Benson Upah, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has raised concerns that Nigerians could soon be paying as much as N5,000 per liter for petrol if the current government policies continue unchecked. In a recent interview with Weekend Trust, Upah expressed deep concern over the escalating fuel prices, calling the situation a clear violation of the agreements that were made between the NLC and President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Upah highlighted that the ongoing rise in petrol prices is directly related to the government’s failure to restore fuel subsidies, despite claims to the contrary. He pointed out that there…
Author: Hassan Haruna
In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s push for educational support and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s ongoing commitment to improving access to quality education, Rt. Hon. Engr. Satomi Ahmad, FNSE, the Member representing Jere Federal Constituency in Borno State, has made a significant contribution to students’ futures by disbursing N20 million in educational grants on Sunday, 8 September, 2024. The funds were awarded to 1,000 students from Jere who are currently pursuing tertiary education across Nigeria. This annual scholarship program, held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Prime Lodge in Maiduguri, is aimed at empowering students to pursue their studies without…
In a significant step towards advancing agricultural education and community development, the management team of Mohamet Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, led by the Provost, Dr. Abba Makinta, recently visited the Maiduguri office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The visit aimed to explore potential areas of collaboration and partnership that could benefit both the students of the college and the broader community. During the visit, Dr. Makinta and his team discussed various opportunities for collaboration, with a strong emphasis on agricultural training, entrepreneurship, and the development of agricultural value chains. These focus areas are seen as crucial for…
Nigeria, located in West Africa, is currently facing a multitude of challenges that are pushing the nation into a crisis. Among the most pressing issues are terrorist attacks, banditry, Boko Haram insurgency, rising inflation, hunger, and devastating flooding, particularly in the northern part of the country. Recently, a tragic incident occurred in Yobe State, where Boko Haram terrorists brutally attacked and killed over 200 innocent people, many of whom were farmers. This attack has left communities in mourning, with mass burials conducted in Damaturu, the state’s capital. Unfortunately, such acts of violence are becoming all too common in the region,…
Justice Haruna Mshelia of the Borno State High Court has been released by his abductors. According to reports received by *BarristerNG*, the judge, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram on June 24, 2024, was freed early on Sunday. However, his wife, who is also a magistrate, and his driver, who is his cousin, remain in captivity. A message confirming his release stated: “Alhamdulillah, we have just received the news of Justice Haruna Mshelia’s release from Boko Haram captivity. May Allah protect us all from harm.” The kidnapping took place while Justice Mshelia, his wife, and his cousin were traveling from…
Former Vice President Namadi Sambo and retired Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, have praised the recent formation of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), calling it a timely initiative. The organization aims to tackle the numerous challenges facing the northern region of Nigeria and the country as a whole. Namadi Sambo, during a meeting with the leadership of the League at his residence, expressed concern over the severe impact of insecurity on critical sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare. He emphasized that the insecurity in the region has crippled farming, threatened the education and health…
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, embarked on a working tour of the 17 Brigade Area of Responsibility. The visit, which took place on Friday, 6th September 2024, was designed to assess the ongoing efforts in combating terrorism and to reinvigorate the military’s operational capacity in the region. Upon his arrival at the Headquarters of the 17 Brigade in Katsina, General Lagbaja was accompanied by a team of principal staff officers from the Army Headquarters. He was promptly briefed on the security situation and the operational disposition of the Brigade by its Commander, Brigadier General Babatunde…
The North East Youth Initiative for Development (NEYIF) recently conducted an advocacy visit to the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), seeking government collaboration in implementing a one-year USAID BHA-funded project in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State, on Thursday. The visit, led by NEYIF’s Executive Director, aimed to formally engage the state government ahead of the project’s launch and secure their support to ensure its successful execution. The project is focused on improving agricultural practices and nutrition among the local communities, using a market-based system approach. NEYIF plans to involve various groups, including mothers, youth, and the elderly,…
The Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) completed the training of 265 middle-level commanders on Thursday. The focus of the training was on effective command and leadership within a joint battle-space environment. The week-long program included junior leaders from the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, and Major, drawn from various Nigerian Army units. This first-ever Junior Leadership Training Week 2024 was held at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna. The seminar was centered around the theme, “Effective Command and Leadership: Imperatives of Success in Future Battle-space in Joint Environments.” Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Commander of the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian…
The Alao Dam in Borno State on Thursday collapsed due to continuous and heavy rainfall in the region, the dam’s failure has caused widespread destruction, particularly impacting nearby farmlands and surrounding communities. Many people have been forced to abandon their homes as the surging water inundated their villages, leaving them in a desperate search for safety. The collapse of the dam has devastated the livelihoods of local farmers who rely heavily on the fertile land surrounding the dam for their agricultural activities. With the farmlands submerged, crops have been destroyed, leading to fears of food shortages in the coming months.…
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has cautioned Nigerians to prepare for more fuel shortages. This warning was issued by Adedapo Segun, Executive Vice President of NNPCL (Downstream), during a televised interview on Thursday, 5 September 2024. Segun’s statement follows a recent hike in fuel prices, which has already created widespread difficulties across the country. He emphasized the need for a truly competitive market to help stabilize fuel prices and ensure consistent supplies in Nigeria.
Stakeholders of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna State Council have thrown their weight behind Garba Muhammad’s candidacy for the position of NUJ President. The endorsement comes ahead of the forthcoming National Delegates’ Conference, which is set to take place in Owerri, Imo State. At a consultative meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday, the Chairman of the NUJ Kaduna State Council, Hajiya Asma’u Yawo Halilu, expressed full support for Garba Muhammad’s presidential bid. She emphasized that the Kaduna State Council considers Garba’s candidacy as a collective mission and vowed to rally the necessary backing to ensure his victory. “This…
The Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, held a crucial and extensive meeting with the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, to address the recent surge in security breaches in the state on Wednesday. This meeting comes in response to a concerning trend of terrorist incursions, resulting in deadly attacks, loss of lives, and the looting of properties in vulnerable communities, particularly along Yobe State’s border areas. Governor Buni expressed his deep concern about this new wave of terrorism that has been targeting the state’s border regions. He emphasized that while there has been…
In a newly released video on Wednesday night, notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji issued a grave warning to the Hausa people of northwestern Nigeria. Turji, who is known for orchestrating violent attacks in the region, accused the Hausa community of being traitors and hypocrites, alleging that they have been responsible for the killing of innocent Fulani people and their livestock in the past. Turji, a prominent figure in the ongoing violence in Nigeria’s northwestern region, declared that he will wage war against the Hausa people if the killing of Fulani tribes does not cease. He expressed deep anger and frustration,…
A former member of Boko Haram who underwent a deradicalization program and was resettled in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno, Fatima Musa, has expressed deep regret for her actions during her time with the insurgent group. Speaking during a community dialogue on understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Musa revealed that she now regrets shredding her National Certificate in Education (NCE), an action she took when she embraced the group’s ideology that condemned Western education as “haram.” The event, which was organized by Allamin Foundation, a community-based NGO, with support from the British Government through UKaid,…
The Honorable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, arrived in Maiduguri to participate in a significant town hall meeting with youth representatives from across the Northeast region of Nigeria, on Tuesday 3 September 2024. Upon her arrival at the airport, she was warmly welcomed by various dignitaries, signaling the importance of her visit. This gathering was part of her efforts to engage with the youth in the region, addressing their concerns and fostering meaningful dialogue between them and the government. The town hall meeting was officially opened by the Executive Governor of Borno State, who extended a warm…
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully restored bulk power supply to Maiduguri and its surrounding areas following the repair of the Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV transmission line. This achievement was announced by TCN on Tuesday evening, marking a significant milestone in the effort to stabilize the electricity supply in the region. The transmission line was energized on Wednesday, August 30th, 2024, at 2:43 PM. This restoration became possible after TCN completed the rehabilitation of two critical transmission towers, T193 and T194, which had been vandalized on June 11th, 2024. The vandalism had led to a severe power outage in Maiduguri,…
The Benue State House of Assembly has raised an urgent alarm over the growing wave of cult-related killings in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the state capital. Hon. Alfred Emberga Aondoaver, who represents Makurdi North Constituency and serves as the Deputy Majority Whip, led the call for swift intervention during a plenary session held on Tuesday. He urged the Benue State Government to mobilize relevant security agencies to investigate and put a stop to the escalating violence that has claimed numerous lives. The appeal, which was brought forward under a motion titled “H.M. 67: Motion Calling on the Benue…
Following a brutal attack on Mafa village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, Senator Musa Mustapha, who represents Yobe East District, has called on security agencies operating in the state to hunt down the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice for the ruthless killing of innocent citizens. The senator made this appeal on Tuesday, reacting to the massacre of approximately 80 local farmers in Mafa village by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. Expressing his profound grief, Senator Mustapha said, “I am shocked beyond words at the extent of the killing and destruction that occurred on Sunday in…
Nigeria is on the brink of a severe food crisis as devastating floods have wiped out over 115,000 hectares of farmland across the country. The catastrophic flooding has destroyed vast swaths of agricultural land, dealing a heavy blow to food production and threatening the nation’s already fragile food supply. The widespread destruction of farmland has sparked concerns about the looming food shortages, as the country struggles to recover from the impact of the disaster. The floods have not only washed away crops but have also severely damaged farming infrastructure, which will likely lead to a sharp decline in food availability…
