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Zulum gives N100m business grant to 152 youths who renounced thuggery

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OF ZULUM AND THE EX- POLITICAL THUGS.

Zulum gives N100m business grant to 152 youths who renounced thuggery

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Friday presented N100 million to 152 youths who recently renounced thuggery in the state.

The 152 youths, were prominent members of a violent political thuggery group codenamed ‘ECOMOG’ in Maiduguri. They had after their renouncement made to undergo one month intensive practical training on entrepreneurship.

Zulum made the presentation at the Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri, venue of the one month training. 

A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau claimed the 152 youths had renounced thuggery in response to Governor Zulum’s ban, announced at the end of 2019. 

He said following that announcement, the Governor in August 2019, directed the enrollment of 2,762 youths into a ‘waste for cash’ sanitation programme in which the youths cleaned the drainages to earn monthly stipends. 

Gusau said with his boss satisfied with the improvement in the conducts of the youths, directed selection of leaders and most prominent persons who were engaged in thuggery since the 90s, before renouncing the practices.

According to him, 152 persons were then selected and made to undergo one month training in business enterprises, fishery, animal rearing and animal fattening. 

He disclosed that the training was coordinated by the Directorate of Entrepreneurship at the Ramat Polytechnic.

Zulum, while declaring the training closed on Friday, said 16 prominent leaders of the repentant political thugs will each receive N2m amounting to N32m, while remaining 136 persons will each receive N500,000 amounting to N68m.

The governor told the gathering that the government’s support is under the condition that none of them ever returns to political thuggery, as well as their readiness to replay 50 percent of the money they are given on a determined future date.

Commissioner for Sports and Youths Empowerment, Saina Buba described the programme as a bold effort by Zulum, in stamping out violent political thuggery, especially from Maiduguri, at which youths had in previous years (between 2002 to 2008) reached the extent of rival war with resultant killings.

Meanwhile, as part of a strategy to prevent children from towing the paths of their parents, the governor announced that the State Government will shoulder the education of 152 children, one each to be nominated by the 152 repentant political thugs.

Also Read: Doping Violations: Okagbare gets 10-year ban

Zulum charged the youths that it was in their best interest to accord dignity to themselves by being self reliant rather than returning to thuggery. 

He reminded them to never allow themselves to be used because those who use them do not allow their children to become thugs. 

He said: “Some of you here have been in political thuggery for more than 20 years and nothing seriously changed in your lives, and this should remind you that political thuggery is not a good thing, and if it was a good thing, why is it that our own children, those of us who are political leaders, our Commissioners, Advisers and other top Government officials, are not part of you here? Why is it you alone are in this kind of business?”

He promised that government will continue to support the youths and train more of them, so long as they remain out of thuggery. 

Leaders of the youths, speaking in Hausa and Kanuri, said Zulum has proven his genuine love for them by not only setting them up for businesses, but also promising to educate their children

Zulum gives N100m business grant to 152 youths who renounced thuggery

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One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State

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One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed men have attacked Gari Village in Masamagu area of Niger State, killing one person and abducting another in a violent incident that occurred on Wednesday night.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the attack happened at about 9:30 p.m. on July 24, when six unidentified gunmen stormed the community and macheted a 55-year-old man, Umaru Zakiru, to death.

They also abducted one Hussaini Muhammed to an unknown destination, but the victim later escaped from captivity with a gunshot wound.

A tram of security forces responded promptly and evacuated both the deceased and the injured to the General Hospital in Kontagora for autopsy and medical treatment.

A manhunt has been launched to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.

One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State

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Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

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Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians in Diaspora of his administration’s determination to continue to provide the enabling environment and policies that will boost their active participation in the country’s governance.

Tinubu gave the assurance at the opening of the National Diaspora Day celebrations 2025 at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This year’s celebration is themed: “Optimizing formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and growth”.

The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said: “We will continue to provide an enabling platform for effective policies for the Diaspora with the view to galvanizing your support for this administration and concretizing our democracy, optimizing your potentials and setting a good example for other African countries to emulate.

