VP Shettima Departs Abuja For 69th ECOWAS Summit in Freetown

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Senator Shettima will join other political and business leaders across West Africa and beyond at the Summit scheduled to take place at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre, Freetown, today, July 19, 2026.

The summit is expected to focus on key policy decisions, strategic resolutions, and reaffirm the leaders’ collective commitment to peace, democracy, economic growth, and regional integration.

A part of the ECOWAS Mid-Year statutory meeting, the summit will bring together Heads of State and Government, Ministers, senior officials and regional institutions to advance the Community’s shared priorities of security, democratic governance, economic integration, trade, infrastructure and sustainable development.

The Vice President will return to Abuja at the conclusion of his engagements in the West African nation.

VP Shettima Departs Abuja For 69th ECOWAS Summit in Freetown

Buni approves N74 billion for projects in Yobe

By: Yahaya wakili

The Yobe State Executive Council has approved the sum of ₦73,323,775,914.05 billion for various projects and services across the state.

In its meeting held today, presided over by His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni. The council approved the sum of ₦28.531 billion for the procurement of agricultural tools and implements for the mega agriculture empowerment program of Governor Mai Mala Buni for the year 2026.

The council has also ratified ₦4.939 billion for the construction of the Buni-Yadi modern motor park and grains market. In addition, the sum of ₦5.687 billion was approved by the council for external facilities and augmentation of the perimeter fence at the Damaturu modern motor park.

The state executive council also approved 3.945 billion for the construction of a new shopping mall and mini-market in Buni-Gari town. The council also ratified ₦ 652 million for the acquisition of Fanzar Mixed Farms Limited.

The sum of 3.424 billion has been approved by the council for the construction of an office complex/HQ for the Ministry of Housing and the purchase of 208 housing units from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

The council also approved the sum of 1.342 billion for upgrading, remodeling, landscaping, and installing safety barriers for four major roundabouts in the Damaturu metropolis and some upgrades in the ongoing construction of the Damaturu mega shopping mall, respectively.

The state executive council has also approved the sum of 460.828 million for the procurement of beans for distribution to female small business owners as empowerment support. In addition, a total of 1,780 bags of 50 kg of beans will also be distributed to beneficiaries, as well as the sum of 364.475 million for the procurement of 1,000 units of Yamaha GX 390 grinding machines for empowerment support to people across the state.

The sum of 23.974 billion was ratified by the council for two major road projects. These include $21.904 billion for the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 45 km Kalallawa-Kaliyari road in Damaturu and Tarmuwa local government areas and $2.070 billion for the construction of the 7 km Damagum-Gubana road. The project completes 17 km of road to Gubana town from Damagum.

Buni approves N74 billion for projects in Yobe

Borno: Emir, District Heads, Stakeholders Endorse Ali Isa Abdullahi as APC Deputy Governorship Candidate

By: Our Reporter

The Emir of Biu, Alhaji Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, alongside all the 27 District Heads and key stakeholders from the Biu Emirate, have unanimously endorsed the nomination of Alhaji Ali Isa Abdullahi as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Governorship Candidate and running mate to the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Engineer Mustapha Gubio, for the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was made on Saturday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House, Maiduguri.

The meeting was presided over by Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, also had in attendance former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Adamu Shettima Yuguda Dibal; APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori; Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume; Senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan (SAN); members of the National Assembly; Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly and other lawmakers.

Also present were former National Assembly members, Secretary to the State Government, acting Chief of Staff; members of the APC State Working Committee, commissioners, local government chairmen, party stalwarts, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

The Emir of Biu described Ali Isa Abdullahi as a true son of Biu and dismissed claims questioning his indigene.

“We want to also use this opportunity to dismiss unnecessary speculations that Ali Isa Abdullahi is not an indigene of Biu,” the Emir stated.

“As the Emir of Biu, my house is just 50 meters away from the family house of Ali Isa Abdullahi located in Tashan Danfulani. We have been together with their parents, siblings and relations for decades.”

“We are here at the Government House, Your Excellency, to extend our heartfelt appreciation to you for choosing one of our own, Alhaji Ali Isa Abdullahi, as the Deputy Governorship Candidate for Borno in the 2027 general elections.”

“We are behind you 100%. The good choice you took is a welcome development, and we have no doubt that our son is capable of being paired with the APC Governorship Candidate to consolidate on the gains and achievements recorded under your good leadership as you complete your second tenure come May 2027.”

The Emir also urged residents of the Emirate and the state to disregard misinformation, particularly on social media, warning that false narratives could undermine unity, social cohesion and the fragile peace being enjoyed in Borno State.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum thanked the Emir, district heads and stakeholders for their show of solidarity and support.

“I am highly delighted, Your Royal Highness and all other stakeholders, for finding time to come all the way from your comfort zones to offer your collective appreciation to me and the Government of Borno State for endorsing your son, Alhaji Ali Isa Abdullahi, as running mate to our gubernatorial candidate, Engineer Mustapha Gubio.”

The governor attributed the emergence of the APC ticket to divine providence and called on party supporters to remain united ahead of the 2027 elections.

“It is God that gives power to whom He wishes, and therefore, let me use this medium to call on the people of the Emirate and Borno State as a whole to unite and give everyone their maximum support and cooperation to ensure victory for the APC from top to bottom come the 2027 general elections.”

Governor Zulum stressed that unity remained essential for sustaining peace and development in the state.

“We should be wary of divisiveness among our people. This will bring further disunity, instability and underdevelopment in our dear state.”

“I am not against any person emerging as the deputy gubernatorial candidate. However, his emergence was a product of proper consultation with Engineer Mustapha Gubio, who has worked closely with Alhaji Ali Abdullahi at the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement,” Zulum stressed.

Before his nomination as the APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Ali Isa Abdullahi served as the Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Borno: Emir, District Heads, Stakeholders Endorse Ali Isa Abdullahi as APC Deputy Governorship Candidate