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Zulum: A Beacon Of Hope To Borno’s Less Privileged People
Zulum: A Beacon Of Hope To Borno’s Less Privileged People
By Gbenga Akingbule
Born without a silver spoon and struggled through hardwork, perseverance and unwavering desire to succeed, Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum has since become a household name especially amongst the less privileged persons in the state .
Prof. Zulum is always quick to share stories about his humble beginning amongst the high and mighty, a gesture observers view as rare display of humility amongst Nigeria’s political elite
Upon assumption of office in 2019 , Prof Zulum has consistently associated himself with the less privileged,- his former constituency where he got first hand experience of the difficult economic hardship bedeveling many Nigerian less privileged people.
Driven by compassion and his gennue concern to assist the common people, Prof Zulum had on different occasion while on visit to the hinterland, ordered for the immediate halting of his motorcade just to assist locals walking long distance by giving them a ride on his convoy and also give them cash support.
Pfrof Zulum passion to liberate his people from the shackles of poverty and education backwardness has led to rise in budgetary provisions and fund releases for the education sector and key ministries that are aimed at empowering the common people.
For the 2024 buget, the Ministry of Education was allocated the sum of N39 billion to carry out its activities- this effort , amongst others , has removed over one million out- of – school children off the streets of Borno and returned them to the classrooms where their future are being positively shaped to become responsible and productive members of the society.
” Out of 1.8 million out -of- school children in 2021, we have taken measures to reduce the number to less that 800. We’re still working assiduously bring down the number ” Commissioner of Education, Science , Technology and Innovation, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe said
No doubt, the more than a decade long insurgency in Borno State had led many children and their parents to flee trouble areas, thereby obstructing their education where massive destruction to education facilities across the state was evident .
At a recent function during a public lecture held at University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID ) which form part activities to mark the exit of the former Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof . Aliyu Shugaba after completing his 5 year tenure, Prof Zulum didn’t mince words when he charged the sea of erudite scholars present at the occasion, majority of whom are indigens of Borno State to think outside the box and collaborate to use education as tool for liberating the people of the state .
Zulum was quick to trip down memory lane and revealed how he battled through pletoral of obstacles in his unquenchable quest to gain quality education that has since transformed his life to become a professor of Soil and Water Engineer and currently serving his second term as governor of Borno state.
” coming from my background, I know how I suffered , where we do not have competent teachers to teach us in our primary and secondary school. I never thought I would be a professor, because both of my parents were not educated, nobody ever told me to do my assignment while in primary school, I was on my own.” Zulun said .
It was therefore not surprising when Governor Zulum recently released the sum of N4.8 Billion as scholarship award to 524 postgraduate students from the state , including orphans and less privileged persons.
The scholarship award according to the governor is meant for foriegn and local postgraduate students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ( STEM)
In his usual humanitarian and compassion towards the the less privileged irrespective of ethnicity, tribe or religion governor Zulum during an early morning visit to a school in Maiduguri, the state capital gifted a woman form the South East part of the country- a teacher in the school with the sum of N100, 000 cash for always showing up eally to her duty post .
Also , recently, during a visit to launch grains given to the state by Federal Government , Prof Zulum, shortly after the occasion went towards the direction of the local guard guarding the premises and immediately ordered that the sum of N500 000 be given to him – an amount that is more that his 12 month salary.
The 80 year Chadian local guard who had lived in Nigeria for over four decades and has over 20 Children was stunned by the governor’s gesture and said the money will go a long way in ameliorating his financial challenges.
Furthermore, 63 year old Cecelia Joseph, a widow and mother of six children who was part of the one hundred thousand households that benefited from massive food support scheme carried out by the Borno State Governor.
The aim of the food support according to Goverenor Zulum is to ameliorate economic hardship being experienced by many vulnerable families across state including the likes of Cecilia whose husband, a commercial taxi driver was gruesomely murdered by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists over ten years ago.
