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Author: Yakubu Uba

  • Insurgency: Director confirms more blasts in Gwoza, 18 people killed 

    Insurgency: Director confirms more blasts in Gwoza, 18 people killed

    Blast

    By Yakubu Uba 

    Maiduguri, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Dr Barkindo Saidu, the Director-General of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has confirmed more blasts in Gwoza and the rise in the number of people killed to 18.

    Saidu said in a situation report obtained by the News Agency  of Nigeria (NAN) that the death comprised adult males, females and children. 

    He added that the first blast by suicide bomber took place at a wedding ceremony,  while the second blast occured at the funeral service of victims when another female suicide bomber rushed into the congregation.

    He stated that “19 people seriously injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four  ambulances, while 23 others are waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic.

    “I am now coordinating for a chopper tonight. I have mobilised emergency drugs to complement the shortage of drugs in Gwoza.

    “The degree of injuries range from abdominal raptures, skull and limb fractures.

    “I have also received a report that there is a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka,” Saidu said.

    Pulka is a village not too far from Gwoza town. 

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the coordinated attacks, which took many by surprise, was shocking to the people of Borno who experienced such at the height of the insurgency between 2024 and 2014. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    YMU/HA 

    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • PCC resolves 5,000 cases in Borno

    PCC resolves 5,000 cases in Borno 

    PCC

    By Yakubu Uba 

    Maiduguri, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Public Complaints Commission (PCC), says it has resolved about 5,000 complaints in Borno in the past three years.

    Its commissioner in Borno, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu, made this known in Maiduguri on Thursday at a town hall meeting of stakeholders on ‘Systemic and Proactive Investigation into Compliance of Private Employers to Pension Reforms’.

    Adamu said that most cases bordered on administrative injustices and pension, hence the need for such a forum with stakeholders, particularly those saddled with managing pensions, on how to address pension issues.

    Adamu lauded the Borno Government on its commitment to pension matters, citing the recent release of over N2b grant by the government to address the issue.

    He urged other states to emulate that.

    The commissioner, who spoke on new pension reforms, urged the private sector to ensure compliance by paying their workers’ pension as directed by the Pension Reform Act 2014.

    In his speech, the Director (Investigation), of the PCC in Borno, Mr Salisu Mohammed, said the meeting with the stakeholders would focus on concerns and challenges experienced by pensioners and other stakeholders. 

    “We shall identify systemic issues and potential areas of improvement. 

    “We shall also provide guidance and clarification on pension-related matters, collect feedback and recommendations for improving pension administration,” Mohammed said.

    Speaking on behalf of pension fund administrators, the Business Manager of the Borno branch of Trustfund Pension, Mr Abubakar Jibrin, said that some of the delays in processing pensions were caused by incomplete documentation. 

    Jibrin also spoke on the need to reduce the long period, usually lasting up to about 18 months, to process a retiree’s pension in Nigeria. (NAN)

    YMU/ETS 

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  • Shettima inaugurates distribution of NEDC-assisted agric inputs in North East 

     

    Some of the mini rice mills and other farm inputs distributed to farmers

    Shettima inaugurates distribution of NEDC-assisted agric inputs in North East

    NEDC

    By Yakubu Uba

    Maiduguri, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has inaugurated the distribution of agricultural inputs and equipment supplied by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), to farmers in the zone.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vice president also laid the foundation of the over N26.8b NEDC head office complex in Maiduguri.

    NAN also reports that the VP conducted the Ground Breaking ceremony of the 2nd phase of Jere Bowl Road network embarked on by the commission in Borno, on Wednesday.

    Shettima speaking on the development lauded the commission for embarking on people oriented projects in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    He assured the commission of sustained support in its interventions in all sectors affected by the insurgency in the North East.

    “The NEDC is a critical engine driving the development of the North-East.

    “In the face of adversity, it has demonstrated resilience, vision, and an unyielding dedication to its mission,” Shettima said.

    Also, the Managing Director of NEDC, Mr Mohammed Alkali, said that the commission remained committed to the implementation of the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP), which is a holistic roadmap consisting of 11 Pillars that cut across various sectors.

    Alkali said the pillars were fashioned to propel Socio- economic development and long-term prosperity in the North-East Region.

    “The Master Plan, which is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Present Administration, requires synergy, cooperation and collaboration by all Stakeholders to make a meaningful impact,” Alkali said.

    Alkali urged all stakeholders to join in re-building a safe, peaceful, enterprising and prosperous region.

