Chad closes border with Nigeria amid U.S. invasion rumours

By: Zagazola Makama

The Government of Chad has announced the immediate closure of its border with Nigeria, citing security concerns following reports of alleged U.S. military plans in West Africa.

Military sources in N’Djamena confirmed on Monday that President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno ordered a complete military lockdown along the Nigerian border after intelligence suggested that terrorist elements from northern Nigeria were preparing to flee into Chadian territory.

According to the sources, the Chadian army has been placed on full alert, with troops and armoured vehicles deployed across key border corridors linking the two countries.

The president was quoted as warning that “no armed group or foreign force will be allowed to enter Chadian soil under any disguise.”

The move comes amid heightened regional tension and growing speculation over America’s alleged military activities in parts of West Africa.

Security analysts said the closure was a preventive measure aimed at safeguarding Chadian sovereignty and preventing possible infiltration by armed groups exploiting regional instability.

Chad closes border with Nigeria amid U.S. invasion rumours

IMPACT: Borno Emerges Best Performing State in Malaria, Immunisation Project

By: Our Reporter

Borno State has emerged as the overall best in the implementation of Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), surpassing other participating states across the country.

IMPACT is a World Bank-supported community driven project aimed at reducing by half the mortality of chidren under five by 2030, through strengthening the primary healthcare centers.

The project delivers integrated immunisation-plus and malaria sevices to vulnerable population across 235 primary and secondary healthcare facilities across the state.

Receiving the award at the Government House in Maiduguri, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum commended the effort of the Ministry of Health for achieving the milestone.

Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuing its investment in the health sector to improve the wellbeing of people of the state.

“I would like to commend the Health Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary, the IMPACT project coordinator, and the rest of the team for their efforts in achieving this feat of becoming the best-performing state. On behalf of the government and people of the state, I extend our sincere gratitude,” Governor Zulum stated.

“Healthcare is one of the priorities of this admnistration, therefore, I willl like to assure you that more investment will be made in the entire value-chain of the health sector to ensure quality and affordable healthcare delivery system for people of the state,” he added.

Presenting the award to the governor, Communissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Malum Gana, said the state achieved this feat owing to the high perfomance in the implementation of the project in a holistic and coordinated approach, deployment of digital monitoring tools as well as data quality.

He remarked that more than two million anti-malaria drugs, two million test kits and other essential consumables have been distributed in the last one year.

“In the last one year more than 2 million anti-malaria, 359,596 long-lasting Insecticide treated nets and 2 million test kits and other essential non-malaria drugs and medical consumables have been distributed across 235 health facilities across the state,” Malum Gana said.

The commissioner emphasized that despite the security challenges and 2024 flood disaster, the state was able to achieve immunization coverage in vulnerable areas.

IMPACT: Borno Emerges Best Performing State in Malaria, Immunisation Project

Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa

By: Michael Olugbode

Nigeria has sympathized with the governments of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica over the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa that ravaged the countries.

A statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read: “The Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have received with profound sorrow and deep sympathy the news of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa on our sister nations, the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.

“The images and reports emerging from the countries, detailing widespread destruction, severe flooding, and the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods, are truly heart-wrenching. Nigeria stands in solidarity with the governments and the resilient peoples of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica during this period of immense adversity and destruction.

“We commend the swift and courageous efforts of the national emergency response teams in both countries, who are working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to provide relief and save lives.

“In the spirit of South-South cooperation and the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity that Nigeria shares with the nations of the Caribbean, the Federal Government of Nigeria extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a full and speedy recovery to the injured.

“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria calls upon the international community and our partner organisations to rally in support of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, and to provide all necessary assistance to help these nations in their urgent recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.”

Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa