Boko Haram: Zulum meets COAS, says the worst is over

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has stated that the worst of Boko Haram insurgency is over, even as he acknowledged recent surges in attacks by the terrorist group.

Governor Zulum made the statement on Wednesday during a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Shuaibu Waidi, in Maiduguri.

Zulum, while delivering his remarks at the meeting, further explained his statement by reflecting on the more escalated security situation the state had previously endured. He stated that compared to the peak of the crisis years ago, the current security landscape, despite recent setbacks, shows significant improvement.

Zulum also called on the people of Borno State to continue giving their necessary cooperation and support to the military and other security agencies. He emphasised that the war against terrorism requires a collective effort, urging residents to be vigilant and provide timely intelligence to security operatives to prevent attacks and ensure a lasting return to peace in the state.

“Yes, we have witnessed a series of attacks on our communities and the security forces, but the worst is over; we shall continue to collaborate and provide the needed intelligence to our security forces to bring this madness to an end,” Zulum said.

“The frequency and scale of attacks on our communities then were overwhelming. Today, while we grieve any single setback, we can also see that the worst is indeed behind us. The trajectory is towards peace, and we are committed to sustaining it,” he added.

Zulum commiserated with the Nigerian Army over the recent tactical setbacks across the theatre. He praised the sacrifice and bravery of the officers and soldiers, describing them as heroes who, in some cases, pay the ultimate price for the nation’s security.

“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I wish to reiterate that we stand with the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Armed Forces. We will not take their sacrifice for granted,” the governor said.

Also speaking, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Waidi, while giving the assurance of the Army headquarters to provide necessary logistics to the troops, also commended Governor Zulum for his support to the armed forces.

He said, “I want to most sincerely, on behalf of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army, extend our appreciation to His Excellency for visiting us at a time like this. We appreciate your support in Borno.”

He added, “We have confidence in our society here in the theatre and from the Army headquarters, we will provide all the necessary resources needed to ensure they achieve their mission.”

The meeting was attended by the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, Special Adviser on Security, Brigadier General Abdullaho Ishaq (Rtd) and other senior government officials.

Boko Haram: Zulum meets COAS, says the worst is over

Nigeria’s Keziah Jones Performs in Saudi Arabia at SAFAR Concert

By: Michael Mike

The Saudi Museums Commission, one of 11 sectors under the Ministry of Culture, has presented Nigerian singer-songwriter Keziah Jones at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax (SAMoCA), as part of its SAFAR live music programme.

Performing in Riyadh for the first time, Jones captivated audiences with his distinctive ‘Blufunk’ sound, a fusion of blues, funk, and global influences in a set that was both high-energy and deeply resonant.

Known for his exceptional guitar work, distinct rhythms, and magnetic stage presence, Jones entertained the lively crowd by effortlessly moving between driving funk grooves tosoulful blues passages and moments of intimate storytelling.

The Blufunk pioneer’s setlist blended fan favourites with improvisational flourishes, drawing on his Yoruba heritage while incorporating elements of soul, jazz, and rock.

Jones’s Riyadh debut drew an enthusiastic audience, with many experiencing his genre-defying sound for the first time. The evening embodied SAFAR’s mission to present diverse musical voices and foster cross-cultural dialogue through live music.

SAMoCA at Jax launched the SAFAR concert series on 28 October with an electric concert by French musical collective Bon Entendeur. Known for blending electronic / electro-chillsounds with disco, funk, and hip-hop influences, the groupdelivered a captivating performance.

The SAFAR programme continues with multimedia duo Love & Revenge, returning to the city with their unique blend of music and cinematic visuals. They will deliver a workshop on Sunday 7 December, before performing at the SAMoCA at JAX Outdoor Arena on Monday 8 December at 9:00 PM.

The audio-visual duo will perform Agmal Layali, a bold reimagining of Oum Kalthoum’s timeless legacy, marking the 50th anniversary of her passing. Agmal Layali remixes some of Oum Kalthoum’s most iconic pieces with contemporary electronic music, layered with cinematic visuals for a multisensory experience.

