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All rights reserved 2025 - The Borno State Government has commended the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union for donating an ultra-modern health facility to support the delivery of health care services in the state.  As part of its commitment to strengthening the health system in post-conflict areas in collaboration with the Borno State Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Reconstruction completed Phase 2 of the Biu General Hospital expansion WHO and the Borno State Government commissioned this expanded facility in line with their vision of transforming General Hospital Biu into a regional specialist hospital that will effectively serve the population of Borno South Senatorial District compriing nine (9) Local Government Areas (LGAs) as well as neighbouring states and countries This intervention is crucial as the state rebuilds from years of insurgency This newly commissioned health facility is expected to substantially improve access to high-quality healthcare services for the residents and the surrounding communities providing much-needed relief and optimism for enhanced health outcomes Borno State Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur on behalf of the Governor and the people of the state commissioned the facility and expressed gratitude to WHO and the EU for their unwavering support and health intervention over the years. Representing the deputy governor the Commissioner of Health and Human Services "The momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in our collective pursuit of improving healthcare delivery in our state Professor Gana attributed the project's success to the Governor's resolve for his administration to prioritize the health sector The new state-of-the-art hospital is a testament to that commitment The Commissioner highlighted the facility's significance in addressing the area's health challenges.  "This facility will enhance our capacity to deliver essential healthcare services particularly for women and children who are often the most vulnerable.  "WHO has always been a key partner in delivering healthcare services to the people of this state and this project is a testimony to the highly impactful and fruitful collaboration between the state and the WHO." the Commissioner noted.  He assured that the provided infrastructure would be "judiciously utilised to strengthen the healthcare system of the Biu community and its environs providing effective and efficient healthcare services to the people." Walter Kazadi Mulombo emphasised the organisation's commitment to supporting the state government in strengthening the healthcare system and improving the well-being of the state's residents Dr Mulombo appreciated the Borno State Government for believing in WHO and allowing the organisation to support its people's health needs He mentioned the facility was built with funding from the European Union.  for providing the funds to make this possible WHO is dedicated to ensuring everyone can access quality healthcare regardless of location or circumstances We promise our continued support and collaboration," the WR stated.  the Commissioner of the Ministry of Reconstruction noted that the commissioning of the General Hospital Biu's second phase signifies a major step forward in the Borno State Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen its healthcare system and ensure that the people of Borno have access to quality medical services "This collaborative endeavour with the WHO serves as a model for effective partnerships in addressing critical developmental needs the Chief Medical Director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board commended  WHO for its comprehensive support and urged other partners to emulate its commitment.  He stated that the board and staff of the hospital management are ready to start using these facilities for the benefit of the people noted that the facility is the third significant health project in Biu within the year following Governor Zulum's recent commissioning of eye and dental hospitals will serve as the second phase of the town's General Hospital The donation of the health facility underscores the continued collaboration between international organizations and the Borno State Government in addressing the state's humanitarian and developmental needs It is furnished with advanced medical equipment to provide comprehensive healthcare services These services include outpatient consultations Equipment donated includes hospital beds and other equipment to facilitate the smooth operation in the health facility A similar project is also slated to commence in Monguno further demonstrating the government's dedication to extending quality healthcare access across the state with the continued support of the WHO   – Maryland State Police are continuing to search for a Trappe man who went missing in 1993 police say he was last seen wearing orange/white Nike tennis shoes with white socks and a white t-shirt with “The Who” pictured on the front he has a tattoo of a heart on his left arm and a piercing in his right ear Witnesses told police he was in the parking lot of the Choptank Inn Police are asking anyone with information pertaining to this investigation to contact the Maryland State Police Easton Barrack at 410-819-4747 WMDT spoke with the family of Link Bornos in 2021. That story can be found here Because Local Matters Borno State, Nigeria, 13 December 2024 —  The International Rescue Committee (IRC), with support from the European Union (EU) recently completed a humanitarian project that provided life-saving assistance to more than 33,000 people in Borno State This included 20,000 women and 13,000 men who were struggling with the severe challenges posed by ongoing conflict and displacement Since 2014, Nigeria has endured attacks from one of the world’s deadliest armed opposition groups and displaced more than 2.5 million people Many Nigerians who initially fled to neighboring Chad and Niger have been forced to return due to worsening conditions in those countries over 2 million people remain internally displaced living in camps on the outskirts of towns in Borno State This project aimed to ease these hardships by providing essential services like healthcare It also addressed complex challenges such as camp closures and the reintegration of displaced people into host communities To support children affected by displacement the initiative included education programs to ensure they could continue learning despite the disruptions in their lives.  and boys—the project delivered critical aid while safeguarding those most at risk “This project has been a big step toward bringing life-saving help to communities in Borno State especially after the challenges of camp closures and displacement The continued backing of the EU is essential to sustaining our efforts I have seen our staff demonstrate strong dedication to leaving no one behind ensuring that every individual—regardless of their circumstances—receives the support necessary not only to survive the crisis but also to build a stronger future We are especially proud of the impact of our Mama Kits for pregnant women These kits provided the essential supplies needed for safe deliveries helping more women give birth in health facilities and reducing risks to their lives By giving these kits directly instead of cash we made sure every mother received what she needed for a safe delivery avoiding the risk of the money being used for other family needs Every safe birth is a great moment of hope for a family and the community around them and an opportunity to protect and celebrate the strength of women.” The project has left a lasting impact on the communities of Borno State providing not only immediate relief but also laying the groundwork for sustained recovery and future resilience.  