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
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
By: Michael Mike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.
The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.
In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.
“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.
“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.
Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
National News
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
By: Michael Mike
The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.
A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.
“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”
According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.
The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.
Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
National News
Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People

Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People
…. Donates relief materials to displaced persons in Yelwata, IDP camp
By: Michael Mike
Former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri has charged former governors, legislators, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Benue state to set aside rivalry, unite and act with urgency to save their people from incessant attacks and killings.
Waziri, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and Principal Partner, Brookfield Chambers Abuja stated this on Saturday 28th June 2025 while donating relief materials to victims of the recent gunmen attacks in Yelwata community and displaced persons at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
Some of the items donated under the banner of Women, Youth, Children and Crime Organisation (WYCCO), a non-governmental organization founded by her, include: bags of rice, sugar, tubers of yam and other household items.

She said: “This is no time for division. It is no time for political squabbling or ego-driven manoeuvring. Among us are men and women who have led this state — former governors, legislators, traditional rulers — individuals with influence and authority. The time has come to set aside our differences and stand united, for the sake of the ordinary Benue man, woman, and child.
“That is why I stand here today to make this urgent and heartfelt appeal to our leaders: cast aside rivalry, unite, and act. Act with urgency. Act with purpose. Because what we face now increasingly resembles a deliberate, coordinated effort to erase our people and our heritage.
“We must take heed of the words of Sir Winston Churchill, who once said:
‘Our difficulties and dangers will not be removed by closing our eyes to them.’
Another of Churchill’s warnings is just as relevant to our present predicament:
‘If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed… you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.”
Waziri, while stating that her call was a build up to the earlier proposal by President Bola Tinubu during his recent visit Beforehand Benue, noted that meetings alone would not solve the problem, urging that: “But let us be sincere: peace will not come from meetings alone. To end the cycle of violence, we must confront its roots. Before the Yelwata massacre, communities in Gwer West, Apa, and Guma had already endured weeks of killings, kidnappings, and raids. These horrors did not emerge in a vacuum; they are symptoms of deeper issues.
“We must therefore confront the real causes — ethnic and religious tensions, unchecked banditry, and the rise of cultism as well as the abuse of illicit drugs. These forces must be tackled, along with the herder-farmer conflict, with honesty and courage. We cannot afford to keep going in circles. And there is no room for blame games. Our leaders — and indeed, all of us — must be pragmatic. So today, let us commit, as one people, to healing our wounds, reclaiming our land, and ensuring that never again will a child in Benue grow up in a camp instead of a home”
She said the development in Benue must be of “concern to all sons and daughters of Benue regardless of whether we live within its borders or far away in the diaspora to find out the root cause of these attacks with a view to proferring solutions that will bring an end to these barbaric acts”
Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People
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