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FG to Prioritize Adolescents’Health, Well-being

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FG to Prioritize Adolescents’
Health, Well-being

By: Michael Mike

Federal government has assured that it will give special attention to health and economic challenges facing the country’s adolescent and young population.

It said that adolescents persons between the ages 10-19 years constitute 22 percent of Nigeria’s population while young people of age 10-24 years constitute about a third of the country’s population (32 percent).

According to Globally, there are about 1.8 billion adolescents and young people (ages 10-24), this subpopulation constitutes a chunk of productive
demography.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Daju Kacholom, speaking at the opening of the Global Forum for adolescents held in Abuja on Thursday, disclosed that government has identified social and health challenges confronting young persons in the country and is determined to addressed them.

She alao said: “In addition, Nigeria prioritizes the special challenges of adolescent health and well-being. Projected population of Nigeria states that adolescents (10-19 years) constitute 22% of Nigeria’s population while young people (age 10-24 years) constitute about a third (32%).

Daju Kacholom who was represented by her Special Assistant, Jummai Abdullahi
said: “It is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health.
We are gathered here today to mark the Nigeria national event
because Nigeria recognizes the unique place of adolescents in our demographic composition.”

She noted that: “In addition, Nigeria prioritizes the special challenges of adolescent health and well-being. Projected population of Nigeria states that adolescents (10-19 years) constitute 22% of Nigeria’s population while young people (age 10-24 years) constitute about a third (32%),” she said.

According to Kacholom,
the 202 1-2025 National policy on adolescent and young people, states that young people in Nigeria are diverse and heterogeneous in terms of socio demographic characteristics, health needs, social and health vulnerabilities hence the need for special attention to thIs demography.

“It is on this basis that the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with youth-led organizations such as Education as a Vaccine (EVA) and PLAN International organized this national event which is being live streamed on various social media platform,” she said.

Kacholom said the major aim of
the Global Forum for Adolescents was to increase awareness on issues of adolescent and to sustain financial commitment for Adolescent friendly services towards achieving Sustainable
Development Goals.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Dr Gifty Addico, said: “Adolescents and young people under 25 years which make up about 63% of our nation’s population are a key focus group for UNFPA mandate areas. This cuts across our three transformative goals of zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero tolerance for gender-based violence and other harmful practices.”

Addico, who was represented by Gender/FGM Analyst, Ms. Karima Bungudu said: “I keenly anticipate the commitment pledges from the Government and our esteemed partners today. This isn’t mere rhetoric but a heartfelt promise to our Nigerian youths, underlining our collective commitment to their aspirations.
 
“UNFPA is committed to advocating for the rights of young people, empowering them with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and make informed decisions so they can realize their full potential and contribute to economic and social transformation.”

FG to Prioritize Adolescents’
Health, Well-being

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Youth attempt to disarm soldiers enforcing curfew in Niger

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Youth attempt to disarm soldiers enforcing curfew in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

Some youths in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State allegedly attempted to disarm soldiers enforcing a curfew before fleeing the scene, security sources have said.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 10:35 p.m. on March 10 when troops of the 221 Battalion, Wawa Cantonment, were on patrol to enforce the curfew declared by the Chairman of Borgu Local Government.

According to the sources, the troops were patrolling along the Correctional Service Office area in New Bussa when they intercepted some motorcycles.

During the encounter, some aggressive youths reportedly began stoning the soldiers and attempted to struggle with them in a bid to seize a rifle, while also hurling abusive language.

The troops fired warning shots into the air to disperse the youths, who later fled the scene.

The Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service subsequently reported the incident to the police.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in New Bussa immediately mobilised more security personnel to the area, but the youths had already dispersed.

Community leaders, including the village head, were later invited and cautioned to maintain peace and ensure residents avoid confrontations or misunderstandings with security personnel.

Security sources said no arrest was made and no injury was recorded, while the military troops continued their patrol in the area.

Youth attempt to disarm soldiers enforcing curfew in Niger

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ISWAP appoints Abu Ameer as new pulka commander after neutralization of Modu Kundiri

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ISWAP appoints Abu Ameer as new pulka commander after neutralization of Modu Kundiri

By: Zagazola Makama

Following the recent neutralization of Modu Kundiri, the senior commander (Qa’id) of Pulka camp in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has appointed a replacement to sustain its operational command in the area.

Intelligence reports obtained on the evening of March 11, 2026, revealed that ISWAP leadership quickly designated Abu Ameer as the new commander (Qa’id) of Pulka camp. The move pointed out to the group’s efforts in maintaining command continuity despite recent setbacks.

Kundiri had served as the senior commander, also known as Qa’id, of the group’s Pulka camp, a strategic operational hub located in the southern axis of Borno near the border with Adamawa State and Cameroon.

Pulka occupies a critical position in the insurgency landscape due to its geographical proximity to the border regions linking Borno State with Adamawa State and neighbouring Cameroon.

The area has historically served as a transit corridor for insurgent fighters, logistics supplies and communication networks operating across multiple theatres.

According to intelligence discussions intercepted on March 11, fighters loyal to the group are still present in Ngalta village, located between Pulka in Gwoza LGA and Madagali Local Government Area in Adamawa State.

The disclosure reportedly came during internal exchanges among insurgent members, where a fighter identified as Konto informed another member, Manya, about the continued presence of fighters in the area.

Such conversations indicated that despite losing commanders, the group continues to maintain operational cells and surveillance elements within the Pulka–Ngalta–Madagali corridor.
The continued presence of fighters in Ngalta village suggests that the insurgents may still retain limited operational capability along the Borno–Adamawa border axis. Such locations often function as temporary regrouping points or staging areas for movement between remote settlements.

The development therefore point to the need for sustained intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and coordinated ground operations across the corridor.

Zagazola emphasise the importance of maintaining strong collaboration between military forces, local vigilante groups and community intelligence networks to detect insurgent movement.

The development comes amid ongoing operations by the Nigerian military to dismantle ISWAP strongholds across the Northeast and reinforce stability in affected communities.

ISWAP appoints Abu Ameer as new pulka commander after neutralization of Modu Kundiri

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Buni attends funeral prayers of Wali Shettima, elder brother, in Nauru

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Buni attends funeral prayers of Wali Shettima, elder brother, in Nauru

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, and other top government functionaries attended today the funeral prayers for Ba Wali Shettima, elder brother to Yobe State Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali mni, in Nguru town of Yobe State.

Ably represented by his deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune), the funeral prayers were led by the chief imam of Nguru Central Mosque, Shiek Ibrahim Shehu Ahmad.

The governor described the death of the renowned Islamic scholar Ba Wali as a huge loss not only to the Nguru community but to the whole Yobe state.

Gubana further extolled the virtues of the late Ba Wali as a committed and dedicated cleric, an epitome of peace and knowledge who contributed his own quota towards teaching and propagating Islam.

Late Ba Wali died at the University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu, on Tuesday after a protracted illness at the age of 80. He is survived by a wife, ten (10) children, and many grandchildren.

Special prayers were offered by Chief Imam Shiek Ibrahim Shehu Ahmad. May Aljanna Firdausi be the reward of his good deeds. Amin, suma Amin.

Buni attends funeral prayers of Wali Shettima, elder brother, in Nauru

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