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Democracy Day: Borno Speaker expresses distress over inability of military to restore civil authority in Guzamala LG

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Democracy Day: Borno Speaker expresses distress over inability of military to restore civil authority in Guzamala LG

By Ndahi Marama

The Speaker, Borno House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan has expressed deep grieve over the inability of the Nigerian Military and other security agencies to restore civil authority or return back thousands of people hitherto displaced by insurgents for the past 10 years to Guzamala local government headquarters.

The Speaker who also hails from Guzamala disclosed this on Wednesday while delivering his goodwill message at the celebration of the Democracy Day which took place at Ramat Square in Maiduguri, the state capital.

He said, although relative peace has been restored in many parts of the state, in which, Governor Babagana Zulum with support from members of the House of Assembly and other stakeholders, are relentlessly providing dividends of democracy at all levels, Guzamala Local Government Area in Northern part of the state, including Abadam council area have been denied all the opportunity, as they continue witness ‘zero- project’ for over decade.

Recall that Governor Zulum inaugurated a resettlement committee on 4th July 2022 to reconstruct and resettle the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Gudumbali town which is the headquarter of Guzamala LGA of Borno State.

Governor Zulum had charged the Nigerian Army to recapture the town to enable the ongoing rebuilding and resettlement process, but to no avail.

Also lamenting, the Speaker said, “I have been appealing to the Federal Government and the military time without numbers to restore civil authority in Guzamala Council area, but all my plea to the military and other security agencies failed woefully.

“As long as we appreciate the good efforts put in place by Governor Zulum and the cordial working relationship that exists between the Executives, Legislature and the Judiciary in transforming all hitherto liberated communities in Borno, especially in the area of construction of roads, schools, hospitals, houses, provision of Agricultural inputs, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of our displaced people, poverty alleviation, jobs creation among others, the people of Guzamala and Abadam local government council have recorded zero-project for over decade due to its inaccessibility by civilians.

“Even Kukawa local government area where there are presence of civil authority, there is no presence of military or any security operatives in Kukawa Council headquarters, and that is why the resilient people living inside Kukawa town were served with a warning or threatened letters recently by ISWAP terrorists to vacate the town or risks their lives.

“As we celebrate the 2024 Democracy Day, I want to reiterate my appeal to the federal government under the leadership of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Military authorities to restore civil authority in Guzamala Council and other inaccessible areas, so that our displaced people taking refuge in Niger Republic or those living in host communities of Maiduguri metropolis and Gajiram, Monguno local government areas should go back to their ancestral homes and pick up their pieces”. Speaker Lawan stated.

Earlier in his address, the Acting Governor, Dr. Umar Kadafur informed the gathering that a committee set up under the Chairmanship of the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugum Mai Mele, and the Multi National Joint Task Force, MNJTF are working round the clock to restore normalcy and relocate back displaced people of Guzamala to their ancestral homes, Government will expediate action to resettle all Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs back to their communities before the end of its tenure.

He also said, in the spirit of the Democracy Day, 10 prisoners were pardoned, even as the state government is doing everything possible to restore the relative peace in the entire state and continue providing infrastructural development across the 27 local government areas.

Democracy Day: Borno Speaker expresses distress over inability of military to restore civil authority in Guzamala LG

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Borno: Primary School Teachers Jubilate as N70k Minimum Wage Hit Accounts

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Borno: Primary School Teachers Jubilate as N70k Minimum Wage Hit Accounts

… Zulum pays the best wage in Northeast so far -NLC

By: Michael Mike

Thousands of primary school teachers in Borno State were thrown into excitement on Friday when Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, approved the implementation of N70,000 minimum wage.

This was one week after the N70k minimum wage was paid to civil servants working for Borno State Government for their October salaries.

The new salary hit the accounts of primary school teachers on Thursday as many posted screenshots of their alerts on different social media platforms.

Zulum announced the approval of the pay rise for workers in the state on October 10 in a meeting with the minimum wage implementation committee members. During this meeting, he also approved N3 billion for the payment of entitlements to families of civil servants that died in Borno State.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress, Borno State Chapter, has described the minimum wage paid by Borno State government as the best so far in the northeast region.

The Chairman of NLC, Comr Inuwa Yusuf, made the commendation last week in Maiduguri.

“Let me also join in commending the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for serving our people, especially the workers,” Comr Yusuf reiterated.

He added, “After a series of meetings, we harmonised the wage table which was applied in the last couple of days. Our members (civil servants ) have called in and expressed their gratitude. We felt it was a very nice one, and we believe other states in the northeast can not be better than us; we have seen what a few other States have paid, and we don’t know of other states that will pay later as now, our state is leading. We have to commend His Excellency for this giant stride.”

Borno: Primary School Teachers Jubilate as N70k Minimum Wage Hit Accounts

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China Reiterates Commitment to Promoting Cultural Exchange with Nigeria

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China Reiterates Commitment to Promoting Cultural Exchange with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Director of the China Cultural Center in Nigeria (CCCN), Mr Yang Jianxing has reiterated the interest of the Chinese government to promoting cultural exchange with Nigeria, noting that the cultural fiesta organised in the country by China is aimed at achieving this.

