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UNICEF Hands Over Medical Equipment Worth Over $300,000 To Borno Govt

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UNICEF Hands Over Medical Equipment Worth Over $300,000 To Borno Govt

By Francis Okoye

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has handed over health supplies and equipment worth over $300,000 US dollars to Borno state government.

Speaking at a brief handover ceremony held at UNICEF Central Store in Maiduguri on Thursday, the UNICEF Chief of Borno Field Office, Phuong Nguyen, said a quarter of health facilities in north-east Nigeria have been destroyed, while a shortage of health workers and essential equipment and drugs has impeded the delivery of quality health services to pregnant women, newborns and children.

She noted that the intervention was to ensure that
pregnant women, newborns and vulnerable children are getting better healthcare services to fulfill their potential.

According to her, women and children have paid the highest cost of armed conflict in north-east Nigeria, especially in 2020, with each day of conflict claiming the lives of 170 children from direct and indirect causes in northeast Nigeria, which reduced access to health services, based on the United Nations Developement Programme ( UNDP) agency report.

She explained that UNICEF will soon hand over a newly built primary health care center and supplies worth over $15,000 already installed at the Hajj Camp Clinic to strengthen healthcare delivery for children and adults affected by conflict in Borno state.

She said, “Protracted conflict has continued to contribute to disease outbreaks and high maternal and child mortality rates, including child malnutrition in north-east Nigeria.

“With this intervention, pregnant women, newborns and children affected by conflict in Borno State will be able to access qualitative healthcare services in their communities, through the provision of essential health supplies in primary health care facilities located in their communities.”

“This support is in addition to other essential health and nutrition services UNICEF and donors is providing to conflict-affected women and children through the government and other partners.

She further explained that UNICEF will continue to work with governments across the north-east to ensure the survival and wellbeing of women and children.

Receiving the the medical supplies, the Borno state commissioner of health, Prof. Malam Gana said the equipment will go a long way in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality rate in the Borno.

He explained that Borno state is one of the state in Nigeria with highest indices of maternal and neonatal mortality but said UNICEF is committed to seeing that every child and pregnant woman gets the best healthcare delivery in the state.

“I will like to recall the generosity of UNICEF in terms of assisting the Borno state government especially in this 13th years of insurgency which had resulted in the lost of 45 % per cent of our health care facilities .

“”Some of them were partially damaged and some of them were neglected by the insurgents and it has led to lost of a lot of personnel . Some were kidnapped, some were killed and some have suffered from distress disorder, that left Borno state in a callous and critical situation.

“But with the assistance from UNICEF, we have gotten some succour for our people, ” Gana said.

UNICEF Hands Over Medical Equipment Worth Over $300,000 To Borno Govt

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Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises

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Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises

By: Zagazola Makama

Another group of repentant bandits has released three women in Katsina State as part of the ongoing peace process in the state.

The women, whose names were not immediately disclosed, were said to have been held by a notorious bandit leader, Kacalla Zailani, who controls the Maigora axis.

Community sources told Zagazola on Wednesday that Zailani freed the captives voluntarily without collecting ransom.

“He handed over the women to the mediators as a gesture of goodwill to consolidate the peace deal,” one of the sources said.

Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises

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Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System

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Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System

… Fagbemi: Zulum, people-centred and reform-driven Gov.

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, National Assembly and other partners to deepen reforms in the state justice system especially at the grassroots level.

Governor Zulum made the commitment on Wednesday at the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat held at the International Conference Centre of Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri.

“I reaffirm Borno State’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, the Judiciary, the National Assembly, and development partners to deepen reforms in our justice system, especially at the grassroots level,” Zulum stated.

The governor stressed the need for the deployment of technology which will make justice delivery faster, transparent and accountable to the citizenry, noting that Borno State had already adopted the use of digital technology to bridge justice delivery gap.

“In Borno State, we are already witnessing how digital tools have enhanced case tracking, enabling virtual court sittings, thus improving prison decongestion and streaming access to legal aid especially in hard-to-reach areas. If deployed strategically, technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban justice access,” he remarked.

“This is particularly important in Borno State where we continue to recover from a protracted
insurgency and humanitarian crisis. Justice must serve as a foundation for healing, rebuilding trust and restoring the social contract”.

The governor emphasized the need for institutional collaboration and coordinated reform to effectively confront the menace of terrorism, corruption, resolving land disputes and securing investments for a better society.

“I urge all of us here as policymakers, jurists, administrators and stakeholders to see
coordination not as a procedural matter, but as a moral imperative. Our people deserve a system that works, not one riddled with delays, duplications, or inefficiencies”.

The retreat themed “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation and Co-ordinated Reform” underscores the importance of deployment of digital tools to fast track judicial process.

The event was attended by the senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN; APC State Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, Chairman/CEO NDLEA, Brig. Gen (rtd) Buba Marwa; Solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, Heads of Agencies under Federal Ministry of Justice. Others include Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, acting Chief of Staff, the State Attorney-General, members of the state executive council, and other top government officials.

… Zulum: people-centred, and reform-driven Gov -Fegbemi

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has lauded Governor Babagana Zulum’s people-centred transformation and reforms in the justice sector.

“Just like other sectors, your impact in the justice sector has been profound. The launch of Borno State e-Justice project in
partnership with Law Pavilion has positioned the state as a pacesetter in digital transformation. With tools such as the Case
Management System, e-Library, and electronic mail tracking for legal processes, Borno is pioneering efficiency and transparency
in judicial service delivery,” Fagbemi stated.

“Borno under your leadership has become a case study in resilience and renewal. You have shown that governance is not about slogans but about solutions; not about rhetoric but about results. You have elevated the standard of leadership by demonstrating that ideas, when backed by courage and action, can transform societies, no matter the odds,” he added.

“In a state that has endured some of the toughest trials in our nation’s history, you did not succumb to despair. Instead, you applied
innovative thinking, sound judgment, and a data-driven approach to policy and the results are visible to all”.

The Attorney General called for the need to update the nation’s legal frameworks to support these innovations and invest in digital literacy,
cybersecurity, and data management for the professionals.

“By fostering a culture of innovation and leveraging the transformative power of technology, we can build a justice system that is more efficient, more accessible, and more equitable for all Nigerians,” he concluded.

Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System

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Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

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Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

By: Zagazola Makama 

A total of 28 persons abducted by suspected bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released without ransom following a peace arrangement with bandit kingpin.

The bandits, led by their commander identified as Isya Akwashi Garwa, handed over the captives to officials of the council on Wednesday.

Zagazola  reports that those released were largely residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki and Yar Dabaru communities.

Local authorities confirmed that the release was the outcome of a reconciliation effort initiated in the area to restore peace and reduce violent attacks.

Community leaders in Faskari described the development as a positive signal and urged both sides to sustain the peace process. They also urged the bandit to force other bandits still attacking in the area to stop.   

A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,”he said.

Meanwhile, residents expressed relief at the safe return of the abductees, with some calling for stronger security guarantees to consolidate the gesture.

Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

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