N66bn erosion projects: Borno community backs Ndume for fresh term

The Shani community in Borno State has declared support for Senator Ali Ndume and its representative in the House of Representatives for another tenure, citing their efforts to establish a Federal College of Agriculture and secure government intervention in the region’s erosion problems.

The chairman of the Shani community, Musa Lawal Lubo, made the pledge on Monday when he led community leaders on a solidarity visit to the former Senate Leader.

A bill seeking the establishment of the Federal College of Agriculture in Shani has passed its third reading in the Senate.

The bill requires concurrence by the House of Representatives before it can be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Ndume has also been pursuing presidential approval for proposed erosion-control projects valued at ₦66 billion across Southern Borno.

The two initiatives have raised hopes of improved access to agricultural education, development of the farming sector and protection of infrastructure in a region facing significant development challenges.

Lubo, who said the visit was organised at the instance of the Emir of Shani, expressed the community’s appreciation to Ndume for his efforts to attract a federal institution to the area.

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“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 House of Representatives to seek support for the bill, expressing confidence that the remaining legislative processes would 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 said Shani had sufficient land and social amenities to accommodate the proposed college, adding that the community hoped the Borno State Government would help facilitate its establishment once the necessary approvals were secured.

On the proposed ₦66 billion erosion-control projects across Southern Borno, Ndume said the intervention would cover several local government areas, with a separate project valued at ₦6 billion earmarked for the Aguza area.

He described gully erosion as a major challenge 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.”

Ndume expressed optimism that the projects would commence once the required approval was obtained.

Thanking the delegation for the visit, the former Senate Leader said public office should be about service rather than personal enrichment. He urged 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 cautioned politicians against using young people merely to advance their personal political interests, calling for greater discipline, responsibility and accountability.

Reaffirming the community’s support for Ndume’s re-election bid, Lubo said the community had made its position clear while acknowledging the right of others to contest.

“We cannot tell anybody not to contest, but we have told you the direction of our community.”

The community said its next expectation was the delivery of the projects and initiatives that had informed its support.