The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. Cuts to critical health and nutrition services as humanitarians scale down operations Amid a drastic reduction in funding for humanitarian operations tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State are facing increased health and nutrition risks following the withdrawal of key humanitarian partners from several local government areas (LGAs) in the State Critical programmes affected include those treating severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and primary healthcare (PHC) facilities Limited funding has forced some organisations to lay off staff and reduce the scope of their programmes This has created gaps in service delivery and increased the burden on the remaining organisations The situation has worsened the already dire situation and protection services for vulnerable people and Ngala LGAs are reportedly the most impacted by the scaling down of humanitarian operations in Borno the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) remains the sole provider of primary healthcare services at the Banki Primary Healthcare Facility in Banki LGA This follows the closure of FHI 360’s health and nutrition programmes which previously provided laboratory services The closure of the stabilisation centres means Banki no longer has facilities to treat life-threatening SAM with complications While children with SAM without complications can still receive treatment at the UNICEF-managed outpatient therapeutic programme (OTP) the programme for treating moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) was suspended in January 2025 due to a lack of supplies particularly ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) the healthcare and nutrition systems are facing critical challenges following the withdrawal of key partners Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi) INTERSOS and Care International had closed their 24-hour health services while AHNi’s project will conclude in April UNICEF will remain the sole partner offering limited primary healthcare with only two midwives and six community health extension workers serving close to 150,000 people and no evening or night-time services are available meaning emergency cases must wait until morning This is raising concerns about increased maternal and neonatal mortality rates and may lead to increased reliance on untrained traditional birth attendants Chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes may also remain unmanaged The closure of partner programmes has also meant the loss of laboratory services and blood transfusions Emergency referrals to Maiduguri or Jere LGA will place additional strain on already overwhelmed facilities The nutrition sector in Bama is equally affected by the suspension of FHI 360 and the conclusion of IRC’s Nigeria Humanitarian Fund-funded programmes INTERSOS’s targeted supplementary feeding programme will be suspended due to a RUSF shortage while CARE International’s nutrition interventions will end by mid-April in collaboration with the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency will remain the sole provider of OTP services The closure of IRC’s stabilisation centres leaves Bama with no capacity to treat SAM with complications increasing referrals to other overburdened facilities The withdrawal of humanitarian partners and insufficient funding have left Bama’s most vulnerable people and three PHCs in Ngala LGA have ceased following the recent exit of FHI 360 Although FHI 360 officially handed over these facilities to the Ngala Local Government Council service delivery has been halted due to the lack of qualified health personnel to sustain operations This has created critical gaps in the delivery of essential services limiting access to vital health and nutrition services for vulnerable conflict-affected people The recent closure of six PHCs managed by INTERSOS has left the remaining PHCs struggling with increased patient numbers with one reporting a 300 per cent surge in outpatient consultations in February The most common medical conditions reported are acute respiratory infections Nutrition services have also been severely impacted by the closure of eight OTP sites previously managed by Mercy Corps and INTERSOS leading to a 63 per cent increase in SAM cases in February 2025 The NHF-supported stabilisation centre at Dikwa General Hospital admitted 68 children with SAM and medical complications in February Admissions are expected to increase with the onset of the lean season Dikwa LGA was severely affected by flooding in 2024 which devastated farmlands and likely worsened food security and nutritional outcomes where the disruptions of humanitarian operations have impacted the delivery of health services for 45,000 people across 13 LGAs Education services for 15,000 children across eight LGAs protection services for 20,000 people across 12 LGAs water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) services for 15,000 people across six LGAs and livelihood services for 35,000 people across six LGAs food security services for 117,000 people in 14 LGAs and multi-purpose cash assistance for 6,000 people across six LGAs have similarly been adversely impacted OCHA to scale down its presence in Nigeria due to funding cuts announced that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will draw down its presence in Nigeria due to funding cuts OCHA will transition from a country office to a humanitarian advisory team (HAT) by the beginning of 2026 Multiple disease outbreaks deepen humanitarian crisis in Borno as they grapple with multiple disease outbreaks posing severe public health challenges is exacerbating the humanitarian situation 55 cholera cases and three deaths had been reported with the highest numbers reported in Jada LGAs Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) has impacted 74 people Yobe State is also facing significant health challenges A suspected measles outbreak affected 634 people across 17 LGAs between January and March 2025 with Damaturu reporting the highest number of cases 65 per cent of the cases are children aged nine months to five years Only 22 per cent had received at least one dose of the measles-containing vaccine (MCV) a resurgence of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) has been reported in the State a diphtheria outbreak has affected 248 people with Bade and Nguru LGAs reporting the highest numbers of cases Borno State is also facing considerable health challenges A total of 170 Diphtheria cases with 2 fatalities were recorded The State is also experiencing a measles outbreak that has affected 402 people 136 suspected cases of acute flaccid paralysis were reported with no deaths the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warned of an imminent meningitis outbreak across Borno and other northern states of Nigeria due to the current heatwave an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord This area is part of the "meningitis belt,” across sub-Saharan Africa The humanitarian response in these states has been severely hampered by funding cuts Health partners and Government officials are actively engaging communities conducting case searches and investigations and supplying necessary medicines and vaccines to contain the spread of these diseases limited mapping and testing of water points and a high percentage of unvaccinated children due to low immunization compliance and difficult access to health services due to insecurity have exacerbated the spread of diseases Escalating