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The Trained Doctors Are Back In Borno, All Thanks To VP Shettima

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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

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Widower mourns slain nurse wife in Maiduguri

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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

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Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey

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Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey

By: Zagazola Makama

Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu’s appointment as the new Chief of Army Staff marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to consolidate gains in the fight against insurgency and strengthen national security.

Before his elevation to the apex position in the Nigerian Army, Gen. Shuaibu served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North-East, where his 14-month tenure was defined by tactical innovation, operational success, and deep civil-military engagement. His leadership transformed the counter-insurgency landscape, restoring relative stability to vast areas once dominated by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

Upon assuming command of OPHK, Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu prioritized operational readiness, launching an extensive refurbishment of key military assets to boost troop morale and combat capability. He spearheaded the repair of vital armoured platforms, including ten VP1 Type 89 APCs, five BMPs, three Steyr APCs, and six Camel MRAPs, ensuring optimal deployment for the 2024 dry-season operations.

These efforts culminated in the historic deep-clearance operations into Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuktu Triangle in early 2024, which dealt devastating blows to terrorist hideouts, supply chains, and command structures. His coordinated offensive operations neutralized more than 567 terrorists and dismantled several high-value enemy enclaves between February 2024 and March 2025.

Under his leadership, the integration of air and ground components reached new heights. The Nigerian Air Force component executed over 230 sorties and 232 interdiction missions, clocking more than 567 flight hours, while the UAV Command carried out 760 ISR operations totaling 6,674 hours. These precision missions enhanced battlefield awareness, enabling ground troops to conduct over 9,800 patrols, 2,700 ambushes, and 990 clearance operations with high success rates.

Intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of 161 terrorist logisticians and the surrender of over 121,000 insurgents and their families — a remarkable milestone that shifted the dynamics of the North-East conflict toward peacebuilding and reintegration.

Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s counter-insurgency philosophy went beyond the battlefield. He introduced the Local Community Policing and Peace Enforcement (LCPPE) model in February 2024 — an initiative that deepened trust between the military and local communities. This approach paved the way for stabilization operations, including the resettlement of more than 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kukawa and other restored communities.

He also promoted civil-military cooperation through humanitarian and religious initiatives, including a Qur’anic Recitation Competition aimed at fostering moral resilience and unity among troops and civilians. Three participants were later sponsored for the Hajj pilgrimage — a gesture that reinforced goodwill and trust.

A hallmark of his tenure was the focus on infrastructure and troop welfare. He initiated the renovation and modernization of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Headquarters complex, constructed new escort and drivers’ lounges, refurbished soldiers’ accommodation, and built 30 two-bedroom community-based quarters for military families.

Additionally, the installation of long-range surveillance cameras in Monguno, Gajiram, and Kekeno enhanced operational intelligence and perimeter monitoring, further strengthening theatre-wide security.

Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s command period witnessed the elimination of several notorious terrorist leaders, including Tahir Baga and Abu Rijal, whose deaths crippled jihadist coordination and recruitment. His effective decapitation strategy was complemented by humanitarian outreach, leading to a steady return of normalcy in major population centres across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

In recognition of these achievements, the North-East Theatre under his command received the Security Watch Africa Award in December 2024 as the Most Outstanding Defence Command in Africa, underscoring the effectiveness of his leadership and innovation in asymmetric warfare.

Now as Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shuaibu is expected to replicate his transformative approach on a national scale. Security analysts and defence watchers believe his deep operational experience and emphasis on community-driven stability will guide the Nigerian Army toward renewed efficiency and professionalism.

His appointment signals continuity, discipline, and modernization — values he consistently championed throughout his command. Stakeholders within defence and civil sectors alike express optimism that his era will usher in strategic reforms to fortify Nigeria’s military capabilities and accelerate victory against insecurity.

Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s rise from Theatre Commander to Army Chief embodies the success of merit, dedication, and results-oriented leadership, a journey rooted in courage, intellect, and an unyielding commitment to peace and stability in Nigeria.

Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey

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Yobe: New commissioner for the livestock ministry, Hon. Yerima Mahmoud, promises to deliver on the mandate

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Yobe: New commissioner for the livestock ministry, Hon. Yerima Mahmoud, promises to deliver on the mandate

By: Yahaya Wakili

The newly appointed Commissioner of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Hon. Yarima Lawan Mahmoud, has expressed his gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, for giving him another opportunity to save the people of the state.

Hon. Yarima Lawan Mahmoud disclosed this today when he received the delegation from his local government led by the party chairman, Alhaji Ba Mariu Mohammed.

He reaffirmed his commitment to work closely with the local government authority and the party executives to strengthen the life of our people.

Earlier speaking, the leader of the delegation, who is also the party chairman of the Yunusari local government area, Alhaji Ba Mariu Mohammed, said they were at the Yarima Lawan Mahmoud residence to congratulate him on his recent appointment as a commissioner in the ministry of livestock development.

Alhaji Ba Mohammed further said the visit will also allow them to discuss areas of mutual collaboration aimed at improving the unity of the members of the party.

The commissioner then thanks the delegations who took their time to come from Yunusari to Damaturu to congratulate him on his appointment and pray to Almighty Allah to return them back home safely.

Yobe: New commissioner for the livestock ministry, Hon. Yerima Mahmoud, promises to deliver on the mandate

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