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Ngamdu community in Borno will soon get respite against rainy seasons as N1.5b project nears completion… acresal boss

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Ngamdu community in Borno will soon get respite against rainy seasons as N1.5b project nears completion… acresal boss

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The annual rainy season flooding that used to evict residents of Ngamdu community in Borno state will soon be history as the coordinator of the Agro-climatic resilience in semi arid landscapes (acresal) Peter Yakubu has revealed.

He stated that work on all expected structures in Ngamdu to mitigate this flooding which used to overwhelm the only highway in and out of the state is well over 50% competed.

Making the revelation recently in his office in Maiduguri coordinator of acresal program Peter Ayuba stated that about N1.5 billion would be spent on the project which will involve the pulling down of about 74 homes and the laying of massive drainages in the area to curtail the litany of woes experienced by residents who used to flee from their water logged homes during the rains to avoid drowning.

He said that Governor Babagana Zulum is keen on seeing the completion of the project before the commencement of the next rains which is why he followed the world bank partners up to their office to ensure an amiable conclusion of many of the grey areas in all the flood prone areas of the state.

“Actually with the Governor’s support, we have achieved more than expected considering that most of the actions in the work plan has been implemented. I can tell you that more than 80 percent of last year’s target was achieved. The project started in 2022 and we commenced implemention in 2023 making progress up till now.

“The Governor on visiting Ngamdu last year, which you are aware of agreed to visit the world bank to see that all the details of the Ngamdu project as outlined will be achieved.

” It was in that meeting that the Governor requested the world Bank Chief to come to see things for himself after the devastating Maiduguri flood. He visited some schools, Alau Dam and bridges that were destroyed and more. ” Said the coordinator

Yakubu said that Zulum also submitted a request for support for farmers whose crops were destroyed by the last flood in Maiduguri.

Speaking on the problems created by the flood in Maiduguri, he said some of it would be included in the work plan for 2025 like desilting of river Ngadabul which is a seasonal river flowing into Lake Chad.

Bulldozer, elevators and swamp buggies have been bought to assist in desilting the rivers. Which normally should have lessened the effects of the flood if it was not loaded with too much silt.

On the Ngamdu flood plain, he told this reporter that so many houses have been affected and marked for demolition but they had to wait until the Governor approves N100m for their compensations before they can ask residents to leave their homes adding that the entire Ngamdu anti flood project will cost about 1.5b naira for now.

“We are constructing a channel through the town and the pond and it would be emptied across on the other side of the road.

“The contractor would have finished long ago but for compensations for homes to be pulled down which is supposed to have been taken care of but causing a little bit of delay.

“And this is caused because some of them made mistakes in their names and it affected their payments which is why some of them are here to correct the anomalies to get their final compensations.

“About 74 houses were involved so we are not taking the matter lightly which is why we started implementation in the early part of December. About 18 to 20,000 people above 60 years were also given some support of 50,000 each.” He noted.

The Coordinator revealed that the Ngamdu fish pond will be expanded to become larger to produce more fishes for commercial purposes.

On the plan of acresal to intervene in the Maiduguri flood, he described the collapse of the Alau Dam as an unplanned accident adding that they have however planned desilting of the rivers criss crossing the state capital to enable them mop up further floods due to rainfall.

Bakin kogi tipper flood plain

“Bakin kogi” tipper he stressed was originally 13 metres wide but the Governor does not want it that wide. “This is why he did not agree with the world bank and their specifications which insisted on 13 metres because up to eight or nine sub drainages and streams enter that place at the same time during the rains and cause flood in the surrounding settlements.

“They finally agreed on 6.9 metres for the specification of the construction and a Chinese company will soon be given the opportunity to handle it.

“It will drain Bulumkutu through the railway down to kogi tipper while another one from 777 and Bintu sugar enters there too.

“The size of the place was estimated wrongly before but partially corrected during Modu Sheriff but what we are about doing now is to ensure that the floods stops once and for all and people do not live in fear during the rains.” He maintained.

On Uba town, Yakubu posited that his agency will drain the area adjoining the Emir’s Palace and link up with the big river that passes through Lassa.

This has to be done because the terrain is flat and it affects the flow of rain water which causes resultant flooding adding that there are similar interventions in Lassa, Uba, Uvu except Askira which they have not done any form of construction and are yet to intervene.

He told this reporter that
Lassa will get about N130m, Uba about five billion naira while Uvu is just a linear drainage costing far lower.

On Askira town, the coordinator stated that the Governor directed the ministry of works Commissioner Engineer Gubio to take over the Palace of the Emir and start work.

Climate change/ Cattle management/ over grazing/ long or short term solution

On the position of his agency on cattle management, he said that over grazing management has been one of their serious management challenges so far.

