Northeast
Borno Speaker wants Military restore civil authority in Guzamala, Kukawa LGAs from Boko Haram control
Borno Speaker wants Military restore civil authority in Guzamala, Kukawa LGAs from Boko Haram control
…Awards scholarship to 446 students
By: Our Reporter
The Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abdulkarim Lawan, on Friday appealed to the Federal Government and the military authorities, especially the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor to fast track efforts in the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity by troops of “Operation Hadin Kai’ restore civil authority in Guzamala and Kukawa Local Government Headquarters which are still under the full control of Boko Haram.
Lawan stated this at the official flag off ceremony for distribution of Phase IV Scholarship worth N5 million to 446 indigenous students of Guzamala studying at various tertiary institutions after they were displaced by insurgents in the last six years.
The occasion which took place at the Kashim Ibrahim College of Education Multi -Purpose Hall in Maiduguri, was attended by traditional rulers, the academia, politicians and many displaced students from Guzamala.
Following activities of insurgents, Lawan who is the longest serving Speaker in Nigeria, initiated a scholarship scheme to deserving students which was coordinated by Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan Scholarship Committee (HALSC) chaired by Comrade Wakil Sheriff.
Addressing the gathering, the Speaker appreciated the efforts of the military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram and other criminalities in Borno and the North East in general.
He however said, “the entire Guzamala Local Government area where i hail from is still under the control of Boko Haram sect as there is no presence of troops or civilians as I speak, while in Kukawa which is the Council Headquarter, we only have presence of civilian population with no military presence.
“There is no single existence of civil authority in Guzamala, not to even talk of Military presence in the Council Headquarter and its surrounding communities, our people including our District Heads, stakeholders who are here with us are still taking refuge in camps and host communities located in Nganzai, Monguno and other neighbouring local government areas including Maiduguri metropolis for the last six years.
“Our people are desperate to go back home, it is unfortunate that this is not the first time I have been agitating for military presence in Guzamala and surrounding communities to enable my displaced people take the advantage of Governor Babagana Zulum’s move in Reconstruction and Resettlement, but to no avail. I insist that Guzamala is still a no -go -area”. He lamented.
While urging the benefitting students to take their studies seriously, Lawan pledged that the gesture is a continuous one, so as to enable most of the displaced students to meet their immediate school needs.
He therefore commended the chairman of the scholarship committee, Comrade Wakil Sheriff and his team for doing a thorough job during the selection process, which he noted, was devoid of political or ethnic consideration.
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The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Bukar Zanna appreciated the Lawmaker for giving hope to the hopeless, and solicited support and prayers for the Speaker to succeed in his political career, and for God to restore peace not only in Borno, but the country as a whole.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Scholarship Committee Chairman, Comrade Sheriff said, the Speaker has initiated a good number of physical projects that has direct bearing on the lives of the majority of the people, but could not actualize due to the unfortunate activities of Boko Haram that destroyed all communities, including means of livelihood in the council.
However, he intimated the guests that in the quest to support human capital development, and in accordance with the Borno State Government 25 – Year Development Plan of Governor Zulum, Rt. Hon Lawan has been giving stipend to indigenous students studying in various tertiary institutions within and outside the state and beyond as his constituency projects.
“Since our inauguration, which gave us the mandate to collect databases of students, scholarships have been awarded to over 350 students during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd phases. I am glad that today, we are witnessing the phase IV of the scholarship award to 446 students, consisting of 432 undergraduates and 14 post graduates.
“Among the beneficiaries of today’s scholarship award are 213 students from University of Maiduguri, 29 students from Borno State University and 7 students from other universities across the country.
“We also have 120 students from colleges of Education, Agriculture and Health, Mohammed Goni College of Law and Islamic Studies (MOGOLIS) and 77 students from Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri who are beneficiaries of this gesture today”. Sheriff said.
Apart from the scholarship, Sheriff informed that the Speaker under his Foundation has facilitated admission of indigenes to many tertiary institutions and ensures that tuition and other fees are paid for new students.
The Special Guest of Honour, Alhaji Mohammed Mustafa Kukawa, who is the Senior Special Assistant, SSA to Governor Zulum, said the gesture is apt, as it will alleviate the immediate economic hardship faced by students while in school.
In a goodwill message, numerous stakeholders including Umar Sheriff, a Lecturer from College of Agriculture in Maiduguri who benefited from the first batch of the scholarship scheme thanked the Speaker for his humanitarian assistance, and urged the students to use this golden opportunity in order to better their future.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of Awards to the Speaker as the ‘Best Humanitarian Lawmaker’ by various Student’s associations.
Borno Speaker wants Military restore civil authority in Guzamala, Kukawa LGAs from Boko Haram control
News
NAPPS decries multiple taxation in Adamawa, urges review
NAPPS decries multiple taxation in Adamawa, urges review
Nigeria Associate of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Adamawa Chapter has decried on multiple taxations by the State and Local government councils and urged review for education development in the state.
Malam Muhammad Musa, Chapter Chairman, stated this at the NAPPS Day 2025 and magazine lunching in Yola on Saturday with the theme “working the talk to build collaboration between the government and private education sector”.
He appreciated the state government commitment for the development of education in the state and urged for the review of local government taxes.
According to him, before private schools were paying N10,000 as a tax and now some LGAs jack it up to N150,000.
He added that the operation of private schools is not a business but provides services for education development in the state and country.
Musa said, NAPPS is the umbrella for all private schools and urged members to be united and cooperate with the ministry of education to succeed.
In his remarks, Malam Mustapha Midawa, Registre, Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola congratulated the Association and appreciated them for their contribution to education development in the state.
He urged NAPPS members to encourage their students to get all the requirements for admission into MAU as they were now offering all courses.
Mr Hassan Hassan, Area Commander National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Jimeta expressed the agency confidence that the synergy between the agency and NAPPS would pave the way for sensitising students on the danger of drug abuse.
Hassan, represented by Timothy Urum, Assistant Superintendent Narcotic said, the agency has been committed to ensure that the rate of drug abuse is eradicated in the state.
He said they were always ready to embark on sensitisation and awareness creation to pupils and students to understand the effect of drug abuse that led some young people to commit a crime.
The NAPPS also presented an award to some philanthropists for their outstanding performance in sponsoring orphans, scholarship and support to education development in the state.
NAPPS decries multiple taxation in Adamawa, urges review
Agriculture
Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution
Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off the distribution of critical agricultural inputs for the 2025/2026 dry season wheat farming.
The distributed inputs include high-yielding wheat seeds, blended fertilisers, tractors, and pesticides.
The event, held on Saturday at the Jere Bowl in Dusuman, Jere Local Government, marked the commencement of the Federal Government’s intervention programme for wheat cultivation in Nigeria.
The initiative is being implemented under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), a flagship programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security designed to empower farmers and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.

