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Sambisa Forest: The quest for peace, socio-economic stability in Lake Chad basin
Sambisa Forest: The quest for peace, socio-economic stability in Lake Chad basin
By Zagazola Makama
Recently, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno, once again breaks the jinx when he drew the attention of the international community to the urgent need to reclaim Sambisa Forest which is on the verge of extinction.
Zulum made the call while delivering a speech few weeks ago in New York at the United Nations High-Level Segment Roundtable with the theme: “Forest-based solutions to the triple planetary crises: A focus on people, science, technology, and finance.”
One wondered why the governor of the war-ravaged state would premise his presentation to the International community on Sambisa forest while his people at home are grappling with myriads of social, economic, security and humanitarian challenges.
The governor’s action is not far fetch considering the importance of Sambisa forest to the social and economic survival of not only Borno State but to a larger extent the whole of northern Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Arguably, reinvigorating Sambisa forest will propel Zulum administration’s social and economic development programmes, provides livelihood, enhance peace restoration and dignified resettlement of displaced persons, as well as preserve biodiversity, fauna and flora, protect the environment and mitigate impacts of climate change.
Commenting on the deflating forest resources, Mr Aminu Ibrahim, an environmentalist, said urgent intervention are necessary to protect the forest from further destruction.
Ibrahim commended Zulum over his commitment to reclaim Sambisa forest, protect the environment and preserve the ecosystem.
He noted that the governor’s plea was in a right direction which called for the support of all to address the menace.
As simply put by Ibrahim, we can only appreciate Zulum’s bold steps by understanding the strategic importance of Sambisa forest to the environment and lives of the people in northern Nigeria.
The Sambisa Forest, located in Borno State in North-East Nigeria, covering an area of about 518 square kilometers. The British colonial administration gazetted the forest as a reserve in 1958, and In 1977, the area was re-gazetted as a National Game Reserve for the preservation of rare animals. It’s abundant greenery was home to various species of wild animals.
In 1991, the Borno state government incorporated Sambisa into a national park, thus upgrading its status. And during the 1970s and 80s, Sambisa forest attracted tourists from far and near.
Presently, the story has changed following the invasion of the Sambisa by the Boko Haram insurgents since escalation of the crisis in 2013.
The famous tourist attraction forest now provides a space for the organisational, operational, logistical and technical infrastructure of Boko Haram, including command units, armoury, training grounds, detention and execution camps, landmines and artisanal bomb making factories as well as settlements. It is also the major destination for the insurgents’ victims of abduction and detention.
From 2014 to date, Sambisa forest has been a major front of counter-insurgency operations by Nigerian military which culminated in gross destruction of its resources. Despite the significant successes made by the Nigerian security forces in gaining entrance and reclaiming the forest, some parts of it are still under strong control of the Boko Haram insurgents.
Sambisa forest in comparison to other areas of Nigeria, is the most strategically auspicious base for the pattern of asymmetric guerrilla warfare deployed by Boko Haram. It is extremely sparse and expansive, and therefore very difficult to govern.
It is also located within a trans-territorial area characterised by porosity of borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republics.
Paradoxically, the abandonment of the management of Sambisa forest sequel to the takeover by Boko Haram insurgents, resulted to the gradual disappearance of animals, destruction of biodiversity and ecosystem.
To reverse the tide and ensure effective utilisation of the forest resources to aid sustainable Recovery, Rehabilitation and Resettlement programmes, governor Zulum advocated for the revival of the Sambisa.
Zulum said that: “Borno State has been significantly impacted by the crisis of insecurity caused by Boko Haram insurgency which has led to widespread displacement of communities, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of livelihoods.
“The conflict has also exacerbated environmental degradation, including deforestation and loss of biodiversity in our major forest (Sambisa Forest), further exacerbating the vulnerabilities of our region.
“The loss of forest cover is resulting soil erosion, reduced water availability, loss of biodiversity and increased vulnerability to climate change impacts”.
Zulum noted that the shrinking of Lake Chad, a vital source of water and livelihood for millions of people in the region, is a direct consequence of climate change resulting from the incessant destruction of Sambisa forests.
The governor lamented that deforestation in Borno State has been driven by a combination of factors, including population growth, agricultural expansion, unsustainable land use practices, need for energy and the impact of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Zulum also some of measures adopted by the Borno state government to reclaim the forest to include rehabilitation and restoration, community engagements, monitoring and evaluation, as well as collaboration with development partners.
Corroborating Zulum, Mr James Audu, a conservationist, said considering Sambisa’s vast area of landscape traversing many territories and large scale destruction of forest resources, urgent international commitment is imperative to address one of the worst global environmental disasters triggered by prolonged conflict in the Sahel region.
