Zulum Hosts Kanuri Kinsmen from 10 African Countries

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Thursday hosted thousands of Kanuri kinsmen from across Africa as Maiduguri played host to this year’s Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit.

The gathering attracted Kanuri delegates from at least 10 countries, including Ghana, Sudan, Gabon, Niger, Central African Republic, Senegal, Libya, Chad, Cameroon and Benin.

In attendance were 161 emirs, senior government officials and traditional leaders, underscoring the historic and cultural significance of the summit.

The event was conceived as a platform to revive transnational kinship ties rooted in shared Kanuri heritage, while fostering cooperation in education, economic development and social advancement among Kanuri communities spread across borders.

Colourful cultural displays and traditional dance performances by delegations from the participating countries highlighted the rich heritage of the Kanem-Borno civilisation, one of Africa’s longest-surviving empires which thrived for over a millennium around the Lake Chad region.

Addressing participants in the Kanuri language, Zulum called for renewed commitment to educational exchange, entrepreneurship and collective socio-economic initiatives that would uplift Kanuri communities globally. He announced the award of scholarships to 150 students from countries that once formed part of the historic Kanem-Borno Empire, describing the gesture as a step towards strengthening unity and fraternity.

The Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, was represented at the summit by the Governor of Lac Province, Major General Saleh Haggar Tidjani.

Other prominent personalities at the event included Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; former Vice President, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Mohammed Ali Ndume; and Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan.

Also present were members of the House of Representatives, speakers of the Borno and Yobe State Houses of Assembly, traditional rulers from different parts of Nigeria, members of the Borno State House of Assembly, commissioners and senior officials of the Borno State Government.

The summit concluded with a renewed call for collaboration among Kanuri descendants worldwide to preserve their cultural legacy and channel shared identity into sustainable development for future generations.

Zulum Hosts Kanuri Kinsmen from 10 African Countries

Yobe: Prioritize security, Buni tells newly appointed Chairman of Yusufari

By: Yahaya Wakili

Governor Mai Mala Buni CON of Yobe State has charged the newly appointed chairman of the Yusufari local government area to consider security of lives and property as the priority of the administration.

Buni gave the warning today while swearing in Alhaji Adamu Jibrin as the chairman of the council following the death of Alhaji Bah Abba Aji some few days ago.

According to Buni, the death of the chairman has created a vacuum that must be filled for continuity in governance, and this justifies the appointment of Alhaji Adamu Jibrin as the new chairman of the Yusufari local government council.

He urged him to be a good team player for a result-oriented administration that would give members of the council and people of the local government area a sense of belonging.

Governor Buni also urged the new chairman to conduct government business transparently to promote accountability and probity as well as to channel government resources into areas of need that have a direct impact on the lives of the people.

He appealed to the people of the local government area to support the new chairman for a smooth and successful administration that would meet the needs of the people.

Yobe: Prioritize security, Buni tells newly appointed Chairman of Yusufari

Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have cleared several terrorist enclaves and neutralised multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs during an ongoing offensive into the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, involved troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade (SAB) and 26 Task Force Brigade, operating in conjunction with vigilante forces.

According to the source, the troops departed their Harbour Area at about 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 31, and conducted clearance operations along designated withdrawal routes within the Sambisa axis.

“The troops successfully cleared the terrorist enclaves of Garin Kago, Garin Alhaji Bita and Garin Malam Muazu during the operation,” the source said.

The areas were described as active terrorist locations; however, the insurgents reportedly fled before the arrival of the advancing troops.

“Despite the terrorists’ withdrawal, several life-support structures within the enclaves were identified and destroyed in line with operational guidelines,” the source added.

During the withdrawal phase, troops encountered three buried IEDs, which were promptly detonated in situ by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team without incident.

The troops later returned safely to Brigade Headquarters at about 4:45 p.m., while casualties recorded during the operation were immediately evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Hospital for further medical attention.

The operation forms part of sustained efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to degrade terrorist networks, dismantle logistics bases and deny insurgents freedom of movement within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.

Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive