Lifestyle

Zulum briefs Buhari as more Boko Haram insurgents surrender in North-East

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The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Thursday, briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the latest security situation in the state.

The governor, who addressed State House correspondents after the meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said over 30, 000 insurgents including members of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had so far surrendered to troops in the state.

He added that the state was relatively peaceful as the security agencies continued to take measures aimed at checking the activities of insurgents in the North-East.

The governor expressed optimism that the insurgency in the North-East would soon be a thing of the past.

The Nigerian Army claimed last year that at least 17,000 insurgents had surrendered to troops in the region.

Zulum said: “I briefed Mr. President on the status of Borno State as regards security as well as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and so far so good.

“I have been witnessing gradual return of peace in Borno State and I came to brief Mr. President on the ongoing massive defection of Boko Haram members. This time around, we have also started witnessing the defection of ISWAP members.

This is a welcome development and under a closed-door session we discussed a lot of issues and how the government of Borno State as well as the Federal Government will manage the ongoing surrender by the insurgents.

“As at now we have received nothing less than 30,000, from beginning of the year to date.’’

The governor disclosed that the government’s decision to engage the insurgents in dialogue had started yielding results.

He also commended the federal government for the heavy military deployment to southern Borno and expressed the hope that the northern part of the state would also witness similar deployment in a bid to restore peace and order in the state.

So far, so good, the objective has started yielding positive results. Apart from this also, in the Borno State, for example, as I told you last time, we had problems on the shores of Lake Chad as well as in Southern Borno.

“I’m pleased to inform you that there was a very heavy military deployment into southern Borno.

“And I hope such a deployment will also take place in northern Borno, with a view to clearing the ISWAP insurgents in Lake Chad.

“So, this has also yielded positive results.

“And then on the relocation of the two local Government Areas that last time, I said were not occupied by human beings, we are also doing very well with the military to see how we can return back the population,’’ the governor added.

Politics

Zulum reveals govt’s dilemma over surrendered Boko Haram insurgents

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In the wake of the mass surrender of Boko Haram insurgents, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has revealed the dilemma facing the administration over their reintegration into the wider society.

Zulum made this known on Sunday when he addressed military officers and community leaders at the Brigades in Gwoza and Bama, and community leaders at the palaces of the Emir of Gwoza and Shehu of Bama.

According to him, the situation required diverse stakeholders including representatives of attacked communities, to come together and critically review the pros, cons and implications of the surrender, in order to agree on a framework that was well-thought-out.

We (in Borno) are in a very difficult situation over the ongoing surrender by insurgents. We have to critically look between two extreme conditions and decide our future. We have to choose between an endless war or to cautiously accept the surrendered terrorists, which is really painful and difficult for anyone that has lost loved ones; difficult for all of us and even for the military, whose colleagues have died and for volunteers.

No one would find it easy to accept killers of his or her parents, children and other loved ones. In the last 12 years, we have been in this war, and we have lost thousands of fellow citizens.

“We don’t know the whereabouts of thousands of others; we don’t know whether they are alive or dead? In these 12 years, millions have been made homeless and many wealthy farmers, transporters and others have been rendered poor.

“In these years, we were able to cultivate maybe around 3% of the arable land, and as a result, our people became dependent on food aid amid donor fatigue and potential food insecurity, infact the repercussions of the Boko Haram crisis are enormous and as someone, who has been involved with assessment of the impacts and rebuilding efforts in the last seven years. I am in position to know the endless negative impact the Boko Haram has made in Borno,” Zulum said.

The governor said accepting Boko Haram had the risk of seriously offending the feelings of victims with the potential of civil rebellion, just as there was the risk that if Boko Haram fighters willing to surrender were rejected, they could join ISWAP to swell the ranks of fighters in the bush and the path of peace becomes narrowed.

“On my way travelling to Gwoza and Bama, I saw many people cultivating their farmlands by the roadside and this is an indication of emerging peace, which we have to sustain in order to salvage our people.

“However, as I said, we must come together to carefully analyse the two extremes and come up with a workable framework” Zulum explained further.

Politics

Borno Gov, Zulum, to meet CAN over violent clash that led to death

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Following a violent clash on Thursday between officials of the Borno State Geographical Information System (BOGIS), and worshippers at a branch of EYN Church in Maiduguri, which led to the death of a worshipper and several injured, the state Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, is scheduled to meet with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Maiduguri on Friday.