    On his part, Retired Maj. Gen. Paul Tarfa, the Chairman of NEDC Board, reiterated the commitment of the commission to intervene in critical sectors that would impact positively on lives of the resilience people of the zone.

    Speaking on behalf of North East governors, the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, lauded the commission for its interventions across the six states, urging it to stick to its master plan.

    Yahaya said that if the commission could deliver 75 per cent of its plan for the zone, it would cover everything in the zone.

    Members of House Committees on Special Duties from the National Assembly, who spoke also lauded the commission’s sustained interventions and assured it of the national assembly’s support to continue to deliver.

    NAN reports that the agricultural inputs distributed to farmers at the occasion included rice transplanter, ridger, rice thresher, rotary tiller, iron bull tractor, disc plough and mini rice mill. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    YMU/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Operation Desert Sanity: Our troops did a wonderful job – COAS

    Troops

    By Yakubu Uba

    Maiduguri, June 18, 2024 (NAN) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has described the performance of troops in the recent operations to clear the remnants of terrorists in the North-East as outstanding.

     

    Lagbaja made this known in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, where he celebrated Eid-el Kabir with the troops of the North East Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai.

     

    Lagbaja assured the troops of sustained support to continue delivering on their assigned tasks of restoring peace and security in the region and Nigeria in general.

     

    “My visit to the Theatre Command this afternoon is to come and say thank you to the troops for their wonderful performances during the just-concluded phases of ‘Operation Desert Sanity 3,’ ‘Lake Sanity 2,’ and ‘Mountain Sanity 2,’” Lagbaja said.

     

    “My assessment of how the troops have performed is drawn from the report I have there from Army headquarters indicating the number of terrorists neutralised, victims rescued, and weapons and other physical equipment recovered.

     

    “You can see the display of these materials, including weapons that were recovered by the troops at the parade ground, which drive home the performance of the troops,” he added.

     

    The COAS lauded the ingenuity of the theatre command through its mechanical and electrical engineering unit for repairing most of the damaged equipment recovered from the terrorists.

     

    This, he noted, were particularly vehicles that could be used to further enhance operations of units and formations in the zone.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while in Maiduguri, the COAS, who had lunch with the troops, inaugurated office complexes and road projects at the Maimalari Cantonment.

     

    He was also taken on a guided tour of items recovered from terrorists in recent operations. (NAN)

    YMU/AWA
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    Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

     

     

     

     

  • Eid-el Kabir: VP prays for peace, bumper harvest 

    Eid-el Kabir: VP prays for peace, bumper harvest 

    Sallah 

    By Yakubu Uba 

    Maiduguri, June 16, 2024 (NAN) The Vice President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has joined other Muslim faithful to observe the Eid-el Kabir prayer in Maiduguri, the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports.

    Shettima, who spoke briefly after the prayers, prayed for peace and bumper harvest this cropping season. 

    “We urge Nigerians to pray for peace and prosperity in the land. 

    “We have to cultivate peace; there can never be development without peace.

    “This is the farming season, we also need to pray for bumper harvest, ” Kashim said.

    In his message, the Borno Acting Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, also prayed for peaceful coexistence and the need to pray for the nation.

    “May Allah accept our prayers and that of our people in the Holy land,” he said. 

    He thanked the people of Borno for their sustained support to the government, and assured them of quality leadership.

    Kadafur also thanked the Vice President  for coming home to identify with his people in Borno, and wished him a safe trip back to Abuja. (NAN)

    YMU/ETS 

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  •  Agency disbursed N400m to health facilities in Borno in Q1, Q2 – Official

    Agency disbursed N400m to health facilities in Borno in Q1, Q2 – Official

     

    Disbursement

    By Yakubu Uba 

    Maiduguri, June 13, 2023 (NAN) The Borno State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (BOSCHMA) has disbursed over N400million   to 171 primary healthcare centres and nine secondary health facilities providing free treatment to vulnerable persons across the state.

    The Executive Secretary of BOSCHMA, Dr Saleh Abba,  who told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Thursday, said the disbursement was for the first and second quarters of 2024.

    “These disbursements are N396. 4 million as capitation for the primary healthcare facilities and N7.7 milliom as fee-for-service payments of Secondary health facilities for the first and second quarters of 2024. 

    The fund, he said, is aimed at supporting the healthcare services provided to 119,418 beneficiaries of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

    The BHCPF, he added, was established by the National Health Act of 2014, is a government initiative designed to enhance healthcare access for vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

    The fund, he added,  is a collaborative effort between federal and state governments, with states contributing 25 per cent of the total funding.

    Launched in 2020, Abba said, the BHCPF addresses the challenge of limited healthcare accessibility, particularly for marginalized groups.

