Health sector, Zulum delivered 19 projects in 10 LGAs across all the 3 Senatorial Zones, including 6 new primary healthcare centers (PHCs), new General Hospital, 2 new Eye and Dental Hospitals, block of classrooms at a Nursing School, construction of 2 new Colleges of Nursing, the rehabilitation of 3 General Hospitals, and state-wide initiatives [solar systems in 22 PHCs and a General Hospital, supply of medical equipment, essential drugs, and consumables, etc]. Works and Housing got 20 projects across 6 LGAs, transforming urban and rural landscapes.
On Works, Zulum constructed Borno’s second flyover and an underpass pedestrian bridge, while the third flyover is under construction.
The construction of 32.77km urban and rural roads, including dual carriage ways, drainages, and road networks are under way, procured tracked paver, bulldozer to facilitate direct labour works in the state and ensure judicious utilisation of scarce resources.
On Housing, government has constructed 2 separate estates, comprising of 500-units; and 72-units 3-bedroom flats with road networks delivered for civil servants and residents.
On Security, Zulum supported the post-insurgency operations with 94 brand new Hilux, 62 Toyota Land Cruiser (Samsara) patrol vehicles, assorted security gadgets, equipment and logistics; procured 300 new motorcycles; repaired/upgraded 49 vehicles; and built a new office complex with support facilities for the Borno State Security Trust Fund to support security architecture and operations.
On Vocational and Entrepreneurship skills, government has completed and equipped 5 vocational institutes across Borno’s 3 Senatorial Zones in 10 LGAs, it has also constructed 3 ICT centres, trained 832 youths and empowered them with start-up kits, as well as training of 200 youths as agricultural extension workers and 400 farming households.
On Trade, Investment and Tourism 4 capital-intensive projects in 3 LGAs, including the complete reconstruction and rehabilitation of Maiduguri Monday market, which was razed by fire in February 2023 were carried out. He also constructed 176 shops [8-blocks of 22 open shops] with solar power at new Tashan Bama market [Phase II], established a new Agro Logistics Hub; rehabilitated the Gamboru Ngala cattle market; and remodelled the Borno State Hotel to boost revenue and tourism.
There were also 7 projects on Transportation and Energy in 4 LGAs, to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, comprising 150 vehicles [50 buses and 100 E-Star hatchback electric cars.
To subsidise metro city transport, the administration procured 500 electric tricycles, 300 electric and 10,000 manual bicycles.
He also procured and installed electricity transformers [across 14 locations] and 7,675 solar streetlights for roads in 9 locations in 2 LGAs. To support and boost economic livelihoods, Zulum’s government purchased five J5 vehicles, 30 tricycles and 10 Golf Wagon for Baga’s resettled communities.
In Agriculture, Zulum initiated 29 new projects and resuscitated moribund ones in 13 LGAs, including the procurement and distribution of 2 swamp buggies for waterway desilting, typer grass clearing, hundreds of water pumps, about 2,000 assorted irrigation/hand pumps and tube wells, irrigation farm inputs, hundreds of assorted fertilizer trucks, assorted agro-chemicals, spray equipment, improved seedlings, livestock feeds and vaccines],
Improvement of 225 hectares solar surface and sprinkler irrigation systems; 2,060 irrigation tube wells/wash boreholes and solar/petrol tube wells; 10 hectares drip irrigation scheme, agro logistics hub, livestock investigation/breeding, poultry demonstration and holding centres, and poultry production unit. He also resuscitated about 100 hectares Jaffi and Ngulayi irrigation schemes, among others.
Governor Zulum has continuously ensured food and nutrition security for the whole Borno population while supporting farmers to return to farming as part of livelihood restoration
Other sectoral achievements include 26 new, rehabilitated and upgraded projects in the Urban and Rural Water Supply sectors; 6 new and rehabilitated Rural and Urban Electrification projects; 35 newly completed and rehabilitated projects on Reconstruction, Resettlement and Civil Authority Restoration; and 8 new and ongoing projects on the Environment.
18 capital-intensive programmes and policies executed on investments in human capital development, Education and Public Service, providing Humanitarian Support and Social Protection to vulnerable population, as well as the payment of gratuity to retirees.
Government is poised to support the return of its indigenes’ from Niger, Tchad and Cameroun. while it concentrate the voluntary resettlement of IDPs in their ancestral homes in a dignified manner following the Kampala Convention.
Governor Zulum is also working tirelessly to actualize the Borno Model, applauded even by the United Nations to find Durable and sustainable for Borno Communities in his quest for reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation thus “Building Borno Back and Better”
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
News
Ogwashi-Uku Palace Attack Trial: Gunshot Victim Identifies Mike Nwaukoni As Ringleader As Multiple Witnesses Place Defendants At Scene With Weapons
Ogwashi-Uku Palace Attack Trial: Gunshot Victim Identifies Mike Nwaukoni As Ringleader As Multiple Witnesses Place Defendants At Scene With Weapons
Ogwashi-Uku Palace Attack Trial: Gunshot Victim Identifies Nwaukoni As Ringleader As Multiple Witnesses Place Defendants At Scene With Weapons
Fresh revelations emerged at the Federal High Court, Asaba, as the trial over the October 12, 2023 terrorist-style attack on the Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku resumed, with witnesses giving direct, consistent, and corroborated testimony identifying Mr Mike Nwaukoni as the principal actor who led an armed mob to the palace, resulting in gunfire, injuries, and destruction of property.
