Nigeria, UK Sign MoU to Checkmate Illicit Drug Trafficking

By: Michael Mike

The governments of Nigeria and United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will enhance the fight against transnational organized crime, particularly the trafficking of illicit drugs and other prohibited commodities between Nigeria and the UK.

Signing the MoU on Nigeria side is the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and for the UK is the Home Office International Operations (HOIO).

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Monday, the Regional Manager (West Africa) of HOIO, Mr. Ian Cunliffe, expressed appreciation for the productive relationship between NDLEA and HOIO.

He said: “I’d like to start by thanking the chairman for his time today and for the gracious welcome. I know the chairman had a great relationship with my predecessor, Christopher Hawksfield and with HOIO which has been really, really productive and I am really keen to maintain and enhance that relationship going forward. I think the signing of this MoU today is the beginning of the next phase of our relationship.”

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.) while acknowledging the excellent relationship with HOIO and Cunliffe’s predecessor, said “I have absolutely no doubt that we will also have the same relationship with you. I appreciate the HOIO for all the tremendous work that you have been doing with us.”

Marwa said the MoU “is not just an agreement, it is indeed a reaffirmation of our mutual trust, cooperation, collaboration and unwavering dedication to safeguarding the lives and futures of our respective nations. Nigeria, through the NDLEA, continues to scale up its drug control measures according to the National Drug Control Master Plan.

“We have a road-map and this MoU adds to the strategy framework by establishing a clear, lawful and secure mechanism for sharing personal data, intelligence and operational insights in line with international conventions, national laws and global best practices. Together I know we will close ranks against crime and deepen the bonds of mutual responsibility and respect.

“We are convinced that stronger intelligence sharing leads to stronger enforcement. This partnership will enhance our collective ability to interdict criminal suspects, disrupt trafficking networks, and trace illicit financial flows with greater precision and speed.”

Nigeria, UK Sign MoU to Checkmate Illicit Drug Trafficking

Chillariye speaks on reconciliation between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai tribes in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

The chairman of the reconciliation committee between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai and adviser on nongovernmental affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chillariye, has said that about 85% out of 100 of the reconciliation was successfully achieved.

Chillariye started this when the leaders of Ngizimawa from Mamudo constituents (Yanki Shida), led by Hon. Saidu Arjali, called on him to brief them on the progress so far. He said, Now we will arrange how we would meet together to discuss what worries us.

He calls on individuals who have an interest in this move to make their own contribution by enlightening the people on peace living, adding that the unity of Ngizimawa and Karai-karai is the unity of all the tribes in Yobe State.

“Lack of unity of these two major tribes in the Yobe South Senatorial District is worrying some of the people of the zone as well as destabilizing the politics of the zone. Therefore, we are now trying to build the permanent relationship with Stone to be very strong so that it will not break down again,” Adamu Chillariye said.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegates, Hon. Saidu Arjali, senior liaison officer to Governor Mai Mala Buni, said the reason why we come here is to bring peace and harmony between our tribes Ngizimawa and Karai-karai people.

“Because we are the majority in the zone, especially in Potiskum, and we are scattered by some political leaders, that is why we want to unite ourselves in order to help our governor in the next coming elections and also to fulfill his promises to the people during the last 2023 campaign,” Arjali said.

According to Arjali, “Our governor is trying his own ability, so being Karai-karai and Ngizimawa have been scattered for a long time, and our people have some votes for another party, some have not even voted; therefore, we call on our people not to vote for another party or refuse to vote in the next elections.

Chillariye speaks on reconciliation between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai tribes in Yobe

Zulum Announces Scholarship to Female Indigenes with JAMB Score of 250 and Above

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced scholarship to Borno female indigenes who scored 250 and above in the 2025 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Zulum made the announcement on Saturday at the inauguration ceremony of new executive members of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Maiduguri Chapter and scholarship programme to 12 female students by wife of the governor at the Government House, Maiduguri.

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) is a platform that provides mentorship and advocacy for gender inclusion in engineering, promote the advancement of women in engineering and inspire young girls to pursue careers in science and technology.

The governor assured that his administration will continue to support girl child education and sponsor more women to study medical and technical education.

“In order to encourage girl child education in the state, I want to announce that all female indigenes of the state that have scored 250 and above in JAMB would be sponsored by the Borno State government to either study technical/vocational education or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses,” Zulum announced.

The governor then directed the acting Chief of Staff, the state scholarship board, Ministry of Education and APWEN, Maiduguri chapter, to identify and screen those that met the criteria to benifit from the scholarship.

He commended his wife for the scholarship programme and congratulated the outgoing and incoming chairperson for their commitment towards promoting the engineering profession.

In a paper titled: The role of Mentorship in Encouraging Girls to pursue Engineering Careers in Nigeria, wife of the governor, Dr Habiba Babagana Zulum, observed that mentosrship is a tool for personal and professional development, noting that women in Nigeria make only 14% of STEM work force, stressing that excluding more than 50% of the population in nation building is counter-productive.

“Mentorship is critical to shaping the minds and future of upcoming generations, identify inspiring role modelling, breaking stereotype, guidance and support, overcoming obstacles, building confidence and skills, critical thinking and creativity, networking and opportunities, access to resources and opportunities as aspects that encourage mentorship,” Dr Habiba stressed.

The outgoing Chairperson of APWEN, Engr Kori Shettima, said the association has worked tirelessly to create a platform that fosters innovation, mentorship, advocacy and collaboration with the aim of paving the way for future generations of female.

“I am proud of the progress we have made, the lives we have touched and the young minds we have inspired. Our advocacy for girl child education in STEM has been a beacon of hope, illuminating paths to a brighter future,” Kori stated.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the inauguration of the 4th APWEN Chairperson, Engr. Hajju Tijjani Gazali, and award of scholarship of N200,000 to six best female pupils of Wulari primary school, Maiduguri, and N300,000 to six best science students in Federal Government Girls College, Monguno.

Zulum Announces Scholarship to Female Indigenes with JAMB Score of 250 and Above