Sallah: Yobe Police command promises adequate security

Yobe State Police Command has assured the people of Yobe state of improved security during the Sallah period especially during the eid prayers.

The Police Public Relation Officer for the Command ASP Dungus Abulkarem in a statement also announced that restriction of vehicular movement by 14 hours.

The Statement also called on the people to pray against the Corona Virus pandemic, just as he called on religious leaders and traditional rulers to observe the sallah in strict COVID 19 protocol.

His statement reads:

“The Yobe State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that modalities have been put in place  to provide adequate security at all praying grounds and places of public   gathering  around the state before, during and after the celebrations.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police seeks the cooperation of patriotic citizens of the state to confide in the Police and other security agencies by providing useful information and prompt reporting of suspicious persons, movements and objects around their places of abode to the nearest Police station.

“He further enjoins the good people of Yobe State to use the festive period to offer prayers for peace, protection against the pandemic (Covid-19), stability of the state and country at large.


“For the purpose of ensuring security during the Eid El-kabir prayers, there will be restriction of vehicular movement which begins from 11:00pm Thursday 30th July, 2020 and ends at 11am Friday 31st July,
2020

“The Commissioner of Police also felicitates with the Muslim Ummah and good citizens in the state and wishes them a happy and peaceful Eid El-kabir celebrations.

“Furthermore, in view of the current situation caused by covid19 pandemic, the Commissioner of Police advises all District Heads, Imams and all Muslim Ummah within the state to observe Eid prayers in accordance with covid19 preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus,”.

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Borno Traffic Management Agency Will Boost IGR, Create Employment - Comm

Hon. Abubakar Tijani

By Melvin Ibe, Maiduguri 

Borno State Commissioner of Transport, Hon. Abubakar Tijani has said that the Traffic Management Agency will boost the State's internally generated revenue  ( IGR  ) and create employment for the idle youths when established. 

He said the bill for the establishment of the Agency which has been passed into law by the State House of Assembly is awaiting Governor Babagana  Umara Zulum's assent.

Hon. Tijani said this on Wednesday in Maiduguri while speaking on how the Transport  Ministry will harness resources for the development of the State.

He said when the Agency comes into force, every tricycle operator in the State will be paying N100 on daily basis, adding that with about 20,000 tricycles operating in the State, the ministry is certain of raising N2 million every day for the State. 

Hon. Tijani said:" The Agency will boost IGR of the State; it will assist in creating employment, providing jobs for our idle youths as marshals ; the Agency will also correct all the anomalies that has to do with our traffic system. Not only that , the Agency will help in regulating the activities of tricycle operators.

" Each tricycle owner will on daily basis pay N100 to the State.  And going by whatever number of tricycles we have in the State, multiplied by N100 daily is not small means. 

" Assuming we are to take example from little number, let's assume 20,000 tricycles per say, if we are to receive N100 daily from 20,000 tricycles, it means the State will be remitted with revenue of N2 million daily; which means N2 million daily multiplied by 30 days, you know it is not a small means.

" Secondly,  we are going to fine traffic offenders based on the law before us.  So the means of impacting revenue source of the State are too numerous and it comes with job opportunities. We are going to start recruitment of nothing less than 300 marshals for a start , apart from higher cadre officers," the Commissioner added. 

On the challenges faced by the State's transport firm during the interstate lockdown resulting from COVID-19, the  Commissioner said  it seriously affected Borno Express Corporation to the extent that it could  not pay Staff salaries for three months. 

He said but graciously enough, the State government intervened and released the payment of two months salaries, adding that with lifting of the ban on interstate travel, the management has taken it upon itself to offset one month outstanding salaries and that of the month of July. 

" So hopefully, this month, the Borno Express Corporation is expected to pay two months salaries for its Staff of about 300 and above."  Hon. Tijani further said. 

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Unimaid partners Nigeria Immigration on foreign students

The Vice Chancellor(in blue) with the Borno  NIS Boss, Ismaila Mohammed and others in a group photo

The  Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri has expressed  commitment to partner with the Nigerian Immigration Services to check the activities of foreign students at the institution.

