News
Former Minister Appointed SSG in Borno
Former Minister Appointed SSG in Borno
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has appointed the former Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development under the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Mallam Bukar Tijani as the Secretary to Borno State Government (SSG).
The governor also reappointed Prof Isa Marte as his Chief of Staff.
The two appointments were announced by the Governor’s spokesman Mallam Isa Gusau in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The statement noted that Zulum considered Tijani’s very high level experience from his services as minister from July, 2011 to September, 2013 and as Assistant Secretary-General/Assistant Director-General (ASG/ADG) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
Tijani, according to the statement, through both offices and other national positions such as being the national coordinator for Nigeria’s National programme for Agriculture and Food Security as well as his coordination of the World Bank’s Fadama project, visited about 50 countries for different official engagements and made significant contributions to the development of agriculture and food security in Nigeria, Africa and at the global level.
62-year old Tijani was born in Damasak but hails from Dikwa local government area of Borno State.
The former minister holds a Master of Science (degree) in Tropical Agricultural Development from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, obtained in 1989.
Before that, he obtained his Bachelor of Science (degree) in Plant and Soil Science from 1982 to 1984 at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama, United States of America (USA).
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Isa Hussaini Marte is making a return as he occupied the same office before the dissolution of the last cabinet on the expiration of the first tenure of the governor.
Professor Marte hails from Marte local government area of Borno State, and before his appointment on August 17, 2020, had previously served as Borno State’s commissioner for Higher Education from August 2019 . He also served as overseeing commissioner of health in 2021 while being chief of staff. He held both positions under the Zulum administration.
Marte is a professor of pharmacology with specialty in cancer research and he is a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, member of the Society for Neuroscience, member of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and member of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria amongst others.
Marte holds a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in pharmacology from King’s College London in 1987. He holds Masters Degree in pharmacology from Chelsea College, University of London in 1983. In 1997, he received obtained MBA from Averett University, a private non-profit college in Danville, Virginia, United States of America. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Former Minister Appointed SSG in Borno
Military
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
By Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the critical role of Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) in strengthening discipline, leadership and operational effectiveness across the Nigerian Army.
The COAS made the remarks on Friday during the commissioning of the newly constructed 6 Division Regimental Sergeant Major’s House in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL 2026).
Speaking at the event, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu described RSMs as the backbone of regimental administration and custodians of discipline, standards and morale within the Army.
He said the provision of dedicated accommodation for RSMs was not merely a welfare initiative but a strategic investment aimed at enhancing leadership at the unit level and improving operational efficiency.
According to the Army Chief, RSMs play a vital role in translating command directives into action, maintaining troop cohesion and ensuring effective implementation of operational orders across various theatres of operation.
He added that the senior non-commissioned officers also serve as the crucial link between officers and soldiers, fostering professionalism, mutual trust and esprit de corps within formations and units.
Shaibu noted that the influence of RSMs in mentoring soldiers, enforcing discipline and sustaining troop morale remains indispensable to the success of military operations.
He stressed that providing conducive accommodation for key regimental leaders would enhance their ability to discharge their responsibilities effectively and contribute to improved operational readiness.
The COAS reiterated that under his “Soldier First” philosophy, the welfare of personnel, particularly those occupying critical leadership positions, remains a top priority.
He maintained that sustained investment in welfare infrastructure and leadership development would continue to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s capacity to remain a resilient, professional and combat-ready force capable of addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
Troops intercept cattle grazing in restricted area in Plateau, herders flee
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have intercepted a herd of cattle found grazing in a restricted area in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops of Sector 4 OPEP responded to a report of illegal grazing at about 3:30 p.m. on Friday in Nyerwie village.
The sources said that upon arrival at the location, the troops found a herd of cattle grazing in the restricted area.
The herders reportedly fled into nearby bushes on sighting the troops, abandoning the livestock.
The intercepted cattle were subsequently moved to a secure location for necessary administrative action, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing herders, the sources said.
Troops intercept cattle grazing in restricted area in Plateau, herders flee
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Vandals, Recover Stolen Construction Materials in Jos
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two suspected vandals in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State for allegedly stealing construction materials from an ongoing road construction site.
Security sources said the suspects, identified as Arin Itse, 21, and Agwom Christopher, 19, were arrested at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday during a routine patrol by troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, along the Kwanga road in Jos North.
The sources said the suspects were intercepted while in possession of iron rods suspected to have been stolen from a road construction company handling an ongoing project in the area.
According to the sources, the suspects were taken into custody for further investigation, while the recovered iron rods were handed over to the construction company.
The sources added that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and whether other persons were involved.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Vandals, Recover Stolen Construction Materials in Jos
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
Troops intercept cattle grazing in restricted area in Plateau, herders flee
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Vandals, Recover Stolen Construction Materials in Jos
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