By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Journalists in Borno State have been urged to use their various media platforms to promote transparency, strengthen public accountability and raise awareness of social protection programmes designed to improve the welfare of vulnerable citizens.

The call was made on Wednesday at a media capacity-building workshop organised by the Sirri Care Foundation (SCAF) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The workshop forms part of an accountability initiative implemented by GIZ, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and funded by the European Union to strengthen inclusive social protection systems in the state.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of SCAF, Dr Susan Tanwie, described the media as a critical partner in ensuring that government policies and social protection interventions reach the people they are intended to benefit.

Tanwie, whose organisation serves as a consulting NGO for the project, said journalists have an important responsibility to amplify the concerns of citizens, monitor the implementation of social welfare programmes and hold relevant authorities accountable for their commitments.

She explained that the initiative seeks to address the limited awareness among citizens about existing social protection programmes, their entitlements and the procedures for accessing available support.

According to her, effective media engagement would help bridge the information gap and empower citizens to understand their rights and demand improved service delivery.

The project team leader, Samuel Orahi, also urged journalists to prioritise social accountability in their reports, noting that the relationship between government and citizens is founded on mutual responsibilities.

“What we are basically talking about is that social contract that the government has with those who are the right-holders,” Orahi said during an interactive session with participants.

He explained that citizens, through the electoral process, entrust elected leaders with the responsibility of protecting their interests and providing essential services, including education, healthcare, social welfare and other forms of assistance.

Orahi stressed that the media must help citizens understand these obligations while scrutinising the extent to which public institutions fulfil their responsibilities.

He further noted that the initiative was particularly timely, given the political campaign period, when discussions about government performance, public welfare and service delivery become increasingly important.

He encouraged journalists to use such opportunities to deepen public understanding of social protection policies and ensure that issues affecting vulnerable groups receive adequate attention in the media.

The workshop provided an opportunity for journalists to examine how responsible reporting, public engagement and sustained scrutiny of government interventions could contribute to a more transparent and inclusive social protection system in Borno State.

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The university says the appointments are part of efforts to strengthen research, innovation, scholarship opportunities and institutional growth.

Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno State, has confirmed Professor Fanna Inna Abdulrahman as its substantive vice-chancellor and appointed Engr. Professor Baba Shehu Waziri as acting deputy vice-chancellor in charge of advancement, research, innovation, scholarship and enrolment.

The appointments, announced in a statement issued by the university’s management on Saturday, are expected to strengthen the institution’s leadership and expand its capacity for research, innovation and sustainable development.

While Professor Abdulrahman’s appointment was approved by the Board of Trustees, chaired by Alhaji Mohammed Adam, MFR, the Governing Council approved Professor Waziri’s appointment at its sixth special meeting on Friday, October 9, 2026.

Professor Abdulrahman, who has served as acting vice-chancellor since September 8, 2025, will hold the substantive position for a three-year tenure ending September 7, 2028. Her period as acting vice-chancellor forms part of the approved tenure.

As the university’s chief executive and chief academic officer, she will oversee academic administration, research, institutional governance, financial management and staff and student welfare.

The university said her appointment recognised her leadership, administrative competence and contributions to its development.

Professor Waziri, a professor in the Department of Civil and Water Resources Engineering at the University of Maiduguri, will assume his new role on November 1, 2026, for an initial one-year tenure ending October 31, 2027.

His appointment introduces a dedicated leadership portfolio for Advancement, Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Enrolment, known as ARISE, which the university hopes will help attract investment, strengthen research partnerships and widen access to higher education.

Under the arrangement, Professor Waziri is expected to work with the vice-chancellor and other principal officers to attract research grants, establish partnerships with local and international institutions, promote technological innovation and mobilise resources for the university’s development.

The office will also focus on expanding scholarships and educational sponsorships for deserving students, as well as developing strategies to increase enrolment.

The university said the initiative was designed to strengthen its institutional capacity through strategic partnerships, measurable targets and sustainable resource mobilisation.

Speaking on the appointments, the founder and proprietor of the university, Dr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, mni, congratulated the two academics and described their emergence as an important step towards realising the institution’s long-term vision.

“The University was established not merely to award degrees, but to nurture knowledgeable, morally upright, innovative and socially responsible graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national development and humanity,” the statement quoted the founder as saying.

Dr. Dikwa, who is also the president of the Al-Ansar Foundation, said the institution was founded on the principles of knowledge, character, innovation and service to humanity.

He stressed the need to strengthen research, expand scholarship opportunities, attract development partners and improve access to quality education while ensuring the university’s financial sustainability and competitiveness.

The founder expressed confidence that the two appointments would create opportunities for institutional transformation and improved academic performance.

The university said it remained committed to providing an enabling environment for teaching, learning, research, entrepreneurship and character development, with a broader mission to contribute to the educational and socio-economic development of Borno State, the North-East and Nigeria.

The appointments come as the institution seeks to consolidate its academic programmes, strengthen governance and expand support for students.

The university’s management congratulated both appointees and expressed hope that their leadership would contribute to its continued growth and academic excellence.

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The Borno State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide journalists with adequate knowledge of electoral laws and procedures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The council made the call on Wednesday in Maiduguri when the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Borno State, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, visited the NUJ secretariat.

The NUJ Chairman, Comrade Abdulkareem Haruna, said better understanding of the electoral process among journalists would promote accurate, balanced and professional reporting before, during and after the elections.

Mr Haruna pledged the council’s cooperation with INEC to ensure comprehensive coverage of electoral activities and support initiatives aimed at promoting credible elections through responsible journalism.

He described the REC’s visit as an important step towards strengthening the relationship between the electoral commission and the media.

According to him, sustained engagement between INEC and journalists would deepen understanding of electoral procedures and help the public access reliable information.

Responding, Mr Abdullahi pledged to strengthen collaboration with the media to ensure accurate electoral information reaches the electorate throughout the electoral process.

He urged journalists to verify electoral information through INEC and other authoritative sources rather than relying solely on social media.

The REC said journalists had a critical role in educating voters on electoral procedures and urged them to obtain adequate knowledge of relevant electoral laws to enable them report objectively.

He assured journalists that his office remained open to enquiries, clarifications and engagements on matters concerning the electoral process.

Mr Abdullahi said effective communication between INEC and the media would help reduce misinformation and improve public understanding of electoral procedures ahead of the 2027 elections.