News
Borno: From ashes of insecurity to agric revolution
Borno: From ashes of insecurity to agric revolution
By Hamza Suleiman
Prior to the Boko Haram insurgency Borno was one of the most agriculturally advanced states in Nigeria with more than two-third of its population engaged in cereal crops, livestock, fishery, and poultry production.
This contributed significantly to Nigeria’s food supply chain, making it a crucial player in feeding the country’s vast population.
However, the insurgency had a devastating impact on agriculture, similar to its effects on the economy and social sectors and residents took refuge in other parts of the country.
The damage was monumental, leading to malnutrition in children and breastfeeding mothers, as well as hunger and starvation among the population, ultimately culminating in a humanitarian crisis in the entire North-East region.
The aftermath of the devastation was estimated to be in the billions of dollars, leaving a significant portion of the population without livelihoods and dependent on food aid from the government and humanitarian organizations.
In 2019, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum assumed office as the elected governor of Borno State, inheriting one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world at the time, with approximately 2.5 million displaced persons.
These individuals, who previously engaged in rain-fed and irrigation activities, cultivating thousands of hectares of arable land across the state’s 20 local government areas, also lost their livelihoods as fishermen and animal breeders.
This significantly reduced the state’s food production capacity to almost zero.
As a result, citizens faced hunger and starvation, and the supply of well-bred animals, dried fish, and other fishery products to markets across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon Republics was severely impacted.
Notably, the Federal Government established the Lake Chad Basin Development Commission (LCBDC).
This was in recognition of Borno’s significant contribution to agriculture. There was also the establishment of Lake Chad Basin Research Institute in Maiduguri, to enhance studies and innovations in various fields of agriculture.
Zulum also built on the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement program initiated by his predecessor, Vice-President Kashim Shettima. This programme prioritised agriculture, which received significant attention.
During the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-WASP), Zulum emphasised the importance of agriculture in Borno’s development.
“Our government has made agriculture a top priority, and we are committed to mobilizing resources to boost its growth.
“To achieve this, we have procured essential agricultural machinery and inputs like tractors, chemicals, and fertilisers.
`This will significantly enhance our farmers’ productivity. Our goal is to support our farmers in every way possible to increase their agricultural output and promote food security.
He said, “We must shift our focus from short-term humanitarian support to medium and long-term sustainable solutions, and that is agriculture”, Zulum said.
RHI-WASP is the initiative of the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, designed to encourage women to engage in agricultural activities and contribute to the food sufficiency agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Zulum’s administration has empowered 120 women farmers from the North-East region with N500,000 each, and 100 persons with disabilities from Borno with N100,000 each, to support their agricultural endeavors’’, the document said.
The Borno government recognises the importance of logistics support to farmers hence it has taken to meet some of their challenges.
For instance it procured one million liters of petrol which was distributed at a subsidized rate to farmers across the state and distributed 20,000 bags of fertilisers to them.
The government also provided 1,000 solar-powered water pumps and 5,000 water pump machines to farmers in the three senatorial districts.
Among others, the state government established modern, innovative and climate-smart irrigation schemes at Bokkoiri in Konduga; Kulunnam in Magumeri, Jaffi in Kwaya Kusar, Mafa in Mafa, Bulabulin, Shuwari and Gajibo in Dikwa and Logomane in Ngala LGA, respectively.
Similarly, the Zulum administration is investing hugely in drip irrigation to accelerate cash crop production such as maize, cassava and sesame seeds, even as it has inaugurated a 20-hectare sesame plantation at Koiri pilot drip irrigation scheme.
“Let’s carefully put things in order. Borno State will start exporting sesame and other cash crops in the near future.
“We will subsequently change focus and invest our resources in irrigation farming or, rather, food production.
I assure you that we will provide the political will needed to achieve food sufficiency.
“We need to expand our scope; we should identify bigger lands, we can expand with another 100 hectares each in Borno Central, South and North Senatorial Districts.
“My predecessor has procured about 10,000 hectares of drip irrigation kits. After this year’s rainy season, we hope the state will be able to cultivate at least 1,000 hectares”, Zulum said.
The Zulum administration recorded significant success in enhancing extension and farmers support services as it distributed improved variety seeds, fertilisers, chemical and knapsack sprayers to 3,000 rice farmers at Ngala and Gwoza.
