The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Zulum worries over upsurge of ISWAP terrorists in Borno

    Zulum worries over upsurge of ISWAP terrorists in Borno

    Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has cried out over the increasing presence of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in some parts of the state.

    The governor has called for some urgent security measures to reduce the presence of the terrorists in the state.

    Zulum disclosed this on Wednesday when he received the Senate Committee on Army led by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri.

    While commending the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the Nigerian Armed Forces and volunteers for major gains recorded in Borno State, Zulum said he was deeply worried about the increasing presence of the ISWAP in some parts of the state, especially in Southern parts of Borno State.

    He said: “Borno State has started witnessing the gradual return of peace to the state. This will not be possible without the support of the Federal Government.

    According to him, the threat of ISWAP should not be taken for granted because of their sophistication in high intelligence.

    “ISWAP’s fighters are better armed, better equipped, more intelligent and more sophisticated than Boko Haram, and they grow spontaneously. Hence the need to pursue the ISWAP now,” he added.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume said they were at the Government House to commend Governor Zulum for the support he has been rendering to the Army towards restoring peace to the state and the country.

    In another development, Governor Zulum has sought the support of the United Nations (UN) agencies for the ongoing rehabilitation and resettlement programme of the state government.

    Zulum made the call on Wednesday while receiving the Acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Mathias Schmake who led a UN delegation on a courtesy call on the governor in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    “There are over 50,000 resettled farmers that returned to their recovered communities who are in need of support to pick up their lives once again.

    “We also need humanitarian support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in many camps outside Maiduguri.”

    The governor, who denied reports of IDPs being forced to vacate camps in Maiduguri, added that all resettlements were done in line with Kampala Convention.

    He pointed out that with the gradual return of peace, many displaced persons staying in Maiduguri camps and neighbouring countries were desperate to return to their ancestral homes.

    The Acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Mathias Schmake said they were in Borno State on a familiarisation visit to see how to build on the successes recorded in addressing the humanitarian situation in the state.

    Schmake said the UN would continue to complement government efforts in achieving what is best for the people, particularly in overcoming dependency on aids.

  • Benue Assembly confirms eight commissioner-nominees

    Benue Assembly confirms eight commissioner-nominees

    The Benue State House of Assembly yesterday confirmed eight commissioner-nominees sent to it by Governor Samuel Ortom.

    The screening and confirmation of the nominees followed a letter to the House by Ortom requesting it to confirm them.

    The nominees are Mr Kester Kyenge, Mr Jude Uungwa, Mr Williams Agbatar, Mr Michael Umoru, Mr Benjamin Agber, Mrs Jane Aja, Mr Sarwuan Tarnongo and Mr Teryima Nguher.

    The Speaker, Mr Titus Uba, said the nominees demonstrated competence with prior experience in governance to carry out their responsibilities.

    He urged them to work harder to justify their new appointments.

  • ‘Key into MLSCN lab accreditation programme’

    ‘Key into MLSCN lab accreditation programme’

    The Federal Government yesterday urged all federal tertiary hospitals, Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) and Federal Specialist Hospitals across the country to key into the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) accreditation programme in order to deliver accurate laboratory test results.

    It stressed that globally, accreditation and the delivery of accurate and reliable laboratory test results are the hallmarks of quality service. It, therefore, urged every Federal Tertiary hospital to get accredited in a few years’ time.

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, disclosed this in Abuja during the unveiling of MLSCN Accreditation Service as an Associate member of International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) and the presentation of a certificate of ISO 15189:2012 Accreditation to National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Saye–Zaria, Kaduna State.

    He said: “I urge all Federal Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centres and Federal Specialist Hospitals in the country to key into the MLSCN accreditation programme within the next couple of years in order to change the current narrative, as it has never been more imperative in the light of existential realities in the health sector.

    The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the MLSCN, Dr Tosan Erhabor, added: “It is pertinent to re-emphasise the relevance of accreditation as a means of demonstrating technical competence, hence it is quite imperative for more medical laboratory facilities to key into the accreditation process. In doing so, they should be mindful that MLSCN accreditation services are the first point of call for seeking accreditation in Nigeria.

  • Cleric cautions against improper burial

    Cleric cautions against improper burial

    Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese in Benue State Bishop William Avenya, has urged Tiv people to discard the culture of burying the dead in their compounds in order to curb some terminal illnesses such as cancer, tuberculosis and even HIV/AIDS.

    Instead, he advised his Tiv kinsmen to reserve some family lands in all their settlements for use as cemeteries, away from their sources of water, which are mostly shallow wells.

    Bishop Avenya gave the advice on Friday in a homily during the burial of the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Benue State University, Makurdi, Prof. Emeritus, Charles Vajime, held inside St. Augustine Rectory, Ge, Mbayem, near Lessel, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.

    According to him, there is a correlation between the widespread cases of terminal illnesses and sources of water, mostly shallow wells dug in the living steads where embalmed bodies are buried.

  • Plateau records one Lassa fever case

    Plateau records one Lassa fever case

    Plateau State Government yesterday said it has recorded one case of Lassa fever in Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Lar who disclosed this in Jos, advised residents to be conscious of their environments and hygiene as part of efforts to curb the resurgence of Lassa fever in the state.

    He warned against the purchase of food items that are often exposed to all forms of contamination.

    “I challenge residents to take the hygiene of their environment seriously.”

    Nimkong said the state government was prepared through the ministry of health to tackle any emergency and ensure that the epidemic does not spread,” he said.

    He urged the citizens to always abide by the protocols by washing their hands, maintaining social distances, and using hand sanitisers in public places.

