National News
Jakusko commends Buni over campaign promises in Yobe
Jakusko commends Buni over campaign promises in Yobe
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Chairman, Caretaker Management Committee of Jakusko local government area of Yobe state, Alhaji Umaru Aguwa, has given kudos to the Yobe state governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, for fulfilling all his campaign promises to the people through the provision of the dividend of democracy.
Gov. Mai Mala Buni
Hon. Umaru Aguwa said giving commendation to the Chiroman Gujba has become imperative because of numerous achievements in improving the living conditions of the masses in Yobe State. He also gave the local government councils in the state their full support for the democratic map to provide the dividend of democracy to the electorates in the state.
A Block of classroom.
Hon. Umaru said all the development projects provided by the council chairmen in their respective local government councils were done with the full support of His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON. He revealed that Yobe State is blessed with a governor characterized by humility, sympathy, accessibility, and a genius in letting go of what rightfully and lawfully belongs to him for peace to reign in the state.
“Governor Mai Mala Buni CON has sacrificed too much to serve and provided the dividend of democracy to the people of the state, and his developmental projects are physically on the ground. Buni’s administration is full of initiatives. The government has constructed modern markets in major towns across the state, in Damaturu, Potiskum, Gashu’a, Nguru, Geidam, and Buni Yadi.” Umaru Aguwa said.
According to him, the government also resuscitated three dormant industries in the state. These are the Woven Sack Company Damaturu, Yobe Sahel Aluminum, Flour, and Feed Mill Company in Potiskum, as well as the Trailer Park in Potiskum. Adding to that, the Buni administration also completed the state-owned International Cargo Airport, which was commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He said all these achievements were to create a conducive environment for trade and commerce for economic development in the state.
“His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, has made tremendous achievements in many sectors, including health, agriculture, work, empowerment, education, and many others.
Speaking on his achievements in the Jakusko local government area since his inception in office in June 2023, the Chairman said he has been following in the footsteps of His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON in the provision of portable drinking water for both human and animal consumption in rural and urban areas. He revealed that the council constructed 14 new solar-powered boreholes, drilled six new boreholes, rehabilitated over 50 boreholes, and purchased accessories and repairs for over 51 hand pumps across the local government area.
“The council also constructed three dispensaries at Garin Tsalha, Dan Takunne, and Karage and equipped them with drugs and beds. The council also purchased drugs for the outbreak of diarrhea and the repair of primary healthcare vehicles, as well as drugs worth millions of naira that were distributed to all our primary health centers across the local government and received much support in the health sector.
Hon. Umaru Aguwa said the council constructed 20 cans to ease the problems of transportation by our people during the rainy seasons; the council repaired 4 vehicles for security agencies in the area; purchased over 10,000 empty bags and pilled them with sand to control the flow of water in the town during the rainy seasons; and also organized cultural activities such as wrestling and sports with a view to bringing unity among the people of the local government.
Aguwa also said the council repaired two tractors, conducted construction in Jakusko, purchased animal vaccination drugs, and distributed palliatives to alleviate the suffering of the people as a result of subsidy removal. In order to improve the standard and quality of education, the council constructed two classrooms and an office in Gamajan and also renovated two classrooms and an office in Gamajan. We also purchased thousands of copies of text and exercise books and distributed them to all primary and junior secondary schools across the local government.
End.
Jakusko commends Buni over campaign promises in Yobe
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
By: Michael Mike
In a decisive step to reverse land degradation, 39 land restoration projects led by grassroots organisations have been awarded USD 395,000 through the inaugural Small Grants Programme of the G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI), a flagship initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Drawn from 22 countries, the winning projects were selected for their innovation, impact and sustainability. Over 650 organisations from more than 100 countries applied for the award. The winners were selected following three rounds of review by separate UNCCD staff teams, with varied expertise in land management and restoration.
Awardees will receive between US$5,000 and US$15,000 to fund grassroots efforts that boost local economies, improve food and water security and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
The announcement was livestreamed at an event showcasing the grant winners.
The Small Grants Programme is an important tool for achieving the G20 GLI’s mission of reducing degraded land by 50 percent by 2040.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative,Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, said: “We are aware that these big numbers, cannot be achieved by small initiatives alone. Yet, we feel, it is important that tens of thousands of small actors, engaged in land restoration around the world, be supported, promoted and recognized,”
Special priority was given to organisations accredited to UNCCD and to projects empowering Indigenous Peoples, youth, women and the elderly.
The programme was set up in 2024 to support community-level non-profit organisations worldwide. According to a statement, by directly supporting civil society and grassroot actors, these grants will generate measurable progress across global aided restoration priorities, such as soil fertility enhancement, forest regeneration, sustainable agriculture, agroecology and ecosystem-based adaptation.
The statement added that beyond reclaiming land, the projects are enhancing livelihoods, strengthening community climate resilience, and fostering social enterprise and eco-preneurship.
“When we do these small grants program, it is not just about the grant. It’s about the network which we create and the visibility it provides — both for those within it and those outside who can benefit from their knowledge and experience,” Thummarukudy added.
Three of the highest-scoring projects were showcased at the UNCCD Conference of the Parties held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024, to highlight their potential for scaling and replication across regions.
The statement also revealed that winners will also be showcased at select high-level events in the future, stating that the G20 GLI is committed to inclusive and continuous engagement, and is exploring future
collaboration opportunities for the applicants not selected in this round.
Stressing that “this is just the beginning, this will be an annual process, the next cohort is about to start,” Dr Thummarukudy invited community organisations doing land restoration to apply to join the network because both “big and small” [efforts] are important.
He noted that the second call for applications will open in 2025 with increased funding and expanded
support for grassroots restoration efforts worldwide.
Innovative community-led restoration initiatives are essential for creating green jobs, especially for youth and women..The awards provide support that can transform restoration into a catalyst for economic opportunity and sustainable environmental management.
Examples of selected 2024 grantees include: Legacy of War Foundation (Rwanda), which will restore six hectares of degraded soil while empowering 90 women as landowners of fully organic cooperative farms. By integrating climate-smart and artisanal farming methods, the project aims to improve soil fertility and agricultural resilience in post-conflict rural communities.
Up2Green Foundation (India) is restoring mangroves and riverbanks in Tamil Nadu, India. The project is reforesting 60 hectares and planting 15,000 fruit trees, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening coastal resilience for flood prevention, and training local communities in sustainable agroforestry practices.
Sustainability and Environmental Studies Endeavor (Nepal) is working to restore
ecological balance along the mythological Nagaraj Trail. By revitalizing degraded farms, wetlands and forests using nature-based solutions, the project promotes nature-inclusive agriculture and convivial conservation approaches.
The G20 Global Land Initiative was launched in 2020 under the Saudi G20 Presidency. Hosted by the UNCCD, its ambition is to reduce degraded land by 50 percent by 2040. By showcasing
land restoration, empowering civil society, engaging the private sector and building capacity, G20 GLI is driving restoration to scale and energizing a restoration economy. The Small Grants Programme is a key component of this vision, empowering civil society to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable land management at scale.
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
National News
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
By: Michael Mike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.
The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.
In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.
“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.
“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.
Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
National News
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
By: Michael Mike
The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.
A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.
“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”
According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.
The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.
Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
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