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Let’s Make Nigeria Green Instead of Seeking Greener Pastures, VP Shettima Tells Graduates

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Let’s Make Nigeria Green Instead of Seeking Greener Pastures, VP Shettima Tells Graduates

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has challenged graduates to embrace their potential and contribute to building a brighter future for Nigeria instead of jolting out of the country in search of greener pastures.

He gave the charge when the Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila led the graduating class of the second cohort of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative on a visit to him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“I believe passionately that in this room, there are future Presidents, Vice Presidents, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and governors. We also have future drivers and captains of industry,” Senator Shettima noted.

The VP struck a chord of empowerment when he urged the graduates to reject disillusionment and embrace their potential within Nigeria.

“Let no one make you feel inferior as a Nigerian. One out of every four black men is a Nigerian. Let no one deceive you that the grass is greener at the other end. Certainly, we can make it green on our home turf,” he noted.

The Vice President acknowledged the country’s current challenges, offering a resolute vision for overcoming them.

He said, “Our country is going through some difficulties and challenges, but we are going to surmount it. We are going to cross the Rubicon. We are going to cross the Red Sea and take you to the land of opportunities and blessings.”

VP Shettima specifically praised the graduates’ digital prowess, encouraging them to leverage their skills for national development. “Most of you here are digital Wizkids – you are digitally savvy. Let no one deceive you about careering out of this country. Let’s stay here and make this country work. This is our country. The future belongs to you.”

He further challenged their perception of leadership, shifting the focus from physical strength to intellectual agility, even as he stated that “the hallmark of true leadership is not the ability to lift a bag of cement, but the ability to come up with robust solutions to a nation’s problems.

“Give us a couple of months. This country will bounce back. Say no to the naysayers and to the prophets of doom. It doesn’t serve any purpose. Our ability to accept each other; and our tolerance threshold will determine how far we can go as a nation. And the quality of governance is crucial to the goal and trajectory of our nation,” he added.

The Vice President called on the LMI graduates to become active participants in shaping Nigeria’s destiny.

“Their digital skills, combined with their newfound sense of purpose and national pride, have the potential to transform the nation’s landscape and certainly, we can make it green on our home turf,” he added.

Responding, the founder of the LMI programme, Hon. Gbajabiamila said the generation of young men and women in the cohort is a generation like no other.

He said, “Things have changed and we of the older generation have to change along with the time. These young people here came from a pot of over 5,000 applicants. These young men and women before us are going to be doing greater and mightier things than those who came before them last year. I wish I had somebody to mentor me when I was growing up. You guys are lucky.”

Let’s Make Nigeria Green Instead of Seeking Greener Pastures, VP Shettima Tells Graduates

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NAF air strikes destroy terrorist boats, neutralise fighters in Kukawa riverine

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NAF air strikes destroy terrorist boats, neutralise fighters in Kukawa riverine

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), operating as the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has recorded another major success against terrorists in the Lake Chad and North-East corridors, following coordinated night precision air strikes that destroyed watercraft, hit key hideouts and neutralised several fighters in the riverine areas of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the missions were executed after weeks of sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance that confirmed increased terrorist movement and logistics activity around the Malimbe–Masaram Island axis and the Northern Tumbuns.

“Based on credible human intelligence (HUMINT) and persistent aerial surveillance, we tracked the movement of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) elements transiting through Masaram Island ahead of Malimbe, as well as Toumbun Beriberi in Kukawa LGA,” the sources said.

He explained that the strikes were carried out under the cover of darkness on Jan. 18, using precision-guided munitions to ensure accuracy and limit collateral damage.

“We executed swift, successive interdictions on identified targets. Several JAS fighters were neutralised and their water vessels, which they use for mobility and logistics across the Tumbuns and Lake Chad waterways, were completely destroyed.

“Those that remained at Malimbe and Toumbun Beriberi immediately abandoned their positions and fled,” he said.