    He said the programme seeks to address the longstanding challenge of limited healthcare accessibility for marginalised populations. 

    Abba said the initiative which covers 24 LGAs in the state, demonstrated the Governor Babagana Zulum administration commitment to improving healthcare access and equity across the region.

    He lauded Gov. Babagana Zulum-led administration’s commitment to resettlement of displaced persons  and also for efforts to scale up health care delivery for the returnees. 

    “BOSCHMA is dedicated to improving public health through strategic initiatives, partnerships, and effective healthcare delivery systems.

    “BOSCHMA focuses on improving maternal and child, and enhancing wellbeing of the citizens by ensuring access to quality healthcare services across Borno,” Abba said. (NAN)

    YMU/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Borno govt approves N521.4m for pilgrims BTA, sacrificial animals 

    Borno govt approves N521.4m for pilgrims BTA, sacrificial animals 

    Approval

    Maiduguri, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has approved the release of N521.4m for the purchase of sacrificial rams and payment of the differential balance recorded in pilgrims Basic Travel Allowance (BTA).

    Sen. Kaka-Shehu Lawan, Chairman of the state Amirul Hajj Committee, made this known on Wednesday in Maiduguri while briefing newsmen. 

    Lawan said the measure was to ensure that Borno pilgrims were properly mobilised to perform the Hajj exercise with ease.

    According to him, the sum of N261m was for the purchase of sacrificial animals, while 260.4m was for the BTA differential.

    “For the BTA, each gets 500 dollars,” he said. 

    While reiterating the commitment of the state Government to the welfare of pilgrims, he urged the pilgrims to pray for leaders, more peace and prosperity of the state and nation in general.

    According to him, the initial arrangement was for each pilgrim to receive 415 dollars instead of 500 dollars, adding that providing the balance was a big relief to many pilgrims in the holy land.

    He thanked the Governor for his support to the committee towards ensuring a smooth exercise. 

    He said that all pilgrims from the state were hale and hearty and ready to commence the Hajj rituals starting on Friday. (NAN) 

    YMU/ETS 

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  • Maternal Health: WHO, Borno Govt. equipt 488 intervention sites

    Maternal Health: WHO, Borno Govt. equipt 488 intervention sites

    Health
    By Yakubu Uba
    Maiduguri, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Borno Government says it has set up 488 sites across the state for health services in the first round of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MMCHW).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was being handled in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    The Executive Secretary, Borno Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), Prof. Mohammed Arab, launched the week at a ceremony in Mala Kachallah Primary Healthcare Centre in Maiduguri on Monday.

    In a speech at the event, Arab said that the sites were located in all the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.

    He said that the essence of the health week was to accelerate the delivery of a minimum package of high-impact interventions that would contribute to the reduction of maternal, neonatal and child mortality.

    The SPHCDA boss also said that efforts were being intensified “to strengthen routine healthcare delivery.

    “It’s a bi-annual campaign that takes place in the 1st 6 months (Round 1) and the 2nd 6 months (Round 2) of the year respectively.

    “This year’s Round 1 activity will run consecutively for five days from 10th to 14th June,” he said.

    According to him, services to be provided include antenatal care, deworming, HIV testing and counseling, vitamin A supplement, health promotion, immunisation and birth registration.

    “There is also distribution of Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and long-lasting insecticide net and iron folate for pregnant women,” Arab said.

    He said that nutrition screening, which is also part of the services, would help in identifying and addressing severe malnutrition in children at an early stage.

    “Undernutrition is a significant contributor to child mortality, linked to over 60 per cent of diarrhea deaths, 57 per cent of malaria deaths and 52 per cent of pneumonia deaths”.

    In a remark, the Commissioner of Health, Prof. Baba Mallam, said that the MNCHW was not a substitute for the regular health activities but a measure to complement and intensify ongoing efforts to provide high-quality healthcare services.

    “These interventions are designed to significantly increase the coverage of preventive and curative services, thus ensuring that we meet the needs of mothers and children effectively and efficiently.

    “This initiative offers a unique opportunity for women and children to access crucial health services free of charge at their nearest health facility.

    “The importance of this week cannot be quantified.

    “It represents a concentrated effort to deliver interventions that can save lives and improve health outcomes,” Mallam said.

    Speaking on behalf of WHO and other partners, the organisation’s Public Health Officer, Maiduguri Office, Dr Aisha Kadai, urged all stakeholders to take the week as an opportunity to increase coverage and update services across Borno.

    Kadai said that WHO had mobilised human resources to support the outreach in hard to reach areas as well as medical and pharmaceutical supplies to fill in the gaps in commodities required for the first round exercise.

