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Villagers call on Gov. Buni to intervene over cattle routes in Gamawa
Villagers call on Gov. Buni to intervene over cattle routes in Gamawa.
By: Yahaya Wakili
Residents of Gamawa village in the Potiskum local government area of Yobe state have called on Governor Mai Mala Buni CON and the National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, to rescue their long cattle route, which the Potiskum local government has converted into plots of land.
Speaking to newsmen in the village, the spokeswoman of the residents, Mallam Muhammed Ali, said the cattle route starts right from the Niger Republic down to Cameroon, and this is the only cattle route that we have been using for over hundreds of years.
The residents of Gamawa village have accused the village head of Juma’a, Alhaji Yusufu Baba, of being the mastermind for converting their hundreds-year-old cattle route into a pilot, which they said will cause clashes between the hards and farmers during the rainy season.
“There is no development reaching the place, and before the development reaches the place, it will take over 30 years. First, we write four letters: one to the emir of Pataskum, one to the district head, one to the local government secretariat, and the last one we take to our village head, Alhaji Yusuf Baba, who said he would not receive it because the government has already done its work.” he said.
Also speaking, the National Trustee of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Malam Lamido Damina Yarima, said there was a time the Potiskum local government chairman constituted a committee for cattle rearers, and I am among them.
“The committee members comprised the police, civil defense, local government staff, and three members from cattle rearers associations: two from Miyetti Allah and one from Kulen Allah, that is, me. The term and reference for the committee is to go round all the local government and see the cattle routes that were encroachment or temper with a view to correcting them.
In our first trip, we start from Mamudo, Turkish, and Danchuwa, and also in our second trip, we meet the district head of Yarimaram Bataba. We come out with him, we go round and round, and the Gamawa cattle route is included. We were told that this cattle route has a long history; it comes from the Niger Republic and up to Cameroon, and we were confirmed that this is the longest cattle route.
“I know the chairman of Potiskum local government area, Alhaji Salisu Muktari, is not aware of this matter, because if he knew it differently, he would not accept it because the chairman is a peace-loving person.” Lamido Damina said.
When the members of the press call on the village head of Juma’a, Alhaji Yusufu Baba, for balancing their reports, The village head, Alhaji Yusuf Baba, said, Yes, he has some things to say about the conversion of the Gamawa cattle route into a pilot.
He further said that the criminals turned the cattle route into their terrorist activity grounds, where people were attacked and killed, and women were also attacked and raped on this cattle route. He lamented that, three years ago, he was attacked there on the same cattle route as Gamawa.
“Sometime a boy was attacked and killed there and took the corpse and brought it close to his village, Juma’a, and many women were attacked and raped there, adding that the impact of terrorist activities in the Gamawa cattle route is too much. Therefore, he summoned a meeting with the five ward heads of the area and ended up reporting the matter to the local government council.
“When I report the case to the local government, the local government sends the people from the department of land and conducts a survey to clear the cattle route and convert it into a pilot. During the clearing of the cattle route, they found five corpses of baby children, which they were dumping by their mothers,” he said.
When the members of the press went to the chairman’s office of the Potiskum local government, he was not sitting, and when they sent him an SMS message, there was no reply by the time we filed this report.
Villagers call on Gov. Buni to intervene over cattle routes in Gamawa
News
ECOWAS@50: Liberian Students Honoured for Essays on Youth Entrepreneurship and Regional Integration
ECOWAS@50: Liberian Students Honoured for Essays on Youth Entrepreneurship and Regional Integration
By: Michael Mike
Students in Monrovia, Liberia, have been honoured for their contributions to a regional essay competition organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The awards ceremony, organised by the Office of the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia, celebrated outstanding undergraduate essays examining the role of young people in driving development and strengthening regional cooperation across West Africa.
Launched as part of the ECOWAS@50 anniversary activities, the competition invited university and college students to reflect on the theme, “Youth Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for National Development and Regional Integration.” Organisers said the initiative was designed to stimulate intellectual engagement among young people and encourage them to think critically about their role in shaping the future of the region.