Yakubu added that there has been a deliberate plan for three Ruga’s and with the one in mafa completed, they hope there will be another at Gubio and Rumigo in southern Borno respectively.

The Challenges that Nigeria must face is the free movement of cattle and all manner of animals from economic of west African countries (ECOWAS) countries.

As long as cattle keep committing atrocities in the savannah, there is no way we can have achievements in the area of consistent deforestation.

“This is because they not only eat out trees, they uproot most of our trees in northern Borno with impunity. No checks at all at the borders.

“Even the nymph trees are being eaten by Camels. If you must plant trees in northern Borno, they must be protected for about four to five years from cattle, camels elephants and all manner of animals.

“Even the cows have trampling effects on new seedlings. We succeeded in establishment of about 30 hectares of nymph trees in magumeri already, but animals are threatening these trees by eating and uprooting them. They come all the way from Kala Balge to eat up our trees.” Said the coordinator.

Our major problem is the herders who do not control the animals, they eat up the trees and the branches causing over grazing which is one of the major problems associated with climate change in the state.

“If we don’t maintain these fences they will eat up the entire foliages and that is not good for us at all. They come in from all the border states to eat up out trees and return before the rains and floods.

“Over grazing is one of our major challenge in the savannah today and we must do something to stop this frustrating challenge. They eat most of the sweet trees like Adua, Balanitis Gum Arabic rendering useless the landscape and put the terrain in trouble.

Speaking on countering measures of the state government so far, he acknowledged that the Governor has done a lot from the climate change agreement.

“The ten million seedlings raised, solarization of the town, hospitals, bore holes and a lots of CNG and electric buses are all on the streets of Maiduguri while public buildings are also using solar now.

“We were expected to calculate the amount of carbon emission in our atmosphere before we traveled for the last summit but we could not. So these are the areas we may be able to focus on that soon.” He concluded.

Ngamdu community in Borno will soon get respite against rainy seasons as N1.5b project nears completion… acresal boss

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RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

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RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

“Don’t Allow Shame or Stigma Affect Your Confidence” – Senator Oluremi Tinubu to School Girls at the Launch of Flow With Confidence Program in Maiduguri, Borno State

By: Our Reporter

The Flow With Confidence program, a vital menstrual health intervention, is designed to empower schoolgirls with knowledge, build confidence, and promote improved menstrual hygiene. The initiative targets 370,000 beneficiaries, mostly from rural communities who struggle to access hygienic care while in school.

Launched simultaneously in seven states – Borno, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos – by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the program provides each beneficiary with a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads.

At the official launch in Maiduguri, the First Lady was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima. She stressed that it is unacceptable for young girls to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, often forcing them to miss school days because they cannot afford sanitary pads.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that many girls resort to unhygienic alternatives, hence the introduction of Flow With Confidence as a safe, hygienic option to enhance reproductive wellbeing. Each state under the initiative will have 10,000 beneficiaries.

Encouraging the girls, the First Lady urged them not to allow shame or stigma to affect their confidence but to boldly pursue their dreams as future leaders of the nation. She further called on corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to support the program, while charging traditional, religious, and community leaders to ensure transparent distribution in their localities.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, expressed the government’s profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose leadership continues to rekindle hope and restore dignity to countless families by prioritizing economic empowerment as a driver of national development.

The Governor also commended the First Lady for addressing an often-neglected aspect of girls’ and women’s dignity and reproductive health.

Similarly, the Borno State RHI Coordinator and Wife of the Governor, Dr. Falmata Umara Zulum, lauded the First Lady’s commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in society through her numerous interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), complementing the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the First Lady also handed over assorted food items to the Borno State RHI Coordinator, Dr. Falmata Babagana Zulum, for onward distribution to vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities. This places Borno among the beneficiaries of the monthly RHI Food Outreach Scheme, flagged off in March 2024 with support from two leading industrialists.

RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

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Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

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Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

…Insists Absence of Appellate Court at Regional Level Undermines Access to Justice

By: Michael Mike

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi has called for the establishment of an appellate mechanism within the ECOWAS Court of Justice, stating that the absence of such mechanism continued to undermine access to justice in the region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025/2026 legal year of ECOWAS Court, Fagbemi said while the finality of judgments is crucial, fairness also demands that decisions be open to review in order to correct possible errors of law or procedure.

Fagbemi while noting that the absence of appellate court at the regional level is a letdown, said: “It is concerning that there is currently inadequate room for appeal against the judgments of the ECOWAS Court. While finality is important, justice must also be seen to be fair and revisable,” insisting that: “The absence of a separate appellate mechanism limits access to justice. As we expand the Court’s reach, we must also ensure that its decisions are subject to the same standards of review and accountability that underpin robust judicial systems.”