Governor Zulum, while addressing beneficiaries and stakeholders, noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s commitment to revitalising the agricultural sector.
He said, “Here in Borno State, wheat cultivation is not just a programme; it is a transformative initiative. Through targeted investments in irrigation, mechanisation, quality inputs, and extension services, we are equipping farmers to achieve higher yields, enhance productivity, and contribute meaningfully to national output.”

He further stated, “Borno State has achieved remarkable milestones under our people-centred agricultural vision. Our input support programmes have reached tens of thousands of smallholder farmers, resettled households, women, and youth, providing improved seeds, agrochemicals, and agronomic guidance.”
Zulum commended President Tinubu’s food security initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated, “Let me begin by acknowledging the steadfast leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has continued to champion transformative investments in agriculture across Nigeria.”

Zulum also said, “Mr President’s commitment to food security and national productivity provides the foundation upon which programmes like this are built.”
The governor expressed gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, noting, “I also express profound appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, His Excellency Senator Abubakar Kyari, for sustaining this national programme and for selecting Borno State as one of the priority locations for scaled wheat production.”
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, noted that 16 states will benefit from the NAGS-AP wheat component of the 2025/2026 season.
“Today, the wheat component of the NAG-AP programme covers 16 wheat-producing states of the federation. These are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara,” Sen Kyari said.
According to the minister, “for the current 2025/2026 season, the programme is targeting 80,000 registered farmers with an expected output value of approximately N160b.”
He added, “Out of the 40,000 hectares earmarked for wheat production, the 2025/2026 dry season, 3,000 hectares have been allocated to Borno State, representing 6,000 wheat farmers. This support will be followed by the second phase of the programme, which will promote the cultivation of other priority top value chains across the state.”
Delivering the welcome address, Borno’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr Bawu Musami, enumerated the achievements of the Zulum administration in the agricultural sector.
The commissioner stated that an ambitious South Sudan irrigation scheme and Baga Folders projects have been activated, with thousands of farmers cultivating a variety of produce.
The occasion was attended by the senator representating Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan; Member Representing Maiduguri at the House of Representatives, Abdulkadir Rahis; that of Marte, Monguno and Nganzai, Engr Bukar Talba.
Other dignitaries include the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi; the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira; the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution
Education
Adamawa, GPE open bid for 14 projects
Adamawa, GPE open bid for 14 projects
Adamawa Government with Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has opened a bid for 14 projects to upgrade Mega Science Technical School, Gulak to College of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Studies (COTIES).
Speaking at the bid opening, in Yola, Hajiya Aisha Umar, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, said the government was committed to ensuring due process was followed when contracting projects.
“That’s why we are here today, to at least show the world that we are doing the right thing.
“I’m expecting that the right people will be awarded the contract; those that are here, and those that complied with the rules and regulations,” she said.
Umar said that 45 companies have currently bidded for 15 categories of the projects.
Umar assured that they would observe transparency in selecting those that would do the contract.
In his remarks, Mr Faruq Adamu, Procurement Officer, identified the 14 projects as the construction of electro-mechanical services and perimeter fencing of Hong and Lamurde Mega Science Schools.
The construction of four Block of 80-Room Hostels with Porter’s Lodge, Common Room and toilets each are among the projects.
Others are the Construction of one Block of 4-Bedroom Bungalow with One-Bedroom Boys’ Quarters, and one Block of 3-Bedroom semi-detached Bungalow for Rector and Deputy Residences in Gulak.
Adamu added that fencing of Hong and Lamurde as well as additional Electro-Mechanical Services were among the work to be done.
Responding on behalf of the contractors, Mr Adamu Umar, appreciated the state government for following due process and transparency.
He assured that, as professionals, they would abide by all the guidelines for a successful business
Adamawa, GPE open bid for 14 projects
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