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Borno Church Demolition: Why governor Zulum should sack Engr. Adam Bababe

Published

4 years ago

August 10, 2021

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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.

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.

Related Topics:Borno Church Demolition: Why governor Zulum should sack Engr. Adam Bababe

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ECOWAS Moves to Solidify Movement Across West African Countries, Inaugurates EU-funded Programme on Migration

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

ECOWAS Moves to Solidify Movement Across West African Countries, Inaugurates EU-funded Programme on Migration

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is consolidating movement of citizens of West Africa by inaugurating the second phase of the European Union (EU) funded project “Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa (FMM II)” to advance economic growth.

Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Damtien Tchintchibidja reiterated the commitment of economic blog to ensure free movement and encourage commerce and economic development in the sub region at the inauguration of the FMM II in Abuja on Thursday.

The event was organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the ECOWAS Commission.

The vice-president explained that the FMM is designed to promote the free protocol and movement of persons, goods and services, as vision of ECOWAS for regional integration.

According to her, the initiative would demonstrate renewed commitment to ensure migration governance and regional mobility serve as pillars of development within the sub-region.

Tchintchibidja added that: “During the first phase of the project, we made significant progress in enhancing migration governance, strengthening boarder management and operational license to drive the free protocols.

“We reinforced migration governance, harmonised policies, strengthened border management systems, facilitation of labour mobility and supporting member states in aligning national policies with ECOWAS migration instruments.

“These achievements played key roles in enhancing regional security and economic mobility within our region, however, our work is far from over, benefits of migration must be fully harnessed.

“This requires structured, coordinated approach both at national and regional levels; we are optimistic FMM II will serve as vehicle towards addressing new-migration challenges, while capitalising on emerging opportunities.

“The FMM II will enhance mobility across borders in safe and orderly manner, through specific efforts to ascertain migration governance framework, enhance coordination mechanism, data driven policy making and integrated approaches.”

She stressed the need for collaborative efforts to ensure that migration contribute positively to economic growth, stability and social-coercion in the ECOWAS region.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Cooperation of the European Union (EU), Mr Massimo De Luka, said the five-year project aims to maximise development potential of free movement of persons and migration in West Africa.

He noted that the project would be achieved through support of the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement of Persons Protocol and the ECOWAS Common Approach to Migration.

He said: “The basis for cooperation and coordination on improving free movement of persons and migration in West Africa has been established.

“The second phase will deepen the cooperation in enhancing migration governance and at the same time commit to regional integration.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandjé Toure-Litse commended the milestones achieved during the first phase to be in line with ECOWAS mission.

Toure-Litse was represented by Mr Albert Siaw-Boateng, Director, Free Movement of Persons of ECOWAS Commission/Project Coordinator, West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI).

Toure-Litse said, “This milestone reaffirms our collective commitment to regional integration, migration governance and sustainable development, which are core principles that underscores the ECOWAS mission.”

ECOWAS Moves to Solidify Movement Across West African Countries, Inaugurates EU-funded Programme on Migration

National News

FG Moves To Fast Track MSMEs Growth, Sets Up C’ttee To Enhance Financing

Published

4 days ago

February 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FG Moves To Fast Track MSMEs Growth, Sets Up C’ttee To Enhance Financing

** We’ll be more deliberate in supporting small business owners to grow – VP Shettima

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said that the federal government, working in collaboration with other stakeholders, will be more deliberate in ensuring growth in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) space in Nigeria.

To this end, the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has set up a committee to interface with the Central Bank of Nigeria to enhance the financing of small businesses in the country.

This was part of decisions taken on Tuesday at the first meeting of the National Council on MSMEs for 2025 held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking after deliberations by members, Vice President Shettima said the federal government, through its agencies and partners, has the moral burden of supporting growth in the MSME space and facilitating job creation across different sectors for Nigerians.

Reeling out the mandate of the committee, the Vice President said the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in supporting small businesses, evident in important policies and programmes, need to be complemented by stakeholders, especially the private sector.

The committee headed by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh, has Ministers of Science and Technology; Women Affairs; Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs as members.

Others include the CEOs of Bank of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Agriculture (BOI), Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the representative of NACCIMA and the organized private sector.

In the same vein, Council also approved a loan scheme for MSMEs known as the syndicated de-risked loans for small businesses.

The scheme will be a partnership between state governments and financial institutions aimed at enhancing access to finance for MSMEs at single-digit rates across the country.

Vice President Shettima advised state governments to set up vehicles that are devoid of political interests to drive the implementation of the syndicated de-risked loans for the MSMEs scheme.

“Some of these initiatives are laudable and will need to outlive the present administrations in the States. Regardless of political affiliations, Nigerians must be seen to be the ultimate beneficiaries of these schemes that we are trying to put in place,” the VP stated.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, presented the ‘syndicated de-risked loans’ scheme for small businesses, seeking the cooperation of members and describing it as a game-changing programme to provide affordable and available loans for businesses.

