News
Tribute Isa Umar Gusau: One Death Too Many
Tribute Isa Umar Gusau: One Death Too Many
By: Inuwa Bwala
Very often, when misfortune befalls us, we tend to seek solace in God: especially when the circumstances defy mortal interpretations.
This is perhaps the situation Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, and indeed the government and people of Borno state found themselves in the last three months.
The state had hardly come out of mourning over the death of some promising and illustrious sons and daughters before another one strikes.
Much as it is common knowledge that death is a necessary end, the death of Isa Umar Gusau, spokeman to Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, was mind-boggling
In any way one defines it, the death of Gusau remains one rude shock, after the death of Engineer Ibrahim Idris, the Commissioner for RRR, to many people, especially those of us who had the privilege of knowing the two at closer quaters.
Coming at a time, Professor Zulum was seen to have assembled a robust working team, the two deaths were blows, and we would take long to fathom.
Isa Umar Gusau was an astute media strategist, a shrewd contriver, a versatile public relations expert, and a wordsmith who, despite his vast knowledge and connections, was ready to learn from others.
For him to have been found worthy of serving under two Governors in the same capacity spoke volumes about his capacity.
Many times, since our paths crossed, when I was the commissioner for Information and he was the Senior Special Assistant to then Governor Kashim Shettima: Now Nigeria’s Vice President, Gusau had been my professional compatriot.
Any time I made inputs to him by virtue of having been his predecessor in that office, Gusau, oftentimes, was ahead of me in doing the job.
Whenever he commented or wrote in response to certain circumstances, he virtually spoke my mind.
When I commended him for a job well done, he told me that I was his mentor, even when that might not necessarily be the case.
Even when I left the government and had cause to write about his principal, he would call back to appreciate whatever I write upon.
Of course, there were moments of departure, but that had not affected the mutual respect we had for each other.
When another coleague of mine called to inform me about his demise, we both agreed that his death would create a huge vacuum in the public relations arena. We compared notes on the wonderful public relations job he did for both his principals and the attendant acclaim both gained from his job.
I am aware that he had health challenges, and my first remark to him after he was sworn in for the second time under Professor Babagana Zulum: was for him to pay greater attention to his health.
I am aware he tried his best to seek medical attention. I know he fought hard to stay alive, but like every mortal, the moment for his eclipse has come.
Everybody will miss Isa Umar Gusau, but his boss will miss him most. May God repose his soul and comfort us all.
Tribute Isa Umar Gusau: One Death Too Many
News
District head commends Buni over road construction from Fadawa to Daya in Yobe
District head commends Buni over road construction from Fadawa to Daya in Yobe.
By: Yahaya Wakili
The District Head of Goya in the Fika emirate council of Yobe state, Alhaji Musa Garba Daya, has expressed his gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe state, Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, for the construction of a road from Fadawa to Daya, the headquarters of the district.
Daya said, For over forty years we have been appealing to the past governments to construct us this road, but it was not done until the government of Mai Mala Buni came to power. Therefore, the entire people of the Goya district have commended Governor Buni for his transformative leadership, which is really touching the lives of all the citizens of Yobe State.
Alhaji Musa Garba Daya made the commendation in Daya town while speaking to newsmen. He reiterated Buni’s administration’s commitment to rebuilding Yobe’s infrastructure, economy, and human capital. Adding that, still we are requesting more roads, such as a road from Daya to Janga to Yalwa and up to Boza.
The district head, with kudos to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Fika and Chairman of the Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Dr. Muhammad Ibn Abali Muhammad Idrisa CON, CFR, for appointing him as the new district head of Goya, noted that the position he inherited from his late father, Alhaji Garba Abdullahi Daya. (May his soul rest in peace), Ameen, and was made best on merit.
He revealed that what the royal father did to him and the entire people of the Goya district, they will never forget him up to the end of their lives and pray to Almighty Allah to protect him and give him good health, long life, and prosperity, and urge the people of the area to live in peace with one another.
According to him, what the people of Kukar-Gadu did last week is a welcome development; they made unveiling the potentials of Kukar-Gadu, as well as the presentation of the Kukar-Gadu physical development plan, and called on the people of the Goya district to emulate what the people of Kukar-Gadu did.
