North-West Governors Seek UN Support for Troubled Region

By: Michael Mike

Governors from the Northwest states have approached the United Nations for humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation of their geopolitical zone.

Many states in the Northwest have been adversely affected by banditry and terrorism in recent years, causing untold hardship on the people of the area.

A statement on Friday by the National Information Officer, UN Information Centre (UNIC), Oluseyi Soremekun read that Governors from the Northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria same day met with the United Nations Country Team led by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, and they have asked the UN to support their states to deal with the numerous developmental challenges they face.

The statement read: “The Chaiman of the Northwest Governors Forum and the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, led other Governors in the zone, including Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf; Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi; Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir; and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to the UN House Abuja,

“The Governors highlighted the major challenges faced by the region, including insecurity, multidimensional poverty, a large population of out-of-school children, increased casesof illicit drug abuse, high child and maternal mortality, and a large youth population that is unemployed.

“They indicated that nearly 80% of the population derive their livelihoods from agriculture, however, they face the challenges of land degradation and climate change which has reduced their yields. The governors also highlighted the high levels of child malnutrition.

“They also committed to providing a strong political support needed to ensure UN interventions in the Northwest are implemented with speed and at scale.”

The Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum was quoted in the statement to have said: “The only way we can surmount the challenges of Northwest is through a regional approach which demands that we work together in a coordinated manner. We need to collectively fight poverty and unemployment being the major root causes of insecurity in the region.”

The UN Resident Coordinator, on his part, expressed his delight at receiving six of the seven Governors in the zone and he assured that the United Nations family would support the Northwest region to address those development challenges.

He noted that with the varied high levels of multidimensional poverty, the sustainable development goals would only be achieved in Nigeria if the northwest got it right, and this in turn would impact positively on the African region.

“The UN in Nigeria is encouraged to see the strong leadership and commitment of Northwest Governors to improving the wellbeing of their people. We will continue to support the government and people of Northwest Nigeria. Together, we will rescue and accelerate the agenda 2030 for sustainable development in the region.” Fall said.

The Resident Coordinator informed the governors that the UN has embarked on acceleration of the achievement of the SDGs through a focus on six key areas including food systems, education, social protection and jobs, energy access, climate change, and digital transformation.
It was agreed at the meeting that a roadmap for action will be developed by technical teams from the UN and the seven states, through a framework of UN support to the region.

North-West Governors Seek UN Support for Troubled Region

Zulum distributes N250m to 25,000 widows, vulnerable women in Gwoza

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum supervised the distribution of N250 million to over 25,000 widows and vulnerable women through the Borno Renaissance Microfinance Bank in Gwoza Local Government Area on Wednesday.

The distribution took place in four centres, including Central Stadium, Mega Primary School, Government Secondary School and Government Day Secondary School, all in Gwoza town.

The distribution, according to Zulum, was to support women who were victims of the Boko Haram insurgents, some of whom has lost their husbands due to the crisis.

“About 25,000 women benefited from today’s distribution exercise; each of them received N10,000 through the microfinance Bank; we have facilitated the opening of Bank accounts to them to drive financial inclusion,” Zulum said.

He added, “Gradually, we intend to cover all the 27 Local Government Areas and ensure that a sizable number of the population have bank accounts.”

.. Inspects nursing school, approves high Islamic college

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum paid an inspection visit to assess the level and quality of work at the ongoing construction of the school of Nursing in Gwoza.

Zulum, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of the work, directed that the project be completed and put to use in six months.

He explained that his administration decided to establish two new schools of nursing, one in southern Borno and another in Borno north, to address the healthcare needs of Borno’s increasing population.

“The Borno State Government has decided to establish two additional schools of nursing in the state, one in Gwoza and the other in Monguno. This bridges the manpower gap in the health sector, especially in terms of nursing services.

“You have seen the progress, and in sha Allah, this project will be completed in six months. We will ensure hostels are constructed and teachers recruited and, most importantly, enhance the capacity of the General Hospital, Gwoza, to provide a learning environment for the student nurses,” he said.

Before leaving for Maiduguri, Governor Zulum announced a plan to construct a new high Islamic college in Gwoza town that aims to streamline the formal and informal education sectors.

Zulum noted that by establishing the high Islamic college, the government intends to impart proper Islamic comprehension, thereby combating violent extremism among young people.

The governor visited the proposed site for the high Islamic College, which was donated to the Borno State Government by the late Alhaji Muhammad Lawan Buba.

Zulum distributes N250m to 25,000 widows, vulnerable women in Gwoza

FCE Gwoza: Zulum approves N200m, houses for take-off

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved N200 million and a housing estate for teachers as a take-off package for the newly established Federal College of Education, Gwoza.

Zulum announced this on Tuesday during an inspection visit to the temporary site of the college allocated to facilitate its take-off.

After approving the allocation of the site in July, 2023, the governor ordered the rehabilitation, which has now reached an advanced stage.

Zulum expressed appreciation for the quality of work at the proposed college site and urged the contractors to fast-track its completion to allow for take-off immediately.

Governor Zulum noted that the estate, which has about 12 units of 2-bedroom houses, was built to accommodate teachers as the college prepares for the first set of students’ admission this year.

Zulum has offered similar support for the take-off of Federal Polytechnic, Monguno with a N100 million grant and a temporary site for the commencement of academic activities.

Zulum had, in the past, extended support to federal government institutions providing the necessary services required for the people of Borno State.

While in Gwoza, Zulum paid homage to the emir, Alhaji Umar Shehu Idrissa Timta, at his palace.

Among many other issues, he discussed plans to resettle communities such as Bita, Hambagda, Wala, Yamteki, Modube, Ashigashiya and Guduf.

Zulum expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the college in Gwoza Local Government Area that was devastated by Boko Haram insurgents.

FCE Gwoza: Zulum approves N200m, houses for take-off