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IOM Says Plans Underway to Encourage Skilled Nigerians to Stay Back to Develop Their Homeland

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IOM Says Plans Underway to Encourage Skilled Nigerians to Stay Back to Develop Their Homeland

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has promised to continue deepening cooperation with Nigeria to tackle issues about irregular migration, stating that plans are underway to encourage people with skills to stay in the country and assist in its development instead of taking a walk out in search of the Golden Fleece.

The IOM Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck, made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja during the “End of Year” media briefing of the organisation.

The event, according to him, was designed to commemorate the International Migrant Day with the theme:”Act today for better future.”

He noted that the briefing has become important to promote discussion on issues about migration management, crisis response, internal-displacement, counter-trafficking, climate change and trending topics in specialised areas of humanitarian intervention.

De Boeck said: “We are reinforcing our cooperation with the Federal and the State levels, for answering characteristics of migration level and for achieving good reception in the country.

“Thanks to the fact that the country is in global compact on migration.

“There is a network on migration among various ministries, which will help us to comprehensively promote involvement of different MDAS on the team of migration.

“This is key for us to ensure that the Federal level and State level have the response level aligned to the national policies and frameworks.”

He said although the organisation currently operate in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory, it would expand its frontiers to tackle issues about displaced population.

The IOM Head disclosed that measures had been put in place to help displaced population and affected communities, as well as to establish peace and reconciliation processes there.

De Boeck said the year 2023 has witnessed unprecedented increases in global migration, propelled by factors such as climate change, conflict, and economic disparities.

He said: “In the face of this complex landscape, our responsibility to respond critically and compassionately is more crucial than ever, particularly for the individuals directly affected.”

He added that: “In the realm of Migration Health, our efforts in 2023 have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to comprehensive healthcare. We conducted over 260,000 Pre-Departure Medical Health Assessments (PDMHAs), diagnosed and referred 166 migrants with TB, administered 15,000 vaccine doses, and renovated three public hospitals. This reflects our dedication to ensuring the well-being of those undertaking the journey of migration.

“Through collaborating closely with the Federal Government of Nigeria, IOM facilitated the voluntary return of 4,431 Nigerians, with 2,909 finding accommodation at the Migrant Transit Centre. Since 2017, a total of 34,158 migrants have returned, and 2,853 have received reintegration assistance, contributing to a grand total of 21,713 reintegrated since 2017. Our support extends beyond mere return, with the establishment of reintegration hubs and the implementation of community-based reintegration projects, providing crucial assistance to returnees and their communities.”

He equally added that: “IOM’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services have been instrumental in reaching 106,947 individuals in 2023.

“These services offer material assistance, psychosocial support, and referral services to victims of trafficking, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable households, underscoring our commitment to holistic support.
In our unwavering dedication to protection, IOM identified and supported 682 victims of trafficking in 2023. Our focus on vulnerable groups, including survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, and unaccompanied and separated children, is reflected in the development of policy documents such as Family Tracing SOPs and BIP guidelines.”

He advised that: “On this International Migrants Day, let us work hand in hand to harness the power of migration, recognizing that every person can make a difference and be an agent of positive change. Our collective actions today will shape a brighter and more inclusive future.”

IOM Says Plans Underway to Encourage Skilled Nigerians to Stay Back to Develop Their Homeland

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Over 480, 000 children vaccinated against measles, rubella in Gombe State-Official

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Over 480, 000 children vaccinated against measles, rubella in Gombe State-Official

Mr Abdulkarim Aliyu, the State Immunisation Officer, Gombe State Primary HealthCare Development Agency said that the state had successfully vaccinated no fewer than 481, 734 as of day three of the ongoing integrated vaccination campaign in the state.

Aliyu disclosed this on Tuesday in Gombe after monitoring the immunisation in different communities in the state in company of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria team.
He stated that the campaign was targeting 1.7 million children for measles-rubella vaccination.

According to him, over 30 per cent of eligible children had been vaccinated as of evening of day three of the campaign.

“About 1.8million doses of MR vaccines were received for Gombe State and we are targeting 1.7million children.

“ For now, 481, 734 children have been vaccinated as of the evening of day three and if we add Day four then the figure would be higher.

“For the Oral Polio Vaccine, we received over 1 million doses and as of the evening of day three of the campaign, 253, 772 children have been reached with the vaccine,” he said.
Aliyu expressed optimism that with the large turn out and low resistance witnessed so far, the state would meet its target by at least 95 per cent.

Our Correspondent who monitored the exercise in some selected PHCs and schools in Gombe metropolis reports that there were large turn out for vaccination.
Community health workers were seen at different schools, administering vaccines to eligible children.

Mrs Asmau Madi, a resident of Gidan Magani who visited the PHC in her community to get her child vaccinated commended the state government, UNICEF and other partners for their efforts at reducing child mortality.

Madi said since embracing vaccination with the support of her husband, her children’s health had been improved, minimising the tendency of them falling ill regularly.
She encouraged women in the state to bring out their children for the exercise, adding that the vaccines were safe for children.

Mr Abdullahi Bello, the Ward Focal Person for immunisation, Bolari West said that the Ward has 16 settlements being covered by his team.
Bello stated that there had been massive turn out of residents for the exercise since the beginning of the campaign four days ago.
He said as of Day 3, over 3000 children had been vaccinated, stressing that the ongoing campaign had yielded better acceptance than previous exercises.

“The level of awareness for this campaign was massive and it covered all stakeholders at the grassroots and that’s why we are getting more acceptance and no rejection for now,” he said.
Our Correspondent reports that Dr Rownak Khan, the Deputy Representative, UNICEF Nigeria; Dr Kabiru Shall, UNICEF Nigeria Immunisation Manager and Oluseyi Olosunde, UNICEF Nigeria Health Officer had been in the state monitoring the exercuse for the past two days.

They visited the state central cold store and similar facilities at some LGAs to monitor the vaccine management situation while also visiting some traditional leaders in Billiri LGA to solicit their support.

The 2025 Integrated Measles Rubella Campaign is led by the Gombe State government and supported by WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Rotary International, and the Gates Foundation — all working together as partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
The campaign aims to vaccinate children aged 0 months to 14 years against Measles and Rubella, Polio, HPV and routine immunisation.

The vaccines provide protection against childhood killer diseases and have been used worldwide for over 50 years, saving millions of lives.

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Army troops rescued victims as Bandit attack in Kaduna leaves one dead, several injured

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Army troops rescued victims as Bandit attack in Kaduna leaves one dead, several injured

By: Zagazola Makama

One person has been confirmed dead while others sustained injuries following a raid by armed bandits on Idijiyi Unguwan Danladi Village in Kallah District, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Sources said that the attack occurred on October 19, around 8:00 p.m., when unidentified gunmen invaded the village and abducted an unspecified number of residents.

Prompt response by the Nigerian army strike force led to the recovery of some victims, who were found along Agwallan Centre with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

The deceased, identified as Agnes Zafaniya, 28, from Afogo Village, was certified dead by medical personnel and released to her family for Christian burial. Other rescued victims, including Augustine Madara, 31, and Zafaniya Alhaji, 42, were receiving treatment in hospital.

The troops have intensified efforts to locate additional victims and apprehend the perpetrators. Investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated.

Army troops rescued victims as Bandit attack in Kaduna leaves one dead, several injured

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5th ASWAN: Zulum calls for multifaceted approach to address crisis in the Sahel

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5th ASWAN: Zulum calls for multifaceted approach to address crisis in the Sahel

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has called for a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy, hinged on broader regional cooperation, to tackle the escalating security and humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region.

Zulum made the appeal while delivering a keynote address at the roundtable discussion of the 5th Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development held in Aswan, Egypt.

The governor, whose state has been at the epicentre of Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin, argued that a purely military solution has proven insufficient. He emphasised that lasting peace can only be achieved by simultaneously addressing the root causes of the conflict.

He said: “The crises of instability, terrorism and displacement that plague the Sahel cannot be solved by kinetic means alone,” stating that: “We must look beyond the battlefield. There is an urgent need for a multifaceted approach that combines security, development, and humanitarian assistance in a synchronised manner.”

Zulum also called for broader cooperation among countries in the Sahel region. He stressed that extremist groups and other criminal networks operate across borders with impunity, and the response must be equally transnational.

He said: “In the Sahel context, you cannot address the challenges by just looking at two or three countries. You need to look deeper into the political region of the Sahel as defined by the United Nations Strategy, which covers 10 countries, including Mauritania, Gambia and Guinea, among others. Collaboration among the larger Sahel communities is paramount.”

Beyond security collaboration, the governor called for improved development in the Sahel countries. He identified poverty, lack of education, and climate change-induced scarcity as key drivers of recruitment for armed groups.

“For the last 15 years, we have had many interventions in Borno State, but humanitarian support is not a sustainable solution. There is a need for longer-term sustainable solutions. We received many donors, partners, and non-governmental organisations, but most of them engaged in short-term humanitarian solutions.”

“There is a need for sustainable solutions, including development. The nexus between peace, development and security need not be overemphasised. If there is no development, there cannot be peace or security.”

The roundtable features other African leaders representing various countries, including H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates; H.E. Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and African Integration, Republic of Mali; and H.E. Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabes Abroad of the Republic of Burkina Faso.

5th ASWAN: Zulum calls for multifaceted approach to address crisis in the Sahel

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