News

Why Zulum dropped his Commissioner of Environment and Intergovernmental affairs from his cabinet

Published

2 months ago

August 2, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Why Zulum dropped his Commissioner of Environment and Intergovernmental affairs from his cabinet

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Sketchy details have started trickling into the mills on possible reasons why Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state may have suddenly dropped his Commissioner of Environment Emat Kois and intergovernmental affairs and special duties Tukur Ibrahim from his cabinet.

Even though sketchy, environmental watchers say they are not surprised that Engineer Kois was specifically dropped because he was not meeting up to the expectations of such a massive and important ministry that has to do with the well being of residents.

Sources close to the Government House in Maiduguri told this reporter that the Governor is obviously not happy with the state of the Maiduguri metropolis in spite of the huge amount of funds pumped into emptying the permanently blocked water ways to allow free flow of flood water whenever it rains.

Residents in the over populated suburbs of the Borno state capital are so used to blocked drainages that they virtually empty their garbage back to the channels even after they have been cleaned up by the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA) the agency responsible for the monthly clearing of the drains as it has now become.

One of our sources who wanted anonymity maintained that because the Governor himself is the executive supervisor of most of the environmental projects going on in the state, it was obvious he alone knows how murky the environment ministry may have become and wants to sanitize things.

” In-fact, only the Governor knows why he dropped them though that of the Commissioner for intergovernmental affairs might not be unconnected to low capacity and lack of adequate education, the same reason the House of Assembly initially denied him clearance for. The man is just unfit to be a Commissioner but he got there obviously by patronage of the party system but thank God he is out.

” Issues of flooding cannot also be overruled and perhaps his inadequate efforts at the sensitivity of tree planting and carefree attempts on climate change activities might be involved. Kois has two well funded parastatals under him, BOSEPA and the great green wall Agency.” He hinted

Our source who doesn’t want to be mentioned equally posited that with the notion flying around that there is always too much funds flying around the environment sector, clash over funding somewhere may also not be ruled out as a major catalyst for the Governor to take such a sudden decision.

Another source equally noted that a lot has been going on around that ministry but a lot of jobs that are supposed to have manifested positive results on the people are not being felt by the people two years into the second term of the Governor.

” Take it from me, the man Kois is his colleague. So he had high expectations from him as an engineer. Within two years the state capital has not improved in terms of flood especially around areas where it is caused by accumulated garbage. One wonders what is happening to the flood committee which he is supposed to ginger to bring out solutions.

” The fact that most of the drainage systems in the town are blocked and BOSEPA is not able to clear it is itself a challenge. We have watched the appointment of a new management in BoSEPA but in spite of this, nothing has changed in their modus operandi. People try their best to clean up their drainage systems but BOSEPA is hardly able to meet up the challenges of the various wards of the capital.

” Remember we have just come out of one massive flood in the town as a result of the collapse of the Auno dam. That incident is so painful to his excellency that he does not want to hear that floods from rain water are again threatening residents. This is a problem that should have been sorted out by the Commissioner of Environment without waiting for the Governor to tell him what to do.

” He has virtually being unable to catch up with the expected speed of the Governor as such is found wanton by those who assist the Governor to assess their performances in the management of the environment of the capital not to talk about the flood that affected Chibok Damboa and Biu council areas of the state in which some souls perished in the floods ” He maintained.

At least two people died in the recent floods in the Gumsuri and Wovi communities of Damboa council area of the state. The floods were triggered by a heavy downpour which displaced many residents and caused widespread devastation.

A recent statement from the government had said that Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had relieved two Commissioners of their appointments to revitalize governance and enhance service delivery.

This sack was contained in a statement released by the Governor’s spokesperson, Dauda Iliya recently with the massive floods plaguing the state capital.

The officials affected are the Commissioners for Environment Emat Kois and Tukur Ibrahim Intergovernmental and Special Duties who would be replaced by
Engr. Mohammed Habib and Ibrahim Hala Hassan pending clearance by the state Assembly.

Residents want Government Intervention in Pompomari Housing Estate, Maiduguri, Due to Flooding Crisis

Meanwhile some concerned residents of Pompomari Housing Estate, in Maiduguri, have called on the managers of the Borno Geographic information Service (BOGIS) to urgently intervene in easing the blockages disturbing free flow of flood water from their environment.

They regretted that many residents in the estate have built unapproved obstructions along the routes of flood water making it à bit difficult for the water to find its way out whenever it rains.

They equally directed their distress call to the Borno State Government and relevant agencies like BOSEPA to urgently intervene in the worsening flood situation that has engulfed parts of their community making life miserable for them to exist peacefully.

