News
MSF joins noma survivors in celebrating inclusion in WHO neglected tropical diseases list
MSF joins noma survivors in celebrating inclusion in WHO neglected tropical diseases list
By: Michael Mike
Three years into its campaign to have noma recognised as a see tropical disease (NTD), international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) welcomes the decision by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), to include noma in the WHO’s official list of NTDs.
Following a meeting in Geneva on 12 October 2023, the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD) concluded that noma fits all the criteria for inclusion on the WHO’s official list. The group shared this recommendation with the WHO director-general, who has now ratified it.
“We welcome the WHO director-general’s decision, which confirms what MSF and the medical community have insisted on for years: that noma is a neglected tropical disease and deserves all the attention and resources that this implies,” says Mark Sherlock, MSF health programmes manager. “We hope that this decision will shine a spotlight on the disease, facilitating the integration of noma prevention and treatment activities into existing public health programmes, and encouraging the allocation of much-needed resources to help tackle the disease.”
Noma is a completely preventable disease and is easy to treat if addressed in time. Untreated, it destroys the skin and bones of the face in just a few weeks, leading to death for around 90 per cent of those infected. The 10 per cent who survive face a future of pain, disfigurement, and social stigma. The disease most commonly affects children who are malnourished or whose immune systems are otherwise compromised.
The lead sponsor country for the request to have noma recognised as an NTD is Nigeria. In January 2023, the Nigerian Ministry of Health submitted a package to the WHO which included an official request letter, letters of endorsement from 31 countries, and a dossier of evidence demonstrating that noma fits the criteria for inclusion. MSF supported Nigeria in providing the medical evidence, based on years of research, and drawing on MSF’s experience treating survivors of noma, in the hope that NTD listing will bring increased attention, earlier diagnosis and stronger research.
MSF has supported the Nigerian Ministry of Health’s Sokoto noma hospital, in northwest Nigeria, since 2014, where its teams provide reconstructive surgery, nutritional support, mental health support and outreach activities. Since 2014, MSF’s surgical teams in Sokoto have carried out 1,203 surgeries on 837 patients.

“Inclusion in the WHO’s list of NTDs is an important step, but not the final one,” says Sherlock. “We plan to shift towards mobilising resources and strategic alliances within the global health community to facilitate programming and research to raise awareness of noma, reduce mortality and improve the patients and survivors’ life conditions.”
MSF plans to focus on research, expanding its collaboration with academic institutes around the world to discover more about the causes of noma. Another key step will be to integrate noma surveillance systems into MSF’s medical work. “In endemic countries, MSF plans to introduce screening for noma into existing MSF programmes, such as malnutrition screening and vaccination campaigns, with the aim of early detection and prompt treatment,” says Sherlock.
Finally, MSF will continue its advocacy efforts around noma. Its three-year campaign has received strong support from survivors of the disease, who have contributed their voices to get across the simple but important message: that noma is a preventable and treatable disease which should no longer exist.
MSF joins noma survivors in celebrating inclusion in WHO neglected tropical diseases list
News
Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume
Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume
By Ndahi Marama
Borno South Senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume has posit that the re-election of Reverend Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo as National President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) will serve as an avenue to unite members of the Christian community and other faithfuls in Nigeria.
Reverend Mohzo, a cousin brother to Ndume who hails from Ngoshe- Sama, a remote village in Gwoza local government area of Borno state, became the first non -indigenous and committed Man of God to clinch such a position for the first and second tenure, which is usually occupied by people of Plateau indigenes.

Recall that COCIN was established since 1904 in Wase community, Jos, the Plateau state capital.
Senator Ndume, having come from both muslim and Christian family, described the victory not only to the good people of Gwoza and Borno state, but the entire country.
In a press statement signed by Senator Ndume on Sunday, a copy which was made available to our Correspondent in Maiduguri, congratulated members of COCIN in Nigeria and those in diaspora, for giving Reverend Mohzo a second chance irrespective of where he hails from.
“The re-election of Reverend Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo as National President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) will serve as an avenue to unite members of the Christian community and other faithfuls in Nigeria.
“It will interest you to know that Rev. Mohzo is my Cousin brother who hails from Gwoza local government area of Borno state.
“Therefore, myself having come from both muslim and Christian family, I described the victory not only to the good people of Gwoza and Borno state, but the entire country.
“This is because, the National President is somebody I know with integrity, honesty, and an unquestionable character.
He is a man of deep humility, unshakable faith, and steadfast dedication to the service of God and humanity, which i believe, was the reason he was given the second chance to lead the noble Church.
“Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate all members of COCIN in Nigeria and those in diaspora, for giving Reverend Mohzo a second chance irrespective of where he hails from”. Senator Ndume said.
The Lawmaker prayed for God’s wisdom and guidance for the newly re-elected President.
Rev Dr Amos Musa Mohzo, born on 13th November, 1964 is from a humble background before his ascension to this exalted position.
Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume
Health
Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua
Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua
By: Yahaya Wakili
Pending the recommendations of the research being conducted by Bio-RTC in addressing the problem of Chronic Kidney failure in the state. The Yobe state government will establish additional succor to kidney patients with a Renal Dialysis Center in Gashua, the headquarters of the Bade local government area.
Yobe State Governor Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, disclosed this in his 2026 budget proposal speech of #515.583 billion submitted to the Yobe State House of Assembly in Damaturu.
Governor Buni said the government will also construct a new general hospital in Potiskum to address the problem of overcrowding of patients at the specialist hospital.
According to him, the government will also intend to complete the rehabilitation and upgrade of the 36 remaining primary health care centers across the state in fulfillment of our campaign promise to provide one functional primary healthcare center in each of the 178 political wards.
He further said in the fiscal year, the government will embark on the provision of at least one model primary school in each of the 178 electoral wards in the state to improve basic education in the state.
He maintained that the modern markets in Geidam, Buni Yadi, Ngalda, Yunusari, and Machina will be completed and commissioned, adding that these markets will not only improve the commercial activities in the state but will further provide job opportunities to our teeming youths and increase the income of our people.
Governor Buni revealed that funds would be made available for the provision of power substations in 6 major towns of the state. In addition to the provision of solar-powered streetlights, 250 KVA, 500 KVA, and 800 KVA diesel soundproof generator sets would be distributed to government agencies across the state.
Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua
News
Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations
Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations
By: Michael Mike
Angola and Nigeria have expressed readiness to strengthen their bilateral relations as well as be at the forefront of regional multilateral cooperation.
This was disclosed at the weekend at the Angola’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Abuja.
The event with themed: “Pieces of Angola’s History Told by the Protagonists,” brought together diplomats, scholars, business leaders, and veterans to celebrate half a century of independence and friendship between Angola and Nigeria.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relationships with Angola.
Tuggar, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director/Head Southern African Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Nonyelum Afoekelu,, said the 49 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Angola had witnessed tremendous achievements.
He added that: “There is no doubt that there is room for more collaboration in these new areas identified by both countries during the Joint Commission.
“I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s unrelenting commitment to deepening the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria-Angola for the mutual benefit of both countries.”
In his remarks, Angola Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, Niger, and ECOWAS, José Bamaquina Zau, said his country is looking particularly in the area of trade, security, and cultural exchange.
The envoy said both nations are working on 29 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, including visa exemptions and business partnerships to boost commerce between Luanda and Lagos.
“We are committed to ensuring that investors from both countries can move freely and build lasting prosperity,” he added.
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Zau praised the long-standing brotherhood and mutual respect between Angola and Nigeria, describing the relationship as one founded on solidarity, shared struggles, and a deep sense of African unity.
He specifically commended and awarded the Nigerian generals, now retired, who actively participated in the United Nations Observation Missions for the peace process and monitoring of the unification of the Angolan Armed Forces.
They include Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Maj. Gen. Chris Garuba, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, and Brig. Gen. Buba Saleh.
He said: “The awards are symbolic recognition and gratitude for their selfless contributions to the process of political emancipation and the achievement of lasting peace in Angola.
“The conferment of the awards today is an expression of profound gratitude from Angolan people to Nigerians, for the sacrifice made in voluntarily supporting the cause of freedom and independence in Angola.
“After our independence, on November 11, 1975, the Republic of Angola plunged into an unprecedented civil and proxy war that lasted for almost 27 years.
“The result was dramatic; thousands of citizens killed and maimed; the country was completely surrounded by 15 million landmines and around 5 million internally displaced citizens overcrowding the coastal cities.
“More than 100 thousand children separated from their families: around 70 per cent of the population deprived of access to health care.”
He noted that: “Nigeria has always stood by Angola in times of conflict, in peacebuilding, and in our continued development journey. Our friendship is historic and unshakable.”
He also acknowledged his predecessor, Ambassador Eustaquio Januario Quibato, for laying the groundwork for closer diplomatic and cultural ties between both nations, while reaffirming Angola’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria in trade, investment, security, and regional integration.
Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations
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