Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Konduga

By: Zagazola Makama

The Troops of Operation HADIN KAI , in collaboration with police tactical teams and local hunters, have repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack on Goni Dinari village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Sources said the attack occurred at about 5:56 a.m. on Friday when suspected Boko Haram terrorists invaded the village and set some houses ablaze.

The troops immediately alerted, leading to a swift joint response by troops, police tactical teams, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters.

“The attack was successfully repelled and normalcy has since been restored to the area,”sources said.

Troops had deployed to the village for confidence-building patrols, while monitoring and surveillance operations continued.

Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Konduga

Pockets of attacks on our communities will never deter us from keeping the peace….Kadafur

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The Deputy Governor of Borno state Usman Kadafur has said the recent attacks on certain communities in the state will not deter the efforts of the government in restoring the peace for residents.

He stated this during a visit by the House of Reps. Committee on Insurance and Actuarial led by it’s chair Usman Jaha
who also represents Gwoza/Chibok/Damboa federal constituency in Borno State.

The committee members had met in the the office of the Deputy governor in the Borno state government house in Maiduguri during the week where they intimated him about their retreat.p

Responding to their visit, the Deputy Governor had said that despite the challenges and destruction caused by insurgency the state government has rebuilt affected communities through its resettlement initiative and rekindled the resilience of the people.

He noted that the state government’s collective achievements against terrorism will not be deterred because peace restoration in the the state is paramount adding that the Zulum government is consolidating at the present post insurgency era.

The Chairman, Reps. Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Usman Jaha also visited the Shehu of Borno Dr Abubakar Garbai Elkanemi where his members had a session with the monarch going down memory lane on how the lingering insurgency war.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee and members of his delegation, reps member Jaha lauded the Shehu of Borno for their exemplary leadership at the traditional level which has brought about relative peace and development in the state.

He said, Maiduguri was chosen as venue to carry out their retreat, because, they believed that the whole World would know that peace has actually returned after a decade of atrocities posed by insurgents.

The Lawmaker added that, their engagement “will focus on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to reposition the economy for better service delivery and development, considering the Federal Government’s determination towards achieving sustainable growth by strengthening Legislation, Insurance Regulation, Protection, Financial System (LIRPFS), and ensuring its stability to the public”.

He observed that, the retreat will also focus on how to tackle financial disruptions, which are events or situations that have the capacity to change the way things are done and are always associated with opportunities and challenges in the country.

The Lawmaker also appreciated the sacrifices of the Military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, which he noted has paved the way for the peace and development in the state and the North East sub-region.

Responding, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Garbai had praised Usman Jaha and his team, made up of over 70 members for choosing Maiduguri, the state capital as venue to conduct their 2- Day 3rd Quarter 2025 Retreat.

The Monarch posited that, Borno which had witnessed series of deadly Boko Haram attacks is now getting out of its wounds as peace has relatively returned within a large portion of the state.

Dr. Abubakar Garbai lauded Jaha Babawo and other members of the delegation for not only choosing Maiduguri as a safe place to conduct the exercise, but for finding time to visit him.

He went down memory lane on the historical challenges that were staged against the people of Borno State, such as the Rabi, Maitatsine among others, adding that they were all conquered by the resilient people in the state, even as he expressed optimism that the Boko Haram conflict would soon be defeated for total peace and development of the state.

“Your coming here into my palace is a clear testimony of your respect for the traditional institution. Let me commend you all choosing Maiduguri as a place to conduct your retreat.

“We call on many Committees of the House and other institutions or organizations to emulate you by visiting Borno, the Home of Peace for their retreats and other engagements”. stated the Monarch.

Pockets of attacks on our communities will never deter us from keeping the peace….Kadafur

China, Nigeria Unite to Support Women’s Empowerment Through Film

By: Michael Mike

China is partnering with Nigeria and other nations to drive the comprehensive advancement of women worldwide, with a plan at opening a new chapter in global gender equality and empowerment.

Speaking during the celebration of the China Women’s Film Festival, the Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou,
highlighted China’s deep-rooted policy of promoting gender equality, noting that the Chinese government has consistently supported women’s advancement in education, employment, and social status.

He explained that the upcoming Global Women’s Summit will focus on strengthening gender equality and empowering women as key drivers of sustainable progress. The summit aims to align international efforts with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that women’s rights and opportunities remain central to global development goals.