non-state armed groups (NSAGs) attacks exacerbate displacement Escalating attacks by NSAGs have caused significant displacement in the Gujba LGA of Yobe State Over 300 people have fled their homes seeking refuge in Damaturu According to the Grassroots Initiative for Strengthening Community Resilience (GISCOR) organisation the displaced people are in the Malammatari whose numbers remain unconfirmed due to access challenges have reportedly fled to Buni Yadi or nearby areas to escape further NSAG attacks Most of the displaced are from the Buni Gari community The displaced face significant protection challenges the IDPs have occupied damaged Government buildings and lack access to clean water spending ₦3,000 (about $2) to buy 120 litres of water many are living in makeshift shelters or unfinished buildings Healthcare and access to sanitation remain critical across all three communities due to the absence of facilities none of the new arrivals have received non-food items (NFIs) The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and humanitarian partners are collecting data to better address needs Government forces imposed a ban on the use of the Damaturu-Buni Gari-Biu route for all military personnel unless travelling under armed military escort This directive followed rising security incidents along the route including illegal vehicle checkpoints and armed attacks in Gujba LGA the security situation in Monguno LGA of Borno State has also deteriorated with NSAG members targeting non-governmental organisations’ (NGO) offices suspected NSAG members attempted to break into the INTERSOS office in Monguno All staff members managed to escape unharmed This incident followed a previous attack on 26 February when suspected NSAG members broke into the office of Solidarités International and burnt six vehicles belonging to a local car hire company The severity of the attack prompted humanitarian organizations to halt operations for two days Beyond direct attacks on humanitarian compounds the Maiduguri–Monguno route has also witnessed recurrent abductions of commuters and continues to experience illegal vehicle checkpoints mounted by suspected NSAG members Many humanitarian workers have reportedly continued to use the road despite the risks due to the high cost of using the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights In the face of a volatile operating environment aid organizations are advocating for the increased protection of civilians International Organisation for Migration (IOM) announces plans to transfer camp management operations to local partners in Borno State IOM has announced plans to transfer camp management operations This initiative is part of IOM's broader strategy to enhance local capacity and ensure that the IDPs continue to receive appropriate and timely support and services will be conducted in collaboration with the camp coordination and camp management/shelter and non-food items (CCCM/S-NFI) sectors the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Key elements of the process include community engagement and proper documentation highlighting key challenges and lessons learned there will be coordination with and technical support for incoming partners on the ground The CCCM/S-NFI sectors will assist in identifying partners capable of taking over CCCM activities and providing services to affected people a summary of the handover plan will be shared with authorities at the Federal and Damboa (6) LGAs will be handed over to selected partners between April and June 2025 IOM CCCM will maintain its field presence in Bama while the mobile team will continue monitoring camps in sites in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) (3) the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) partner INTERSOS handed over its CCCM operations in 10 camps in Ngala and Banki to the Grassroot Initiative for Strengthening Community Resilience (GISCOR) a national organisation operating in Borno State including coordination and management of the camps and maintaining the safety and well-being of camp residents and other critical resources that support the daily operations of the camps and reception centres in these LGAs humanitarian partners have raised concerns about SEMA’s capacity to manage CCCM activities With only one staff member deployed per LGA in Borno State this could impact the quality and continuity of CCCM services IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) team is also planning to scale down activities in all LGAs due to funding constraints Humanitarian partners are concerned that the scaling down of IOM’s DTM activities will affect the availability of critical data used for planning and implementing interventions in various sectors The DTM has been instrumental in tracking displacement patterns and providing accurate data on the needs of affected people humanitarian organisations may struggle to effectively target their assistance and respond to emerging needs the handover represents a crucial step towards local ownership and sustainability of humanitarian efforts in Borno State By building the capacity of local authorities the transition aims to create a more resilient system for managing IDP camps Nigeria Hosts First Humanitarian Roundtable the Federal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction (FMHAPR) hosted the first humanitarian roundtable in Nigeria in Abuja with the participation of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria The event was also attended by diverse high-level Government representatives The roundtable aimed to build consensus on humanitarian needs across the country and to develop an inclusive coordinated humanitarian response framework A communique issued at the end of the roundtable called for a tailored humanitarian strategy for each Nigerian geopolitical zone and engagement with the National Assembly to establish a legal framework for transparent such as the proposed Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction Trust Fund The roundtable also emphasized the importance of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace approach which aims to address the root causes of vulnerability and build resilience among crisis- affected people in Nigeria Nigeria launches Anticipatory Action Task Force for Flood Response On 12 February, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, announced that the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, had pre-arranged US$5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support an anticipatory action initiative for floods in Nigeria. The funding will be released if forecasts predict a major flood emergency. The development of an anticipatory action framework tailored to Nigeria's specific needs will enhance the country's ability to anticipate and respond to floods, which have been a recurring challenge. Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Bernadette Baum Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi and Amindeh Blaise Atabong; Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha and Anait Miridzhanian Editing by William Maclean and Bill Berkrot Heavy sounds from Giwa Barrack in Maiduguri sent residents into confusion in the early hours of Thursday The deafening blast and red flares in the sky forced residents of polo Unimaid and others out on the streets in fear of possible Boko Haram attack in a statement said it was a fire outbreak in the ammunition facility of the Barrack and advised the public to remain calm a fire broke out in the ammunition facility at Giwa Barracks The fire incident affected some munitions to detonate “A combined security and fire-service response team arrived promptly on scene and successfully extinguished the fire Preliminary investigations indicated that the unusually high ambient temperatures in Maiduguri at this time of year may have contributed to the outbreak “The command calls on all members of the public to remain calm and should not panic as the situation is now fully under control” said the spokesman said in a statement that a combined team of first responders from the Nigerian Army Fire Service Federal Fire Service and Borno State Fire Service have duly reported at the scene and successfully put out the fire there may be secondary explosions which may disturb the neighbourhood around the barracks Members of the public should not panic on hearing loud bangs “Preliminary investigation revealed that the intense heat in Madiguri around this time of the year may have triggered or conflagrate the fire the combined team of firefighters are on top of the situation” the statement read UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now earn US Dollars through domain flipping buy domain names for cheap and have it resold to earn up to $15,000 Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Borno Development Foundation (BDF) have partnered to accelerate socioeconomic development in Borno state and northern Nigeria In a statement on Thursday, the foundation said Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, chairman of the BDF board of governors, and Olaniyi Yusuf, chairman of the NESG, signed the MoU in Abuja. The foundation said the signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in the region’s journey toward peace, stability, and progress. “The partnership aims to address critical challenges, such as post-conflict reconstruction, poverty alleviation, and economic revitalisation, with a focus on empowering vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, and youth,” the statement said. “The MoU signed sets out a detailed framework for collaboration on policy advocacy, institutional development, research, innovation, programme design, and implementation. It reflects a shared understanding that development at scale requires not just funding but also the technical backbone, strategic partnerships, and governance maturity that can only come from a coalition of credible institutions.” Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Allamin Daggash, chairman of the BDF board of trustees, emphasised the foundation’s mission to deliver impact at the community level while strengthening Borno’s long-term resilience. “The Borno Development Foundation is a necessary response to extraordinary challenges. It is designed to be a convener, facilitator, and catalyst for sustainable change, grounded in the values of professionalism, inclusivity, and local ownership,” he said. “We believe that the people of Borno deserve not just recovery, but true renewal and BDF is here to help make that a reality.” Hayatu-Deen reiterated the foundation’s commitment to strategic partnerships and sustainable development practices. “Our goal is to build a credible, respected institution that will serve the people of Borno with transparency, integrity, and effectiveness,” Hayatu-Deen said. He added that the foundation is committed to fostering broad-based partnerships that mobilise resources, knowledge, and capabilities to meet the urgent and evolving needs of Borno communities. On his part, the chairman of the NESG praised the vision behind the BDF and underscored NESG’s commitment to supporting regional development initiatives. “Borno’s stability and prosperity are vital to the future of Nigeria. Through this partnership, we are leveraging NESG’s three decades of experience in economic reform, policy dialogue, and stakeholder mobilisation to support the BDF’s mission of rebuilding lives, institutions, and economies,” Yusuf said. According to the statement, the BDF is set to mobilise $1 million in funding from private philanthropy, development agencies, and corporate partners to drive socioeconomic development. “Looking ahead, the Foundation will focus on building out its governance systems, expanding its base of domestic and international funders, and rolling out catalytic programmes across education, healthcare, livelihoods, and community rebuilding,” the foundation said. “Its approach will remain agile, inclusive, and data-driven — with a Knowledge and Resource Centre planned to power research-based decision-making and an ambition to mobilise a diverse portfolio of USD 1 million in funding from private philanthropy, development agencies, and corporate partners. “As BDF begins its next chapter, the Foundation invites all stakeholders — citizens, private sector leaders, philanthropists, development partners, and government actors — to join hands in shaping a future where every Borno citizen can thrive.” The foundation added that BDF offers a new, hopeful pathway and a commitment from leaders who are resolute in their belief that the right institutions can transform Borno’s future. in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State According to residents and security sources the incident occurred along the Furunduma axis around 11 a.m on Friday and initially left 17 people dead more corpses were recovered from the surrounding bush bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities to 26 said some of the victims were burnt beyond recognition ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack via a statement posted on Telegram two soldiers were killed by a suspected landmine planted by insurgents along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road Local sources and security personnel reported that the explosion occurred near the deserted village of Nyeliri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State “The deceased soldiers were part of a landmine detection team escorting commuters when they accidentally stepped on roadside IEDs which exploded and killed them instantly,” one of the sources stated Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the Borno State Command as he did not respond to calls or text messages from this reporter As thousands in the northern Nigerian state are displaced for a second time experts say its time to focus on building resilience If you would like to republish this article please follow these steps: use the HTML below; do not edit the text; include the author’s byline; credit VaccinesWork as the original source; and include the page view counter script 58-year-old Musa Bakari woke up from his sleep to discover a surprise visitor His apartment had been invaded by water: lots of it they packed the few belongings that could be salvaged and fled only the roofs of buildings could be seen popping out of the muddy waters While Bakari and his family were able to escape on time thousands were trapped in the floodwaters until emergency responders and soldiers came in trucks and canoes to fetch them But not everybody could be rescued immediately – some victims reported climbing up trees and hanging off of the branches for hours but something tickled me to wake up,” Bakari I noticed the water was from beneath.” Over a month later having lost most of his belongings to the floods one of several camps opened for people affected by the floods “The floods have sent us away from our homes It was a devastating experience for me and my family because we lost many of our possessions We had to trek for about two hours to reach the camp,” he said The floods that hit Borno State were the worst Maiduguri town had seen in 30 years They were triggered following the collapse of the Alau Dam located in Konduga a few kilometres from the capital city The dam was built between 1984 and 1986 to provide water for irrigation and domestic purposes for the people of