The corpses of More than 87 villagers who were brutally killed by Boko Haram insurgents on Sunday have been evacuated from Mafa, a town in Tamuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State. According to sources, the remains of the victims were moved to Babbangida General Hospital in preparation for a mass burial, scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 10 a.m. The Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Honorable Idi Barde Gubana, along with other top government officials, will be attending the burial ceremony, which will be held at the Emir’s palace in Babbangida, the headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area.…
Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), has conveyed his heartfelt condolences following the passing of Hajiya Dada Yar’Adua, the mother of Nigeria’s former President, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Hajiya Dada Yar’Adua passed away on Monday evening in Katsina, leaving behind a legacy cherished by many. In his message of condolence on Tuesday, which he delivered on behalf of the 19 governors representing the northern states, Governor Inuwa Yahaya paid tribute to the late Hajiya Dada, describing her as a rare gem and an extraordinary woman whose influence and…
The Nigerian government arraigned 10 young people who were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe for participating in protests calling for better governance under the hashtag #EndBadGovernance, on Monday. They are facing charges related to treason before a Federal High Court in Abuja The defendants pleaded not guilty to the six charges brought against them when they appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite. Security was tight at the court during the proceedings.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu is pursuing the death penalty for ten Nigerian protesters who participated in the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations. These protests were held in response to the widespread hardship, insecurity, and dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of national issues. The protesters now face charges of treason, a serious offense punishable by death under Nigerian law. This troubling development has been confirmed by a court document, with file number FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, on Monday, which reveals the government’s intention to impose the death penalty on the accused individuals. The protesters facing these charges are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman…
The Arewa Concerned Citizens Forum (ACCF) has expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, in enhancing peace and security across the nation. This recognition came through a statement issued in Kaduna on Sunday, emphasizing the forum’s admiration for the CDS’s recent initiatives. The statement was signed by prominent members of the forum, including the co-founders, Alhaji Bello Abubakar and Dr. Victor Bobai. Other signatories included the forum’s Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Kolo, Assistant Public Relations Officer, Mr. Moses Enenche, and a member, Hajiya Amina Funtua. According to the statement, the ACCF also…
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has officially appointed Alhaji Haruna Yunusa Danyaya as the new Emir of Ningi. This announcement marks Danyaya as the 17th ruler of the Ningi Emirate, following the recent passing of the long-serving Emir, Dr. Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya. Born in Ningi in 1956, Alhaji Haruna Yunusa Danyaya previously held the prestigious title of Chiroman Ningi. His selection as Emir comes after careful deliberation by the traditional kingmakers, and the appointment has been formally approved by the state government. The decision was conveyed through a letter signed by Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, Secretary to the Bauchi…
The recent approval of a minimum wage of at least N70,000 by the Nigerian government has sparked significant debate and unrest across the country. This directive, intended to alleviate the economic struggles of civil servants, has been met with resistance from some state governors, raising questions about the role of state governments in implementing federal policies. Many Nigerians are wondering why some governors refuse to comply with a directive aimed at improving the lives of workers. Does their resistance imply that they are above the president, or are there other factors at play? The rejection of the minimum wage increase…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has assured its members and the public of a smooth and successful state congress scheduled for today, Saturday. The PDP has expressed confidence in the process, which is expected to shape the party’s leadership structure for the coming years. In a statement released on Saturday, Usman Okai Austin, the Chairman of the Kogi State PDP Congress Committee, said that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure the congress is both free and fair. He emphasized that all legal and constitutional requirements have been carefully met, with no procedural lapses.…
The Zenith of the Girl Child and Women Initiative Support (ZEGCAWIS), on Friday, held a meeting with the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Borno State chapter, to further advocate for girls’ rights to education. The meeting was part of ZEGCAWIS’s ongoing efforts to champion girls’ education and menstrual hygiene under its #FreePadForGirls campaign in Maiduguri. ZEGCAWIS was represented by its Executive Director, Aishatu Kabu, who led a dedicated team to discuss potential areas of collaboration with the Youth Assembly. The central focus of their discussion was the #FreePadForGirls campaign, which seeks to provide free menstrual hygiene products to schoolgirls across Borno…
Gunmen, believed to be Boko Haram insurgents, attacked a Faudiya School in Geidam Local Government Area, Yobe State, killing several students. The school is associated with the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a Shia Muslim group. According to sources, the attackers invaded the Hausari area of Geidam at around 3:44 am on Friday while the victims were sleeping. They then forced the students outside and shot them. “There is tension and fear in the town following this tragic incident,” one source said. “People are terrified after what happened.” A local vigilante commander confirmed that three students were killed and one…