Love & Revenge’s performance bridges Oum Kalthoum’sunique, emotionally driven artistry with modern soundscapes, creating a cultural dialogue that introduces the Queen of Tarab to new generations while celebrating the Arab world’s cultural heritage.
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Femi Falana Charges Youths to Defend Their Future, Hold Leaders Accountable

… Receives SAM Title from UNIAbuja Law Students

By: Michael Mike

Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana has challenged Nigerian students and youths to take responsibility for defending their own future and holding leaders accountable for the country’s growing inequality and governance failures.

Speaking on Thursday during the conferment of honorary title of “Senior Advocate of the Masses” on him by the law students of the University of Abuja, Falana
expressed disappointment at what he described as the growing apathy among Nigerian youths toward national issues, contrasting it with the activism and courage that defined students of his generation.

He said: “I hardly want to go to campuses these days to address students, because I have come to the conclusion that Nigerian youths are not prepared to fight for their own future.

“When we were undergraduates, we had dreams and we fought to create a future for ourselves.”

He however lamented that corruption and mismanagement had crippled opportunities once available to young Nigerians, recalling how graduates in his time were guaranteed jobs even before completing their studies.

He reminisced that: “Before we wrote our final exams, employers came to our campuses to recruit us.

“By the time you finished your youth service, you had four or five job offers with car and housing loans waiting.”

Citing recent revelations by the National Assembly that over N210 trillion could not be accounted for in the books of government agencies, Falana wondered why such news had not provoked outrage among young Nigerians.

He said: “I read a story last week, which in our case, would have forced us to surround the National Assembly.

“Last week, the National Assembly revealed that above N210 trillion cannot be explained. That is enough to pay the nation’s humongous debts, create job opportunities for all of us, pay all our loans that have become debt traps, and give us hospitals without having to travel abroad.”

He added that: “And I’m challenging you, because we are going to take up that matter. But I’m here. So we are going to cross-fertilise ideas.”

Falana also used the opportunity to examine recent national controversies, including the altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a military officer in Abuja.

The newly decorated SAM, while condemning the officer’s obstruction of the minister’s statutory duties, however faulted the minister’s use of abusive language, saying public officials must respect citizens’ dignity.

Falana reminded law students of their moral and professional obligation to defend the oppressed and insist on accountability from those in power.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly matters (House of Representatives) Hon. Ibrahim Olarewaju, had, in his goodwill message, described Mr. Falana as one of the best things that ever happened to legal profession in Nigeria.

Olarewaju recounted his personal experience working under Falana, recalling how the Senior Advocate’s open-door policy and commitment to nurturing young lawyers left an indelible mark on generations of practitioners.

He said: “Mr Falana will give you every opportunity you desire in life. You call him once, he picks your call. Even as busy as he is, he finds time to mentor and guide.

“He’s one man who grows people to the height they want.”

He also reminisced about Falana’s long-standing relationship with Nigerian students, narrating an incident from 1997 at the University of Ilorin when students defied restrictions to host the fiery lawyer for a lecture.

He said: “We blocked all entrances to the university because we wanted to see him. The government didn’t want Falana to speak, but we insisted. When he finally arrived, the police had no choice but to let him in. “That day, we made history.”

The Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, described Falana renowned human rights activism as a “rallying point of justice in Nigeria” and “an immortal figure in the fight for social equity.”

Abugu commented Falana for his lifelong dedication to defending the rights of the downtrodden and promoting justice beyond the courtroom.

He noted that his interventions had restored hope to countless Nigerians, especially students unjustly treated by authorities.

He lauded the veteran lawyer’s humility and commitment to mentorship.

President of Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Uniabuja chapter, Muhammed Akingbolu, disclosed that the conferment of SAM on Femi Falana, was in recognition of his decades-long commitment to justice and public interest litigation.

He made the disclosure in his remarks during the Faculty’s 2024/2025 Legal Year Opening Ceremony in Abuja on Thursday.

The event was attended by legal practitioners, academics, and students who gathered to celebrate Falana’s enduring legacy in Nigerian jurisprudence and activism.

The LAWSAN President described Falana as a becon of hope, justice and a rare legal mind whose life embodies courage, humility, and mentorship.

Femi Falana Charges Youths to Defend Their Future, Hold Leaders Accountable