Zulum inaugurates housing complex for teachers in Mafa

By: Michael Mike

The governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum has inaugurated a 72-unit housing complex, comprising two and three-bedroom apartments, for teachers in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.
 
The project is part of the efforts by the administration of Zulum to address the critical shortage of teachers’ accommodations and improve welfare in the education sector.
 
The commissioning ceremony, which was held on Tuesday, was part of the Zulum administration’s ongoing efforts towards revitalising education, particularly in rural communities that were affected by over a decade of insurgency.
 
Zulum, while presenting the keys to the beneficiaries, said the welfare of teachers is paramount to achieving qualitative education.
 
According to the governor, providing decent and secured housing is one of his administration’s key priorities.
 
The newly commissioned complex comprises 24 two-bedroom semi-detached units and 48 units of eight blocks, three-storey buildings, three bedrooms, and basic amenities. Each unit was designed to provide a comfortable and dignified living space for teaching staff and their families.
 
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, explained that the beneficiaries were selected from primary and secondary schools.
 
Wakilbe commended Governor Zulum for prioritising the welfare of teachers by providing them with a decent accommodation.
 
Those who were present at the event included the House of Representatives member for Maiduguri Metropolis, Abdulkadir Rahis; the Acting Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; the Commissioner for Works, Engr Mustapha Gubio and the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele.

Zulum inaugurates housing complex for teachers in Mafa

ACReSAL Holds FTC Meeting to Deepen Collaboration on Climate Resilience and Food Security

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the collaborative efforts of the Ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Sanitation, and Agriculture and Food Security, remains committed to combating climate change and environmental degradation, with the ACReSAL project yielding tangible results in restoring degraded lands and promoting sustainable livelihoods in the semi-arid region of the country.

This resolve was emphasized during the Federal Technical Committee (FTC) meeting of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, held at the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja. The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretaries of the three implementing ministries, key Director Generals, Directors, and other ACReSAL Project stakeholders from federal ministries, departments, and agencies to review the project’s progress and examine its Annual Work Plan for the upcoming implementation year.

Delivering the opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Mahmud Adam Gambari, described the gathering as a defining moment in Nigeria’s pursuit of environmental sustainability and community resilience.

“As we confront the realities of climate change, drought, and food insecurity, our shared vision through ACReSAL is transforming into concrete action,” he said. “This plan embodies our collective responsibility to restore degraded lands, strengthen livelihoods, and secure a sustainable future for millions of Nigerians.”

From the agriculture sector, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, reaffirmed the ministry’s full support for the project’s objectives.

“The ACReSAL project aligns perfectly with our mission to strengthen food security through climate-smart agriculture,” he stated. “By promoting drought-tolerant crops, soil restoration, and improved farming practices, we are empowering smallholder farmers and building resilience in rural communities. Together, we can ensure that our agricultural sector continues to thrive despite environmental challenges.”

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Philaangwa, highlighted the project’s critical role in protecting Nigeria’s water ecosystems and improving sanitation standards in semi-arid regions.

“ACReSAL offers a comprehensive approach to managing our fragile water systems,” he noted. “Through watershed rehabilitation, sustainable irrigation, and rainwater harvesting, we are not only preserving water resources but also enhancing public health and agricultural productivity. Our ministry remains committed to providing the technical leadership necessary to advance water security across the country.”

Following the remarks by the Permanent Secretaries, the National Project Coordinator (NPC) of ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar, delivered a presentation on the project’s current status and impact across the participating states.

He noted that ACReSAL’s interventions are technologically driven and encompass afforestation, reforestation, ecosystem restoration, erosion and flood control, livelihood initiatives, climate-smart agriculture, water management, capacity building, policy development, strategic catchment management planning, institutional strengthening, and environmental education initiatives—all geared toward long-term impacts and sustainable environments.

Mr. Umar revealed that so far, the project has restored over 800,000 hectares of degraded landscapes. He added that civil works have reached an almost completion stage in some states.

He further stated that out of the wide range of impactful activities implemented in the state, 8,708,291 persons have benefited from the project intervention, with 4,120,649 being women.

According to him, ACReSAL has successfully addressed numerous environmental challenges, including those that once plagued communities in the Nguru Wetlands and Hadejia axis of the Northeast—now cited as classical examples of the project’s transformative impact.

The Permanent Secretaries commended the collaboration among the three ministries and stakeholders, stressing that the FTC’s recommendations would be forwarded to the Federal Steering Committee (FSC), chaired by the Honourable Ministers of Environment, Water Resources and Sanitation, and Agriculture and Food Security, for approval.

The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate change in northern Nigeria by restoring degraded lands, improving water management, increasing agricultural yields, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

The meeting concluded with a collective call for continued inter-ministerial synergy to ensure that ACReSAL delivers measurable benefits to communities most affected by desertification, drought, and land degradation.

In a show of courtesy, the committee paid a visit to the Hon. Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, at the end of the meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Environment Headquarters, Abuja.

ACReSAL Holds FTC Meeting to Deepen Collaboration on Climate Resilience and Food Security

Gov. Fintiri approves appointment of Abubakar Jijuwa as Waziri, Fufore Emirate Council, others

Governor Ahmadu Umar Fintiri of Adamawa has approved the appointment of Council Members and
traditional title-holders in the Fufore Emirate Council with Abubakar Jijuwa as Waziri.

Dr Sa’adu Usman, Secretary to the emirate disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Yola on Tuesday.

He said the approval is following the recommendation of the emir.

“Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri CON,has approved the appointment of Council Members and traditional title-holders in the Fufore Emirate Council”, he stated.

He said the council members were Sen. Bello Tukur, Wakili; Alhaji Muhammad Ahijo, Galadima; Abdulkareem Gurin, Tafida; Joel Madaki, Sauki Hurumi; Jika Bapetal, Wali and Aliyu Boya, Sardauna.

Others include; Isiyaku Numan, Sarki Yaki; Atiku Ribadu, Ciroma; Halilu Malabu, Makama; Alhaji Saidu, Dan Galadima; Alhaji Bamanga Daware, Ubandoma;Adamu HammaTukur, Dan Madami; Gidado Hammangari, Madawaki and
Mohammed Haruna Tuki, Dan Iya

According to the statement the new council members shall form the decision-making body of the Emirate with the Emir of Fufore as the Chairman.

The Fufore is among the newly created Emirates and Chiefdom by Gov. Fintiri