This flooding, which has already started wreaking havoc at the onset of the rainy season, “is primarily caused by the negligent actions of certain self-centred individuals who have built residential and commercial structures directly on critical drainage channels and reservoirs within the estate.

“The unchecked and unauthorized construction on natural water paths and government-designated reservoir spaces has obstructed the free flow of stormwater, leading to overflow and repeated flooding. ” they noted.

“As a result of the flood, many homes, roads, and public spaces are at risk of being affected, with the situation deteriorating by the day,” said one of the residents, Mallam Usman.

The peace-loving and law-abiding residents of the estate are deeply concerned that if urgent and decisive government action is not taken, the area may face a full-blown environmental and humanitarian disaster.

The flooding threatens not only property but also the health and safety of families, children, and the elderly living in the estate.

” We are therefore appealing to BOGIS to urgently investigate and identify all illegal structures obstructing drainage channels flowing in the area.

” We call on the State Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning department to mobilize immediately to the area and begin desilting and restoration of the blocked drainages which are the foundation of these unwarranted floods..

” This is a preventable crisis that must not be ignored. The community is not asking for charity but for the enforcement of existing laws, planning regulations, and protection of public infrastructure. We believe that with swift intervention, this situation can be controlled before the rains peak and lives are endangered. “

Why Zulum dropped his Commissioner of Environment and Intergovernmental affairs from his cabinet

News

RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

Published

9 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

“Don’t Allow Shame or Stigma Affect Your Confidence” – Senator Oluremi Tinubu to School Girls at the Launch of Flow With Confidence Program in Maiduguri, Borno State

By: Our Reporter

The Flow With Confidence program, a vital menstrual health intervention, is designed to empower schoolgirls with knowledge, build confidence, and promote improved menstrual hygiene. The initiative targets 370,000 beneficiaries, mostly from rural communities who struggle to access hygienic care while in school.

Launched simultaneously in seven states – Borno, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos – by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the program provides each beneficiary with a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads.

At the official launch in Maiduguri, the First Lady was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima. She stressed that it is unacceptable for young girls to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, often forcing them to miss school days because they cannot afford sanitary pads.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that many girls resort to unhygienic alternatives, hence the introduction of Flow With Confidence as a safe, hygienic option to enhance reproductive wellbeing. Each state under the initiative will have 10,000 beneficiaries.

Encouraging the girls, the First Lady urged them not to allow shame or stigma to affect their confidence but to boldly pursue their dreams as future leaders of the nation. She further called on corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to support the program, while charging traditional, religious, and community leaders to ensure transparent distribution in their localities.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, expressed the government’s profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose leadership continues to rekindle hope and restore dignity to countless families by prioritizing economic empowerment as a driver of national development.

The Governor also commended the First Lady for addressing an often-neglected aspect of girls’ and women’s dignity and reproductive health.

Similarly, the Borno State RHI Coordinator and Wife of the Governor, Dr. Falmata Umara Zulum, lauded the First Lady’s commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in society through her numerous interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), complementing the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the First Lady also handed over assorted food items to the Borno State RHI Coordinator, Dr. Falmata Babagana Zulum, for onward distribution to vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities. This places Borno among the beneficiaries of the monthly RHI Food Outreach Scheme, flagged off in March 2024 with support from two leading industrialists.

RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

News

Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

Published

18 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

…Insists Absence of Appellate Court at Regional Level Undermines Access to Justice

By: Michael Mike

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi has called for the establishment of an appellate mechanism within the ECOWAS Court of Justice, stating that the absence of such mechanism continued to undermine access to justice in the region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025/2026 legal year of ECOWAS Court, Fagbemi said while the finality of judgments is crucial, fairness also demands that decisions be open to review in order to correct possible errors of law or procedure.

Fagbemi while noting that the absence of appellate court at the regional level is a letdown, said: “It is concerning that there is currently inadequate room for appeal against the judgments of the ECOWAS Court. While finality is important, justice must also be seen to be fair and revisable,” insisting that: “The absence of a separate appellate mechanism limits access to justice. As we expand the Court’s reach, we must also ensure that its decisions are subject to the same standards of review and accountability that underpin robust judicial systems.”

He urged the Court to draw lessons from other regional judicial institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights, the East African Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which, according to him, offer valuable models of transparency, judicial independence and procedural innovation.

