German Ambassador, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre

By: Michael Mike

The Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, Annet Gunther, and the resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme to Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah have unveiled two projects executed by the administration of Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, in Monguno town.

While the German Ambassador unveiled resettlement houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs), Nigeria’s UNDP Country Representative conducted the commissioning of a 100-person capacity ICT centre to facilitate digital education.

The housing estate consists of 1,000 two-bedroom semi-detached low-cost houses and another 900 semi-permanent shelters with basic amenities such as a health centre and a borehole for water provision.

About 1,874 IDP families from 14 communities benefited from the housing project. Each of them received food and non-food items, N50,000 cash for the household heads and another N20,000 for each housewife.

In her goodwill message, Ambassador Annet Gunther commended Governor Zulum for the laudable projects that helped people affected by insurgency pick up the pieces of their lives.

She said: “This housing project is also a great example of collaboration between the government of Borno State and international partners. Funding for the housing units comes from both the state government and international partners.”

Elsie Attafuah corroborated Gunther’s commendation of Zulum’s administration, noting that the housing project aligns with UNDP’s regional stabilisation effort which is working towards peace restoration in communities in Lake Chad area.

Attafuah said: “Our collective effort in the Northeast and especially in Borno State is making tremendous impact in the lives of the people and the region: restoring hope, fostering social trust between the governments and the people, improving security, building back better, reducing incidence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), increased socio-economic empowerment of the affected population, reinstate access to social services and rebuilding people’s confidence and resilience.

“To be specific, in the past year, our collective effort and partnership resulted in the construction of 25 social service facilities; 1,400 shelters comprising 500 housing units and 900 semi-permanent shelters; 500 housing units in Logomane; and nine (9) security and justice infrastructure. These facilities were accompanied with relevant social service infrastructures like water, green energy, recreation centres and markets. Livelihood and protection of SGBV were also a major component of the achievements: 4,000 (40% female) persons were empowered through cash grants, technical and vocational skills acquisition with start pack grants and agricultural inputs. To promote regional trade networks between Nigeria and her neighbouring countries, RSF programme with your funding and government assistance invested massively in border infrastructures including customs, immigration and police facilities and markets. The investment has helped to bolster economic stability, improve security and peaceful co-existence among the border towns.”

She added that: “To bolster achievements being recorded under RSF programme, and to ensure durable solutions to IDPs in critically affected communities, the UN Secretary General advanced an initiative on durable solutions to IDP issues in 15 pilot countries. Nigeria is one of them. This initiative complements the Borno Model, a creative development policy framework, designed for a sustainable peacebuilding and reintegration in Borno State. There is no doubt that effective integration and synergy of these development tools will result in sustainable peace, stability and development of Borno State and Northeast region.”

Governor Zulum, in his address, explained that while the German Government funded the construction of 500 permanent and another 900 semi-permanent shelters, Borno State Government constructed the remaining 500 houses and provided amenities such as a health centre and potable water among others.

“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed between Borno State Government and UNDP in 2020 under the RS German initiative to start the construction of 500 housing units. In August 2023, another LOA was signed under RSF German reintegration funds aimed at completing the 500 permanent housing units, providing an additional 900 semi-permanent shelters, and installing 375 solar streetlights,” the governor said.

He added that in addition to these efforts, Borno State Government had also constructed 500 permanent housing units and provided toilets for the temporary shelters, bringing the total number of houses constructed to 1,900.

According to Zulum, these accommodations will play a crucial role in the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of some IDP camps in Monguno, ensuring a smoother transition for resettling families.

The governor expressed gratitude to the Governments of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt and the European Union, among other donors for supporting Borno State.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Germany for their generous contribution and to UNDP for their unwavering partnership.

“Additionally, we thank all other donors and contributors to the RSF, UN OFFER, and other funding initiatives dedicated to promoting peace, stability, reintegration and development in Borno State,” Zulum stated.

Dignitaries, including the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Foud, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Esty Sotyoko, the head of UNDP office, Maiduguri, Mathew Alao, community leaders and citizens, gathered to witness the commissioning ceremony.

German Ambassador, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre

VP Shettima’s Aide on Digital Media Congratulates Bundi over Appointment

By: Our Reporter

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media and Emergency Management, Arc. Ishaq Ahmed Ningi, on Saturday paid a courtesy visit to the Government House in Maiduguri to congratulate Abdulrahman Ahmed Bundi on his recent appointment as the Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications to the Governor of Borno State.

The visit highlighted the shared commitment to fostering collaboration between the federal and state governments in harnessing digital media for the betterment of the people.

During his remarks, Ningi expressed heartfelt appreciation for the warm reception and commended the leadership of Borno State Government for its unwavering dedication to public service. Reflecting on his relationship with Mr. Bundi, he remarked on their shared journey in digital communication, emphasizing Bundi’s expertise, creativity, and dedication to service.

Speaking on the importance of collaboration, Mr. Ningi stated, “Borno State has always been a shining example of how federal and state governments can work harmoniously for the greater good. His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, exemplifies this synergy by funding and supporting projects that transcend governmental boundaries. For us, the ultimate beneficiaries of every effort remain the resilient and hardworking people of Borno State.”

Mr. Ningi further noted that the recent challenges faced by the state, including insecurity, flooding and other humanitarian crises, call for innovative approaches and stronger collaboration. He extended his condolences to families affected by the recent tragedies and expressed solidarity with the people of Borno in their pursuit of peace and progress.

In paying tribute to the late Malam Isa Gusau, the former spokesperson of Borno State Government, Mr Ningi described him as a visionary whose contributions to public communication and governance will not be forgotten. “Mala

VP Shettima’s Aide on Digital Media Congratulates Bundi over Appointment

FG Urged to Take Over Gen Alkali’s Murder Case from Plateau Government

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Major-General U.I. Mohammed (retd), who led the operation to recover the remains of Major-General Idris Alkali, has called on the Federal Government to take over the case of the late general’s murder from the Plateau State Government.

Over six years after the discovery of Gen Alkali’s body in an abandoned well in Guchwet village, Jos South LGA, no one has been prosecuted.

Gen Mohammed, speaking in an interview, stated the need for justice and shared details of the investigation that led to the recovery of Gen Alkali’s body.

He noted that the Nigerian Army tasked him with leading the search and rescue mission in September 2018 after Gen Alkali went missing en route from Abuja to Bauchi.

“We had credible information that a vehicle was pushed into one of the ponds in the area. Following Gen Buratai’s directive, the 3 Division was ordered to conduct a search and rescue operation,” he said.

During the operation, the team relied on technology, including phone tracking provided by MTN, and human intelligence to locate Gen Alkali’s car and uncover details of his murder.

Gen Mohammed described how divers and specialized equipment were used to drain the pond where Gen Alkali’s car was found. The operation also uncovered other vehicles and led to arrests.

The investigation revealed that Gen Alkali was ambushed, forced out of his car, and killed despite offering money to spare his life.

He was later buried in “No Man’s Land,” and his remains were exhumed and moved to Abuja for burial.

Despite these efforts, Gen Mohammed expressed frustration with the lack of progress in prosecuting the case.

“Since the case started in 2018, they have kept on shifting it. I was allowed to testify only once,” he said.

He also noted recurring challenges, such as community resistance during the operation, including protests by women who attempted to obstruct the evacuation of the pond.

He urged the Plateau State Government to legislate against practices like placing large stones on roads to ambush travelers, which he described as a common tactic in the area.

FG Urged to Take Over Gen Alkali’s Murder Case from Plateau Government