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France Invests €3 million Annually in Nigeria’s Health Sector, Says Envoy

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France Invests €3 million Annually in Nigeria’s Health Sector, Says Envoy

By: Michael Mike

France annually invests €3 million in health in Nigeria as part of its collaboration towards assisting in the wellness of Nigerian, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of France to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jean Francois Hasperue has said.

Speaking at the weekend during a breakfast debate in Abuja hosted by the French Embassy in Nigeria to mark the World Health Day, Hasperue said France sees health as one of the fundamental rights of human being and must be enjoyed by all without discrimination and in that light contribute massively towards the Global Health Fund.

He said: “We are already working with Nigerian government on health issues. Firstly, France is the second country in the world with the most contribution to the Global Fund on Health, it gives you an indication how we care about health across the globe.

“In Nigeria for example, France invests €3 million in health in Nigeria every year, we still did that last year, we are working with Nigerian government on different aspects, on humanitarian aspect and infrastructure as well.

“At present we have a project on building and renovation of hospitals in Oyo state, and we are planning to multiply this kind of project with government towards development of network of health infrastructure. Not only that, we have private companies investing in health, we have a French company in a joint venture to produce medication in this country as well. We try to mobilize our collaboration with the government and private companies towards improving health care in Nigeria.”

He noted that Nigerian government is not unaware of the importance of investing in the health sector as it is one of the sector it gives priority to

The envoy said: “The government of Nigeria is surely interested in the health and well being of its citizens for they have asked us to partner with them in this sector. I believe health should be at the centre of the plan of a nation. It should be the topmost on government plan for it is basic need.”

He added that: “Health and security are very important. People need to thrive and develop their activities in a country and once you have good health and secured environment you are on the right track. With good health and creativity of Nigerians, you can be whatever you want.”

On the choice of students for the debate to commemorate the World Health Day, he said: “We want to have an event to mark the event and we thought instead of having debates by specialists we feel we should give the floor to students, the ones who own the future of this nation and as well as France. We wanted to ask them want they think about health.”

The debate with the topic: “Access to healthcare: a fundamental right or duty?” was anchored by Gloria Tameko, Aisha Gueye, Rayan Saimua and Oriane Boa, all students of Lycee Francois Marcel Pagnol in Abuja and moderated by Dr. Andrew Marbell, the Nutrition and Health Programme Manager with Action against Hunger, Nigeria.

Key points of their submission is the need to make health accessible to all without prejudice and the need to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

France Invests €3 million Annually in Nigeria’s Health Sector, Says Envoy

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Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew

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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

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Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno

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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

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Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state

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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

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