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Tag: borno

  • Borno not owing salaries – Isa Gusau

    Borno not owing salaries – Isa Gusau

    Reports that Borno State is among states owing workers’ salaries after collecting the Paris Fund Refunds from the Federal Government is false, according to the Spokesman of Borno State Governor, Isa Gusau who is also Gov. Shettima’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy.

    Mr. Gusau who was reacting to inquiries from our correspondent on the salary issues in a text message said, “In Borno state, the Government has never owed the salaries of workers, I don’t know where that report came from”.

    Also collaborating the position of Mr. Gusau, Borno State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Titus Abbana told our correspondent that the state is up to date with her salary commitment to workers in the state, adding that, “even the last salary was paid before the sallah celebration to enable muslims civil servant in the state to make purchases instead of borrowing to paid later.

    Comrade Abbana also informed that the government of Borno State has even paid the salaries of revenue generation parastals like Borno State Board of Internal Revenue, International Hotel, Borno State Hotel who have been unable to generate revenue and pay their as a result of the Boko Haram crisis.

    Comrade Abbana who commended Borno State Government for the feat however express concern over the slow pace of the biometric exercise which according to him has caused too much sufferings especially for the pensioners in the state.

    He therefore called on government to speed up the process by employing more hands and competent people that will carry out the exercise in good time. He added that the completion of the exercise will be beneficial for both government and the workers as no one would be short-changed.

    The Borno NLC Leaders also called on the state government to settle the outstanding gratuity of workers that have retired from the state civil service to enable them quickly pick up their lives.

  • Borno farmers hopeful of bumper harvest

    Borno farmers hopeful of bumper harvest

    Some farmers in Borno have expressed optimism of recording bumper harvests in the 2017 cropping season.

    They also commended the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for supporting displaced farmers to return to their farms.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that thousands of displaced farmers supported by FAO cultivated their farmlands in Maiduguri and other liberated communities.

    FAO in collaboration with implementing partners distributed seeds and fertilisers to more than one million farmers this cropping season in the North East.

    A cross section of the farmers told NAN in Borno (Maiduguri) and Jere Local Government Areas that they were happy and were anticipating bumper harvest this season.

    Mr Markus Bitrus, a farmer, said he was anticipating bumper harvest this year in view of the support from FAO and favourable weather condition.

    Bitrus said that he cultivated millet, groundnut, sesame seed and vegetables in his farms at Dubai-Maisumari area of Maiduguri.

    He added that he received seeds and fertiliser from FAO, which enabled him to cultivate his farms without difficulties.

    “I am happy and hope to get bountiful harvest. I returned to the farm after it was abandoned for many years due to the insurgency.

    “My village is deserted and I got bored staying idle. FAO and its partners supported and distributed seeds and fertilisers to us.

    “The gesture was to enable us to feed our families and engage in productive activities,” Bitrus said.

    Ms Alheri Ishiaya, a maize grower, said that she planted maize, millet and vegetables with the support from FAO.

    Alheri, a mother of nine, said she worked on the farm together with her children.

    “I also got the land with the support of a humanitarian organisation. I am happy and doing well,” Alheri said.

    Another farmer, Mrs Hansatu Dodo, said that she cultivated vegetables on her farm, noting that she no longer go to the market to buy vegetables anymore.

    Dodo added that she engaged her children to manage the farm, adding that the plants are doing well and hoping to get high yields at harvest.

    Another farmer, Malam Modu Audu, said that he was preparing to harvest his crops at a farm in Maiduguri in few weeks to come.

    Also, Mr Emmanuel Osomeka, the Country Director, Social Welfare Network, a client of the FAO, said the organisation had supported 5,000 displaced farmers in Gwoza, Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas of Borno state.

    Osomeka disclosed that farmers were provided with improved seeds and fertilisers, while extension workers were deployed to assist and train them on fertiliser application as well as modern farming techniques.

    He explained that 65 per cent of the beneficiaries were women, 25 per cent youths and 10 per cent male.

    “We accorded priority to women, youths and the vulnerable. The programme is designed to address food security challenges and provide sustainable means of livelihoods to displaced farmers.

    “This is part of a comprehensive humanitarian effort to encourage displaced families to feed themselves and earn a living through agriculture,” he said.

