The News Sketch

  • Zulum Visits Gwoza, Askir-Uba, Reviews Security Strategy

    Zulum Visits Gwoza, Askir-Uba, Reviews Security Strategy

    … Deploys 11 Teachers to Federal College, Moves to Bridge Skills Gap

    By Ladi Jossy, Maiduguri 

    Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday, undertook an official visit to Gwoza and Askira-Uba local government areas in the southern part of Borno State.

    The visit followed coordinated attacks by Boko Haram insurgents over the past week which resulted in the loss of lives.

    Zulum’s first port of call was Warabe, a community in Gwoza where he met with bereaved families and community leaders. He offered his condolences and prayers for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives.

    The governor then proceeded to Askira-Uba where he spent Thursday night coordinating security responses and reviewing current security strategies to formulate a more robust framework to protect vulnerable communities and prevent future attacks.

    During a separate visit to the Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi ibn Muhammadu Askirama, and that of Uba, Alhaji Ali Isma’ila Mamza, Governor Babagana Zulum underscored the critical role of community involvement in ensuring peace and security.

    Zulum was accompanied by the Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, a member of House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba, the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira, commissioners, and other senior officials.

    Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum approved the deployment of eleven specially recruited teachers to Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Lassa, to address teacher shortages in specialised skills.

    The deployed teachers, who will be placed on the permanent payroll of Borno State Government, are specialists in core technical and science disciplines that are essential for the college’s mandate. The 11 persons include teachers of Chemistry, Physics, Woodwork, Metalwork, and Electrical Work—fields vital to producing technicians, engineers, and innovators.

    According to Zulum, “we are committed to supporting educational institutions at all levels within our state regardless of ownership. The shortage of teachers in these critical subjects at FSTC Lassa is a gap we have identified and are choosing to fill for the benefit of our children and the future of Borno.”

  • Breaking: Terrorists abducted many farmers in Borno 

    Breaking: Terrorists abducted many farmers in Borno

    By Editor

    Many onion farmers have been abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State on Sunday, cjtf source said.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred at Malari, an outskirt of Konduga town, at about 11:45 p.m. last night (Sunday).

    Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the attackers stormed the roadside farmland around midnight on motorcycles and whisked the farmers away.

    According to the CJTF source, he said women were among those who were forcefully taken away by the terrorists. 

    He said, “The victims were on the farm at night to water their crops when the terrorists, armed with sophisticated weapons, attacked and took them into the bush, “cjtf source disclosed.

    He further stated that the incident has caused pandemonium in the general area.

    This is coming about 24 hours after Armed bandits abducted at least 30 women and girls from the Chacho community in the Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State following a night attack on Saturday.

    The victims include a bride and her bridesmaids, kidnapped only hours before the planned wedding ceremony.

    “They injured one person and abducted at least 30 women and girls, including a bride and her bridesmaids, during the invasion,” the source explained.

    Details later

  • Hiive Solutions to address delivery gaps, promote business growth for residents

    Hiive Solutions to address delivery gaps, promote business growth for residents

    An e-commerce company, Hiive Solutions, has launched the platform, which aims to address delivery gaps and promote business growth for residents and small businesses throughout the region.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Hiive Solutions, Elijah Dalynton, explained that the company was established by listening to the real problems faced by consumers and vendors.

    According to him, Hiive Solutions operations in Maiduguri would provide a mobile platform that connects users, sellers, and riders in delivery services.

    “With the Hiive User, Vendor, and Rider apps—available on Google Play and the Apple App Store—we connect users, vendors, and riders, making it easy for people to buy, send, and receive goods.”

    Dalynton said, adding that “we aim to help businesses expand beyond their physical shopfronts in Maiduguri.”

    Also, Group Captain K.O. Nwachukwu, Commandant of the Nigerian Air Force in Borno State, performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony and praised the platform as a timely solution for everyday logistical challenges.

    “When a security guard has to skip lunch because he cannot leave his post, or when a business loses customers due to unreliable delivery options, Hiive is there to ensure supply meets demand,” he stated.

    Hajiya Falmata Omar, Director of Women Affairs at the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, praised Hiive’s contribution to the governor’s economic recovery agenda.

    Representatives from the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Mess referred to the platform as an innovation that will “bring markets to users’ fingertips.”

    Accountant Alhaji Suleiman Yusuf urged Hiive’s management to implement resilience measures to manage startup risks such as cash flow constraints, operational safety, and technical downtimes.

    “If you address these risks early on, you can scale confidently across Nigeria’s 36 states,” he advised.

    Other guests included Samuel Orahii from Nexus Consulting, Comrade Yahaya Maigari, President of the University of Maiduguri Student Union, and various community figures who encouraged residents and businesses to embrace the platform.

