News
The Trained Doctors Are Back In Borno, All Thanks To VP Shettima
The Trained Doctors Are Back In Borno, All Thanks To VP Shettima
By Stanley Nkwocha
Gratitude, they say, does not play around. It goes straight for the heart. It is what happens when we stop long enough to notice all the good stuff. So, it was not surprising that a group of medical doctors were among well-meaning Nigerians who availed themselves of the opportunity created by the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations on Thursday to pay the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, a thank-you visit at his residence in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The medical doctors were among the 60 female medical students sponsored for MBBS courses in 2014 when the administration of Senator Shettima in Borno State awarded scholarships to students studying different health professional fields abroad.
In 2014, then Governor Shettima took it upon himself to sponsor female citizens of the state to study Medicine at the El-Razi Medical University, Khartoum in Sudan and other citadels of great learning. During the launch of the Female Medical Intervention Programme of his administration and presentation of scholarship letters at the Government House Maiduguri, Shettima had said the female students were drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state.
“Having 30 female medical doctors which the state desperately needs is the greatest legacy the government can give the state, in view of the fact that women have peculiar health challenges arising from maternity, menstrual and other issues that women would be in the best position to handle as a result of the African culture and religion,” Shettima had said, noting that 30 female candidates would be sent every year for training as medical doctors and that no amount of money spent on their training would be a waste.
Not satisfied, Shettima had directed the then commissioner for Higher Education, Mr Bello Ayuba, to add three more Christian female candidates and two female students from the Northern part of the state to the 30 scheduled for the training, imploring the candidates to be good ambassadors of the state and the country.
True to his words, as good ambassadors they were urged to become, the medical doctors were back on Thursday with an unquenchable desire to thank and appreciate Kashim Shettima for his capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.
Recounting their experience and how they were recruited, one of the 60 girls picked from across Borno State and sponsored by Shettima to study Medicine abroad, Dr. Aisha Kaumi, told journalists immediately after the Sallah homage to the Vice President that they have since graduated, with 50 of them working as medical doctors in the state.
She said, “My name is Dr. Aisha Kaumi, one of the medical doctors sponsored by Vice President Kashim Shettima while he was governor of Borno State. So, we came here today to pay a visit to thank him for all he has done for us and to congratulate him on his well-deserved position as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Alhamdulillah, we met him and everything went well, and he (the VP) assured us that in case we want to specialize he was 100 percent ready to assist us.
“We were 60 then, 30 of us from El-Razi Medical University, Khartoum in Sudan, and the other 30 who graduated from the National University of Sudan. Alhamdulillah, all of us graduated and currently, about 50 of us are working with the state government here in Borno State. The remaining ten are yet to pass their medical exams but, Insha Allah, we are hoping that they will catch up with us.”
On the motivation behind studying Medicine and the impact on them and the state, Dr. Kaumi said, “It was indeed a dream come true because I never ever thought I will become a medical doctor. So, Alhamdulillah, I’m very grateful to the Vice President. Without him, I don’t think I would have become a medical doctor today. It was not easy; it was a kind of roller coaster of hardship and the courage to study well so that we can come here and help our people in Borno State. So, we are very grateful to him. His Excellency, the governor of Borno State is really doing well in trying to equip the hospitals. We are really grateful.”
Retrospectively, the health and education sectors received adequate attention in Borno State under Senator Shettima as governor. Apart from human capital development which led to foreign scholarships for the ever-grateful medical doctors to study abroad, the then Governor Shettima utilized available resources at his disposal to rehabilitate hospitals destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents and for the procurement of equipment for some reconstructed health facilities.
As Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an opportunity given to him by his boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, VP Shetima is poised to replicate the same leadership of lifting the vision of Nigerians complementing Mr President’s effort at raising performance to a higher levels as well as improving standard of living beyond normal limitations.
The signs are becoming very clear in just less than a year of the Tinubu-led Renewed Hope administration. As the administration advances in the course of changing the narrative for Nigerians, it will become glaring to all why President Tinubu settled for a Vice President who is trustworthy, visionary, loyal and capable.
Nkwocha, spokesman of Vice President Kashim Shettima wrote in from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The Trained Doctors Are Back In Borno, All Thanks To VP Shettima
New Girema of Fika appreciates Emir for the honor.
By: Yahaya Wakili
The new Girema 1 of the Fika Emirate Council in Yobe State, Alhaji Abubakar Baba Dada (alias Basco), has expressed his appreciation and gratitude to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Fika, and Chairman of the Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Dr. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, CON, CFR, for honoring him with the traditional title of Girema 1 of Fika.
Alhaji Abubakar Baba Dada expressed his appreciation while answering questions from the newsmen shortly after presenting him the letter of appointment at his residence on Masco Street, Potiskum.
