Northeast
Shettima Says Unity of all Stakeholders Needed to Address Challenges Facing Northeast
Shettima Says Unity of all Stakeholders Needed to Address Challenges Facing Northeast
By: Michael Mike
The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima has called for unity between diverse leaders and other stakeholders across the northeast in order to address challenges facing the geo-political zone.
The VP made the call on Saturday in Maiduguri while declaring open the 8th meeting of the North East Governors Forum (NEGF).
Shettima, who was in Borno State on a two-day official trip to inaugurate projects executed by the state governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, also used the opportunity of his visit to flag off the distribution of palliatives by the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) and open the Northeast Governors Forum meeting.
The VP said unity between diverse leaders and other stakeholders across the northeast would go a long way in addressing the many challenges facing the geo-political zone.
Shettima commended the northeast governors for deliberately forging unity amongst themselves despite their differences in political ideologies.
The host, Governor of Borno state and Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi and Yobe states, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Bala Mohammed, and Mai Mala Buni were in attendance, while those of Gombe and Taraba were represented by their deputies.
Deputy Governor of Borno, Umar Usman Kadadur, senators and members of the House of Representatives, state lawmakers, Secretaries to the State Governments from the northeast States, traditional rulers led by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Elkanemi and senior government officials from the six states of the northeast attended the opening session of the meeting.
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Chairman of the North-East Governors Forum and Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, advocated for a partnership that can give birth to an independent power station and railway network across the northeast.
He said: “Let me draw our attention to the recent amendment to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which saw the removal of Power Generation and Railway Transportation from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list. It is therefore important for us in the North East to partner towards the provision of independent power supply and rail transportation in the sub-region.”
Zulum also called for proactive measures towards curtailing the activities of illegal miners while at the same time maximizing the benefits of those minerals towards the overall development of the people in the northeast region.
He charged his colleagues from the region to give priority to the issues of youth unemployment and poverty in the region.
He said: “As we are set to deliberate on matters of common interest and shared responsibilities, we should, in addition to the issues of insecurity, floods, illicit mining and North East Development Commission projects in the sub-region, also focus specifically on youth unemployment, the deep-rooted poverty among the majority of our people due to the removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government.”
Zulum commended the Nigerian military for their efforts in curbing the security situation in the northeast, which has brought relative peace.
“Let me use this occasion to commend our brave military in the fight against the insurgency, which remains unquestionable, while their determination to succeed is very glaring. No doubt, they have considered and acted upon a wide range of options in the fight against terrorism,” Zulum said.
The Governors later went into a closed-door meeting to deliberate, after which they are expected to issue a communique.
Shettima Says Unity of all Stakeholders Needed to Address Challenges Facing Northeast
Yobe is committed to addressing ASUU problems. – Buni
BY: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe State Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON has said that his administration is committed to addressing issues relating to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) amidst competing demands.
Governor Buni started this today while receiving the leadership of the union’s Yobe State chapter, led by its chairman, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Karage, at the Government House, Damaturu.
He said the government will continue to give priority attention to the state-owned university in order to enhance its academic and physical development.
The governor appealed to the union to remain calm and continue to engage with the government, noting that his administration works out modalities for amicable responses to issues raised by the members.
Governor Buni stressed that one of the objectives of the union is to organize and represent the interests of the academic staff of the state university and called for mutual understanding between the government and the union.
Speaking earlier, the ASUU chairman of the Yobe State chapter, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Karage, said they were at the Government House to advocate for better funding of the state university with a view to enhancing a conducive and better atmosphere for effective teaching, learning, and research.
Dr. Ahmad Karage appreciates Mala’s administration for giving scholarships to students, especially law students.
No Bomb Blast in Maiduguri Prison; Fire in Okah’s Cell Was Self-Inflicted – Authorities
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Correctional Service has debunked reports of a bomb explosion at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MaSCC) in Maiduguri, describing the incident involving detainee Charles Okah as a false alarm.
Intelligence sources informed Zagazola Makama that, contrary to circulating claims, there was no bomb blast at the facility on Sunday night. Authorities confirmed that the fire in Okah’s cell was self-inflicted after he allegedly ignited his mattress using a box of matches in an attempt to cause panic within the facility.
“He lit up his bed and immediately began shouting from the window that there was a fire,” an official stated. “When officers arrived, we found the mattress burning and quickly extinguished the fire.” No further damage occurred to any part of the cell or the prison.
Following the incident, a search was conducted in the cell, during which a box of matches was recovered from Okah. He was immediately taken to the prison clinic for medical attention and is currently recuperating. The damaged mattress has been replaced.
“There is no evidence of any explosive device, and there was no external breach or attack on the facility,” the official added. “If there had been a bomb blast in Okah’s cell, how come nothing happened to him? He is still the one screaming that there was a fire in his cell.”
The authorities also dismissed rumors of absent night-duty officers, confirming that personnel responded swiftly to contain the situation and ensure the safety of other inmates.
When asked how the inmate gained access to matches, the authorities explained that Okah was allowed to attend church service due to the Easter celebration, which may have provided him access to the matches he used to set his bed on fire. Regarding the motive behind his actions, the authorities stated that Okah is a controversial inmate who frequently creates trouble and problems.
Mr. Charles Okah has been held at the Maiduguri custodial facility since March 16, 2025.
No Bomb Blast in Maiduguri Prison; Fire in Okah’s Cell Was Self-Inflicted – Authorities
Fire Guts Water Board IDP Camp in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A devastating fire broke out at the Water Board IDP Camp in Monguno Local Government Area (LGA) on April 19, 2025, destroying approximately one hundred thatch and makeshift houses.
Eye witnesses said that the fire started at around 1040hrs and rapidly spread across the settlement, burning household items, foodstuffs, and other valuable properties to ashes.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and the value of the property destroyed is still being assessed.
Humanitarian officials were immediately deployed to the scene to maintain crowd control and prevent looting, while firefighters, alongside camp residents, worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames.
Fortunately, no casualties or loss of life were reported.
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