Yang, the Director of CCCN, said this at the opening of the 12th China-Nigeria Culture Fiesta 2024 Dancing Competition hosted by the center in Abuja.

The cultural fiesta was organised by the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB) in conjunction with the CCCN to enhance people to people communication with both countries (China and Nigeria)

Yang said that culture is the foundation of national development and the driving force of social progress, adding that China and Nigeria are cultural giants with a long history.

He also noted that the fiesta aims to build understanding of Chinese culture and people and to promote China-Nigeria friendship.

He said culture plays an important role in the historical process of national independence and revitalisation, adding that the China Embassy in Nigeria, and the Cultural Centre have been working with FCT Secondary Education to jointly hold China-Nigeria Cultural Fiesta.

On his part, the Director/Secretary FCT SEB,
Dr Mohammed Ladan expressed his appreciation to the Cultural Counselor and the Chinese Embassy for sponsoring the event annually and providing prizes to the schools.

Ladan represented by Fatima Babba
Director Co-curricular, said that the event has been going on annually for more than a decade.

“The event showcases Nigerian and Chinese Arts in the form of dances, thereby promoting cultural exchange between the duo and the 12 Chinese Corner Students.

“This annual event is significant to our schools because it provides an avenue for the students to socialise and at the same time earn very good prizes that have been helpful to the schools.

“Our collaboration has been of mutual benefit and we look forward to more beneficial cooperation,” Ladan said.

She said SEB would continue to promote Chinese Culture in FCT schools and Nigeria as a whole, thereby improving cultural exchange in the 51 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations,” Babba said.

China Reiterates Commitment to Promoting Cultural Exchange with Nigeria

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Saudi Arabia Ramps Up Humanitarian Efforts To Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan

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Saudi Arabia Ramps Up Humanitarian Efforts To Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan

By: Michael Mike

Saudi Arabia has ramped up humanitarian efforts to Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan in order to bring succour to those affected by ongoing crises in the three areas.

A statement on Thursday by the Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria read that: “As conflict, economic hardship, and displacement continue to impact millions of people in Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), has intensified its humanitarian efforts, delivering critical aids to vulnerable populations in order to face challenges with renewed hope and resilience.

“In Gaza, where humanitarian needs have reached critical levels as a result of Israeli war, KSrelief has launched one of its most extensive relief campaigns to date. Over 54 aid planes and 8 ships have been dispatched, loaded with emergency food, medical supplies, shelter materials, and a wide range of logistical support items.

“Among the specific aid resources are 20 ambulances, 30 electricity generators, and 10 water tanks, all designed to provide immediate relief to those affected by ongoing Israel war on Gaza. Additionally, KSrelief has distributed 39,200 ready-to-eat meals to help meet immediate nutritional needs for families facing severe food shortages. This operation includes specialised provisions and support for displaced individuals, offering a comprehensive response to the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

The statement added that: “Furthering its commitment, Saudi Arabia has allocated over $80 million to support long-term aid projects in Gaza. These funds, channeled through partnerships with major international organisations such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian Refugees, the World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Palestinian Red Crescent Society, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), target critical sectors including food security, health, water and sanitation, shelter, and emergency response. This funding aims to create sustainable support systems that will continue to aid Gaza’s population even after immediate crisis relief has been delivered, laying the foundation for longer-term recovery.

“In Lebanon, where an economic collapse has placed immense pressure on innocent civilians, KSrelief has increased its humanitarian outreach to alleviate hardship. KSrelief’s twenty aid plane arrived in Beirut, carrying essential food, medical, and shelter supplies to provide relief to vulnerable communities across the country. Lebanon’s economic crisis due to Israel air strikes has led to widespread shortages in food, fuel, and healthcare services, impacting millions and worsening living conditions.

“Saudi Arabia’s aid to Lebanon, managed through KSrelief, also includes targeted support for medical facilities, with critical supplies directed towards hospitals and healthcare centers strained by resource shortages. KSrelief’s strategic efforts align with the Kingdom’s broader vision of fostering stability in the Middle East, addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and providing resources to bolster Lebanon’s health and food security systems.”

In Sudan with the country grapples with the effects of prolonged conflict and displacement, KSrelief has sent 13 planes and 31 relief vessels loaded with vital resources, including food supplies, health equipment, shelter materials, and other essential non-food items.

The statement said: “This aid, totaling over $118 million, underscores Saudi Arabia’s dedication to supporting Sudanese families affected by instability and ensuring that they have access to critical resources needed for survival and recovery.

“In addition to delivering emergency relief, KSrelief has implemented programmes designed to address Sudan’s food security and health infrastructure needs, supporting local healthcare facilities and nutrition programmes for vulnerable populations. Volunteer initiatives and logistical support programmes coordinated by KSrelief further strengthen the Kingdom’s response, as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a reliable partner in Sudan’s path to recovery.”

Saudi Arabia Ramps Up Humanitarian Efforts To Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan

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