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Zulum: Alau Dam Reconstruction to Restore Dignity, Livelihoods in Borno
Zulum: Alau Dam Reconstruction to Restore Dignity, Livelihoods in Borno
…approves construction of school, hospital
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has emphasised that the reconstruction of the Alau Dam will restore the dignity and livelihoods of the people of Borno, who were severely impacted by the devastating flood disaster of 2024.
The Alau Dam collapsed on September 10, 2024, causing catastrophic flooding that killed at least several people and displaced thousands. The dam was built between 1984 and 1986. It stored water from the Ngadda River, a Lake Chad tributary, mainly used for irrigation and as a tap water source within Maiduguri and its environs.
The Governor stated this on Saturday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Alau Dam by the federal government.
The event took place at the Alau community in Jere Local Government Area.
Governor Zulum outlined several key benefits the people of Borno will gain from the rehabilitation of the dam, including enhanced agricultural activities, improved water supply, flood control, economic diversification, and community empowerment.
“This groundbreaking ceremony is a testament to the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding Borno State, not just in terms of physical infrastructure, but in restoring the livelihoods and dignity of our citizens,” Zulum said.
Governor Zulum added, “We understand that sustainable development is inextricably linked to the availability of water resources, and the Alau Dam is crucial in this regard.”
Zulum also said, “The restoration and rehabilitation of this dam will bring numerous benefits to our people.”
“Enhanced Agricultural Productivity along the dams: This project will significantly improve irrigation capacity, enabling our farmers to cultivate more land and increase their yields. This will boost food security, create employment opportunities and contribute to the overall economic development of the state.”
He acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the repair of the dam within short period of time.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, who was the special guest of honour at the groundbreaking ceremony stated that the rehabilitation will be conducted in two phases.
According to the minister, when completed, the Alau Dam will enhance the provision of drinking water and revamp agricultural activities for thousands of people around the facility.
“It is evident that the reconstruction and upgrade of Alau Dam will significantly enhance the provision of potable drinking water, support downstream irrigation, boost socio-economic activities and enable flood control while facilitating other viable socio-economic activities capable of revamping people’s livelihoods and economic development. The project work is structured in two phases over a completion period of 24 months,” Prof Utsev disclosed .
He added that phase one will be executed between February and September 2025 to cover the critical interventions to mitigate immediate flood risks, while phase two will focus on extensive distilling and structural enhancements to ensure long-term functionality and resilience of the dam, commencing from October 2025.”
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Borno State Commissioner of Water Resources, Engr Tijjani Goni Alkali, applauded the federal government for its timely intervention in rehabilitating the dam.
…Zulum approves construction of school and hospital
Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the construction of a primary school and hospital for Alau community in Jere local government area in the central part of the state.
“I have approved the construction of a primary school and hospital for Alau community to ensure development of the area” Zulum said.
Zulum announced the approval on Saturday at the groundbreaking ceremony. He called on people of the area to cooperate with the contractors and support the rehabilitation.
Chairman Senate Committees on Water and Sanitation, Senator Abdulaziz Yari represented by the vice chairman of the committee, Senator Eze Ken Emeka, and the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Water and Sanitation, Hon. Sada Soli Jibia, attended the occasion.
Also present were the Senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and House of Representatives members.
The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, led members of Borno Emirates Council, including the Waziri of Borno, Mutawali Shettima.
Other dignitaries include the secretary to Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Richard Pheelangwaah, the APC Chairman, Hon Bello Ayuba, the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira, and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe.
Zulum: Alau Dam Reconstruction to Restore Dignity, Livelihoods in Borno
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STRONG CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS KEY TO MILITARY SUCCESS” – GEN ML AGWAI (RTD) TELLS AWCN PARTICIPANTS
STRONG CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS KEY TO MILITARY SUCCESS” – GEN ML AGWAI (RTD) TELLS AWCN PARTICIPANTS
By: Our Reporter
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd), CFR, delivered a thought-provoking lecture to participants of Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Course 9/2025. The lecture, titled “Civil-Military Relations and Military Effectiveness,” was held at the College Lecture Hall in Asokoro, Abuja. General Agwai emphasized that strong civil-military relations are crucial to military professionalism, ethical governance, and operational success.
He highlighted that a professional military must not only be combat-ready but also function within the framework of democratic oversight, public trust, and national development. The lecture covered key areas, including the relationship between the military and the state, military professionalism in civil relations, and the impact of civil-military relations on military effectiveness.
General Agwai noted that military effectiveness is not solely determined by firepower or tactics but also by the level of trust and cooperation between the armed forces, government institutions, and the civilian population. According to him, “A military force that enjoys public confidence and aligns its operations with national interests will always outperform one that operates in isolation.”
