News
Zulum swears in Special Advisers, LGA Chairs, Perm Secs
Zulum swears in Special Advisers, LGA Chairs, Perm Secs
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has presided over the swearing-in of 29 Special Advisers, 27 Local Government Chairpersons, and seven Permanent Secretaries to the Borno State Civil Service.
The oath of office was administered at an event held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House by the Chief Judge of Borno, Kashim Zanna, represented by Hon. Justice Haruna Mshelia.
The newly sworn-in 27 Chairpersons, including a lady from Jere Local Government, emerged as winners at the 2024 Local Council election held on the 20th of February.
The 29 Special Advisers have a blend of Yoruba, Igbo, indigenous technocrats and politicians from across the Local Councils in the State.
Speaking after presiding over the oath of office, Zulum urged the new council chairpersons and other sworn-in officials to live up to the expectations of the government and people of the state while carrying out their various responsibilities.
He said: “To the elected Local Government Chairmen, while congratulating you on your victory at the polls, I urge you to discharge your duties with utmost honesty, impartiality, compassion and fairness. You must work assiduously for the actualization of the shared prosperity mantra of our government.”
According to the governor, local governments are an integral part of the overall development focus and strategy of government.
Zulum therefore requests the new council bosses to ensure adequate attention is given to tackling the menace of poverty, joblessness, and insecurity.
He called on the new Special Advisers to consider the interest of the state at all times while discharging their duties, noting that as advisers to the governor, each of them works for the entire state.
He added that: “To the special advisers, you should advise devoid of personal interests or that of a section of the state. As special advisers, you are for the whole state and must consider the interest of the state first before any other interest. You are expected to provide expertise and knowledge in specific areas of focus, such as policy development, economic matters and social issues or any other field relevant to the government’s agenda.”
In their separate remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service and the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirates Affairs called on the newly sworn-in officials to imbibe strong patriotism, resolute dedication, sincerity and genuine commitment to the welfare of our people.
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of all the sworn-in officials, Hon. Tukur Digira extended gratitude to Governor Babagana Zulum for the opportunity to serve the state.
He also gave assurance to the governor of their commitment to their responsibilities and in making a positive impact on the people of Borno State.
He said: “We understand the weight of the responsibilities bestowed upon us. We pledge to work diligently, utilizing our exceptional skills, knowledge and experience to contribute meaningfully to the success of this administration. Our advice will be honest and well-informed, sir.”
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, Senators for Borno South, Ali Ndume, Borno North, Barrister Mohammed Monguno, and Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan and the APC’s National Vice Chairman for the North, Ali Bukar Dalori.
The Shehu of Borno, represented by Mallam Terab of Borno, Terab Kyari Sanda, the Shehu of Dikwa, Bama, and the Emirs of Biu, Gwoza, Askira, Shani, and Uba, were also in attendance.
Others in attendance include Borno’s APC Chairman, the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, Members of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba and Zainab Gimba, Secretary to Borno State Government, Hon Bukar Tijjani, the Head of Service Barrister Mallam Fannami, commissioners, and other government and party officials.
Zulum swears in Special Advisers, LGA Chairs, Perm Secs
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
By: Our Reporter
Judge bars him from inciting public, undermining national security
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned a politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, for alleged cybercrimes, with the court barring him from further making statements that are detrimental to the peace and security of the country.
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling, threatened to revoke the bail granted Sowore’ should he ever make such statements. The arraignment came after two previous attempts, with the politician’s lawyer introducing what the DSS lawyer, Akinolu Kehinde SAN, called legal obstacles.
On Tuesday, however, Justice Umar held that since there was evidence that Sowore was a presidential candidate in the country before and having also earlier been granted bail by the court, with his international passport still being held by the court, he was entitled to be granted bail on self-recognition.
The ruling was on a bail application argued by his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, shortly after Sowore was arraigned on a five-count charge, in which he is accused of defaming President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a criminal in his posts on X and Facebook.
When the charge, being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), was read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty.
In the charge, Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, is accused of contravening the provisions of the the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024 and the Criminal Code Act by calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal
The two other defendants listed in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.
Details shortly.
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
News
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have carried out a series of coordinated attacks across parts of Zamfara State, killing one person and abducting several others in Zurmi and Bungudu Local Government Areas, security sources have confirmed.
In the first incident, bandits invaded Tungar Tsamiya village in Moriki District of Zurmi LGA at about 10:40 p.m. on Nov. 30, shooting dead one resident and abducting 10 others.
Security forces launched a search-and-rescue operation to locate the victims.
Barely hours later, on Monday morning, another group of bandits attacked Doguwar Gona forest in the same Moriki District.
The assailants abducted 17 men and women who were in the area fetching firewood. Security personnel are tracking the movement of the attackers with the aim of rescuing the captives.
In a separate incident in Bungudu LGA, gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed Makwa village in Kurar Mota District at about 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 1 and abducted an unconfirmed number of residents.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and police operatives, supported by local vigilante groups, have intensified efforts to rescue all abducted victims and restore calm across the affected communities.
Search operations are ongoing.
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday paid a sympathy visit to the Bishop of Kontagora, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, following the recent abduction of students of St. Mary Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The NSA, who arrived Kontagora by helicopter at about noon, was accompanied by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Tony Ajayi; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs; and senior officials from the Office of the NSA.
Ribadu and his entourage proceeded to the office of the Bishop at St. Michael Church, where they met with representatives of families of the abducted students, the school principal, and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States, Bishop Joseph Hayap.
During the meeting, the NSA assured the community that the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and staff.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending attacks on schools and ensuring the safety of students across the country.
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
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