National News
Borno Church Demolition: Why governor Zulum should sack Engr. Adam Bababe
Borno Church Demolition: Why governor Zulum should sack Engr. Adam Bababe
By: James Bwala, Maiduguri
I do not know the relationship between Professor Bukar Bababe the former Executive Director at Lake Chad Research Institute and Engr. Adam Bababe the current Executive Officer of the Borno Geographic Information Services, BOGIS.
If at all they are related then I think the Borno state governor Professor Babagan Umara Zulum has to do the needful to sack Engr. Adam Bababe over his intentional and disgraceful outing to pitch the governor against the Christians in Borno state as well as trying to diminish the hard-earned accolade the governor is currently enjoying across the political and religious front.
Recently Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has received the second high award in a foreign land. The President of the Niger republic who deem it fit to give such an award must have heard the Zulum storyline to have informed this great and iconic recognition. Many papers across the country have been speaking of Zulum’s courage in his attempt to make Borno state great again. This is why both Christians and Muslims in Borno state should help the governor achieved this desire by encouraging a pitch of peaceful coexistence and ensuring it takes the stage in the political history of a man who is making a positive difference
Nigeria is a circular state and both Christians and Muslims have come to agree to this fact. If that is so, I do not understand why some people are still testing the power of God Almighty by play God over others? In his press briefing, the CAN Chairman, Bishop Williams Naga pointed out that the Borno state government had since 1979 stop allocating space for Church building or rather stop selling but Christian had to buy through people who acquire lands and wants to sell it at a high price for profit. Churches even after buying Lands have their files kept under the carpet in other for them not to have the governor’s signature for a certificate of occupancy. The Churches however have grant papers which is also government papers that allow them to own their lands.
Before this administration come to power in 2019, there was a move by the immediate past administration to pull down illegal structures across Maiduguri thereby informing the pulling down of some mosques, which some individuals not interested in the peaceful coexistence in the state are posting to justify the move by BOGIS for bulldozing the EYN Church in Maduganari and subsequently killing a 29-year-old bricklayers Mr. Ezekiel in an unjustified manner, a situation currently trading in the state.
I do not want to go into details about mosque erection in the state. However, as a friend posted. More than 70% of the mosques in the state have no government papers. The government and the people who feel moved builds mosques where ever they deem it fit to erect such places of worship. I doubt if anyone had ever raised an eyebrow over mosque building in Maiduguri amongst the Christian faithful who also have the right to the state resources as citizens. Not even military administrators who (who were Christians) and rule Borno state in their time have come against illegal mosques on the streets of Borno.
That the Shettima administration pulls down some mosques and no Muslim shouted according to some people making inciteful posting regarding the ongoing outcry by Christians over the demolition of EYN Church is no justification that the Christians should also not shout over the demolition of their places of worship because no government builds a Church in Borno state and Churches are not built without papers because they know the trading implications in a state like Borno and as such are guided.
According to the reaction of the government over the Church demolition at EYN Maduganari, “Zulum was Shocked!” If that is so, I believe Engr. Adam Bababe must have acted on his own or he was engineered by enemies of Zulum who are at work to pitch him against the Christians seeing that he is making more Christians friends across the country and the world.
Read Also: Boko Haram: Over 600 Militants So Far Surrendered To Troops In Borno
If I should speak about governor Zulum political career I would not ignore the fact that gladiators eyeing the number of seats in Borno state are certainly at work to pitch the governor against the people because within this period I see a unity for peace as so many Muslims have joined the Christians in Borno to condemn the move by Engr. Adam Bababe. Also, I might be tempted to think that, Zulum’s rising profile is becoming a source of worry to some of his political enemies who choose to use a corrupt individual to hatch trouble for the governor and to bring him down in public eyes. That is Zulum needs to open his eyes and see his enemies in their own regalia and move against them.
