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KACRAN Praises Shettima’s Leadership Qualities
KACRAN Praises Shettima’s Leadership Qualities
By: Michael Mike
Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has said that the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has come to show to the rest of Nigerians the jewel he was while handling the demoralizing Boko Haram crisis he could still move Borno State in the path of development as a governor.
The group, in a statement on Friday, signed by its National President, Hon Khalil Bello said Kashim Shettima’s magic in Borno State is gradually being unraveled at the national level since he was appointed first as a Vice Presidential candidate and later elected.
Bello said: “Sincerely speaking, before he was deservely and most suitably nominated by our action President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his presidential running mate, what Nigerians know about the political capacity, actionability, thruthworthness, firmness, vast experience in governance, sincerity of purpose and inclusivity in governance of Senator Kashim Shettima was very little especially those living outside the parameter of Borno State or other part of the North East region of the country.”
He added that: “Unlike his immediate predecessor, His Excellency Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who out of wisdom and foresight nominated Kashim Shettima to succeed him, who was well known both in the State and in national politics, the only thing many Nigerians knows about His Excellency, the Vice President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima was a former governor of Borno State who performed wonderfully good in his State when he was a governor towards fighting insurgency and bringing numerous developmental projects in his State and serving Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria, that was all but he was hardly a major voice in the nation’s politics.
“But after being wisely nominated to serve in the aforementioned capacity and started given very hot lectures and powerful speeches during the APC rallies and presidential campaign activities across the country, it was then, that many Nigerians who were not fully acquainted with his versatility in the Nigeria’s politics and other issues of great importance towards unity and the development of our fatherland, they the entire nation started knowing this jewel, Senator Kashim Shettima.”
He added that: “Then comes the time when he was successfully elected as the vice president and Nigeria’s political horizon was beclouded or darkened with claims and counter claims on which religion or part of the country as a matter of establishing trust, confidence and cementing the country, and who would be right to produce the 10th Senate President. Shettima came up to show the light.”
He acknowledged that this was misconstrued by the Muslim north, with: “This singular remark seriously heating up the northern Nigeria’s political space in response, the unassuming and the amiable vice president, being a very simple and humble man made a very strong heartfelt and heart warming apologetic appeal in BBC Hausa Radio broadcast, where he passionately appealed to all the aggressived people, that his statement was misunderstood, adding that his stand was with good intention to buttress the need for justice and equity in the allocation of public office in Nigeria and not to belittle any religion in the country.
“He even stated that, he is a devoted Muslim whose parents and ancestors are Islamic scholars who worked assiduously in spreading and preaching islamic religion, he said the history of his Islamic leanage would be traced back for over one thousand four hundred years back.”
He said: “We member of the above great association (KACRAN), are so much excited on how the vice president directly talk to Nigerians more speciality his fellow Muslims brothers and apologize for the crime he never committed or intended to do, and seeks for their forgiveness and that of his creator the Almighty Allah.
“To us KACRAN, the above singular act of our democratic vice president clearly shows how courageous and very sincere person he is.
Secondly, when he was a governor in Borno State, His Excellency our Vice President Kashim Shettima, demonstrated act of sincerity and inclusiveness to Borno State herders whom he treated with equity, justice and fairness by enrolling their children/wards into the most prominent, private and loved Secondary School in Maiduguri known as Elkanemi College of Islamic and Theology.
“Where he paid for their tuition fees for both primary and secondary School up to their completion
“That during his Government, in his bid to treat his subjects equally. He made sure that the children of the most vulnerable/under privileged herders especially children of Fulani security guards and those whose parents are living in the bushes or villages are given equal or more opportunities same as those who are residing in Maiduguri metropolitan city.
“Most of these children are currently speaking pure Arabic language and Queen’s English, because they were receivers of both Islamic and Western education.
“He provided free buses on daily bases moving from one street to another in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere local government and environs to transport the herders children to the school to and fro.
“Similarly, in making sure that, the Borno State herders children have gotten the same educational right equal to those who are residing in Abuja , FCT, Senator Kashim Shettima built an ultra modern Special Primary and Secondary School in New GRA, Bama Raod, Maiduguri and named after the wife of immediate past president during their regime “Aisha Buhari Integrated Primary and Secondary School”, where by ninety percent of the students are herders children in which the resident of the said GRA who are mainly his Kanuri kinsmen were given only ten percent of the total number of students to be admitted and on daily basis gave free meals to All students.
“We of KACRAN, it is our ardent belief that this is courage, justice sincerity and fairness in the highest order done to us by Vice President Kashim Shettima for which he deserves our highest commendation and appreciation.
“More so, I want to use this medium to advise and encourage our leaders to kindly emulate the good virtues of apologizing and asking for forgiveness from their followers whenever they offend or seem to have offended them. Truly this is a mark of true and authentic leadership, humility in leaders go a long way to promote harmony and understanding in society.”
KACRAN Praises Shettima’s Leadership Qualities
Zulum Present as INEC Monitors APC Ward Congress in Mafa Ward
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday, travelled to Mafa to witness the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses.
Zulum, who was accompanied by APC’s Deputy National Chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Hon Mohammed Jaha (Babawo), and the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, expressed satisfaction with the seamless and orderly conduct of the process.p
The governor’s entourage also comprises the APC State Chairman, Bello Ayuba, Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai, among other senior party executives.
Party members across Mafa ward converged to elect new executives. The exercise, which was held simultaneously across the 312 wards in Borno State, was conducted by consensus to ensure unity and harmony within the party.
Borno State Commissioner for Health, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, chaired the ward congress committee, while the Mafa Local Government Electoral Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Salihu Muktari, monitored the exercise.
Addressing party faithful shortly after the conclusion of the exercise at Mafa, Zulum expressed gratitude for the peaceful atmosphere. He commended the party’s national leadership for deploying a competent team to oversee the process.
“I am happy with the smooth conduct of this exercise. There was no rancour, no bitterness, and that is the spirit of the APC family. I want to commend the committee sent by the APC national headquarters for their diligence and fair play,” Governor Zulum stated.
The governor also lauded party stakeholders and members in Mafa for their maturity and commitment to the party’s internal democracy, urging the newly elected ward executives to see their emergence as a call to service.
“To the new executives, this is not about personal glory but about taking the party to greater heights at the grassroots. You are the closest to the people, and you must work to unite our members and strengthen our structure,” he added.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward/Local Government Congresses Screening Committees, Screening Appeals Committees, as well as the Ward/LGA Congresses (election) and Congresses Appeal Committees members, headed by Prophet Jones Erue, were also in Mafa to observe the conduct of the exercise.
Zulum Present as INEC Monitors APC Ward Congress in Mafa Ward
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
By: Michael Mike
The European Union has pledged €22 million in grant funding to support Nigeria’s large-scale fibre-optic expansion, reinforcing the Federal Government’s drive to transform the country’s digital backbone.
The grant, announced in Abuja on Wednesday, will be channelled through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and on-granted to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for implementation of the government’s Project BRIDGE initiative.
The EU funding will sit alongside an €86 million loan from the EBRD’s own resources, pending final approval. The operation represents the EBRD’s first major sovereign financing in Nigeria since the country formally became a shareholder of the bank last year.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani described the agreement as a decisive step toward delivering the BRIDGE project within schedule, noting that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda depends heavily on robust and inclusive broadband infrastructure.
He said the partnership reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s digital roadmap and expressed optimism that 2026 would mark a year of tangible progress in cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.
EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso, who is on an official visit to Nigeria, said the bank was proud to collaborate with the EU to expand digital infrastructure in Africa’s largest economy. She noted that the technical cooperation embedded in the financing is structured to crowd in private capital while ensuring secure, resilient and inclusive connectivity.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, underscored the strategic importance of digital networks to both Nigeria and the EU, stressing the need for trusted, high-integrity infrastructure built to international standards.
Project BRIDGE aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables nationwide through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will be capitalised with sovereign loans and private sector participation. In addition to the EBRD financing, the Federal Government is expected to receive support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The EU’s €22 million package combines technical assistance with investment support to speed up project preparation and strengthen implementation capacity. It will fund low-level design work for about 40,000 kilometres of the planned network, including route mapping, crossing surveys, digital planning, quality assurance and security risk assessments aligned with global best practices.
Officials said this groundwork would provide the SPV with a ready-to-execute blueprint, enabling immediate rollout once financing arrangements are finalised and the vehicle is established with at least 51 per cent private sector ownership.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant is expected to deepen Nigeria’s digital skills base. About 2,000 technicians will receive specialised training, while small subcontractors will gain access to pooled procurement systems and equipment subsidies designed to reduce entry barriers.
Authorities estimate that these measures could lower deployment costs by between 20 and 30 per cent, while promoting adherence to Nigerian and EU quality standards and encouraging participation of European technology suppliers in the fibre supply chain.
The intervention forms part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, which supports investments in digital infrastructure, public services and human capital development across partner countries.
For Nigeria, the partnership signals renewed international backing for its ambition to build a resilient, open-access broadband network capable of driving economic growth, innovation and digital inclusion nationwide.
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled suspected insurgents and neutralised a suspected informant during operations in Ngamdu area of Borno.
Military sources said the action followed signals intelligence indicating that suspected Boko Haram elements were massing.
At about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 18, troops carried out a fire mission on the identified area, forcing the insurgents to disperse and abort their suspected plan.
Shortly afterward, at about 3:45 a.m., troops engaged and neutralised a suspected insurgent informant who attempted to breach the trench defensive position in Ngamdu.
Sources said the troops immediately conducted a search of the surrounding area after the encounter but made no further contact with fleeing suspects.
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Zulum Present as INEC Monitors APC Ward Congress in Mafa Ward
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
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