News
US CDC hosts event in Abuja
US CDC hosts event in Abuja
By: Michael Mike
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) hosted the first day of its 5th round of stakeholder engagement meetings in Abuja on October 30th.
The two-day event, themed “Strategic Pivoting Towards Program Simplification and Sustainable Public Health Intervention,” had a focus to foster collaboration among key stakeholders.
On the first day, participants focused on laying the groundwork for HIV program simplification, a critical step toward enhancing ownership and sustainability in public health interventions across Nigeria. Federal and state officials, multilateral agencies, community stakeholders, and implementing partners engaged in dynamic discussions about strategies and progress related to health workforce optimization and integration.
The second day focuses on reviewing progress of the state-led President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program and proffering innovative models for health insurance at both national and state levels. This emphasis on sustainable healthcare solutions is essential in ensuring lasting impacts on Nigeria’s public health landscape.
In his remarks on the first day, Richard Mills Jr., the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, reaffirmed the U.S. Government’s commitment to working with all stakeholders and communities to achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control; prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks; and improve health outcomes across the country. He commended those tirelessly working to provide relief to Nigerians living with HIV and emphasized the importance of continued partnership and collaboration. Ambassador Mills said, “Nigeria remains a model to the rest of the world on how to not only reach HIV epidemic control but also how to invest in people and communities, so they have the tools and skills to change their lives.”
Suzanne Theroux, the U.S. CDC Acting Country Director, highlighted Nigeria’s significant progress achieved through transformative partnerships, policies, and evidence-based public health programming. She described the initiative known as ‘Getting the Data Right,’ which focuses on determining the number of people living with HIV who are receiving lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, as a bold effort that not only validates Nigeria’s HIV treatment coverage but also supports the goal of sustainable health outcomes.
Ms. Theroux added, “The coordinated response to recent outbreaks of Lassa fever, cholera, mpox and other epidemic-prone diseases reflects our collective resilience and resolve to achieve optimal health for all Nigerians.” She also said that “Our collaborative efforts are closing the gap for zero-dose children, combatting the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, and implementing innovations to eliminate malaria as a public health threat in Nigeria”.
The meeting exemplifies U.S. CDC’s commitment to regularly reviewing and adapting programming to meet the evolving needs of the HIV response in Nigeria. The next meeting is scheduled for April 2025.
US CDC hosts event in Abuja
News
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Deepen Humanitarian Alliance as NEMA, KSrelief Roll Out Food Aid to Five States
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Deepen Humanitarian Alliance as NEMA, KSrelief Roll Out Food Aid to Five States
By: Michael Mike
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening humanitarian cooperation with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), as both partners move to scale up emergency food assistance for vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
This was disclosed in Abuja when the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, received a delegation from KSrelief at the agency’s headquarters, where both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration and planned the next phase of direct humanitarian interventions.
Mrs. Umar commended KSrelief for its sustained support to disaster-affected and vulnerable populations in Nigeria, noting that the partnership has continued to reinforce federal humanitarian response efforts, particularly in reaching communities impacted by disasters, food insecurity, and other vulnerabilities.
KSrelief’s representative, Mr. Majeed Alanazi, said the visit was aimed at strengthening coordination with NEMA ahead of the rollout of direct food basket distribution to selected households in targeted states. He emphasized the organisation’s continued commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and improving welfare outcomes in affected communities.
According to the plan, the food assistance programme will be implemented across Yobe, Benue, Kebbi, Taraba, and Anambra States—covering both conflict-affected and food-insecure populations.
Both organisations described the initiative as part of a broader effort to deepen humanitarian reach and ensure more efficient delivery of aid to households most in need across Nigeria.
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Deepen Humanitarian Alliance as NEMA, KSrelief Roll Out Food Aid to Five States
Five Feared Dead in Fresh Attack in Gero Area Near NIPPS of Plateau State
By: Zagazola Makama
At least five persons have been reportedly killed in an attack by armed men at a mining site in Gero Village, Gyel District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources said that the attackers were armed Fulani assailants who stormed the mining site and opened fire on workers and residents in the area.
The latest attack reportedly occurred hours after an earlier assault on security personnel at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, which led to the deaths of three officers.
Gero Village is said to be located about five kilometres from the NIPSS facility, raising concerns among residents over the proximity of repeated security incidents in the area.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in surrounding communities as residents called for increased security presence to prevent further escalation.
Five Feared Dead in Fresh Attack in Gero Area Near NIPPS of Plateau State
Three Police Officers Killed as IED Explodes in Zamfara State
By: Zagazola Makama
Three police officers have been killed following the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Anka–Bagega road in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources said the incident occurred on June 15 at about 5:05 p.m. when the Officer-in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, SP Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, led a team to the area to detonate a suspected explosive device believed to have been planted by armed bandits.
The team, which included personnel of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), was reportedly conducting a controlled clearance operation using an armoured personnel carrier when the vehicle accidentally triggered the explosive device.
The explosion resulted in the immediate death of SP Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, Inspector Murtala Musa of the VCRU, and Inspector Auwal Ahmad attached to the EOD unit.
Their bodies were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, for post-mortem examination.
Authorities said the remains of the officers have been deposited at the hospital morgue, while investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Security operations in the area have since been reinforced as efforts continue to clear the road and prevent further attacks.
Three Police Officers Killed as IED Explodes in Zamfara State
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Deepen Humanitarian Alliance as NEMA, KSrelief Roll Out Food Aid to Five States
Five Feared Dead in Fresh Attack in Gero Area Near NIPPS of Plateau State
Herdsmen Agree to Pay ₦1 Million Compensation After Farmland Destruction in Plateau State
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