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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
Violent clash in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga Minna leaves one dead, several arrested
Violent clash in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga Minna leaves one dead, several arrested
By: Zagazola Makama
A violent confrontation among rival youths in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga, Minna, Niger State, resulted in the death of one person and the arrest of several others, security sources confirmed on Saturday.
According to sources, on Friday at about 8:00 p.m., a group of youths armed with dangerous weapons were sighted causing havoc along David Mark Road. Security operatives quickly intervened and dispersed the group.
However, at about 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, the same group engaged in a violent clash among themselves using matchets and daggers. Twelve suspects, including Ibrahim Musa, Abbah Hussaini, Babangida Gambo, and Abubakar Bala, were arrested, by the police and their weapons recovered.
Later at about 8:30 a.m., Bello Mohammed of Farm Centre, Tunga Minna, was found lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to General Hospital Minna but was confirmed dead on arrival.
Sources said that preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased was among the suspected thugs terrorizing residents in the area.
Violent clash in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga Minna leaves one dead, several arrested
News
Young fulani man killed, six cows poisoned in separate farmland incidents in Plateau state
Young fulani man killed, six cows poisoned in separate farmland incidents in Plateau state
By: Zagazola Makama
A 25-year-old Fulani man, Yakubu Salisu of Tenti village, Bokkos Local Government Area, was killed in a violent attack, while six cows were poisoned in a separate incident in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday, authorities confirmed.
According to sources , Salisu was stabbed at the back by yet-to-be-identified assailants suspected to be locals of Bokkos. He died instantly at the scene.
Before the attack, a farmer, Josiah Joshua, 28, said he reportedly confronted six herders rearing cows on his farm. According to him, herders allegedly refused to remove the animals and attacked Joshua, resulting in injuries.
In retaliation, Joshua mobilized his friends to attack Yakubu Salisu, stabbing him multiple times on his before and killing him instantly.
Local leaders told Zagazola that the claims by some parties suggesting the Fulani victims “invaded farmlands” are false and appear to be an attempt to justify the attacks. Investigations indicate both incidents were unprovoked and targeted.
The police, however stormed the scene, photographed the corps and later released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites, as the family declined an autopsy. The Authorities said they have commenced investigation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, in Riyom LGA, six cows were poisoned in Kwi village without any apparent provocation.
Authorities have commenced investigations into both incidents, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
Security officials warned residents to remain vigilant and urged communities to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
These incidents illustrate the rising tensions in Plateau State, drawing attention to the need for swift intervention to prevent escalation of communal violence over farmland disputes.
Young fulani man killed, six cows poisoned in separate farmland incidents in Plateau state
News
Silent Changes, Big Impact: Adeola Ajayi’s Transformation of the DSS
Silent Changes, Big Impact: Adeola Ajayi’s Transformation of the DSS
By: Sunday Oladapo
Leadership in the security sector often reveals itself not through grand speeches or public displays of authority, but through quiet, deliberate decisions that gradually shift systems, culture, and outcomes. Adeola Ajayi’s stewardship of the Department of State Services (DSS) exemplifies this subtle but powerful form of leadership. Though he rarely seeks the spotlight, the changes unfolding under his watch are reshaping the DSS in ways that many insiders describe as the most meaningful transformation the agency has witnessed in years.
From the moment Ajayi assumed office, it was clear he was bringing a different kind of energy—one rooted in discipline, modernization, and strategic silence. Instead of sweeping pronouncements, he focused on strengthening the agency’s foundation: its people, processes, and purpose. And this approach, though understated, is now yielding visible dividends.
Reinvigorating Professionalism and Intelligence Capacity
One of Ajayi’s most significant achievements is the recalibration of the DSS’s intelligence framework. Recognizing that modern threats—from terrorism to cybercrime—require an intelligence service that is both proactive and technologically sophisticated, he initiated targeted reforms to upgrade analytical tools, digital surveillance capacity, and field operations coordination.
Training programs have also been revitalized. Officers are now exposed to global best practices in intelligence gathering, behavioral analysis, cybersecurity, and inter-agency communication. The goal is simple but transformative: build a DSS that can prevent threats before they materialize, rather than merely responding after damage has been done.
Ajayi’s emphasis on data-driven intelligence has contributed to more efficient threat assessment, improved crisis response, and a more agile internal structure that encourages innovation instead of outdated, rigid protocols.
Strengthening Inter-Agency Collaboration
A common weakness in Nigeria’s security architecture has been fragmentation—agencies working in silos, often competing rather than collaborating. Ajayi has worked quietly but effectively to change this dynamic. His leadership has fostered smoother cooperation between the DSS, the police, the military, and other national security institutions.
By prioritizing information-sharing, joint operations, and coordinated strategy development, Ajayi has positioned the DSS as a core driver of national security synergy. This shift may not be flashy, but its impact on operational success is already becoming evident.
Humanizing the Service and Rebuilding Public Trust
For many years, perceptions of the DSS fluctuated between respect and apprehension, largely due to concerns over transparency and human-rights practices. Ajayi has taken deliberate steps to address this by promoting a more professional, rights-conscious operational culture. Officers now undergo enhanced training on ethical conduct, community engagement, and communication.
While the DSS is not—and cannot be—a public-relations-driven institution, Ajayi understands that a modern security service must maintain a level of trust with the citizens it protects. His reforms are gradually helping to redefine the agency’s public interface, balancing its mandate for secrecy with an improved commitment to professionalism and accountability.
Internal Welfare and Institutional Stability
Security agencies perform best when their personnel feel valued, motivated, and well-equipped. Ajayi has strengthened internal welfare systems, ensuring officers receive improved support, clearer career growth opportunities, and the tools they need to perform effectively. This has boosted morale and reduced internal friction—two factors crucial for operational efficiency.
His quiet stabilizing influence has also brought a sense of predictability to DSS operations. Under his leadership, the agency appears more insulated from political turbulence, allowing it to focus squarely on its mandate.
A Leadership Style Rooted in Strategy, Not Spectacle
In a time when some leaders rely on bravado or theatrics to appear effective, Ajayi stands out for his disciplined restraint. His philosophy seems guided by a fundamental principle: a security agency’s success is measured in outcomes, not headlines. The calmness of his leadership style has enabled him to pursue reforms without unnecessary noise, distractions, or politicization.
And this may be the true hallmark of his impact—delivering change through consistency rather than controversy.
Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Blueprint for the DSS
If the momentum of Ajayi’s reforms is sustained, the DSS could emerge as a more modern, reliable, and globally respected intelligence service. His agenda sets a foundation for:
A culture of professionalism over patronage
A stronger intelligence-driven approach to national security
A more integrated and collaborative security environment
A service that balances secrecy with lawful, ethical conduct
A stable institution that prioritizes national interest above all else
His leadership demonstrates that meaningful reform does not always come with fanfare. Sometimes, it comes quietly—through silent changes that produce big, enduring impact.
In transforming the DSS with such strategic subtlety, Adeola Ajayi is not only redefining the institution but also showing that a new era of thoughtful, modern security leadership is both possible and already taking shape.
Sunday Oladapo is a public analysts from Abuja
Silent Changes, Big Impact: Adeola Ajayi’s Transformation of the DSS
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