Zulum orders immediate ban on the sale of fuel in Bama LGA

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered an immediate ban on the sale of fuel (petrol) in filling stations across Bama Local Government Area, including Bama town and Banki.

The ban was issued after due consultations with security agencies in the state and is aimed at addressing the prevailing security challenges in the state.

In a statement on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, the measure is part of the state government’s strategic response to counter insurgency operations.

“I have directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in Bama town, Banki, and other parts of Bama Local Government Area with immediate effect,” Governor Zulum stated.

He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face the full weight of the law.

“Let me make it clear—there will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of this ban. Security agencies have been given strict orders to clamp down on any filling station or individual contravening this directive. Anyone found culpable will be dealt with accordingly,” he warned.

Governor Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in the state and called for the support and cooperation of citizens in the ongoing fight against insurgency.

Zulum orders immediate ban on the sale of fuel in Bama LGA

Insurgency: Zulum approves 35 patrol vehicles, motorcycles for Borno community

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has approved the release of 35 patrol vehicles and motorcycles to enhance the operational capabilities of the military and youth volunteers in Izge town.

The patrol vehicles and motorcycles aim to improve mobility for local security volunteers, enabling them to respond swiftly to threats and support military operations in their community.

Zulum gave the approval on Friday during an assessment visit to Gwoza. The Governor commended the Nigerian military and the local community for their gallantry in repelling recent insurgent attacks. “I am here to examine the situation on ground and find out from you what your real problems are so we can address them,” he stated.

“We are optimistic that insha Allah we shall never lose again, I want to commend the military notwithstanding some of the comments made by some people including myself. When we said we have started witnessing a resurgence of Boko Haram, that doesn’t mean we are belittling the Nigerian military, we are just stating the reality so that we can come together to address the looming crisis, so that we shouldn’t lose ground.”

“We shall do everything possible insha Allah to ensure Izge is not displaced. I want to commend the people of Izge; they are gallant and resilient. We will do whatever it takes to maintain law and order in Izge. Tell us what is supposed to be done, and we shall do it.”

According to the Governor, the facilities include 5 Toyota Hilux and 30 motorcycles, among other operational logistics.

Zulum also disclosed plans for gradually resettling displaced communities, assuring residents of continued government support to restore peace and stability.

The Governor noted that several communities, including Ashigasha, Warabe, Guduf, Wala, and many other smaller villages, will be resettled.

Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the member representing Gwoza at the state House of Assembly, Abdullahi Buba Abatcha, Head of Service, Dr Muhammad Ghuluze, Commissioner for Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mustapha Ali Busuguma, Chief Adviser to the Governor, Dr Mairo Mandara, among other officials

Insurgency: Zulum approves 35 patrol vehicles, motorcycles for Borno community

UMTH: Orchard, for the Benefits of Patients’ Healing

By: Balami Lazarus

Hospitals are considered universally to be the most serene environment where patients are expected to have the best healthcare services and attention and also to be provided with quality medical treatment and care through their doctors and caregivers, aided by other health workers, to enable the sick ones to recuperate, feel better, and get well. How can our hospitals achieve this?

However, this can be achieved not only by discharging their primary objectives through the provision of medical treatments but also in some other related friendly environmental health windows.

When the NEWSng team took a post-flood visit to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) recently to assess some projects like the one and only Interventional Radiology Centre (IRC) in Nigeria and the Stroke Centre (SC), among other few ongoing projects that are not peculiar to most hospitals in Nigeria.

Farms are of different types, but the one in question herein is an orchard, a special kind of farm. Orchards have never been part of the hospital environment, while gardens and parks are a common sight in our hospitals. Therefore, UMTH, under the able good leadership of Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, decided to make yet another landmark by establishing a large orchard within the hospital premises in Maiduguri.

Why an orchard in UMTH? Speaking to the CMD, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo on the Orchard project, he happily said, “The Orchard is meant to provide a conducive environmental atmosphere/space for patients, their relatives, visitors, staff, and students to have contact with and the feel of the natural environment provided by the Orchard.” He further emphasized by saying that “patients will have a natural environment for them to relax, which will help in their healing processes.” He informed NEWSng that it is also meant to provide sources of fresh fruits for the patients and members of the hospital community at affordable prices. “The Orchard is not only established to provide leisure/relaxation, but its products—fruits—are going to be sold to assist in maintaining the facilities of the orchard.”

In the course of our reports, NEWSng spoke to Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Dawule, officer in charge of the orchard, who took us round. The Orchard is 1.75 hectares of land totaling 26 plots that are 25 meters in size. Abubakar Dawule said that each plot is planted with a single variety of economic tree that bears quality fruits. All the plots are planted with single different varieties of economic trees like cashew, custard apple tree , mango , orange, banana, guava, mango apple, pawpaw, date trees, tangerine, berries of different kinds, watermelon, and other varieties of economic trees/plants.”

Sadiq further informed NEWSng that the aims of the orchard are “to create a green area of plantation that will provide economic trees for the production of fruits.” He also said that is to help reduce global warming and provide protection for the hospital’s environmental beauty. “To have natural environment space for nutritional benefits of patients to improve their healing.

UMTH Orchard has standard functional facilities like a water fountain, a set of concrete backrest seats in each plot, and an office block consisting of shops, stores, and restrooms. The orchard is beautifully designed with paved walkways to each plot and free flow of water to all the plots. It is fenced with one main entrance. These efforts are carried out by an 18-man workforce, including security operatives, to secure the orchard.

Interestingly, the UMTH Orchard was sponsored by a well-meaning Nigerian Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu Bungudu (Zanna Bungudu), a member of the National Assembly—House of Representatives representing the Bungudu/Maru Federal constituency of Zamfara State, with the sum of 20 million Naira.

Challenges faced by the Orchard, according to Abubakar Sadiq Dawule, are the need for additional borehole walkways and lights and more fertilizer/manure.

Garden scissors, an axe, a cutlass, and watering cans, among other handy tools, “are necessary for the maintenance of the orchard.”

UMTH: Orchard, for the Benefits of Patients’ Healing