Zulum Meets UN, British, EU, U.S. and Swiss Diplomats

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Friday, met with United Nations Resident Coordinator, senior diplomats and development partners behind closed doors at the British High Commission in Abuja.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery; the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot; the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff; and the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Keith Heffern, attended the high-level meeting.

The strategic engagement was part of an ongoing effort by the Borno State Government and key international partners to strengthen the region’s recovery, stabilization, and long-term development.

Two senior officials from the British High Commission, Abigail Wood, First Secretary (Humanitarian), and Steven Robinson, First Secretary (Lake Chad Basin) also attended the meeting.

Governor Zulum has consistently worked with the United Nations and Nigeria’s international partners to support the state’s post-conflict recovery agenda, which focuses on rebuilding communities, increasing access to education and healthcare, restoring livelihoods, and consolidating peace across conflict-affected areas.

The Governor was accompanied by the acting Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Malumbe and Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Malam Gana.

Zulum Meets UN, British, EU, U.S. and Swiss Diplomats

Zulum’s Aide Bundi Wins National Digital Communication Award

By: Michael Mike

Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications to Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, has emerged winner of the Digital Communication category at the 2026 National Spokesperson Awards (NSAwards), earning national recognition for his contributions to government communication and digital media engagement.

Bundi received notification of the award in a letter dated July 13 while overseeing the editorial production of Governor Zulum’s flagship publication, The 7th Verdict.

The organisers said Bundi emerged victorious after a highly competitive selection process described as one of the toughest since the awards were established.

According to the award organisers, 171 nominations were received across all categories. Following an initial screening, 91 entries met the required benchmarks for clarity of objectives, measurable impact and verifiable evidence, including media coverage, digital visibility and documented communication outcomes. A second round of evaluation narrowed the field to 42 finalists across 16 award categories.

The seven-member jury, chaired by Professor Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, assessed finalists based on four key parameters—impact, innovation and originality, audience reach, and the quality of supporting evidence. Bundi beat other finalists, including UNILORIN TV, to claim the Digital Communication Award.

The National Spokesperson Awards, organised annually by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokespersons Digest, is regarded as Nigeria’s leading platform for recognising excellence in public communication, media relations, reputation management and strategic stakeholder engagement across government, corporate and non-profit sectors.

Bundi’s latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours earned by Governor Zulum’s media team. He was appointed Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications in January 2025 after serving as Special Assistant on New Media between 2019 and 2023 and Senior Special Assistant on New Media from 2023 until his elevation.

He had also previously received awards on behalf of the Borno State Governor’s Media Team, including recognition at the 2023 Spokespersons’ Communication Awards.

The latest honour is expected to further strengthen Borno State’s reputation for leveraging digital platforms to communicate government policies, humanitarian interventions, reconstruction efforts and development programmes under Governor Zulum’s administration, which has consistently maintained a strong presence across traditional and digital media.

Zulum’s Aide Bundi Wins National Digital Communication Award

Amotekun operative arrested after accidental fatal shooting in Oyo

By: Zagazola Makama

An operative of the Amotekun Corps has been arrested following the accidental fatal shooting of a man during an attempt to arrest two persons involved in a violent altercation in Saki area of Oyo State.

Police sources said the incident occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Ayemojuba Kosigi Village, via Saki.

The matter was reported to the Saki Police Division on Friday by Abdullahi Dogo, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Fulani association in Saki, who said two men of Fulani extraction, whose identities are yet to be established, engaged in a cutlass fight.

According to the report, an Amotekun operative, identified as Abdulafeez Alabi, allegedly discharged his firearm accidentally while attempting to arrest the two men, fatally hitting one of them.

The victim died at the scene, while the second individual was not reported to have been injured.

Police arrested the Amotekun operative and recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel gun as well as one expended cartridge from the scene.

The suspect is in police custody, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.

Amotekun operative arrested after accidental fatal shooting in Oyo