In total, 40 essays were submitted by students from tertiary institutions across Liberia, offering diverse perspectives on how youth-led enterprise could contribute to economic growth, job creation and deeper integration among West African nations.
At the ceremony, Samuel R. Watkins of the University of Liberia emerged as the overall winner, receiving a $1,000 prize for his submission. The second-place award went to Daniel Isaac-Sie Jr. of African Methodist Episcopal University, who received $700. Organisers announced that the two winning essays will also be published in national newspapers with online platforms to broaden public engagement with the ideas presented.
The event attracted a distinguished audience that included ambassadors of ECOWAS member states accredited to Liberia, university presidents, and representatives from the Ministry of Education of Liberia, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Liberia, and the National Commission on Higher Education of Liberia.
Speaking at the ceremony, Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia, commended the students for the depth of thought reflected in their essays and encouraged them to continue using writing as a platform for civic engagement and policy influence.
She emphasised that empowering young people to participate actively in national and regional development remains a key priority for ECOWAS, noting that youth voices are essential in shaping policies that drive economic transformation and social progress.
Nkrumah also urged participants who did not win to remain committed to intellectual pursuits, describing the competition as a learning experience that should inspire greater academic and creative efforts in the future.
The competition forms part of broader activities marking 50 years since the establishment of ECOWAS in 1975, as the regional bloc continues to promote economic cooperation, integration and shared prosperity among its member states. Organisers say initiatives that engage young people are critical to sustaining the vision of a more integrated and economically vibrant West Africa.
ECOWAS@50: Liberian Students Honoured for Essays on Youth Entrepreneurship and Regional Integration
Russia Hosts Classical Music Concert in Abuja to Revive Cultural Ties with Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria has hosted a special classical music concert in Abuja, describing the event as a significant step toward strengthening cultural dialogue and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and Russia.
The event, which drew diplomats, cultural enthusiasts, academics and members of the public, featured performances by three talented young Russian musicians from the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, one of Russia’s most prestigious music institutions.
Speaking at the event, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podelyshev noted that the concert was organized with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation and the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
According to him, the concert represents the first cultural event of its kind organized by the Russian Embassy in Nigeria in several years and marks an important effort to revive cultural engagement between the two nations.
“This evening is not simply a concert,” the envoy said. “It is an important step toward strengthening cultural dialogue between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Russian Federation. We hope it will mark the beginning of a new tradition that brings our peoples closer through the universal language of music.”
He expressed appreciation to several Nigerian institutions for supporting the initiative, including the National Universities Commission for providing the venue, as well as the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the Nigeria Immigration Service for their cooperation.
Special recognition was also given to Abba Music School for its role in coordinating the event and facilitating the participation of the visiting musicians.
The envoy said Russia also hopes to deepen cultural exchange by creating opportunities for Nigerian artists and creative groups to perform in Russia in the future, allowing Russian audiences to experience Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
“We look forward to the day when Nigerian creative groups will visit Russia, enabling our audiences to appreciate the depth, diversity and richness of Nigeria’s culture,” he said.
Guests at the concert were treated to a carefully curated repertoire of classical masterpieces drawn from Russian and global musical traditions, showcasing the technical brilliance and artistry of the visiting performers.
The evening also provided an opportunity for cultural interaction among diplomats, academics, students and music lovers, reinforcing the role of arts and culture in fostering international understanding.
The Russian envoy concluded his remarks by congratulating Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and thanking guests for attending the event.
Observers noted that the concert reflects a renewed effort by Russia to use cultural diplomacy to deepen engagement with Nigeria, particularly in the areas of education, arts and cultural exchange.
Russia Hosts Classical Music Concert in Abuja to Revive Cultural Ties with Nigeria
Fire destroys 10 shops in Gusau shopping complex
By: Zagazola Makama
A fire outbreak has destroyed ten shops at a shopping complex in Garejin Mai Lena area of Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, causing extensive property losses valued at millions of naira.
The blaze was brought under control through a joint effort by security operatives and local residents who assisted in putting out the fire.
Authorities confirmed that no lives were lost and no injuries were reported during the incident.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation as efforts continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
Fire destroys 10 shops in Gusau shopping complex
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