“I feel highly honored; I am overwhelmed. The honor dishonored on me by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Fika, Alhaji Dr. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa CON, CFR, is unpalatable. Adding that, there is something special, I think he must find in me for him to have dishonored me with such a great title as Girema 1 of the Fika Emirate Council,” Dada said.
Alhaji Dada revealed that I will remain indebted and grateful to His Royal Highness for this honor done to me and our family entirely. He urged all of us to embrace one another and work hand in hand with all brothers because collectively we can build a better society for a better tomorrow devoid of other verses.
He calls on the entire people of Yobe South, even Yobe State at large, to come together on a common course; anything that was doing, let him do it well. The title of a Girema is a reverend title, a highly reverend title under the Kilishi of Tinja Fuya, down to the level of Barde, but actually I need to go deep for me to elaborate.
“There are two categories, the bigger one, Girema Gana and Girema Siri, and there is one Girema Gana so far. For me to have the honor of this kind of procedure title is actually worthy of reaction and worthy of commendation. I am highly honored,” he added.
Dada maintained that actually being a politician determined being a traditional titleholder because they work together hand in hand. The general purpose of working in every aspect of life is for the common good of the society. What do you bring to the table? What do you bring to the society? What do you bring to the populace? So virtually there are intermoving Siamese twins working together along the single course.
“I will remain ever grateful to the entire people of Potiskum and its environs for the dishonored disownment of me. Actually, you cannot comprehend the moment when the crowd that came from all works of life was in my honor. This is worthy of commendation. I feel highly indebted to the entire society and am looking forward to doing more within my reach for the betterment of our society at large.
New Girema of Fika appreciates Emir for the honor.
Passenger Abducted in Katsina-Ala–Takum Boundary Attack in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have abducted a passenger from a commercial vehicle along the Katsina-Ala–Takum road, Benue State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, when the Toyota Carina II, with registration number KLD 108 AA, was heading to Katsina-Ala from Takum, Taraba State, with seven passengers onboard.
At Tsede Village, which lies on the boundary between Katsina-Ala and Takum, the gunmen blocked the road, robbed the occupants, and whisked away one passenger later identified as NYSC member Saadu Dauda from Zamfara State.
His identity was confirmed through a corps member ID card found in his bag left in the vehicle.
Security operatives have launched a coordinated operation to track the assailants and rescue the victim.
End
Transcorp Hilton Abuja Appoints New General Manager
By: Michael Mike
The Management of Transcorp Hilton Abuja has appointed Mr. Martin Zarybnicky, as the new General Manager. His appointment took effect on August 1st 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement made available at the weekend by the eCommerce Manager, Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Ijeoma Osuji.
According to the statement, Martin brings over 30 years of global hospitality experience to the role, having held leadership positions at international hotel brands across EMEA and APAC, including tenures in Thailand, Egypt and Russia. The new role marks Martin’s return to Hilton, where he previously served as General Manager at Hilton Sharm Waterfalls Resort.
Speaking on the latest development, thr Managing Director/CEO Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mrs. Uzo Oshogwe, said: “We are delighted to welcome Martin Zarybincky to the Transcorp Hotels family. His wealth of international experience brings fresh perspectives that will enrich our culture and elevate the guest experience we are known for. We look forward to supporting him as he settles into his new role and to the impact his leadership will bring in driving excellence for our guests.”
A seasoned hotelier, Martin has a strong track record in driving operational excellence, enhancing guest satisfaction, leading major refurbishments, and repositioning hotels for long-term commercial success. His leadership has earned multiple industry awards and recognition across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
Andreas Lackner, Vice President, Operations, Sub-Saharan Africa & Indian Ocean, Hilton, said: “Martin brings a wealth of global hospitality experience and a strong history of impactful leadership to his new role. His background across diverse markets and brands makes him an excellent fit for Transcorp Hilton Abuja, and we are pleased to welcome him back to Hilton.”
In his new role, Martin will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, driving strategic growth, operational efficiency, and an elevated guest experience in line with Hilton’s standards of excellence.
“Nigeria remains a leading hub for inclusive growth across Africa. At Transcorp Hilton Abuja, we are committed to supporting the development of hospitality in this vibrant market. I am proud to be part of the amazing team here, and together, we are eager to continuously showcase the warmth and excellence of genuine Nigerian hospitality,” said Zarybnicky.
Located in Abuja’s commercial district, Transcorp Hilton Abuja is a 668-room iconic property that has welcomed guests since 1987. As one of the largest hotels in sub-Saharan Africa, it remains a national landmark, which is owned by Transcorp Hotels Plc and managed by Hilton under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.
Transcorp Hilton Abuja Appoints New General Manager
New Girema of Fika appreciates Emir for the honor.
Passenger Abducted in Katsina-Ala–Takum Boundary Attack in Benue
Transcorp Hilton Abuja Appoints New General Manager
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