Prof. Aliyu Shugaba disclosed this on Thursday when he received the Borno State Comptroller of Immigration, Ismaila Mohammed at the conference Hall of the school senate building.

Prof. Shugaba told the Borno immigration boss that the institution has been battling with some class of students who claim to be foreign students but at the same time have certificate of origin from local government in Nigeria.

He however added that the authentic foreign students association in the institution have always conducted themselves very well, while those with purported dual citizenship have always been a problem to the institution.

“Foreign students in the university is one of our most difficult problems here. JAMB will always insist that we admit a certain percentage of foreign students. To us our doors are open to foreign students wherever they may come from in the entire world but the once that we are constantly in touch with here are the Chadians, Nigerien, Cameroonians. These are the ones closer to us. Sometimes we have had students from Mali, Senegal, Ghana.

“The difficulty we have is that some of these students, for instance the  sometime ago, the consulate of Chad here in Maiduguri brought in their own requests of some of these students. Surprisingly, when we decided to check on the JAMB list, we saw that more than 60% of them have melted into citizens of Nigeria. We discovered that some of them are from Kalabalge, Gamboro Nagala, Dikwa.

“So you see,  they were no longer International Students and we got confused. But JAMB was insisting they are foreign students  and that we must  give them admission as foreign students but we look at it otherwise and the consulate also insisted that they are foreign students. But these students  have letters as indigenes from the local government areas they were claiming and so we were confused and at a point we had to stop their admission.

“This kind of dual citizenship thing, if we are not properly educated, I think it will be a great problem to us. Some of them too are good. Those that have grouped themselves as a union of foreign students are always good in behaviors but those with these dual citizenship, at some point we are always having problems with them and you cannot deal with them as foreign students because their letters are showing otherwise. There are some coming from Niger that will tell you they are from Katsina. We will relate with the immigration to solve some of these problems,” Prof Shugaba said.

The Vice Chancellor also promised to open his doors to any government agency that is interested in their affairs.

“As an institution of learning, our doors are always open to institutions and Organizations that are interested in our activities. Immigration has been one of the government agencies that are very much interested in sending their staff  for stdies and a good number of your staff are studying in this institution.We encourage other forces like the Nigerian Army to also do same. The DSS are trying as well,” the VC said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Comptroller, Ismaila Mohammed appealed to the Vice Chancellor to continue to accord priority to his staff who apply for admission in the school.

The Borno Immigration boss promised to work closely with the Vice Chancellor to solve the problem of students who are claiming dual nationalities at the institution.

“By the laws of Nigeria, only the President and Commander in Chief can approve dual citizenship for an individual. People cant just claim to have dual nationalities without undergoing the due process and approval. We will work closely with you sir(VC) to solve some of these problems,” Mohammed pledged.

He noted that the Nigeria Immigration Service has undergone massive digitalization in line with International best practices.

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Funtua's death, a huge national loss, says Gov. Buni

Late Isa Funtua

... sends condolence to Katsina state, President Buhari

Yobe State Governor and National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Alhaji Mai Mala Buni has described the death of Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua as a huge national loss to the nation.

The governor in a condolence message signed by his Director General Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed also said the death is a personal loss to President Mohammadu Buhari and the people and Government of Katsina State.

The statement quoted the governor as describing the late Funtua as,  “a statesman who contributed immensely to  national development, the economy and media industry”.

Gov. Buni noted that Late Funtua was a bridge builder of national unity and he will be greatly missed.

"He was a bridge builder with immeasurable contributions to national unity

" Nigeria will certainly miss his patriotic contributions, passionate and selfless services to the nation",  the Governor said.

Governor Buni prayed Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatur Firdaus.

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The dignity of IDPs is my utmost priority – Borno SEMA chairperson

The Chairperson of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Hajiya Ya’Bawa Kollo  has said the dignity of the Internally Displaced People across the camps in the state is her utmost concern.

Hajiya Ya’Bawa who spoke with journalists at the Gubio IDP camp in Maiduguri frown at any time the dignity of the displaced people are compromised either in service delivery or in the provision of facilities at the camp.

