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Zulum Says Dry Inland Port Will Begin Operations in Maiduguri in Six Months
Zulum Says Dry Inland Port Will Begin Operations in Maiduguri in Six Months
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has stated that the Maiduguri dry inland port will begin operations in six months.
Zulum made this known on Wednesday in Lagos while addressing journalists after a courtesy call to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Pius Akutah.
The Governor expressed confidence that the establishment of the NSC, while providing job opportunities to young people, would also boost the state’s economy.
He said: “Establishing the inland dry port in Maiduguri will bring many opportunities to the government and people of Borno state. It will generate employment, taking thousands of young children off the street. This is very important.
Zulum added that: “Borno State shares border with three countries, namely Niger, Chad and Cameroon. The inland dry port will enhance trans-border trade. This is what we are looking for. The relationship between our border countries will improve, the economy of the nation will grow very well, and our GDP will increase.
He also said: “We are trying to divert our attention from mono-economy, which is oil, by investing in other opportunities. I think Nigeria will be great soon.”
The Governor stated that: “The Federal Government is working to ensure rail lines are rehabilitated under President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives. They are in the process of rehabilitating all the roads, and thousands of trucks are entering Maiduguri daily.”
He however noted that: “Establishing a good road system will fast track the process. Even in the absence of rail, the efficiency and effectiveness of the road transportation system are okay for now for the inland dry port. “We expect the project to be ready in six months.”
On his part, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Pius Akutah, noted that if established, the Maiduguri Dry Inland Port would boost transborder trade, considering that Borno is neighbouring three countries of Cameroon, Char and Niger Republics.
The NSC CEO said: “Like the Governor has said, it is important for Borno State as a border town to these three countries, to have an Inland Dry Port. The benefits that will accompany such cannot be overemphasised.
“With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in place, you cannot overemphasize the need to have this kind of critical infrastructure in a place like Maiduguri, Borno State that has boundary with three countries within the area.
“I have been to Borno and I have seen the consistency of his Excellency in terms of his words and his passion for development of Borno State.
“When he said six months, I believe him and I know the work will be done. For instance, the transit park area the Excellency has developed has one of the critical infrastructure to even service the proposed IDP.
“Now, what needs to be done is for those involved to look at the political will of His Excellency to see how they can quickly agree among themselves for the project to become a reality
“This is business and the initiative is not for government to drive the day to day running of the inland dry port. It is a public private dimension and therefore, private sector driven. So the two entities involved should come together and fast track the process of harmosing and agreeing among themselves.”
Zulum Sqys Dry Inland Port Will Begin Operations in Maiduguri in Six Months
Ambassador Mamman hails Buratai’s legacy, urges youth mentorship
By: Zagazola Makama
Ambassador Yusuf Mamman, former Nigerian envoy, has lauded the leadership and reforms of retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff, describing him as a “soldier’s soldier” whose tenure transformed the Nigerian Army’s doctrine, structure, and innovation.
Mamman, who chaired the public presentation of the book Life Principles for Greatness from the Life of Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, said he accepted the role without hesitation because the work offered lessons for Nigeria’s youth.
He recalled that Buratai rose from a cadet in the Nigerian Defence Academy to become Chief of Army Staff at a time the country faced the existential threat of Boko Haram insurgency.
“He came at a very challenging and difficult time in our national history, when Boko Haram posed the biggest existential threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity since the civil war,” Mamman said.
According to him, Buratai spearheaded deep and profound changes that reshaped military doctrine, operations, and troop welfare, laying the foundation for the ongoing modernisation of the Nigerian Army.
“He never sought to take credit, but his works were very evident and clear. The master plan for the Army’s modernisation we are following today was driven by his vision,” he added.
Mamman also linked Buratai’s example to the need for youth empowerment, noting that Nigeria’s young people are making significant contributions in technology, media, and the creative industry.
“We must give them the enabling environment to harness their creativity for national greatness. Our future relies on the resilience, creativity, and scholarship of our youth,” he said.
The event, held in Abuja Intercontinental Hotel attracted dignitaries including Senior Military Officers, both serving and retired, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua, Chairman Senate Committee on Army, and other prominent Nigerians.
Ambassador Mamman hails Buratai’s legacy, urges youth mentorship
Kachalla Alti kills rival bandit kingpin, Dankarami Usaini in Zamfara community
By: Zagazola Makama
A feared bandit kingpin, Kachalla Alti, has killed a fellow gang leader in Matsuki village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in what residents described as a deadly supremacy battle.
Zagazola gathered from sources that the incident, which occurred at about 4:45 p.m. on Monday, has left the community tense and largely deserted.
Witnesses said the slain bandit, identified as Dankarami Usaini, 40, a Hausa native of Matsuki, had long operated from the Dangajeru forest, allegedly extorting residents and attacking those who resisted.
According to locals, Dankarami was in the village to collect levies on behalf of Kachalla Alti, the younger brother of notorious armed gang leader, Adamu Alero.
However, discontent had been brewing among residents over the “excessive harassment” by Dankarami. They reportedly reached out to Kachalla Alti to intervene. Kachalla Alti stormed the village with his men and shot Dankarami dead on the spot.
Following the killing, many residents fled to nearby villages, fearing retaliatory attacks from Dankarami’s loyalists.
Local sources said tension remains high, with sporadic gunfire heard in nearby forest routes.
Kachalla Alti kills rival bandit kingpin, Dankarami Usaini in Zamfara community
Police, hunters search for kidnapped septuagenarian in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
Police in Gombe State, in collaboration with local hunters, have launched a search for a 60-year-old man abducted by gunmen in Funakaye Local Government Area.
Sources said the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 12:30 a.m., when about seven armed men stormed the Ganti area of Abuku village via Ribadu Bajoga and kidnapped one Muhammadu Lawal to an unknown location.
Upon receiving the report from the village head of Bage, a joint team of police operatives and hunters mobilised to comb nearby communities in an effort to rescue the victim unhurt.
The sources said no arrests had been made as of the time of filing this report.
Police, hunters search for kidnapped septuagenarian in Gombe
Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG
AND WE WILL WIN!
Ambassador Mamman hails Buratai’s legacy, urges youth mentorship
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