Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has responded to a news report that claimed the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, dismissed his recent concerns about the escalating security situation in the state.

Zulum had previously highlighted the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in Borno, noting that there has been limited response from security forces.

He suggested that the authorities in the region may be losing ground to the insurgents.

The governor raised the alarm during a meeting with security forces in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Tuesday.

According to reports, Boko Haram militants, along with their offshoot the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have been predominantly operating in the northeast of Nigeria, resulting in the deaths and displacement of thousands of civilians.

In response, a statement from the Ministry of Information, issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister’s Special Assistant (Media), denied the claims.

It stated that the headline suggesting the Minister had dismissed the governor’s concerns was a “gross distortion” of his remarks.

“At no time did the Minister say, ‘Ignore Zulum, Boko Haram is not taking over Borno,’” the statement clarified, calling the headline sensational and a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation.

Zulum, in an interview with journalists, criticized the Minister’s understanding of the situation, calling him “naïve” about the security situation in the country.

He emphasized his administration’s commitment to addressing the resurgence of Boko Haram in the state.

“I don’t want to join issues with the Minister of Information. I believe he is naïve of what is happening in the country,” Zulum stated, adding that their discussions during the Security Council meeting had merely raised concerns about the rise of Boko Haram activity and the need for greater collaboration between the state government, military, and paramilitary forces to counter the threat.

Reaffirming his position, Zulum stated: “Our discussions during the Security Council meeting were not bad.”

“We just raised an alarm that there is resurgence of Boko Haram activities in Borno State, and there is a need for Borno state government, the military as well as paramilitary, to work together in order to avert the looming situation.”

Zulum also reiterated the collaboration between the Borno State Government and Nigeria’s military, saying: “We have been to Abuja, we met the service chief, especially the CDS, Chief of Army Staff, Naval Staff, as well as Air Staff. We received assurances from them that they will do everything possible to control the situation.”

He assured the people of Borno: “Under my watch, Boko Haram will not have the capacity to do what they did before.”

“We shall do everything possible to curtail them.”

The governor pledged that his administration would continue to provide support to the Nigerian military, strengthen local vigilante groups, and address the ongoing insecurity challenges in the state.

“What has been happening these days will not be allowed to remain unchanged,” Zulum concluded.

Human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on Nigerian youths to take active steps in reclaiming the country from the older generation.

Speaking on Saturday at the sixth Annual Youth Leadership Conference, held at the University of Lagos and themed Resilience, Innovation, Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship (RISE 2025), Falana emphasized the urgent need for young Nigerians to rise to the occasion and redefine the nation’s future.

He lamented the stark contrast between the present reality and the Nigeria of his youth.

“You will have to challenge those who are in power when you have access to them, because some of them in power today belong to our generation. We didn’t suffer what you are going through. We lived a life of dignity,” he said.

Falana reflected on the dreams held by his generation, which envisioned Nigeria as a global leader due to its rich resources.

“My generation had dreams, genuine dreams, about this country becoming one of the best in the world, because we have abundant human and natural resources that should make us a leading country in the world. But what has happened?” he asked.

Encouraging the youth to take ownership of the country’s direction, he urged them to seek inspiration from the continent’s cultural icons.

“Your generation has a duty to reclaim the country, and please, when you are going to listen to songs in ceremonies of this nature, please try and listen to some of the great African musicians,” Falana advised, noting that such music could serve as a source of motivation and consciousness.

He further challenged the narrative that Nigeria is inherently poor.

“You must also listen and be inspired to fight for justice in our country. You are often told that our country is poor. Quote me, ours is not poor. We suffer from material poverty because there is poverty of ideas in our country,” he stated.

Criticizing the popular cliché that young people are “leaders of tomorrow,” Falana urged them to assert themselves today.

“They tell you you are leaders of tomorrow. You must be leaders of today first, so you must take back what is left,” he declared.

Also speaking at the event, the convener, Mr. Olusegun Odufuwa, said the RISE theme was not just a slogan but a purposeful call to action.

“Nigeria stands at the critical juncture, our nation is rich in promise, bursting with talent and vibrant with diversity, yet we are confronted with complex challenges, economic uncertainties, infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment and questions of leadership and governance,” Odufuwa said.

He stressed that amid these challenges lies a great opportunity for transformation, driven by the energy and vision of young Nigerians.

“A nation is built not merely by its policies, but by its people, especially its youth. If Nigeria is to rise, it must be on the shoulders of a generation that is resilient in the face of adversity, innovative in its thinking, socially responsible in its actions, and entrepreneurial in its spirit,” he concluded.