Zulum Appoints Tijjani Kukawa, Abubakar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers; Maina Gajiram as Commissioner Assembly Commission

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the appointment of Hon. Tijjani Lawan Kukawa and Hon. Abubakar Umar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers.

Hon. Tijjani Lawan Kukawa is a former member of the Borno State House of Assembly who represented Kukawa Constituency during the Third Republic. He also served as Special Adviser on Education to the Governor from 2020 to 2023.

In addition, he has held several public service roles, including member of the Governing Council of Ramat Polytechnic and member of the Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

A seasoned civil servant, Hon. Kukawa rose through the ranks from Agricultural Extension Officer to Acting Permanent Secretary.

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maiduguri and is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria.

Also appointed as Special Adviser is Hon. Abubakar Umar Mazhinyi, the immediate past Executive Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

Hon. Mazhinyi holds a Master’s degree in Disaster Management from the University of Maiduguri and is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Studies at the same institution.

He is a grassroots politician and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration, and a recipient of several awards.

Similarly, Governor Babagana Zulum has appointed Hon. Maina Bukar Gajiram as Permanent Commissioner of the Borno State House of Assembly Service Commission, with effect from 17 February 2026, following his confirmation by the Borno State House of Assembly during its sitting on the same day.

The appointment is in accordance with the powers conferred on the Governor by Section 198 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 5 of the Borno State House of Assembly Service Commission Law, 2005
(as amended).

Governor Zulum congratulated the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by serving with dedication, integrity, and commitment to the development of Borno State.

Zulum Appoints Tijjani Kukawa, Abubakar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers; Maina Gajiram as Commissioner Assembly Commission

Nigeria–China Partnership Strengthens as Officials Champion Culture, Women’s Empowerment and Economic Cooperation
Michael Olugbode in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their strategic diplomatic and cultural partnership, with top government officials, diplomats and international development partners using the 2026 Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival celebration in Abuja to call for deeper collaboration in culture, education, tourism and women’s economic empowerment.

The event, held at the China Cultural Centre brought together high-level delegates from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the diplomatic corps and cultural stakeholders from China. The celebration also marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries, as well as global efforts to promote people-to-people diplomacy under cultural exchange platforms.

Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, described the Lantern Festival as a global symbol of unity, hope and renewal. He said the festival’s growing international recognition following its inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list reflects the global relevance of Chinese culture.

The ambassador, who was represented by the Cultural Counselor of Chinese Embassy and Director, China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, emphasized that cultural diplomacy remains a strong pillar of China–Nigeria relations, noting that over five decades, both nations have deepened cooperation in trade, infrastructure development, education and technology transfer.

He stressed that cultural exchange promotes mutual understanding beyond formal diplomacy. “Civilizations are enriched by exchange and mutual learning,” he said, highlighting shared cultural values such as respect for family, community cohesion and social harmony.

On his part, the Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad, described the celebration as a symbolic fusion of two great civilizations and a platform for advancing gender-inclusive development.

Muhammad emphasized that combining the Women’s Carnival with the Lantern Festival was intentional, reflecting the strategic role of women in shaping cultural identity and economic progress.

He noted that women in both Nigeria and China continue to drive innovation, preserve cultural heritage and contribute significantly to national development.

“As lanterns light up the night sky, our women light the path to social and economic progress,” he said, pledging that the Federal Government would continue implementing policies aimed at expanding opportunities for women in the creative and digital economy.

He added that Nigeria would work toward improving women’s visibility in global cultural and economic spaces through stronger tourism promotion, creative industry investment and international cultural collaborations.

Representatives of the UNESCO Office in Nigeria, Dr. Jean-Paul Ngome Abiaga,
also spoke at the event, describing culture and education as powerful tools for sustainable development and international cooperation.

He emphasized that the celebration’s timing — coming just days before International Women’s Day — reinforced global commitments to gender equality.

He commended progress made in women’s empowerment in both countries, highlighting China’s achievements in expanding women’s access to higher education, entrepreneurship and technology-driven industries, noting that women now represent a significant share of university enrolment and workforce participation in China.

In Nigeria, UNESCO praised ongoing initiatives such as national women empowerment programmes and advocacy campaigns promoting girls’ education and economic inclusion. The organization reiterated that investing in women’s education and skills development remains essential to achieving long-term economic stability and social progress.

Speakers at the celebration urged both nations to translate cultural goodwill into stronger economic partnerships. They highlighted opportunities in tourism development, creative economy expansion, digital skills training and youth entrepreneurship.

Officials said cultural exchange programmes have already contributed to growing mutual appreciation of music, film, fashion and culinary traditions between both societies.

Participants noted that Nigerian and Chinese women are increasingly participating in cross-border cooperation projects, with many contributing to business, technology and community development initiatives in both countries.

Nigeria–China Partnership Strengthens as Officials Champion Culture, Women’s Empowerment and Economic Cooperation
Michael Olugbode in Abuja

UMTH: Received Ophthalmic Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment

By: Balami Lazarus

The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has an increase in sensitive hospital equipment donated by a non-governmental organization (NGO) known as Christian Blind Mission (CMB) International in collaboration with the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN).

These pieces of equipment are ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical equipment worth 350 million, which were officially handed over to the hospital to be used in the department of ophthalmology.

The equipment, not limited to optical cameras, blocking machines, and non-contact tonometers/patchy meters, among others, are donated to the department.

In his welcome address, Dr. Mustapha Waziri, the head of the Department of Ophthalmology, said that this equipment was timely because the flood disaster of 2024 has affected the department. “We are pleased to have this equipment in this great hospital. We are grateful to CMB and COCIN for this donation.”

Speaking during the occasion, the country director of Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Mr. Samuel Omoi, said that this equipment will go a long way to solving the problem of eye ailments in Borno State. “I believe that UMTH will put to use the ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical equipment for the benefit of the public who are in need of its services.”

Goodwill messages came from well-meaning Nigerians commending the CBN/COCIN and the Chief Medical Director of UMTH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, for his efforts towards making the hospital world-class in medical service delivery.

UMTH: Received Ophthalmic Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment