General News
Borno South: Shani Community Throws Weight Behind Ndume’s Re-election Bid
The Shani community of Borno State has rallied behind Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, and its representative in the House of Representatives for a fresh tenure, citing his efforts to establish a Federal College of Agriculture and secure government intervention in the region’s worsening erosion problems.
Chairman of the Shani community, Musa Lawal Lubo, made the pledge on Monday when he led some community leaders on a solidarity visit to the former Senate Leader.
Recently a bill seeking the establishment of the Federal College of Agriculture in the community has passed its Third Reading in the Senate.
The proposal will now require concurrence by the House of Representatives before it can be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Senator Ndume , a former Senate Leader has also been pursuing presidential approval for proposed erosion-control projects worth ₦66 billion across Southern Borno.
The two developments have raised expectations of improved educational opportunities, agricultural development and infrastructure protection in a region where communities face significant development challenges.
Lubo, who disclosed that the visit was at the instance of the Emir of Shani, said the community remained grateful to Senator Ndume for his selfless efforts to attract a federal institution to the area.
“We are here today to thank Distinguished Senator Ali Ndume for successfully passing a bill in the Senate, calling for the establishment of the Federal College of Agriculture in Shani.
“For the community, the proposed college represents more than another federal institution. It offers the prospect of expanding access to agricultural education, equipping young people with practical skills and supporting farmers in a locality known for cultivating rice, tomatoes and onions.”
Lubo said the community would approach its representative in the lower chamber to seek support for the bill, expressing confidence that the remaining legislative stages could be completed.
“Senate has already given us the approval. We will now go to the member of the House of Representatives and request him to kindly do us a favour and do the same so that this particular bill will see the light of the day and benefit our community as expected.”
He told journalists that the town had adequate land and other social amenities to accommodate the proposed college.
The Lawmaker is of high hope that the Borno State Government would help facilitate its establishment after the necessary approvals.
Speaking on the erosion-control projects estimated at ₦66 billion across Southern Borno and awaiting presidential approval, the former Senate Leader revealed that the proposed intervention would cover different local government areas, with a separate project worth ₦6 billion earmarked for the Aguza area.
He described gully erosion as one of the major challenges confronting communities in the region and said the proposals had reached the final stage of the approval process.
“We are now at the last stage. We are waiting for the President’s final approval.”
He expressed optimism that the projects would proceed once the necessary approval was secured.
Ndume, who thanked the delegation for the visit, declared that public office should be about service rather than personal enrichment. He urged other elected officials to use their positions to address the needs of their constituents.
“I did not join politics to enrich myself. I joined politics to serve the people,” he said.
He also urged politicians to avoid using young people merely to advance personal political interests, calling for greater discipline, responsibility and accountability.
Reaffirming the community’s support for Senator Ndume’s aspiration, Lubo maintained that, “we cannot tell anybody not to contest, but we have told you the direction of our community.”
The community has made its political position clear, with its next expectation being the delivery of the promised development projects and other benefits.