    “WHO is working with Borno SPHCDA in prioritisation of maternal, newborn and child health.

    “These activities are instrumental to achieving the state 25 years Development Framework, the 10 years Strategic Transformation Plan as well as the SDGs,” Kadai said. (NAN)

    YMU/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

  • Borno farmers demand improved security to boost farming, fishing

    Borno farmers demand improved security to boost farming, fishing

    Farmers
    Yakubu Uba
    Maiduguri, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Borno indigenes leaving the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) Camps have called for greater security as they return to farm for this year’s cropping season.

    A cross-section of the farmers and fishermen made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Muna Camp in Maiduguri.

    NAN reports that the State Government recently commenced the evacuation of the internally displaced persons to their recovered ancestral homes.

    The people said they were looking forward to a secured environment to engage in massive agriculture this season to ensure adequate food for their families and state at large.

    Mustapha Bukar from Marte said: “Life is really hard now with the current inflation.

    “We hope as we go back home there’s adequate security for us to resume farming, fishing and livestock rearing activities.

    “That’s the only hope as we have the vast and fertile land to pick up our lives again after staying in camps for several years due to the insurgency.”

    Ibrahim Buba from Gwoza and Modu Mukhtar from Bama lauded the military and other security agencies for their efforts in restoring relative peace for people to return and farm.

    They, however, asked for more intensive military operations to clear the remnants of insurgents still posing threats to farmers.

    “There is still a vast land for farming activities that are not accessible due to threats from remnants of insurgents.

    “We need massive and sustained clearance operations by security to enable thousands of farmers to access their farms for more food production.

    “This is to help us escape the rising threat of hunger being predicted, if nothing was done to improve security,” Buba said.

    Fati Abba from Jere and Tijjani Bulama from Konduga said there were still incidents of attacks on farmers clearing their farmlands, in spite of a recent 10-day clearance operations by the military.

    “We need another massive clearance operation and, if necessary, the establishment of military bases in strategic areas in bushes around Sambisa forest and other dangerous areas to protect farmers and fishermen.

    “Agriculture is the major opportunity left for millions resettled to recover from poverty, hence allowing the remnant of insurgents to continue to pose threats to agriculture is dangerous,” Bulama said.

    Habu Ibrahim in Jere also called for an intensified clampdown on the remaining insurgents to enable motorists to operate smoothly on the Maiduguri-Bama-Banki Road as well as Maiduguri-Gwoza-Mubi Road, Maiduguri-Dikwa-Ngala Road and Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu Road.

    “Everything possible needs to be done to ensure these federal roads are fully operational like the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road.

    “Our security must not allow terrorists to continue to pose serious threats to the return of normalcy in the Northeast.

    “These terrorists overcame the administrations of former Presidents Godluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari with similar threats.

    “They should not be allowed to do the same to Tinubu’s administration,” Ibrahim said. (NAN)(www.nannews.com)

    YMU/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

  • Zulum launches resettlement of IDPs from 8 LGAs

    Zulum launches resettlement of IDPs from 8 LGAs

    IDPs
    By Yakubu Uba
    Maiduguri, Friday, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, on Friday, launched the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), taking refuge in two unofficial camps in Maiduguri.

    In a speech at the event held at Muna Camp, Zulum said the exercise was coming three years after IDPs in official camps were resettled back to their homes.

    He said that the ones in the unofficial camps of Muna and El-Badawi indicated interest to go back to their ancestral homes in Jere, Bama, Ngala, Konduga, Mafa, Gwoza, Marte and Dikwa.

    He further said that a resettlement package had been provided for the households that indicated interest to return home or safer locations in a dignified way, in line with the Kampala Declaration.

    The governor said that all the male and female heads of households would receive N100,000 each with food and non food items, while married women would get N50,000 each.

    He affirmed the commitment of his administration to gradually close all the camps.

    He, however, raised concern over the growing cases of prostitution and criminal activities in some of the camps which, he said, must be discouraged.

    He lauded the Federal Government for its sustained support to Borno through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), describing it as a reliable partner.

    “The food items we are giving those IDPs today are from NEMA,” Zulum said.

    In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement, Alhaji Ali Goni, said the IDPs comprised at least 11,000 households.

    Also, the NEMA Director, Relief and Resettlement, Mr Abdullahi Adamu, lauded the Borno Government for its commitment to the welfare of IDPs and assured Borno of the agency’s support.

    Adamu also commended the Borno Government for its efforts to resettle the displaced persons. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    YMU/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah