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EU Supports IDPs In Five Nigerian States With 15m Euros

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EU Supports IDPs In Five Nigerian States With 15m Euros

By: Michael Mike

The European Union (EU) has provided €15 million to support for the needs of internally displaced persons and deliver protection assistance and durable solutions in Yobe, Adamawa, Kano, Sokoto and Benue States.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot announced this in Abuja at the launch of the EU Support for Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in Yobe, Adamawa, Benue and Kano States (SIDPIN) and the EU Support for Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions in Sokoto (SPADS).

Mignot disclosed that the two interventions, which worth a 15 million euros, reflect the European Union’s deep commitment to advancing human dignity, resilience, and sustainable development for displaced persons and the communities that host them.

He said: “Together with the Federal and State authorities, our partners including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) will spearhead this initiative by focusing on local integration in urban and urbanising areas, adopting a multi-scale, integrated, and area-based territorial approach.

“The overall objective of these actions is to strengthen durable solutions through local integration, with a specific focus on women and children.

“We aim to improve the living conditions of displaced populations and host communities in Adamawa, Yobe, Benue, Kano, and Sokoto States through sustainable local urban integration approaches that are replicable and scalable.”

He also noted that displacement in Nigeria particularly in the northeast, north central and northwest has affected over 3.5 million people.

The envoy pointed out that these individuals are not just statistics, but “lives interrupted, dreams deferred, families torn from their homes and futures.”

He added that: “Many of these IDPs want to return home to the place they were forced to leave.

“But some cannot do so in a foreseeable future, especially, because security conditions do not allow it.

“Others have made the choice to remain where they were resettled and this is a respectable personal choice.

He said that the European Union believes that the response must go beyond emergency aid.

Mignot said: “We must look at the root causes of displacement, and just as importantly, at the pathways to sustainable solutions.

“Our two projects will not only address immediate challenges but also contribute to laying the foundation for long-term stability, urban resilience, and peaceful coexistence outcomes that benefit everyone.

“This is why these projects focus on integration in urban and urbanising areas to support those staying in town.

“We recognise the leadership of the Government of Nigeria, both at the federal and state levels, in making these projects possible.

“They were developed through a consultative process involving MDAs, state governments, IDPs, and host communities to make sure that they align with the needs and priorities of our Nigerian partners.

“At the heart of our vision is the principle of local ownership and leadership. True progress happens when communities are empowered, when governments take the lead, and when development is rooted in participation, inclusion, and equity.”

Mignot, therefore, commended the implementing partners such as IOM, UNHCR, UN-Habitat, and the Danish Refugee Council for their expertise, dedication, and shared vision of a better future for displaced persons.

He expressed optimism that the launch of SIDPIN and SPADS would mark the beginning of a new chapter in “how we respond to displacement not only in Nigeria, but also as a model for the region.”

“Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind, and that every displaced person has the opportunity not just to survive, but to rebuild his/her own life, to meaningfully contribute to communities, and become self-reliant,” he said.

In his remarks, Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, thanked the EU and all the implementing partners for their unwavering support.

He pledged the state government support and cooperation to the implementation of the projects.

On his part, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Fall,

noted that the EU Support for Internally Displaced Persons in Yobe, Adamawa, Benue, and Kano States (SIDPIN), and the EU Support for Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions in Sokoto State (SPADS) initiatives matter because they touch the heart of human dignity. They are about restoring lives interrupted by conflict and displacement, ensuring that children can grow in safe environments, and that women and men can rebuild their futures with dignity and opportunity.

He added that: “As the UN Secretary-General has reminded us, “leaving no one behind is not a slogan—it is a commitment.” Today we reaffirm that commitment in Nigeria.

“For Nigeria, these programmes are important because displacement challenges go beyond humanitarian needs; they affect development, stability, and peace. Nigeria is a nation of extraordinary resilience and potential. By addressing displacement with durable solutions, we are strengthening the social fabric, deepening trust in institutions, and creating pathways to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In doing so, we help secure a future where prosperity is shared, and no community is excluded from progress.”

He said: “The United Nations in Nigeria is fully aligned with this vision. Through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027), we are working with government and partners to integrate durable solutions into broader development planning. These initiatives are anchored in the triple nexus—linking humanitarian action, peace, and development. They aim not only to respond to urgent needs but also to build resilience, expand access to services, and empower communities to thrive.”