He said the initiative is in acknowledgement of the President’s passion and commitment to the development of small businesses and aimed at providing more jobs for Nigerians.

In his presentation on the state of MSMEs in Nigeria, the DG SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, said the agency was proposing an initiative which was born from a 3-day MSME conference held in 2024.

He said the initiative known as the GROW Nigeria strategy is to provide guidance, resources, opportunities, and the workforce to support the about 40 million small businesses across 8 distinct sectors.

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai; the representatives of the Governors of Benue and Katsina States; the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh; Ministers of Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji; Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi; representative of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Others are the CEOs of Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), NAFDAC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); National Bureau of Statistics (NBS); the Presidents of NACCIMA and National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).

FG Moves To Fast Track MSMEs Growth, Sets Up C’ttee To Enhance Financing

National News

Akume Insists Tinubu Means Well for the Nation

Published

6 days ago

February 17, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Akume Insists Tinubu Means Well for the Nation

By: Michael Mike

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen.George Akume has said President Bola Tinubu means well for the nation, pledging to continue to work hard to support the Nigerian leader to achieve his many laudable programmes and vision for the country.

Akume made the promise at the weekend when he was decorated as “Star Associate of President Tinubu,” and Grand Patron of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA),

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made the declaration while he was decorated as “Star Associate of President Tinubu” by the National Co-ordinator/President of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA), Hon. Henry Nwabueze, who led a delegation of leaders of the Movement to the SGF ‘s office at the weekend in Abuja.

Akume pledged to continue to support the policies of President Bola Tinubu in his quest to make Nigeria safe and economically viable again.

He also pledged to continue to work hard to support the Nigerian leader to achieve his many laudable programmes and vision for the country.

Nwabueze, on his part said Sen. Akume has given so much in service to Nigeria and in support for the Tinubu Administration that he became the best choice for the position of the Movement’s Grand Patron and the first to receive the award of “Star Associate of President Tinubu,” an award intended for those in diverse fields of endeavour whose very efforts are promoting the vision of Mr. President for a better Nigeria.

According to Nwabueze, a former President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and distinguished Delegate at the 2014 Justice Kutigi Nigerian National Conference initiated by the Jonathan Administration, Sen. Akume represents the Tinubu Administration’s efforts aimed at injecting competence, maturity as well as discipline and hard work in public governance, and thanked the SGF for accepting the two honours, revealing that in the weeks ahead Nigerians would see the advocacy campaigns of the Movement in support of President Tinubu’s efforts at repositioning the country.

He reiterated the advice to Nigerian politicians that anyone who is wishing to contest for the Office of President in 2027 should have a rethink, stressing that there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa in that year.

Nwabueze added that: “The occasion today is a very short one and, therefore, does not require long speeches.

“Let me start by conveying the appreciation of the entire membership of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA), both at home and in the Diaspora, all who have unanimously agreed that the man that has been chosen as our Grand Patron more than fits the bill.

“For several years, even before some of us were born,His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) George Akume,CFR,has continued to serve this nation in diverse capacities.

“Whether as Permanent Secretary or Governor in his native State of Benue, Sen.(Dr.) Akume has for over fifty odd years held the flag of service and servant-leadership that has produced men and women of consummate repute and honour.

“Whether as Senator, Minister or even Secretary to the Government of the Federation,Sen.(Dr.) Akume’s place in the annals of history of our great nation remains one of honour well-deserved and laurels perpetually treasured.

“So, as we stand here today to decorate him as our Grand Patron and Star Associate of President Tinubu,the first in our list for such Honours,we are merely giving expression to what those who came before us saw to enlist him in the Benue Plateau Civil Service of his day,to make him Permanent Secretary in the Benue State Civil Service many years later,to make him Governor,to make him Senator, Minister and, today, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

“On behalf of the National Executive Council and, indeed,the General Congress of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates at home and abroad, I, Uche Henry Nwabueze, with the powers tacitly conferred on me by the Constitution of our Organisation, and in the name of the Most High God… Decorate you as Grand Patron of NTCA and as a Star Associate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Your Excellency, the SGF is by this decoration welcomed to function in this capacity with all the rights and privileges attached thereto.

“Accept our humble congratulations,Your Excellency, our Grand Patron,”

The Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates( aka: No Vacancy in Aso Rock 2027) is a registered group of like-minded Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora,who are committed to the promotion of the laudable efforts and programmes of the Tinubu Administration to repositioning Nigeria for greatness

The Movement has membership in all the States of the Federation and the 774 Local Government Councils.

Akume Insists Tinubu Means Well for the Nation