Zulum Visits Bama Windstorm Victims, Approves Relief for Bereaved Families

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Sunday visited Bama town in the state to sympathise with victims of a devastating windstorm that destroyed hundreds of homes and claimed lives in the community.

The governor, who travelled to the affected area alongside top government officials, announced immediate relief measures for victims, including a cash donation of N500,000 to each family that lost a relative in the disaster.

Zulum was accompanied on the visit by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bukar Talba, the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff, Babagana Malumbe, former commissioners and other senior government officials.

Addressing residents during the visit, the governor directed an immediate assessment of the scale of destruction caused by the windstorm, assuring affected households that government assistance would be provided according to the level of damage suffered.

The disaster, which swept through parts of Bama town, reportedly destroyed rooftops, buildings and other properties, leaving many residents homeless and vulnerable.

Chairman of Bama Local Government Area, Babagana Barma, disclosed that no fewer than 1,200 houses were affected by the storm, while four persons lost their lives.

Zulum described the incident as unfortunate and expressed condolences to bereaved families, assuring them that the state government would continue to stand by victims during the difficult period.

The governor, however, used the occasion to raise concerns over environmental degradation, warning residents against indiscriminate tree felling, which he identified as a major contributor to the increasing occurrence of windstorms and ecological disasters in the region.

“We must stop cutting down trees arbitrarily. This is a key factor behind the increasing intensity of storms and ecological challenges we face. We already have laws on the ground, and there is a need to ensure that we fully implement them,” he said.

Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that deforestation and desert encroachment remain major threats in many parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in states within the Sahel region, where changing climate patterns have continued to worsen flooding, erosion and wind-related disasters.

Borno State has in recent years intensified campaigns on environmental protection and tree planting as part of broader efforts to combat desertification and climate-related challenges.

During the visit, Zulum also reiterated his administration’s commitment to the safe return of displaced persons currently residing in Internally Displaced Persons camps across the state.

He assured residents that government would continue to pursue policies aimed at restoring communities devastated by years of insurgency and humanitarian crises.

Bama, one of the communities worst affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, has continued to witness gradual reconstruction and resettlement efforts under the present administration, despite recurring security and environmental challenges.

Zulum Visits Bama Windstorm Victims, Approves Relief for Bereaved Families

UNIFEMGA Urges Positive Mindset, National Unity as Key to Nigeria’s Growth

By: Michael Mike

Members of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA) have called on Nigerians to embrace positive thinking, patriotism and collective responsibility as essential ingredients for national transformation and sustainable development.

The association made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its 2026 Annual National Re-union held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, between May 8 and May 10.

The conference, themed “The Potential Within Nigeria: Positive Mindset and Communication for Success,” brought together Muslim professionals, academics, business leaders and alumni from across the country to deliberate on issues affecting national development, education, governance and economic growth.

The communiqué, signed by the National President of the association, Mohamed Buari, and the National Secretary, Sefiu Ikudaisi, stressed that Nigeria possesses abundant human and material resources capable of transforming the country into a global economic and political force if citizens adopt the right mindset and attitudes.

According to the association, negative narratives, disunity and poor value orientation have continued to undermine the country’s enormous potential.

It noted that Islam encourages development, innovation and the pursuit of knowledge capable of improving the quality of life, provided such advancements remain within the ethical boundaries prescribed by the religion.

The conference commenced with a special Jumat service at the OAU Central Mosque of Unity and a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, and other principal officers of the institution.

During the visit, discussions centred on issues of mutual interest, with the university management reportedly commending the association for its contributions to the growth and development of the institution.

A major highlight of the reunion was the presentation of scholarships worth N14.6 million to 140 students of the university as part of the association’s welfare and educational support programme.

UNIFEMGA disclosed that since the introduction of the scholarship initiative in the 2009/2010 academic session, it has disbursed over N103.4 million to 1,148 students of the institution.

The association also launched a N200 million endowment fund targeted at supporting widows and orphans of members under its welfare scheme.

The event featured a networking dinner sponsored by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the association, Rafiu Ebiti, focusing on value-driven entrepreneurship and investment opportunities.

The reunion lecture was delivered by the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, while the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Matrix Energy Group, Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu, chaired the occasion.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Osun State Government, including Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Religious Affairs, Bello Adeniyi, as well as the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Adejare Bello.

