Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Sunday, traveled to Rann, headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area, to commiserate with mourning communities and families of 32 metal scavengers killed by Boko Haram/ISWAP last week.
32 persons from Kala-Balge were ambushed at a deserted Mudu village in Dikwa Local Government Area, which is located about 45 kilometers away from Rann. They were believed to have been shot at close range.
Zulum was in Kala-Balge alongside the Majority Leader of Borno State House of Assembly, Dige Muhammed, who hails from Kala-Balge, the member Federal House of Representatives representing Bama, Ngala, and Kala-Balge, Dr. Zainab Gimba, and former Commissioner for Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Babagana Mustapha.
The governor, whose visit to Kala-Balge was for the seventh time in three years, urged residents to desist from going to deserted villages, especially to scavenge for metals because insurgents are engaged in searching for the same materials and can lay ambush.
Governor Babagana Zulum, offering condolences with the residents of Kala Bage
“The insurgents and their collaborators used to scavenge for metals and other abandoned household materials in deserted villages. These serve as raw materials for their fabrications. I urge you to desist from going to such places”, Zulum cautioned.
Governor Zulum during the visit held a meeting with Captain Mohammed Haruna Jibrin, the military’s commanding officer in Kala-Balge, involved with ongoing operations against insurgents.
Zulum in all his trips to local government areas usually meets with heads of the military to discuss and identify gaps in security arrangements to strengthen them.
While in Kala-Balge, the governor inspected essential public facilities and announced a 100% increase in salaries for health personnel resident in Rann General Hospital.
“Any health worker that is willing to work here, we will double his or her salary and we will, Insha Allah, make sure that there is a routine shift to allow them to visit families”, Governor Zulum assured.
Zulum also gave two months deadline for the reopening of the completed hospital and schools as well as the completion of any ongoing projects in Rann, Headquarters of Kala-Balge LGA.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum
The governor was dismayed by the absence of some basic social amenities in the local government headquarters.
“We have completed the general hospital, schools, and the council secretariat while some other projects are ongoing. These projects should be completed in two months, Insha Allah. This is the only LGA in Nigeria that doesn’t have a functional school and this is unfortunate. We will do everything possible, Insha Allah, to ensure basic amenities are functional”, Zulum said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engr. Goni Dunoma had earlier explained to the governor that officials could not complete some ongoing projects because of difficulties in accessing the town.
He however assured the governor that they would soon complete some that have reached advanced stages.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Sports Association for Judiciary (NASAJ) would hold from Aug. 17 to 27 in Lokoja.
Ariwoola, who was represented by the state Acting Chief Judge, Josiah Majebi, unveiled the trophy at the premises of the State High Court, on Wednesday in Lokoja,
The CJN described the trophy as a ‘trophy of unity’ designed to foster unity among the judiciary staffers across the federation.
The CJN commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for hosting the competition and for the security and hospitality enjoyed by the participants.
R-L: Mr Emeka Ndili, National President of NASAJ, and the Kogi State Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Majebi, unveiling the trophy on behalf of CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Wednesday in Lokoja. By Stephen Adeleye The acting Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, has unveiled the trophy for the 28th Judiciary Staffers Games scheduled for Lokoja.
He encouraged the organisers and participants to play by the rules and regulations of the game, so as to achieve the desired success.
The President of NASAJ, Emeka Ndilli, said the competition was founded in 1994 while Kogi hosted in 2016 and now in 2022 within the space of six years.
Ndili expressed gratitude to the good people of the state for their hospitality and the Governor for accepting to host the games within a few years interval.
On his part, the state’s Commissioner for Sports, Idris Musa, appreciated NASAJ for considering the state for hosting the games in 2016 and 2022.
He assured participants of good hospitality from the good people of Kogi, adding that the state was safe. (NAN)