“Let me also state that we will look into the Challenges NiDCOM has enumerated with a view to ameliorating same so that we can harvest maximally the benefits of migration through the engagements with our Diaspora for national development and growth.”

He added that: “It is a great delight to address our over 20 million Nigerians in the diaspora on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of our National Diaspora Day 2025.”

“Only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria,” Tinubu stated.

The President highlighted the contributions of the diaspora, which include increasing remittances, pointing out that in 2024 alone, “Nigerians abroad sent home $20.9 billion through official channels—more than four times the value of the country’s foreign direct investment.

He said: “The Nigerians in the diaspora are also actively investing in our health care, agriculture, education, information, communication technology, housing and real estate, sports, transportation, oil and gas, and other sectors.

“This, I must say, is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest.”

The President stressed how highly the government rates the Nigerians in diaspora, saying “Our renewed hope for foreign policy recognises the diaspora as the fourth pillar for the agenda—namely democracy, demography, development, and diaspora.

In his goodwill message, the minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said:
“When you go to any part of the world, maybe in Asia, Africa, South America, you will see Nigerians excelling. Nigerians breaking barriers. Nigerians breaking ceilings. And Nigerians using ceilings as springboards to greatness.”

The Minister highlighted the economic potential of diaspora remittances—comparing Nigeria’s $21bn in 2024 remittances to $32.91bn in oil earnings and India’s $135.46bn diaspora inflows.

He said: “What does that tell you? It tells you that the power of economic emancipation, a lot of this resides within you, beyond your own imagination,” he said.

The minister also explained that the administration is laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity—even if short-term sacrifices are required.

“You cannot cure a tumor by virtue of a paracetamol. It is important that the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President came into being. And today, we can see the results. We can see the economic stability of this country,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo also spoke on the reforms in his ministry which include immigration and the protection of critical national infrastructure.

He therefore called on the diaspora community to trust in the country’s direction under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“Nigeria has never been ready for investment more than now. We are ready for investment.

“I assure you, under the leadership of this President, you will never regret your investment. Nigeria loves you. Nigeria cares about you. And this particular administration cares about you,” he said.

Earlier, in her remark, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said “The theme is apt to appreciate the efforts of both the government and the diaspora community in nation building and also to discuss how to make diaspora engagements better for national development.”

She emphasised the role of Nigerians in diaspora in the country’s development.

Dabiri-Erewa announced a proposed Diaspora Presidential Fellowship Programme. The initiative would allow professionals in the diaspora to take part in six-month sabbaticals in Nigeria, aimed at promoting knowledge transfer and innovation across sectors.

“It will strengthen their role in nation-building and serve as a knowledge-driven giveback to the fatherland,” she added.

Highlights of the event was the unveiling of a new Diaspora Home and Abroad Housing Platform, aimed at providing secure housing opportunities for diaspora Nigerians seeking to invest back home.

Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

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Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma

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Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives in Nasarawa State have arrested six suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang responsible for a series of violent crimes in Yelwa Ediya village, Doma Local Government Area.

The suspects, identified as Darda’u Shehu, Yunusa Malami Hashimu, Musa Abubakar, Ibrahim Musa, Mohammed Musa, and Jibrin Lafia, were apprehended during a coordinated raid based on actionable intelligence from a concerned resident.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping of a local councillor, Hon. Ari Muhammad, on May 26, 2025. They further disclosed that one of their members, Darda’u Shehu, raped the councillor’s wife, Talatu Ari, during the abduction and stole two mobile phones an Infinix Note 30 valued at ₦250,000 and a Tecno phone valued at ₦20,000.

The gang also confessed to mounting a roadblock along the Doma–Yelwa Road on July 19, where they attacked one Ibrahim Haruna and snatched his Bajaj motorcycle worth ₦970,000.

Recovered from the suspects were ₦100,000 in cash and one Bajaj motorcycle believed to have been taken from one of their victims.

The suspects also named their gang leaders as Bammi Alhaji Amme (alias Zomo) and one Lawali (surname unknown), who are currently on the run.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang and bring them to justice.
End

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