News
Zulum pleads with President Tinubu to shelve merger of Army University Biu with NDA

Zulum pleads with President Tinubu to shelve merger of Army University Biu with NDA
… NCAM’s autonomy will boost FG’s agricultural revival, food security
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the decision of merging the Army University, Biu, with the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
President Tinubu approved the implementation of the Oronsaye report, which was made public after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Monday, 26 February 2024.
The Oronsaye report recommended, among other things, the merger of several government agencies and parastatals, including the Nigerian Army University, Biu which is to be merged with the NDA Kaduna.
Governor Zulum was reacting to a question by journalists in Maiduguri on Thursday.
He said, “Let me begin by commending the Federal Government for this great initiative because this effort is geared towards reducing our spending; it is an excellent initiative. However, I want to appeal to the President on two things. One, on the merger of the Army University, Biu, with the Nigerian Defence Academy. Borno State has been facing a serious crisis for the last 15 years and as a result of this, many of our children could not have access to education. Therefore, this University is crucial to the people of Borno State and the entire Northeast.
“I am appealing to Mr. President to look into this issue so that the Army University, Biu, will remain autonomous. If this cannot be possible, we still want to appeal to the President to allow the Federal Ministry of Education to take it over to become a conventional university.
“If possible, the Federal Government should allow it to function as an Army University, considering the importance of education in this part of the country. We are all aware that Boko Haram’s primary mission is to truncate western education. So, collapsing the Army University as a Faculty within the NDA is like helping the insurgents to achieve their objectives.”
“But in all fairness to the Federal Government, this decision is long overdue and timely, especially now that the government is working to reposition the economy and block leakages.
“That notwithstanding, we the people of Borno and the Northeast, are appealing to the Federal Government to reconsider the decision to merge the Army University with the NDA.”
“In Borno, we need education more than ever, and the Army University is vital in achieving that. If you look at Biu, for example, it produces many applicants seeking university admission,” Zulum added.
…NCAM’s autonomy will boost FG’s agricultural revival, food security
Governor Zulum also observed that with the Federal Government’s effort to revive agriculture and boost food security, the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), will play a vital role in achieving the President’s mandate.
The Governor stated that, “I also want to comment on NCAM. I was in Ilorin a few months ago and visited NCAM. I have seen them fabricating a lot of agricultural machinery, which I think is very important now.
“When the Federal Government is looking to promote food security through sustainable agriculture, NCAM is the only government mechanisation outfit in Nigeria saddled with the responsibility of fabricating agricultural tools. For this, I urge the Federal Government to look in and reconsider its decisions critically, including situating NCAM under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science.”
Zulum pleads with President Tinubu to shelve merger of Army University Biu with NDA
News
Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation

Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation
By: Zagazola Makama
The Ogun State Police Command has commenced investigation into the sudden death of a 20-year-old fresh graduate of Information Technology from Babcock University, Ilisan Remo.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the deceased, identified as Akawa Boluwatife Samuel, was brought to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital by his roommates on Wednesday and was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.
Police detectives who visited the scene said one of the deceased’s roommates, Adili Leonard Chimdindu, disclosed that Boluwatife had complained of cold and difficulty in breathing on July 27, and was advised to visit the University Medical Centre.
According to him, they were on campus to complete their clearance process ahead of graduation, and the deceased had planned to return home soon.
He further stated that the deceased was in good spirits the previous night and played games on his laptop until around 11:00 p.m. He was, however, found unresponsive by morning.
Photographs of the deceased were taken, and the statement of his elder brother, Akawa Toluwanimi John, was recorded.
The body has been deposited at the university morgue for autopsy and preservation, while investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of death.
Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation
News
Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities

Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities
By: Michael Mike
The Waziri Mushere and community leader in Plateau, Chief Yohana Margif has raised alarm over terrorists’ current occupation of seven villages in Mushere community after displacing the inhabitants from their ancestral homes.
Margif in a statement issued on Friday, expressed his shock over the new development, and listed the occupied villages as Hokk, Kaban, Kadim, Nawula, Dulu, Mbor and Margif.
According to him, the seven communities, which are all in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state were recently attacked and ravaged by the terrorists, who killed many of the inhabitants and displaced thousands.
He said that for over three months now, the beleaguered communities had been under relentless terrorist attacks and siege, forcing them to flee their incestral homes to take shelter at Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps.
Margif said that the Fulani invaders, who have taken over their villages, are shockingly building their tents with their cattle gracing on their farms with impunity.
He noted that this was in spite of the state government’s claim that no part of the state was under terrorists’ occupation.
He said: “Am still in a state of shock by the governor’s claim that no part of Plateau State is under the control of bandit terrorists.
“My people have been forced to live in the wilderness at this critical period of the year when they are supposed to be in their farms.
“The terrorists who were previously called unknown gunmen are now known, as they have now set up tents in our lands on which their cattle are grazing, which is visible for everybody to see,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain and gubernatorial hopeful, who lost his bid for the Plateau State governorship seat in the 2023 elections, stressed that terrorists who have built tents and are openly carrying guns around can no longer be regarded as unknown.
He said that the reality on ground contradicted the governor’s assertion as these communities have been practically and brazenly taken over by terrorists, who have usurped their lands and livestock.
“Enough is enough of this, government has abdicated its responsibility of protecting its citizens for too long.
“Now that the terrorists’ identity is known, let the relevant authorities direct the security agencies to go after them, so that our people can return to their ancestral homes.
“The Plateau State government must take immediate and decisive actions to restore peace and security of the communities because the people deserve protection, justice and the right to live in their ancestral homes without fear,” he emphasised.
Margif suggested that government should immediately direct security agencies to flush out the terrorists from the seven affected communities and smoke them out of their well-known sanctuaries in surrounding hills.
He also urged relevant authorities to take decisive steps to address the humanitarian challenges by providing relief to the distraught inhabitants who are currently taking shelter at lDP camps.
Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities
News
Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt

Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State on Friday urged corps members deployed to the state to contribute meaningfully to its development during their service year.
He made the call while declaring open the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course at the temporary NYSC orientation camp in Akko Local Government Area.
The governor represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Inuwa Ibrahim, described corps members as critical stakeholders in nation-building.
Yahaya noted that the immediate past set of corps members had contributed significantly through community development projects, youth mentorship, and empowerment programmes.
“As you serve in Gombe State, I encourage you to be part of our developmental process, contributing to the transformation of our state and the empowerment of our youth.
“Your predecessors did well in nation-building, and it’s our collective responsibility to continue on this positive path,” he said.
He assured the corps members of a safe and conducive environment to enable them serve effectively and impact their host communities positively.
“Gombe State is a safe haven, and we guarantee a conducive working environment for your activities and programmes during your service year,” Yahaya added.
In her remarks, Mrs Chinwe Nwachuku, the NYSC State Coordinator in Gombe, urged the 940 corps members to participate actively in all camp activities as a foundation for their service year.
She encouraged them to adhere to camp rules, shun negative behaviour, and uphold the core values of the NYSC.
Nwachuku also appreciated the Gombe State Government, stakeholders, and residents for their continued support and commitment to the success of the NYSC scheme in the state.
Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt
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