On Tuesday, January 13, the court heard the gripping testimony of PW2, Mr Lawrence Obasi, an Otulu vigilante who sustained gunshot injuries that left his right arm paralysed for months.
PW2 told the court that he was officially deployed alongside the police to protect the palace on the day of the attack, having undergone formal vigilante training by the police two years earlier. According to him, Mike Nwaukoni personally led a large mob armed with dangerous weapons to the palace gate at Ogbe-Nti.
He testified that despite clear warnings and instructions from the Divisional Police Officer and the police commander at the scene, the mob—acting on Nwaukoni’s direct encouragement—attempted to forcibly break into the palace.
“He told them to break the gate and said he had money to take care of anything that happened,” the witness told the court.
Moments later, gunshots rang out.
PW2 narrated how armed supporters opened fire, damaging police and vigilante vehicles and hitting him with live ammunition as he sought cover inside one of the vehicles. He positively identified Elue Adigwe and Francis Okolie as being present at the scene and fully armed.
His account directly corroborated the earlier testimony of PW1, the police commander who had testified last year that Mike Nwaukoni personally led the armed crowd, stressing that no police officer accompanied the mob and that it was not a lawful procession but an armed attack.
The police commander had also told the court that Nwaukoni had invited him and the DPO to his residence days before his testimony in what observers concluded was an attempt to obstruct justice by getting him to stop his testimony scheduled for the next week.
THIRD WITNESS CONFIRMS IDENTITIES, WEAPONS, AND HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
On Wednesday, PW3, Mr Emeka Nwaolisa, a palace vigilante, took the stand and reinforced the prosecution’s case, confirming the identity of the same defendants, their presence at the palace gate, and the use of offensive weapons during the attack.
PW3 testified that he was stationed at the locked palace gate when over 200 persons marched toward the palace, among them Mike Nwaukoni, Elue Adigwe, Francis Okolie, and others. He stated that on Nwaukoni’s orders, gunfire erupted as the mob attempted to force entry, leading to chaos and injuries.
During cross-examination, PW3 also revealed that Eugene Ojo Izediunor had previously boasted at a public drinking spot that he used money to “settle” his way out of an earlier case, a conversation witnessed by multiple persons.
He further told the court that the defendants had a long-standing history of orchestrated violence and unrest aimed at destabilising the community and undermining the traditional institution.
SPIN FAILS TO DENT CORE FACTS
While defence counsels consisting of four senior advocates attempted to divert attention to procedural arguments and minor inconsistencies, the central facts remained unshaken:
• Multiple eyewitnesses independently identified the same defendants
• Weapons were present and used
• Gunshots were fired
• A vigilante suffered gunshot injuries
• Vehicles were damaged
• The palace came under armed siege
The court admitted two statements made by PW3 as exhibits and adjourned the matter to April 21 and 22, 2026, with the trial set to continue.
The five defendants—Mike Nwaukoni, Elue Adigwe, Francis Okolie, Eugene Ojo Izediunor, and John Nwona—were all present in court.
As proceedings continue, the testimony so far paints a clear, consistent, and deeply troubling picture of a coordinated armed assault on a traditional institution, now firmly laid before the court under oath.
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
By: Zagazola Makama
Nine people were abducted and one man killed when armed bandits attacked Macitta village in Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State late Wednesday night, sources confirmed.
Sources said that around 11:30 p.m., a large group of armed bandits entered the community via Kotonkoro District, shooting sporadically. One of the residents, Aliyu Dan Tsohon Soja, 35, was shot dead during the attack. The identities of the nine abducted victims are yet to be confirmed.
Security forces , local vigilantes, and hunters were mobilized to the area, and the body of the deceased was evacuated to the General Hospital, Bangi, for autopsy. Efforts are ongoing to track down the attackers and ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped individuals.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and report any information that may assist in the rescue operations and apprehension of the bandits.
Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
By: Zagazola Makama
Three children lost their lives after being engulfed by fire while grazing cattle in Tungan-Noma village, Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State on Wednesday, sources confirmed.
According to sources, the children Huzairu (12), Aliru (11), and Kabiru Surajo (12) went out for cattle grazing around 12:30 p.m. and entered a deep gully in the bush.
They reportedly set dried grasses on fire in an attempt to trap small bush animals. Unfortunately, the flames spread rapidly, trapping the children and preventing their escape.
The lifeless bodies were recovered and evacuated to the General Hospital, Mokwa, for autopsy. Authorities visited the scene to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The incident draw attention to the dangers children face in rural areas, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities without supervision.
Parents have been urged to exercise caution and ensure children’s safety during such activities.
Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state
Six farmers killed in night attack on Wawa Village
Ogwashi-Uku Palace Attack Trial: Gunshot Victim Identifies Mike Nwaukoni As Ringleader As Multiple Witnesses Place Defendants At Scene With Weapons
Four killed, three injured in lakurwa bandit attack on baidi village, sokoto state
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News9 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
