Governor Buni attends the funeral prayer of the late Emir of Tikau.

By: Yahaya Wakili

Governor Mai Mala Buni CON of Yobe State has today attended the funeral prayer for the late Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, at the Emir’s palace. Sabon Garin Nangere.

Governor Buni prayed to Almighty Allah to grant his soul eternal rest in Aljannatur Fidaus and grant his family and the entire people of the Tikau emirate council the fortitude to bear the loss.

He described the death of the Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, as a great loss to the emirate, the Yobe state, and Nigeria as a whole.

Emir’s and Chiefs, National Assembly members, members of the state assembly, commissioners, members of the business community, and others from within and outside the state also attended the funeral prayer.

The late Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, died on May 10, 2024, at the specialist hospital Potiskum after a protected illness.

Governor Buni attends the funeral prayer of the late Emir of Tikau

New York: Zulum advocates revival of Sambisa forest

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has advocated for the revival of the Sambisa forest which was affected by the over one decade old Boko Haram insurgency.

Zulum was speaking on Thursday in New York at the UN’s High-Level Segment Roundtable on: “Forest-based solutions to the triple planetary crises: A focus on people, science, technology, and finance.”

The governor said, “Borno State has been significantly impacted by the crisis of insecurity caused by Boko Haram insurgency which has led to widespread displacement of communities, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of livelihoods.”

He added, “the conflict has also exacerbated environmental degradation, including deforestation and loss of biodiversity in our major forest (Sambisa Forest), further exacerbating the vulnerabilities of our region.”

Furthermore, he stated, “the loss of forest cover has resulted in soil erosion, reduced water availability, loss of biodiversity and increased vulnerability to climate change impacts.”

Governor Zulum noted that the shrinking of Lake Chad, which was a vital source of water and livelihood for millions of people in the region, has been a direct consequence of climate change resulting from the incessant destruction of forests such as Sambisa.

According to the governor, deforestation in Borno State has been driven by a combination of factors, including population growth, agricultural expansion, unsustainable land use practices, need for energy and the impact of the conflict.

Zulum listed initiatives, including rehabilitation and restoration, community engagements, monitoring and evaluation and collaboration and partnership as measures to save the forest devastated by activities of terrorists.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawan, led the Nigerian delegation, which included the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and other officials.

New York: Zulum advocates revival of Sambisa forest

Zulum to Speak at UN Dialogue on Education Transformation in Africa

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum is among the dignitaries to speak at the 2024 Edition of the Africa Dialogue Series (ADS 2024), holding at the United Nations headquarters in New York, from May 6th to 24th, 2024.

According to a publication by the UN on its website, the programme titled “Africa Month” is to mobilise actions by leveraging science, technology and innovation to transform education in Africa. Governor Zulum, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Ms. Cristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Special Adviser on Africa, and many other stakeholders will be attending the dialogue.

This year’s dialogue series has the theme “Education through Science, Technology and Innovation toward the Africa We Want.” It will focus on obtaining a concerted Africa-centred policy shift needed to fast-track the transformation of the educational landscape on the continent.

The statement noted that the ADS 2024 will culminate with a High-level Policy Dialogue, including the participation of several ministers from African countries, Heads of Regional Economic Communities, young people, senior government and UN officials.

The statement added that the high-level segment will serve as a platform for in-depth exchanges, contributing policy recommendations to accelerate the continent’s progress toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mr. Faki Mahamat, will also participate in the High-level Policy Dialogue, and would be delivering closing messages to wrap up “Africa Month”.

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed and the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, will set the stage for the dialogue with their perspectives.

Zulum to Speak at UN Dialogue on Education Transformation in Africa