The lecture also examined historical and contemporary examples of civil-military relations from around the world, drawing lessons for Nigeria’s security framework. General Agwai stressed the need for continuous engagement between the armed forces and civil society to strengthen national security, peacebuilding, and crisis management.
The Commandant AWCN, Major General Umar Muhammed Alkali, commended General Agwai for his insightful presentation, describing it as a valuable contribution to the intellectual and strategic development of the course participants. The event concluded with an interactive session where participants engaged the guest lecturer on various aspects of civil-military relations and its application to Nigeria’s security challenges.
STRONG CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS KEY TO MILITARY SUCCESS” – GEN ML AGWAI (RTD) TELLS AWCN PARTICIPANTS
Zulum orders 2-year tax waiver for flood victims, others
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved a two-year tax waiver for traders who were affected by the September 2024 flood disaster and Maiduguri Monday market traders.
Zulum granted the waiver to ease financial burden and encourage business growth. The devastating flood caused economic hardship, with many residents losing their livelihoods.
The chairman of Borno State Internal Revenue Service (BO-IRS), Professor Ibrahim Bello Alhaji, who made this known last week, stated that the waiver was part of Zulum’s tax administration reforms which prioritise ease of doing business in the state.
Professor Bello equally noted that Borno State now ranks 12th nationally in terms of improved and digitised tax programmes.
The BO-IRS chairman highlighted ongoing projects in Jiddari, Umarari, GRA, Bulumkutu, Custom, Chad Basin and many other locations, stressing that every part of the state benefits from tax-generated funds.
Zulum orders 2-year tax waiver for flood victims, others
Music Donates Towards Feeding, Education of Orphans, Abandoned Children in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
Sony Music Entertainment has donated towards the feeding and payment of school fees of children at an orphanage home, Vines Heritage Home, Gwagwalada in Abuja, Nigeria.
The donation was presented through ActionAid Sweden to ActionAid Nigeria and disbursed to the orphanage home which house 219 orphans and abandoned children.
Presenting the donation to the Vines Heritage Home at the weekend in Abuja, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu disclosed that about $10,000 was donated by a musician on the Sony Music Entertainment label who felt persuaded to contribute towards bettering the living of orphans in the country.
He said the artiste chose to remain anonymous.
Mamedu said: “It is with great joy and gratitude that I stand before you today on behalf of ActionAid Nigeria to acknowledge and celebrate a significant milestone in our collective efforts towards promoting access to quality education and improving the well-being of children in Nigeria.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous funding support provided by Sony Entertainment through ActionAid Sweden. As a globally recognized organisation, Sony Entertainment understands the crucial role of investing in education and securing a brighter future for children. This invaluable support will significantly impact the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in our society, particularly the 76 girls from Vines Heritage Home (VHH) and the 219 children under our care.”
He added that: “Through this funding, ActionAid Nigeria will ensure the payment of school fees for the second and third terms of the 2024/2025 academic session for 76 girls in five schools within the Gwagwalada Area Council. This means that these young girls can continue their education without disruption, empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need to build brighter futures.
“In addition to supporting education, the funding has been also used to procure food and essential non-food items for 219 children in VHH. Proper nutrition and necessities are critical for a child’s overall development, and with this intervention, we are ensuring that no child in our care goes to bed hungry or lacks the essentials they need to thrive.” Mamedu also said: “Furthermore, part of the funding from Sony Entertainment will be utilized to engage policymakers to advocate for better education policies that improve learning outcomes for children. By working closely with key decision-makers, we aim to create systemic changes that will enhance access to quality education and ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to succeed.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Sony Entertainment for their commitment to social responsibility and their willingness to invest in the future of our children. This act of generosity is a testament to the power of partnerships in driving meaningful change in our communities.”
He said: “We also recognize and appreciate the presence of our key stakeholders, including the representative from the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCTUBEB). Your dedication to strengthening the education sector is invaluable, and we look forward to continued collaboration to ensure that every child has access to quality education.
To the young girls and children who are the direct beneficiaries of this initiative, I want you to know that you are valued, and your dreams matter. Education is a powerful tool that can change lives and uplift communities. Take full advantage of this opportunity, work hard, and continue to aspire for greatness.”
Music Donates Towards Feeding, Education of Orphans, Abandoned Children in Nigeria
STRONG CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS KEY TO MILITARY SUCCESS” – GEN ML AGWAI (RTD) TELLS AWCN PARTICIPANTS
Zulum orders 2-year tax waiver for flood victims, others
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