    The event concluded with a joint dedication of Hiive’s new office and a guided tour of the facility.

  • Zulum, Shehu of Borno, in Mubi for Indimi’s 17th Honorary Degree Investiture

    Zulum, Shehu of Borno, in Mubi for Indimi’s 17th Honorary Degree Investiture


    Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, and other prominent personalities, on Saturday, attended the investiture of a renowned businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, with honorary Doctor of Law (LL.D) degree.

    The honour was conferred on the oil magnet, Alhaji Indimi, by the Adamawa State University (ADSU), Mubi, during its 15th, 16th, and 17th Combined convocation ceremony, recognising his immense contributions to societal development, particularly in the field of education.

    Muhammadu Indimi, a prominent Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist, has made significant contributions to education, primarily through his Indimi Foundation.

    He has funded the construction of several facilities in universities and other institutions of learning across the country.

    Zulum, who served as the Special Guest of Honour at the event, commended the university for recognising Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, a man he described as “a pillar of support for education in the North East and Nigeria at large.”

    Responding on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Indimi said this was his 17th honorary degree received from institutions within and outside the country.

    “Although I was not opportune to attend formal education, several institutions within and outside Nigeria recognized my modest contributions to the education sector, in fact, this is the 17th honorary doctorate decree conferred on me,” Indimi remarked.

    “I want to appreciate Adamawa State University for the recognition, I am ready to support this institution to improve its academic activities.

    “I have made education and healthcare my key priorities, and as such, I awarded scholarships to numerous female students to study medical and health-related subjects,” he stated.

    The ceremony was attended by a host of other dignitaries, including the Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Askira; the Vice-Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele and the Vice-Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Professor Babagana Gutti.

  • UNICEF, Borno Gov’t Boast Zero-dose Vaccination by 44 Percent

    UNICEF, Borno Gov’t Boast Zero-dose Vaccination by 44 Percent

    By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri

    The Borno state government on Thursday announced that following support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, routine immunisation uptake among zero-dose children in the state has increased by 44 percent in the space of three months.

    The duo have reiterated their commitment to strengthening access to healthcare for children across the state.

    Speaking at the close-out event of the Adopt-A-PHC Naija Challenge in Maiduguri, the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Muhammad Arab, attributed the success to the advocacy against myths surrounding immunisation which was championed by 30 trained youths.

    He said, through a three-month challenge implemented by the Foundation for Alternative Learning in Underserved Communities with support from UNICEF and the Government of Canada, 30 youth advocates were trained and engaged across ten primary healthcare centres in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere local government area.

    In his words, “What makes today special is that this challenge represents the spirit of collaboration and innovation that drives our work.” The challenge, implemented by the Foundation for Alternative Learning in Underserved Communities with support from UNICEF and the Government of Canada, mobilised and trained 30 youth advocates who worked tirelessly across 10 primary healthcare centres in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere.

    “Their efforts have reached 900,000 individuals, combining house-to-house mobilisation, radio broadcasts and digital storytelling to dispel myths and promote trust in vaccination.”

    “Over 11,900 carers were directly engaged in person, and our communities recorded a 44 per cent increase in routine immunisation uptake, surpassing the project’s 25 per cent target.  These are not just statistics; they reflect real children protected,” he stated.

    While appreciating UNICEF’s support, he reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening the primary healthcare system across the state.

    “In Borno State, our government remains fully committed to strengthening primary healthcare as the foundation of an equitable health system.

    “Through the Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board, we continue to expand access, improve service delivery and ensure that every child, mother and family can reach a functional, trusted and youth-friendly health facility,” he assured.

    Also speaking, the UNICEF Health Specialist Hassan Malgwi commended the youths for their dedication and efforts in the face of many challenges.

    He said, “This three-month challenge has been a testament to the power of youth-led advocacy, partnership, volunteerism, innovation and community-driven solutions.”

    “Through your creativity, passion and dedication, you have reached the unreached, mobilised groups and communities and inspired a new wave of champions for child health.”

    “Your work has helped identify and support zero-dose children, ensuring they receive the vaccines they need to survive. UNICEF commends each and every one of you for your unwavering commitment to the cause. Your energy is contagious, and your impact will be felt for generations to come.” Saidu stated

    He, however, called on the government and stakeholders to not relent in championing the rights of every child born in the state and region at large.

    “As we close out this challenge, let us continue to champion the rights of every child to a healthy start in life. Continue to volunteer for causes such as child rights.”

    “Every child born in Borno State and indeed Northeast Nigeria deserves to be vaccinated to survive and thrive,” he added.