Zulum Bags Nurse-Friendly Governor Award at Commonwealth Nurses Conference

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has been honoured with the prestigious Nurse-Friendly Governor Award at the 2026 Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The conference, organised by the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation, brought together delegates from across Commonwealth countries under the theme: “Towards Excellence: Nurses and Midwives working together towards excellence in practice, education and regulation.”

Presenting the award, CNMF President Kathleen McCourt commended Zulum for his outstanding service to humanity, highlighting his large-scale housing initiatives for internally displaced persons and sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure. She noted that his hands-on leadership style in restoring dignity to vulnerable populations has set a benchmark across the Commonwealth.

The governor was represented at the event by Professor Abubakar Kullima, Chief Medical Director of the State Hospital Management Board, alongside his Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications, Hon. Abdurrahman Bundi.

Earlier, President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Haruna Mamman, explained that the awardees were selected after a rigorous assessment based on criteria established by the association.

Other recipients included governors from Nasarawa State, Sokoto State, Kebbi State, Bayelsa State, Adamawa State, Lagos State, Katsina State, Plateau State, Anambra State, and Akwa Ibom State.

Zulum’s administration has prioritised healthcare development, including the establishment of Colleges of Nursing in both northern and central parts of Borno.

According to organisers, his government delivered 120 projects within his first 100 days in office, 326 projects in his first year, over 500 in his second year, about 800 in his third year, and approximately 1,500 projects by his seventh year in office.

Zulum Bags Nurse-Friendly Governor Award at Commonwealth Nurses Conference

Troops clears Jilli, 17 other settlements in Borno, maintain dominance in ongoing clearance operations

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have continued clearance operations across parts of northern Borno State, clearing several settlements believed to be infiltrated by ISWAP terrorists, maintaining operational dominance in ongoing counter-terrorism missions.

Military sources said the operation, conducted on April 20, 2026, was carried out by troops of the Army Headquarters Intervention Battalion as part of Operation Desert Sanity, with movements covering areas within the Nganzai–Kukawa axis and adjoining communities.

According to the sources, the troops advanced through multiple settlements including Sumari Ngomari, Gudusuri, Kaleri, Malari, Ali Chiromari, Goni Kakari, Baram Karauwa, Maji Furamti, Ngwubala, Fulatari Ardo Yura, Bamma Bukar Malumi, Jilli, Damburi, Dabira Liwanti, Unburari, Bulabulin and Bukar Suguri.

The sources added that residents were observed carrying out normal daily activities in the cleared settlements, with no presence of hostile elements encountered during the advance.

Security sources confirmed that no contact was made with insurgents during the clearance operation, and no unusual incidents were recorded.

Military authorities said the theatre remained generally calm but unpredictable, while troops maintained high morale and combat efficiency throughout the mission.

They added that clearance and domination operations would continue across surrounding communities as part of sustained efforts to deny terrorist elements freedom of movement and restore lasting security in affected areas.

Troops clears Jilli, 17 other settlements in Borno, maintain dominance in ongoing clearance operations

Troops discover 3,250 litres of suspected illegal petroleum products in Rivers

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops under Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered 3,250 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products during an anti-illegal bunkering operation in Eleme Local Government Area of River state.

Security sources said the discovery was made at about 7:00 a.m. on April 20 by troops of LCSF MST 1/2 along Refinery Road within Eleme.

The sources said the substances, suspected to be illegally refined petroleum products linked to bunkering activities, were found at the location during routine patrol operations.

According to the sources, the recovered items were handled in line with the operational directives of OPDS.

They added that ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations were being intensified across the Niger Delta region to curb economic sabotage and protect critical national assets.

Troops discover 3,250 litres of suspected illegal petroleum products in Rivers