The “Sustainable Urban Integration of Displaced Populations in Adamawa, Yobe, and Kano States in Nigeria (SIDPIN)” and the “EU Support for Protection, Assistance, and Durable Solutions in Sokoto (SPADS)”

projects are part of a multi-agency effort to address displacement through sustainable urban integration, with a strong focus on women, children, and vulnerable groups.

Developed through an inclusive consultative process involving State Governors, relevant Federal and State Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), IDP communities, and other stakeholders, the projects align with both national and state displacement action plans, as well as the European Union’s regional protection and solutions strategy for West Africa.

EU Supports IDPs In Five Nigerian States With 15m Euros

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RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

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RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

“Don’t Allow Shame or Stigma Affect Your Confidence” – Senator Oluremi Tinubu to School Girls at the Launch of Flow With Confidence Program in Maiduguri, Borno State

By: Our Reporter

The Flow With Confidence program, a vital menstrual health intervention, is designed to empower schoolgirls with knowledge, build confidence, and promote improved menstrual hygiene. The initiative targets 370,000 beneficiaries, mostly from rural communities who struggle to access hygienic care while in school.

Launched simultaneously in seven states – Borno, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos – by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the program provides each beneficiary with a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads.

At the official launch in Maiduguri, the First Lady was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima. She stressed that it is unacceptable for young girls to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, often forcing them to miss school days because they cannot afford sanitary pads.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that many girls resort to unhygienic alternatives, hence the introduction of Flow With Confidence as a safe, hygienic option to enhance reproductive wellbeing. Each state under the initiative will have 10,000 beneficiaries.

Encouraging the girls, the First Lady urged them not to allow shame or stigma to affect their confidence but to boldly pursue their dreams as future leaders of the nation. She further called on corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to support the program, while charging traditional, religious, and community leaders to ensure transparent distribution in their localities.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, expressed the government’s profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose leadership continues to rekindle hope and restore dignity to countless families by prioritizing economic empowerment as a driver of national development.

The Governor also commended the First Lady for addressing an often-neglected aspect of girls’ and women’s dignity and reproductive health.

Similarly, the Borno State RHI Coordinator and Wife of the Governor, Dr. Falmata Umara Zulum, lauded the First Lady’s commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in society through her numerous interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), complementing the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the First Lady also handed over assorted food items to the Borno State RHI Coordinator, Dr. Falmata Babagana Zulum, for onward distribution to vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities. This places Borno among the beneficiaries of the monthly RHI Food Outreach Scheme, flagged off in March 2024 with support from two leading industrialists.

RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

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Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

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Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

…Insists Absence of Appellate Court at Regional Level Undermines Access to Justice

By: Michael Mike

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi has called for the establishment of an appellate mechanism within the ECOWAS Court of Justice, stating that the absence of such mechanism continued to undermine access to justice in the region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025/2026 legal year of ECOWAS Court, Fagbemi said while the finality of judgments is crucial, fairness also demands that decisions be open to review in order to correct possible errors of law or procedure.

Fagbemi while noting that the absence of appellate court at the regional level is a letdown, said: “It is concerning that there is currently inadequate room for appeal against the judgments of the ECOWAS Court. While finality is important, justice must also be seen to be fair and revisable,” insisting that: “The absence of a separate appellate mechanism limits access to justice. As we expand the Court’s reach, we must also ensure that its decisions are subject to the same standards of review and accountability that underpin robust judicial systems.”

He urged the Court to draw lessons from other regional judicial institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights, the East African Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which, according to him, offer valuable models of transparency, judicial independence and procedural innovation.

He however restated Nigeria’s support for the ECOWAS Court as host country, describing it as central to regional integration, human rights enforcement and stability. “Nigeria remains steadfast in its support for the ECOWAS Court of Justice… I pledge to continue advocating for legal reforms that align domestic laws with regional obligations while respecting our constitutional order and national interests,” Fagbemi added.

Also speaking, the President of Cabo Verde, José Neves, said community justice remains vital for Africa’s credibility in global affairs. He stressed that strengthening institutions such as the ECOWAS Court was essential for peace, democracy and integration on the continent.