    According to him, the organisation has adopted effective monitoring and coordination of farm activities during the current cropping season to enable farmers to get higher yields during harvest.

    Osomeka also commended the military for securing farmlands and protecting farmers in liberated communities.

    Statistics from United Nations showed that about 140,000 households, representing more than one million displaced farmers, benefited from the FAO support programmes, he said.

  • Borno records cholera deaths, 530 suspected cases

    Borno records cholera deaths, 530 suspected cases

    Cholera has claimed no fewer than 23 deaths and 530 suspected cases in Borno, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday.

    The UN agency added in a statement that a cholera outbreak was first reported by the state’s Ministry of Health, adding that the first case was recorded on Aug. 16, 2017.

    “Over 530 suspected cases had been registered in Borno state as of Sept. 5, 2017, including 23 deaths (4.3 per cent fatality rate).

    “The outbreak is mainly in Muna Garage, a camp hosting at least 20,000 internally displaced persons on the outskirts of the state capital, Maiduguri.

    “Although most cases have been identified in Muna Garage camp, others have been identified in Custom House, Ruwan Zafi and Bolori II, all camps located near Muna Garage.

    “There have also been reports of a suspected cholera outbreak in Monguno and Dikwa Local Government Areas, northeast and east of Maiduguri, respectively,” OCHA said.

    The latest figures suggested a 4.3 per cent fatality rate – well above the one per cent rate that the World Health Organization rates as an emergency.

    The short incubation period of two hours to five days means the disease could spread with explosive speed.

    However, the State Ministry of Health, the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency and humanitarian organisations, including UN agencies, are responding to the outbreak, OCHA said.

    The UN agency added that an Emergency Operational Centre had been set up to manage the response.

    The state’s Ministry of Health has established one 30-bed Cholera Treatment Centre with the support of humanitarian partners in Muna Garage camp.

    OCHA said two Oral Rehydration Points had been set up in Muna Garage while health organisations were also carrying out risk communications, including making regular and frequent visits to households to encourage individuals with cholera-like symptoms to be screened.

    “By communicating at household level in this way, health partners have visited more than 1,300 households which resulted in the identification of 53 suspected cases of cholera.

    “Hygiene promoters have carried out door to door hygiene sensitization and have distributed chlorination tablets.

    “In addition, special interventions are being undertaken to prevent spread of cholera in the markets where people buy food.

    “Humanitarian organisations have also repaired water points, distributed hygiene kits, carried out the water chlorination of water points and pumping units, and completed disinfection spraying of shelters and latrines,” the office said.

    OCHA stated that additional activities included soap distribution, and testing for Free Residual Chlorine at household level, while humanitarian organisations are working to dislodge latrines and repair damaged toilets as part of sanitation efforts.

    OCHA said in Dikwa, about 80 kilometres from Maiduguri, there were also suspicions of a cholera outbreak.

    “A total of 103 suspected cholera cases (including 17 confirmed through the rapid cholera screening test) had been reported in Dikwa’s General Hospital, Borno State as of Sept. 5, 2017.

    “Although an outbreak has not yet been declared officially, humanitarian partners have started taking the appropriate actions.

    The UN agency said a Cholera Treatment Centre had been set up in the hospital while an Oral Rehydration Point would be set up in coming days.

    OCHA said humanitarian partners were working to dislodge latrines, drain flooded locations in the area, distribute aqua tabs and chlorinate water sources, latrines and other infection-prone sites in the area.

  • Army kill two Shekau’s deputies on Sallah

    Army kill two Shekau’s deputies on Sallah

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said that two Boko Haram commanders were killed in a successful military operation at Alafa in Borno on Sallah day.

    Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen Sani Usman, said in a statement that the commanders who were killed in the onslaught were deputies to Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau.

    The Boko Haram commanders were Afdu Kawuri and Abubakar Banishek.

    “This is in addition to Ba’Abba Ibrahim and two other Boko Haram commanders that died after sustaining injuries during their last ambush at Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno,” he added.

    Five other key leaders of the group and close associates of Shekau were neutralised in joint bombardment in August.

    Usman described Shekau’s latest video in which he taunted the army as an act of desperation and lies by remnants of the insurgents to instil unnecessary fear in law abiding citizens.

    In the video, the group denied the killing of its five key commanders and claimed it had wonderful Sallah celebration in the Sambisa forest.

