National News
IOM, Northeast Govs to Build Permanent Homes For Displaced Persons
IOM, Northeast Govs to Build Permanent Homes For Displaced Persons
By: Michael Mike
Governors of the northeast states have agreed to continue the partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), an agency of United Nations, and other stakeholders to build more houses for people who were displaced from their homes following the prolonged Boko Haram insurgency.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, made the commitment on behalf of his two colleagues, whose states of Adamawa and Yobe along with his state were the most affected by the insurgency.
Zulum, in his remarks during the presentation of awards to winners of the inaugural Housing Design Competition tagged “Home After Crisis” in Abuja on Thursday, said the states were ready for the collaboration to get those affected by the crisis get a place they can truly call home.
The governor told reporters in an interview that the security situation in his state has improved by 90%, adding that there are many safe areas to construct more affordable housing units for the displaced person.
He said the governors of the northeast states “will provide the political leadership to partner with the IOM and the other organisations to build more homes for displaced communities.”
Zulum while commending the IOM, which has so far constructed housing units to accommodate 9,000 people in the region, stressed that the effort is aimed at restoring dignity and stability to those that went “through unimaginable hardship.”
On his part, the IOM Chief of Mission to Nigeria, Laurent De Boeck, in his address said the aim of the project is to deliver life-saving responses that support the transition of vulnerable communities out of humanitarian assistance and towards development programmes.
He said: “Since 2015, the northeast of Nigeria has faced escalating violence, leading to an unprecedented housing emergency. As of 2023, an estimated 3.5 million people had lost their homes or lived in precarious conditions.
“Nigeria currently experiences an acute housing deficit, estimated at around 23 million, requiring the construction of one million housing units annually for the next 20 years. At the IOM, we commit to support the government and the people of Nigeria to increase the current production rate of housing construction with the private sector.”
He noted that to address this, IOM Nigeria is actively working to overcome the shelter emergency with a durable housing strategy, adding that the objective is to move beyond merely providing housing units and embrace the concepts of providing a home in line with the IOM Strategy for Nigeria 2023-2027.
The “Home After Crisis” brought together 1600 designers, architects and engineers from across 100 countries and a quarter of them were Nigerians. The experts have developed 250 design proposals for low-cost and innovative housing.
The Housing competition targeted the housing challenges linked to Nigeria’s rapidly growing population and aim to provide access to affordable housing units, built with the goal of delivering climate-proof housing with local materials.
Laurent De Boeck said: “It paves the way to engage the world in addressing these challenges. They provide a route towards integrating development programmes with humanitarian response. Above all, it is crucial that it ensures that No One is Left Behind, as we transition away from crises where safety and conditions prevail.
“It provides those affected by displacement with a home that is integrated with their natural environment and the stepping stones to engage with local and national development plans. It respects the culture and the social fabric which makes the society a safe haven, where communities live peacefully together, linking generations, persons interacting with each other,” he said.
IOM Strategy for Nigeria 2023-2027 emphasizes that “Nigeria’s overall strategic objective is to support the Government of Nigeria and relevant actors in governing migration effectively to maximize its positive impact while minimizing its potential costs on all migrants and society”.
The 2023 “Home After Crisis” design competition, funded by the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF), produced three main winners( First, Second and Third) and others who went home with cash prizes totaling 12,000 Euros.
The First Prize of 5,000 Euros went to the group that designed ‘New Home New Beginning’ the second prize of 3,000 Euros went to the group that designed ‘Zuhura Zuhair’ while the third prize of 2,000 Euros went to the group that designed ‘Homing Scheme’.
IOM, Northeast Govs to Build Permanent Homes For Displaced Persons
National News
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
By: Zagazola Makama
Three Chinese crew members who were abducted by pirates during an attack on a Ghanaian fishing vessel, MV Menhin-1, have been rescued in Nigeria, the Ghana Police Service has said.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra, The Director-General of the CID, COP, Lydia Yaako Donkor, said pirates, armed with AK-47 rifles, attacked the vessel on March 27, 2025, at about 1930 hours off Yenyano Waters near Tema, using outboard motor powered wooden canoes.
The attackers destroyed the vessel’s communication system before taking three Chinese crew members hostage, the police said.
The Marine Police Command in Tema received the complaint from the fishing company the following morning, on March 28, and immediately launched an investigation in collaboration with the Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, National Investigation Bureau, the Ghana Navy, and the Fisheries Observer.
According to the police, the pirates blindfolded the victims and transported them in speedboats for 24 hours to a marshy area later identified as the Delta region of Nigeria. From there, they were moved on motorcycles and taken on foot to a makeshift camp where they were held at gunpoint until April 25, when they were suddenly abandoned.
The victims managed to reach a nearby village where locals assisted them to make contact with the Chinese embassy in Lagos, Nigeria. The embassy confirmed the rescue on April 26 and handed them over to Ghanaian authorities at the Kotoka International Airport on April 27.
A debriefing was conducted at the Police Headquarters in Accra on April 28. While there were no visible signs of physical harm, the victims appeared traumatised and requested medical attention.
The Inspector General of Police engaged with the victims and expressed sympathy and support for their ordeal.
So far, the police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the case. Those arrested include Sueva Victor, Kojo Akweli, Eugene Chibuke, Mwonam, Chinese cook Zhao Lang Hao, and second engineer Zhao Hua. They have been arraigned before the Tema District Court as investigations continue.
Police commended all stakeholders involved in the multi-agency operation for their swift action and coordination that led to the rescue of the kidnapped crew members.
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
Protesters demand release of social media influencer in abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
A group of protesters on Monday staged a peaceful demonstration in Abuja demanding the release of social media influencer, Mr Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM), who was arrested on May 2 by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It was gathered that the protest began around 9 a.m. at the GTBank branch located at Plot 1072 J.S. Tarka Street, off Faskari Street, Area 3 Garki, where VDM was arrested alongside one other individual.
The protest was sparked by public outcry on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, following the arrest.
Three men wearing T-shirts with the inscription ‘Free VDM’ were first seen at the bank premises before regrouping with over 100 individuals
The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the influencer.
Police operatives from the Command’s State Intelligence Department (SID) and patrol teams were promptly deployed to the scene to ensure law and order.
The crowd was peacefully dispersed from the bank premises and proceeded to the EFCC Headquarters in continuation of their demonstration, reiterating their demands before moving on to Dantata Bridge along Airport Road, where they finally dispersed.
Police sources said “No untoward incident was recorded during the protest. The situation is under close monitoring,” the police added.
Police sources further assured that the deployment of anti-riot units to flashpoints, strategic locations, and government infrastructure within the FCT remains intact.
Protesters demand release of social media influencer in abuja
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of the country’s President-elect, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
The Vice President left on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oligui Nguema, who had served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023, secured a decisive victory in the country’s April 12 presidential election.
Nigeria remains supportive of the peaceful democratic transition in Gabon and reaffirms the government’s broader strategic interest in promoting democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
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