The Borno SEMA Boss raised her voice on the sub-contractees whom according to her are always trying to compromised the minimum standards of operations in the camps, stressing that the standard keeps falling from top to bottom.

Her words: “Our biggest challenge is from the partners. In all the sectors, we have guidelines from site sitting to shelter , plan, main building and administration. Sometimes, the partners especially the sub-contractees, not the UN System are very adamant against respecting our main guiding principles towards accountability to affected population. Apart from other humanitarian principle of neutrality, independence, non-biasness, whatever, you are doing you have to observe the minimum standard. If it is service, you have to observe the minimum  operating procedures.

“We have structures in the system, which include the UN system, the INGOs, the NGOS, community or working groups. You realized that as it is coming to the smaller base, you will see the standards will be declining. Our main challenge is for the partners to take into consideration either in service provision or in capital project to ensure that our standard is being respected and observed especially accountability to the population and respecting the minimum standard of operation in humanitarian context.

“When you talk of accountability to the population, it means that the dignity of the IDPs should not be compromised. Partners must not wait to be supervised by either SEMA or NEMA or organizations like GREEN CODE, or Follow the Money before they do the right thing either in service provision or capital project execution. So whether I am not  there as SEMA to supervise you, I expect that you do the job as agreed because. I don’t know whether its is the Nigerian factor that is coming in or it’s the coordination that is very weak.

“If you observe the shelters at the camps, you will see IOM, UNHCR, UNFPA. If you go to the shelters, you will see that some of the facilities are ok but when you go to some, the quality is low. When I approached some of our partners, I was told that some of them have been built over a long time ago. But my expectation is that they should be renovated if they have been built about five to seven years ago. Even a normal house undergoes renovation talk more of these homes” she said

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Borno Constructs More Housing Estates For Decongestion Of IDPs Camps

Engr. Gubio 

By Melvin Ibe

Borno State Commissioner of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement ( RRR  ) , Engr. Mustapha Gubio has said that the State government is continuously constructing more housing estates in the rural areas towards the decongestion of IDPs camps .

The Commissioner noted that Boko Haram insurgency has kept 2000 housing units in the State capital still under the occupation of citizens displaced from their communities by the crisis. 

Gubio said this yesterday, while interacting with Journalists over the activities of his ministry in the rural communities.

He said the terrorists destroyed magnitude of public and private structures in the various local government areas, leaving government with task of reconstruction of the destroyed structures .

The Commissioner said the housing estates presently occupied by IDPs in the metropolis were constructed by the previous administratio of Governor Kashim Shettima, but were not completed and allocated to people before they were taken over by the displaced persons since 2016, due to the lingering Boko Haram crisis. 

" We are now waiting for the IDPs to be decongested and thereafter, we will finish the remaining work on the uncompleted houses and allocate them to people. So we are continuously building destroyed  houses in communities as soon as they become accessible and secured. 

" We have many locations we are building housing estates to tackle housing deficit resulting from insurgency. We have completed ones and the ones we have proposed to built. 

" As for the proposed,  we have 500 in Damasak, 300 in Biu, 500 in Gajibo ,500 in Marte ,500 in Gwoza town and the one in Chul. We are also collaborating with the federal government through the North East Development  Commission ( NEDC  ) for the construction of 10000 housing units. 

" Because of the situation we found ourselves in the hands of the Boko Haram insurgency, we are working all other avenues so that we can reduce housing deficit as far as international standard is concerned," Gubio

Engr .Gubio after his return from Marte and Dikwa yesterday where he spent the weekend inspecting projects and other public buildings, today proceeded to Ngamdu and Auno. 

Hon. Gubio met with Community leaders in Ngamdu and Kaga Local  Government officials led by Hon Mustapha Ali Benisheik,  member Representing Kaga Local Government in the State House of Assembly was accompanied by the Local Government Secretary, Ali Gambo Ngamdu , Hon Makinta Modu Mokolo and other Stakeholders. 

