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Nigeria: There have been around 350,000 direct and indirect deaths linked to the insurgency – Ojukwu

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Nigeria: There have been around 350,000 direct and indirect deaths linked to the insurgency - Ojukwu

Nigeria: There have been around 350,000 direct and indirect deaths linked to the insurgency – Ojukwu

By Babagana Wakil

The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu SAN, has observed that the decade long Boko Haram insurgency has seen some of the worst forms of human rights violations in the history of Nigeria.

Mr. Tony Ojukwu made the observation at the Traditional/Religious Leaders Forum on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in North East Nigeria, which held in Maiduguri the Borno state capital on Monday.

He said for the people in the north-eastern part of Nigeria, this conflict has brought untold physical, emotional and psychological losses on the victims and their families.

“UNDP in a recent report estimates that there have been around 350,000 direct and indirect deaths linked to the insurgency. ” He said

Mr. Tony said, added to this is the over 2 million displaced people in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. “The set back to the economic and social development of the North-eastern states and Nigeria can never be over-quantified in terms of financial and human resources.”

He said the Commission appreciates the sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the commitments of the Governments and citizens of the north-eastern states towards reconstruction, rehabilitation and reintegration of affected communities.

“Distinguished guests, ending the insurgency will require both military and non-military approaches. Indeed, the path to reconciliation, reintegration and reconstruction will only be sustained in an atmosphere of peace, and community process of transitional, restitutive and restorative justice.

“In this regard, it is the view of the Commission that the efforts of both the federal and state governments at deradicalizing Boko Haram insurgents and reintegrating them to communities should be followed with a process of formal and non-formal community-led transitional and restitutive justice anchored on human rights and social inclusion.

“The concept of a Traditional and Religious Leaders Forum on transitional justice and reconciliation has been framed along these lines.

“Honourable Commissoners, Your Royal Highnesses and distinguished guests, the role of traditional and religious institutions in shaping community perceptions and facilitating social cohesion can never be over-emphasised. In many of our communities across Nigeria, traditional and religious leaders are the centrepiece of our civilisation, facilitating and shaping education and socialisation from cradle to grave. In North-Eastern Nigeria, traditional and religious institutions whose roles in advancing social and economic development dating more than five centuries have been recognised.

“It is therefore based on these foundations that the National Human Rights Commission is working with traditional and religious institutions across project states and communities to use their platforms to advocate for peace, reconciliation and justice. We are privileged to be working with some of the most passionate community actors in the region. We are honoured today to be having in our midst, the District Heads of the 7 project communities. It is our hope that working with the Governments of the 3 project states and indeed the region, we can begin an annual convening of this Forum to continue to advocate for the roles of traditional and religious institutions in peace building and social justice.

“As I have often emphasised in various occasions under this project, the path to reconciliation and forgiveness is long and rough. We will be dealing with decade long wounds, grievances and the lust for revenge. We need our traditional and religious leaders and institutions to be champions of the twin concepts of reconciliation and justice. We remain convinced that reconciliation is far cheaper to both the victim and the society than military or formal judicial process.

“Permit me ladies and gentlemen to welcome in a special way, our keynote speaker for this forum, Professor Umara Ibrahim Gudumbali, of the Department of Political Science, University of Maiduguri, who is a distinguished scholar in the fields which have brought us together today.

“On a final note, I want to thank the Governments of the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe for their partnership in this project and for the leadership and resilience they have all shown in tacking these security and development challenges. You have a partner in the National Human Rights Commission, and we pledge our mandate and resources to continuously work with you in addressing these challenges.”

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Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume

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Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume

By Ndahi Marama

Borno South Senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume has posit that the re-election of Reverend Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo as National President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) will serve as an avenue to unite members of the Christian community and other faithfuls in Nigeria.

Reverend Mohzo, a cousin brother to Ndume who hails from Ngoshe- Sama, a remote village in Gwoza local government area of Borno state, became the first non -indigenous and committed Man of God to clinch such a position for the first and second tenure, which is usually occupied by people of Plateau indigenes.

Recall that COCIN was established since 1904 in Wase community, Jos, the Plateau state capital.

Senator Ndume, having come from both muslim and Christian family, described the victory not only to the good people of Gwoza and Borno state, but the entire country.

In a press statement signed by Senator Ndume on Sunday, a copy which was made available to our Correspondent in Maiduguri, congratulated members of COCIN in Nigeria and those in diaspora, for giving Reverend Mohzo a second chance irrespective of where he hails from.

“The re-election of Reverend Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo as National President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) will serve as an avenue to unite members of the Christian community and other faithfuls in Nigeria.

“It will interest you to know that Rev. Mohzo is my Cousin brother who hails from Gwoza local government area of Borno state.

