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Zulum Presents Staff of Office to Shehu of Dikwa

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Zulum Presents Staff of Office to Shehu of Dikwa

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has presented the staff of office to the newly appointed Shehu of Dikwa, Ibrahim Ibn Umar El-Kanemi.

Alhaji Ibrahim Ibn Umar emerged as the 13th Shehu of Dikwa following the passing of the late monarch, Alhaji Mohammed Ibn Shehu Masta II.

In his address after the presentation of the staff of office to the Shehu at a ceremony held at the palace of the Shehu of Dikwa, Zulum stated: “The selection of Alhaji Ibrahim Ibn Umar ElKanemi, JP, CON, as the new Shehu of Dikwa, following the demise of Alhaji Abba Tor Shehu Masta II, was marked by a peaceful and harmonious process and this transition reflects the respect for tradition and the rule of law that defines the Dikwa emirate.”

He added that: “I am pleased to note that the succession process was conducted in a peaceful and collaborative manner, with the kingmakers of the emirate playing a key role in identifying a suitable candidate. Throughout the process, we remained guided by the relevant extant laws and traditions of the emirate.”

The Governor charged the Shehu: “Your Highness has ascended the throne in an era markedly different from that of your illustrious predecessors. These are more modern times that require your best efforts in providing leadership and direction.

“Ours is a State that has been bedevilled by years of insecurity, and the process of recovery is a collective responsibility for all, and so, you have a greater responsibility of changing the people towards the entrenchment of peace and development of the emirate.”

He recalled that while Borno had been battling terrorism for the last 16 years, the state had witnessed tremendous improvement in security and peace.

He said: “Nigeria’s battle against terrorism in the North-East for the past 16 years is gradually coming to an end. I wish to, at this juncture, commend the efforts of the Nigerian Military, other security agencies and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), as well as the entire people of Borno State, for their resilience and steadfastness during these trying moments. I am pleased to note that Borno State is currently experiencing a significant improvement in peace and security, making a welcome departure from the challenges of the past.”

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Governor of Borno, Umar Usman Karafur, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, Deputy National Chairman of APC, Ali Bukar Dalori, Senators representing Borno, South, North and Central, Speaker Borno State House of Assembly and members of the House of Representatives.

Also in attendance are Emirs and Chiefs from all parts of Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad including the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi; the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Fika, Dr. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa and the Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage.

Others include the Sultan of Kachalla, Mohammed Kasser; the Emir of Maroua, Abdoulaye Yerima Bakary and the representatives of the Emirs of Bauchi, Katsina, Hadeja, Gwandu, Misau, and Kazaure.

The Emirs of Bade, Machina, Ningi, Wandali, Makare, Biu, Shani, Damaturu, Nguru, Yamaltu and members of Borno Elders Forum were also in attendance.

Meanwhile, before the ceremony Governor Zulum commissioned two projects: an ICT centre and a Government lodge in Dikwa.

Zulum Presents Staff of Office to Shehu of Dikwa

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RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State

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RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State


…Making it the 20th State to Benefit from the Support

By: Our Reporter

The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Program, launched in Abuja in March 2024 to provide monthly support to vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities, has reached Yobe State—making it the 20th state to benefit from the initiative.
Since its inception, the program has covered Abia, Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto States before arriving in Yobe.
With generous support from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and another industrialist who prefers to remain anonymous, assorted food items were delivered, bringing relief to many households, particularly those with disabilities.


