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Over 500,000 people to benefit from new humanitarian package in Northeast

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UN Says 1.74 million children in North East at risk of Malnutrition 

Over 500,000 people to benefit from new humanitarian package in Northeast

By: James Bwala

German Government, WFP, UNICEF has launched €40m resilience and essential services support in north-east Nigeria. This was to support over 500,000 conflict-affected people in the northeast by enhancing peace, increasing livelihood opportunities and providing education, health, nutrition, child protection, and sanitation support to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations in Borno and Yobe States.

A statement from UN Agency made available to NEWSng on Thursday said children 0-23 months, pregnant women, school-age children, adolescent girls, female-headed households, and people with disability will be targeted under the Resilience and Social Cohesion project to be implemented for three years by the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF.

“The multi-year project will leverage ongoing humanitarian support in Bade Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State and Shani LGA of Borno State, while also providing multisectoral interventions to address drivers of conflict and fragility. The project will support the strengthening of local governance structures to promote social cohesion through community-based processes and the capacity building of Government partners.” The statement said.

It further stated that now in its thirteenth year, armed conflict in north-east Nigeria has levelled communities, destroyed livelihoods, and disrupted essential services for children and adults. Protracted insecurity, high food prices and COVID-19 lockdowns have put more than 4 million people in need of food assistance. The situation is further exacerbated by a severe impact of violence and unrest on family income, mental health, nutrition, education and other child protection concerns. Across the region, 1.14 million children are acutely malnourished at a scale not seen since 2018.

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“This is a pathway to peace and sustainable development,’’ said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “Children and other vulnerable groups will have a lifeline and an opportunity to survive and thrive in communities where livelihood and peace building activities are present’’.

“Conflict in any region is potential instability in the rest of the world. UNICEF is grateful to the German Government for supporting pathways to child survival and peace in north-east Nigeria,’’ said Peter Hawkins.

The Resilience and Social Cohesion programme will contribute to seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of poverty eradication, zero hunger, access to quality education, gender equality, good health and wellbeing, climate action, peace, justice and strong institutions as well as partnership for goals.

The new programme which will focus on peace building, governance capacity strengthening, sustainable livelihood creation, restoration of infrastructures, and provision of life-saving services to 156,888 direct beneficiaries and 362,307 indirect beneficiaries in both LGAs.

“WFP welcomes this timely and generous support from the Government and people of Germany. This project will support people and communities facing the peril of conflict and hunger in northeast Nigeria, especially in Borno and Yobe states,” said Ms. Simone Parchment, Deputy Country Director and Officer in Charge, the World Food Programme Country Office, Nigeria.

“In these affected states, persistent conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and reduced household purchasing power undermine people’s ability to feed themselves and sustain their livelihoods. This contribution from the Government of Germany will go a long way in building resilience, social cohesion and peace in the affected communities”.

Over 500,000 people to benefit from new humanitarian package in Northeast

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Alliance, a rescue mission, not for power-grabbing – Gombe coalition

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Alliance, a rescue mission, not for power-grabbing – Gombe coalition

A coalition of opposition parties in Gombe State has formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Unveiling the platform in Gombe on Tuesday, Mr Idris Umar, a former Minister of Transportation and leader of the coalition in the state, said that the coalition’s aim was to rescue Nigerians and residents of Gombe State from “APC-induced hardship and pain.”
Umar said the coalition was not created to grab power, but to promote good governance and improve residents’ standard of living in Gombe State.

He explained that members of various opposition parties aligned with a national coalition to adopt ADC as a platform for the 2027 elections.

“We are unveiling this partnership in Gombe, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to put Nigeria first,” Umar said.
He noted that the journey took 18 months of dialogue with political stakeholders, leading to ADC being chosen as the preferred platform.

“We are determined to recruit new members and work closely with ADC leadership in Gombe to ensure the party’s success,” he added.

Umar said the coalition had been tasked with expanding membership to help unseat APC in Gombe and across Nigeria.
A committee chaired by former Gombe deputy governor, Mr John Yoriyo, assisted by Shehu Adamu-Fura, was formed to drive registration.

“We will strengthen the party and open our doors to more members ready to rescue Gombe and Nigeria from present challenges,” Umar stated.

He emphasised the role of opposition in democracy, saying without it, national progress would be impossible.
Umar, a former Senator for Gombe Central, said coalition efforts are key to lifting Nigerians from poverty and securing a brighter future.

“Our focus is to move Nigeria forward, ease citizens’ lives, raise living standards and restore national security,” he said.
He urged youths to shun violence and thuggery, stressing the coalition promotes peace and democratic advancement.

In his address, state party chairman Auwal Barde praised members and urged unity to ensure ADC’s success in Gombe come 2027.

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Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

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Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), on Monday, called for urgent global action to tackle plastic pollution causing environmental crisis.

APWEN, under its “STEM for All” initiative, North-East zone, made the call, while commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day in Gombe.

Speaking virtually, President of APWEN, Engr. Adebisi Osim, said it is imperative to encourage recycling of plastics, as part of measures to reduce pollution.

Osim noted that the amount of plastics manufactured annually for use had made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.

“Today’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution” is not just a catchy phrase, It is a wake-up call; a global one and we are answering that call, not with panic, but with STEM-driven solutions and people-centered action.

“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, and over two-thirds of that becomes waste.

“Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent is recycled, and the rest clogs our drains, litters our streets, chokes our rivers, and poisons marine life.

“Here in Nigeria, the World Bank estimates that Lagos alone generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, and 15 per cent of that is plastic.

“We see it daily in pure water sachets lining our gutters, single-use bags littering markets, and microplastics infiltrating our food chains,” she said
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Osim called on stakeholders to invest more in recycling the plastics towards reducing the need for new plastic production, which will in turn lower greenhouse gas emission.

She assured that state chapters are collaborating with young people, to design plastic alternatives, using local materials, and to build waste-sorting systems using simple robotics.

Osim added that the chapters will also explore the conduct of STEM fairs, which are focused on sustainable innovation.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Gombe chapter of APWEN, Engr. Deborah Danladi, urged stakeholders to invest in plastic waste recycling, to save the environment, as well as create jobs and wealth for youths.

Danladi also underscored the need for more action and sensitisation to ensure collective approach to addressing the menace of plastic pollution.

Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

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Three Fulani women abducted by gunmen in Kwara

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Three Fulani women abducted by gunmen in Kwara

By: Zagazola Makama

Atleast three Fulani women were abducted by armed hoodlums who attacked Awi village, a Fulani/Hausa camp near Omu-Aran, under sporadic gunfire.

Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on June 29 at about 1:00 a.m. and was reported later that morning by one Danbare Sarki Fulani, a community leader.

The victims were identified as: Halimi Kadiri, Gaaje Yusuf, and a nursing mother Maria Isah. All the victims are said to be of Fulani Bororo origin.

Upon receipt of the report at about 10:00 a.m., a team security operatives and members of the local vigilante group was immediately mobilised to the scene and began combing the nearby forests,” the statement said.

Additionally, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) team attached to Omu-Aran, alongside neighbouring Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and local vigilantes, have launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation aimed at locating the victims and apprehending the perpetrators.

Police sources confirmed that investigation is ongoing and assured the public of continued efforts to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted women and restoration of peace in the area.

Three Fulani women abducted by gunmen in Kwara

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