Book Launch: Zulum Reaffirms Commitment to Invest in Education, Announces N50 Miliion Donation

By: Our Reporter

Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reiterated his adminisration’s commitment to continue to invest hugely in the education sector and reposition the state for a more prosperous future.

The governor made the commitment at the graduation ceremony and official launch of the Book “Echoes of Memory” authored by the daughter of Borno State Deputy Governor, Aisha Umar Kadafur.

Aisha kadafur, a law graduate from Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, is an advocate of peace and a campaigner on girl-child education.

The 25-page book is a collection of 25 different peoms from diverse themes such as girl-child, morality, technology, mental heath among others.p

Professor Zulum congratulated the celebrant for the accomplishment, describing education as the most effective weapon that can transform an individual and the society.

“Today, we gather not only to rejoice over an academic milestone but to honour a young lady whose passion for learning and writing has produced a meaningful contribution to literature and personal development,” Zulum said.

“Government of Borno State under my leadership together with my deputy and other members of council shall do everything possible to transform the education sector and reposition the state to greater heights. We will, insha Allah, deliver to the good people of Borno State both concrete and quantum values,” he assured.

“Education remains the most powerful weapon through which we can transform individuals and societies. When a young person, especially one from our state, distinguishes themselves through both academic excellence and intellectual creativity, it rekindles our hope for a brighter future. Aisha’s journey is a reflection of what is possible when vision meets commitment.

“The book “Echoes of Memory” is not just a title, it is a voice, a voice of reflection, courage and inspiration. It mirrors the thoughts and experiences of a young mind determined to leave a positive mark on the world. Through her words, Aisha reminds us that stories have the power to heal, to inspire and to shape our collective understanding of life.

“I feel a deep sense of pride seeing one of our own youths achieving such an outstanding feat. It gives me renewed confidence that our investments in education, empowerment and human development are not in vain. It is our young people, like Aisha, who will carry forward the torch of progress, peace and prosperity for our dear Borno State and Nigeria at large.

Governor Babagana Zulum during the Book presentation re-echoed the cordial working relationship between himself and the deputy governor “looking at the relationship between myself and the deputy, I said I must be around, I felt in my absence there will be a missing link, which is the father of the family. indeed I am the father of Aisha,”.ll

“I want to confess to the gathering that my stay with the deputy governor in the last six years needs not to be overemphasized. I cherishe him and I think people from other parts of the country would come and emulate from Borno State how governors should work with their deputies,” Zulum stated.

The governor launched copies of the book for N50 million “On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I am donating the sum of N50 million for this book launch. May the Almighty Allah bless the celebrant for the good work that she has done,” he concluded.

Book Launch: Zulum Reaffirms Commitment to Invest in Education, Announces N50 Miliion Donation

Widower mourns slain nurse wife in Maiduguri

By: Zagazola Makama

Hamza Ibrahim Idris, a bereaved husband in Maiduguri, Borno, has paid a touching tribute to his late wife, Nurse Hadiza Musa, who was allegedly murdered by suspected phone snatchers.

In a heartfelt message titled “Ga Masoyiyata Nurse Hadiza Musa”, the widower expressed deep sorrow over the death of his wife, describing her as a virtuous woman, devoted mother, and compassionate health worker who dedicated her life to saving others.

“It’s been three days since my heart has burned with the pain of losing my wife, my life partner, Nurse Hadiza Musa, who was killed in cold blood by those who snatched her phone,” he wrote.

“She was not just a wife she was my confidant, the mother of my three children, and the other half of my soul. We lived in love, understanding and mutual support, building dreams and hoping to grow old together. But now, that dream has been shattered,” he said.

The grieving husband described Hadiza as a woman of faith, humility and kindness who always put others first.

“As a nurse, she devoted her life to saving others with a smile and compassion. Yet, the life she saved was taken unjustly she died in faith and martyrdom,” he added.

He recounted the pain of their children’s repeated questions: “Daddy, where is Mommy?” a reminder, he said, of the irreplaceable void left by her death.

“Each time I hear those words, tears flow. In their faces, I see hers a woman of truth, love, and belief,” he said.

Offering prayers, he said: “Oh Allah, the Most Merciful, forgive her shortcomings, elevate her rank, grant her Aljanna Firdaus, bless her children, and give me strength and patience.”

He added that though Hadiza was gone, her love remained in his heart and prayers, expressing hope of reuniting with her in the hereafter “where there will be no pain, no tears, and no separation.”

“May Allah forgive and have mercy on my beloved wife, Nurse Hadiza Musa. May her grave be a garden of paradise. May He grant me patience and protect our children,” he concluded tearfully.

The incident, which occurred recently in Maiduguri, has sparked outrage among residents who have called for stronger security measures to curb rising cases of phone snatching and violent attacks in the city.

Widower mourns slain nurse wife in Maiduguri

Troops kill over 50 terrorists as they repel multiple attacks in Borno, Yobe — military

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed more than 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military locations across Borno and Yobe States, in what has been described as the biggest blow against insurgents in 2025.

The Nigerian military said the simultaneous attacks occurred between midnight and 0400 hours on Thursday when terrorists launched assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors 1 and 2 of the Joint Operations Area.

Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri, said the troops fought gallantly and professionally, repelling the attacks and inflicting devastating losses on the terrorists.

“In all instances, troops stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled the attacks, dealing the terrorists a heavy, decisive and bloody blow,” Uba stated.

He said the coordinated ground and air operations, backed by precision strikes from the Air Component of OPHK, led to the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all the locations.

According to him, troops also recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, hand grenades, and thousands of assorted rounds of ammunition after the clashes.

“The precision strikes, coupled with enhanced battlefield awareness provided by the Theatre’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, gave troops additional leverage and impetus to respond with overwhelming and lethal force,” Uba added.

He disclosed that over 70 wounded terrorists were being pursued by ground troops, with the Air Component maintaining close coordination to ensure total clearance of the fleeing remnants.

Intelligence reports, he said, indicated that the attackers who stormed Dikwa and Gajibo manoeuvred from the Cameroon axis, while those who attacked Katarko emerged from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist enclave.

Uba said some gallant troops sustained injuries but were in stable condition, while some vehicles and buildings in Mafa and Dikwa were gutted by fire following RPG and drone attacks by the terrorists.

He noted that despite the heavy onslaught, the troops maintained control of all their positions and repelled the coordinated strikes with renewed strength and professionalism.

“The Military High Command has commended the gallantry, doggedness and renewed charge of the troops. Their steadfast performance once again reaffirms the military’s unwavering resolve and capacity to defend the nation’s territorial integrity,” he added.

Security analysts described the coordinated defeat of the terrorists across multiple fronts as the single largest operational success against insurgents in 2025, marking a major turning point in the counter-terrorism campaign in the North East.

Troops kill over 50 terrorists as they repel multiple attacks in Borno, Yobe — military