The First Lady and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, noted that donors provide two truckloads of food items to each beneficiary state for onward distribution. Represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, she highlighted Yobe as a major beneficiary of RHI programs and interventions.
These include:

  • The Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economists Empowerment Program, which supported 500 women with ₦50,000 each.
  • The RHI Women Agricultural Support Scheme, where 20 women received ₦500,000 each.
  • A ₦68.9 million grant from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to the Young Farmers Club.
  • Annual financial support to senior citizens, with 100 beneficiaries receiving ₦100,000 each in 2023 and 250 beneficiaries receiving ₦200,000 each.
  • A ₦50 million financial grant to 1,000 petty traders.
  • The Women in ICT Program, aimed at empowering women in the digital economy.
    According to Senator Tinubu, these interventions are designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
    Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni represented by his Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the initiative, noting that the state has aligned with RHI through various empowerment programs for women, children, and vulnerable groups. These include the distribution of household items, skill acquisition schemes, and post-insurgency recovery programs that have economically empowered many women.

  • The State Coordinator of RHI and Wife of the Yobe State Governor, Hajiya Hafsat Kollere Buni, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for extending such impactful support to Yobe State. She also looked forward to stronger collaborations to further project the ideals of RHI and improve the lives of the people.
    Also present at the event was Dr. Ubong Udoh, Managing Director of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, one of the key donors to the program.
  • RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State
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Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

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Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

By: Zagazola Makama

Former National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), has warned that Nigeria’s fight against insurgency will remain elusive without national cohesion and a united front across society.

Monguno stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).

He said Boko Haram and other violent groups had thrived by exploiting Nigeria’s divisions, stressing that disunity among citizens, political actors, and institutions weakened the country’s capacity to defeat terrorism.

“Without national cohesion, insurgency will not end. Terrorists feed on our fault lines – ethnic, religious, political – and they weaponise them against us. If we remain divided, no amount of military might will deliver lasting peace,” Monguno said.

He urged Nigerians to rise above parochial sentiments and embrace a spirit of patriotism, solidarity, and common purpose. According to him, the fight against insurgency must go beyond the battlefield to include reconciliation, justice, and inclusive governance.

The retired General emphasised that the scars left by Boko Haram were not just physical but also psychological and social, making unity a vital condition for national healing.

“The book reminds us that security is not just the work of soldiers. It is the responsibility of leaders, institutions, and citizens. Unless we build cohesion, insurgency will continue to mutate in different forms,” he added.

Monguno commended Gen. Irabor for documenting his experience, describing the work as a guide that combines history, strategy, and national lessons for the future.

The event was attended by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs, traditional rulers, diplomats, and senior government officials.

Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

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Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

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Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

By: Zagazola Makama

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency through military operations alone, stressing the need to embrace soft power and address root causes of insecurity.

Kukah made this known in Abuja on Thursday while reviewing Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).

He said the country’s reliance on military doctrines and repeated counter-insurgency operations had failed to produce lasting peace because Boko Haram represented an ideology, not just an armed threat.

“For years, we have had Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Restore Order, Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Safe Haven, and many others. Yet, when one operation fails, another is launched. These operations have not ended the insurgency because you cannot fight an idea with weapons alone,” Kukah said.

The cleric argued that describing the insurgency only in military terms forecloses other sources of information and non-kinetic solutions that are critical to peacebuilding.

According to him, Boko Haram’s struggle is framed as a jihad, and many of its fighters see death as martyrdom, making them indifferent to conventional deterrence.

“The challenge before us is not merely about defeating insurgents on the battlefield, but about understanding the soft issues of life and death. Guns cannot build peace; soft power must complement military power,” he said.

Kukah pointed to chapters 11, 12 and 13 of Irabor’s book, which emphasise reconciliation, good governance, justice, and national healing as critical conditions for security.

He praised the author’s reflections for going beyond military strategy, describing them as “the writings of a priest” that call for dialogue, reforms and moral renewal.

The bishop added that Nigeria must prioritise structural reforms, political inclusion, patriotism, and judicial integrity to tackle grievances that feed extremism.

“The urgency now is to invest in soft power – in human development, reconciliation, and building trust in institutions. Military operations can only create space; it is ideas and justice that will sustain peace,” Kukah said.

The event attracted former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, senior government officials, service chiefs, diplomats, and other dignitaries.
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