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SOUTHERN BORNO STATE WHERE RELIGION AND ETHNICITY TEAR AN OPPRESSED PEOPLE APART.By:A.G.Abubakar

SOUTHERN BORNO STATE WHERE RELIGION AND ETHNICITY TEAR AN OPPRESSED PEOPLE APART.
By:A.G.Abubakar
The Ubuntu which is a Zulu philosophy of unity of purpose doesn’t seem to hold among the ethnic nationalities of Southern Borno. The philosophy is rendered as “Umuntu, Ngumuntu, Ngabuntu” which literally translates as “i am because we are”, or put differently to mean ” a person is a person through other people “. The import of both underscore the importace of unity of purpose among people in forging progress. This spirit of togetherness has but vanished among the people, as they pull in different directions, at a time they needed to turn the socioeconomic and political fortunes of the region around. No thanks, to ethno-religious factors and the inequitable manner succussive state governments treated the zone.
The present version of Borno State was created in 1991 after Yobe was curved out. Before then it was part of the defunct North Eastern State, comprising today’s Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe and Yobe states. The North East State was highly diverse in terms of faiths and ethnicnationalities. Maiduguri, the then state capital was a laid back and accomodating metropolis. Non of the ethnic groups namely; Fulani, Hausa, Bachama, Mumuye, Tera, Mandara, Tangale, Marghi, Bolewa, Babur, Bura Chibok ,etc tried to lord it on each other.
The Kanuri power was diluted. Across the state too Muslims, Christians and the various ethnic groups that made up the state (NE) lived in peace with minimal distrust. People like Minso Gadzama, Azi Nyako, Bello Kirfi, Abubakar Umar, Maina Waziri, Ibrahim Biu, Gujbawu, Yerima Balla, Shehu Awak, etc were collectively united in moving the NE state forward.
A spirit that resonated with Borno state’s current mantra thus becoming the “Home of Peace and Hospitality”; a mantra, now turned on it’s head, so it seems. Three decades down the line Borno State had turned out to be one of the most inequitable in the Nigerian federation. The state as configured in 1991 gave the muslim Kanuri absolute dominance that literally made smaller ethnic groups and the Christian religion punching bags. With a reduced surface area the Kanuri is able to exert absolute political and economic control over the rest with impunity. This, they do through both tacit and overt policies including divide and rule along fault lines such as ethnic, religious differences and cultural affinity.
The overt discriminatory policies started with the late Musa Dagash’s circulars nos.CSC/2/89, Ref: BO/CSC/459/5.2/1 of 17th April 1989 and CSC/3/89, Ref:BO/CSC/459/S.15/5 of 21st April 1989 respectively. The import of the circulars was to place embargo on the recruitment and promotion of Southern Borno indigenes in the the Borno State service. Their crime was that they came from the wrong region, besides they were considered “too many” in the civil service which called for decimation. Dagash then was incharge of the State’s Civil Service Commission.
The discriminatory practice didn’t stop there, as successive governments in the state found it difficult to equitably include Southern Borno people in state nominations for Federal appointments. People from the zone have to struggle on their own or through friends to secure places. Nominations for appointments as ambassadors, Chairmen and/or board memberships are exclusive preserve of the Kanuri.The attrition or the blocking tactics didn’t end with appointive opportunities; this has been extended to religion especially the non Muslim folks. Government’s posture towards the non Muslim community in state has become a source of concern for lovers of the state and her future. Today, the state would find it expidient to train Arabic teachers but not CRK.
Government too could provide state resources in support of mosques/Islamiyya but did so minimally for non Muslim worship centers. And in matters of career progression, non Muslim folks in the state civil service are not having it easy, compared to their Muslim counterparts from the same South. These and many more are sure recipes for instability, given the centrality of religion and ethnic identity in the lives of our people. Unfortunately in their quest for redress the Christian faithfuls tend to elienate the very southern Borno Muslim brothers, they should ordinarily join hands with, through omissions or commissions. First they overlook historical realities. Realities of inter and intra ethnic interactions across Southern Borno and indeed the Kanuri nation. Second, Islamic values have a binding characteristics that shape perception among the faithfuls. They see themselves as one Ummah. Thus it becomes naive to expect equal levels of reaction or despair among the Muslim and Christian groups in Southern Borno regarding the government’s widespread inequalities.
For a fact, Muslims from the South may not be faring any better but the religion and cultural affinity have numbing effect, especially when they stretch far back in history. The relationships among some of the groups predate the 19th century Islam (in action) and Christianity in parts of Borno during the 1920s. Early Churches include the CBM established in Garkida and then Waka in 1927 under the defunct Borno province. was in 1923 and came to Waka in 1927.
It is therefore obvious that the feeling may not be the same in terms of intensity. In specific terms, the Marghi (Damboa), the Mandara, the Babur enclave of Babur-Bura, the Tera, and the Fulani (in their midst) may feel less grudge towards the Kanuri. Not so good a development but that is the reality. Realities that should be born in mind in building a united front in the South in checkmating the powers that be, from the continued exploitation of this fault lines. The reality of Southern Borno is not a black and white issue which calls for contextual appreciation of the challenges. Internal wrangling, name calling and aggression as a strategy can only be counterproductive. Referring to each other as being slaves to the status quo, sycophants, sell outs, ignorant, enemies of progress for not sharing a stand amounts to shooting oneself in the foot. Worse still, the defeatist attempt by some elite Christians to railroad Borno South into the Middle Belt region.
The frustrations may be justified or even palpable, but it’s a defective strategy. For, it will solve one problem especially the Christian faithfuls but constitute a new challenge for their Muslim brothers (the unwilling co-travellers) in the new environment in all its complexities. The way forward is for the christian South to appreciate its relative size which is about 15 to 20 percent of the state population. It can not therefore force its way through.
The faithfuls should engage and educate/ engage the ethnic minority and Muslim brothers to collectively rise against marginalisation and uneven development in Borno State. Building such a consensus however requires being realistic and open, away from wishful thinking and blackmail. The current posture by some to the effect that ” you are either with us or against us” doesn’t help much. Peculiar problems born out of injustice should be presented and treated as such; and brought into sharper focus and context.
The battle requires numbers and a critical mass as such everyone counts.The Muslim and the Christian, the informed and the uninformed, the wise and the foolish, the enlightened and the unenlightened, the educated and the uneducated, all have a place. The reality is, they are not only in the same boat but are facing the same storm! They will have to depend on each other to prevail. Let’s all come clean. agbarewa@gmail.com
SOUTHERN BORNO STATE WHERE RELIGION AND ETHNICITY TEAR AN OPPRESSED PEOPLE APART.
By:A.G.Abubakar
News
Dikwa idps displaced by massive Flooding