Hon Makinta Modu Mokolo who spoke on behalf of the Ngamdu Community appealed to the government to address the flooding problem, fencing of Cemetery and job creation for the youths. 

Engr .Mustapha Gubio while responding to the community ,said the government will engage the youths in the drainage evacuation, construction of parameter fence of the cemetery and create job opportunities to the youths by upgrading and expanding of an existing bread factory and confectionery in Ngamdu town.

Hon Mustapha Gubio while inspecting the ongoing construction of 500 Housing in Ngamdu and Auno, appreciated the standard and level of work, while the projects managers and Engineers took the Commissioner to the blocks manufacturing sites and presented to him, the quality of the blocks and standard.

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APC crisis: Gov. Buni promises more women participation in Politics as 54 women group endorse his committee

Gov. Mai Mala Buni

Yobe State Governor and APC Chairman caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Committee, Gov. Mai Mala Buni has assured that the party will give more opportunities for women to participate in politics.

According to a short statement made available to journalists by Gov. Buni’s spokesman Mamman Mohammed said the minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen met with the governor in Abuja on behalf of 54 Women groups.

Gov. Buni while receiving  Mrs Pauline Tallen said “the APC will create more opportunities and enabling environment to accommodate more women to participate actively and fully in politics”.

Gov. Buni noted that time is now ripe for the Nigerian women to make their marks in the affairs of National development through their active participation in the political affairs of the nation.

He thank the women group for their confidence and support for his interim leadership at the party’s helms, stressing that he will work hard with the cooperation of all party members including women to reconcile the aggrieved parties.

Earlier, the Minister, Dame Pauline Tellen under umbrella of Women for Politics in Nigeria (WFPN) presented a letter on behalf of 54 Women groups endorsing the leadership of Gov. Buni led Committee.

According to Mrs Tallen, the women are confident that Gov. Buni will rescue the party from her current woes and rebuild it into a more strong and formidable force.

The minister on behalf of the women groups particularly noted the “Gov. Buni's wealth of experience as a two term national Secretary and current governor of Yobe State  gives him an advantage to a speedy repositioning of the party”.

Part of their requests from  Gov. Buni was for the APC as a party to encourage  more women  representation in political affairs to contribute to democracy and good governance of the country.

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TRIBUTE: Borno OC SARS, the unsung hero against Boko Haram terror

By; Hamza Suleiman

The war against ISIS and Al-Qaida affiliates, Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgency in the North-East Nigeria, particularly Borno State rages on after more than a decade. There are several undocumented cases of selfless bravery from individuals putting their lives on the line to make sure the terrorists don't win.

Across different security outfits that are deployed to keep the enemies of the State subdued, an Officer and Commander of the Special Anti -Robbery Squad, Borno Command stands out – Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP),  Mohammed Ibrahim.

CSP Mohammed Ibrahim was deployed to take the mantle of Leadership at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Command in Maiduguri (the Capital of Borno State ) in 2011. Since his deployment, the proactive and effective strategy and tactical operation of the dogged officer and his men have significantly impacted the fight against armed robbery kidnapping, and terrorism (Crime-terror nexus) in Maiduguri – the original enclave of Boko Haram violent activities. Confidence in the SARS positive engagement has risen within residents of the city of Maiduguri and indeed other local government areas (LGA )of the state that were hot spots of the insurgency.


The officer continues to engage in live saving operations which provides complimentary support to the Nigerian military in the counter insurgency campaign. This outstanding performance has been attributed to his deep understanding of the complexities of the asymmetric war tactics of the Boko Haram terrorists and his ever-evolving mastery of the operational tactics of fighting the insurgents with the effective use of the Armoured Personnel Carrier(APC).

His mastery of the APCs provides a tactical advantage in SARS operations. They offer enhanced protection, and enabled safer personnel deployment in high-threat areas. The APC's internal layout is designed to accommodate a driver, commander, and eight troops. The armoured hull offers a high level of protection against Kinetic Energy (KE) penetrators, mines, Rocket Propelled Grenades, EFPs, and Improvised Explosive Devices(IED's).


Unlike his counterpart in other parts of the country who have engaged in brutality against defenceless citizens leading to public outcry against the Anti Robbery Squad of the Police  and even calling for their proscription,  CSP Mohammed and his men on the contrary  have won the admiration of the local population as courageous first responders whenever and wherever terrorists lunch  attack in Maiduguri, the ‘Home of Peace’.

Massive recovery of arms by OC Mohammed and his men at Auno recently.

Besides responding to attacks, the officer has led many successful offensive operations in the exclaves of Boko Haram, leading to the neutralization of hundreds of terrorists; rescue of women and children; rescue of security personnel abducted by the insurgents and recovery of large  cache of arms and ammunition within the past years. These efforts have been in collaboration with the Nigerian Military under the leadership command of Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai. 



In the past five years, the frontline battle against Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria has been strictly under the command of the Nigerian military – especially the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force. However, there have been occasions where the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) units have been involved in frontline activities before 2015.


On March 24th , 2012 at about 1730hrs, officers and men of the SARS squad exhibited an extraordinary act of gallantry in an operation when a group of hoodlums suspected to be Boko Haram tried to overrun Lamisula Police Division. The insurgents were dislodged and, in the process, three were killed. One machine gun with 88 rounds of live ammunition, three rocket propelled grenade, five AK-47 magazines with 27 rounds of live ammunition and one Peugeot 504 station wagon were recovered from the suspected jihadist.

On April 6th 2012, at about 2330hrs, the Commander SARS led his officers to engage in an active incident  to dislodge some insurgents who attacked Dikwa Police Division. The insurgents had already loaded police properties including some weapons in the drive-away vehicle. As they were about to drive off from the premises, the SARS team from Maiduguri engaged them in a fierce battle, which lasted for several hours. Scores of the jihadist were  killed and all the stolen weapons retrieved. 

Five days later on the 10th April, at about 1920hrs, the same officer and his men showed an exemplary act of gallantry by responding to a distress call when a divisional police station in Banki  was attacked by a group of insurgents. Three of the terrorists were killed at the end of that encounter.

On 6th September 2012, at about 2045hrs, the same team raided a Boko Haram hideout at Bukar Tella word Bama LGA where a fierce battle led to the killing of ten Boko Haram insurgents.  Unfortunately, one Corporal Ibrahim Ali was killed during the encounter.

On 24th of January 2015 at about 0720hrs, the SARS team in collaboration with the military used tear gas smoke to repel Boko Haram insurgents from invading Maiduguri through the Maiduguri/ Damaturu road. The following month on February 1, 2015, at about 0500hrs a large number of insurgents attempted to invade Maiduguri through Maiduguri/ Damboa axis. They were repelled by the gallant team in coordination with the Nigerian Army by the effective deployment of tear gas smoke.

On May 7, 2013 the officer and his men exhibited another act of gallantry by dislodging more than 3,000 insurgents who invaded Bama town. The jihadist had simultaneously targeted the area Command headquarters, the divisional police headquarters, Prison Service Headquarters, army barracks  and other government institutions.

Leading from the front and without concern for his own safety, the officer and his team were dispatched from Maiduguri with two APC vehicles. On their way, the insurgents had set up three ambushes against the team, undoubtedly, the officer successfully neutralised the terrorist's advanced team and headed to face thousands of the terrorist armed with various calibre of arms. 

This battle ensued for more than eight hours, resulting to massive casualties on the side of the terrorist and recovering of kidnapped police families conveyed in three vehicles. Also recovered, were the police and local government officials taken away by the insurgents as well as some of their weapons. Unfortunately, 27 police men and several soldiers were killed during the fierce encounter.



On 10/1/2013, 8/2/2013, 16/2/2013,  following a tip off, SARS operatives on three occasions stormed insurgents enclaves in Bulabulin Alajari wards Maiduguri, a place used for concealment of robbed vehicles and other articles. The insurgents on sighting the teams, opened fire on them with machine guns, rockets launchers and other assault rifles.


The SARS team promptly returned fire and overran the enclave. One of the insurgents, name not known, was shot, one other named Mohammed Hassan, was arrested while others fled. The entire enclave was thoroughly searched and a total of twenty-four different make of vehicles stolen from innocent members of the public were recovered.

On January 6, 2019, The SARS team in collaboration with the IGP Intelligence Response Team apprehended 21 high profile notorious Boko Haram terrorist, responsible for all the bombings within Muna, Konduga Monday markets and other parts of Maiduguri.

On 26 December, 2019, Boko Haram militants ambushed a military convoy in North Eastern Nigeria, killing more than a dozen military and four police personnel of the SARS during raid on a nearby military base along the highway in Kukareta village, 20 km (12 miles) from Damaturu. Note that villages along the road which connects Borno and Yobe states have been badly impacted by the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks.

In a reprisal attack against the killing of the four SARS operatives, on January 21, 2020, the team had another encounter with  the insurgents in large numbers at Mainok in kaga LGA. The insurgents dislodged the military from their base and made away with weapons. Two-gun trucks taken away from the military base were retrieved by the SARS teams including one other gun truck attached with Boko Haram flag.

OC Mohammed with GOC 7 Div after battle with BHTs along Dtr/M/gri road.

On 13th July 2020, at about 1500hrs, Boko haram terrorists in seven-gun trucks laid ambush on military convoy and motorist along Auno Jakana Damaturu highway. Upon receiving the distress call, teams of SARS, CTU, Hunters on nipping point mobilized and moved swiftly to the scene where a camouflaged Hilux was abandoned with the body of an unidentified male. In the process of a thorough search,  the following fire arms and ammunitions were recovered. Two anti-aircraft guns with 4 spare barrels, one MG with 251 Ammunitions, 8 Ak 47 with 51 7.62mm and two  Magazines, and one black Jacket. 


One Tata truck belonging to Nigeria army was set ablaze by the insurgents. 13 persons in a Toyota HiAce bus belonging to the Borno state government with Reg no  LG 19 MAG  were abducted by the insurgents. Force number 500257 Cpl Muhammed Musa attached to Yobe command narrowly escaped the attack.

On July 14, 2020, the police Counter-terrorism operatives rescued two soldiers abducted by Boko Haram fighters along Maiduguri Damaturu road and recovered several arms abandoned by the terrorist.

These incidents of bravery from men like CSP Mohammed, many others and the SARS demonstrate the importance for inter-agency coordination , communication and collaboration in the theatre of war between all security agencies – especially the Nigerian Police. Without recognising the selfless efforts and sacrifices of individuals, the effort of the entire security architecture in the North East will continue to suffer a psychological deficit.

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FG abandons 330 emergency health workers in Borno

Some of the Emergency Health workers at NUJ, Maidguri

A total of 330 emergency health workers recruited under the Federal Government  Health and Nutrition Emergency Response Project(HNERP) have been left stranded in Borno State.

The project which was a  Federal Government initiative to curb the outbreak of acute malnutrition in Borno State after the  declaration of  Malnutrition Emergency in Borno State in 2016.

Following the declaration of  malnutrition emergency in Borno State, the Federal Government in 2018 engaged the health workers and were posted to work in Displaced peoples camps across the 27 local government areas in the state.

But the program is now facing a serious set-back one year after the first phase of the program.

Some of the medical team who addressed the press in Maiduguri accused the Federal Government and Borno State Government for abandoning them, after they were asked by Borno State government to continue with the program.

The leaders of the team, Pharmacist Isaac Newton Nsoha in company of his members said they are confused at the treatment being mated on them by both the Federal Government and  Borno State Government, adding that they are being owed three months salaries.

The leader explained that after their initial contract of one year with the Federal Government expired, they were asked by Borno State Government to continue but three months after that directives, they were asked to submit all materials in their possession concerning they project.

The ad-hoc staff appealed to either the Federal Government or Borno State Government to pay them their three months outstanding allowances.

His text reads: “We are, the ad-hoc staff of Health and Nutrition Emergency Response Project (HNERP) of Borno state, a project set up under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Borno State Ministry of Health to respond to the Nutritional and Health Challenges cum Emergencies occasioned as a result of the Insurgent activities in Borno state. We are made up of 33 teams in which each team is comprised of 10 member team, i.e. 330 ad-hoc member staff in all, and the range of our allowance is between 350k- 80k base on the caders.