He urged the Court to draw lessons from other regional judicial institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights, the East African Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which, according to him, offer valuable models of transparency, judicial independence and procedural innovation.

He however restated Nigeria’s support for the ECOWAS Court as host country, describing it as central to regional integration, human rights enforcement and stability. “Nigeria remains steadfast in its support for the ECOWAS Court of Justice… I pledge to continue advocating for legal reforms that align domestic laws with regional obligations while respecting our constitutional order and national interests,” Fagbemi added.

Also speaking, the President of Cabo Verde, José Neves, said community justice remains vital for Africa’s credibility in global affairs. He stressed that strengthening institutions such as the ECOWAS Court was essential for peace, democracy and integration on the continent.

He said: “In a continent still marked by border disputes and recurring tensions, the existence of an independent and respected community tribunal is a civilisational triumph that we must preserve and enhance,” Neves said. He noted that access to the Court by individual citizens was one of the most significant gains of regional integration, as it brings justice closer to the people.

Neves also called for reforms within African sub-regional bodies to make them more effective in addressing contemporary challenges such as insecurity, institutional fragility, migration and climate change.

In his address, the President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Goncalves, disclosed that the Court handled 34 new cases in the past year, including matters relating to civil and political rights, economic freedoms, and disputes between member states.

He also revealed that the Court held 79 judicial sessions and issued 54 rulings, many of which reaffirmed key principles such as the justiciability of socio-economic rights and the supremacy of community law over conflicting national legislation. According to him, 112 cases are currently pending before the Court.

Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Wednesday, undertook a working visit to Diffa Region of Niger Republic on Wednesday.

The visit, which included a high-level security and economic delegation, focused on strengthening the existing collaboration between Nigerian and Nigerien forces in the ongoing fight against insurgency, particularly around the shores of Lake Chad.

Diffa is a community 17 km from Damasak town in northern Borno where thousands of Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram insurgency are currently taking refuge.

Zulum was received by the Governor of Diffa, Brigadier General Mahamaduo Ibrahim Bagadoma, and other senior officials. The leaders held closed-door meetings centered on joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and sustaining the recent gains that have pushed insurgents out of many of their former strongholds.

Zulum outlined plan to leverage the improved security situation to facilitate the return of thousands of displaced farmers to the vast and fertile agricultural lands around Dutchi town within the Lake Chad basin.

Part of the Governor’s entourage are Engr Bukar Talba, a member of the House of Representatives, Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and otheir senior government officials.
[10/2, 6:35 PM] Mike Olugbode: Maiduguri: For Over a Month, MSF Responds to High Numbers of Children Suffering from Malnutrition.

Since late August and early September, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have scaled up their medical response in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, following a sharp rise in malnutrition cases that overwhelmed MSF-supported facilities. Although admissions have slightly decreased now, the number of children receiving treatment remains very high.

“A month ago, we witnessed a worrying increase in admissions, compounded by a surge in measles cases,” said MSF Project Coordinator Daniela Batista. “Our isolation units for measles patients were quickly filled, and even the additional space we opened reached capacity. Now, those units remain around 70 percent full.”

Since 8 September, MSF’s Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) at Nilefa Kiji Hospital (NKH) has nearly doubled its bed capacity to accommodate the influx of malnourished children. By the third week of September, the emergency facility was recording an average of more than 85 new admissions daily.
In a context of reduced global humanitarian funding, some organizations in Maiduguri reduced their support for – or even left – nutritional outpatient nutrition programmes, causing a significant drop in access for first line care fir malnourished children.
 
At MSF’s extension facility in Shuwari, teams treated 3,265 children for malnutrition and referred 1,521 others for continued care between August and early September, when the upsurge began. More than 625 malnourished children have also been treated for measles — a disease which can contribute to malnutrition and whose complications can result from malnutrition.
 
The situation is further exacerbated by shortages of essential supplies. Therapeutic milk — critical for treating severe acute malnutrition — is in short supply, while access to ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) remains a chronic concern. Some partner ITFCs have indicated they can only accept referrals if MSF provides additional medical supplies such as antibiotics, admission kits, and therapeutic milk.
MSF teams also reported regular admissions of patients from Zabarmari — a community they are currently unable to access due to security and logistical challenges. MSF is engaging with the Borno State Ministry of Health to assess and potentially support the local Primary Health Centre (PHC) to ensure residents can access care.

Borno State continues to face the effects of a decade-long insurgency, with recent reports of violence in areas surrounding Maiduguri.

This surge in Maiduguri mirrors an alarming trend seen in all MSF nutrition facilities across Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, and Bauchi in recent months. According to UN estimates, 2.5 million children across northeast Nigeria are at risk of acute malnutrition.

MSF called on health authorities and humanitarian organizations to urgently address the shortages in medical supplies and staffing, and to strengthen community-level health systems to prevent further deterioration.

Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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