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IOM, Japan to support IDPs, returnees, host communities in Northeast

IOM, Japan to support IDPs, returnees, host communities in Northeast
By: Michael Mike
The Government of Japan and the United Nations International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have signed a joint agreement to support .Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees and vulnerable host communities in the Northeast.
The Ambassador of Japan, Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, said during the signing ceremony of the agreement in Abuja that the the aim if the assignment is to support measures designed to tackle urgent needs of vulnerable people in Adamawa, with an eye of extending it to other affected states.
The envoy said. the agreement focused on: “Strengthening basic healthcare services for IDPs, returnees and host communities in Nigeria” between Japanese government, Adamawa government, IOM and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
According to him, the project which is worthy US$4.4 million will run from March, 2024 to March, 2026 with measures to ensure sustainability, monitoring and evaluation, calculation of post-project cost, training of personnel in the operation, maintenance, and upkeep of equipment.
Kazuyoshi said: “t is towards combining fixed facilities with innovation technology solutions, such as medical mobility, as service and telemedicine is essential to effectively serving the mobile IDP population.
“Effective technology transfer from Japan to Nigeria requires strong focus on human resource development, therefore investment on capacity building to enable local staff fully utilize and maintain medical equipments.
“So, the ultimate measure of success of this project should not be measured by the construction of beautiful primary healthcare centre or improved access to healthcare service with advanced technology.
“It should be measured by the healthy and safe life of citizens who benefit from this improved healthcare services beyond the duration of the project.”
He explained that the project will bring about introduction of innovation technology, medical masks and telemedicine, and involvement of Japanese companies as model for improving healthcare service across Nigeria.
Chairman of Adamawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Sulaiman Bashir, who signed the agreement on behalf of Adamawa State Government, said the agreement would not have been possible without the partnership between IOM and the Japanese government.
He said: “Our state, as mentioned earlier, had enormous humanitarian and development needs. A state of 5.5 million people, 60 per cent are less than 30 years of age.
“These are areas that are of great concern to us. In terms of the humanitarian crisis, we have the three different crises that we are battling within our state.
“Initially, we have the Boko Haram terrorist activity in the northern part of the state, we have the farmer-herder clashes, we also have the last one, the inter-communal conflict there.”
On his part, the IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck, promised to partner States and Local Government actors to rebuild, rehabilitate, and equip nine health facilities in eight Local Government Areas in Adamawa.
He said such will be achieved through training staff from each unit of the nine Primary Healthcare Centres, which include doctors, nurses, midwives, community health workers, information/data officers, laboratory technicians.
He added that: “This project aligns with the long-term development priorities of both the Nigerian Government and the Adamawa authorities.
“It is a testament to our commitment to not only provide immediate relief, but also to contribute to sustainable solutions that addresses root causes of displacement and insecurity,” he said.
He reiterated the organisation planned to ensure healthcare is not a privilege, but fundamental right accessible to all, to pave way for healthier, more stable and prosperous future for the people of northeast Nigeria.
Chief Representative of JICA, Mr Yuzurio Susumu, said the grant provided from the agreement will further advance construction of primary healthcare centres, and boost capacity building among other things.
Yuzurio said, “Our ultimate goal is to contribute to the creation of an inclusive environment that fosters peaceful coexistence.
“By ensuring access to quality healthcare services, we aim to encourage the return and resettlement of IDPs, laying groundwork for sustainable peace and prosperity in Adamawa.”
IOM, Japan to support IDPs, returnees, host communities in Northeast
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Embrace peace-building via education – CDS tells youth

Embrace peace-building via education – CDS tells youth
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace peace-building through education and social media.
He, however, ddescribed Nigerian youth as the country’s most potent force against violent extremism, terrorism, and insurgency.
Musa made the call while addressing a students, civil society organisations, traditional leaders and security officials at a Multi-sector conference on countering extremism ideology and insurgency on Saturday in Maiduguri.
The event was organised by the Kaltu Foundation for Peace, Network of Civil Society Organisation.
The event which focused on “Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism Through Youth Engagement and Civic Dialogue,” featured the unveiling of a new book.
The book is titled Stand Against Violence, Terrorism, and Extremism: An Admonition to Nigerian Youths, co-authored by Gen. Musa and other senior defence stakeholders.
In his keynote address, the Defence Chief emphasised that the burden of national security and peace cannot rest solely on the military, stressing that “the future of Nigeria lies in the hands of its youth.
“If we want to defeat insurgency, it is the youth that will do it. If we want to prevent violent extremism and reclaim our schools, our homes and our dignity, it is the youth that must lead the charge,” Musa declared.
Drawing from his personal military experience in the region, Gen. Musa reflected on his service in the North-East as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai and Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, stressing the resilience of the people and the importance of civic support to military success.
He thanked the people of Borno for their sustained cooperation with the armed forces, adding that the current military leadership under Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar as “capable and committed.
“Nation building is a continuous, painstaking, and tireless effort, especially for patriotic and well-meaning Nigerians like you,” he said. “We must not relent.
“Things are improving. With your support, we will achieve total peace,” he said.
Speaking on the power of information in the digital age, Musa warned against the misuse of social media platforms by extremist elements, calling on the youth to use technology to promote peace, unity, and truth.
“Social media today does not merely shape opinions, it influences behaviour, identity, and belief systems.
“We must repurpose it as a tool for civic education, truth-telling, countering disinformation, and supporting our security forces,” the CDS said.
He urged students and youth to become “ambassadors of peace,” leveraging peer influence and community engagement to challenge radical ideologies and reclaim their spaces from those who sow division and hatred.
“Let us start a new movement. A movement of young Nigerians committed to rebuilding their communities through values that reflect our collective national identity – peace, unity, truth, and purpose,” Musa said.
The CDS, however, expressed optimism that the publication would become a key resource in educational and security institutions, saying he welcomed reviews and constructive criticism.
“There are no perfect solutions to the complex issues we face but through multilateral collaboration and thoughtful dialogue, we can sharpen our strategies and outpace the ever-evolving tactics of non-state actors,” he added.
Musa also paid tribute to the Borno government, traditional rulers, scholars and members of the academic and civil society for what he described as their “unwavering commitment to peace.”
The event was attended by top officials from the military, Borno Government, Network of Civil Society Organisations, youth groups, and students from tertiary institutions across the North-East.
Embrace peace-building via education – CDS tells youth
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Two arrested over beating death of teenager over missing phone in Yobe

Two arrested over beating death of teenager over missing phone in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Two young men have been arrested in Ngalda town, Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State, for allegedly beating an 18-year-old boy, Abbas Zakari, to death over a missing phone and power bank.
Zagazola gathered from sources that the incident occurred on Friday, June 27, at about 5:00 p.m., when the suspects, identified as Musa Sale, 25, and Muntari Suleiman, 23, accused the deceased of stealing two mobile phones (an Android and a keypad model) and a power bank.
According to a relative, Hussaini Zakari, who reported the matter to the police, the suspects apprehended Abbas in Potiskum, where he had reportedly gone to sell the items, and recovered the handsets from him.
Instead of handing him over to the police upon returning to Ngalda, the suspects allegedly took matters into their own hands and severely beat the teenager with sticks.
The victim was rushed to the General Hospital in Fika by police officers, but was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor. His remains were released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
The suspects have since been arrested and have reportedly confessed to the assault during preliminary interrogation.
Police say the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.
Two arrested over beating death of teenager over missing phone in Yobe
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Tinubu Commissions Locally Made Electric Vehicles in Nasarawa

Tinubu Commissions Locally Made Electric Vehicles in Nasarawa
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially commissioned indigenous electric vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles in Nasarawa State,
This marks an important milestone in Nigeria’s transition to sustainable transportation.
The event, which also featured the launch of several legacy infrastructure projects, showcased the commitment of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to innovation and environmental sustainability.

The commissioning ceremony signifies the formal establishment and operation of electric vehicle technology in the state—an initiative aligned with President Tinubu’s national policy on sustainable transportation.
Governor Sule revealed plans to empower residents across Nasarawa with electric vehicles, a move aimed at easing transportation challenges and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC), Prince Mustapha Audu, expressed gratitude to both President Tinubu and Governor Sule for supporting local innovation and embracing the future of transportation.
Audu described EMVC as one of Nigeria’s leading electric vehicle manufacturers, with branches in other states. He commended Governor Sule for pioneering the future of mobility in Nasarawa, noting the global shift towards electric vehicles, especially as many countries move to phase out compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles by 2030.
He said: “We have SUVs that can travel 1,200 km per charge, and sedan models suitable for ride-hailing services with a 400 km range. We also have locally made tricycles and motorcycles—popularly known as Igwe—that are affordable and built for Nigerian roads.”
Highlighting innovation in infrastructure, Audu explained that the vehicles will be supported by solar-powered charging stations. “Our charging stations can power three vehicles simultaneously without relying on the national grid or generators. We plan to increase them to five stations shortly,” he stated.
He explained that with just ₦5,000, vehicle owners can fully charge their cars depending on battery capacity.
He said the electric vehicles are powered by lithium batteries designed to reduce carbon emissions and enhance clean energy usage. To support long-term adoption, EMVC is also setting up battery assembly lines, EV repair centers, and training hubs across the state.
He further said: “Each electric vehicle comes with a minimum two-year warranty,” noting that: “Unlike traditional vehicles with over 25,000 components, electric vehicles have fewer than 300 parts—most of which are cosmetic. This greatly reduces maintenance costs and complexity.”
He emphasized that common issues will mostly be electrical, and the company already has trained technicians on the ground, with plans to train more as demand grows.
Audu acknowledged challenges such as poor road conditions and climate, but assured that the vehicles were designed with Nigerian realities in mind.

He expressed confidence in the durability of the locally manufactured electric vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles, urging Nigerians to embrace the cleaner, cheaper alternative to transportation.
Tinubu Commissions Locally Made Electric Vehicles in Nasarawa
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