News
NAAT Unimaid branch down lab tools for three days

NAAT Unimaid branch down lab tools for three days
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The National Association of Academic Technologists NAAT University of Maiduguri (Unimaid) branch has shut down all laboratory activities for three days to press home demands for five and a half months salary arrears which was seized by the previous regime under the guise of no work no pay policy.
In a heavily crowded rally hosted within the campus of the University of Maiduguri, chairman of naat in unimaid Comrade Yusuf Bulus told newsmen that this warning strike will last for three days after which it will be called off to assess the seriousness of the government towards sorting out the myriad of demands of his members.
He said his union was not happy with the shabby treatment it received from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation in Abuja as it concerns memos on the payment of their salary arrears which has since been approved by President Bola Tinubu.
“We want to thank God Almighty for the breath of life and also appreciate our esteemed but humbled members, that despite the fasting periods have availed themselves for this press conference.” he posited.
In a release he narrated a litany of woes which led to the industrial action adding that: “The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) painfully embarked on an industrial action on the 21st day of March, 2022 to press home our demands.
” Among which includes: Full implementation of 2009 agreement, payment of outstanding earned allowances, release of enabling circular for carrier elongation for CONTISS 14 and 15, upgrade obsolete equipment and improve the dilapidated structural state of laboratories in our citadel of higher learning, re-negotiation of the aforementioned 2009 agreement. “
He revealed that following the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians, like the former Speaker of the Ninth National Assembly Femi Gbajabiamila, the cry of parents and students, the Union resolved to call off the lingering industrial action that lasted 5 months and 2 weeks adding that eventually the strike was called off on 25th of August 2022 with no meaningful progress.
However, “Under the new dispensation of the father of our nation, the Chief advocate of renewed hope for Nigeria, our President Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and commander in Chief, who granted a waiver on non-payment of the withheld salaries on the inception of his administration. As we speak this executive waiver refuse to see the light of day.
“Despite repeated subtle reminders, in form of written correspondences from the Union, sadly the government remains insensitive to our plights. Left with no choice, the Union unanimously decided to abide by the outcome of the Virtual conference held on the 13th March, 2024, and the outcome of branch congress resolution held on the 18th March, 2024.
“The branch has decided to embark on a three days warning strike commencing from the 20th March, 2024, terminating on 22nd March, 2024.
” In the course of this warning industrial dispute, all laboratories will be shut down, there will be no conducting and teaching of practicals no project works and no conducting of research works.
We want to thank you all for honouring our invitation, and hope you convey our massage to the appropriate authorities.” Said Comrade Yusuf Bulus the
Branch Chairman, NAAT Unimaid.
NAAT Unimaid branch down lab tools for three days
News
ECOWAS Meets to Fill Staff Vacancies of Exited Members, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

ECOWAS Meets to Fill Staff Vacancies of Exited Members, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) seems to have finally gotten the exit of of the Alliance of Sahel States- Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic.behind it as Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the countries of the regional body met on Thursday in Abuja to fill vacancies left by the citizens of the departed countries in the bloc.
The bloc is also expected to determine how to treat staff with dual nationalities, staffers with both AES and ECOWAS nationalities.
Speaking at the opening of the Extra Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers on recruitment and the case of staff from AES Countries from Grade P4 and below, the Chairman of Council of Ministers and Sierra Leone Minister of Foreign Afairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Musa Kabba, said the Council’s meeting aims to discuss the allocation of statutory positions to member states, and to discuss the recruitment and status of staff from AES Countries from Grade P4 and below.

Kabba said the process are critical barometers for gauging our institutional credibility and an affirmation of our regional solidarity.
He noted that focus should not only be on the parameters of equitable distribution of these statutory positions across member states, but also, we should be particularly concerned about fairness and inclusivity to ensure that everyone is involved with a shared vision for the future.
Kabba noted that the decisions of the gathering “must be grounded in due process, transparency, equity, and in alignment with the broader regional commitments, as building blocks to guarantee economic integration, regional peace and security, and our democratic tenets as a community.”
He added: “let me now draw the attention of this esteemed Council to the work of the Ad-hoc Ministerial Committee – a committee constituted by over 70% of our membership, this makes the decision of the Ad-hoc committee a fait accompli, which makes it compelling to review the procedures of the establishment of Ad-Hoc Committees.
“It is also important to note that members of the ad-hoc Committee would have reviewed the commission’s proposals on the statutory positions which will inform our deliberations on the presentation of the memorandum on proposals for the allocation of statutory positions to member states.”
In her welcome address, Nigeria Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said: “Nigeria remains steadfast in its role as a dependable partner, ever ready to contribute meaningfully to the strengthening of our Community institutions and to the realization of the noble objectives for which this Organization stands. We believe that with collective effort and renewed dedication, we can build a more effective, responsive, and fully functional organisation that truly serves the aspirations of our region and beyond.”
On his part, the President of the Commission, Aliou Touray said: “This extraordinary Council is borne out of necessity. In the last three years, we have struggled to fill vacancies in our institutions using a staff regulation that constrains management’s ability to administratively expedite the process. It has therefore become necessary to refer to Council from time to time to help us untangle the web. We are very grateful to Council for the earlier waiver which enabled us to have shorter time frame for advertisements of vacant positions. With this, we have now published and received a sizeable number of applications.
“However, Excellencies, the challenge currently, is with the processing of these applications and the scheduling of interviews. These have been slower than the rate of staff attrition, due to aging workforce with an average annual loss of staff to retirement estimated at 13 personnel. The volume of applications is beyond the capacity of the recruitment firms in place, due to the largely manual method used in processing the applications. “Therefore, we have had to recruit additional recruitment firms and sought your approval for these International Independent firms to come in assist with an end-to-end recruitment exercise. I have also directed the Internal Services Department to accelerate the deployment of e-recruitment system to fast track the processing of applications.

“With the sudden departure of large number of our workforce who are nationals of the countries that exited from the Organisation, namely Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, we are faced with the challenge of replacing them. We need Council to guide us in the equitable distribution of the vacant positions among all the Member States, without sacrificing competence. As our staff regulations did not provide any guidance on how to allocate vacant positions to specific member states for the purpose of achieving equity, it has become necessary for Council to provide its guidance on the way forward.
“We are therefore pleased to present to you a memorandum with proposals on how to achieve this equitable distribution of the positions and fast track the recruitment process. In making these proposals, the Commission took into account the current staff distribution per member state, and the interest of those member states with poor representation in the current workforce of the institutions. Our goal is to achieve equity, ensure quality and consolidate on the solidarity which strengthens our Community.
“As management, we are committed to protecting the interests of each member states, whether their nationals are represented in the Management of the Institutions or not. We have taken an oath to serve the entire community and not our narrow national interests. We therefore look forward to your deliberations and guidance on this matter.”
ECOWAS Meets to Fill Staff Vacancies of Exited Members, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
News
Zulum Orders Immediate Investigation into MURIC’s Claims of Hijab Harassment in Maiduguri Hospitals

Zulum Orders Immediate Investigation into MURIC’s Claims of Hijab Harassment in Maiduguri Hospitals
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum said he received with great concern a statement by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging the harassment of muslim women for wearing hijab in some hospitals in Maiduguri.
Zulum noted that while the government is not aware of any official report or complaint regarding such incidents, his administration has taken the allegations with utmost seriousness.
In a directive issued on Thursday through his spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, Zulum, ordered the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, to undertake an immediate and thorough investigation to ascertain the veracity of these claims.
The statement noted that Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting all citizens’ religious rights and dignity, particularly that of women. He stated that Borno State, being a predominantly muslim society, holds hijab in high esteem and any form of harassment against those who choose to wear it, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“The welfare and rights of our citizens, especially our mothers, wives, and daughters, are paramount. We have zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment. While we have no prior record of such complaints, we are not taking these allegations lightly. This investigation will be swift and transparent. If any wrongdoing is found, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken immediately,” Zulum assured.
The statement added that Zulum urges the public, and specifically individuals who have experienced such treatment, to come forward and assist in the investigation with credible information to ensure a fair and just outcome.
“I assure the public that, that Borno State government under my leadership will not tolerate any action that unjustly targets or humiliate any segment of our society,” he concludes.
Zulum Orders Immediate Investigation into MURIC’s Claims of Hijab Harassment in Maiduguri Hospitals
News
Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Mental Health and Malnutrition Together

Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Mental Health and Malnutrition Together
By: Michael Mike
Every year, millions of children around the world suffer from malnutrition—a crisis that is all too visible in their frail bodies and tired eyes. But what is often less visible, yet just as devastating, are the psychological wounds that malnutrition inflicts on both children and their caregivers.
Over the years, the upward surge in children admitted for the treatment of malnutrition in MSF nutrition programmes has been an alarming trend. In the 12 Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centres (ITFCs) and over 30 Ambulatory Therapeutic Feeding Centres (ATFCs) supported by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières across seven northern Nigerian states, its teams are often overwhelmed.
In 2024 alone, over 300,000 malnourished children were collectively treated in Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, and Sokoto —a 25 percent increase from 2023. With these admissions come psychological wounds that affect the mental health of both the children and caregivers. They both go through a cycle of emotions from the day they are admitted up to the time of discharge.
Kauna Hope Bako, MSF’s mental health supervisor in the Bauchi project, and her team—just like in other project locations in Nigeria—are working to break this cycle. Their approach recognises that malnutrition is not just a medical emergency, but a psychological one as well.
The Hidden Toll of Malnutrition
“Malnutrition is one disease that doesn’t just affect the child physically,” explains Bako. “It has psychological, emotional, and behavioural implications.”
Children suffering from malnutrition often become irritable, withdrawn, and unresponsive. They may miss key developmental milestones—struggling to walk, talk, or interact with their environment like other children.
The emotional pain is real.
“The child is feeling detached, sad that he cannot play like other children, and is trying to understand what is going on with him,” Bako says. “He’s going through a lot of pain and stress—not just from malnutrition, but from other diseases that often come with it.”
The relationship between mental health and malnutrition is deeply intertwined. Malnutrition can lead to emotional and cognitive problems in children, while — traumatic factors such as neglect, abusive home environments, or lack of love—can lead to psychological suffering and contribute to malnutrition. “They’re two sides of the same coin,” Bako notes. “Malnutrition can lead to mental health problems and mental health problems can lead to malnutrition.”
Experience from Niger and Nigeria over past few years has shown that integrating these activities contributes to faster weight gain, shorter lengths of stay in inpatient feeding centres, and improved caregiver well-being.
The Caregiver’s Burden
The impact of malnutrition extends beyond the child. Mothers and caregivers, who are often the primary source of support, face immense stress and emotional strain.
“At triage, the emotions you’ll find most prominent are anxiety, stress, and fear,” Bako shares. “The caregiver is not really comfortable. She’s worried.”
Additionally, many feel helpless, frustrated, or even ashamed, sometimes blaming themselves for their child’s condition.
“It’s important that we give care not just to the child but also to the caregiver,” Bako emphasises. “If the mother is not able to manage her own stress, it may unconsciously spill over to the child.”
Breaking the Vicious Cycle
MSF’s mental health team uses a holistic approach to support both children and caregivers. There’s a playroom in all MSF-supported hospitals in Nigeria where mothers or caregivers and their children meet every day for mental health sessions. Their daily activities include:
- Psycho-stimulation sessions: Using play, colours, sounds, and gentle massages, these sessions help children regain lost developmental skills and foster emotional bonds with their caregivers.
- Psycho-education: Caregivers learn about the psychological impact of malnutrition, how to manage stress, and how their own well-being affects their child’s recovery.
- Support groups: Caregivers share experiences, coping strategies, and emotional support, building a sense of community and resilience.
- Recreational activities: These sessions offer caregivers and their children a chance to relax and distract themselves from the stress of hospital life.
- Individual counselling: For those experiencing acute distress, one-on-one support is available.
Recognising the role of fathers, the team also organises men’s sessions to educate and encourage them to support mothers emotionally and make informed decisions about their children’s care.
Additionally, MSF’s approach extends beyond patients and caregivers. The Mental Health team trains all staff—doctors, nurses, and support workers—in psychological first aid and communication skills.
“Communication is sometimes service treatment,” Bako says. “When the mother feels listened to, when the child feels safe with the doctor or nurse, that already is treatment.”
Hope for Recovery
By addressing both the physical and psychological needs of malnourished children and their caregivers, MSF is helping to break the cycle of suffering.
“It’s not just about treating the disease,” Bako says. “It’s about restoring hope, dignity, and the bonds that help children and families heal.”
On World Mental Health Day, MSF reaffirms its commitment to holistic care—because every child deserves not just to survive, but to thrive, body and mind.
Since 2022, MSF has been raising the alarm over the worsening malnutrition situation in northern Nigeria. The situation has continued to deteriorate, with alarming numbers of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Between January and June 2025, MSF admitted 32,940 severely malnourished children in inpatient therapeutic feeding centres, and 136,255 children in outpatient therapeutic feeding centres in northern Nigeria. To help families cope with the psychological toll of the crisis, MSF also conducted 30,880 mental health sessions during the same period. In Bauchi, since the beginning of the project in 2024, our teams have provided mental health support to 113,191 malnourished children and their caregivers. - Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Mental Health and Malnutrition Together
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