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Zulum Blazing The Trail in Borno Education Sector Despite 15 Years Of Insurgency.

Zulum Blazing The Trail in Borno Education Sector Despite 15 Years Of Insurgency.
By Gbenga Akingbule.
The speed and consistency with which the Borno State government is transforming the education sub – sector by providing free and compulsory education across the state is a clear indication that the state is fast becoming one of the educational advantage states in Nigeria, Stakeholders have said .
The construction of mega schools and provision of instructional materials as well the school feeding program in different parts of the state has in no small measure help to reduce the number of out of school children.
Worried the by the uneviable position as having the highest number of out of school children in Nigeria in 2021, the governor Babagana Zulum leg administration has taken the bull by it’s horn to reduce the number drastically through various intervention programs and projects that have over the years returned Borno children to their classrooms.
” Out of 1.8 million out of school children in 2021, we have taken measures to reduce the number to less that 800. We’re still working assiduously bring down the number ” Commissioner of Education, Science , Technology and Innovation, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe said
No doubt, the more than a decade long insurgency had led many children and their parents to flee trouble areas, thereby obstructing their education where massive destruction to education facilities across the state was evident .
The Boko Haram terrorists whose translation of their name means western education is sin took ample delight in the destruction of schools and engage in continuous abduction of students. Analysts says the distruction of education facilities in the North East Region where Borno state is the worst hit is running into billions of US Dollars.
But the Zulum led administration has shown rare determination , the government is already picking up the pieces and does not want the future generation swim in the sea of illiteracy hence the priority attention to education sector.
To lift off the burden of school fees payments from off the shoulder of parents and guardians , the state government have continued to pay scholarship both for students studying within and outside Nigeria. Orphans of Counter Terrorism Volunteers were not left out as 300 of the them got the total sum sixty-million-naira (₦60,000,000) scholarship for 2024
The state government in its bid to provide the needed manpower for the health sector, recently embarked on the disbursement over N1 Billion as scholarship to student nurses.
” Today marks another significant milestone as we disburse One billion three hundred and five million one hundred and eighty-nine thousand naira (₦1,305,189,000) for scholarships benefiting 997 student nurses.” Wakilbe said
As part of measures to ensure the impactation of quality education to its students the state government has continued to pay prime attention to the welfare of teachers in the state. This gesture prompted the the Chairman, National Union of Teachers ( NUT) Comrade Zali Audu Garba to single out Governor Babagana Zulum as the best performing governor in the education sector.
” The education sector is currently witnessing an astronomical improvement in both with human and infrastructure. Teachers welfare have been given an unprecedented positive attention, the sum of N1 billion is currently being expended on teachers training accos Borno State .we have never had it this good . ” The NUT boss , Garba said
At a recent event in Bama local government area of the state where
Governor Zulum flagged off the second phase training for 781 teachers with the aim of making them more productive and acquiring the requisite knowledge for impactation to its students.
The governor who was represented by his deputy Hon Umar Usman Kadafur at the event says ” It is strategically pertinent to note that Government allocated a substantial sum of one billion naira (N1 Billion) for the training of 2,730 teachers. These educators will undergo rigorous training at both the College of Education Waka-Biu and Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Science and Technology Bama.
“The duration of the program is three months, covering one thousand eight hundred and eighty four (1,884)
teachers through a sandwich programme and eight hundred and forty six (846) teachers through a full-time NCE program.
“It may interest you to note that the aim of this initiative is to address issues of remuneration, retention and most importantly the competency of our teachers in line with national standards.
” The program is free of charge and each participants is entitle to N30,000.00 monthly stipend, in addition to their regular salaries. Those enrolled in full-time NCE program will attain automatic in- service status.
” On this note, let me use this medium to urge the participants to approach this opportunity with utmost dedication
and seriousness, knowing fully well that successful completion of the program and passing the competency test will lead to a review of wages.
“To ensure adequate preparation, the Ministry of Education has been directed to release an additional sum of fifty thousand naira (N50,000) to all participants“. Kadafur stated.
President of National Union of Borno State Students also testify to the pragmatic leadership of Governor Zulum in transforming the education sector, saying that Borno in the nearest future can compete favourably with any state in the country.
” We have an amazing governor in Prof . Zulum, he has continued to accord education the desired attention . Our governor has expended almost two billion on scholarship alone this year, this is aside the massive ifrastuctural development in the the education sector and training and retraining of teachers .” Kyari said .
As scars of the past disstrucion by Boko haram terrorists on the education sector is gradually giving way to progressive steps at revolutionizing the sector , governor is eager to continue to blaze the trail
” We will continue to do more to give quality education to our citizens.” Governor Zulum said at a recent event.
*Gbenga Akingbule,
Wrote from Maiduguri
Zulum Blazing The Trail in Borno Education Sector Despite 15 Years Of Insurgency.
News
Dabiri-Erewa Advises Youth, Hard Work Pays