Since the demise of her husband, Cecilia who had continue to feed from hand to mouth with her six children revealed that Governor Zulum is the first to have reached out to her with any form of assistance- the food support , she said ” will assist me and my six children immensely ”
Prof Zulum had ordered that the food support should be given to all vulnerable residents irrespective of tribe , religion and political affiliations hence paving the way for Cecilia who hails from far away Osun State, a devoted Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) member as well as other beneficiaries who are not indigens of the state .
” I’m so grateful to Governor Zulum for wiping away my tears with this food support. But I would appreciate more support from the governor and other well meaning citizens for the education on my children. ” Cecelia who currently lives in a rented accommodation on the outskirts of Maiduguri , the state capital said .
Governor Zulum had revealed during one of the many food distribution in the state that ” We have never distinguish between Christians and Muslims in our food distribution. What we’re doing is not partisan either , it’s not based on ethnicity or religion ; we advised the community to select one hundred thousand most valuable and bottom poor and this will go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the masses ”
While warehouses were being looted acros the country during the # EndSARS protests, residents of Borno state were full of gratitude to Governor Zulum for always coming to their aid with his unprecedented distribution of food , cash and clothing to assist the less privileged.
Following the release of N2 Billion intervention by the President Bola Tinubu led Federal governmen to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal Prof. Zulum had announced raising the number of households being targeted for palliatives from 300,000 to 400,000 households.
Each household according to the Governor, will be made up of six family members and multiplied by 400,000 which, by implication, moves Zulum’s new target to two million and four hundred thousand individuals.
“Governor Zulum has continued to stand in the gap for many of the less privileged people in Borno state ” Umar Ali, one of those that recently benefited from the food support scheme established by the governor.
Zulum: A Beacon Of Hope To Borno’s Less Privileged People
News
Mignot: Africa/Europe Ties Destined, Rests on Mutual Respect
Mignot: Africa/Europe Ties Destined, Rests on Mutual Respect
By: Michael Mike
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot has described the ties between the continents of Europe and Africa as destined and rest on long-term impact, sustainability and mutual respect.
Speaking at a reception organized for African Union and European Union in Abuja, Mignot said “the ties between both continents as a “community of destiny,” adding that Africa’s and Europe’s wellbeing are deeply interconnected.
He emphasized that the partnership rests on long-term impact, sustainability and mutual respect—principles he believes will continue to guide cooperation in the coming years.
The reception which marked the successful conclusion of the 7th African Union–European Union Summit and the 25th anniversary of the AU–EU partnership hosted by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, in collaboration with the Embassy of Angola, had in attendance envoys from both European and African countries.
The reception was jointly led by the EU Ambassador and the Ambassador of Angola, José Bamóquina Zau, whose country hosted the summit in Luanda at the end of November.
In his remarks, the EU Ambassador praised Angola for its hospitality, noting that the summit’s success was anchored largely on the commitment and support of the host government and people. He extended the appreciation of all participating delegations to Ambassador Zau and commended Angola for facilitating what he described as “a real sense of community” among nations.
Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was unable to attend the summit in Angola due to domestic engagements, Nigeria was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
The ambassador noted that the strong representation from both African and European sides underscored the significance attached to the partnership. According to him, the joint statement endorsed in Luanda by countries representing about 40 percent of the global community demonstrated unity and shared resolve.
He said the summit reaffirmed a shared commitment to a more inclusive global order and a fairer international financial system capable of addressing the needs of citizens across the two regions. Over the past 25 years, he added, the AU–EU partnership has matured into a platform that drives concrete results across critical areas including peace and security, economic transformation, green and digital transitions, education and regional integration.
Highlighting the Global Gateway Investment Strategy, Mignot noted that more than half of its 264 flagship projects are focused on Africa, with investment commitments of at least €150 billion.
He also cited major initiatives aligned with the AU Agenda 2063, including the €1.2 billion Team Europe programme supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative targeting the delivery of 50 GW of renewable energy and electricity access for 100 million Africans by 2030.
He noted that despite occasional misconceptions about the strength of the relationship, but stressed that the EU remains Africa’s largest trading partner, leading investor, top provider of development and humanitarian assistance, and the biggest contributor to the African Peace and Security Architecture.
He highlighted youth mobility and women’s empowerment as areas of particular pride for the partnership.
On his part, Ambassador of Angola, José Bamóquina Zau on the event hosted in Angola, said: “Luanda stood up as a platform of hope and a symbol of the African desire to establish continuous relations with Europe in search of benefits of both sides.”
He said hope must be anchored on building channels of dialogue and cooperation in the areas of peace and security, trade and investment, governance, education and health, climate action, and digital transformation.
The envoy said: “We must guide our actions with a spirit of pragmatism, free from the prejudice and bureaucracy that so often hinder the implementation of important decisions taken together.”
He however stated that Africa cannot continue to be dominated by poverty while remaining a major supplier of essential raw materials to the world.
He added that: “We must to build a new, solid, and effective vision between Africa and European financial institutions, with investments in development. This is the most assertive way to avoid the suffocation caused by excessive debt burdens.”
He however said: “Our strategic partnership will only be strong and resilient if it aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and capable of responding to current global and local geopolitical challenges.”
Mignot: Africa/Europe Ties Destined, Rests on Mutual Respect
News
Syrian national dies in suspected suicide in Sokoto
Syrian national dies in suspected suicide in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
A Syrian national resident in Sokoto for more than 40 years has died in a suspected case of suicide after allegedly consuming insecticide, the Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed.
Zagazola report that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 9:30 p.m. at Gawon Nama Zaga Road.
Police said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) received a distress call from one Tukur Registrer, who reported that a 16-year-old boy, Ahmad Aliyu of Gagi area, rushed into a nearby mosque to alert worshippers that his employer, identified as Abdulrahman Badenjki, had been found ingesting mosquito insecticide.
Upon receiving the information, the DPO and operatives immediately mobilised to the residence. The victim was found unconscious, lying on his bed. A container of Executor mosquito insecticide was reportedly found on a blue plastic chair beside him.
Police said the scene was photographed and secured for further investigation, while the victim was rushed to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead on arrival.
The corpse has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.
According to a source from the Command, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (DC CID), has visited the scene and taken over the case for discreet investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
End
News
Vigilante rescue attempt turns fatal in Yobe, one killed, another injured
Vigilante rescue attempt turns fatal in Yobe, one killed, another injured
By: Zagazola Makama
A rescue attempt by vigilante operatives in the early hours of Thursday turned tragic in Sandi Village, Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State, leaving one person dead and another injured.
According to local sources, a group of vigilante members from Damaturu, led by Danshuwa and Umar Birnigadam, arrived in Sandi Village at about 4:30 a.m. to rescue alleged kidnapped victims. The team, acting independently, reportedly proceeded straight to the scene of the suspected abduction.
During the operation, the vigilantes allegedly shot Ahmed Shuwa, 37, and Muhammad Bello, 27, both residents of the area. The operatives also arrested one Alhaji Lawan and took away a motorcycle and a bicycle.
Community members rushed the injured victims to the hospital in Bara for medical attention. However, Ahmed Shuwa later died from the gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.
Reacting to the incident, the Police in Yobe Command said that the vigilantes proceeded to the scene without notifying police operatives in Bara Division. During which they allegedly shot Ahmed Shuwa and Muhammad Bello.
Upon receiving the report, a police team visited the scene and evacuated the victims to Bara Hospital for treatment.
Sources from the Command confirmed that an investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances leading to the shooting and to ensure that the persons responsible are identified and apprehended.
The Police assured residents that decisive action will be taken to address the incident and prevent a recurrence.
Vigilante rescue attempt turns fatal in Yobe, one killed, another injured
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