Dikwa idps displaced by massive Flooding
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Heavy rainfall have caused an overflow of river Dikwa resulting in massive flooding, which has seriously affected Alhaji Bashir camp and the Reception centre for internally displaced people (IDP’s).
The flooding resulted in the displacement of many IDPs, who are currently stranded in open
areas without adequate shelter and support to their existence.
Humanitarian workers allege that the rainfall recently has severely affected IDP sites, causing general damage to shelter and forcing residents to relocate to safer and dry grounds within the town.
“The displaced families from Alhaji Bashir Camp were housed in the High Islam school building on Gamburu road which is the main road connecting the town to Maiduguri about 90km away.
“The LGA chairman also suggested relocating the idps to the Rabiri area, where temporary shelters could be set up. Some IDPs are staying near the gas station, along the road, while others have found accommodation with relatives and friends in different camps.” Said the source.
A breakdown of those affected at the Alhaji Bashir Camp included 753 households, totaling 4385 individuals.
The flooding is also said to have damaged 803 shelters, which were a mix of emergency, makeshift and mudbrick structures.
A breakdown of damage of the make shift structures include 210 emergency shelters, 325 makeshift and 268 mud brick shelters.
As at the time of writing this report, 43 latrines have been blocked on site while some were submerged by the polluted flood water.
All affected idps and residents have been relocated from the camp to the main road, where they are currently staying in open sites and are in urgent need of assistance.
Most of those relocated from idp camps in Maiduguri to their ancestral homes were settled in their council head quarters like Dikwa as IDP’s preparatory to any time the military would be able to liberate their surrounding communities for them to move in gradually.
Dikwa idps displaced by massive Flooding
News
Zulum calls for the need for institutionalized collaboration and coordinated reforms to beat terrorism in Nigeria