Leader of the Emergency Health workers, Pharmacist Isaac Newton Nsoha addressing the press in Maiduguri

“It is with a heavy heart that we bring to the public that no payment has been made on our account since the assumption of duties. It is now Eight Months, and there has been no indication of the remuneration payments. The first contract expired last year around the 30th of November, 2019, and we were asked to continue working by the State coordinator of the project in the person of Dr Babagana Shehu; of which we were supervised throughout the three months, before we were asked to submit our Jackets on the 1^st of March, 2020, that the program has been stopped. We have exhausted all alternatives to reach to the appropriate authorities, and that is why we resorted to this medium.

“We will like Your Excellency to know that the entire ad-hoc staff which comprises of Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists and  Technicians, HIM, Nutritionists and CHEW posted to all Local Governments of Borno State have not been paid the three months of the remuneration since March 2020. The untold hardship encountered in the discharge of our duties cannot be quantified. We have daily needs, coupled with the economic bottlenecks that are bedevilling our society, you will understand that we are currently relying on the support from our friends and relatives.

“Which begs the question, Who is sitting on the allowance, since December last year?

“Earlier last year we had similar issues where for the past three months also our allowance was not paid not until some protest got involved that within 48 hours they started releasing the money from an individual private account.

“Please, your Excellencies should look into this matter with a view of finding out what went wrong with our allowance and also look into the contract to make it more transparent and stable.  The recipient of our services which are most people leaving in the various IDP camps in Borno state are suffering, the truth is none will like to be in their situation, and they did not choose such condition for themselves. If such a program like Health and Nutrition emergency response project has been set up for the absolute well being, it should be holistic and transparent. So that all the needed medical materials include drugs should always be made available, not sending medical personnel to various volatile areas which are inadequately equipped. It is disheartening to see that after the arduous conditions, they had to overcome, they have also been refused their entitlements,” the workers appealed.

Reacting to the matter, the Hon. Commissioner for Health in Borno State, Dr. Salihu Kwayabura in a telephone interview disclosed that his ministry  has written to Gov. Babagana Zulum and he has requested for more explanation on the status of the health workers to explore the possibility of taking advantage of the program for the benefit of Borno State.

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Ex Presidential Aspirant Tasks PMB On Security, Reopening Of Shoos

Alhaji Umar Mohammad Maizabura 

Melvin Ibe, Maiduguri 

A former  Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) , Alhaji Umar Muhammad Maizabura has in strong terms called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of priority and urgency take drastic action against the incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians across the country by Boko Haram Insurgents and armed bandits.

Maizabura also called on the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu to as a matter of importance immediately reopen schools across the country to avail students and pupils the opportunity to go back to school to study and write their exams in the interest of their future and development of the nation.

Addressing Journalists at a press conference held on Saturday in Maiduguri, Maizabura noted that issue of security which is paramount  to the nation requires urgent attention for the unity and progress of the Nigeria.

He said : "It gives great concern to Nigerians that with the calibre and strength of the Nigerian armed forces on ground in all the nooks and crannies of the country, the security Situation continues to be unbelievably smearing the competence of the military and other security agencies to end the Insurgency and other criminalities.

"While our children will continue to stay at home without schooling with no job to do due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some may end up becoming criminals because an idle mind is devil's workshop", Maizabura added.

According to him, allowing the children to return to school to study and write their examinations as future leaders of the country is important and a way forward for the development of the children and country at large.

The Elder Statesman added that if security situation of the country is not being handled properly, in future, the situation may be uncontrollable and disastrous to everybody as it could consume all and sundry, noting that, no nation can develop without peace and no meaningful development can take place in chaos.

He further commended Governor Babagama Umara Zulum of Borno State for his untiring efforts and concern towards restoration of peace in the state and called on Borno people within and outside to continue to support and encourage him  to develop the state amidst the security challenges.