“This year’s summit will focus on promoting gender equality and women’s development, and on advancing the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he said.

The envoy further revealed that China credits women as a central force in its rapid economic and social transformation, emphasizing their indispensable contributions to national progress.

“Chinese women have fully utilised their intelligence, talents and creativity, playing an indispensable role in China’s transformation from a poor and backward country to a world economic powerhouse in just over the past 50 years,” he stated.

He added that China also incorporates women’s development indicators into its national planning system, making gender equality a key measure of broader economic and social progress.

“China has integrated women’s development goals and tasks into its five-year plan for national economic and social development, using the status of women’s development as a key metric for assessing broader economic and social progress,” he added.

Hongyou further stressed China’s global outlook, particularly its cooperation with Nigeria and other countries, to promote women’s empowerment and sustainable progress worldwide.

“China is working with the Nigerian side and other countries around the world to accelerate the comprehensive development of women and open a new chapter in the advancement of the women’s cause globally,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Gabriel Saleh Zock, commended China’s ongoing partnership with Nigeria in promoting cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as the China Women’s Film Festival. He emphasized that such collaborations not only celebrate women in film but also deepen creative and cultural ties between both nations.

He said: “I commend the Embassy of China and the China Cultural Center in Nigeria for their consistent commitment to building cultural diplomacy and fostering creative exchange between our two nations, Nigeria and China. This festival is another bridge linking our creative communities, inspiring new possibilities for cooperation, artistic collaboration, and knowledge exchange,” he stated.

Zock also stressed Nigeria’s dedication to gender inclusion and empowerment, revealing that the National Assembly is actively working to ensure greater female representation in governance, aligning with broader global goals for gender equality.

“Just like how we are doing in the National Assembly now, we are trying to amend the Constitution and make a reserve seat for 30% women inclusion in governance. By God’s grace, in the coming years, more women will take their rightful place in leadership and decision-making across our nation,” he said.

He highlighted the unifying power of art and culture, stressing that collaboration between Nigeria and China can lead to a future where creativity, peace, and prosperity thrive.

“Together, Nigeria and China can champion a creative future where talent knows no bounds and where art continues to unite humanity. When women tell their stories, society evolves; and when nations exchange their art, peace and prosperity follow. Let us reaffirm our shared responsibility to make cultural diplomacy a cornerstone of development and mutual understanding,” he added.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, H.E. Iman Suleman-Ibrahim, Ms. Rukkayah described the China Women’s Film Festival as a distinguished platform that celebrates creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling to connect nations and inspire change.

“It is a great honor to join you at this year’s China Women’s Film Festival a distinguished platform that celebrates creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling to connect nations and inspire change. Through the art of film, we are reminded that stories have the power to bridge cultures, ignite compassion, and build mutual understanding across borders,” she said.

She noted that the festival coincides with renewed international reflection on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, underscoring its lasting influence on global gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“This festival holds a special significance as it coincides with the renewed global reflection on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action a landmark framework that has guided three decades of advocacy for women’s rights, gender equality, and empowerment. As the world revisits the spirit of Beijing, we reaffirm our shared duty to ensure that every woman and girl, everywhere, lives freely, fulfilled, and empowered to reach her full potential,” she added.

Rukkayah also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing programs designed to uplift women, strengthen families, and support vulnerable groups.

“For Nigeria, this moment aligns closely with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places people at the heart of national development. Through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Programme, the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs is driving transformative initiatives that promote women’s economic empowerment, strengthen the family system, enhance child protection, and improve welfare for vulnerable groups building a more inclusive, just, and compassionate society,” she said.

She further emphasized the growing partnership between Nigeria and China in promoting women-led innovation, cultural diplomacy, and creative exchange.

“Deepening collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria holds immense promise for advancing women’s development. China’s success in leveraging culture, technology, and social innovation provides valuable lessons for Nigeria. Together, our partnership can expand opportunities for capacity-building, creative industry exchange, and women-led entrepreneurship particularly in film, digital storytelling, and cultural diplomacy ensuring that women’s voices continue to shape communities and inspire global progress,” she stated.

China, Nigeria Unite to Support Women’s Empowerment Through Film