He challenged everyone in the Goya district to create something tangible that our people will benefit from, because most of our young men and women are staying idle with no work to do, and called on the people of the area to always continue praying for peace, adding that, without peace, there is no development.
The district head also solicits the support and cooperation of the people of the area to pray towards the development of Goya district, Fika emirate council, Fika local government area, and Yobe state at large.
District head commends Buni over road construction from Fadawa to Daya in Yobe
News
Cuba, Colombia React as US Confirms Military Strikes on Venezuela
Cuba, Colombia React as US Confirms Military Strikes on Venezuela
By: Michael Mike
Cuba and Colombia have issued statements following reports of US military strikes on Venezuela, after multiple explosions were recorded in the capital, Caracas, early Saturday.
Residents reported loud blasts across several parts of the city, alongside sightings of warplanes, helicopters and what appeared to be unmanned aerial vehicles operating overhead. Venezuela’s government described the incident as a “serious military aggression,” alleging that US forces targeted both civilian and military sites in Caracas and in the surrounding states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
US President Donald Trump later confirmed that American forces carried out the operation, announcing that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country.
In a strongly worded response, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the action, calling on the international community to respond urgently. He described the strike as a criminal act that violated regional peace, accusing Washington of state terrorism against Venezuela and Latin America as a whole.
“Our zone of peace is under brutal assault,” Díaz-Canel said, expressing solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro took a more measured approach, stating that his government was closely monitoring developments. He expressed concern over the reported explosions and increased aerial activity, warning against further escalation.
“The Colombian government rejects any unilateral military action that could worsen the crisis or endanger civilians,” Petro said.
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales also condemned the strikes, describing them as an imperialist attack that violated Venezuela’s sovereignty. He pledged solidarity with the Venezuelan people, insisting the country was not facing the situation alone.
The developments unfold against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between Washington and Caracas. The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Venezuela’s leadership of involvement in large-scale drug trafficking, claims the Maduro government has dismissed as justification for foreign intervention and regime change.
Cuba, Colombia React as US Confirms Military Strikes on Venezuela
News
Seven killed in Qua’an-Pan as attackers target fellow Christian villagers in Plateau
Seven killed in Qua’an-Pan as attackers target fellow Christian villagers in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
At least seven persons were killed late Friday night in Bong village, Doemak District, Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, in an attack reportedly carried out against fellow Christians residents by criminals operating within the community.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the community late at night while residents were asleep in an attempt to rustled their livestock.
A native of the area, Mr Lawrence Dogari, said that many villagers were injured in the attack, while some persons were still missing.

“For now, I can confirm that over seven persons have been killed, while several others were injured. Some people are still unaccounted for,” Dogari said.
Confirming the incident, Mr Danaan Cletus Sylvanus, Director of Press and Publicity to the Executive Chairman of Qua’an-Pan Local Government Council, Mr Christopher Audu Manship, said the exact number of casualties was still being verified.
He said the council chairman had condemned the attack and was working closely with security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and brought to justice.
“The chairman is deeply saddened by the attack on innocent persons and is collaborating with security operatives to ensure the culprits are brought to book,” Sylvanus said.
Meanwhile, sources at the Plateau State Police Command said the incident was linked to a cattle-rustling attempt carried out by criminal elements operating within the area.
According to a police sources, at about 4:20 a.m. on Jan. 2, unknown armed men invaded Bong/Kook village in Qua’an-Pan LGA and rustled some cows. It said that operatives of the police, military, NSCDC and vigilante groups were mobilised to the area following a distress call.

The sources said that two of the assailants were killed in a bid escape, but later abandoned the rustled cows and fled.
“The rustled cows have been recovered, while the corpses of the deceased were deposited at the Cottage Hospital morgue in Kwalla for autopsy,” the police sources said, adding that additional security deployment had been made to the area.
Notably, preliminary accounts from the community and security sources indicate that the attack was not carried out by Fulani bandits, nor did the rustled livestock belong to Fulani pastoralists, pointing to the indications that the attackers were members of the local community.
Seven killed in Qua’an-Pan as attackers target fellow Christian villagers in Plateau
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