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Public Structures Named After Buhari In Borno [Full List]

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, last Thursday, named the University of Maiduguri after late former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.

It was reports that Tinubu renamed the varsity in honour of Buhari at a Special Federal Executive Council (FEC) Session held at the State House.

This is not the first public property in Borno State named after President Buhari, although he hails from Daura, Katsina State.

The PUNCH highlights five key public assets in Maiduguri, the state capital, named after the former president.

1. General Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Maiduguri

Formally known as Maiduguri Airport, the Tinubu-led Federal Government in 2023 changed the name to General Muhammadu Buhari International Airport alongside 14 others with new nomenclatures.

The decision was contained in a memo directed to all Heads of Operations of FAAN and titled, “Naming of Federal Airports in favour of some prominent Nigerians,” by the Federal Ministry of Aviation dated June 1, 2023.

The memo signed by the Director of Airport Operations, Mrs Joke Olatunji, read, “I am directed to refer a memo with reference number, FMA/T4464/7090/T7B/647 from FAAN on the naming of some federal airports after notable Nigerians.

“The renamed airports include Akure Airport – Olumuyiwa Bernard, Benin Airport – Oba Akenzua II, Dutse Airport– Muhammad Nuhu Sanusi, Ebonyi Airport – Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbe, Gombe Airport – Brigadier Zakari Maimalari, Ibadan Airport – Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Ilorin Airport – Gen. Tunde Idiagbon, Kaduna Airport –Hassan Usman Katsina, Maiduguri Airport – Gen. Mumammadu Buhar, Makurdi Airport – Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, Minna Airpor – Mallam Abubakar Imam, Nassarawa Airport – Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, Osubi Airport – Alfred Diete Spiff, Port Harcourt Airport – Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo and Yola Airport – Lamido Aliyu Mustapha.”

2. Muhammadu Buhari Trauma Centre, Maiduguri

Located inside the premises of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the 150-bed capacity trauma centre was inaugurated virtually in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic by Buhari

3. Muhammadu Buhari Academy, Maiduguri

Inaugurated in 2019, the Muhammadu Buhari Academy, a boarding school situated along the bypass of Baga Eoad, was constructed for children who became orphans as a result of Boko Haram activities.

The 60-classroom capacity structure and seven blocks of hostels were constructed by the former Governor, Sen. Kashim Shettima, now Vice President and completed by the incumbent governor, Babagana Zulum.

It is believed that the educational facility was named after the late President because of his commitment to the fight against insurgency in the state and the Northeast region.

4. University of Maiduguri’s Senate Building, Maiduguri

Built by TETFund and inaugurated on Monday, July 16, 2018, the edifice serving as the Senate Building of the institution was named after Buhari.

The building is located close to the entrance fence of the school and can be seen from a short distance while driving the main road outside the campus.

5. Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri

The University of Maiduguri was established in 1975 as one of Nigeria’s second-generation universities, part of the Third National Development Plan that spanned between 1975 and 1980.

The Federal Government established the institution to make it a principal higher-education hub in the country.

In its first academic year, the university enrolled 743 students across three faculties: Arts and Education, Science, and Social Science & Law. By 1978, the number of faculties expanded to six with the creation of the Faculty of Agriculture and the separation of the Faculty of Law from Social Sciences.

On July 17, at the FEC meeting, Tinubu announced that the institution will be renamed after Buhari.

The decision, according to him, is part of the government’s recognition and honour for his service to the nation.

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Two die as mining pit collapses in Ebonyi

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The Ebonyi State Government has said it has commenced investigation into the collapse of a mining pit in Ihietutu village, Ishiagu community, in the Ivo Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Chidi Onyia, stated this at the site during a fact finding mission with federal mining officers and security agencies, on Friday.

Two persons lost their lives, while three other sustained varying degree of injuries when a section of the mining pit caved in, penultimate Friday.

The incident had been blamed on negligence on the part of pit operator, Greenfield Metals Ltd. But according to the commissioner, preliminary investigation suggested it was a case of natural occurrence.

He said, “Mining, like many industries worldwide, comes with hazards. From our preliminary findings, this was a natural occurrence and not a result of negligence.