The meeting, according to the Governor’s Special Adviser on Relations and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, in a statement made available to Ripples Nigeria, is part of the Governor ’s efforts to intervene in the crisis as well as curbing future occurrences.

To this end, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has ordered security agents to immediately investigate the incident, and has also condemned the firing of gunshots by a member of the security task force as well as some people who hurled stones at the task force during an encounter yesterday,” the statement said.

Governor Zulum has commiserated with families of the dead and those injured.

“He also commiserated with the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Borno State, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the Christian community and leadership and family of the EYN Church in Borno State.

“Gov. Zulum has also invited the CAN leadership for a meeting scheduled for 5:30pm today (Friday) at the Government House in Maiduguri.

“He has also directed the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, to visit the hospital where the five injured people are receiving treatment, to empathise with them and also take over the cost of their treatment.”

According to a security operative in the state, the crisis reportedly arose from a misunderstanding when officials of BOGIS, alongside a joint security task force, went to the church for regulation of land administration and urban development measures, some of which have affected worship centres (mosques and churches) built without compliance with the laid down rules and regulations.

Politics

Between 2015 till date, we have started witnessing the gradual return of peace in Borno but… -Zulum

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Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum in an interview on Channels Tv , spoke about the Zabarmari Massacre and the rescue of the remaining Chibok Girls.

Zulum stated the following;
“As of now, because of the impact made by the people and the Nigerian military, the people of Zabarmari are free to go to their farmlands”.
“We are yet to ascertain the total figures of those affected by the massacre. But, as of now, they are about 43. The government will soon come up with modalities to ensure the families are well taken care of”.

“Between 2015 till date, we have started witnessing the gradual return of peace in Borno…but notwithstanding, we have certain challenges in the precinct of the Lake Chad, Sambisa Lake Reserves, and in the Mandara Hills.”

“The difficult situation we are in now is accessibility. Most of the local government headquarters are now accessible. But we want to ensure people have access to their means of livelihood, to go to their farmlands.”

Lifestyle

Sanwo-Olu, Zulum, Buratai, 43 Others to Receive Next Level Achievers Award

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A group, Africa’s New Dawn Public Policy Advocacy Organization, has said it has selected 46 distinguished Nigerians who will receive 2020 Next Level Achievers Award, as part of effort to further strengthen the overall commitment of public office holders.

A statement issued Friday by the Coordinator of the Planning Committee, Mr. Ihechukwu Chima, said the group carefully conducted a public survey to identify public officers who had proven themselves with enthusiasm, proficiency and performance and have contributed a great measure to the Next Level Agenda of the present administration through quality service and democratic dividends for the overall well-being of Nigerians.

He said that the award ceremony will take place on the 3rd of December in Abuja to honour deserving public office holders who are serving the nation diligently in various capacities.

Chima stated: “In determination to further strengthen the overall commitment of public office holders to realize the vision of the Next Level Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration; organizers of Next Level Achievers Award 2020 had carefully conducted a public survey to identify public officers who have proven themselves with enthusiasm, proficiency and performance and have contributed a great measure to the Next Level Agenda of the present administration through quality service and democratic dividends for the overall well-being of Nigerians.

“Public officers chosen for Next Level Achievers Award were chosen through a rigorous process of public polls; they are men and women of impeccable character, in their pursuit of excellence in service they contributed in no small measure to give a good account of their service.”

Chima said that among those distinguished Nigerians to be honoured were: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.

Others are: General Abayomi Gabriel, Olanisakin Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; Yusuf Magaji Bichi, Director General Department of State Security Service; Mohammed Adamu, Inspector General of Police; Mohammed Babandede, Comptroller General Nigerian Immigration Service; Colonel Hammed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), Comptroller General Nigeria Customs Service; and Abdullahi Gana Mohammadu, Commandant General Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Other nominees to be honoured include: Ahmed Idris, the Accountant General of the Federation; Anthony Mkpe Ayine, Auditor General of the Federation; Mele Kolo Kyari, Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Muhammad Mammam Nami, the Executive Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service; Musiliu Smith IGP (Rtd), Chairman Police Service Commission; and Engineer Anthony Attah, Managing Director Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, among others.

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