Zulum calls for the need for institutionalized collaboration and coordinated reforms to beat terrorism in Nigeria
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Governor Babagana Zulum has called for the need for institutional collaboration and coordinated reform to effectively confront the menace of terrorism in the nation.
He said that such collaboration between the national and the sub nationals in the sector will have a strong effect on the lingering terrorism in the country counter corruption and resolve land disputes by securing investments for a better society.

Prof. Babagana Zulum, reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, National Assembly and other sub nationals to deepen reforms in the State judicial system especially at the grassroots level.
Governor Zulum made the commitment recently at the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat held at the International Conference Centre of Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri.

He reaffirmed Borno State’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, the Judiciary, the National Assembly, and development partners to strengthening reforms in the current judicial system, especially at the grassroots level.
The Governor stressed the need for the deployment of technology which will make judicial delivery faster, transparent and accountable to the citizenry, noting that Borno State had already adopted the use of digital technology to bridge justice delivery gap.
“In Borno State, we are already witnessing how digital tools have enhanced case tracking, enabling virtual court sittings, thus improving prison decongestion and streaming access to legal aid especially in hard-to-reach areas.

“If deployed strategically, technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban justice access. This is particularly important in Borno State where we continue to recover from a protracted insurgency and humanitarian crisis. Justice must serve as a foundation for healing, rebuilding trust and restoring the social contract.
“I urge all of us here as policymakers, jurists, administrators and stakeholders to see coordination not as a procedural matter, but as a moral imperative. Our people deserve a system that works, not one riddled with delays, duplications, or inefficiencies”.
The retreat themed “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation and Coordinated Reform” underscores the importance of deployment of digital tools to fast track judicial process.
Also speaking Attorney General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, lauded Governor Zulum’s people-centred transformation and reforms in the justice sector.
“Just like other sectors, your impact in the justice sector has been profound. The launch of Borno State e-Justice project in partnership with Law Pavilion has positioned the state as a pacesetter in digital transformation.
“With tools such as the Case Management System, e-Library, and electronic mail tracking for legal processes, Borno is pioneering efficiency and transparency in judicial service delivery.
“Borno under your leadership has become a case study in resilience and renewal. You have shown that governance is not about slogans but about solutions; not about rhetoric but about results.
“You have elevated the standard of leadership by demonstrating that ideas, when backed by courage and action, can transform societies, no matter the odds.

“In a state that has endured some of the toughest trials in our nation’s history, you did not succumb to despair. Instead, you applied innovative thinking, sound judgment, and a data-driven approach to policy and the results are visible to all”. Said Fagbemi.
The Attorney General called for the need to update the nation’s legal frameworks to support these innovations and invest in digital literacy, cybersecurity, and data management for the professionals.
He maintained that by fostering a culture of innovation and leveraging the transformative power of technology, they can build a justice system that is more efficient, more accessible, and more equitable for all Nigerians.
Zulum calls for the need for institutionalized collaboration and coordinated reforms to beat terrorism in Nigeria
News
NEC Endorses NASENI’s Solar Irrigation Pumps To Boost Food Security