Engr. Adam Bababe according to eyewitnesses ordered for the phones of workers in the Church to be collected by CJTF attached to him as a task force for such an exercise. If he was actually doing the work government had asked him to carry out why was he worried about being exposed by the phones the workers are carrying? I believe it was the Corruption in his bloodline that informed his connivance with ill-motivated individuals to smear the good image of Zulum. This is also a test for the Borno governor to either act positively and prints his name on the positive rock that speaks about the history of great men or fails in his quest for greater Borno state.
Twelve years of insurgency and still counting should be enough trouble for over four million people recording death on a daily basis. Why storing for more? With the approach of youths at the site of the demolition Church, I see people who have had enough probably from what they learned in the 12 years of a blood bath. Death is no more to be feared. So, of what other reasons should Engr. Adam Bababe invites bloodshed? If at all his actions were informed by his duty to the state, it should be of a process and everyone would understand that a government process is duly being followed.
The scenario that accompanied the move on Thursday 5, 2021 would have been a different case if Engr. Adam Bababe had come in peace to carry out government orders. And if it were government orders our beloved Zulum would not have been taken by the shock that greeted him that day. I asked if this Bababe had some relationship with the Executive Director Lake Chad Research Institute because I was privy to Bababe’s attitude to corruption and bulldozing a Church without prior information to the owners for whatever reasons shows a corrupt mind in action.
That also reminded me of a case at Justice Charity Mamza’s court in January 2015. Could Engr. Adam Bababe be acting in revenge for a judgment pass on him and his father by an EYN breed? When things happened like this so many questions are being asked and these are few.
Let me share here the little part of the past that trigger my asking. “A Maiduguri High Court number Eight has on Monday…2015 sentenced the former Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute Maiduguri, Professor Bukar Bababe to a five-year jail term without an option of fine…..”
“Recalled that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) had on the fourteenth of April, 2011 arraigned the former Executive Director, Lake Chad Research Institute Maiduguri, Professor Bukar Bababe….”
“The accused similarly between December 2008 and January 2009 conspired to make a false statement to the Central Bank of Nigeria Maiduguri branch… that another company Rofako International Limited is entitled to the payment of the sum of twenty-two point Five Million Nairas as payment for a capital project, which the said company did not undertake….”
“Other charges are that the former Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute Maiduguri used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon his son Adam Bukar Bababe by approving the renewal of a retainership contract for the maintenance and servicing of the Institute’s computers to Cyber-Technologies Nigeria Limited, a company mainly owned by his son.
He was also accused of approving the award of a contract for his son for the upgrading of computers and printers to Cyber-Technologies Nigeria Limited sometimes in August 2010 as Chairman of Procurement Planning ….”
There are more to say but I wouldn’t want to bother much about the judgment. I still asked who is this Adam Bukar Bababe? Is he the same person as Engr. Adam Bababe? My guess maybe as yours if you are reading this piece. If this is sure, however, governor Zulum needs to use a sludge hammer on this insect petching around his eyes.
By the way, why did BOGIS chooses Thursday for the demolition? Did they foresee trouble on other days of the week? I want the committee set up by the Borno state governor and members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, who may be part of this committee to find out as many citizens of Borno state wants to know the faces of men who swore that Borno state would not have peace under their watch.
National News
AT 2025 WEF, VP Shettima Markets Nigeria, Africa As Investment Destination
AT 2025 WEF, VP Shettima Markets Nigeria, Africa As Investment Destination
** Says Africa Has Indeed Woken Up
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said serious investors can now take unfettered advantage of Nigeria’s growing investment climate to tap from the limitless opportunities in the country and the African continent.
VP Shettima spoke on Tuesday during a forum titled, “Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa’s Frontier Markets,” at the ongoing annual meeting of the 2025 World Economic Forum ( WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
At the session which was co-chaired by Mirek Dusek, Managing Director of World Economic Forum, and chaired by Marie-Laure Akin Olugbade, Senior Vice President, African Development Bank (AFDB) group, discussions focused on the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing Roadmap for Africa.
He told the forum that the tales they hear about the country and the African continent as a whole are really not that of doom and gloom as being painted by doomsday proponents.
The Vice President noted that Nigeria is poised to invade the global business platform with modernisation and robust investments, assuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a seasoned chartered accountant, is working to make the nation an investment destination in Africa.
