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
Damaturu Flyover: Governor Buni expresses satisfaction with work
By: Yahaya Wakili
Governor (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN of Yobe State, has expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of work on the Damaturu Flyover and Underpass and Damaturu-Gambir road projects, adding that the contractors have so far lived up to expectations with strict adherence to the contractual agreements.
He revealed that “when the projects are completed, this would greatly check the problem of congestion here at the city center as well as the menace of flooding into houses along Gashua Road.”
Governor Buni started this when he paid an inspection visit to the Damaturu Flyover and Underpass and the Damaturu-Gambir road projects under construction.
The state commissioner for works, Engr. Umar Wakil Duddaye, who conducted the governor round the project, told the governor that the site engineers from the ministry have been on every stage of development on the project to ensure compliance and for the government to have value for its money.
The contractors further assured the governor that the project would be completed within the stipulated time frame.
On the Damaturu–Gambir road, the governor said the road has great economic value, as it would ease transportation of agricultural products from the benefitting communities to Damaturu, the state capital.
According to him, this road would provide a solution to the age-long difficulty faced by the community, and he is also glad the contractor has completed the earthworkand commenced the overlay.
Engr. Modu Bukar of Elegance Construction Contractors, handling the project, assured the governor that the project would be completed in the next nine weeks.
The governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana; the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Umar Wakil Duddaye; and the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Mohammed Abacha.
Others include the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallam Wali mni; the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Executive Director of Finance and Admin, Dr. Garba Iliya; Special Advisers on Special Duties and Religious Affairs; and other top government officials.
Damaturu Flyover: Governor Buni expresses satisfaction with work
Allied health professionals protest exclusion from CONHESS in Borno state
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The National Union of Allied Health Professionals, Borno State Chapter, has protested the exclusion of its members from the 100% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) implementation in Borno State.
The protest is coming despite the Nigerian Medical Association’s (NMA) commendation of the government of Governor Babagana Zulum for implementing the new salary structure.
The union notes that professionals like physiotherapists, radiographers, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists were unfairly left out of the current arrangement calling for a correction of the omission.
In a statement issued recently, by Kaka Mele who is the secretary of the association, the union urged the state government to address this oversight to ensure equitable treatment and enhanced healthcare delivery.
The union appreciated the government’s efforts to improve healthcare but emphasized the crucial role allied health professionals play in the synergy within the healthcare system.
Recently, the NMA commended Governor Babagana Zulum for implementing the upgraded CONHESS salary structure for health workers in the state, stating that it would motivate the workforce and boost morale of the team.
However, the exclusion of allied health professionals has raised concerns about the alleged inclusivity of the policy.
As the state government considers the union’s request, it remains to be seen how this will impact the entire health sector in Borno State.
The union’s plea highlights the need for inclusive policies that recognizes the contributions of all healthcare workers.
Allied health professionals protest exclusion from CONHESS in Borno state
Troops intercept smuggled fuel, fertilizer in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have intercepted 21 jerricans of smuggled fuel and large consignments of urea fertilizer in Adamawa State.
Sources said that the seizure, made in the Mubi axis between Sept. 19 and 25, dealt a major blow to terrorist logistics and improvised explosive device (IED) production networks.
According to sources, the items were destined for insurgents operating in parts of Borno and Adamawa.
The military authorities assured that troops would sustain operations to disrupt terror supply chains in the region.
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