“Investigation is ongoing by all regulatory bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals, police, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to ensure transparency.

“If we find recklessness, we will act accordingly. But if it is a natural disaster, we must accept it as such.”

He therefore commiserated with the bereaved families, adding the site was not leased out to illegal miners as being alleged.

The commissioner urged the public not to worsen the grief of families with false claims and reiterated the state did not encourage illegal mining.

“Here, we fully respect licenses issued by the Federal Government,” he said.

A community leader, who doubles as the Ihetutu Development Union Board of Trustees Chairman, Prince Fabian Chukwu,said the company had empowered a lot of people in the community.

“They built the road to this site and never delayed in giving the community its due entitlements.

“That is why we stand by them in this unfortunate incident,” he added.

The company had since suspended operations at the site pending the outcome of investigations.

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Man kills self in Imo over hardship, family neglect

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Tragedy struck Amakpu Okuku community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday morning when a man in his 50s, identified simply as Odomma, was found dead after allegedly taking his own life.

Residents said the father of four, who sold water in jerry cans and buckets, had long struggled with financial difficulties that left him unable to fend for himself and his family.

His body was discovered hanging in an uncompleted building near his residence as people headed out for their daily activities.

According to villagers, Odomma had threatened to commit suicide about three months ago, complaining that his wife and children had allegedly stopped giving him food because he could no longer provide for the family.

A community member, who simply identified as Ikenna, told our correspondent that the deceased had shared his frustrations with a few friends.

“He said if the situation continued, he would take his life to end the misery.

“We advised him to report the matter to the village head for settlement. Sadly, he chose this path. Just see how this man ended his life because of money. He could have sold his GP tank or generator to get food, but he decided to take his life. Now others will gather to eat and he won’t be part of it,” Ikenna said.

Eyewitnesses said tens of residents rushed to the scene after hearing the news, crowding the uncompleted building to catch a glimpse of the lifeless body and filming with their phones.

Odomma, who was widely patronised in the community for water sales priced from ₦100 upwards, was described as hardworking but visibly depressed in recent months.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Imo State, Henry Okoye, said he would verify the incident with the Divisional Police Officer of Owerri West.

“Please give me some minutes to call and confirm from the DPO of Owerri West Local Government Area. I will get back to you shortly,” he said. However, subsequent attempts to reach him were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.

More details to follow

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Japan designates city as hometown for Nigerians

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The government of Japan on Thursday named the city of Kisarazu as the hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country as part of its strategic efforts to deepen cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth and enhance workforce productivity.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Director of Information at the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye.

The statement noted that under the new partnership, announced on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development, the Japanese government will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.

“Artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are ready to upskill will also benefit from the special dispensation visa to work in Japan.

“Japan International Cooperation Agency, in a ceremony, also named the cities of Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture the hometown of Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture the hometown of Mozambique.

“Through the arrangement, Japan looks to strengthen exchanges with the four African countries by officially connecting municipalities with existing relations with those nations,” the statement stated.

On her part, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires, Mrs. Florence Adeseke, also the Acting Ambassador to Japan, and Yoshikuni Watanabe, the Mayor of Kisarazu, received the certificate from the Japanese government naming Kisarazu the hometown of Nigerians.

The four cities will foster a foundation for two-way exchanges for manpower development that will add value to the economic growth of Japan, Nigeria, and the other three African nations.

“Local authorities hope that the designations will increase the population of their cities, contributing to their regional revitalisation efforts.

“Kisarazu was the official host town of the Nigerian contingent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The team conducted their pre-games training camps and acclimatisation in the city before moving to the Olympic village, in the COVID-19 delayed Olympic Games,” it added.

In his opening address at the TICAD9, where he announced $5.5 billion in New investment in Africa, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasised the importance of mutual understanding, local solutions, and collaborative efforts for Africa’s development. The Prime Minister outlined Japan’s focus on private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.

Prime Minister Ishiba acknowledged the challenges of Japan’s ageing population but emphasised that locally rooted solutions are essential for Africa’s development.

“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at the TICAD 9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa”.

He appealed to African countries to assist Japan as it grapples with the challenges of a declining population and shrinking agricultural land.

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