“For 20 years, I have been in the Nigerian banking industry. I was a general manager in Nigeria’s largest bank, Zenith Bank. I grew up in that ecosystem. The President himself is a seasoned chartered accountant. So, I believe that Nigeria is ready for business, Nigeria is ready to embrace the path of modernization with very robust investment,” he declared.
Acknowledging however that the nation may still have certain deficits, VP Shettima pointed out that Nigeria is looking up to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to address the challenges.
He stated: “We are having a huge deficit but we are looking forward to the AfCFTA and that involves investing in infrastructure for instance the coastal highway from Calabar to Lagos is the largest single investment in Africa. We are building corridors to the North.
“We have the West African gas pipeline. We are thinking ahead of time akin to the Belt and Road Initiative. We are partnering with 14 African countries to invest in gas infrastructure down to Morocco.”
Senator Shettima insisted that Africa is not all about tales of doom and gloom, maintaining that the continent has woken up from its slumber.
Likening Napoleon Bonaparte’s opinion about China to the case of Africa, the VP said, “So, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the stories you hear about Africa are not that of doom and gloom. From DRC to Somalia, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire, Africa is waking up from its slumber.
“I remember what Napoleon Bonaparte said about China, he said “China is a sleeping giant but when she wakes up, she will rattle the world”. So, Africa has woken up and we will take our rightful place in the comity of nations because as I said earlier, the trajectory of global growth is facing Africa. We are the youngest continent.”
Also drawing a leaf from the late Nigerian head of state, Gen. Murtala Mohammed, VP Shettima said Africa has come of age and can no longer be treated like an adolescent.
“I want to quote Murtala Mohammed – a Nigerian military leader at an extraordinary summit of the OAU, about 50 years ago. He said “Africa has come of age, it is no longer under the orbit of any extra-continental power, and it shall no longer take orders from any country, however powerful,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, in a show of African leadership collaboration at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Shettima, on Tuesday joined South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as special guest of honor at a high-level briefing, following his earlier participation in the Africa Investment Forum.
….VP Shettima, Botswana’s President Hold Talks
- Meet WTO DG, Okonjo – Iweala
Similarly, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the President of Botswana, Duma Boko, on Tuesday held a bilateral meeting where areas of mutual interest between both countries were discussed.
The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, is part of Nigeria’s commitment to fostering stronger intra-African relations and economic cooperation.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of leveraging their countries’ strengths to promote mutual growth and development.
The Vice President, who congratulated President Duma Boko on his election victory, called for deeper partnerships and collaborations between African nations, saying it is time Africa united and presented a common front on interests regarding the continent.
During the meeting, Vice President Shettima welcomed the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, introducing her to the Botswana President.
The Vice President commended Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s exceptional achievements, describing her as one of Africa’s finest.
Other areas of interest discussed between the two leaders included trade, investment and strengthening of diplomatic ties.
AT 2025 WEF, VP Shettima Markets Nigeria, Africa As Investment Destination
National News
Niger Tanker Explosion: VP Shettima Expresses Dismay Over Loss Of Lives
Niger Tanker Explosion: VP Shettima Expresses Dismay Over Loss Of Lives
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed dismay at the devastating tanker explosion that claimed several lives at Dikko Junction in Niger State.
He commiserated with families of the victims, assuring them of the federal government’s commitment to preventing future occurrences.
The Vice President extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, as well as the government and people of Niger State.
The Vice President’s message follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s earlier directive for immediate medical assistance to survivors and the implementation of stricter safety protocols along major highways.
The incident, which occurred when a fuel-laden tanker en route from Kaduna to Gwagwalada overturned at Dikko Junction, has prompted the federal government to announce a comprehensive review of transportation safety measures.
The Preident has also tasked the National Orientation Agency with launching an immediate nationwide awareness campaign on the dangers of approaching accident scenes involving fuel tankers.
Niger Tanker Explosion: VP Shettima Expresses Dismay Over Loss Of Lives
National News
German Ambassador, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre
German Ambassador, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre
By: Michael Mike
The Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, Annet Gunther, and the resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme to Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah have unveiled two projects executed by the administration of Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, in Monguno town.