Zagazola Makama, is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region.
Sambisa Forest: The quest for peace, socio-economic stability in Lake Chad basin
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VP SHETTIMA TO ONDO PEOPLE: The Sun Will Shine Brighter In Sunshine State With Aiyedatiwa’s Re-election
VP SHETTIMA TO ONDO PEOPLE: The Sun Will Shine Brighter In Sunshine State With Aiyedatiwa’s Re-election
*** Says President Tinubu fully behind gov to sustain APC’s commitment to their well-being
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has implored the people of Ondo State to re-elect Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, in Saturday’s governorship election in the state, assuring that the duo will bring hope, prosperity, unity and ensure the sun continues to shine brighter in the Sunshine State.
Specifically, the VP told the electorate in the state to ensure their votes collectively become their voice, conviction and message to those underestimating the strength and will of the state.
Senator Shettima gave the charge on Wednesday while addressing the mammoth crowd that thronged the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Akure, for the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in the state capital ahead of the gubernatorial election.
His words: “Governor Aiyedatiwa is not merely campaigning to hold onto a position—he is campaigning to bring hope, prosperity, and unity to every corner of Ondo State. I am confident he is the leader who can turn these ambitions into realities.
“This election is more than a choice between two candidates. It is a choice between progress and stagnation, between unity and division. It is a chance to stand with a party that has consistently delivered and with a leader who truly understands the heartbeat of Ondo.
“So, as you go to the polls, remember what we stand for. Remember what you deserve: a governor with the experience, the compassion, and the strength to keep pushing Ondo toward greatness. Let’s secure Ondo’s future together. Let’s vote APC, and let’s re-elect Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”
Extending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill to the people of the state, VP Shettima said the President who is fully in support of Aiyedatiwa is confident that the Governor’s re-election will sustain the commitment of the governing APC to the people’s well-being.
“Today, I bring you the goodwill of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who would have loved to be here today but is currently engaged in securing critical development and investment opportunities for our nation at a summit in Saudi Arabia. Yet, he is with us in spirit, and he has fully endorsed the Aiyedatiwa-Adelami ticket as the torchbearers of prosperity for Ondo State,” he stated.
The Vice President urged the people of Ondo to look beyond what he described as “distractions and the noise from the usual suspects,” even as he told them to “look instead at the integrity and stability the APC has brought to this state.
“Look at the work we’ve done to strengthen our economy, even if the gains may not always be immediately visible. And consider the real, practical solutions the APC offers to make the sun shine brighter in Ondo State,” he added.
Palpably elated by what he termed “the passion” in the faces of the teeming APC supporters in the state, Shettima said he would have asked Governor Aiyedatiwa to return home and wait for them to deliver their mandate to him, adding however that the moment of the campaign grand finale was necessary “to celebrate ahead of election day.
The VP further described Governor Aiyedatiwa and his deputy as men of exceptional courage and leaders who have been tested by challenges that would have deterred many, noting that the Governor “has shown remarkable resilience in building a formidable force for the APC here in Ondo.
“From overcoming politically motivated attacks to uniting our great party, he has proven himself not just a survivor but a leader who stands strong for the good people of the Sunshine State,” he further noted.
Earlier, the Governor of Ondo State and candidate of the APC for the Saturday governorship election, Aiyedatiwa, urged the people to vote for APC.
After asking the mammoth crowd which party they would vote for, and receiving a resounding cheers from the people, he said, “The former Governor of blessed memory, Rotimi Akeredolu, would be happy seeing all of you vote APC to win the election.”
Aiyedatiwa said the late Governor once told him that he would succeed him, and would be glad to see this happen come next Saturday.
Governor Aiyedatiwa observed a minute silence in the late Akeredolu’s honour, telling the crowd that while he was not out to engage in a long statement, the citizens could as well attest to the level of development happening in the state, even as he promised that by the time he returns, he will do his best.
In his remarks, National Chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, vowed that “by the grace of God come Saturday the 16th of November, Governor Aiyedatiwa will win the gubernatorial election.”
He asked the people of Ondo to come out en masse and vote for Aiyedatiwa, adding that “a vote for the Governor is a vote for unity, a vote for peace and a vote for development.
At the end of his remarks, Ganduje invited Vice President Shettima to hand over the party’s flag to the Governor and candidate of the party.
Earlier, the Vice President had paid homage to the Deji of Akure Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, in his palace where he commended the royal father for preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom for many centuries.
