News
Zulum Launches Strategic Water Intervention Projects Across Maiduguri Metropolis
Zulum Launches Strategic Water Intervention Projects Across Maiduguri Metropolis
…Drilled 25 New Boreholes in Mafoni, Others
…Residents Laud Zulum’s Intervention
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has launched an aggressive and coordinated response to address the acute water scarcity affecting parts of Maiduguri metropolis and its environs, following the devastating flood disaster of 10 September 2024.
The flood, described as unprecedented in scale, caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, including critical water supply points.
This disruption significantly hampered the flow of water from Alau Dam, particularly affecting Maiduguri city centre and surrounding areas.
In response to the hardship faced by residents in accessing portable water for domestic use in areas such as Gwange, Mafoni, Lamisula, Wulari and Ngarannam, Governor Zulum has approved the immediate rehabilitation, upgrade, and construction of boreholes across various locations in the metropolis.
Key interventions under this emergency initiative include the conversion of 48 lower aquifer boreholes to hybrid energy systems and the construction of 50 new upper aquifer boreholes. These projects aim to restore and enhance water accessibility for thousands of residents.
During an inspection tour of project sites, the General Manager of Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Dr Mohammed Musa Aliyu, briefed journalists on the progress of the interventions.
“Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved the construction of 50 upper aquifer boreholes within Maiduguri and its surrounding areas. The project is already underway, with over 25 boreholes drilled and several already outfitted,” Dr Aliyu stated.
He further explained that many of the lower aquifer boreholes being upgraded were originally constructed over 40 years ago. These have now been retrofitted with 50-horsepower solar-powered systems, capable of supplying water within a five-kilometre radius.
Highlighting the importance of these upgrades, Dr Aliyu said, “The governor’s commitment to providing potable water is commendable. Here in Kasuwan Gwoza, we have converted a 50-horsepower borehole to solar energy. Without this intervention, residents would have no access to water as the original infrastructure was badly affected.”
In addition, the Governor has sanctioned the construction of 10 new lower aquifer (ruwan zafi) boreholes, with work currently in progress.
Dr Aliyu assured residents that, over the coming weeks, the issue of water scarcity in the capital city would be substantially mitigated.
“By the grace of Almighty Allah, we are making every effort to reduce water scarcity in Maiduguri metropolis to the barest minimum,” he affirmed.
Drilled 25 New Boreholes in Mafoni and Other Areas
As part of the broader intervention, the Borno State Government has constructed 25 new boreholes in Maiduguri and surrounding communities. Of these, 10 boreholes were established in the Mafoni area alone — one of the worst-hit communities following the flood.
According to Dr Aliyu, five of these boreholes were newly constructed, while another five were rehabilitated and upgraded.
“His Excellency personally visited Mafoni after the flood and promised swift intervention. Within a month, 10 boreholes were drilled and reticulated to various distribution points across the community,” Dr Aliyu explained.
Residents Laud Governor Zulum’s Swift Response
Residents of Gwange 1 (Mai Jir), Kasuwan Gwoza, Mafoni, Bulabulin Ngarannam, Federal Low Cost, and Shuwari 1, 2, and 3 have expressed deep appreciation for the Zulum administration’s proactive efforts in restoring water supply.
Speaking on behalf of the Mafoni community, residents noted: “We cannot thank the administration of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum enough.
Previously, we spent hours every morning searching for water, which affected our livelihoods and the education of our children. Alhamdulillah, with the drilling of these new boreholes, the water challenge in our area has been significantly resolved.”
Zulum Launches Strategic Water Intervention Projects Across Maiduguri Metropolis
Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
By: Michael Mike
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Isa Lanre-Onilu has presented the National Values Charter Plaque to the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) in recognition of the group’s unwavering dedication to national unity, patriotism, and its exemplary conduct as a corporate citizen that transcends religious divides to promote inclusivity.
Receiving a delegation of the NCYP who pay a courtesy visit to the NOA headquarters, the DG lauded the group’s patriotic stance and contributions to nation-building.
He particularly praised their courage and foresight in supporting the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket during the 2023 elections, a decision taken in the face of opposition from many, especially within the Christian communities in Northern Nigeria.
He said: “I have known this group for quite some time. Notably, you took a principled stand to support President Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket when many others opposed it. Today, the wisdom behind that decision is becoming evident through the visionary leadership being demonstrated—fair representation in appointments, reform-driven governance, and a commitment to inclusive development.
“This alone makes you worthy of the National Values Charter recognition, which embodies the principles of citizenship and patriotism.”
Earlier, the Chairman of NCYP, Mr. Isaac Abrak who led the group, emphasized that the group comprises Christian professionals from the 19 Northern states and the FCT -Abuja, who actively participate in politics to improve the welfare of citizens across the region and Nigeria at large.
He noted that the group’s political choices are guided by merit, equity, and the vision of building a tolerant and united society, particularly in enhancing relations between Christians and Muslims in political spaces.
Abrak identified the transformational impact of President Tinubu’s leadership, particularly referencing his tenure as Governor of Lagos State. “His strategic use of local government structures and the reformation of street youth, popularly known as ‘Area Boys,’ into productive contributors to society helped raise Lagos’ Internally Generated Revenue from N6 billion to N11 billion monthly. These bold reforms underpin our support for the full implementation of the Supreme Court verdict on Local Government Financial Autonomy.”
He stressed that the local government financial autonomy is a pro-people policy that must be anchored by the people through grassroots engagement. Mr. Abrak offered NCYP’s extensive leadership network—spanning national, state, local government, and ward levels with a workforce of over 30,000—for partnership with the 774 NOA offices nationwide to drive advocacy and implementation of this critical policy.
“The NCYP remains connected to the grassroots,” Abrak said. “We are ready to collaborate with NOA to raise public awareness and ensure that local government autonomy delivers development to the doorstep of every Nigerian.”
In his concluding remarks, the NOA DG urged all Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu’s administration, citing landmark projects such as the 700 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the establishment of Regional Development Commissions as initiatives that will spur economic growth and provide intervention across all regions.
Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has made significant progress in its efforts to dismantle a notorious armed robbery and car snatching syndicate, following the arrest of several suspects on April 11, 2025.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation led to the recovery of a stolen Mercedes Benz C180 (color green), along with a Beretta pistol and a cutlass, which were seized from the suspects.
While some of the suspects have been apprehended, efforts are ongoing to recover additional stolen vehicles and capture the remaining members of the criminal group, who have fled the scene.
Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered
Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
A bandit attack on Tungar Dada Village in the Moriki District of Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) in Sokoto on April 13, 2025, has left one person dead and 50 others abducted.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 0400hrs, when a group of armed bandits stormed the village, shooting and killing one individual while abducting 50 villagers to an unknown destination.
Security officials have confirmed the death and are actively pursuing leads to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the suspects.
Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto
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