Zulum commissions 20 road projects in Maiduguri to mark Democracy Day 

…Construction of 2 hospitals, int’l conference centre kicks off

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Thursday commissioned 20 road projects in Maiduguri, the state capital, to mark the 2025 Democracy Day.

They are Maina Kenindi Road, Talba Road, Yerima Road, Tafa Balewa Road, Cemetery Road, Park Road, Benue Road, Kinshasa Road, Homan Road, Kyari Sandabe Road, Elkanami Road and Onitsha Road.

Others are Dicharima Road, Sokoto I Road, Sokoto II Road, Engr Bukar Tijjani Road, Waziri Road, Marghi Road, Zajeri/Umarari Riad and Ambs Mahmud Ahmed Express Road in Gwange.

The combined 21.8 km projects were cited in Maisandari, Umarari, Ngarannam and Gwange, all in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

The governor reaffirmed his commitment to providing democracy dividends for the people of Borno State till the end of his administration.

“In sha Allah, before the expiration of my tenure, people of Borno State will witness many more projects,” Zulum said.

…Construction of 2 hospitals, int’l conference centre kicks off

Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has started constructing three more projects, comprising two hospitals and a 4,000-person international conference centre.

One of the two hospitals is a specialised orthopaedic service centre with a 200-bed capacity in the Goni Kachallari area of Jere Local Government.

Zulum commissions 20 road projects in Maiduguri to mark Democracy Day 

Two Benue civil guards killed, others injured as security forces repel bandits’ attack in Tor-Donga

By: Zagazola Makama

Two operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) have been confirmed dead, and three others injured following a late-night attack by suspected armed bandits on a military post in Tor-Donga, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday when about ten armed bandits riding on five motorcycles stormed the army camp in Tor-Donga in an attempt to ambush troops stationed there.

The BSCPG operatives, who were on security duty at the location, intercepted the attackers. In the ensuing gunfire, one guard, identified as Torna Atim, was shot and died on the spot, while another, Fanga Gundepuun, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and later died in hospital.

Three other guards l, Guusu Terver, Mzuuga Terzungwe, and Abugh Ivanbee , all residents of Tor-Donga, sustained varying degrees of injury and were rushed to Nguher Hospital in Katsina-Ala for treatment.

Reinforcements from the Nigerian Army and military and other security agencies responded swiftly and successfully repelled the bandits, who fled into the bush, abandoning two motorcycles at the scene.

The motorcycles have been taken into custody.

Two Benue civil guards killed, others injured as security forces repel bandits’ attack in Tor-Donga

ActionAid Calls on Nigerians to Tap into Billion Dollars Plastic Waste Industry

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has called on Nigerians to tap into the billion dollars plastic waste industry.

The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja by the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu at the “Beat Plastic Pollution Innovation Day” in commemoration of World Environment Day.

Mamedu, who was represented by Chair of ActionAid Nigeria Young People’s Forum, Favour Ikpe, while noting that currently, Nigeria generates 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, urged Nigeria to tap into the billion dollar plastic waste economy.

He said with 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually in Nigeria, only less than 10% of the waste is recycled, while the rest constitutes harm to the environment.

He therefore called for investment in recycling infrastructure and also support for the young Nigerians that are providing solutions.

He said: “To cut down drastically on single-use plastics,Invest in recycling infrastructure and Support the brilliant young people already building solutions from the grassroots.”

He stressed: “Let’s face it: the impact of plastic waste is right in front of us. In Nigeria alone, we generate over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, but less than 10% is recycled. That means the rest ends up in our drainages, our farmlands, our oceans, and these are harming our health and destroying livelihoods.

“But here’s the powerful part: change is already happening — and it’s being driven by young people. Nigeria is a young country — nearly 70% of our population is under 30. And we’re not sitting around waiting for change. We’re making it happen.

“Across the country, young people are taking plastic waste and turning it into opportunity — building startups, designing solutions, and creating sustainable alternatives.

“And there’s a big economic opportunity here. Globally, the recycled plastics market is projected to hit over $107 billion by 2032. Nigeria’s circular economy alone is already worth over $10 billion, and growing. The African Development Bank says that if we transition fully, Africa could unlock $350 billion in new economic opportunities by 2030.

“But we need the right systems to make this real. In Lagos, for example, the recycling economy was worth ₦18 billion in 2021 — yet 80% of the city’s waste still isn’t formally collected. That’s over $2.5 billion in lost value every year.

“Let’s reward innovation. Let’s fund community-led efforts. Let’s create policies that empower young recyclers and scale up sustainable solutions.

“Plastic may be part of the problem — but with the right approach, it can also be part of the solution. If we rethink, reuse, and recycle, we can turn pollution into possibility.”

He said what is needed today is to reimagine plastic — not as pollution, but as potential.

“So today isn’t just about raising awareness — it’s about celebrating action. From the live demos to the amazing gallery displays, what you’ll see here are examples of how youth are flipping the script. This is what transformation looks like.”

ActionAid Calls on Nigerians to Tap into Billion Dollars Plastic Waste Industry