Dabiri-Erewa Advises Youth, Hard Work Pays
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has advised Nigerian youths to embrace hard work, discipline and dignity, saying these values open doors to success.
Speaking on Day Two of the 2025 National Diaspora Day Youth Empowerment Summit at the weekend in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa shared her personal journey from journalism to national leadership.
She said: “As a journalist at NTA, I did my job well and was proud of it. That hard work got me nominated for a Harvard course, thanks to the then Rev. Father Kukah. Though the fee was $10,000, Arcor Group sponsored me. That changed my life.”
She added: “After Harvard, she left Newsline on NTA and entered into politics. With support from Senator Remi Tinubu and encouragement from now President Bola Tinubu, she contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives, serving for 12 years before becoming SSA on Diaspora and later NiDCOM boss.
“My hard work earned me respect. Wherever you are, work hard and carry yourself with dignity,” Dabiri-Erewa told the youth.
Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, on his part thanked the NIDCOM Boss for always involving the youth. “Commitment is the key to success,” he said, urging youth to stay focused and believe in their potential.
Speaking in the same vein, Hon. Bobby Digi-Olisa from New York, also advised youths to know themselves and take bold steps.
Similarly, Prof. Fene Osakwe advised youth to always make Nigeria proud wherever they find themselves.
On migration, Alex Oturu from National Commission For Refugees and Migration warned that overstaying visas or ignoring travel rules can make one an irregular migrant. He also cautioned youths on the risks of human trafficking.
Ms Pelumi Nubi, who drove from London to Lagos, encouraged youths to dream big despite challenges. “Start with what you have and trust yourself,” she said.
Miss Diaspora Nigeria-USA, Oyemen Ehikhamhen, also shared how the arts gave her purpose and confidence. “My crown is not just beauty — it’s a symbol of power and storytelling,” she said.
Twelve students were awarded laptops, with six overall science students sponsored by Arcor Group. Six desktops were also given to the schools, while others won laptops through a raffle draw.
The summit, which was part of the activities lined up for National Diaspora Day, continues to inspire youth to lead, innovate, and contribute to Nigeria’s growth, at home and abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa Advises Youth, Hard Work Pays
News
Police arrest man for attempted suicide in Ogun church premises

Police arrest man for attempted suicide in Ogun church premises
By: Zagazola Makama
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 29-year-old man, Victor Kalu, for attempted suicide at the premises of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) in Ibafo.
Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred late Friday night at about 10:45 p.m., when the suspect was caught trying to hang himself from an electric pole.
Police sources said that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the church apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the police at about 10:10 a.m. on Saturday.
Kalu, a resident of Plot 7, Oluwa Sesan Street, Ejigbo Road, Ikotun, Lagos State, confessed during interrogation that he attempted to end his life due to mounting financial pressure from a loan he obtained from an online bank.
“He said the lender had threatened him to repay the loan, and with no hope of getting the money, he decided to hang himself on the electric pole at the church premises,” the police sources said.
Police detectives visited the scene, recorded statements from the complainant and the suspect, and took photographs for documentation.
The command said the suspect is in custody and the case is under investigation.
Police arrest man for attempted suicide in Ogun church premises
News
VP Shettima Arrives In Addis Ababa For UN Food Systems Summit

VP Shettima Arrives In Addis Ababa For UN Food Systems Summit
** Nigeria gifts Ethiopia 2,000 cashew seedlings
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has arrived in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to represent Nigeria at the second United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit being held from July 27 to 29.
The Vice President’s aircraft touched the ground around 4:26 p.m. local time at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
On arrival, he was received by the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Temesgen Tiruneh, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy, Ethiopia, Amb. Nasir Aminu, Dr. Suleiman Dauda, Finance Attaché, Wing Commander Gabriel Batubo, Deputy Defence Attaché (Air Force) to Ethiopia, the Deputy Head of Mission, Amb. Macy Ogbede, First Secretary, Mr. Jangado Ishaku, and other top officials of the embassy.

Immediately after his arrival, the Vice President met with members of the Nigerian delegation, including the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy to Ethiopia, Amb. Nasir Aminu, and the Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), Marion Moon, among others. During the meeting, he was briefed on Nigeria’s expected deliverables at the summit.
VP Shettima will join global leaders at the high-level event on advancing the transformation of the coffee value chain, roundtables and meetings aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s food security drive. #UNFSS2025
The summit will bring together global leaders to reflect on progress made since the inaugural 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and accelerate commitments towards building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.
The Vice President will also participate in other events on the sidelines of the summit, designed to spotlight real-world examples of food systems transformation, promote knowledge exchange and partnership.
One of the events on the sidelines of the summit is a ministerial roundtable on public finance, trade, and responsible investment to accelerate the transition, field trips, and networking sessions.
At a recent briefing by the Task Force on the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit, VP Shettima had outlined three key objectives for Nigeria’s delegation: positioning Nigeria as a leader of thought on African food systems reform, leveraging international partnerships aligned with domestic priorities, and advancing a private sector-led model for continental food transformation.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has presented Ethiopia with 2,000 cashew seedlings and 100,000 cashew seeds.
The donation, sufficient to cultivate approximately 600 hectares of land, was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Efa Muleta Boru, as part of a shared commitment between both nations to sustainable agricultural development across Africa.
The exchange builds on Ethiopia’s earlier donation of 2,000 Haas avocado seedlings and 2,000 coffee seedlings to Nigeria in June 2025.
The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agricultural transformation agenda and highlights Nigeria’s commitment to “Green Revolution Diplomacy” as a tool for strengthening diplomatic ties while addressing food security challenges.
VP Shettima Arrives In Addis Ababa For UN Food Systems Summit
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