CS-SUNN Applauds Appointment of Prof. Mu’azu Shehu as Gombe Head of Civil Service

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Gombe State Chapter, has congratulated Professor Mu’azu Shehu on his appointment as the new Head of Civil Service in Gombe State.

A statement issued by the State Coordinator, Rebecca Caleb Maina, was made available to newsmen in Gombe on Thursday.

The organization described the appointment made by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as well-deserved and a recognition of Professor Shehu’s long-standing commitment to public service.

According to CS-SUNN, Professor Shehu’s elevation to the state’s top civil service position reflects his vast administrative experience and consistent record of professionalism.

Before his appointment, he served as Permanent Secretary, General Duties, and as Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, roles in which he was widely acknowledged for his strategic leadership and coordination of government policies.

The group expressed confidence that his leadership would further strengthen ongoing reforms within the state civil service, enhance operational efficiency, and improve service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies.

“As a coalition dedicated to promoting nutrition advocacy, transparency, and sustainable development, we are optimistic about strengthening collaboration with the civil service under Professor Shehu’s stewardship,” the statement noted.

“We look forward to supporting policies and programs that will improve the nutrition and well-being of women, children, and other vulnerable groups in Gombe State.”

CS-SUNN also paid tribute to the outgoing Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Ahmed Kasimu Abdullahi, commending his dedication and contributions to the growth and stability of the state’s public sector. The organization wished him a peaceful and rewarding retirement.

Stakeholders have widely welcomed Professor Mu’azu Shehu’s new role, seeing it as a step toward consolidating administrative reforms and advancing good governance in Gombe State.

Zulum Rolls Out 33,000 Tonnes of Ramadan Relief for 300,000 Vulnerable Residents in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

In a major humanitarian gesture to ease the burden of the holy month, Babagana Zulum has approved the distribution of 33,000 tonnes of Ramadan palliatives to residents across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.

The food items, comprising rice, millet, and sugar, are targeted at about 300,000 vulnerable residents, each expected to receive three bags to support their households during Ramadan.

Flagging off the distribution at Ramat Square in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Governor Zulum said the initiative was designed to cushion the impact of economic hardship, particularly on widows, orphans, internally displaced persons, struggling farmers and low-income earners.

He urged members of the distribution committee to uphold integrity and fairness in carrying out the assignment.

“To members of the committee in charge of this distribution, let transparency be your watchword. Let fairness be your guide,” the governor declared. “These items are for free distribution to those in need, not for sale or for your friends and family members.” They are meant for widows, orphans, internally displaced individuals, farmers whose fields are yet to fully recover, and daily wage earners struggling to survive.”

Zulum warned that any official found diverting the food items would face strict legal consequences, stressing that his administration would not tolerate abuse of public trust.

In a show of inclusiveness, the governor announced that Christian residents observing the Lenten season, which coincides with this year’s Ramadan, would also benefit from the gesture.

“This support will also extend to our Christian brothers and sisters who are fasting during Lent,” he said, noting that his administration remains committed to promoting unity and equal support for all faith communities in the state.

Over the years, the Zulum-led government has consistently provided assistance to Christian communities, particularly during festive periods. Annual Christmas food distributions and free transportation for non-indigenous Christians travelling to celebrate with their families have become a regular feature of the state’s welfare programs.

The senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan, and the secretary of the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of the poor amid prevailing economic challenges.

In his welcome remarks, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ali Abdullahi Isa, assured that the agency would ensure a smooth and transparent distribution process across all benefiting communities.

The large-scale intervention underscores the state government’s continued efforts to provide relief and strengthen social support systems during one of the most spiritually significant periods of the year.

NEDC Extends Hand of Hope to Journalists Injured in Bauchi Crash, NUJ Appeals for Health Insurance Support

By Auwal Umar ,Gombe

In a moving show of solidarity, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated essential working equipment to journalists who were involved in a motor accident during the Commission’s inspection tour in Bauchi State, easing the pain of a moment that shook the media community.

Receiving the items on behalf of the affected journalists, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, praised the Commission for its swift and compassionate intervention, describing it as a gesture that “went beyond equipment to restoring hope.”

“This timely support from the NEDC helped save lives and lifted the spirits of our colleagues at a very difficult time,” Abdullahi said.

While appreciating the Commission’s response, the NUJ President used the occasion to appeal for further support, urging the NEDC to consider paying the health insurance fees of practicing journalists across the Northeast subregion.

He explained that the NUJ has introduced a health insurance scheme under which every practicing journalist is required to pay ₦40,000 to access quality healthcare services.

“We are appealing to the NEDC to assist journalists in the North East by settling these insurance fees. This initiative perfectly aligns with the current administration’s agenda and will significantly contribute to providing affordable and accessible healthcare for media professionals who face daily risks in their line of duty, he continued.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Magari Ahmadu, said the donation was meant to cushion the impact of the accident on journalists who were part of the NEDC entourage during the inspection tour to Yelwan Duguri in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

He stated that the Commission felt a moral obligation to support the affected journalists in their professional duties.

Also speaking, the managing director of the NEDC, Muhammad Alkali, disclosed that the donated items include video cameras, still cameras, tripods, and other vital working tools that enable the journalists to fully return to their jobs.

Alkali stated, “We are intervening to prevent the accident-affected journalists from experiencing permanent setbacks.”

The gesture has been widely welcomed within media circles, considered a reminder that even in moments of tragedy, compassion and institutional support can help heal wounds and rebuild lives.