“Therefore, myself having come from both muslim and Christian family, I described the victory not only to the good people of Gwoza and Borno state, but the entire country.

“This is because, the National President is somebody I know with integrity, honesty, and an unquestionable character.

He is a man of deep humility, unshakable faith, and steadfast dedication to the service of God and humanity, which i believe, was the reason he was given the second chance to lead the noble Church.

“Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate all members of COCIN in Nigeria and those in diaspora, for giving Reverend Mohzo a second chance irrespective of where he hails from”. Senator Ndume said.

The Lawmaker prayed for God’s wisdom and guidance for the newly re-elected President.

Rev Dr Amos Musa Mohzo, born on 13th November, 1964 is from a humble background before his ascension to this exalted position.

Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume

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Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua

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Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua

By: Yahaya Wakili

Pending the recommendations of the research being conducted by Bio-RTC in addressing the problem of Chronic Kidney failure in the state. The Yobe state government will establish additional succor to kidney patients with a Renal Dialysis Center in Gashua, the headquarters of the Bade local government area.

Yobe State Governor Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, disclosed this in his 2026 budget proposal speech of #515.583 billion submitted to the Yobe State House of Assembly in Damaturu.

Governor Buni said the government will also construct a new general hospital in Potiskum to address the problem of overcrowding of patients at the specialist hospital.

According to him, the government will also intend to complete the rehabilitation and upgrade of the 36 remaining primary health care centers across the state in fulfillment of our campaign promise to provide one functional primary healthcare center in each of the 178 political wards.

He further said in the fiscal year, the government will embark on the provision of at least one model primary school in each of the 178 electoral wards in the state to improve basic education in the state.

He maintained that the modern markets in Geidam, Buni Yadi, Ngalda, Yunusari, and Machina will be completed and commissioned, adding that these markets will not only improve the commercial activities in the state but will further provide job opportunities to our teeming youths and increase the income of our people.

Governor Buni revealed that funds would be made available for the provision of power substations in 6 major towns of the state. In addition to the provision of solar-powered streetlights, 250 KVA, 500 KVA, and 800 KVA diesel soundproof generator sets would be distributed to government agencies across the state.

Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua

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Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations

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Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations

By: Michael Mike

Angola and Nigeria have expressed readiness to strengthen their bilateral relations as well as be at the forefront of regional multilateral cooperation.

This was disclosed at the weekend at the Angola’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Abuja.

The event with themed: “Pieces of Angola’s History Told by the Protagonists,” brought together diplomats, scholars, business leaders, and veterans to celebrate half a century of independence and friendship between Angola and Nigeria.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relationships with Angola.

Tuggar, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director/Head Southern African Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Nonyelum Afoekelu,, said the 49 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Angola had witnessed tremendous achievements.

He added that: “There is no doubt that there is room for more collaboration in these new areas identified by both countries during the Joint Commission.

“I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s unrelenting commitment to deepening the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria-Angola for the mutual benefit of both countries.”

In his remarks, Angola Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, Niger, and ECOWAS, José Bamaquina Zau, said his country is looking particularly in the area of trade, security, and cultural exchange.

The envoy said both nations are working on 29 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, including visa exemptions and business partnerships to boost commerce between Luanda and Lagos.

“We are committed to ensuring that investors from both countries can move freely and build lasting prosperity,” he added.

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Zau praised the long-standing brotherhood and mutual respect between Angola and Nigeria, describing the relationship as one founded on solidarity, shared struggles, and a deep sense of African unity.

He specifically commended and awarded the Nigerian generals, now retired, who actively participated in the United Nations Observation Missions for the peace process and monitoring of the unification of the Angolan Armed Forces.

They include Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Maj. Gen. Chris Garuba, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, and Brig. Gen. Buba Saleh.

He said: “The awards are symbolic recognition and gratitude for their selfless contributions to the process of political emancipation and the achievement of lasting peace in Angola.

“The conferment of the awards today is an expression of profound gratitude from Angolan people to Nigerians, for the sacrifice made in voluntarily supporting the cause of freedom and independence in Angola.

“After our independence, on November 11, 1975, the Republic of Angola plunged into an unprecedented civil and proxy war that lasted for almost 27 years.

“The result was dramatic; thousands of citizens killed and maimed; the country was completely surrounded by 15 million landmines and around 5 million internally displaced citizens overcrowding the coastal cities.

“More than 100 thousand children separated from their families: around 70 per cent of the population deprived of access to health care.”

He noted that: “Nigeria has always stood by Angola in times of conflict, in peacebuilding, and in our continued development journey. Our friendship is historic and unshakable.”

He also acknowledged his predecessor, Ambassador Eustaquio Januario Quibato, for laying the groundwork for closer diplomatic and cultural ties between both nations, while reaffirming Angola’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria in trade, investment, security, and regional integration.

Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations

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