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Zulum addresses multinationals as UK hosts conference on Boko Haram/ISWAP surrender 

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Zulum addresses multinationals as UK hosts conference on Boko Haram/ISWAP surrender 

Zulum addresses multinationals as UK hosts conference on Boko Haram/ISWAP surrender 

By: James Bwala

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday addressed multinationals from Lake Chad countries, and development partners from the UK and other countries, during an ongoing conference being hosted by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office. 

The conference, tagged “Lake Chad Basin: Key Steps Towards Comprehensive Regional Solutions” with focus on how to effectively manage mass surrenders by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters through Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), is taking place at Wilton Park, located at Winston House in Sussex, United Kingdom. 

The conference has participants drawn from the military, managers of violent extremist groups, political leaders, the academia, humanitarian and development partners, diplomats, communication persons, and post conflict management experts from the UK and other developed countries as well as countries in Lake Chad: Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. 

The conference began on Monday and it was facilitated through the Lake Chad Basin Regional Strategy for Stabilization Recovery and Resilience, which provides a framework for conflict interventions by development partners. 

Governor Zulum, on the second day, delivered a keynote address, titled “Insurgency, Recovery, and Rebuilding Borno State: My aspirations for Borno State and Lake Chad Region”. 

Also Read: 19-year-old boy gets 12 strokes for snatching lady’s…

The Governor gave a detailed overview which highlighted impacts of the insurgency in Borno in terms of infrastructure destructions, displacements, humanitarian crisis and resettlement efforts. 

Zulum detailed the State’s immediate, short and long term plans for stabilization and development as well as how the State is responding to the mass surrender of over 35,000 repentant fighters from Boko Haram and ISWAP. 

The Governor also discussed recent efforts by the Nigerian Government with President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of a Presidential committee on repatriation, return and resettlement of displaced persons in the North-East, which has been tasked with resettling IDPs, supporting successful repatriation of over 190,000 Nigerian refugees, and managing mass surrender of insurgents.  

Other speakers from different countries shared experiences and knowledge peculiar to communities in countries of Lake Chad. 

The conference is scheduled to end on Wednesday afternoon, with “key takeaways and next steps” to be reached for considerable implementation by stakeholders towards stabilizing communities affected in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. 

Governor Zulum was at the conference alongside the State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo and the Special Adviser on Security, Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq, both of whom have been playing leading roles in managing Borno’s responses to the mass surrender of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. Both officials made useful contributions at the conference. 

The Governor’s Adviser and Coordinator, Sustainable Development, Partnerships and Humanitarian Support, Dr. Mairo Mandara made presentations at a session during the conference.

Zulum addresses multinationals as UK hosts conference on Boko Haram/ISWAP surrender 

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Yobe holds an executive council meeting

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Yobe holds an executive council meeting

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Yobe State Executive Council meeting was held at the Government House, Damaturu, and was presided over by His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN.

The meeting approved some numerous projects that will make an impact on the lives of the people of the state.

Briefing the journalists on the outcome of the council meeting, State Commissioner of Works Engr. Umar Wakil Duddaye said to improve urban roads, the council approved the construction of two township roads in Potiskum valued at #2.69.

Engr. Duddaye further said this road to be constructed includes a 4.7-kilometer township road and a new link road from Bazuwa junction to Anguwan Fulani connecting to the Na Huta, Fika-Gombe road.

According to him, the new link road will solve the longest transportation challenges for the residents, especially during the rainy season. Adding that His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, always has these urban roads in his mind, and Potiskum is one of the towns he always wanted us to be there.

The council has approved upgrading three major hospitals that include Specialist Hospital Buni Yadi, Specialist Hospital Damaturu, and General Hospital Nangere, respectively.

The commissioner for health, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana, stated this to newsmen after the meeting. He revealed that the council ratified the provision of medical equipment in hospitals and other facilities across the state.

The council also ratified approvals for the construction of pavements, a clinic, and a fire service station in nearly completed modern markets in Ngalda and Yunusari.

Alhaji Kaigama Umar Yunusari disclosed this to newsmen after the meeting. He maintained that the council approved the resuscitation of the state’s polythene and woven sacks company here in Damaturu.

Also briefing the journalists, Commissioner of Finance Alhaji Mohammed Abacha revealed that it will now be mandatory for all public officers to be given and to study the law before assuming their duties.

He said he presented a memo on the public finance law and urged the council to make it mandatory for all appointees to familiarize themselves with the law following their swearing-in to ensure accountability in governance.

Yobe holds an executive council meeting

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ISWAP reacts to Trump’s comments, warns militants to brace for possible U.S. action

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ISWAP reacts to Trump’s comments, warns militants to brace for possible U.S. action

By: Zagazola Makama

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has issued a statement reacting to remarks attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding plans to launch military operations against the group in Nigeria.

In a propaganda message circulated on its usual communication channels, ISWAP described Trump as a “reckless American tyrant,” alleging that he was being influenced by “evangelical Christian and Jewish advisers” during his administration. The group claimed that the comments signaled what it described as an attempt by the U.S. to project itself as a “global defender of Christians.”

The extremist group further claimed that such rhetoric would draw the U.S. into conflicts in other countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique, where militant attacks have resulted in large-scale casualties. According to ISWAP, this development aligns with what it called the broader strategy of the Islamic State movement to stretch the U.S. military across multiple conflict zones.

The group cited battlefields in Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan and the Lake Chad Basin as areas where it believes Washington could become overextended if it decides to intervene militarily.

ISWAP also issued a directive to its fighters, urging them to avoid large gatherings, limit movement and reduce the use of smartphones, citing what it called a likelihood of intensified U.S. surveillance and drone activity. The warning was extended to other Islamic State affiliates globally.

In the statement, the group called on Muslims in West Africa to “unite” and take the alleged U.S. threat seriously, accusing the West of what it termed “crimes against African Muslims.”

ISWAP reacts to Trump’s comments, warns militants to brace for possible U.S. action

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Adamawa: NCC sensitises stakeholders on copyright laws

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Adamawa: NCC sensitises stakeholders on copyright laws

By Ibrahim Mohammed

The Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) in Adamawa on Monday sensitised school proprietors against procurement of pirated books into their respective schools for learning.

Speaking at the sensitisation and inspection in Yola, Mr Yusuf Ibrahim, NCC’s Coordinator Yola office said, the exercise was part of annual routine duty by the Commission.

He said the aim was to ensure that people comply with the copyright law and to protect the creative works of authors, artists, and innovators in Nigeria.

The coordinator advised the proprietors to always ensure they follow the right channels in getting their books with invoices for record.

“We are here to enlighten you on the implications of procuring pirated books, therefore we are encouraging you to follow the due process in procuring books for your students.

“The exercise is enshrined in our act to inspect the process of procurement so as to ensure you are not patronising pirated books”, he said.

Ibrahim further expressed satisfaction on how some inspected schools procured their books direct from authors, publishers and sales managers.

Mrs Elizabeth Durosimi, Proprietor, Kim Standard Academy, appreciated NCC for the visit and assured of patronising the right channel in procuring books.

Aisha Rilwanu of Bishaq Academy, described the inspection as a good development and assured on stepping down the message to teachers and parents not to patronise pirated books.

The commission also visited Play and Learn Academy, printers shops and bookshops within Yola metropolis.

Adamawa: NCC sensitises stakeholders on copyright laws

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