News
US CDC hosts event in Abuja
US CDC hosts event in Abuja
By: Michael Mike
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) hosted the first day of its 5th round of stakeholder engagement meetings in Abuja on October 30th.
The two-day event, themed “Strategic Pivoting Towards Program Simplification and Sustainable Public Health Intervention,” had a focus to foster collaboration among key stakeholders.
On the first day, participants focused on laying the groundwork for HIV program simplification, a critical step toward enhancing ownership and sustainability in public health interventions across Nigeria. Federal and state officials, multilateral agencies, community stakeholders, and implementing partners engaged in dynamic discussions about strategies and progress related to health workforce optimization and integration.
The second day focuses on reviewing progress of the state-led President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program and proffering innovative models for health insurance at both national and state levels. This emphasis on sustainable healthcare solutions is essential in ensuring lasting impacts on Nigeria’s public health landscape.
In his remarks on the first day, Richard Mills Jr., the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, reaffirmed the U.S. Government’s commitment to working with all stakeholders and communities to achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control; prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks; and improve health outcomes across the country. He commended those tirelessly working to provide relief to Nigerians living with HIV and emphasized the importance of continued partnership and collaboration. Ambassador Mills said, “Nigeria remains a model to the rest of the world on how to not only reach HIV epidemic control but also how to invest in people and communities, so they have the tools and skills to change their lives.”
Suzanne Theroux, the U.S. CDC Acting Country Director, highlighted Nigeria’s significant progress achieved through transformative partnerships, policies, and evidence-based public health programming. She described the initiative known as ‘Getting the Data Right,’ which focuses on determining the number of people living with HIV who are receiving lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, as a bold effort that not only validates Nigeria’s HIV treatment coverage but also supports the goal of sustainable health outcomes.
Ms. Theroux added, “The coordinated response to recent outbreaks of Lassa fever, cholera, mpox and other epidemic-prone diseases reflects our collective resilience and resolve to achieve optimal health for all Nigerians.” She also said that “Our collaborative efforts are closing the gap for zero-dose children, combatting the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, and implementing innovations to eliminate malaria as a public health threat in Nigeria”.
The meeting exemplifies U.S. CDC’s commitment to regularly reviewing and adapting programming to meet the evolving needs of the HIV response in Nigeria. The next meeting is scheduled for April 2025.
US CDC hosts event in Abuja
Two Women Abducted in Kwara State, Security Forces Launch Search Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kwara State Police Command, Zone 8 Lokoja, has confirmed the abduction of two women from Edogi community in the early hours of Friday.
The incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. when armed men invaded the home of 50-year-old Alhaji Mustapha and took away his wives Shafa’u Mustapha and 35-year-old Fauzat Mustapha.
Upon receiving the report around 8:00 a.m., soldiers, police, vigilante members, and local hunters were mobilized to the scene and began combing nearby bushes in a search-and-rescue mission.
Authorities say investigation is ongoing to track down the kidnappers and secure the victims’ release.
Two Women Abducted in Kwara State, Security Forces Launch Search Operation
Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare
… orders more high Islamic colleges, libraries
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, held a high-level meeting on Thursday with key stakeholders in the education sector to review current challenges and outline fresh directives for improving learning outcomes, infrastructure, and coordination across the state.
The meeting, chaired by the Governor at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and heads of education boards, agencies, and institutions.
Zulum emphasised the synergy among all agencies in the education sector noting that with proper collaboration effective service delivery would be provided for the people of Borno.
Governor Zulum outlined a multifaceted plan to rejuvenate the education sector, which includes building houses for teachers, renovating dilapidated schools, providing professional development opportunities, and improving teachers’ access to resources.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, among other senior officials.
… orders more high Islamic colleges, libraries
Meanwhile, as part of his policy direction for the education sector, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has directed the establishment of additional High Islamic Colleges in some local government areas.
The High Islamic Colleges are designed to offer a wide range of programmes, including traditional Islamic studies, literacy and numeracy, modern sciences, and vocational training.
According to Zulum, the High Islamic Colleges were to ensure the integration of the non-formal education sector with formal education. He also affirmed that the colleges will teach basic literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills to Almajiri pupils and will provide a second chance for out-of-school children who have exceeded the enrollment age.
In addition, the governor directed the establishment of additional state libraries in Biu, southern Borno, and Monguno, in the northern part of the state.
“Deliberately, I upgraded the Maiduguri library, with the aim of establishing another one in Biu and one in Monguno in order to promote reading culture, which is fast eroding. I want you to rejuvenate the reading culture by ensuring the library is effective. But most importantly, apart from the physical books, let’s put a mechanism for e-books in place,” Zulum said.
Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare
Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested two suspected gunrunners and recovered a cache of locally made weapons.
According to sources, the detectives acting on credible intelligence stormed Kurmin Kogi Village and apprehended the suspects Isah Bello, and Sa’idu Haruna, both of Damdami Village, Richifa Ward, Soba LGA.
The sources said the suspects confessed to being in possession of firearms and led investigators to their hideout, where four locally made guns and four locally made pistols were recovered.
The sources added that the suspects are in custody as discreet investigations continue.
Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna
Two Women Abducted in Kwara State, Security Forces Launch Search Operation
Massive Bandit Attack in Kwara Police station, Leaves Police ASP Dead, Market Looted
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