It also provided 250 water pumps, 250 tubewells, assorted seeds, and agrochemicals to 1,000 Dry season farmers in Baga resettled community, while 1,000 tubewells and 1,000 water pumps were distributed to rice growers at Damasak in Mobbar LGA.
Farmers in Tarmuwa-Banki also received 50 units of water pumps with accessories, 50 tubewells, seeds, fertiliser, and chemicals to dry season farmers.’’, among other initiatives.
The efforts of the administration have not gone unnoticed by experts and other stakeholders in the sector.
Executive Secretary of National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne urged all stakeholders to emulate Zulum in his agriculture sector revolution.
He spoke at the inauguration of projects executed by NALDA in Jere Local Government Area of Borno.
“I want to call on all stakeholders to quickly key into this agricultural revolution of Mr President (Bola Tinubu) by adopting the method of Borno State, the method of unconditional land donation and method of total commitment.
“I thank you, Mr governor, for your support for agriculture, your support for the development of Borno…NALDA will continue to partner Borno because Borno has the potential to develop food production and achieve food security in Nigeria’’, Ikonne said.
A social media influencer, Abudulla Ayofe, has also commended Zulum over his steps to transform the agric sector in Borno.
“Governor Zulum’s administration is turning desert into green fields in a bid to push the modern agriculture revolution in Borno State’’, he said in one of his verified social media posts.
Gaji Ngari, a grain farmer in Dille village in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, said Zulum had not only transformed farming but also the lives of farmers.
“The government has done a lot for us, particularly given our recent history; gradually, we are picking ourselves up’’, he said.
Agric experts say in spite of the achievements, more still needs to be done to position Borno in a position to reach its agric potential.
They say the state government should further explore technology in providing logistics for farmers. They say such tools can be used to predict weather and latest agriculture inputs.
They also call for strengthened security in the state, particularly around farmlands, which are still vulnerable to sporadic security breaches, as well as provide financial security for farmers through soft loans.
Hamza Suleiman is a Senior Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Borno: From ashes of insecurity to agric revolution
Eid-el-Fitr: Senator Araraume Greets Muslims, Commends President Tinubu’s Leadership
By: Michael Mike
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
In a statement to mark the end of Ramadan, Araraume highlighted the significance of the month long period of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion. “As Muslims gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, I join in the cheer, wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Eid,” he said.
The Senator expressed profound appreciation to Muslim Nigerians for their contributions to the nation’s growth, describing their faith, resilience, and patriotism as beacons of hope. “Your unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress is truly commendable,” he stated.
As the country navigates its current challenges, Araraume called for unity, understanding, and collective effort. “Let us embrace the spirit of Eid, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness, to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come,” he urged.
Araraume also extended solidarity to President Bola Tinubu, a distinguished Muslim and the leader of APC, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to nation building. “President Tinubu’s commitment to serving Nigeria has been exemplary, and we assure him of our continued support,” he said.
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to national prosperity, Araraume emphasized that the values of compassion, unity, and progress embodied by Eid align deeply with the party’s ethos. “As we mark this occasion, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a Nigeria where faith and ethnic background are not barriers to success,” he concluded.
Eid-el-Fitr: Senator Araraume Greets Muslims, Commends President Tinubu’s Leadership
ActionAid Nigeria Condemns Assault on Women at Ozoro Festival, Demands Arrest of Perpetrators
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has strongly condemned the assault and harassment of women and girls during a cultural festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as a serious violation of human dignity and a reflection of deeper systemic issues of gender-based violence in society.
In a statement issued Friday in Abuja, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, said the disturbing videos circulating on social media showing women and girls being chased, harassed, and assaulted in public spaces highlight a grave failure to ensure the safety of citizens during community events.
The organisation warned against attempts to trivialise or defend the incidents under the guise of cultural interpretation, stressing that no tradition or festival should be used to justify violence against women and girls.
“Violence against women and girls must never be trivialised, justified, or explained away under any circumstance,” the statement said. “Regardless of how such actions are described, the reality remains that women and girls were subjected to abuse in full public view, and this demands accountability.”
ActionAid Nigeria noted that the Ozoro incident reflects a broader pattern in which harmful social norms, silence, and weak enforcement mechanisms create an environment where gender-based violence persists and perpetrators often go unpunished.
The organisation insisted that cultural events must not become spaces where abuse is normalised or tolerated, warning that attempts to downplay such acts only reinforce impunity and further endanger women and girls.
