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Profile of the late Emir of Tikau
Profile of the late Emir of Tikau
By: Yahaya Wakili
The late Mai Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, was born into the family of the late Mai Abubakar Ibn Grema on August 21, 1951, and ascended to the throne of his father, the late Abubakar Ibn Grema, on July 21, 2001.
He attended Damboa primary school, Potiskum, from 1960–1963, and proceeded to senior boarding primary school, Potiskum, from 1964–1966, and from there he moved to Government Craft School, Maiduguri, in 1967–1969, and later moved to Gombe Teachers College for his Grade 11 certificate from 1970–1972.
In his commitment to higher educational pursuits, the late Emir left the classroom to obtain an NCE certificate from Advance Teachers College, Maiduguri, from 1977 to 1980, and he was among the 13th batch of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from 1981 to 1982. He proceeded to the University of Maiduguri from 1987 to 1990, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education.
The late Emir was a career educator, where he grew from a class teacher in 1973 up to school headmaster in 1977. From there, the late emir moved to the secondary level of education as a master teacher and rose to the rank of principal in 1998, and his education career ended in 2002 when he was appointed as the district head of Nangere. As destined by Allah (SWT), he was appointed as a second-class emir of Tikau on July 21, 2001, and on May 28, 2007, the late emir was upgraded to first-class status.
In line with the Yobe state government directive for the establishment of Zakkat and Waqaf committees in all the emirates in the state, the late emir was the first to establish the Zakkat and Waqaf committee with him as chairman in 2002.
The committee conducts an annual launching for the collection of Zakkat and Waqaf throughout the emirate. From 2002 to date, a total sum of $47,885,014.00k, with the highest donations of $4,681,200.00k in 2002, was collected and distributed to the needy.
Since his ascension to the throne in 2002, an additional 46 Friday Masjids have been built, while many of the existing Masjids have either been renovated or reconstructed. He also approved an improved condition of service for Imams and Na’ibs, with provisions for the distribution of the Holy Qur’an, regalia, and even financial support for house renovation.
Prior to the establishment of the Zakkat and Waqaf committee in 2002 in Tikau emirate by the late emir, many villages had no access to Islamiyya schools. From 2002 to date, the number of Islamiyya schools rose from 10 to 74 in 2023.
With regards to the enrollment of males, females, and teachers into Islamiyya schools, the emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, has increased their numbers to 2,185 for males, 4,617 for females, and 168 for teachers, amounting to 6,802 in 2023.
This record of achievements can be attributed to the firm commitment of the late emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, with the active support of his Zakkat and Waqaf committees in propagating Islam throughout the emirate.
The late emir is actively driving Da’awah activities in the emirate. The Zakkat and Waqaf committee, in collaboration with the Da’awah department of FOMWAN under the leadership of Malama Hauwa Idris Muhammad, has been conducting a series of lectures, practical demonstrations, and question-and-answer sessions on selected topics.
The late Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, received many merit awards, including many international and national awards. Kentucky Colonel Award by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States of America, 2005. Traditional Leadership Award by Development in Nigeria Merit Award (DINMA), People State and Resource, PSR Magazine 2008.
Others Merit Awards include: Chancellor, Yobe State University, Damaturu 2010-2020; Grand Patron, Yobe State Islamic Teachers Association 2011, Environmental Support and Protection Award, by Environmental Outreach Magazine, Bayelsa State; Award of Merit by Ummaty International Charity Foundation, Yobe State Chapter 2024; NANS Yobe Chapter, Grand Patron; and Hijra TV Ghana, Merit Award, 2023.
May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatur Fidaus. Ameen.
Profile of the late Emir of Tikau
News
Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding
Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding
By: Our Reporter
Prominent Nigerians on Saturday converged in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to attend the wedding ceremony of three children of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori.
Gatekeepers News reports that there was heavy traffic in parts of Maiduguri as dignitaries from all works of life made frantic effort to access the residence of Dalori and the Al-Ansar Mosque, the two main venues of the wedding ceremony.

