Northeast
Nigeria: CERF releases US$10 million to save 1.7 million children under five in Northeast
Nigeria: CERF releases US$10 million to save 1.7 million children under five in Northeast
By: James Bwala
As the people of north-east Nigeria struggle to endure a devastating food and nutrition crisis, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has released a US$10 million allocation to help save lives and get urgent aid to those who need it most.
A statement by UN OCHA said approximately 1.74 million children under the age of five is expected to suffer from acute malnutrition across the north-east in 2022.
“With a 34 per cent increase so far from last year the north-east recorded the highest burden of acute malnutrition since 2016, and, over 300,000 children are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.” The statement said.
According to OCHA, the consequences of inaction are a matter of life and death. If immediate action is not taken, more than five thousand children are expected to die. Those who survive will potentially face lifelong disabilities. Malnutrition puts children at greater risk of dying from common infections, increases the frequency and severity of such infections, delays recovery and causes development stagnation.
“This CERF allocation will enable accelerated action to increase treatment capacity and early identification of acute malnutrition. The funding will be used for integrated prevention and treatment, including proven local solutions to improve availability, affordability and/or accessibility to nutritious foods that protect women and children from repeated episodes of acute malnutrition.
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“This CERF allocation is the latest in a concerted effort to address the food and nutrition crisis. In May 2022 CERF allocated $15 million to support the catastrophic food insecurity and nutrition response. In September, the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) provided two allocations of $2.5 million and $1 million to enable humanitarian actors to provide urgent nutrition support in line with the interagency US$ 351 million multisector plan to address the desperate food and nutrition situation.
“These funds are being disbursed in the midst of an alarming lean season in which 4.1 million people across the north-east are facing the pain of hunger according to the Cadre Harmonisé food security and nutrition assessment.
“Despite these efforts, there remains a massive funding gap. The Nutrition Sector has a lean season funding gap of $39 million, or 57 per cent. According to Mr. Matthias Schmale, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, “We urgently need to close the funding gap to rapidly scale-up the response and implement immediate life-saving measures. For the thousands of children trying to survive, additional funding is needed today, not tomorrow.” The statement reads.
Nigeria: CERF releases US$10 million to save 1.7 million children under five in Northeast
Bauchi Youth dies after fight during naming ceremony in Warji
By: Zagazola Makama
A 20-year-old man, Haruna Haruna of Kwata Village, Warji Local Government Area, Bauchi State, has reportedly died following a violent altercation during a naming ceremony on 2 December 2025.
Zagazola understands that a misunderstanding among some youths at the ceremony escalated into a physical fight, leaving the victim in a comatose state.
He was rushed to General Hospital, Warji, but later died while receiving medical attention.
Police operatives have arrested one Gambo Yobe, 20, in connection with the incident.
Bauchi Youth dies after fight during naming ceremony in Warji
Boko Haram attack kills vigilante in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A vigilante member was shot dead on Wednesday during an attack by suspected Boko Haram fighters at a vigilante camp in Kanamma town, Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred at about 1839 hours when the assailants stormed the camp, opening fire on the victims.
The deceased, identified as Dauda Bamai, 35, of Kanamma, was pronounced dead by a medical doctor in Kanamma.
Security forces have intensified monitoring and patrols in the area to track down the attackers.
Boko Haram attack kills vigilante in Yobe
Zulum sponsors youths for degrees in Piloting, Aeronautical Engineering, others
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed immediate selection and sponsorship of indigent youths for degree programmes in high-value fields, including Piloting, Aeronautical Engineering and related disciplines.
He gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting at the Government House in Maiduguri when he received Mr Issac Balami, the founder of Issac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM).
According to Zulum, the selection process will prioritise indigent youths who demonstrate academic potential but lack the financial means to pursue such expensive courses of study.
The governor stated, “On our part, as the government of Borno State, we will do everything possible to support this university within our reach.
“I want to most sincerely thank you for the offers you have given to the government and people of Borno State for the training of a sizable number of aircraft planners and aircraft technicians.
“Deliberately, I invited the Commissioner for Education and the Executive Secretary of the scholarship board; they will liaise with you to see how candidates will be sent to your university.
“The Commissioner for Education and your team, you will identify the most vulnerable in the population who can benefit from this scheme: those who cannot afford, nor can their parents, to undertake those aeronautics courses. I don’t want anyone close to the governor, the deputy governor or the commissioner to be selected. Purely on merit! Mind you, I have to vet the list after the selection process.”
Earlier in his address, Balami announced that his institution would provide free training to an initial batch of Borno indigenes in Aircraft Planning and Aircraft Technology.
He said the gesture was an act of giving back to the society, inspired by a scholarship he received years ago from the Borno State Government which paved the way for his own career in aeronautics.
He stated that one person from each of the 27 local governments in Borno would be trained as aircraft planners and aircraft technicians.
Zulum sponsors youths for degrees in Piloting, Aeronautical Engineering, others
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