While the German Ambassador unveiled resettlement houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs), Nigeria’s UNDP Country Representative conducted the commissioning of a 100-person capacity ICT centre to facilitate digital education.
The housing estate consists of 1,000 two-bedroom semi-detached low-cost houses and another 900 semi-permanent shelters with basic amenities such as a health centre and a borehole for water provision.
About 1,874 IDP families from 14 communities benefited from the housing project. Each of them received food and non-food items, N50,000 cash for the household heads and another N20,000 for each housewife.
In her goodwill message, Ambassador Annet Gunther commended Governor Zulum for the laudable projects that helped people affected by insurgency pick up the pieces of their lives.
She said: “This housing project is also a great example of collaboration between the government of Borno State and international partners. Funding for the housing units comes from both the state government and international partners.”
Elsie Attafuah corroborated Gunther’s commendation of Zulum’s administration, noting that the housing project aligns with UNDP’s regional stabilisation effort which is working towards peace restoration in communities in Lake Chad area.
Attafuah said: “Our collective effort in the Northeast and especially in Borno State is making tremendous impact in the lives of the people and the region: restoring hope, fostering social trust between the governments and the people, improving security, building back better, reducing incidence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), increased socio-economic empowerment of the affected population, reinstate access to social services and rebuilding people’s confidence and resilience.
“To be specific, in the past year, our collective effort and partnership resulted in the construction of 25 social service facilities; 1,400 shelters comprising 500 housing units and 900 semi-permanent shelters; 500 housing units in Logomane; and nine (9) security and justice infrastructure. These facilities were accompanied with relevant social service infrastructures like water, green energy, recreation centres and markets. Livelihood and protection of SGBV were also a major component of the achievements: 4,000 (40% female) persons were empowered through cash grants, technical and vocational skills acquisition with start pack grants and agricultural inputs. To promote regional trade networks between Nigeria and her neighbouring countries, RSF programme with your funding and government assistance invested massively in border infrastructures including customs, immigration and police facilities and markets. The investment has helped to bolster economic stability, improve security and peaceful co-existence among the border towns.”
She added that: “To bolster achievements being recorded under RSF programme, and to ensure durable solutions to IDPs in critically affected communities, the UN Secretary General advanced an initiative on durable solutions to IDP issues in 15 pilot countries. Nigeria is one of them. This initiative complements the Borno Model, a creative development policy framework, designed for a sustainable peacebuilding and reintegration in Borno State. There is no doubt that effective integration and synergy of these development tools will result in sustainable peace, stability and development of Borno State and Northeast region.”
Governor Zulum, in his address, explained that while the German Government funded the construction of 500 permanent and another 900 semi-permanent shelters, Borno State Government constructed the remaining 500 houses and provided amenities such as a health centre and potable water among others.
“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed between Borno State Government and UNDP in 2020 under the RS German initiative to start the construction of 500 housing units. In August 2023, another LOA was signed under RSF German reintegration funds aimed at completing the 500 permanent housing units, providing an additional 900 semi-permanent shelters, and installing 375 solar streetlights,” the governor said.
He added that in addition to these efforts, Borno State Government had also constructed 500 permanent housing units and provided toilets for the temporary shelters, bringing the total number of houses constructed to 1,900.
According to Zulum, these accommodations will play a crucial role in the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of some IDP camps in Monguno, ensuring a smoother transition for resettling families.
The governor expressed gratitude to the Governments of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt and the European Union, among other donors for supporting Borno State.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Germany for their generous contribution and to UNDP for their unwavering partnership.
“Additionally, we thank all other donors and contributors to the RSF, UN OFFER, and other funding initiatives dedicated to promoting peace, stability, reintegration and development in Borno State,” Zulum stated.
Dignitaries, including the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Foud, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Esty Sotyoko, the head of UNDP office, Maiduguri, Mathew Alao, community leaders and citizens, gathered to witness the commissioning ceremony.
German Ambassador, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre
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