News
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
…Delivers 1,195 Developmental Projects, Programmes and Policies in 5 Years
By: Our Reporter
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State continued his commitment towards transforming the state in the first year of his second tenure of office. He consolidated on democratic gains by delivering 238 additional projects in the First Year of his Second Tenure, from May 29, 2023 to May 29, 2024. In 5 Years, Zulum has cumulatively accomplished no less than 1,195 developmental projects and capital-intensive programmes and policies that are people oriented.
It would be recalled that over 900 projects, programmes and policies were delivered during Zulum’s First Tenure [May 29, 2019 to May 29, 2023].
The 238 projects delivered in the first 365 days of his Second Tenure comprise of 220 capital projects and 18 capital-intensive programmes and policies, most of which were completed.
The achievements included 54 projects on Education, across 23 Local Government Areas, including 36 new Mega and Regular Senior/Junior Secondary and Primary Schools, High Islamic College and Integrated Tsangaya schools, including admin blocks, teachers’ quarters, laboratories, sporting facilities, solar systems, new ICT laboratories and 88 science laboratories in 22 schools, 58 vehicles for monitoring and evaluation of schools, 6,529 furniture sets for schools and education offices, among others.
In the Health sector, Zulum delivered 19 projects in 10 LGAs across all the 3 Senatorial Zones, including 6 new primary healthcare centers (PHCs), new General Hospital, 2 new Eye and Dental Hospitals, block of classrooms at a Nursing School, construction of 2 new Colleges of Nursing, the rehabilitation of 3 General Hospitals, and state-wide initiatives [solar systems in 22 PHCs and a General Hospital, supply of medical equipment, essential drugs, and consumables, etc]. Works and Housing got 20 projects across 6 LGAs, transforming urban and rural landscapes.
On Works, Zulum constructed Borno’s second flyover and an underpass pedestrian bridge, while the third flyover is under construction.
The construction of 32.77km urban and rural roads, including dual carriage ways, drainages, and road networks are under way, procured tracked paver, bulldozer to facilitate direct labour works in the state and ensure judicious utilisation of scarce resources.
On Housing, government has constructed 2 separate estates, comprising of 500-units; and 72-units 3-bedroom flats with road networks delivered for civil servants and residents.
On Security, Zulum supported the post-insurgency operations with 94 brand new Hilux, 62 Toyota Land Cruiser (Samsara) patrol vehicles, assorted security gadgets, equipment and logistics; procured 300 new motorcycles; repaired/upgraded 49 vehicles; and built a new office complex with support facilities for the Borno State Security Trust Fund to support security architecture and operations.
On Vocational and Entrepreneurship skills, government has completed and equipped 5 vocational institutes across Borno’s 3 Senatorial Zones in 10 LGAs, it has also constructed 3 ICT centres, trained 832 youths and empowered them with start-up kits, as well as training of 200 youths as agricultural extension workers and 400 farming households.
On Trade, Investment and Tourism 4 capital-intensive projects in 3 LGAs, including the complete reconstruction and rehabilitation of Maiduguri Monday market, which was razed by fire in February 2023 were carried out. He also constructed 176 shops [8-blocks of 22 open shops] with solar power at new Tashan Bama market [Phase II], established a new Agro Logistics Hub; rehabilitated the Gamboru Ngala cattle market; and remodelled the Borno State Hotel to boost revenue and tourism.
There were also 7 projects on Transportation and Energy in 4 LGAs, to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, comprising 150 vehicles [50 buses and 100 E-Star hatchback electric cars.
To subsidise metro city transport, the administration procured 500 electric tricycles, 300 electric and 10,000 manual bicycles.
He also procured and installed electricity transformers [across 14 locations] and 7,675 solar streetlights for roads in 9 locations in 2 LGAs. To support and boost economic livelihoods, Zulum’s government purchased five J5 vehicles, 30 tricycles and 10 Golf Wagon for Baga’s resettled communities.
In Agriculture, Zulum initiated 29 new projects and resuscitated moribund ones in 13 LGAs, including the procurement and distribution of 2 swamp buggies for waterway desilting, typer grass clearing, hundreds of water pumps, about 2,000 assorted irrigation/hand pumps and tube wells, irrigation farm inputs, hundreds of assorted fertilizer trucks, assorted agro-chemicals, spray equipment, improved seedlings, livestock feeds and vaccines],
Improvement of 225 hectares solar surface and sprinkler irrigation systems; 2,060 irrigation tube wells/wash boreholes and solar/petrol tube wells; 10 hectares drip irrigation scheme, agro logistics hub, livestock investigation/breeding, poultry demonstration and holding centres, and poultry production unit. He also resuscitated about 100 hectares Jaffi and Ngulayi irrigation schemes, among others.
Governor Zulum has continuously ensured food and nutrition security for the whole Borno population while supporting farmers to return to farming as part of livelihood restoration
Other sectoral achievements include 26 new, rehabilitated and upgraded projects in the Urban and Rural Water Supply sectors; 6 new and rehabilitated Rural and Urban Electrification projects; 35 newly completed and rehabilitated projects on Reconstruction, Resettlement and Civil Authority Restoration; and 8 new and ongoing projects on the Environment.
18 capital-intensive programmes and policies executed on investments in human capital development, Education and Public Service, providing Humanitarian Support and Social Protection to vulnerable population, as well as the payment of gratuity to retirees.