VP Shettima said Akure stands proudly as a testament to the greatness that lies in heritage and unity, adding that the kingdom had long been inspiring the nation.
“This place of gathering and governance, preserved across centuries, serves as a pillar of cultural integrity and continuity. The enduring structure of this palace, a monument over 850 years old, is a reminder that Akure’s strength and grace remain constant through generations,” he stated.
Responding, the traditional ruler commended President Tinubu’s administration for his recent approval for the establishment of a teaching hospital in Akure.
“His Excellency, the Vice President, help me to convey my appreciation to the President; he just approved our teaching hospital. Akure is the only state capital that doesn’t have a teaching hospital. The president has just approved it last week. So, help me convey our gratitude to him sir,” the royal father said.
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for approving a five per cent monthly allocation for traditional rulers in the state, imploring the people of Akure to vote massively for the APC in next Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Also present at the campaign rally were Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji; Senator Adams Oshiomhole; Secretary of APC National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship Election, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, among many other dignitaries.
VP SHETTIMA TO ONDO PEOPLE: The Sun Will Shine Brighter In Sunshine State With Aiyedatiwa’s Re-election
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DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR COAS SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR INDIGENTS STUDENT 2024 BY COMMANDER 18 BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY
DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR COAS SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR INDIGENTS STUDENT 2024 BY COMMANDER 18 BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY
By: Our Reporter
As part of the Nigerian Army’s (NA) commitment to Civil-Military intervention programs, the Commander 18 Brigade NA, Brigadier General Taiye Ahmed, on 12 November 2024, presented a cheque of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) to Miss Binta Abubakar Yahaya, a beneficiary of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Scholarship Scheme for Indigent Students 2024.
The presentation took place at 18 Brigade, Litani Barracks Bida, Niger State. Brigadier General Ahmed in his remarks, congratulated Miss Binta Abubakar Yahaya on her selection, acknowledging her dedication and potentials. He stated that the COAS Special Scholarship Scheme is a key initiative aimed at offering financial supports to deserving indigent students to help them achieve their academic aspirations ,particularly tertiary education. Brigadier General Ahmed emphasized that the NA is a gender-sensitive institution dedicated to supporting both male and female students who show promises and dedication.
He further highlighted that the scholarship program underscores the NA’s broader commitments to community welfare, contributing to the upliftment of young Nigerians and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder capable minds from realizing their potentials. During the ceremony, a minute silence was observed in honor of the Late COAS Lt Gen TA Lagbaja NAM,underscoring the Army’s enduring respect and remembrance for its fallen leader who was the initiator of the Scholarship Progeamme.
The event was widely attended by a cross section of dignitaries from the local community , including local authorities, traditional rulers, heads of security agencies as well as the media. The Representative of the Etsu Nupe and the Local Government Chairman in their separate remarks, praised the NA for yet another highly impactful gesture for societal development and encouraged Miss Binta to remain dedicated to her studies.
The Beneficiary, Miss Binta Abubakar Yahaya (an orphan) who hails from Bida Local Government Area and a student of the Department of Business Administration, at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger state, expressed her deep gratitude to the NA and pledged to work hard in her studies to honor the trust and privilege granted to her. The high points of the event was the presentation of the cheque to Miss Abubakar Yahaya and souvenirs to the invited guests.
DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR COAS SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR INDIGENTS STUDENT 2024 BY COMMANDER 18 BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY
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NLNG donates 970 bags of rice, 3,740 cartons of spahagetti to Borno Flood Committee
NLNG donates 970 bags of rice, 3,740 cartons of spahagetti to Borno Flood Committee
By: Our Reporter
Borno state Flood Relief Disbursement Committee has taken delivery 970, 50kg bags of rice and 3,470 cartons of spaghetti from the Nigeria-Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG).
Receiving the items on behalf of Borno State government, chairman of the committee Engineer Ba Bukar Gujbaw thanked NLGN for the support.
He assured that the items donated will be used for the purpose intended.
Managing Director and chief Executive officer Nigeria-Liquified Natural Gas NLNG, Dr Philip Mshelbila said the items was to cushion the impact of the September 10 flood disaster.
Represented by the Head, Government relations, Mr Philip Yakubu, the team handed over the food items and conveyed their message of condolence to the government and people of the state over the huge loss.
Mr Yakubu said they were in the state to assist the government and NGOs in returning the people back to their normal lives.
The NLNG team were at the flood relief distribution centre and also the palace of His royal highness the shehu of Borno Dr Abubakar Garbai El-kanemi to pay homage and receive blessings.
NLNG donates 970 bags of rice, 3,740 cartons of spahagetti to Borno Flood Committee
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