    “We wish to challenge the so-called terrorist leader to produce the five key commanders earlier killed or the video of those Ameers he claimed not dead and are still with him.

    “It is also instructive to note that Shekau is scared and rattled by the 40-day ultimatum issued by the Chief of Army Staff to Operation LAFIYA DOLE to fish him out,’’ Usman said.

  • Cholera: NCDC sends response team to Borno

    Cholera: NCDC sends response team to Borno

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) has deployed a team to support the Borno Ministry of Health to contain a cholera outbreak in some parts of  the state.

    The Chief  Executive Officer of  NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Ihekweazu said that following investigations led by the Borno State Ministry of Health with support from the WHO and other partner agencies,  cholera was confirmed by NCDC’s Central Public Health Laboratory in Lagos.

    According to him, the disease is currently affecting six areas in the state with Muna Garage IDP Camp  on the outskirts of the state capital,  Maiduguri,  worst affected.

    He added that the NCDC in collaboration with other partners and humanitarian agencies were working closely to support the state government in curtailing the spread of the outbreak.

    Ihekweazu said that NCDC had deployed a Rapid Response Team to support the State Ministry of Health in coordination, contact identification, tracing and laboratory investigation as well as case management.

    He said that public health measures have been initiated  which include the establishment of a Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) in the affected camp and surrounding areas.

    Ihekweazu also said that strengthening access to water, sanitation and hygiene were other measures taken to curb the spread of the disease, adding that partners were working together to conduct a cholera vaccination of the state.

    The CEO said that risk communications activities, using both conventional media and door-to-door enlightenment, had  been reinforced.

    He said that 319 suspected cases and 20 deaths had been reported in the state as at Saturday.

    “Cholera is a disease that causes acute watery diarrhea in children and adults.

    “While Cholera is endemic in Nigeria, we find an  increase in the number of cases during the rainy season.

    “The disease is most often spread by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated and is more common in areas with overcrowding as well as  poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

    “Cholera is characterised by sudden onset of severe acute watery diarrhea which can lead to death as a result of dehydration,’’ he said.

    Ihekweazu said that other symptoms of cholera include nausea, vomiting and weakness.

    He, therefore,  urged members of the public to report all sick persons with these signs or symptoms to a health care facility immediately for early initiation of treatment.

    The official also advised health care workers to strongly practise universal care precautions while handling patients at all times.

    “The NCDC urges all states to report cases of cholera immediately, while improving on the timeliness of their reporting generally to prevent widespread outbreaks,’’  Ihekweazu added.

  • Cholera kills seven, 200 admitted in Borno

    Cholera kills seven, 200 admitted in Borno

    Medicine San Frontières (MSF) has recorded seven deaths since the outbreak of Cholera in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
    MSF Medical Coordinator Anna Cillers while giving the update of the situation to joirnalissts in Maiduguri informed that over 50 patients were received  at MSF’s Cholera Treatment Unit at Dala.
    Dr. Cillers added that “the  total number of patients admitted from the start of the outbreak till now is over 200 with 100 discharges and7 deaths”.
    MSF on Wednesday reported many scale up measures  as part of efforts to prevent further deaths and the spread of cholera in Maiduguri.
    It  said that it was  working in coordination with the Borno State Ministry of Health (MoH) and other organisations that are responding to the outbreak in the city.
    The statemental disclosed that MSF has established a 40 bed Cholera Treatment Unit (CTU) in Dala, which as at then admitted 70 patients.
     The organisation had also set up an Oral Rehydration Point (ORP) in Muna camp and has a team of 14 Community Health Workers (CHW) who are helping to find new cases and trace community members who may have come into contact with affected patients.

    The statement said  majority of cholera patients come from Muna Garage IDP  camp.

    “MSF has rapidly been responding to the cholera outbreak in Maiduguri. We set up a Cholera Treatment Unit in Dala earlier this year in anticipation of a potential outbreak. Since last weekend, we have witnessed a steady increase in the number of patients at our treatment centre and at the rehydration point in Muna camp,” said Anne-Cecile Niard, MSF Project Coordinator.
     She added, “We are in the process of expanding the capacity of our treatment centre in Dala to 50 beds and are exploring the possibility of opening another treatment centre close to the most affected areas. We are worried that the number of beds that are currently planned will not be enough to cope at the peak of the outbreak.