ActionAid called on the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, to demonstrate decisive leadership by ensuring that law enforcement agencies urgently identify, arrest, and prosecute all those involved in the assaults.
It also urged the governor to make public the actions taken by authorities, including arrests and prosecution outcomes, as part of efforts to rebuild public trust and demonstrate zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
The organisation further demanded that security agencies be held accountable for any lapses that allowed the incidents to occur without immediate intervention, emphasising that their responsibility is not only to respond to violence but also to prevent it.
In addition, ActionAid Nigeria called on the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs to provide urgent, survivor-centred support to victims, including access to medical care, psychosocial counselling, legal assistance, and safe channels for reporting abuse.
According to the organisation, the incident underscores persistent gaps in protecting women and girls in public and cultural spaces and highlights the urgent need for governments and communities to confront harmful gender norms that enable violence.
ActionAid Nigeria also urged traditional authorities in Ozoro Kingdom to review cultural practices that may expose women and girls to harm, insisting that safeguarding human dignity must remain paramount.
Reaffirming its commitment to gender equality, the organisation said it would continue to advocate for stronger systems that protect the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls across Nigeria while standing in solidarity with survivors of the Ozoro incident.
ActionAid Nigeria Condemns Assault on Women at Ozoro Festival, Demands Arrest of Perpetrators
Zulum Greets Muslim Ummah on Eid-El-Fitr
…Re-commits to ending insecurity
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim Ummah in the state on the occasion of Eid-El-Fitr marking the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan fast.
Ramadan offered the opportunity for the Muslim faithful to renew their faith, boost spiritual depth, charitable giving and other acts or worship.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum urged the people of the state to imbibe and sustain the lessons learned during the period to recharge their spiritual beings towards rebuilding a secure, peaceful and prosperous Borno society.
He described this year’s Ramadan as unique, especially with unprecedented charity reach outs to the indigent population by his administration. He noted with deep satisfaction and total gratitude to Allah that his administration has reached over 300,000 vulnerable persons with food and other essential items across the 27 local government areas
Although the state has recorded series of attacks, which have claimed the lives of some military men and civilians, the Governor reiterated his resolve to tackling the security situation head-on.
He saluted the courage, resilience and commitment of the people to all initiatives aimed at deepening security and peace building among the various components of the society fragmented by the Boko Haram insurgency over the years.
Governor Zulum expressed profound grief over the resurgence of terror attacks across parts of the state, especially the triple suicide bombings of Monday, March 9, in Maiduguri, which claimed the lives of 28 persons and injured over 100 others.
He, consequently, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for sending the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima to condole with the people of Borno over the tragic incident and also deploying the Service Chiefs with a charge to review and deploy strategies towards ending the insurgency.
Zulum lauded the military for the ongoing offensive operations in the Sambisa Forest, stressing similar coordinated operations in Mandara mountain, Lake Chad area and other hideouts of the insurgents.
He expressed his unbreakable promise to double down in supporting the security agencies and volunteer forces in the prosecution of the counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations.
Governor Zulum recalled that the people of Borno have gone through harrowing situations over the last 15 years due to the Boko Haram insurgency. He, however, urged them to sustain the impressive resilience to the impacts of terror, which they have built over the years.
With the renewal of terror attacks, especially suicide bombings, Zulum strongly urged the people to uphold their decades-old personal and communal initiatives for their safety and protection in attack situations, as the security agencies deploy new and stronger strategies at plugging all loopholes the terrorists seize to carry out their cowardly attacks on communities.
The governor expressed optimism that the security agencies are, more than ever before, crafting and deploying the most-successful strategies at combating the terrorists towards ending the insurgency.
While strongly advising the public to heed the warnings by security agencies to steer clear of crowded locations unguarded by security agents, and be mindful of suspicious persons, Zulum assured the residents of the state that the Eid-El-Fitr praying grounds will be heavily secured for the Muslim faithful to observe their yearly sacred ritual without any fear of attack.
He wished the Muslim Ummah Happy Eid-El-Fitr celebration.
Zulum Greets Muslim Ummah on Eid-El-Fitr
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
Eid-el-Fitr: Senator Araraume Greets Muslims, Commends President Tinubu’s Leadership
ActionAid Nigeria Condemns Assault on Women at Ozoro Festival, Demands Arrest of Perpetrators
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
