Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has appealed to the Federal Government to fast-track the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam.

He made the appeal when the Shehu of Borno paid the traditional Sallah homage to the governor at Government House, Maiduguri, saying such was necessary to avert another Borno flooding disaster.

Zulum, who expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the project, warned that at the dawn of this year’s rainy season, urgent action was needed.

According to the governor, fast-tracking the project would prevent a repeat of the 2024 flood disaster which devastated Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas.

“After the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, which we all attended, the truth is that the work is not progressing as expected.

“The last time I visited the president, I informed him about the true state of the project. I assure you I will not relent. I will continue to follow up, and I have also notified the Vice President.

“In the meantime, the Secretary to the State Government has constituted a committee to provide immediate intervention at the dam,” Zulum said.

The Federal Government had earlier this year approved N80 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam.

The intervention was aimed at mitigating a repeat of the dam’s collapse incident, which culminated in the severe flooding and damages that ensued.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in March to mark the official commencement of the project.

Zulum also pledged to connect all local government headquarters in the state to the national electricity grid before the end of his administration.

Highlife music icon Mike Ejeagha has passed on at the age of 95. He was known for incorporating proverbs into his music and is the original owner of the now popular song-dance gwogwogwongwo.

Ejeagha died on Friday night at about 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a protracted illness.

His passing was confirmed by his eldest son, Emma Ejeagha.

Born on April 4, 1930, Mike Ejeagha launched his music career in really in life and significantly influenced the evolution of music in the Igbo language for over six decades.

He gained widespread fame after he was invited by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as a guest presenter for an Igbo program, ‘Akuko N Egwu’, in 1972.

He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Gunmen have attacked a vigilante group office in Umunze, Orumba-South Local Government Area of the Anambra State.

The attack led to the killing of a vigilante operative and setting ablaze five operation vehicles and part of the group’s office.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said this in a statement on Friday in Awka, saying the incident occurred early hours of Thursday.

He explained that the security operatives in an attempt to resist the gunmen during a gun duel recorded fatal injury to one of the operatives.

“The unfortunate incident happened in the early hours of Thursday, where the suspected armed men attacked the vigilante’s office at Umunze and set five of their operation vehicles ablaze.
“The security operatives, in an attempt to ward off the gunmen during the gun duel, recorded a fatal injury to one of them.
“Some part of the security office also got burnt by the hoodlums, he said and added that police-led Joint Security Force has taken over the scene to ensure return of normalcy to the area.

Ikenga also called for the collaboration of the local communities in the ongoing operations to ensure that those responsible for the attack were held accountable.