  • Borno hailed over signing of Child Protection Bill

    Borno hailed over signing of Child Protection Bill

    Save the Children International (SCI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has hailed Borno State Government for signing the Child Protection Bill passed by the House of Assembly.

    The law, signed by Governor Babagana Zulum on January 1, 2022, seeks to protect children who continue to bear the brunt of the 12-year conflict in the region.

    According to the organisation, the law puts the state in the spotlight as the first-ever in the region to domesticate the Child Rights Act (CRA) aimed at improving and protecting children’s rights.

    Ibrahim Sunoma, Speaker, Borno State Children’s Parliament said: “The Borno State Children’s Parliament appreciates the  efforts of all stakeholders involved in the passage and domestication of the CRA.”

    Also, Girl Champion for Save the Children International (SCI), Borno, Madina Abdulkadir, said: “We the children of Borno State would like to show our sincere appreciation for passing the Child Protection Law.”

    The Country Director for Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, Mercy Gichuhi, said the passage of the law is a New Year gift to the children of Borno State.

    “Good governance is about listening to the voices of the most vulnerable – the children, who have been crying over the years for their lives to be protected.  This demonstrates the impact and effectiveness of child-led advocacies. SCI Nigeria will continue its collaboration and partnership in the implementation of this law,” the statement added.

  • Matawalle restates commitment to end banditry

    Matawalle restates commitment to end banditry

    Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has restated his commitment to rid the state of banditry, kidnapping and other criminalities.

    This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Jamilu Birnin-Magaji, yesterday in Gusau.

    According to the statement, Matawalle stated this while receiving the leadership of the Jama’atul Izalatul Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) led by its National President, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala-Lau.

    The delegation was in the state to sympathise with the governor on the recent bandit attacks in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas of the state.

    Matawalle confirmed that 58 people were killed by the suspected bandits during the attacks.

    While expressing delight with the visit, Matawalle said the state government had adopted proactive measures to end banditry and other criminal activities in the state.

    The governor, who visited the affected villages, assured the residents that security forces were trailing the bandits behind the killings.

    He said that the state government and security agencies had mapped out formidable plans to ensure that the killers were arrested and prosecuted.

    Matawalle urged JIBWIS leadership to embark on sensitisation activities (Da’awah) to preach peace and tranquillity as well as create awareness on the dangers of killing innocent souls.

    He said the state government had blocked all possible exit points of bandits fleeing the state.

    Bala-Lau said the delegation was in Zamfara to commiserate with the government and people  of the state over the bandits’ attacks in Anka and Bukkuyum.

  • Minister optimistic about Paris Agreement implementation

    Minister optimistic about Paris Agreement implementation

    The Federal Government disclosed yesterday that Nigeria’s 2050 Long-Term Low Emission Vision document is a demonstration of the country’s commitment to play a leading role in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

    Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, disclosed this during the formal publication of Nigeria’s Long-Term Vision (LTV) document by the Secretariat of the United Nation’s Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC).

    Again, a key part of the Paris Agreement was the invitation to Parties “to formulate and communicate by 2020 long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies.

    Ikeazor further explained that the 2050 Long-Term Vision for Nigeria (LTV 2050) is the initial step towards the development of the Long-Term Strategies (LTS) which explore options to lower GHG emissions and contribute to the objective of reaching net-zero GHG emissions globally around the middle of the century.

  • Adamawa Chief Judge inaugurates 31 magistrates

    Adamawa Chief Judge inaugurates 31 magistrates

    The Chief Judge of Adamawa State Justice Nathan Musa, yesterday, inaugurated 31 magistrates whose appointments were recently approved by the state government.

    During the inauguration, Musa urged them to maintain the high standards befitting their office.

    At the ceremony held in Yola, the state capital, the Chief Judge said those appointed were drawn from judiciary, public and private bar.

    “They are individuals who have proven themselves to be hardworking, efficient, reliable and worthy of this appointment.

    “You are expected to maintain the high standards befitting of your office.

    “It is pertinent to remind all of us of the adage ‘to who much is given, much is expected,’” the CJ said.

  • Bello inaugurates HPV screening centre

    Bello inaugurates HPV screening centre

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello has inaugurated the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Screening and Cervical Cancer Prevention Centre to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the state.

    The governor inaugurated the centre at the Jummai Babangida Maternal and Neo-Natal Hospital in Minna yesterday, with a mandate to screen 5,000 women as a pilot scheme in nine local government areas.

    The nine local government areas are Chanchaga, Paikoro, Bosso, Gbako, Borgu, Suleja, Kontagora, Lapai and Mokwa.

    Sani-Bello said the state was determined to reduce cases among girls and women, as well as meet the 90-70-90 World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Cancer Elimination Strategy.

    He added that “I have been briefed by the Commissioner for Health on the situation of the state on the prevalence of cancer.

    “I am glad to inform you that we have already set in motion, apparatus to remedy the situation, as well as meet the WHO target.”

    He assured that the government would work toward improving some of the negative health indices in the state, adding that health care delivery had witnessed significant changes under his administration.

    The governor praised the state’s Ministry of Health and partners, including WHO and RAISE Foundation for their efforts and contributions to better the health sector in the state.

    Dr Amina Bello, the wife of the governor and Founder of RAISE Foundation, said cervical cancer was a leading cause of death among women.

    She said: “Eighty per cent of cancer cases occur in low-and-middle-income countries. WHO is working globally toward the elimination of cervical cancer to achieve less than four new cases per 100,000 women at a time.”

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Muhammad Makusidi, said 15 trainers and 100 health care workers from primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities across the state had been trained on cervical cancer prevention services.