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Zulum Unveils Free Gas Cylinders for 23,700 Teachers, Environmental Vanguards as Borno Launches 4m-Tree Campaign
Zulum Unveils Free Gas Cylinders for 23,700 Teachers, Environmental Vanguards as Borno Launches 4m-Tree Campaign
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has unveiled an ambitious clean-energy and environmental restoration initiative involving the distribution of 23,700 free cooking gas cylinders to teachers and environmental vanguards across the state’s 27 local government areas.
The initiative, which includes refill vouchers for beneficiaries, is designed to reduce dependence on firewood, curb deforestation, improve household health and strengthen Borno’s environmental resilience as the state continues its post-conflict reconstruction and recovery efforts.
Zulum announced the programme on Thursday in Maiduguri at the 2026 National Tree Planting Campaign and the distribution of clean cooking stoves and gas cylinders, where the first phase of the intervention was launched.
Under the initial phase, 5,000 cooking gas cylinders and clean cooking stoves will be distributed to teachers and environmental vanguards in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area. Beneficiaries in the remaining 25 local government areas will receive the equipment in subsequent phases.
The governor said the programme would go beyond the distribution of the cylinders, with beneficiaries also receiving vouchers to enable them refill their gas through designated vendors.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at tackling the twin challenges of energy poverty and environmental degradation by providing practical alternatives to firewood use.
“This initiative will significantly reduce dependence on firewood, improve household health, protect our forests, reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life of thousands of families across our communities,” Zulum said.
He added that the state government would extend the programme to teachers in other local government areas, stressing that environmental restoration remained central to the administration’s rebuilding agenda.
“As we reconstruct communities affected by conflict, we must equally restore the ecosystem that sustains the communities. Sustainable peace and sustainable development cannot flourish in a degraded environment,” he said.
The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to environmental sustainability under the Renewed Hope Agenda, while also acknowledging the contributions of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to the promotion of a greener Nigeria.
He further praised the Federal Ministry of Environment, its agencies and development partners for supporting efforts to build a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable Borno State.
Flagging off the national tree planting campaign, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, described Borno’s approach as a model that combines tree planting with practical alternatives to firewood.
The minister said the provision of clean cooking alternatives was critical to the success of environmental protection efforts, noting that removing thousands of households from dependence on firewood would significantly reduce pressure on forests.
“I want to say here that this is the first time I have seen tree planting getting connected with alternatives. The Governor is giving you alternatives. He is giving out 5,000 clean cooking stoves to our teachers. That’s the starting point. If you can remove 5,000 people from using firewood, it is a great achievement,” Lawal said.
He disclosed that four million seedlings were being planted as part of the campaign, adding that more than 20 million trees had already been planted across Borno State.
The minister described the achievement as commendable and pledged efforts to encourage other states to adopt similar measures.
Lawal called on governments at all levels, schools, faith-based organisations, the private sector, youth and women’s groups, as well as citizens across the country, to embrace tree planting as a civic responsibility.
The campaign, he said, was not merely an environmental exercise but a national investment in the health, livelihoods and future security of generations yet unborn.
For Borno, the combined rollout of clean cooking alternatives and the planting of four million seedlings signals a broader environmental strategy in which reconstruction is being pursued alongside ecological restoration, with the state seeking to rebuild communities while protecting the natural systems on which their long-term survival depends.
Zulum Unveils Free Gas Cylinders for 23,700 Teachers, Environmental Vanguards as Borno Launches 4m-Tree Campaign
Seven ISWAP Fighters’ Family Members, 12 Children Flee Yaganari Enclave, Surrender to Troops
By Zagazola Makama
Seven family members of suspected terrorists, accompanied by 12 children, have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI at Mafa in Borno State, following reported hunger and violent clashes among rival terrorist factions.
According to sources, the seven women surrendered at about 5 p.m. on Aug. 17 to troops of 112 Task Force Battalion deployed in Mafa.
The women were identified as Falamatai Modu, 30; Kelu Yaga, 25; Fada Yaga, 30; Gwaya Kadi, 25; Hauwa Mallam, 25; Maryam Yusuf, 25; and Fanna Kadi, 40.
They were accompanied by 12 children, aged between three months and 10 years.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the women escaped from the Yaganari terrorist enclave due to hunger and concerns over their safety following violent clashes between rival terrorist factions.
The report said the escapees were profiled and documented by the troops and would be handed over to the 24 Task Force Brigade Military Intelligence Regiment for further action.
The development highlights the increasing pressure on terrorist enclaves in the North-East, where sustained military operations and internal factional clashes continue to disrupt the groups’ activities and survival networks.
The military authorities said the general security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory.
Seven ISWAP Fighters’ Family Members, 12 Children Flee Yaganari Enclave, Surrender to Troops
Again, Military Neutralise 8 ISWAP Fighters in Precision Airstrike in Timbuktu Triangle
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised eight suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in a precision airstrike at Thethangala, within the Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State.
According to a Special Situation Report obtained by Zagazola Makama, the operation followed intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.
The report said a Guardian aircraft established overhead at Thethangala at about 9:56 p.m. on Aug. 18 and subsequently sighted eight terrorists who had converged and were lying in wait, apparently preparing to attack troops at their location.
Following the sighting, the aircraft conducted a precision strike on the identified terrorists.
“Battle Damage Assessment shows all the terrorists neutralised with no further movement observed after the strike,” the report stated.
The military said the general security situation remained calm but unpredictable, while the morale and fighting efficiency of troops remained satisfactory.
The latest air operation is part of sustained intelligence-led efforts by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt terrorist concentrations and prevent planned attacks against troops operating in the North-East.
The Timbuktu Triangle remains one of the areas where terrorist groups have continued to seek opportunities to regroup and launch attacks against military positions.
Again, Military Neutralise 8 ISWAP Fighters in Precision Airstrike in Timbuktu Triangle
NTTF VP Mailantarki tasks stakeholders on grassroots development
The Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Honourable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, has commended the sponsor of the Senior Advocate Cup, Muhammed Sani Ndanusa (SAN), urging more stakeholders to emulate his profound passion for grassroots talent development across Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.
Hon. Mailantarki gave the commendation in a press statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Mr Adamu Usman Ahmed.
Mailantarki while speaking during the closing ceremony of the highly anticipated tournament congratulated the various winners across the different categories of Men Singles, Junior Single and the veterans.
The NTTF VP thrilled the audience at the Kaduna Police Officers’ Mess Indoor Sport hall with an exciting developmental announcement.
He revealed that the two finalists of the Junior Singles category have been selected for a special performance camping program at his prestigious Table Tennis Academy in Abuja. Based on their performance at the camp, they stand the chance of securing full sponsorship to an upcoming international youth championship.
The 6th edition of the championship witnessed spectacular displays of talents. In the elite category, Abayomi Martins from Borno State delivered a stellar performance to take home the overall winner’s prize, leaving Kamal Muktar of Kano State to settle for the runner-up medal.
In the fiercely contested Junior category, the host state’s Mustapha Muktar (Kaduna) triumphed over Taraba State’s Harrison Jacob to clinch the ultimate prize.
Looking to the future, Hon. Mailantarki assured fans and players that similar grassroots and elite developmental championships would be organized in other states to ensure the continuous discovery and nurturing of table tennis talents in the country.
NTTF VP Mailantarki tasks stakeholders on grassroots development
Seven ISWAP Fighters’ Family Members, 12 Children Flee Yaganari Enclave, Surrender to Troops
Again, Military Neutralise 8 ISWAP Fighters in Precision Airstrike in Timbuktu Triangle
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Four Minors in Plateau
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