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FG To Build Houses, Clinics, Schools, Others In Tudun Biri
FG To Build Houses, Clinics, Schools, Others In Tudun Biri
- VP Shettima visits victims of drone misfire in Kaduna, Directs NEMA to provide adequate support
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has hinted at plans by the Federal Government to rebuild Tudun Biri village in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State which was hit by a misfire from drones belonging to the Nigerian military.
According to the VP, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that the Pullako Initiative should be kick-started in Kaduna State, with a complete package, including houses, clinics, schools, veterinary clinics, empowerment initiatives and solar energy, among others, in Tudun Biri community as a way of compensation for the destruction caused by the drone misfire.
The Vice President disclosed this on Thursday after visiting the victims of the drone misfire at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna State where some of the casualties, most of whom are women and children, are receiving treatment.
Senator Shettima also directed the Management of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise and provide adequate support to the victims of the tragedy in Tudun Biri village.
Announcing President Tinubu’s decision to rebuild the community, VP Shettima who spoke at a meeting with leaders and other stakeholders of the community said, “Most importantly, the President approved the commencement of the Pullako Initiative by next month. The Pullako Initiative is the President’s unique response as a non-kinetic approach to the challenges in the North West.
“Beneficiary states are Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and for the purpose of equity and justice, we deliberately included Niger and Benue States.
“Actually, our intent was to kick off the programme in Sokoto, but in the light of recent development, the President directed that the Pullako Initiative should be kick-started here in Kaduna State. And Tudun Biri will be the first beneficiary of that scheme. We are going to build houses that will complement the efforts of the Right Honorable Speaker.
“But ours is a complete package as well, including houses, clinics, schools, veterinary clinics, empowerment initiatives and solar energy. It’s a complete package of solutions as a non-kinetic response to the problems of banditry and kidnapping in the North West.”
The Vice President also noted that President Tinubu is worried about the tragic incident, just as he pointed out that away from the number of casualties, it is gruesome to lose even one life.
Taking a leaf from the late Dele Giwa, VP Shettima said, “I am here because the President is deeply concerned. He was deeply touched by what happened. As the late Dele Giwa rightly said, let’s not talk about the numbers; ‘one life taken in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in a pogrom’.
“The heart of the President is with the bereaved families. We were in the hospital to sympathise with the victims and be rest assured that the federal government stands by the community affected, the government and the people of Kaduna State on this unfortunate incident.
“It is already directed by Mr President and an investigation is being conducted, to prevent a recurrence of the incident and we expect a report to be submitted in the shortest possible time,” said the Vice President.
Senator Shettima thanked religious leaders and elders of the community for not yielding to what he described as a plot to politicise the incident in an attempt to inflame passions.
“I want to register our profound gratitude to our religious leaders, to our community leaders, who have served as stabilizing forces in this trying moment. Efforts were made to politicise, to inflame passions, but our leaders chose to err on the part of decency, on the part of moderation, on the part of maturity, and I cannot but thank you most profoundly.
“Incidentally, among them are two of my friends, Dr. Imam Tukur and Sheikh Al-Misri. They are my very good friends and I want to thank you,” he noted.
Earlier at the hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Shuaibu Musa, told Vice President Shettima who was at the health facility to commiserate with victims of the drone misfire, that the hospital received 71 victims with different degrees of injuries.
He said some of the casualties have been referred to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.
The Vice President, in the company of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; the state Governor, Uba Sani; APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Minister of Defence, Ibrahim Badaru and other senior government officials, moved from bed to bed consoling victims of the attack, while receiving briefings on the health condition of each of the patients on their hospital bed.
Shettima, who battled to hold back tears from rolling out of his eyes, directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure that the victims get adequate relief materials.
FG To Build Houses, Clinics, Schools, Others In Tudun Biri
Rayyan Microfinance Bank unveiled by Zulum
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has unveiled Rayyan Microfinance Bank, headquartered in Maiduguri, the state capital on Sunday.
Rayyan Bank chaired by Dr Usman Shettima is an Ethically Compliant Digital Bank that offers non-interest financing which is an insignia of Islamic banking to rural communities.