Government is poised to support the return of its indigenes’ from Niger, Tchad and Cameroun. while it concentrate the voluntary resettlement of IDPs in their ancestral homes in a dignified manner following the Kampala Convention.
Governor Zulum is also working tirelessly to actualize the Borno Model, applauded even by the United Nations to find Durable and sustainable for Borno Communities in his quest for reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation thus “Building Borno Back and Better”
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
Navy officer, family abducted in Kachia
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted a naval officer and members of his family in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Aug. 20, 2025, at about 0200hrs, when the gunmen stormed Unguwan Mission, Kachia, and whisked away Seaman Olatunji Enoch, 40, of the Nigerian Navy attached to NNSAT Kachia.
The assailants also took away his wife, Margaret Olatunji, 25, and their daughter, Hellen Bitrus, 13, during the attack.
Security agencies have since launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, with cordon-and-search operations ongoing in surrounding bushes. The operation aims to ensure the safe rescue of the victims without harm.
Navy officer, family abducted in Kachia
News
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The international Police Academy (UNIPOL) has Appointed Deputy Commander General (DCG) Joseph Icha,
Director Training and Manpower Development, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section.
A statement from the academy’s management stated that “the academy proudly announces the appointment of
DCG Joseph Icha, Director Training and Manpower Development, NDLEA as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section.
“This appointment recognizes
DCG Joseph Icha, Director Training and Manpower Development, NDLEA. exceptional contributions to national security, law enforcement leadership, and international cooperation.”
Icha has served the Agency in various Senior Management capacities as Principal Staff Officer, Assistant State Commander, Assistant Director, State Commander, and Deputy Director among others, with commendations.
The new international counter narcotics boss has attended several law enforcement courses on Drug Supply Suppression and Drug Demand Reduction within and outside the country.
“He is a Master Trainer with the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) in Drug Law Enforcement intelligence led investigation strategies and Criminal Intelligence. ” said the statement.
Joseph Icha has facilitated training programmes on behalf of UNODC to various law enforcement agencies in the country.
DCG Joseph Icha is a Law Enforcement Operative, mentor, curriculum designer, and advisor per excellence.
He is also a member of several international professional Organizations and currently is the Director Training and Manpower Development of NDLEA.
This important appointment was pronounced under the leadership of Dr. Alexander Jan M (Hany El Zahar), Executive Director, Founder, and CEO of the International Police Academy – UNIPOL, and IPA President (Rtd.) Senior Superintendent of Police Shuaib Adam HSC OLY VJ, International Director of Law Enforcement, Police, and Military, with the support of Prof. Yuval Binstoc (IPA) and Sir Junustia Brecen.
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Plateau State Accountant General Naanret Manset has said that it was not true that Plateau state has refused to comply with the deadline given to states for the submission of 2024 audited financial statements.
Reacting to a report published recently, the accountant general in a statement noted that “the attention of the Office of the Accountant-General of Plateau State has been drawn to a publication by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) titled ‘It’s Past Deadline, 5 States Fail to Publish 2024 Financial Statements’, which wrongly lists Plateau State as one of the defaulters.”
Naanret Manset maintained that “For the record, Plateau State fully complied with all statutory timelines for the preparation, audit, and publication of its 2024 audited financial statements
“Submitted same to the Auditor-General in May, 2025 which is within the stipulated period of 6 months.
“Audit completed in June, 2025 and forwarded to the House of Assembly which is also within the stipulated period of 3 months.
“Approved by the House of Assembly
Published online on 27 July 2025, below the legal timeline of 9 months.
The audited report is publicly available here:
“We urge FIJ to promptly correct their publication and remove Plateau State from the list of non-compliant states.
Plateau State remains committed to transparency, accountability, and timely financial reporting.” It noted.
The FIJ had recently published that six Nigerian states are yet to publish their audited financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year.
It revealed that five of such erring states have already past their statutorily implied deadlines which Plateau is saying is not true as it applies to them.
The publication had said that ” erring states are Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau and Rivers.
“In Akwa Ibom’s case, its amended 2021 audit law gives the auditor general up to nine months to publish the report online after submitting it to the House of Assembly.
“The Accountant General has six months to present the books, followed by a 90-day audit and submission period.
” In the other five states, audit laws differ in the year they were enacted or updated, but the process is similar.
“The Accountant General must submit the financial documents to the audit office within three months after the financial year ends.
” The Auditor General is then required to audit the report, send it to the House of Assembly and publish it immediately.
“The Ogun State Audit Law (2021), Rivers State Audit Law (2021, as amended), Akwa Ibom State Audit Law (2021), Oyo State Audit Commission Law (2021) and Plateau State Audit Law (2021) all set out these requirements.
” In Rivers, however, publishing the audit is left to the discretion of the Auditor General.
“In past years, these states have published their audits between June and August. Some have also been ranked among the lowest in transparency.
” The CJID Openness Index, released in July 2024, placed all six in the bottom tier along with 10 others.”
Recently, FIJ reported Akwa Ibom’s repeated disregard for budgetary transparency despite binding provisions in its Fiscal Responsibility Law.
The FIJ report maintained that two states Yobe and Ekiti, scored above average for transparency and accountability in 2024, with 73 per cent and 54 per cent, according to the Sub national Audit Efficacy Index, published by the Paradigm Leadership Initiative.
The report noted that the annual assessment, which measures financial transparency and policy adoption across Nigeria’s state governments, shows a familiar trend: “stagnation or decline.”
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
Navy officer, family abducted in Kachia
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
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