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Agriculture accounts for 80 percent of employment opportunities in Yobe, says Gov. Buni

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Agriculture accounts for 80 percent of employment opportunities in Yobe, says Gov. Buni

By: Yahaya Wakili

Agriculture is the mainstay of the Yobe state economy, which employs 80% of our people, and it plays a key role in women and youth empowerment, employment generation, and poverty alleviation, among others.

Governor Mai Mala Buni CON disclosed this to newsmen in Damaturu when he celebrated his five years in office.

He said that when we came on board, we realized that the sector was largely characterized by traditional practices of subsistence farming.

“This therefore propelled us to organize an agricultural summit in 2019 to chart a course for agricultural transformation to enhance food sufficiency and food security and to make agriculture more profitable” he said.

Buni further revealed that the outcome of the summit culminated in the formation of a steering committee on the revitalization of agriculture, which, in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, developed the state sector strategic plan.

“In realization of this, the government procured 7500 metric tons (250 tracks) of NPK fertilizer for the 2019/2020 cropping season and sold it to farmers at a highly subsidized price of $5,000 per bag, and the government has now placed emphasis on the dry-season cultivation of crops to further boost production for the attainment of food security in the state.

In addition, the government also procured 1500 metric tons (50 trucks) of NPK fertilizer to support 2022–2023 irrigation farming in the state, and these fertilizers have since been distributed and sold at a subsidized rate of $13,000 per bag through open market sales to the general public.

Buni said, through a public-private partnership, the government procured 1,500 metric tons of Neem-coated NPK fertilizer to support rain-fed crop production for the 2023 farming season. Under this arrangement, a company supplied the fertilizer at a cost of $25,000 per bag, while the government, on its part, sold the fertilizer to farmers at a rate of $13,000 per bag.

According to him, Yobe State Government and the Federal Government have agreed on mutual collaboration to establish Livestock Development Centers (LDC) in the three Senatorial Districts in the state in phases, starting with Jakusko/Nasari LDC (Zone C) in 2021/2022. Gurjaji LDC (Zone B) in 2022/2023, and Bade Gana LDC (Zone A) in 2023/2024.

“These products consist of the following facilities: Veterinary and Human Clinics, Milk Center and Milking Parlor, Artificial Insemination Unit and Small Ruminant Multiplication Unit, 50 units of Hardsmen’s Settlement, Feed Mill and Feedlot (5 Nos.), Earth Dams and Aquaculture Administrative Block, Security Outpost, Primary School, Tractors, and Planters 

Others include harvesters, lawn mowers, ambulatory vehicles, the renovation of loading ramps and pastures, the construction of a wherehouse, the construction of a 6.0-kilometer access road, and the provision of electricity.

Agriculture accounts for 80 percent of employment opportunities in Yobe, says Gov. Buni

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Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno

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Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully ambushed Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Marte–Dikwa axis of Borno, forcing them to flee and abandoning logistics items.

A military source said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday by a combined team of 50 Task Force Battalion/24 Task Force Brigade and 134 Special Forces Battalion, supported by volunteer forces.

The source disclosed that the troops, who had laid in wait at Momoh village along the Marte–Dikwa road, made contact with the insurgents moving on bicycles at about 12:45 a.m.

“On sighting the terrorists, the troops engaged them decisively, compelling them to retreat in disarray,” the source said.

He added that troops immediately carried out exploitation of the general area, leading to the recovery of eight bicycles believed to have been used by the insurgents for mobility, as well as some beverages suspected to be part of their logistics supply.

The Marte–Dikwa axis has remained a critical corridor in counter-insurgency operations, with sustained military pressure limiting the activities of insurgents in the area.

The source reaffirmed the commitment of troops to sustain aggressive operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and ensure the safety of communities across Borno.

Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno

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Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms

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Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Borno, killing several insurgents and recovering arms and ammunition.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday when terrorists advanced from multiple directions toward the base.

According to the source, troops who had taken ambush positions engaged the insurgents with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray.

“The troops demonstrated resilience and tactical superiority, effectively repelling the assault and immediately launching a counter-exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route, inflicting further casualties on the fleeing insurgents,” the source said.

He confirmed that no personnel of the Nigerian military was killed during the encounter, although one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

The source added that at least eight terrorists were neutralised during the operation, while troops recovered seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs, and a cache of ammunition.

“Blood trails were observed along the withdrawal routes, indicating that several other insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.

He further disclosed that injured personnel from the encounter were currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility in Biu.

Zagazola gathered that additional bodies of fleeing terrorists were sighted along their escape corridors toward the Timbuktu Triangle, a known insurgent enclave. We saw four more bodies,” said sources.

The military sources also revealed that abandoned weapons and casualties were observed in Garin Mallum and Garin Gajere, suggesting heavy losses suffered by the insurgents during the failed attack.

The military leadership urged to sustain the operational tempo, retain the initiative, and consolidate on the gains recorded against the insurgents.

Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms

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Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026

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Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria is set to sharpen its policy direction in the global space ecosystem as Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited prepares to host the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week in Abuja.

The Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Jane Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Stephen Kwande, noting that the event will convene top government officials, regulators, and international stakeholders to shape the future of satellite governance and digital infrastructure.

Egerton-Idehen said the forum is coming at a critical time when countries around the world are strengthening their space capabilities as part of broader national development strategies.

According to her, satellite technology is increasingly linked to economic growth, national security, and digital connectivity, making strategic investments in space infrastructure a priority for many nations.

She explained that the conference is expected to attract high-level participation, including cabinet members, defence authorities, development finance institutions, and technology innovators from across Africa.

The NIGCOMSAT boss also highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in global space policy, pointing to her emergence as Vice Chair of the Global Satellite Operators Association as a sign of the country’s expanding role in international satellite governance.

She further cited ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the Kenya Space Agency as part of broader efforts to strengthen partnerships within Africa’s evolving space ecosystem.

Egerton-Idehen described the upcoming satellite week as both a reflection of Nigeria’s 20-year journey in satellite development and a strategic platform to define the country’s next phase in an increasingly competitive global space economy.

Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026

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