He said: “In a continent still marked by border disputes and recurring tensions, the existence of an independent and respected community tribunal is a civilisational triumph that we must preserve and enhance,” Neves said. He noted that access to the Court by individual citizens was one of the most significant gains of regional integration, as it brings justice closer to the people.

Neves also called for reforms within African sub-regional bodies to make them more effective in addressing contemporary challenges such as insecurity, institutional fragility, migration and climate change.

In his address, the President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Goncalves, disclosed that the Court handled 34 new cases in the past year, including matters relating to civil and political rights, economic freedoms, and disputes between member states.

He also revealed that the Court held 79 judicial sessions and issued 54 rulings, many of which reaffirmed key principles such as the justiciability of socio-economic rights and the supremacy of community law over conflicting national legislation. According to him, 112 cases are currently pending before the Court.

Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Wednesday, undertook a working visit to Diffa Region of Niger Republic on Wednesday.

The visit, which included a high-level security and economic delegation, focused on strengthening the existing collaboration between Nigerian and Nigerien forces in the ongoing fight against insurgency, particularly around the shores of Lake Chad.

Diffa is a community 17 km from Damasak town in northern Borno where thousands of Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram insurgency are currently taking refuge.

Zulum was received by the Governor of Diffa, Brigadier General Mahamaduo Ibrahim Bagadoma, and other senior officials. The leaders held closed-door meetings centered on joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and sustaining the recent gains that have pushed insurgents out of many of their former strongholds.

Zulum outlined plan to leverage the improved security situation to facilitate the return of thousands of displaced farmers to the vast and fertile agricultural lands around Dutchi town within the Lake Chad basin.

Part of the Governor’s entourage are Engr Bukar Talba, a member of the House of Representatives, Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and otheir senior government officials.
[10/2, 6:35 PM] Mike Olugbode: Maiduguri: For Over a Month, MSF Responds to High Numbers of Children Suffering from Malnutrition.

Since late August and early September, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have scaled up their medical response in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, following a sharp rise in malnutrition cases that overwhelmed MSF-supported facilities. Although admissions have slightly decreased now, the number of children receiving treatment remains very high.

“A month ago, we witnessed a worrying increase in admissions, compounded by a surge in measles cases,” said MSF Project Coordinator Daniela Batista. “Our isolation units for measles patients were quickly filled, and even the additional space we opened reached capacity. Now, those units remain around 70 percent full.”

Since 8 September, MSF’s Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) at Nilefa Kiji Hospital (NKH) has nearly doubled its bed capacity to accommodate the influx of malnourished children. By the third week of September, the emergency facility was recording an average of more than 85 new admissions daily.
In a context of reduced global humanitarian funding, some organizations in Maiduguri reduced their support for – or even left – nutritional outpatient nutrition programmes, causing a significant drop in access for first line care fir malnourished children.
 
At MSF’s extension facility in Shuwari, teams treated 3,265 children for malnutrition and referred 1,521 others for continued care between August and early September, when the upsurge began. More than 625 malnourished children have also been treated for measles — a disease which can contribute to malnutrition and whose complications can result from malnutrition.
 
The situation is further exacerbated by shortages of essential supplies. Therapeutic milk — critical for treating severe acute malnutrition — is in short supply, while access to ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) remains a chronic concern. Some partner ITFCs have indicated they can only accept referrals if MSF provides additional medical supplies such as antibiotics, admission kits, and therapeutic milk.
MSF teams also reported regular admissions of patients from Zabarmari — a community they are currently unable to access due to security and logistical challenges. MSF is engaging with the Borno State Ministry of Health to assess and potentially support the local Primary Health Centre (PHC) to ensure residents can access care.

Borno State continues to face the effects of a decade-long insurgency, with recent reports of violence in areas surrounding Maiduguri.

This surge in Maiduguri mirrors an alarming trend seen in all MSF nutrition facilities across Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, and Bauchi in recent months. According to UN estimates, 2.5 million children across northeast Nigeria are at risk of acute malnutrition.

MSF called on health authorities and humanitarian organizations to urgently address the shortages in medical supplies and staffing, and to strengthen community-level health systems to prevent further deterioration.

Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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