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FG lauds Zulum for the 15% allocation to health
FG lauds Zulum for the 15% allocation to health
By: Our Reporter
The coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, has commended Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, for allocating 15% of the state’s budget to the healthcare sector in compliance with the Abuja declaration of 2001.
“I join my voice to thank you, Your Excellency, for the progress being made despite the challenges. Thank you for the increased allocation to health and thank you for being innovative. I also thank you for your support for health workers in rural areas which is so critical to achieving the gains that we so desire in healthcare,” the minister said.
The minister made the commendation on Monday in Maiduguri while delivering a keynote address at the opening session of the North East Commissioners of Health Forum meeting with the theme “Addressing Key Health Challenges Affecting Northeastern States of Nigeria.”
The minister was represented by the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina.
In 2023, resulting from the unprecedented performance by Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno emerged winner of the maiden Primary Healthcare Leadership Award both at the national and regional levels for the year 2022.
The Primary Healthcare Leadership Award was organized by the Nigerian Governors Forum in collaboration with UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation and the National Healthcare Development Agency.
The award was to honour and recognise states that have achieved noteworthy strides in providing primary healthcare services.
In their separate remarks, the World Health Organization (WHO) country representative, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, and the FAO rep to Nigeria and Ecowas, Koffy Dominique Kougcou, commended the Governor for the success achieved in five years.
Declaring the meeting open, Governor Zulum highlighted the success he has recorded since 2019 when he assumed leadership of the state.
The governor noted the efforts on human resources, increased allocation to the health sector, provision of free maternal drugs, reconstruction of destroyed health facilities, construction of new health centres and providing improved working conditions for health workers among others.
Zulum also stated that in order to address the challenges of manpower, his administration will establish two new schools of nursing in the state.
The governor also urged participants at the meeting to come up with a framework that can address challenges faced in the health sector, particularly in rural areas.
FG lauds Zulum for the 15% allocation to health
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected cultists on Sunday night attacked Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving 12 persons dead, in a fresh outbreak of violence that has prompted authorities to impose a 48-hour curfew in the area.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. when residents of the community came under sporadic gunfire from unidentified armed men, suspected to be cultists, who stormed the area and shot indiscriminately.
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), were immediately mobilised to the scene following a distress call and moved to restore order and prevent further escalation.
A security report indicated that 12 persons were confirmed dead, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were said to have been evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
The troops subsequently cordoned off major access routes to the community and ordered residents to remain indoors while a coordinated search operation was launched to track down the attackers.
Military sources added that clearance operations were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further breakdown of law and order in the area.
In response to the attack, the Plateau State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, announced the imposition of a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect.
The curfew, which took effect from midnight of March 29 to April 1, 2026, was aimed at restoring calm and enabling security agencies to carry out intensified operations.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked.”
The statement assured residents that security agencies had been directed to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, while urging the public to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations.
Security patrols were still ongoing across affected communities as authorities moved to forestall possible reprisal attacks and restore normalcy.
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Azir community, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Malama that the suspect was apprehended at about 5:00 p.m. on March 28 by troops of 25 Brigade and 19 Battalion (Mechanised) deployed at a Forward Operating Base in Azir.
The source disclosed that the suspect was alleged to have been involved in kidnapping activities within the Damboa and Azir general areas.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspect claimed to be a cattle courier operating within Damboa and its environs,” the source said.
He added that one bicycle was recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest.
The suspect and the recovered item are currently in troops’ custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have arrested 58 suspected illegal miners at an illegal gold mining site in Ososo general area, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
A security source disclosed that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on March 28 during a fighting patrol conducted by troops of 195 Battalion (Rear).
According to the source, the troops stormed the mining site and arrested the suspects without resistance.
“The suspects are currently in troops’ custody for further action,” the source said.
He noted that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities and other criminal enterprises within Edo State and its environs.
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
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