    “With early diagnosis and treatment, people have a very good chance of survival; already 37 patients have been discharged from our treatment centre in Dala,” said Anna Cillers, MSF Medical Coordinator.

     “If people are worried that they have cholera, they should drink oral rehydration solution and seek treatment as quickly as possible. However, to contain the spread of cholera in Maiduguri, the need for a coordinated response from state health authorities and the other responders to this outbreak cannot be overstated.”
  • Shettima pleads with Borno people over vehicular restriction

    Shettima pleads with Borno people over vehicular restriction

    Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Friday apologised to residents in the state for the vehicular restriction on Eid day in Maiduguri metropolis.

    Shettima gave the apology in Maiduguri through a statement issued by Malam Isa Gusau, his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy.

    The governor also called for renewed prayers to end insurgency, facilitate rebuilding and safe re-settlement of people displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.

    “I understand and share the pains of the restriction of vehicular movement on Borno citizens, particularly the elderly, children and women who have to trek to the Eid grounds from their distant homes.

    “Vehicular restriction is imposed as part of security measures to prevent any breach that could cause harm on the citizenry.”

    He said that festivities were meant for celebrations and was painful when State Security Council imposed ban which subjected citizens to some forms of difficulties.

    “Vehicular restrictions are normally imposed as last option after members of the State Security Council exhausted consideration of all other alternatives available to them,” Shettima explained.

    The governor, currently in Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj, expressed deep concern over the troubles the elderly citizens, women and children encountered in trekking long distances to worship.

    Shettima said that he appreciated the efforts of the military, police, members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), vigilance groups and hunters to put an end insurgency in the state.

    He said that the security operatives under President Muhammadu Buhari  had remained gallant and dedicated in their determination to improve on the security situation in the state.

    The governor expressed optimism that subsequent festivities would not require measures that would subject citizens to difficulties.

    He also commended the residents for their tolerance, understanding, courage and support to government’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The governor called on the people to support government and security agencies in the counter-insurgency campaign to usher in a new era of enduring peace, social and economic prosperity.

    He urged the people to sustain their empathy and support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    He advised them to remain steadfast in prayers for the success of the ongoing rehabilitation of communities and restoration of means of livelihood to communities ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Shettima also called on displaced persons to support and be hospitable to humanitarian workers providing services at IDPs camps and liberated communities.

    “Humanitarian workers are in Borno to help those in need of food, medical attention, shelter and livelihoods in order to share the responsibilities of the Federal and state governments in Nigeria.

    “The activities of the humanitarian aid workers are funded by donors who parted with scarce resources after concerted advocacies by humanitarian stakeholders including the United Nations (UN), Nigerian Government, foreign donor countries and the state government.

    “While recognising and understanding the trauma faced by displaced persons and challenges of meeting their basic needs, the recent misbehaviour towards humanitarian workers in one of the IDP camps in the state was uncalled for’’.

    The governor warned that such unruly behaviour would not be allowed to repeat itself, noting that interventions of government and humanitarian agencies should be regarded as deserved privileges which should be reciprocated with cooperation and mutual respect by displaced persons.

    Shettima reiterated his administration commitments to the reconstruction and rehabilitation programme to fast track safe re-settlement of displaced persons and provide means of livelihood to enable them to engage in productive activities.

  • Sallah: Borrno, Yobe Police restrict movement 

    Sallah: Borrno, Yobe Police restrict movement 

    The police in Borno and Yobe States have placed restrictions on movements of people and vehicles during the Sallah eid prayers in the state.

    The measure is part of security reorganizations to ensure hitch free celebrations in the security challenged states.

    The Yobe State Police Commissioner Sumonu Abdulmaliki told our correspondent on phone that all vehicular and human movement in the state will be restricted from 10.00pm of Thursday 31/08/2017 to 11.00am of Friday 01/09/2017 on Sallah day.

    CP Abdulmaliki disclosed that all security measures to ensure the safety of worshippers at the various Eid ground within the metropolis and the entire state have been put in place.

    He disclosed that the decision was taken at a state security meeting under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Malam Wali.

    In Borno State, the movement of people including vehicles and  animals  in any form, either on tricycles, bicycle will seize on the day of Sallah.

    In a statement signed by the police Public Relations Officer Victor Isuku said, “There will be restriction of vehicular movement on the day of Eid prayers, 01/09/2017.