NEC Endorses NASENI’s Solar Irrigation Pumps To Boost Food Security
*Seeks President Tinubu’s approval for mass production
*It’s a proof that Nigerian ingenuity can compete with the world – VP Shettima
By: Our Reporter
In a bid to boost food security in Nigeria, the National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed solar-powered irrigation pumps produced by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for national rollout ahead of the 2025 dry season farming.
The NASENI solar irrigation pump, produced to replace the petrol-powered pump, is aimed at reinforcing the nation’s food security strategy, as it is expected to increase agricultural productivity, lower operational cost, higher incomes and improve livelihoods.
At its 152nd meeting held on Thursday at Presidential Villa, Abuja, NEC endorsed the use of the solar irrigation pump and resolved to adequately notify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his approval.
In anticipation of the President’s approval and the need to provide funding for NASENI, the Council also mandated the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, to work out modalities of funding to enable NASENI to mass produce the solar irrigation pumps and distribute in time for the 2025 dry season.
Chairman of the Council, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the scaled-up solar irrigation pumps is an indication that Nigerians can compete at the global level with their creativity.

“We must also face the challenge of innovation in agriculture. NASENI’s scaled-up solar irrigation pumps are ready for national rollout ahead of the 2025 dry season. These pumps replace expensive petrol-powered systems, lower farmers’ costs, expand dry-season cultivation, and even provide backup power for households.
“Their advanced features, including GPS tracking, mobile app dashboards, usage monitoring, and pay-as-you-go integration, prove that Nigerian ingenuity can compete with the world,” he stated.
VP Shettima said the innovation by NASENI “will not only boost food security but also unlock carbon credit opportunities” for farmers across the country.
The Vice President hinted at other efforts by the Tinubu administration to ensure food security, saying recently, “250,000 farmers have been insured across eight states, the 30 percent Value Addition Bill is advancing, and the ₦250 billion Bank of Agriculture facility is being activated to reach smallholders.”
Based on updates from the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, VP Shettima said, “The Green Imperative Project with Brazil is being repositioned for financing, while the World Bank-backed AGROW programme is mapping priority value chains for roll-out.
“The Harvesting Hope Caravan has reached half a million citizens in eight states, building trust and grassroots mobilisation. These are lifelines to farmers and proof that NEC’s decisions resonate beyond these chambers.”
Below are highlights of the meeting:
TALKING POINTS:
NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL NEC (NEC) 152nd MEETING THURSDAY, 18TH SEPTEMBER, 2025
UPDATE ON ACCOUNT BALANCES AS AT 17th September, 2025
Excess Crude Account – $ 535,823.39
Stabilization Account – N83,495,784,133.24
Natural Resources Account – N125,818,396,257.41
PRESENTATION ON “THE 31ST NIGERIAN ECONOMIC SUMMIT – THE REFORM IMPERATIVE: BUILDING A PROSPEROUS AND INCLUSIVE NIGERIA BY 2030” BY CEO, NESG
The presentation was to brief the Council called to note the Global trends and risks regarding:
● Uneven Global Growth
● Divergent Inflation and Policy
● Geopolitical Tensions Rising
● Climate and Tech Shifts
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, KEY CHALLENGES FOR REFORM IN NIGERIA INCLUDES:
- Structural Bottlenecks: Energy and transport deficiencies inflate production costs. Foreign exchange liquidity crisis and over-reliance on oil weaken fiscal sustainability.
- Political Economy Risks: Political instability, frequent policy reversals, and corruption hinder long-term reform. Upcoming 2027 election may delay necessary actions.
- Global Systemic Pressure: Climate change, trade tensions, and capital flight strain the economy. Weak industrial base faces competitive pressures from AfCFTA.
NES #31 SUMMIT STRUCTURE & OBJECTIVES SUB THEMES
● Driving Industrialisation-led Growth
● Building Infrastructure for Competitiveness
● Unlocking Investment amid Global Shifts
One Nigeria, Many Markets: A Forum for Subnational competitiveness
- Nigeria’s economic transformation hinges on unlocking the potential of its diverse subnational markets.
- Enhancing state-level competitiveness, improving ease of doing business, and investing in infrastructure along key economic corridors will attract investment, foster regional productivity, and drive inclusive growth.
- A unified national vision must empower differentiated local economic strengths.
Resolution:

Council committed to actively participate in the forthcoming NESG Summit with the view to synergise ideas and mobilise support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
ANTICIPATORY ACTION FRAMEWORK FOR RIVERINE FLOODING IN NIGERIA BY MALLAM NUHU RIBADU NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER
Council was briefed by the NSA about the purpose of Nigeria’s Anticipatory Action Framework which outlined a proactive strategy to reduce the humanitarian and economic impacts of riverine flooding through early warning, targeted preparedness, and coordinated response.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ANTICIPATORY ACTION FRAMEWORK
● Protect vulnerable households, especially in 13 high-risk states.
● Enable timely and dignified interventions before flooding peaks.
● Institutionalize anticipatory action across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
● Focus on equity, ensuring no community is left behind.
ANTICIPATORY ACTION PLAN
● Prioritizes the use of Multipurpose Cash Assistance, with ₦24 billion earmarked for this purpose.
● Where necessary, support will also include evacuation sites and essential common services such as early warning systems, child protection, and Gender-Based Violence prevention.
● Early Warning. NEMA and NOA leads coordinated messaging to at-risk communities.
Council was also called to note that:
● 16 states have fully established Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC), while 14 states have none, 4 have partial setups, and 3 rely solely on desk officers
● All high-risk states to establish functional LEMC and provide targeted training for community leaders to enhance preparedness and response at the grassroots level.
● Ensures real-time tracking, post-event reviews, and structured learning to improve accountability and effectiveness.
● Includes Monitoring the quality of early actions, conducting lessons-learned workshops, and refining protocols based on evidence.
RECOMMENDATIONS
State governors should:
a. Step down risk communication to vulnerable communities via state channels such as state broadcast, radio, town halls.
b. Strengthen SEMAs with funding, equipment, and training to lead effective responses.
All stakeholders should empower Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) to enhance community safety and resilience.
Resolution:
● Council commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for the work done as reflected in the presentation, describing the framework as comprehensive and visionary.
● Council directed the ONSA to widen the scope of the framework to include more states and submit final document for ratification at the next meeting of NEC.
REPORT ON MONTHLY COST OF PRODUCTION SURVEY AND IMPACT OF ENERGY COST ON FOOD PRODUCTION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR OF JIGAWA STATE.
The Memo was presented to Council by Jigawa State Governor. The purpose was to share important information regarding the constraints affecting agricultural production and potential they have in exacerbating the fragile food security situation the federal government has tried to resolve for over two years.

Council was called to note that the information provided was presented last week at the Presidential Food System Coordinating Unit Steering Committee Meeting.
RECOMMENDATIONS
● Government should give equal emphasis to optimizing fertilizer cost, perhaps through the prioritization of the mandate given to the PFSCU to liberalize fertilizer regime.
● Make available smaller handheld implements for small scale and subsistent farmers who are invariably too low in the ladder to immediately benefit from the tractor programme.
The Memo also called on the Chairman of NEC, the Vice President, to respectfully remind the President of his directive during the special NEC meeting held in June 2024, where he ordered NASENI to ramp up production and also seek his approval to fund the production between 50,000 to 100,000 pumps for distribution to the states on needs basis.
Resolution:
● Council resolved to frontally tackle the challenges of high energy cost and fertilizer prices in the country
● Council directed the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) to interface with stakeholders in the industry with the view to addressing high cost and availability of gas domestically and report back at next meeting of Council.
NEC Endorses NASENI’s Solar Irrigation Pumps To Boost Food Security
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