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UMTH: Why the people should take ownership after the flood
UMTH: Why the people should take ownership after the flood
By: Balami Lazarus
The extensive damages at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital as a result of the flood that ravages the city of Maiduguri remain a thing of concern to visitors, patients, and administrators who are eagerly awaiting to see that services return to normal and all machinery is working as it should for proper administration of quality health services.
As people show sympathy and calls for spirited individuals and organizations to turn their helping hands toward bringing back the hospital to its state of affairs before the flood, one thing that keeps coming from the people is to ensure that those expensive machines and equipment are put in place.
NEWSng observed recently the damages and calls for actions. The extending of heartfelt concern to the government and people of Borno State, especially as a result of this unfortunate situation, is highly encouraging, and the pace at which individuals and organizations are taking to support the hospital at this time is also appreciated.
For the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), it is of tears for the losses in billions of Naiira. But courage and determination shown by the excellent leadership efforts of the management and the wonderful works of the CMD, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, have been creating waves and still making significant marks in this great reputable hospital, even in the face of needs.
Professor Ahmed Ahidjo has demonstrated unequal leadership. He has shown that a large heart, kindness, selflessness, seeking progress, and peace are part of the needs to ensure stability amongst the patients, their relatives, and the staff that are providing immediate services in this traumatic and unorganized situation that accompanied that aftermath of the Maiduguri flood.
He has been preaching the message of considering the people first as the hospital battles many faces of challenges during and after the flood submerged the walls that house his hospital. This, according to the people who spoke to our team, is commendable, as inconsideration of public interest in regards to medical services has denied many hospitals the public and community calls as UMTH is getting at this time when voices are speaking on its behalf for succor and support.
“I believe with the many calls for action, the hospital will soon attract more and better equipment and materials in kind and in cash as an attempt to take ownership by individuals and organizations for public interest.” Auwal Mohammed, a resident of Maiduguri, told NEWSng in a chat.
“Anyone that might have come close to the CMD must have known that medicine and providing good healthcare of quality and standard are his top priorities for the people. Without reservation, permit me here to say after his family is medicine/radiology and UMTH.” A staff member of the UMTH who did not want to be mentioned said.
UMTH is the most affected. NEWSng findings revealed that the modern, sophisticated state-of-the-art medical equipment and materials in the main hospital and other medical centers, departments, wards, and units are water-soaked.
UMTH has the best specialized equipped medical centers staffed with professionals and medical health personnel. It is believed that other members of the public will attest to this and hence contribute with their resources.
To take ownership of a public facility situated and being in a particular locality by the people’s concern is simply giving back to the community by contributing, sponsoring projects, and making donations in cash and in kind to enable the likes of UMTH to deliver efficient medical services. And for UMTH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo and his management team, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Ends
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
By: Our Reporter
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, has inaugurated 39 mini-green Maria vehicles to ensure the safe transportation of inmates to courts during trials.
In a statement on X, the ministry said the commissioning took place at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The minister also unveiled four armoured security guard booths to protect correctional facilities from external aggression by non-state actors.
“The Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, today inaugurated four armored security guard booths at the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters to enhance the defense of correctional facilities against external threats,” the statement reads.
“He also unveiled 39 mini-green Maria vehicles designed to ensure the secure transportation of inmates to court during trials. These efforts reflect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the safety and welfare of officers and inmates.
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
By: Mamman Mohammed
Since the news about the signing of the Damaturu fly over contract filtered the air, it attracted accolades in many quarters and of course, reservations in some quarters. This is very normal and usual with every human endeavour.
It is pertinent to note that His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, while presenting the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly, emphatically said “The widespread of road projects is intended to give a facelift and accessibility to our communities. Government is committed to the completion of the seventeen ongoing road projects, and to embark on eleven new ones. The completion of the township roads and drainages in five Local Government Areas is very dear to the government. I am also pleased to inform you that work would soon commence for the construction of the Damaturu flyover. We would also commence work on the Damaturu Green Economic City”.
Similarly, the budget allocated funds to other sectors to run simultaneously to improve the lives of the people without obstructing the execution of other projects and programmes in other sectors.
Importantly, the budget went through open process of careful and critical scrutiny, with Civil Society Organizations, individuals and groups in attendance.
Throughout the public sitting, none of the interest groups and individuals identified any project including the Damaturu flyover road as a misplacement of priority that would be at the expense of another, and as they may say, it is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
There is no doubt that the Damaturu flyover project will not only check the numerous congestion and accidents in the metropolis but, also beautify Damaturu, from a glorified local government headquarters to a beffiting state capital that is comparable to its peers, and a pride of every Yobean.
This takes us to the Muhammadu Buhari lnternational Cargo Airport as a reference point. When Gov. Buni took over the leadership of the state in 2019, there was an argument for and against the completion of the airport.
Many people described it as a wasteful project while others urged the new administration to ensure its completion. And when Gov. Buni finally announced the completion of the airport which was still at skeletal stage, it put such arguments to halt.
Gov. Buni’s argument was that, abandoning the project at that level would be a monumental loss to the state that would only attract untold inflation whenever any administration decides to complete the airport. Thanks to the wise decision, and the deep futuristic thinking by Governor Buni.
Today, the argument over the completion of the airport is now history. It is
completed and commissioned. It remains
one of the iconic legacy projects, with a very prosperous future to the state.
Already, some international investors have indicated interest in direct and indirect investments in the state. The Qatari business community and most recently, the Moroccan Investment, lmport and Export Development Agency, said the airport is a window to a fruitful economic partnership that would generate employment and wealth creation.
The same criticisms greeted the Kano, Maiduguri, Yola, Kaduna and Jalingo flyovers.
Surprisingly, some characters who lauded the flyovers elsewhere have suddenly changed their positions with the Damaturu flyover.
As a known fact, there may be no single government project or programme that would generate100% support from the public, as everyone may have his opinion for or against such project.
We should always see such projects positively and support government in its development strides to make Damaturu a state capital that is in tune with the changing times.
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the release of Usman Daina, the Secretary of Munya Local Government Council, who was abducted by armed bandits.
Daina was freed unhurt following a sustained pursuit operation by security forces. However, authorities have stated that efforts are still ongoing to rescue other victims who remain in captivity and to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
Zagazola Makama had reported that On Feb. 21, 2025, heavily armed bandits launched an attack on Munya Local Government Area, abducting several residents, including the council secretary.
It was gathered that that the assailants moved from Chibani forest through the Shakwata axis before striking various communities, including the Dandaudu area of Munya LGA.
The attackers invaded homes, looted food supplies, and forcefully took away multiple victims.
Following the abduction, the Nigerian Army troops, police tactical teams, vigilantes, and other security forces were deployed to track the movements of the kidnappers.
Their aggressive pursuit led to the successful release of Daina, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining captives and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the attack.
Sources said that the security forces are currently conducting aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and ground raids on identified bandit hideouts in the region.
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
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