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Kadafur Lead govt officials to Menwara Festival 2024

Kadafur Lead govt officials to Menwara Festival 2024
…… Highlights its tremendous significance to cultural heritage
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum ably represented by the Deputy Governor of Borno State HE (Dr) Umar Usman Kadafur led government officials to celebrate the “Menwara Annual Cultural Festival”, hosted by the Shani Emirate Council.
The Deputy Governor while reading out his remarks said the gathering serves not only as a celebration of our rich cultural heritage but also as a reminder of the values that bind us together as a people, unity, respect and mutual understanding. The Menwara has grown over the years into an event of tremendous significance, bringing together individuals from all folks of life to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of our traditions.

Dr Kadafur further added that “to everyone present, I encourage you to immerse yourselves fully in the celebration today. Let us take pride in who we are and the remarkable culture that we share. Together, we will continue to grow, thrive, and ensure that the spirit of the Menwara Festivals lives on for generations to come.”
In an address, The emir of Shani Alhaji Muhammad Nasir Mai Lafiya, while tracing the centuries-long tradition opined that the cultural festival depicts characteristics and knowledge of people which includes their language, religion, social habits, music and arts.

“The aim of hosting this annual cultural event therefore, is to continue to instill our cultural heritage and awareness into our younger generation”, the emir remarked.
The emir also took time to formally commiserate with the government and people of Borno over the recent devastating flood in Maiduguri which resulted in significant loss of lives and widespread destruction of properties, praying Allah to grant the deceased and their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost .
In a welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Shani Hon Hassan Abdu Labaki, said Shani local government has witnessed significant progress engendered by the present of administration of Governor Zulum with tangible and laudable projects all over the council which includes Vocational Entrepreneurship Institute Shani, Government Day Secondary School Gasi, Government Day Secondary Bargu, health clinic Gasi, Langama secondary school Shani, Shani water gallery, supply and distribution, as well as Local Government computer ICT Center Shani, among other developmental initiatives.

“Your Excellency, on behalf of myself, my council and the entire people of Shani LG we are wishing you, your entourage and all our invited dignitaries a happy and memorable stay in Shani and safe journey back to your destination,” the chairman concluded.
In a vote of thanks, Hon. Musa Inuwa Kubo urged the people of Shani to redouble their efforts in irrigation farming and avoid indiscriminate sales of agricultural produce to avoid food insecurity, while thanking the state governor and his deputy for their unflinching support to the area.
In attendance were the Former Deputy Governor HE Hon Usman Mamman Durkwa, Traditional Rulers, Members House Assembly of Hawul, Shani , Biu, Bayo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Inter-Governmental affairs Hon Ibrahim Tukur Shani, Chairmen of some respective Local Government, Special advisers, Permanent Secretaries , Principal Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mohammed Adamu Lawan, as well as Senior Special Assistant among others.
Kadafur Lead govt officials to Menwara Festival 2024
News
RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State

RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State
…Making it the 20th State to Benefit from the Support
By: Our Reporter
The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Program, launched in Abuja in March 2024 to provide monthly support to vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities, has reached Yobe State—making it the 20th state to benefit from the initiative.
Since its inception, the program has covered Abia, Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto States before arriving in Yobe.
With generous support from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and another industrialist who prefers to remain anonymous, assorted food items were delivered, bringing relief to many households, particularly those with disabilities.
The First Lady and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, noted that donors provide two truckloads of food items to each beneficiary state for onward distribution. Represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, she highlighted Yobe as a major beneficiary of RHI programs and interventions.
These include:

- The Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economists Empowerment Program, which supported 500 women with ₦50,000 each.
- The RHI Women Agricultural Support Scheme, where 20 women received ₦500,000 each.
- A ₦68.9 million grant from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to the Young Farmers Club.
- Annual financial support to senior citizens, with 100 beneficiaries receiving ₦100,000 each in 2023 and 250 beneficiaries receiving ₦200,000 each.
- A ₦50 million financial grant to 1,000 petty traders.
- The Women in ICT Program, aimed at empowering women in the digital economy.
According to Senator Tinubu, these interventions are designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni represented by his Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the initiative, noting that the state has aligned with RHI through various empowerment programs for women, children, and vulnerable groups. These include the distribution of household items, skill acquisition schemes, and post-insurgency recovery programs that have economically empowered many women.
The State Coordinator of RHI and Wife of the Yobe State Governor, Hajiya Hafsat Kollere Buni, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for extending such impactful support to Yobe State. She also looked forward to stronger collaborations to further project the ideals of RHI and improve the lives of the people.
Also present at the event was Dr. Ubong Udoh, Managing Director of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, one of the key donors to the program.- RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State


News
Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency
By: Zagazola Makama
Former National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), has warned that Nigeria’s fight against insurgency will remain elusive without national cohesion and a united front across society.
Monguno stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).
He said Boko Haram and other violent groups had thrived by exploiting Nigeria’s divisions, stressing that disunity among citizens, political actors, and institutions weakened the country’s capacity to defeat terrorism.
“Without national cohesion, insurgency will not end. Terrorists feed on our fault lines – ethnic, religious, political – and they weaponise them against us. If we remain divided, no amount of military might will deliver lasting peace,” Monguno said.
He urged Nigerians to rise above parochial sentiments and embrace a spirit of patriotism, solidarity, and common purpose. According to him, the fight against insurgency must go beyond the battlefield to include reconciliation, justice, and inclusive governance.
The retired General emphasised that the scars left by Boko Haram were not just physical but also psychological and social, making unity a vital condition for national healing.
“The book reminds us that security is not just the work of soldiers. It is the responsibility of leaders, institutions, and citizens. Unless we build cohesion, insurgency will continue to mutate in different forms,” he added.
Monguno commended Gen. Irabor for documenting his experience, describing the work as a guide that combines history, strategy, and national lessons for the future.
The event was attended by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs, traditional rulers, diplomats, and senior government officials.
Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency
News
Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach
By: Zagazola Makama
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency through military operations alone, stressing the need to embrace soft power and address root causes of insecurity.
Kukah made this known in Abuja on Thursday while reviewing Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).
He said the country’s reliance on military doctrines and repeated counter-insurgency operations had failed to produce lasting peace because Boko Haram represented an ideology, not just an armed threat.
“For years, we have had Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Restore Order, Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Safe Haven, and many others. Yet, when one operation fails, another is launched. These operations have not ended the insurgency because you cannot fight an idea with weapons alone,” Kukah said.
The cleric argued that describing the insurgency only in military terms forecloses other sources of information and non-kinetic solutions that are critical to peacebuilding.
According to him, Boko Haram’s struggle is framed as a jihad, and many of its fighters see death as martyrdom, making them indifferent to conventional deterrence.
“The challenge before us is not merely about defeating insurgents on the battlefield, but about understanding the soft issues of life and death. Guns cannot build peace; soft power must complement military power,” he said.
Kukah pointed to chapters 11, 12 and 13 of Irabor’s book, which emphasise reconciliation, good governance, justice, and national healing as critical conditions for security.
He praised the author’s reflections for going beyond military strategy, describing them as “the writings of a priest” that call for dialogue, reforms and moral renewal.
The bishop added that Nigeria must prioritise structural reforms, political inclusion, patriotism, and judicial integrity to tackle grievances that feed extremism.
“The urgency now is to invest in soft power – in human development, reconciliation, and building trust in institutions. Military operations can only create space; it is ideas and justice that will sustain peace,” Kukah said.
The event attracted former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, senior government officials, service chiefs, diplomats, and other dignitaries.
End
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