With a commitment to ethical compliance practices, the bank also provides a comprehensive range of banking solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals and businesses.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held in Forshams Event Centre, Maiduguri, Zulum emphasised that the bank is a critical tool for building resilience and fostering self-reliance among the people of Borno.
He highlighted its projected role in providing the financial backbone communities need to rebuild livelihoods affected by years of insurgency.
“Microfinance banks are crucial for driving financial inclusion, reducing poverty and promoting economic growth through providing accessible financial services such as small loans, savings accounts and insurance amongst others to low income individuals who don’t have access to traditional banking systems in Nigeria.
“I want to commend the vision and tenacity of the chairman and members of this very important bank, I also want to assure you that the government, under my leadership, will partner with you to promote the ideals of the non-interest banking system which is very important to our economy.” said Zulum
Demonstrating Borno State government’s confidence in the new institution, Zulum directed the State Ministry of Finance to immediately open an account with Rayyan Microfinance Bank.
Following the unveiling, the Governor formally presented the bank to the public, urging residents, cooperatives, and business owners to utilise its services to grow their businesses, support local enterprises, and contribute to the state’s economic resurgence.
The event featured keynote addresses and lectures by the academia, regulatory agencies, religious scholars, and other stakeholders, highlighting the potential of non-interest banking to promote ethical investments and foster inclusive economic growth.
Rayyan Microfinance Bank unveiled by Zulum
Troops neutralise notorious kidnap kingpin in Jama’a LGA, Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have neutralised a notorious kidnapping kingpin, Amadu, during a raid in Malafiya town, Atiku Ward of Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sources said that Amadu was the leader of a criminal syndicate terrorising Malafiya and surrounding communities with crimes ranging from kidnapping and cattle rustling to armed robbery.
According to the sources, Amadu had been on the most-wanted lists of security agencies and was linked to several high-profile crimes in the area, including the killing of a businessman in September 2025 and an attempted abduction of a prominent local figure’s relative.
The sources said that following credible intelligence on the gang’s hideout, troops conducted a raid on Jan. 25, 2026, to apprehend the remaining criminal elements. During the operation, there was an exchange of fire between the troops and the suspects.
“In the course of the engagement, Amadu attempted to escape and was neutralised. A search of the scene led to the recovery of a locally made pistol,” the sources said.
The sources added that the general area has since been calm, while clearance and confidence-building patrols have been intensified to prevent a resurgence of criminal activities.
Troops neutralise notorious kidnap kingpin in Jama’a LGA, Kaduna
IBUAM: A New Chapter in University Education, Changing the Phase of the Aviation Industry
By: Balami Lazarus
The quest and search for knowledge by men is an unending process, a continuous tense as long as humans live here on the mother planet. Therefore, the quest and thirst for knowledge is like mwala in the Bura dialect, which simply means to dig continuously.
For some decades Nigerian educational space has experienced growth and progress in her university system. The emergence of universities to cater to the educational needs of the citizens is clear evidence that there are positive changes in the system. It has also brought improvements and innovations, walking like a giant with nobility robes in the gown of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom provided by the ivory tower.
Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic Management (IBUAM) is one university that was established recently in the bustling Centre of Excellence, Lagos. Registered and licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The aviation sector, I have observed, is what many lack understanding of. For some, it starts and ends with airports, aircraft, and pilots. But for Isaac David Balami, it begins with aeronautic and management knowledge provided by his university.
Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic Management (IBUAM) is the first of its kind in the aviation industry/educational landscape of our nation. IBUAM is beginning to change and impart on the aviation industry through academic courses offered at the university.
IBUAM disciplines are in aeronautics and management as its academic training. Its objective, therefore, is to train students in aeronautics, engineering, and aviation management and techniques. To further equip students with “skills in aviation operations and airline management.”
Some courses at IBUAM are aerospace engineering, mechatronics engineering, and aviation operations/airline management, among others.
Isaac David Balami is an aeronautic engineer, aviation expert, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Isaac has also distinguished himself in union leadership of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
IBUAM: A New Chapter in University Education, Changing the Phase of the Aviation Industry
Rayyan Microfinance Bank unveiled by Zulum
Troops neutralise notorious kidnap kingpin in Jama’a LGA, Kaduna
Army troops thwarted attack by bandits in Qua’an Pan, Plateau, recover AK-47 after gun battle
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