News
Zulum unveils 90 HP capacity solar irrigation pump station in Borno
Zulum unveils 90 HP capacity solar irrigation pump station in Borno
.. Launches sale of N500 per litre subsidised petrol to farmers
.. Distributes fertiliser, others to 4,500 farmers
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum on Friday unveiled a 90-horsepower capacity solar irrigation pump station in Damasak located in the northern part of the state.
The pumping station, with a combined 90 HP capacity, has a 115 Kilowatt solar farm powering three units of 30HP pumps, discharging 225 litres per second with 105 discharge points covering 125 hectares of rice fields.
Zulum explained that his administration was shifting its focus from continuous food distribution to empowering farming activities in the state.
“Shorter-term solution to our problems is no longer sustainable, continuous provision of food to the people and keeping of IDPs in the camp is not sustainable either. Therefore, we want to shift our focus from shorter-term humanitarian support to medium and longer-term sustainable solutions, which is agriculture.,” Zulum said.
.. Launches sale of N500 per litre subsidised petrol to farmers
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has launched petrol sale to farmers at a subsidised rate of N500 per litre to help boost dry season farming in the state.
The governor noted that 1 million litres of petrol product would be provided for farmers under the scheme, which would be available in all the local government areas of the state.
“ I want to announce that for this year’s irrigation activities, the government of Borneo State is to procure 1 million litres of petrol and distribute it in the entire state at a subsidised rate to farmers,” Zulum said.
He also stated,,.“In addition to this, we have procured 20,000 bags of fertiliser, 1,000 solar-powered water pumps and another 5,000 water pump machines to be distributed to farmers across the three senatorial districts of Borno.”
.. Distributes fertiliser, others to 4,500 farmers
While in Damasak, Governor Zulum also distributed fertilisers, solar and petrol-powered water pumping machines with accessories and agrochemicals for farmers in two local government areas.
The governor supervised the distribution of 4,500 bags of fertilizers, 1,000 conventional water pumps and their accessories, 9,000 litres of agrochemicals and 50 surface solar water pumps for 4,500 farmers from Mobar and Abadam Local Government Areas.
“This morning, we are flagging off the distribution of dry-season farm inputs to farmers in northern Borno. 4,500 farmers have benefited from fertilisers, agrochemicals and water-pumping machines,” Zulum said.
He also inspected the expanded Nglayi scheme, Zanna Umarti, Dushi, Damasak Central and all other accessible farms in Damasak. The Ngalayi scheme, which was started with 500 hectares of land in 2022, has now been expanded to over 1500 hectares.
In his remarks, Borno State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Bawu Musami, highlighted Governor Zulum’s achievements in agriculture.
He listed the establishment of modern, innovative and climate-smart irrigation schemes at Bokkoiri of Konduga, Kulunnam of Magumeri, Jaffi in Kwaya Kusar, Mafa scheme in Mafa, Bulabulin, Shuwari and Gajibo of Dikwa, Logomane of Ngala LGAs respectively.
He added that Governor Zulum had directed the replication of these schemes in all three senatorial zones of Borno.
Zulum unveils 90 HP capacity solar irrigation pump station in Borno
Security forced arrested three over illegal arms dealings in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Three men have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal weapons dealings in Bauchi State, security sources said.
The suspects, identified as Peter Pama and Saleh Monday, both of Iburu, and Sunday Makama of Kasuwan Magani, were apprehended on Feb. 17 following intelligence on illicit arms activities.
Zagazola gathered that one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and one fabricated pump-action gun from the suspects.
Investigations into the case are ongoing as security agencies work to determine the full extent of the arms network.
Security forced arrested three over illegal arms dealings in Bauchi
Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have repelled an armed bandit attack in Gida Soda Village, Katsina State, neutralising two attackers and recovering a motorcycle, security sources said.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 12:45 a.m. on Feb. 17 when suspected bandits stormed the village. Troops, acting promptly in coordination with local police and Civil Watch Patrol Teams, engaged the attackers in an intense gunfight, forcing the criminals to flee.
During the operation, two of the bandits were neutralised, and a Boxer-brand motorcycle belonging to the group was recovered.
Tragically, one resident, Hassana Muhammad, 30, was reportedly fatally shot during the attack. She was rushed to Dansoda Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel.
Sources said efforts to track fleeing bandits and secure the area are ongoing.
Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle
AACIS’26 Set to Open $40 Trillion Africa-Caribbean Market
By: Michael Mike
The 2026 edition of the Aquarian Consult’s Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS’26) will focus on boosting trade, investment, and private sector partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean, targeting a combined market valued at $40 trillion across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
The Chief of Staff of Aquarian Consult Ltd, Serumun Ubwa, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, ahead of the summit scheduled for March 23–28, 2026.
She described AACIS as a strategic platform designed to connect African businesses with Caribbean partners, attract foreign investment, and promote sustainable economic collaboration across key sectors.
Ubwa highlighted that the inaugural AACIS in 2025 achieved landmark outcomes, including the establishment of the first direct flight from Africa to Saint Kitts and Nevis, the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in agriculture and cultural exchange, and a $40 million deep-water port agreement. She said these successes set the stage for the 2026 summit, which will expand opportunities for trade and investment.
She revealed that the 2026 summit will introduce two specialized events: the Afri-Caribbean Agriculture and Food Security Summit (March 23–24) and the Afri-Caribbean Health Summit (March 26), running alongside the main Investment Summit from March 25–28.
“By focusing on agriculture and healthcare, we aim to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance food security, open new export markets for African producers, and support policy frameworks that reduce import dependence in the Caribbean,” Ubwa said.
She added that the summit will feature structured Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) matchmaking sessions, an Investor Deal Room managed by investment promotion agencies, and sector-specific engagements in agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, tourism, digital technology, and the creative economy.
Ubwa added that over 2,000 participants are expected, including current and former heads of government, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral institutions, and private sector leaders. She emphasised that AACIS seeks to strengthen South-South cooperation and increase Africa-Caribbean trade, which currently represents less than one per cent of total trade between the regions.
Interested participants are expected to register for the summit at www.aquarianconsult.com/AACIS.
AACIS’26 Set to Open $40 Trillion Africa-Caribbean Market
Bandit attack in Zamfara leaves one dead, three abducted
Security forced arrested three over illegal arms dealings in Bauchi
Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle
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