He further called on the governor to prfioritize construction works on township road network, drainages, boreholes, electricity, schools and hospitals among others especially, this raining season to make places accessible and habitable.

He also called on the Nigerian Military to redouble their efforts in their continuous counter Insurgency fight against the Boko Haram Insurgents and bandits in their peace restoration process in the interest of peace and development of the state, region and country at large.

Maizabura further urged President Buhari and Governor Zulum to continue to distribute Palliatives to the people as a result of the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic lockdown to cushion the sufferings of the people, especially the vulnerables in the society.

On the issue of APC leadership crisis, the NDLP National Chairman appealed to President Buhari as the National Leader of the APC ruling party to appoint the Yobe State former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) , Engineer Baba Goni' Machina as the new National Chairman of the APC.

He said as an Elder Statesman who watched the interim crisis which traversed to the appointment of Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni as National Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee for 6 months to conduct election for a substantive Chairman that should resolve its crisis through the appointment of Engineer Baba Goni' Machina ,who has proven integrity and wide knowledge of administration as a seasoned politician.

He argued that it is only through the appointment of credible, experienced, seasoned , competent, dedicated and committed person like Engineer Machina to lead the APC ruling party that there will be stability in the polity and development could be entrenched.

Maizabura noted that his suggestion for Engineer Machina as an Elder Statesman became necessary based on the prevailing situation and the need to bring to an end the lingering crisis rocking the leadership of the ruling party ,in order to move the nation forward and ensure stability in the system because, without stability at the ruling party, there would not be effective development and the nation will continue to suffer unnecessarily.

"I make this suggestion as a Nigerian not as APC member. I am from an opposition but the polity will not be stable without the stability of the ruling party. This is our concern as oppositions that without them, the ruling party can not survive and even be functional as we remained the watchdog the ruling Patty.

"And nobody has asked me to make this statement and I am doing this in the overall interest of the country. I don't collect money from any politician and I don't have a godfather. My suggestion is purely on democracy and unbiased for good and interest of democracy as an Elder Statesman who has good knowledge of the Nigerian politics.

"While my opinion on the issue of scrapping or dissolution of some political parties in the country that have leadership and party structures on ground as well as have participated in the last general elections was neither biased nor out of hatred.

"These political parties have leadership and party structures across the 36 states of the country and these party offices are functional as well as recognized by INEC. Their dissolution or scrapping was uncalled for and needed to be reviewed.

" I however blamed INEC for its action because, the political hierarchy had leaders and offices even at the wards and LGC levels and participated in the elections. I oppose INEC's decision to dissolve them as we went round the 36 states of the federation as required by INEC in over 30 days.

"We are nevertheless ever ready to challenge INEC for that inaction hence the ruling party, APC can not survive without the oppositions. Funds were not even given to us as announced but we managed to establish ourselves and participated in the elections", Maizabura said.

Speaking on the EFCC's Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu's suspension and allegations, Umar Maizabura opined that all the controversies surrounding his removal were unclear and manipulated if not conspired.

He said that what the presidency could have done first was to ensure that nobody rubbishes the integrity and competence of Magu by ensuring that all those behind his suspension or allegations are brought to book to prove themselves with facts and figures before making the findings public.

The political Chieftain notes that hence the office and seat are targets of corrupt leaders in all the circles of Government including the private sector, military, political office holders and service chiefs as nobody is a scapegoat or should be allowed to be one.

According to him with these facts and figures handy, drastic action can be taken against him to serve as detriment to others not mere allegations or skemishes as it happened to his predecessors like Farida Waziri, Nuhu Ribado and Lamurde.

He said scheming people of integrity and competence out of office due to sentiments was not good for the nation and democracy especially the anti graft crusade which cleanses the corrupt leaders and politicians because they have questions to answer from their people in terms of good governance and transparency.
"It is only in developed or advanced countries that fight against corruption is transparent and upheld by all, including governments and the poor masses. No politician or public office holder or security Chief will like his antecedents to be exposed whether in office or after leaving office in Nigeria and Africa, except in advanced countries" ,Maizabura said. 

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