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U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria Confers “Woman of Courage” award toMs. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo

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U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria Confers “Woman of Courage” award to
Ms. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo

By: Michael Mike

The United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria has named the Executive Director of Braveheart Initiative for Youth and Women (BHI), Ms. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo as its 2024 Woman of Courage.

According to a statement from the embassy on Wednesday, the March 27 award ceremony in Abuja recognized Ms. Usiobaifo’s two decades of unwavering contribution to reforming laws and dismantling socio-cultural norms perpetuating gender-based violence in Nigeria.

In his remarks at the award ceremony, Art Brown, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, said preventing and responding to all forms of gender-based violence is a cornerstone of the United States government’s commitment to promoting democracy and advancing human rights, as it works with Nigerian partners to dismantle the barriers and impediments to gender equality.

“This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Invest in women: accelerate progress.’ I’m proud of the United States government’s longstanding investment in women. Together with the government of Nigeria and our local partners, we’ve made significant investments in the lives of Nigerian women and girls, particularly in health, enterprise, and ending all forms of gender-based violence.”

The statement read: “The U.S. Embassy conferred the award as part of activities celebrating the 2024 Women History Month, in keeping with the U.S. government’s commitment to recognize and celebrate individuals who are advancing gender equality and equity.

“This year’s International Women’s Day theme calls on all stakeholders to prioritize women and girls. Ending all forms of gender-based violence requires a whole-of-society approach to address the deep-seated socio-cultural norms underlying gender-based violence in Nigeria. Today, we’re delighted to celebrate and amplify the work of a woman who is a fierce advocate for women’s rights,” said Brown.

Awardee Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo, in her acceptance speech, thanked the U.S. Mission for spotlighting her work and pledged to do more for women and girls: “Young women, especially those who work in rural communities, can be unrecognized because of the locality of the work that we do. But here I am today as a testament that no matter where you are and where you do your work, your work speaks, and it speaks very loudly. I want to see this as a spur to do more for women for girls, for children in marginalized communities in Nigeria. I hope that an award like this will inspire government to become more accountable to their citizens and to promote justice for survivors of gender-based violence in Nigeria.

Senate Committee Chairperson on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe, commended the U.S. Embassy for the recognition, adding that it would motivate other young women to continue to do their best.

FCT Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs, Mrs. Dayo Benjamin-Laniyi, congratulated Ms. Usiobaifo for her courage and reiterated the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory to end gender-based violence.

The Woman of Courage award recognizes women who have taken unusual risks, surmounted significant obstacles, challenged harmful practices, and/or fought discrimination or disinformation in their efforts to defend and promote progress in their societies.

U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria Confers “Woman of Courage” award to
Ms. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo

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Why is the northeast being sidelined in a party like APC? – Chillariye

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Why is the northeast being sidelined in a party like APC? – Chillariye

The former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yobe State, and adviser on nongovernmental affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chillariye has expressed his grievances on how the Northeast is being marginalized by some parts of the country.

He said people in some part of the country are acting like the Northeast is not part of Nigeria because anything concerning the Northeast for development, they will quickly kick against it.

Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chillariye disclosed this in a special interview with NEWSng in Damaturu, the state capital.

He said, like the Northwest seat, they together endorse President Ahmed Bola Tinubu alone for a second term without mentioning Kashim Shettima as his deputy. 

“Where is Kashim Shettima, his vice? Why will they not endorse President Tinubu and Kashim Shettima at the same time to continue in 2027? What is the reason behind why they will not mention Kashim for the second time as a Tinubu vice?” Chillariye queries.

“I want to draw the attention of the Northeast in general. What are they doing? This Kashim is our son, and all that they assigned him to do, he did it very well, and if some part of the country will endorse Tinubu alone to continue, why, we in the Northeast, would not come out and say Kashim Shettima should continue with Tinubu?” he said.

He appealed to northeast stakeholders. What are they doing? We are hearing rumors that they will drop Kashim Shettima in 2027. Despite that, we are not sure of it, but if it is true, what is his fault or what offense did he commit? Let the northeast know that this Kashim is our son. We must show to the world that we want Kashim to continue together with his boss Tinubu in 2027.

Chillariye revealed that, since this party is our own, we wouldn’t reject it, and we would not allow any party to defeat our great party, APC. We will try our best to see that it wins the presidential seat. So why would we not show him our solidarity to continue with him in the 2027 election?

“Anything meant for the Northeast, they will say we should not do it. Are we not a part of Nigeria, or are we foreigners? In fact, we are original Nigerians, and we know some of them are from Niger. We are advising the party, and we thank the national chairman of the party for saying openly that Kashim will continue with Tinubu.

Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chillariye maintained that if the South-South says Tinubu should continue, the Northwest will say Tinubu should continue, so why in the Northeast would we not say Kashim and Tinubu should continue together? Therefore, I use this medium to continue with the propaganda for this campaign before the Northeast stakeholders to sit and assure the world that Kashim Shettima should continue with Tinubu.

“Kashim Shettima is the most loyal vice president, and since they started together, let’s allow them to complete their second term together, and what we need from our people now is support and prayers, because some people are supporting their own. Why would we not support our own, please?” Chillariye added.

Why is the northeast being sidelined in a party like APC? – Chillariye

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Borno police arrest 15-year-old over infanticide in Monguno IDP camp

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Borno police arrest 15-year-old over infanticide in Monguno IDP camp

By: Zagazola Makama

The Borno State Police Command has arrested a 15-year-old girl for allegedly dumping a newborn infant’s body in a pit toilet within the Charamari Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Monguno.

According to a Police source on May 22, 2025, at about 9:15 a.m., it was reported that earlier the same day at around 6:00 a.m., the body of a newly born infant was found abandoned in one of the camp’s pit toilets.

The sources said that the suspect, identified as Yafalmata Alhaji Mustapha, aged 15 years, and a resident of the camp, is currently in police custody for investigation.

“Police and medical experts visited the scene where photographs were taken, and the infant’s body was evacuated to General Hospital Monguno. The medical doctor confirmed the infant dead upon arrival, and the corpse was deposited at the hospital for autopsy,”said the sources.

Following the autopsy, the body was released to the Camp Chairman of Charamari IDP Camp for burial according to Islamic rites.

Borno police arrest 15-year-old over infanticide in Monguno IDP camp

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Angry villagers killed two Armed robbers in Gubio, Borno

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Angry villagers killed two Armed robbers in Gubio, Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Two armed robbers were fatally injured by angry villagers following an attack at Charimeleri Bush in Gubio Local Government Area, Borno State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred occurred on May 21, 2025, at about 5:30 p.m., when two unknown armed men armed with machetes, knives, bow and arrow pursued two young boys, Abdu Ali and Abba Ali who were grazing a flock of 25 sheep in Charimeleri Bush.

The suspects stole the entire flock and fled, but the boys ran home to alert their father, Bukar Umara. Villagers quickly mobilized and followed the rustlers’ footprints, eventually intercepting them and recovering the stolen sheep.

A violent confrontation ensued during which one of the robbers stabbed a villager, Fannami Bukar, in the chest. The villagers retaliated, fatally injuring both suspects, leading to their death.

Security forces promptly visited the scene, documented the incident with photographs, and recovered exhibits including a bow and arrow, a sheath knife, and two head veils.

The two injured robbers were rushed to Gubio General Hospital where they were certified dead by the attending doctor.

The stabbed victim was taken to the Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) Gubio for treatment and is reportedly responding well to medical care.

Angry villagers killed two Armed robbers in Gubio, Borno

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