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Gov. Buni to Award Youths on Science, Research and Innovation
Gov. Buni to Award Youths on Science, Research and Innovation
By: Kolo Gulani
The Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni will present awards to youths from different parts of the state on science, research and innovation.
This was disclosed on Monday 22nd July, 2024, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Science, Research and Innovation, Dr Mahmoud Bukar Maina, during the closing ceremony of a Workshop on Artificial Intelligence, organized by Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) of Yobe State University in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Science, Research and Innovation at the Desert Hall Damaturu.
The call for applications tagged “Yobe State Research and Innovation Challenge 2024” was announced in January 2024 which ended on 31st of May with the award categories which includes; Brilliant Innovations and Top Research Paper Award.
Dr Maina revealed following a detailed presentations and a thorough review by two expert judges; Eng. Abubakar Gambo, Software Architect/Programmer and Co-founder of Cerebro Information Systems Ltd., along with Dr Ali Bukar Maina, a Machine Learning Expert and Principal Vision Scientist based in the United Kingdom, the winners were selected based on rigorous criteria. These criteria included the local relevance of the innovation, its functionality, and the strength of its business case. Mohammed Auwal from Bursari Local Government Area emerged as the first-place winner in Brilliant Innovations, with Muhammad Mustapha from Geidam Local Government Area securing the second spot, and Adamu Aliyu from Nangere Local Government Area taking third place.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Science, Research and Innovation also explained that the other category of the award winners were selected after receiving numerous submissions of high-caliber research papers, each paper underwent an extensive review to assess its eligibility, significance in the field, and the contribution of the authors.
The panel of judges, include Dr. Karen Marshall and Dr. Andre Maia Chagas from the University of Sussex, UK, along with Dr. Murtala Isah Bindawa from Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Katsina, Nigeria. The winners are Idi Mohammed from Yobe State University, taking first place, followed by Mohammed Bukar Maina, also from Yobe State University, in second place, and Harisu Abdullahi Shehu, receiving an honorary award for his outstanding research contributions from the diaspora.
Dr Maina also disclosed that the award winners will be awarded during the 2024 Summer School Workshops which will come up in August of the year. He further explained that winners of the awards will receive cash prize by the Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni.
On his part, the facilitator of the workshop, Dr. Ali B. Maina, emphasized that the session focused primarily on AI. He highlighted the vast possibilities of integrating AI technology within various organizational processes. Dr Ali explained that participants were equipped with the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to implement AI solutions across a range of applications. They learned how to utilize AI for creating meeting notes, interacting with PDFs or websites, and using AI to impartially mark examination scripts.
He added that the workshop covered the innovative use of multi-agent systems, where AI agents are tasked with specific roles such as developing course curriculums or managing complex workflows within their organizations.
Meanwhile, participants were drawn from different parts of the country in which 70% of the participants were from Yobe State.
Gov. Buni to Award Youths on Science, Research and Innovation
News
Youth attempt to disarm soldiers enforcing curfew in Niger
Youth attempt to disarm soldiers enforcing curfew in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Some youths in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State allegedly attempted to disarm soldiers enforcing a curfew before fleeing the scene, security sources have said.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 10:35 p.m. on March 10 when troops of the 221 Battalion, Wawa Cantonment, were on patrol to enforce the curfew declared by the Chairman of Borgu Local Government.
According to the sources, the troops were patrolling along the Correctional Service Office area in New Bussa when they intercepted some motorcycles.
During the encounter, some aggressive youths reportedly began stoning the soldiers and attempted to struggle with them in a bid to seize a rifle, while also hurling abusive language.
The troops fired warning shots into the air to disperse the youths, who later fled the scene.
The Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service subsequently reported the incident to the police.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in New Bussa immediately mobilised more security personnel to the area, but the youths had already dispersed.
Community leaders, including the village head, were later invited and cautioned to maintain peace and ensure residents avoid confrontations or misunderstandings with security personnel.
Security sources said no arrest was made and no injury was recorded, while the military troops continued their patrol in the area.
Youth attempt to disarm soldiers enforcing curfew in Niger
News
ISWAP appoints Abu Ameer as new pulka commander after neutralization of Modu Kundiri
ISWAP appoints Abu Ameer as new pulka commander after neutralization of Modu Kundiri
By: Zagazola Makama
Following the recent neutralization of Modu Kundiri, the senior commander (Qa’id) of Pulka camp in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has appointed a replacement to sustain its operational command in the area.
Intelligence reports obtained on the evening of March 11, 2026, revealed that ISWAP leadership quickly designated Abu Ameer as the new commander (Qa’id) of Pulka camp. The move pointed out to the group’s efforts in maintaining command continuity despite recent setbacks.
Kundiri had served as the senior commander, also known as Qa’id, of the group’s Pulka camp, a strategic operational hub located in the southern axis of Borno near the border with Adamawa State and Cameroon.
Pulka occupies a critical position in the insurgency landscape due to its geographical proximity to the border regions linking Borno State with Adamawa State and neighbouring Cameroon.
The area has historically served as a transit corridor for insurgent fighters, logistics supplies and communication networks operating across multiple theatres.
According to intelligence discussions intercepted on March 11, fighters loyal to the group are still present in Ngalta village, located between Pulka in Gwoza LGA and Madagali Local Government Area in Adamawa State.
The disclosure reportedly came during internal exchanges among insurgent members, where a fighter identified as Konto informed another member, Manya, about the continued presence of fighters in the area.
Such conversations indicated that despite losing commanders, the group continues to maintain operational cells and surveillance elements within the Pulka–Ngalta–Madagali corridor.
The continued presence of fighters in Ngalta village suggests that the insurgents may still retain limited operational capability along the Borno–Adamawa border axis. Such locations often function as temporary regrouping points or staging areas for movement between remote settlements.
The development therefore point to the need for sustained intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and coordinated ground operations across the corridor.
Zagazola emphasise the importance of maintaining strong collaboration between military forces, local vigilante groups and community intelligence networks to detect insurgent movement.
The development comes amid ongoing operations by the Nigerian military to dismantle ISWAP strongholds across the Northeast and reinforce stability in affected communities.
ISWAP appoints Abu Ameer as new pulka commander after neutralization of Modu Kundiri
News
Buni attends funeral prayers of Wali Shettima, elder brother, in Nauru
Buni attends funeral prayers of Wali Shettima, elder brother, in Nauru
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, and other top government functionaries attended today the funeral prayers for Ba Wali Shettima, elder brother to Yobe State Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali mni, in Nguru town of Yobe State.
Ably represented by his deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune), the funeral prayers were led by the chief imam of Nguru Central Mosque, Shiek Ibrahim Shehu Ahmad.
The governor described the death of the renowned Islamic scholar Ba Wali as a huge loss not only to the Nguru community but to the whole Yobe state.
Gubana further extolled the virtues of the late Ba Wali as a committed and dedicated cleric, an epitome of peace and knowledge who contributed his own quota towards teaching and propagating Islam.
Late Ba Wali died at the University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu, on Tuesday after a protracted illness at the age of 80. He is survived by a wife, ten (10) children, and many grandchildren.
Special prayers were offered by Chief Imam Shiek Ibrahim Shehu Ahmad. May Aljanna Firdausi be the reward of his good deeds. Amin, suma Amin.
Buni attends funeral prayers of Wali Shettima, elder brother, in Nauru
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