The association expressed concern over the growing challenges confronting tertiary education in Nigeria, including brain drain, obsolete learning equipment, unstable academic calendars and outdated curricula.

It urged the government to urgently address the problems and transform the current “japa” trend into an opportunity for “brain gain” capable of enhancing national productivity and innovation.

UNIFEMGA further called for stronger collaboration between universities and the private sector to ensure sustainable research, innovation and technological advancement.

On the economy, the association urged governments at all levels to create an enabling business environment through improved electricity supply, infrastructure development and investment in human capital.

It also stressed the need to tackle unemployment, warning that many jobless youths are vulnerable to manipulation by individuals promoting violence and instability.

The association said that a positive national mindset remains the foundation for building a prosperous and united Nigeria, urging citizens to embrace values that promote peace, productivity, discipline and national cohesion.

UNIFEMGA Urges Positive Mindset, National Unity as Key to Nigeria’s Growth

NSITF Restoring Hope to Injured Nigerian Workers Through Compensation Scheme — Faleye

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has intensified efforts to restore dignity, confidence and economic relevance to Nigerian workers injured in the line of duty through its Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), with the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Oluwaseun Faleye, declaring that no worker should be abandoned after suffering workplace accidents.

Faleye made the declaration in Abuja during the presentation of prosthetic limbs to 10 beneficiaries under the Fund’s rehabilitation and reintegration programme, describing the intervention as a practical demonstration of government’s commitment to social protection and workers’ welfare.

Represented by the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs. Nkiru Ogunnike, the NSITF boss said the scheme has continued to serve as a lifeline for workers whose lives were disrupted by industrial accidents, occupational diseases and other work-related hazards.

He stressed that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme was not designed merely to pay compensation, but to restore injured workers physically, emotionally and psychologically so they could reintegrate into society with renewed confidence.

According to him, many workplace accidents leave victims permanently altered, with some battling emotional trauma, social stigma and uncertainty about their future livelihoods.

“For many Nigerian workers, a single workplace incident can permanently alter the course of their lives. Through the intervention of the NSITF as administrators of the ECS, affected workers are given a second chance to rebuild their lives and regain independence,” he said.

Faleye cited the case of Daniel Etim, a staff member of the University of Uyo Printing Press, whose arm was amputated after it became trapped in an industrial machine during routine work in May 2024.

He explained that the NSITF not only covered Daniel’s medical expenses under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme but also provided him with a prosthetic arm to aid his rehabilitation and restore his functionality.

“Beyond the payment of medical bills, the Fund extended further rehabilitative support by providing him with a prosthetic arm, reaffirming its commitment not only to compensation but also to restoring dignity, confidence and functionality to injured workers,” he stated.

Faleye also recounted the experience of Festus Okpara, an employee of Tower Aluminium Laos, who lost his hand in a workplace accident in 2015 and endured years of emotional distress and social discomfort.

According to him, the provision of a silicone prosthetic hand by the NSITF has helped Okpara regain confidence and interact freely in public once again.

“Beyond the trauma of the accident itself was the constant public attention, the quizzical looks and the pitying stares that made social interactions difficult. The intervention of the NSITF has helped restore his sense of inclusion and self-worth,” he added.

One of the beneficiaries, Festus Okpara, expressed appreciation to the Fund for what he described as life-changing support.

“I thank NSITF for coming all this way to help. At least with this, I can go out in public and feel free. NSITF has reduced the level of trauma,” he said.

The latest intervention is part of the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration programme of the NSITF, under which 78 beneficiaries have recently been fitted with artificial limbs.

The Employees’ Compensation Scheme was established under the Employees’ Compensation Act of 2010 to provide compensation for workers who suffer injuries, disabilities, diseases or death arising from workplace activities.

The scheme, funded through employer contributions, was introduced to replace the defunct Workmen’s Compensation Act and broaden social protection for Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors.

Over the years, labour stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns over poor workplace safety standards in several sectors of the economy, especially manufacturing, construction and heavy industry, where industrial accidents remain prevalent.

Analysts say the increasing intervention of the NSITF in rehabilitation and compensation is gradually strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s social insurance system and drawing attention to the need for stricter enforcement of occupational safety measures across workplaces.

For many beneficiaries, however, the interventions represent something deeper than compensation — a restoration of hope after tragedy.

NSITF Restoring Hope to Injured Nigerian Workers Through Compensation Scheme — Faleye