Buni inaugurates state nutrition council in Damaturu

By: Yahaya Wakili

In a bid to combat the quick killer, Yobe State Governor Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON has today inaugurated the Yobe State Council of Nutrition 774 Initiative at the Government House, Damaturu.

Governor Buni commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the purposeful leadership and continued support to improving nutrition for a healthy nation through the Nutrition 774 Initiative under the office of the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON.

He said the Nutrition 774 Initiative reflects a bold and transformative vision that every local government area becomes a hub for community-led driven nutrition action. It underscores the importance of a strong coordinator, multi-sectoral collaboration, and the active participation of our people at the grassroots.

Buni maintained that the Yobe State government has approved and constituted the State Council on Nutrition 774 Initiative following the endorsement of the National Nutrition Compact at the National Economic Council of 20th February, 2025.

According to him, the visit presents us with a valuable opportunity to deepen collaboration between the federal and state governments. We are eager to identify priority areas where federal technical and financial support can complement our ongoing efforts to catalyze impactful delivery at the grassroots.

He assures that the Yobe State government will continue to play its part by aligning our State Nutrition Action Plan with the national framework, ensuring that every local government has the tools and support required to implement community-led nutrition initiatives.

Speaking earlier, Mrs. Uju Rochas, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, revealed that they were in Yobe State on the directives of the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

 “Mrs. Rochas described malnutrition as a silent killer that affects the child’s development in all aspects of growth and performance in education level,” she added.

She explained that we are here today to introduce to you an initiative that affects and touches the lives of our society and also an initiative that is very dear to the president, the nutrition 774 initiative.

Buni inaugurates state nutrition council in Damaturu

Israeli Envoy Calls on Nigeria to Embrace Unity as Key to Development

By: Michael Mike

The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has reiterated that peace and progress can only thrive in an environment built on dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect, calling on all Nigerians to embrace unity as a key to development.

Speaking at an interfaith conference on coexistence and dialogue among Abraham Faiths in Abuja, Freeman noted that there should be continuous conversation on coexistence as it remains “important and timely,” especially as many parts of the world continue to grapple with division, hate, and misunderstanding.

Freeman said: “It’s an honour to join today’s important and very timely discussions on coexistence,” adding that: “At a time when so many parts of the world are struggling with division and misunderstanding, this conversation could not be more necessary.”

He further explained that coexistence should not be mistaken for the mere absence of conflict, but should be seen as “the presence of respect, empathy, and shared purpose.”

He said: “It is about choosing dialogue over hate, building bridges rather than walls, and recognising that our diversity can be a source of strength rather than weakness.”

Freeman who described coexistence in Israel as “a lived reality” rather than a distant ideal, said: “Every day, Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze live, work and study side by side.”

He added that: “In our hospitals, doctors treat all patients equally. In our universities, students from every background learn together. In our parliament, voices from every community help shape the nation’s future.”

The envoy while admitting that coexistence in Israel is “not perfect,” said it is “real and cherished.”

The ambassador highlighted Israel’s regional peace efforts through the Abraham Accords, which have strengthened diplomatic and economic ties with countries such as Morocco, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.

He noted that: “These accords have already changed the face of the Middle East, proving that peace between peoples is possible when we focus on what unites us,” he said. “We continue to hope and work for the expansion of the Abraham Accords so that more nations will join the circle of peace and prosperity.”

He declared that Israel and Nigeria both share similar aspirations for peace, diversity, and progress.

He said: “Here in Nigeria, we see a nation that mirrors that same aspiration, diverse, faithful, and full of promise. Nigeria has faced painful challenges attacks on Christian communities and attacks on Muslim communities. Each tragedy is a wound that must be healed, and healing can only begin through understanding and partnership.”

He however noted that sustainable peace must begin at the grassroots level, not only in political or diplomatic circles.

Freeman said: “Peace does not begin in government halls or international conferences, it begins in neighbourhoods, in schools, in our places of worship, and in our hearts.”

He expressed Israel’s commitment to deepening its cooperation with Nigeria in areas such as innovation, agriculture, education, and security, while also building a stronger “moral partnership” founded on mutual respect and shared values.

Islamic, Christians and Jewish religion leaders during a panel debate called for grassroots leadership, youth engagement and shared moral duty.

Imam Muhammed Ashafa, speaking for Muslim communities, said faith need not divide and emphasised the duty of leaders to guide youth into society rather than push them away. “We have convictions that our faith is complete and true,” he said, “but when people of faith come together, speak to each other and share on issues that matter to all of us freedom of practice, the welfare of youth, family life we show the world a living example of unity.”

He however arned that religious education should prepare young people to rejoin and strengthen their communities, “By the time you graduate, you should go into the community to build, not to disagree. Religious leaders must teach what is more important to let youth engage in society irrespective of the faith we possess.”

He added that leaders bear a responsibility “to make sure everybody around you are aware of your territory, live with peace and coming,” arguing that faith leaders must actively prevent anyone under their influence from sowing division.

For his part, Rabbi Menachem Chitrik, representing the Jewish community, echoed the call for leadership by example and the importance of teaching tolerance from an early age. He said: “You have to be an example in your house, reflecting on the personal and educational work required to model respect across beliefs.”

He recalled historical moments of interfaith cooperation and urged renewed emphasis on mediation and negotiation, “The mediation and the negotiation process is on behalf of the people of law. Our leaders must be willing to stay and work through crises, not walk away.”

Archbishop Peter Ogunmuyiwa of the Christian Association of Nigeria praised the event’s spirit of inclusivity and urged that leaders and citizens translate principles into practice. “What we are trying to practise is inclusiveness.”

“If we decide to have a space to practise human existence together, then we will meet, work and achieve the peace we desire.”

Ogunmuyiwa however warned against claims of superiority that breed conflict and called for consistent leadership that fosters unity adding that “When we see ourselves as one family, we will not fight one another.”

Israeli Envoy Calls on Nigeria to Embrace Unity as Key to Development

NDLEA arrests woman with ammunition in Tsafe, Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State have arrested a woman in possession of live ammunition suspected to be destined for bandits.

The woman, whose identity has been withheld was intercepted during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Tsafe–Gusau highway on Wednesday.

Zagazola gathered that the suspect, believed to be from Birnin Magaji LGA, had the ammunition concealed in her luggage while travelling through the area.

Chairman of Tsafe Local Government Area, Malam Garba Shehu, confirmed the arrest and commended the operatives for what he described as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb the movement of arms and criminal logistics across the state.

“I want to appreciate the NDLEA operatives for their vigilance and dedication. This arrest has prevented dangerous ammunition from reaching criminal elements threatening peace in our communities,” Shehu said.

He also pledged continued support to security agencies operating in the area, adding that anyone found aiding crime or banditry would face the full weight of the law.

“As a local government, we will continue to provide whatever support is necessary to ensure law enforcement officers carry out their duties effectively,” he said.

The NDLEA has transferred the suspect to a secure facility for further investigation, while security agencies intensify efforts to trace the source and intended recipients of the ammunition.

Tsafe and surrounding communities have recently witnessed increased anti-crime operations as security agencies continue to disrupt bandit supply routes linking Birnin Magaji, Tsafe and the Dansadau forest axis.

NDLEA arrests woman with ammunition in Tsafe, Zamfara