Northeast
Zulum: palliative distribution a necessity, not my priority

Zulum: palliative distribution a necessity, not my priority
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, said his administration’s frequent distribution of food palliatives was necessary to strike a balance between addressing the immediate needs of the people affected by Boko Haram insurgency and laying the groundwork for a lasting change.
Zulum noted that while food palliatives were distributed to vulnerable people most affected by the over-one-decade crisis, remarkable development has been achieved in all the critical sectors such as healthcare, education, security and infrastructure in Borno State.
Governor Zulum stated that the palliative distribution was to salvage communities whose sources of livelihood were cut off due to the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.
Zulum made the remarks on Saturday while speaking to journalists in Gajiram, Nganzai Local Government Council, in the northern part of the state.
Zulum emphasised the need to establish a sustainable foundation for long-term development rather than relying on short-term solutions like palliative distribution.
“We are not creating dependency. You can see our efforts in reviving the agricultural sector. People should take note that what we are doing is necessary. We only give food items in places extremely affected by insurgency and gradually, we are transiting out,” Zulum said.
Meanwhile, the governor supervised the distribution of food and non-food items and N25m cash to over 25,000 families comprising 10,000 males and 15,000 females.
Each of the male heads of households received a bag of rice and a bag of maize grain, while about 15,000 families each received one wrapper and N5,000 cash.
Zulum commended the federal government, noting that Borno has received about 15,000 bags of rice from the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
“Let me acknowledge the receipt of about 15,000 bags of rice from the North East Development Commission (NEDC). The rice we distribute here is part of the donation, while Borno State Government donated the maize, wrappers and cash,” Zulum said.
The governor also stated, “I wish to extend our sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the management of NEDC for the support.”
Governor Zulum was assisted in the distribution exercise by the Hon. member representing Nganzai at the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba, Member, House of Assembly representing Nganzai, Sheikh Ali Gajiram, Honourable Commissioners Sugun Mai Mele and Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Special advisers and other top government officials.
Zulum: palliative distribution a necessity, not my priority
News
Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies
By: Michael Mike
Governors of the six Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba have called for a reappraisal of strategies in the ongoing war against insurgency in the region.
Rising from the 11th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) held in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on Thursday, the governors, in a communique, noted with dismay the rising activities of the insurgents in the subregion and called for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.
The Forum while commending the Federal Government in its effort at improving the security of the country and resolve to collaborate and support in all matters to address emerging security issues in the country. however noted that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education and reducing poverty.
The Forum promised its commitment to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes.
The Forum also noted that the poor road network in the subregion is contributing to the insecurity in the region, and called on Mr. President to as a matter of urgent concern address the issue of abandoned project which is critical to addressing poverty, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the subregion.
The Forum also recommitted itself to the opening up of the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition and the industrialization of the subregion to provide employment to the teeming youths who are vulnerable to recruitment into the army of the insurgents.
It also noted the role of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) in the development of the subregion and
called on the Commission to be more engaging with the various state governments on development needs and prioritize transportation infrastructure, education, and health, while equally calling on the Commission to rededicate itself to its core mandate which is to rebuild the subregion after the devastation of the insurgency and be more proactive in the delivery of existing project in the subregion by keeping track with project delivery timelines.
The Forum noted the significance of the Nigerian Law school Yola Campus within the region and resolved to support its
expansion by providing additional hostel accommodation, water supply and other facilities to improve the admission capacity of the campus and make it more conducive for training, and resolved to work closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) by providing office space in each state, support the enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children into formal school, provision of vocational and technical education as well as develop a unified approach to addressing the menace in the subregion.
The next date for the meeting was fixed for 27th – 29th, July, 2025 in Jalingo, Taraba state, and at the meeting were Governors of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, with the Governor of Bauchi state represented by the Deputy Governor
Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies
News
Nigerian troops rescue 71 abducted passengers in Zamfara

Nigerian troops rescue 71 abducted passengers in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with local security forces, have rescued 71 persons abducted by armed bandits along the Faru–Janbako Road in Maradun Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred on April 28 at about 9:10 p.m., when a truck conveying 80 passengers from Niger State to Sabon Birni in Sokoto State was ambushed by suspected bandits at Tungan Na-Yarchiga.
Top security officials confirmed the development, stating that the bandits forcefully abducted all the occupants of the vehicle.
Following the report, a joint security team comprising of army, police Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (ZFSCPG), and local vigilantes (Yansakai) mobilized to the area and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle.
The intervention led to the successful rescue of 71 abducted persons, including men, women, and children. The victims were immediately taken to Faru Hospital for medical evaluation.
Sources said efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining nine victims still in captivity.
Nigerian troops rescue 71 abducted passengers in Zamfara
News
Yobe is committed to addressing ASUU problems. – Buni

Yobe is committed to addressing ASUU problems. – Buni
BY: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe State Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON has said that his administration is committed to addressing issues relating to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) amidst competing demands.
Governor Buni started this today while receiving the leadership of the union’s Yobe State chapter, led by its chairman, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Karage, at the Government House, Damaturu.
He said the government will continue to give priority attention to the state-owned university in order to enhance its academic and physical development.
The governor appealed to the union to remain calm and continue to engage with the government, noting that his administration works out modalities for amicable responses to issues raised by the members.
Governor Buni stressed that one of the objectives of the union is to organize and represent the interests of the academic staff of the state university and called for mutual understanding between the government and the union.
Speaking earlier, the ASUU chairman of the Yobe State chapter, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Karage, said they were at the Government House to advocate for better funding of the state university with a view to enhancing a conducive and better atmosphere for effective teaching, learning, and research.
Dr. Ahmad Karage appreciates Mala’s administration for giving scholarships to students, especially law students.
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