He however restated Nigeria’s support for the ECOWAS Court as host country, describing it as central to regional integration, human rights enforcement and stability. “Nigeria remains steadfast in its support for the ECOWAS Court of Justice… I pledge to continue advocating for legal reforms that align domestic laws with regional obligations while respecting our constitutional order and national interests,” Fagbemi added.

Also speaking, the President of Cabo Verde, José Neves, said community justice remains vital for Africa’s credibility in global affairs. He stressed that strengthening institutions such as the ECOWAS Court was essential for peace, democracy and integration on the continent.

He said: “In a continent still marked by border disputes and recurring tensions, the existence of an independent and respected community tribunal is a civilisational triumph that we must preserve and enhance,” Neves said. He noted that access to the Court by individual citizens was one of the most significant gains of regional integration, as it brings justice closer to the people.

Neves also called for reforms within African sub-regional bodies to make them more effective in addressing contemporary challenges such as insecurity, institutional fragility, migration and climate change.

In his address, the President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Goncalves, disclosed that the Court handled 34 new cases in the past year, including matters relating to civil and political rights, economic freedoms, and disputes between member states.

He also revealed that the Court held 79 judicial sessions and issued 54 rulings, many of which reaffirmed key principles such as the justiciability of socio-economic rights and the supremacy of community law over conflicting national legislation. According to him, 112 cases are currently pending before the Court.

Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

News

Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

Published

19 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Wednesday, undertook a working visit to Diffa Region of Niger Republic on Wednesday.

The visit, which included a high-level security and economic delegation, focused on strengthening the existing collaboration between Nigerian and Nigerien forces in the ongoing fight against insurgency, particularly around the shores of Lake Chad.

Diffa is a community 17 km from Damasak town in northern Borno where thousands of Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram insurgency are currently taking refuge.

Zulum was received by the Governor of Diffa, Brigadier General Mahamaduo Ibrahim Bagadoma, and other senior officials. The leaders held closed-door meetings centered on joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and sustaining the recent gains that have pushed insurgents out of many of their former strongholds.

Zulum outlined plan to leverage the improved security situation to facilitate the return of thousands of displaced farmers to the vast and fertile agricultural lands around Dutchi town within the Lake Chad basin.

Part of the Governor’s entourage are Engr Bukar Talba, a member of the House of Representatives, Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and otheir senior government officials.
[10/2, 6:35 PM] Mike Olugbode: Maiduguri: For Over a Month, MSF Responds to High Numbers of Children Suffering from Malnutrition.

Since late August and early September, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have scaled up their medical response in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, following a sharp rise in malnutrition cases that overwhelmed MSF-supported facilities. Although admissions have slightly decreased now, the number of children receiving treatment remains very high.

“A month ago, we witnessed a worrying increase in admissions, compounded by a surge in measles cases,” said MSF Project Coordinator Daniela Batista. “Our isolation units for measles patients were quickly filled, and even the additional space we opened reached capacity. Now, those units remain around 70 percent full.”

Since 8 September, MSF’s Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) at Nilefa Kiji Hospital (NKH) has nearly doubled its bed capacity to accommodate the influx of malnourished children. By the third week of September, the emergency facility was recording an average of more than 85 new admissions daily.
In a context of reduced global humanitarian funding, some organizations in Maiduguri reduced their support for – or even left – nutritional outpatient nutrition programmes, causing a significant drop in access for first line care fir malnourished children.

At MSF’s extension facility in Shuwari, teams treated 3,265 children for malnutrition and referred 1,521 others for continued care between August and early September, when the upsurge began. More than 625 malnourished children have also been treated for measles — a disease which can contribute to malnutrition and whose complications can result from malnutrition.

The situation is further exacerbated by shortages of essential supplies. Therapeutic milk — critical for treating severe acute malnutrition — is in short supply, while access to ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) remains a chronic concern. Some partner ITFCs have indicated they can only accept referrals if MSF provides additional medical supplies such as antibiotics, admission kits, and therapeutic milk.
MSF teams also reported regular admissions of patients from Zabarmari — a community they are currently unable to access due to security and logistical challenges. MSF is engaging with the Borno State Ministry of Health to assess and potentially support the local Primary Health Centre (PHC) to ensure residents can access care.

Borno State continues to face the effects of a decade-long insurgency, with recent reports of violence in areas surrounding Maiduguri.

This surge in Maiduguri mirrors an alarming trend seen in all MSF nutrition facilities across Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, and Bauchi in recent months. According to UN estimates, 2.5 million children across northeast Nigeria are at risk of acute malnutrition.

MSF called on health authorities and humanitarian organizations to urgently address the shortages in medical supplies and staffing, and to strengthen community-level health systems to prevent further deterioration.

Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community