According to him, post-strike battle damage assessment showed the fleeing terrorists withdrawing toward the Abadam axis, apparently in disarray and expressing suspicion that their movements had been compromised by informants within their ranks.

“The mission was adjudged highly successful. However, due to the terrorists’ paranoia that civilians are cooperating with government forces, we are sustaining air and ground monitoring of the area to deter any form of reprisal,” he added.

The officer further disclosed that the NAF also conducted another major Air Interdiction (AI) mission on Jan. 20 at a newly identified terrorist enclave codenamed “Rackstar” in the Northern Tumbuns.

“At about 1300 hours on Jan. 20, the Air mission identified location considered to be a safe haven for Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) members, including some prominent commanders. The area was also being used as an IED assembly point and a weapons servicing workshop,”said sources

The sources noted that confirmatory ISR carried out on Jan. 18 revealed the general area to be water-logged with dense vegetation, typical of the Tumbuns, but further scanning of the fringes uncovered active terrorist structures about 1.9 kilometres southwest of the initial coordinates.

“We observed terrorists gathering in two different locations. A solar panel and a black flag were also sighted within the enclave, clearly indicating occupation and operational intent.

“Accordingly, selected targets were acquired and engaged with munitions on board. The strikes degraded the terrorists’ capability and disrupted their command and logistics infrastructure,” the sources said.

The sources stressed that the sustained air operations were part of the ongoing efforts of Operation HADIN KAO to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary and resources across the Lake Chad basin.

NAF air strikes destroy terrorist boats, neutralise fighters in Kukawa riverine

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MD Damuli Investment Company Limited extends assistance to orphans, underprivileged students in Yobe

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MD Damuli Investment Company Limited extends assistance to orphans, underprivileged students in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Damuli Investment Company Limited, Alhaji Liman Mohammad Dabuwa, has extended assistance to the development of education in Yobe, targeting orphans and underprivileged students in the state.

The company expanded to be worth over $90 million as part of its contribution towards the development of education, students, and orphans in the region, which includes the purchase of mattresses and bedding materials for Mai Bukar boarding primary school.

Prior to government approval, Damuli Investment Company fed boarding primary schools in the region for a good 3 months for free. In addition, it purchased teaching and learning materials and foodstuff for teachers and principals, as well as presented gifts during the graduation ceremony and others to Mai Bukar boarding school in August 2025.

The company also made the payment of school registration fees for 15 orphan students at Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Potiskum, and also supported the Yobe State annual Quranic recitation competition held in Machina in 2025.

“In participation in supporting the students of high institutions, Dabuwa Company made the payment of school fee registration for over 150 students at various high institutions. In addition, it supported Yobe State University during a fire outbreak with bending materials.

“Damuli Investment Company also sponsored common entrance exams into Mai Bukar boarding school across the political wards of the Machina local government area in 2024 and 2025, respectively, as well as rendered support to Medical College Damaturu and purchased teaching and learning materials for GSS Machina.

Alhaji Liman Mohammad Dabuwa commended His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, and the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali mni, for turning Yobe State into semi-London.

“Now Yobe State can compete with any developing state in the country in terms of infrastructural development,” Alhaji Liman Mohammad Dabuwa said.

MD Damuli Investment Company Limited extends assistance to orphans, underprivileged students in Yobe

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One dead, four injured in communal clash in ngidoje village in Yobe

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One dead, four injured in communal clash in ngidoje village in Yobe

By: Zagazola Makama

A 20-year-old man has been killed while four others sustained injuries in a clash involving youths in Ngidoje Village, Yobe State.

Sources said the incident occurred on Wednesday around 10:00 p.m. when some Fulani youths reportedly had a misunderstanding that escalated into a fight involving sticks and cutlasses.

The deceased, identified as Ibrahim Manu Gagare, was beaten and fell unconscious. He was rushed to Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Buni Yadi, where he was certified dead by a medical doctor. His body was later released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.

The remaining four victims sustained various degrees of injuries and are responding to treatment.
End

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