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TRIBUTE.BABA AHMAD JIDDA: GARLANDS TO THE AGELESS WORKHORSE
TRIBUTE.
BABA AHMAD JIDDA: GARLANDS TO THE AGELESS WORKHORSE
By: Inuwa Bwala
As the favourite of Borno youths between 1998 and 1999, most people thought he was going to be the governor of Borno state. But God had a different design for him.
I had cause to then refer to him as the reluctant bride in Borno’s search for a governor.
That was the time our paths first crossed. Since then, I have kept a tab on him until I was eventually brought into the government, in which he was the virtual engine room.Baba Ahmad Jidda, a seasoned Nigerian diplomat, public servant, and politician , is an awesome personality: anyone will be pleased to work with.
He was almost indispensable in the governance of Borno, which was why he was virtually in every Government, since Ali Modu Sheriff.
But for National call, when he was invited to serve as the Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmad Jidda, would have been the ageless public servant to have served his home state Borno Coincidentally born on October 1, 1951, some nine years before independence, Baba Ahmad Jidda is as vast and sophisticated as Nigeria herself.
Often regarded as the golden boy of Marte, one of the Local Government Areas in Northern Borno State, Jidda has had a distinguished career in public service.
A low down on him indicate that, Jidda began his education at Elementary School 1, Marte, and later attended Senior Primary School, Maiduguri, before proceeding to Government College, Maiduguri, for his Higher School Certificate (HSC).
He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1975. He also attended postgraduate programs at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. Baba Ahmad began as Administrative Officer in the Borno State Civil Service and rose through the ranks to become a Permanent Secretary.
His exceptional performances saw him being elevated as Secretary to the Borno State Government, spanning ten years.
Given his vast knowledge of issues, the then Governor of Borno state, now the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima nick-named Baba Ahmad Jidda the “Institution”.
He was to further stay on, as the SSG, untill the Federal Government sought him out and appointed him as Ambassador of Nigeria to Burkina Faso in 2000 and later the Ambassador to China in 2017.
Jidda was also Special Adviser to the President on National Emergency.
And just when we thought he will be retiring to private life, after his excellent outing in China, which earned him the honour of being the doyen of diplomats in China, Ambassador Jida has again been handed the task of being Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal University of Education, Zaria.
It did not come to many as a surprise that he was confered the National Honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) award in 2010 the same year he was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Industrialists and Corporate Administrators.
Jidda has been a recipient of several awards, including the Award of Excellence for Amirul Hajj and a Merit Award for Political and Bureaucratic Excellence.
Those who had the privilege of working with him can attest to the fact that, Baba Ahmad Jidda is a tireless workaholic, with an uncommon talent for solving very difficult assignments. This explains why, he remains the rallying personality for all former cabinet members, who served with Senator Kashim Shettima.
I am aware that, he has been an invaluable asset to the government of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum Nigeria’s leading servant governor.
Happy birthday Your Excellency, Baba Ahmad Jidda, OFR.
TRIBUTE.
BABA AHMAD JIDDA: GARLANDS TO THE AGELESS WORKHORSE
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle in Raid on Suspected Gunrunners’ Hideout in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during a raid on a suspected gunrunners’ hideout in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 12:15 a.m. on June 30 by troops of the 20 Model Battalion deployed in Gassol, in collaboration with a team from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
The sources said the joint team conducted the intelligence-led raid on a suspected gunrunners’ hideout at Kwatan Nanido Village following credible information on illegal arms activities in the area.
Although no suspect was arrested during the operation, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition abandoned at the location.
The recovered items have been taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Security sources said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend members of the suspected gunrunning syndicate as operations continue to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and enhance security across the state.
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle in Raid on Suspected Gunrunners’ Hideout in Taraba
Benue Deputy Gov. Visit family Slain MACBAN Leader, Urges Calm as Police Probe Killing
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Fulani community leader, Alhaji Risku Muhammad, in Ohimini Local Government Area, urging residents to remain calm as investigations into his killing continue.
The condolence visit took place on Tuesday and was led by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, who represented Gov. Hyacinth Alia.
The delegation included the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto, the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), other security agencies and relatives of the deceased from different parts of the country.
During the visit, the delegation sympathised with the bereaved family and appealed to them and members of the Fulani community not to resort to self-help or reprisals.
They urged them to allow security agencies to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The delegation assured the family that the government and security agencies were committed to ensuring that those responsible for the homicide are identified and brought to justice.
Police authorities said the case was under active investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), adding that efforts were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Benue State Government reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state and called on all residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information that could aid the investigation.
Benue Deputy Gov. Visit family Slain MACBAN Leader, Urges Calm as Police Probe Killing
Three Herders Killed in Ambush in Plateau, MACBAN Calls for Investigation
By: Zagazola Makama
Three cattle herders were reportedly killed and one other injured in an ambush by unidentified gunmen while grazing livestock in Gero-Rafin Bauna area of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Plateau, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incident and condemned the attack.
Babayo called on security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the killings and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
According to him, the bodies of the three victims were discovered in a forest after an extensive search by members of the community.
He alleged that the victims were brutally killed during the attack.
The MACBAN chairman further claimed that the latest incident came barely two weeks after four other herders were reportedly killed in the same general area, adding that their bodies had yet to be recovered.
Babayo urged the authorities to take urgent steps to improve security in vulnerable communities and prevent further attacks.
He also appealed to members of the affected communities to remain calm and allow security agencies to investigate the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the attack and the identity of the perpetrators remain unclear.
Three Herders Killed in Ambush in Plateau, MACBAN Calls for Investigation
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle in Raid on Suspected Gunrunners’ Hideout in Taraba
Benue Deputy Gov. Visit family Slain MACBAN Leader, Urges Calm as Police Probe Killing
Three Herders Killed in Ambush in Plateau, MACBAN Calls for Investigation
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