Among those in attendance were top government officials, party leaders, traditiona rulers, business moguls, and religious leaders from within and outside Borno State. The ceremony attracted a large crowd, reflecting Dr. Dalori’s political influence and wide network across the country.
Leading the array of dignitaries is the National Chairman of the APC Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, othe members of National Woking Committee of the APC and large numbers of States Chairmen of the party .
Also in attendance were the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, his Deputy, Hon Umar Kadafur , three Senators from the state- Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Mohammed Ndume Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan and members of the House of Representatives from Borno State

Others are the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen, Abubakar Kyari, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and members of Borno State House of Assembly , former Nigeria Ambassador to China, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Alh. Ibrahim Bunu, Ibrahim , Former Deputy Governors of Borno State- Ali Jatau and Adamu Dibal .
The Deputy National Chairman of the APC was full of gratitude to his guests who left their various confort zones to attend wedding of his children- Usman, Falmata and Aisha .
” I’m immensely grateful our National Chairman of APC Professor Nentawe, our amiable Governor of Borno State Prof Babagana Zulum, the Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur and the too many important personalities who came from far and near to honour my invitation, may Allah (SAW) bless you all ” Dalori said .
The wedding rites were conducted in accordance with Islamic injunctions, featuring special prayers for the couples, their families,. The atmosphere was marked by joy, unity, and cultural splendour, as guests exchanged pleasantries and goodwill messages with the host and his family

Security operatives were deployed in large numbers around the venues to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth flow of activities. Traffic control officers were also on ground to manage the influx of vehicles and guests, while emergency and protocol teams worked tirelessly to coordinate movements and logistics.
The wedding ceremony came to a successful end with a reception that featured traditional music, refreshments, and continued interactions among guests, bringing together leaders and citizens in a rare atmosphere of celebration and solidarity.
Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding
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JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman
JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman
By: Our Reporter
A new video has emerged showing two men, allegedly abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State, pleading for help.
One of the victims, Hon. Hassan Biu Miringa, a former Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area, is seen in the video appealing for rescue.
The two men were taken hostage on December 17, 2025, while traveling from Miringa to Maiduguri.
In the video, the abductees said the terrorists are demanding a ransom of $150,000 per person, totaling $300,000, for their release.
‘We were abducted on our way from Miringa to Maiduguri around 2:30. Alhamdulillah, we are alive,’ one of the victims said. ‘We are calling on the government and individuals to come to our rescue.’
The victims specifically appealed to Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, Hon. Mukhtar Betara Aliyu, Hon. Sule Ali Rimi, Hon. Yakubu Gambo Kimba, and Alhaji Musa Dogo Biu to intervene and help secure their freedom.
‘We are pleading with them to come to our rescue. We are their sons,” the victim said. ‘They said we must provide $150,000 each. For the two of us, it is $300,000. We want to be reunited with our families.’
JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman
News
Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions
Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba (NMSC) has expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Cuba following the killing of 32 Cuban internationalists in Venezuela.
In a press statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the pro-people coalition, which includes labour unions, civil society organisations and intellectuals, alleged that the Cuban nationals were killed during an attack in Caracas on January 3, 2026, while protecting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, his wife, Cilia Flores, and what it described as the sovereignty of Venezuela.
The group said the Cubans chose to resist despite being overwhelmed, describing their actions as a demonstration of courage, honour and commitment to international solidarity.
NMSC drew parallels between the incident and past historical events where Cuban nationals were involved in overseas struggles, including the 1983 U.S.-led invasion of Grenada and Cuba’s military support for African liberation movements in Angola, Namibia and South Africa during the fight against apartheid.
According to the organisation, thousands of Cuban youths lost their lives in Africa while contributing to the dismantling of apartheid systems backed by Western powers. The group noted that Cuba’s internationalism has not been limited to armed conflicts, citing the country’s long-standing medical outreach to developing nations, including Nigeria.
The statement also recalled Cuba’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it dispatched medical teams to dozens of countries and received hundreds of stranded cruise ship passengers at a time many nations had closed their borders.
NMSC extended its sympathy to the families of those killed in Venezuela and called on the United States government to respect international law, halt what it described as foreign military interventions, and lift sanctions imposed on Cuba, Venezuela and other countries.
The group further aligned itself with repeated resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly calling for the end to the decades-long U.S. embargo against Cuba, insisting that global peace and development require cooperation rather than conflict.
The statement was signed by veteran labour activist and writer, Owei Lakemfa, on behalf of the Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba
Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions
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