INTERNATIONAL NEWS SYNDICATE

By Adamu Aliyu Ngulde, Maiduguri Teachers under the umbrella of the Nigerian Union of Teachers in Borno State have staged a protest over the abduction of 42 pupils from Mussa Central Primary School in Askira/Uba, calling for immediate government action to secure their release and improve school safety. The demonstration, led by the union’s Secretary Bako Monguno and National Publicity Secretary Yusuf Tom, took place amid growing concern over repeated attacks on schools in the region. Speaking during the protest, Tom said the union was compelled to act because of what it described as escalating threats to education. “Education is a basic right. We are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted pupils and stronger protection for schools,” he said. He urged authorities to intensify rescue efforts, adding that “children deserve to learn in safety and without fear.” Education stakeholders across the state have also continued...

By Kabiru Danladi Lawanti  The closest I came to knowing Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna was sometime in 2020 or 2021, when my friend, Alhaji Dahiru Hassan Kera invited me to Kaduna to facilitate a training for social media influencers from Gombe. The initiative, I believe, was part of the early preparations for his 2023 governorship ambition. As it turned out, the odds were not in his favour then. Gwamna, however, is no stranger to politics. He is a seasoned administrator who has long nursed the ambition of becoming governor, perhaps since 2003. Whether this is his moment is something only time will tell. If personal familiarity were the deciding factor, my choice would have been Usman Bello Kumo, the only aspirant I know closely, and who knows me as well. But our history is not without its tensions. In 2006, as a young graduate and journalist, I wrote a critical piece on his tenure as Chairman of Akko Local Government. It did not go down well with him or with the governor at th...

BY ADAMU ALIYU NGULDE, ISSA BOUBACAR, SENEGAL   Un groupe de plaidoyer politique dans l’État de Borno, connu sous le nom de Ƴan Dangwale, a apporté son soutien au Dr Mohammed Tumala en tant que candidat privilégié pour l’investiture au poste de gouverneur du Congrès Démocratique Africain (ADC) en vue des élections générales de 2027. Cette initiative marque une tentative précoce d’influencer l’orientation du parti dans un État où les alliances politiques commencent à se dessiner. Ce soutien reflète une intensification des activités politiques à l’approche de 2027, alors que groupes et parties prenantes commencent à se positionner au sein des structures partisanes. Des observateurs estiment que de telles déclarations anticipées pourraient influencer les dynamiques internes du parti ainsi que le processus de sélection. Les membres de Ƴan Dangwale ont décrit le Dr Tumala comme un administrateur chevronné, doté de l’expérience et de la vision nécessai...

BY ADAMU ALIYU NGULDE, ISSA BOUBACAR SENEGAL  A political advocacy group in Borno State, known as Ƴan Dangwale, has endorsed Dr. Mohammed Tumala as its preferred candidate for the governorship ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. The move signals an early effort to influence the party’s direction in a state where political alignments are beginning to take shape. The endorsement reflects growing political activity in the lead-up to 2027, as groups and stakeholders begin to position themselves within party structures. Observers say such early declarations could shape internal party dynamics and influence the selection process. Members of Ƴan Dangwale described Dr. Tumala as a seasoned administrator with the experience and vision needed to address pressing challenges, including security concerns, economic recovery, and infrastructure development. They argued that his leadership qualities distinguish him among pote...