    “The restrictions though regretted will include vehicular, human tricycles bicycle and animals except those on essential duties,” the statement said.

    The statement further advised Muslim fateful to ensure that they find the nearest praying ground in their vicinity and go early to undergo security checks before gaining entrance into the praying ground.

    “Muslim fateful are advised to pray at their prayer grounds close to their homes and ensure they go early enough for security screening. And to avoid rush when prayers are about to Commence thereby compromising the placed security measures,” the state advised.

    It also added that, “Parents who go to prayer ground with their children are advised to watch and take proper care of their children so to avert incidences of missing children. In addition, youths are are advised not to carry with them any dangerous Eason like knives to prayer grounds and recreational centers like zoos. An body found with such dangerous weapons will be treated as a common criminal and prosecuted”.

  • Eid celebration: Ram dealers laments low sale in Borno

    Eid celebration: Ram dealers laments low sale in Borno

    Less than six days to Eid-el-Kabir celebration, ram dealers in Maiduguri are lamenting low patronage by customers.

    Eid-el-Kabir celebration is marked on the 10th day of the 12th month of Islamic calendar known as Zul-Hajj and entailed the sacrificing of rams by Muslims.

    A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Kasuwar Shanu and other sales outlets indicated that ram prices had shot up by about 50 per cent in the past one year.

    An average bull was sold at N120,000 as against N80,000 last year, while a thorough-bred bull attracts as much as N200,000 as against its old price of N150,000.

    A medium size ram was sold at N30,000 as against its previous price of N15,000, while a well bred ram sold for between N60,000 and N100,000.

    The price of sheep and goats also indicated similar hikes as it was sold at N20,000 and N15,000 as against its previous price of N15,000 and N10,000 respectively.

    Some of the dealers, who spoke to NAN, attributed the situation to low supply of animals in the area.

    Alhaji Hassan Adamu, a cattle dealer, said they were recording low sales due to hike in prices because the demand surpassed the supply.

    “Cattle, sheep and goats are imported from Chad and Niger Republics.

    “Traders from other places are no longer coming to Maiduguri due to Boko Haram insurgency. The ban imposed on cattle movement also pushed up prices,” he said.

    Commenting, Ba-Aji Musa, the Chairman of Livestock Dealers Association of Maiduguri, said that the Boko Haram insurgency had paralyzed livestock trade in Borno.

    Musa noted that all the supply routes and major cattle markets were attacked by the insurgents in the last six years.

    “The cattle markets in Banki, Mongonu, Kirniwa and Gwom were closed down due to insurgency.

    “Animals are no longer supplied to Maiduguri from neighbouring countries.

    ‘’Cattle transportation is banned along Kano, Monguno and Damboa roads, the only supply route is by foot from nearby villages,” he said.

    According to him, more than 30 trucks with an estimated 10,000 cattle were transported from Maiduguri to other part of the country on daily basis before the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The chairman called on the government to expand the scope of agriculture support programme to livestock farmers to encourage growth.

    Also, Buba Audu, a resident, said the hike in prices was a source of concern to them, as most families could not afford exorbitant prices.

    Audu called on traders to reduce prices to enable Muslim families slaughter ram and celebrate the season in a happy mood.

  • NEMA distributes 7,000 tonnes of food items to IDPs in Borno – Official

    NEMA distributes 7,000 tonnes of food items to IDPs in Borno – Official

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it distributed over 7,000 metric tonnes of assorted food items to persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno in the past two months.

    Mr E. Umesi, the NEMA Coordinator of Emergency Food Intervention for the Northeast, made the disclosure on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Umesi said that the agency distributed the food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri and other liberated communities.

    According to Umesi, “We went to do enumeration of liberated areas; we have virtually done that everywhere, even in areas where people find it difficult to live we went there.

    “We have gone to Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Benishiek and Jekana.

    “Last week, we were at Biu and Hawul Local Government Areas, where we distributed food items in Biu, Kimba, Kwaja, Kwajafa, Shafa.

    “We were able to distribute food items in 10 of the liberated communities; so far we have distributed over 200 trucks”.

    He explained that the intervention had allocated about 15,000 tonnes of food items to Borno, adding that NEMA has registered over 1.8 million displaced persons in the state.