Maiduguri as well as to help control flooding from the Ngadda River which occasionally receives excessive inflows from water sources that trace back to vast Lake Chad following climate change-intensified rainfall and more than one million affected in other ways and flood-damage to the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo led to the death or escape of 80% of the wild animals housed there the phenomenon is worsening by the year due to the effects of climate change a climate change researcher at Modibbo Adama University of Technology “Environmental disasters like [the recent] flooding are an outcome of climate change and there are two responses to the phenomenon: we can either mitigate against it or adapt to it Mitigation works to prevent an event from happening or minimise its effects you have to look for ways to adapt to it,” Adebayo said there is a human component to events like that developments around the river banks or flood plains are a common thing now It is shocking to see people developing residential and commercial buildings around flood plains drainages are blocked and not properly maintained by households and communities Indiscriminate deforestation is also a big problem – trees along river banks and in the forests are being cut down to either pave the way for real estate development or production of charcoal These are human activities that worsen or trigger climate-change disasters.” Borno State, the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency in northern Nigeria, has been dotted with internally displaced person (IDP) camps for years. But in 2019, state governor Babagana Zulum started shutting down the camps and encouraging residents to return home Only four camps were reportedly left operating in the meantime The aim was to reposition the image of Borno State from that of a place battered by conflict to that of a hub for economic and social development Zulum said he worried that the camps were becoming permanent slum settlements the state government was obliged to reopen once-closed camps to accommodate a fresh wave of displaced residents – this time ousted from their homes by a different kind of threat Bakari numbers among hundreds of thousands commencing a second stint in an IDP camp It brings back the woeful memories of living as an IDP in Dalori to escape the horrors of Boko Haram I never thought I would be in an IDP camp again all my life but the floods have resurrected the Boko Haram memories but having lost most of my possessions to the floods “But I know we will bounce back like we did after Boko Haram,” he added “Living and working in the camp is not something that gives me joy because it is perhaps a symbol of helplessness,” Bakari went on “Some of us were trying to get our lives back after resettling but the floods have left them once more devastated.” who is a security officer at Tashan Bama Camp is likewise disappointed to have returned to a chapter he had thought closed “We were just resettling in our communities and no one expected to come and live or work at an IDP camp again My job entails securing the lives and property of the people I believe this phase will end quickly and not turn out as the case with Boko Haram insurgency when we lived in camps for years,” he told VaccinesWork described it as “unbelievable” to find himself back in an IDP camp Imagine leaving your home and property due to foreseen circumstances like floods to stay in a place that is not comfortable I have been in this camp for a month-plus without hope of when I’m going back home because I have lost everything I have to the floods “But looking back on how we survived Boko Haram and rebuilt our lives I am hopeful we shall rebuild our lives again after this episode.” a resident of Old Maiduguri told VaccinesWork said she felt “uncomfortable” at the camp “Sometimes I stay for days without using the toilet because I'm scared of contracting infections,” she said that things will return to normal and we will leave this camp again for a normal life.” several local and international humanitarian organisations businesses and individuals have risen to the occasion providing food aid and other material support to the flood victims The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), however said in an assessment report that limited funding was constraining the scale of support provided OCHA said the flood response and the Humanitarian Response Plan for north-east Nigeria remained massively underfunded stating that the plan had received about US$ 517 million of the US$ 926 million required it is critical to also address underlying causes of vulnerability and help build [people’s] resilience to climate shocks and limiting construction on flood-prone areas,” Zinta Zommers One key aspect of climate adaptation – that is, for building resilience – is public health provision. Camps are environments prone to disease outbreaks, and that risk is only elevated amid flooding which can drive transmission of both waterborne and vector-borne illnesses vital health care infrastructure had taken a hit the State Cold Store – a vital transit node for vaccines entering the state – was flooded on the night of 10 September More than 25 primary health care facilities took damage that forced them to suspend services local and international organisations like UNICEF and WHO worked fast to get vaccines to the most vulnerable UNICEF was able to report that immunisation services – staffed by a diverse alliance of partners – were up and running in 11 camps with 1.1 million doses of vaccine to protect against a diverse spread of pathogens already delivered a disaster management official with the Nigeria Red Cross Society – an important provider of medical relief in Borno’s IDP camps – told VaccinesWork:“The people are facing a lot of challenges They are exposed to diseases as a result of the floods we have deployed our health officers to different camps to provide the displaced people with medical services.” Cholera is one example of such a disease, and cases have risen across the northern states of Borno But UNICEF has reportedly delivered more than 600,000 doses of Gavi-funded cholera vaccines to the Borno State Government to mitigate that spread – especially within the IDP camps the climate change scientist at the Modibbo Adama University of Technology said it was time to take action to minimise the effects of climate change disasters like floods the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) predicts events like flooding for every local government area in the country and the predictions have always been accurate to a large extent every local or state government has the opportunity to prepare ahead of time to prevent or minimise flooding,” Adebayo said the integrity of the dams should be checked regularly and new dams should be built to retain excess water and prevent people’s homes from being flooded if the Alau Dam had been properly maintained the effects of the Borno flooding would not have been severe but we can reduce its impact if we – both the government and individuals – take the necessary measures.” to get the latest VaccinesWork news and features Subscribe Your input and time is valuable in helping us improve your experience Please take less than a minute to provide feedback on your visit Your input is important in helping us improve your experience Please take a moment to answer a few questions about your visit Olatunji Omirin $(document).ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for a deadly Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack that killed at least 26 people near Rann a remote town in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State The tragic incident occurred around 11 a.m on Friday along the Furunduma axis a route frequently used by commuters and displaced persons in the insurgency-hit region According to local residents and security sources search and rescue efforts over the weekend led to the discovery of more corpses in the nearby bush raising the official death toll to 26 by Monday ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on Telegram on Tuesday The attack marks one of the deadliest in recent months in the northeastern region where military operations against insurgent groups have intensified South Korean prosecutors raid ex-President Yoon’s private residence US: I know much more about interest rates than you do – Trump slams Fed Chair CSOs demand probe into Giwa barracks explosions in Maiduguri Borno police recover unexploded IED fragments after Giwa barracks incident  Suspected Boko Haram slaughters 18 fishermen in Borno Borno bombing: ISWAP claims responsibility for deadly attack in Nigeria Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd The Nigerian Army has confirmed that the multiple explosions that rocked Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri in the early hours of Thursday were caused by extreme heat triggering the detonation of stored ammunition In a statement issued by Captain Reuben Kovangiya Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at the headquarters of the Theatre Command the army dismissed speculations of a terrorist attack describing the incident as an accident resulting from the region’s soaring temperatures “The explosion was due to the current high temperatures in Maiduguri which led to the detonation of some ammunitions,” Captain Kovangiya stated The army said the fire had been quickly brought under control by a coordinated response involving the Borno State Fire Service and fire units from various security agencies been brought under control with the combined efforts of the Borno State Fire Service Department and fire trucks from various security agencies,” he added Kovangiya further assured the public that troops from Operation HADIN KAI had been deployed to secure the area and prevent any exploitation of the situation by criminals the Borno State Police Command urged residents to remain calm confirming that preliminary investigations ruled out any enemy attack In a statement by the Command’s spokesperson the police described the incident as a “friendly-fire” incident “Following reports received of explosions heard in Maiduguri preliminary investigations indicate that the detonation originated from a friendly-fire incident at Giwa Barracks armoury,” Daso stated and the security situation remains firmly under control.” Wildfire: Jerusalem under threat as Netanyahu declares national emergency UK finance minister Reeves under investigation over alleged breach of rules Court set date for judgment in N550m suit against Army Plateau Killings: Police arrest more suspects Gunmen abduct special constabulary officer during patrol in Kaduna police rescue 25 abducted passengers in Kogi Kogi: Okada riders protest over alleged police harassment Funding Cuts Deepen Humanitarian Crisis in North-East Nigeria The humanitarian crisis in the BAY states has reached a critical juncture following the alarming reduction in funding for humanitarian operations This has exacerbated the already dire situation The World Food Programme (WFP) may be forced to cut food rations and reduce the number of beneficiaries by April 2025 This will leave many families without adequate food particularly among children and pregnant women Healthcare services have also been severely affected Many health facilities in the BAY states depend on international funding to operate The US funding freeze has resulted in a shortage of medical supplies and personnel compromising the ability to provide essential healthcare services This is particularly concerning given the ongoing threats of disease outbreaks which require timely and effective responses The reduction in funding has disrupted education programmes leaving many children without access to education which is crucial for the long-term development and stability of the region The lack of funding threatens to create a generation of children without the skills and knowledge needed to rebuild their communities which provide support to vulnerable people such as boys The funding reduction has adversely impacted programmes aimed at preventing and responding to gender-based violence This has left many vulnerable people without the necessary support to cope with the trauma and challenges they face Humanitarian organisations operating in the BAY states have been forced to scale back their operations including for critical programmes such as those treating severe acute malnutrition Some organizations have had to lay off staff and reduce the scope of their programmes The funding reduction has also affected the ability of humanitarian organizations to plan and implement long-term activities Many organizations rely on multi-year funding commitments to develop and execute comprehensive programmes The reduction has led to a focus on short-term emergency responses rather than sustainable solutions Focused on doing everything they can to provide life-saving aid to those in urgent need humanitarian partners are also intensifying advocacy for stronger engagement by the Government of Nigeria both at Federal and State levels and development partners to ensure greater complementarity between humanitarian and development action They are also calling for a transformation of the humanitarian operation to promote more efficient and effective use of dwindling resources through closer partnership with local partners (Government and NNGOs) and scaling up anticipatory action to protect lives and livelihoods These measures aim to maximize the impact of the available resources and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most Urgent Call to Action: Addressing the Critical Nutrition Crisis in Borno and Yobe (BAY) states has reached a critical level with at least 17 local government areas (LGAs) likely experiencing a severe nutrition crisis According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) these areas are in acute malnutrition phase 4 with global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates ranging from 15 to 29.9 per cent (above the emergency GAM threshold) This alarming situation is unfolding during the post-harvest season a period that usually has low levels of acute malnutrition underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and targeted interventions to address the escalating malnutrition rates and service delivery gaps for vulnerable children and pregnant and lactating women The critical nutrition situation is exacerbated by several factors and limited livelihoods opportunities and economic stress which have disrupted food production and access to essential goods and services Significant challenges in addressing malnutrition in the BAY states include the shortage of essential nutrition commodities including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) These shortages hamper efforts to provide timely and effective nutritional support Nutrition commodity misuse and diversion further complicate the situation Ensuring that nutrition commodities reach the intended people and are used appropriately requires increased monitoring This is particularly crucial in hard-to-reach areas where the risk of misuse is higher Another critical challenge is inadequate training of healthcare workers in facility record keeping Health workers and volunteers in the region often lack the necessary training to effectively manage and document nutrition interventions This gap in capacity building undermines the quality of service delivery and the overall effectiveness of nutrition programmes Addressing this issue requires comprehensive training and support for frontline workers ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle the nutrition crisis effectively Immediate and coordinated efforts led by the Government and supported by partners and other stakeholders are crucial for scaling up preventive strategies The Government must take the lead in mobilizing resources and coordinating efforts to address the nutrition crisis This includes ensuring the availability of essential nutrition commodities strengthening monitoring and enforcement mechanisms and providing the necessary training and support to health workers also have a critical role in providing technical assistance Collaborative efforts are needed to address the root causes of malnutrition Preventive strategies such as promoting breastfeeding and healthcare remain crucial for addressing the nutrition crisis in the BAY states So is improving service quality by ensuring that health facilities are adequately equipped and staffed and that health workers are trained and supported to provide high-quality nutrition services The supply chain also needs to be strengthened to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of nutrition commodities Ensuring sustainable health outcomes requires a long-term commitment to addressing the nutrition crisis This includes investing in health and nutrition infrastructure and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency and stakeholders can create a more sustainable and resilient health and nutrition system that meets the needs of the most vulnerable populations Borno State Government (BSG) facilitates return of over 7,000 Nigerian refugees to Borno State from Chad The Borno State Government (BSG) has completed the relocation of over 7,000 refugees repatriated from the Republic of Chad back to their places of origin The Government stated that the refugee returnees had expressed their interest in returning during a return intention survey which was conducted to determine their willingness to go back to their original communities in Borno State the BSG had completed the repatriation of over 7,200 people from Chad with the first group of close to 3,000 people arriving on 8 February followed by subsequent returns on 13 and 18 February All returnees transited through Banki LGA on their way to Maiduguri This repatriation exercise was a collaborative effort led by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the BSG led a delegation to Chad to oversee the repatriation process The refugee returnees were transported from refugee camps in Chad to Maiduguri and then relocated to their respective LGAs The returnees face numerous challenges as they attempt to rebuild their lives This includes the shortage of essential supplies and services in their areas of return Many of them had lost their homes and livelihoods as they fled leaving them in need for immediate assistance to meet their basic needs including food and non-food items including cash The items distributed to the refugee returnees included 2,400 bags of rice each refugee household received 200,000 Naira (about US$133) to help ease their transition back to their communities The BSG has made significant strides in improving security and rebuilding infrastructure in most of the affected LGAs and restored essential services to support the returnees the government has emphasized the importance of community engagement and participation in the reintegration process Local leaders and community members have been involved in the planning and implementation of reintegration programmes to ensure that the needs and concerns of the returnees are adequately addressed National NGO GISCOR with funding from UNHCR is monitoring their needs and reintegration many of the areas where the refugee returnees have returned remain largely insecure with ongoing threats from non-state armed groups (NSAGs) There is also a lack of adequate infrastructure and services Ensuring the safety and well-being of the returnees requires sustained efforts led by the Government Humanitarian organizations continue to advocate for the safe and dignified return of refugees to secure settlements with access to basic services A safe return is just the beginning; sustainable reintegration and economic empowerment are key to rebuilding their lives and communities Record high civilian casualties due to increased IED threats reported in 2024 The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) reported a dramatic rise in improvised explosive device (IED) incidents in 2024 resulting in 418 civilian casualties in the BAY states This figure represents the highest number of civilian casualties since 2020 and marks a 118 per cent increase compared to 2023 The alarming rise in casualties underscores the growing threat posed by explosive ordnance (EO) in the region with 74 per cent of the overall 267 explosive ordnance incidents recorded in 2024 resulting in civilian harm The contamination of explosive ordnance in the BAY states is endangering civilian lives It also severely hampered the delivery of humanitarian aid in 2024 The presence of IEDs and other explosive hazards restricts safe movement and creates an environment of fear among the affected communities Ensuring safe access to these areas is crucial for providing essential services and support to those in need UNMAS continues to work with partners to mitigate the impact of explosive hazards through various initiatives which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of explosive ordnance and promote safe behaviours among the affected people Through community-based education programmes UNMAS and its partners provide critical information on how to recognize thereby reducing the risk of accidental injuries and deaths partners conduct awareness campaigns to inform the public about the threat of explosive ordnance and the importance of adhering to safety guidelines These campaigns utilize various media platforms to reach a wide audience and ensure that the message of safety and vigilance is disseminated effectively Capacity building is another vital component in addressing the explosive ordnance threat and community members in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) techniques By equipping local actors with the skills and knowledge needed to safely identify and dispose explosive hazards partners aim to build a sustainable and locally driven response to the threat This approach not only enhances the immediate safety of the affected areas but also empowers communities to take an active role in their safety and protection The impact of explosive ordnance contamination extends beyond immediate physical harm It also has profound socio-economic consequences for the affected communities The presence of IEDs and other explosive hazards disrupts agricultural activities limits access to markets and schools and hinders the overall recovery and development of the communities in the BAY states Farmers are often unable to cultivate their land due to the fear of unexploded ordnance leading to food insecurity and economic hardship children are deprived of education as schools remain closed or inaccessible due to the threat of explosive hazards partners are advocating for increased support and resources to enhance their efforts in the BAY states This includes funding for risk education programmes as well as the provision of advanced equipment and technology for explosive ordnance disposal By strengthening the collective response to the explosive ordnance threat it is possible to create a safer environment for the affected communities and support their long-term recovery and development in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened a high-level roundtable discussion to scale up the production and utilization of the Tom Brown initiative in Borno State During the event held atthe UN House in Abuja reaffirmed their commitment to addressing food insecurity The roundtable was held at a critical time following the recent release of alarming Cadre Harmonisé figures which indicate that 25 million Nigerians are currently experiencing food insecurity – a situation that is projected to worsen during the upcoming lean season between June - August 2025 to 33.1 million across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory According to the Northeast Nutrition Sector represented by the Nutrition Sector Coordinator John Mukisa an alarming 3.7 million children in northeastern Nigeria are stunted and locally sourced solutions such as Tom Brown could save the Borno Adamawa and Yobe (BAY)states an estimated USD 120 million annually Scaling Up Tom Brown: A Pathway to Economic and Nutritional Resilience  Expanding the production of Tom Brown presents multiple benefits:  Livelihood Creation: Generating economic opportunities Agricultural Market Strengthening: Supporting local farmers and driving sustainable growth Revenue Generation: Enhancing government resources through increased economic activity Regional Development: Contributing to long-term resilience in food security and nutrition “Nigeria continues to bear one of the highest burdens of malnutrition globally This reality underscores the urgency of our gathering today community-driven approaches to combat malnutrition and ensure food security Tom Brownhas demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in addressing malnutrition particularly among vulnerable groups such as children under five and lactating mothers,” said Professor Baba Mallam Gana Commissioner of Health and Human Services for Borno State “Scaling up Tom Brown will not only meet urgent nutritional needs but also create livelihood opportunities and generate revenue for regional development we must remember the human faces behind the statistics—the children whose lives we can save and the communities we can transform,” said FAO Representative ad interim “The production and commercialization of Tom Brown will attract investment from the private sector boosting state revenue and positioning Borno as a leader in nutrition-sensitive agriculture,” added Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and the private sector participated in these discussions strategizing for the long-term goal of establishing a Tom Brown production facility in Borno State The roundtable discussion resulted in a shared understanding of the progress and opportunities related to scaling up Tom Brown production As the stakeholders unanimously endorsed the scaling up proposal a draft roadmap was discussed to guide the expansion efforts including the establishment of a dedicated production facility stakeholders committed to providing support to sustain and expand the initiative Tom Brown is a nutrient-dense product made from locally available ingredients proven to be effective in reducing malnutrition and preventing relapse by up to 35% among children discharged from UNICEF and WFP-supported nutrition centers This initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines on child wasting which advocate for locally produced food supplements as part of a holistic approach to addressing malnutrition FAO has enhanced Tom Brown with fish protein which is processed in local production centers FAO has already procured and distributed this product as an emergency nutritional assistance for flood-affected families in 2024 FAO and the Borno State Government call on donors and development and humanitarian organizations to support this critical initiative Scaling up Tom Brown production in Borno State and beyond has the potential to significantly reduce malnutrition and improve food security for the most vulnerable populations across Nigeria [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] UN and Partners Launch US$910 Million Humanitarian Appeal for North-East Nigeria in 2025 launched the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) in Abuja The Plan seeks just over $910 million to address the humanitarian needs of 3.6 million people in Borno 7.8 million people in these states are in need of humanitarian assistance According to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria humanitarian needs are “driven by conflict and economic instability,” with the compounding effects of flooding and malnutrition deepening vulnerabilities Fall was speaking in Abuja at the launch of the HNRP where he was joined by the Federal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction The event was attended by high-level representatives of the diplomatic corps senior officials from diverse Government agencies as well as national and international non-governmental organizations Minister Yilwatda highlighted the growing humanitarian needs in north-west and north-central Nigeria and peacebuilding efforts for that region as well “This will enable us to get humanitarian efforts translated into durable solutions that can move people out of poverty and provide livelihoods to reach sustainable development,” he said Given the declining global funding for humanitarian efforts the 2025 HNRP aims to enhance efficiency in aid delivery through reducing transaction costs including anticipatory action for disasters like floods and disease outbreaks It also focuses on increasing direct funding for local partners and scaling up cash assistance for a more tailored response The HNRP underlines the need to reform the operation to become more effective and efficient The Governors of the BAY states reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement with the UN and its partners 33 million Nigerians will face acute food insecurity country-wide during the lean season 5.1 million people are in the BAY states alone Millions of children will face severe acute malnutrition Borno State Government Commits to Increase Contributions to Address Child Malnutrition has committed to increasing the Borno State Government's (BSG) contribution to the Child Nutrition Match Fund—an initiative that helps national governments double their investment in preventing child malnutrition The Governor made this commitment during a round table discussion on scaling up the use of Tom-Brown* held on 4 February in Abuja Tom Brown is a locally produced nutritional supplement that is an innovative and inexpensive way of preventing malnutrition The event was organized by the BSG and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and attended by high-level representatives of federal ministries Data from the nutrition sector indicates that about 3.7 million children are stunted Nutrition partners reported that at least 17 local government areas (LGAs) across the BAY states are experiencing a severe nutrition situation (IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 4; GAM 15.0-29.9 per cent) during the post-harvest season Recent nutrition surveys in hotspot LGAs of Yobe and Adamawa have revealed a high or very high prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM) with notable rates in Nguru (12.1 per cent) These alarming figures underscore the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions “Nigeria continues to bear one of the highest burdens of malnutrition globally Tom Brown has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in addressing malnutrition particularly among vulnerable groups such as children under five and lactating mothers,” said Professor Baba Mallam Gana “Scaling up Tom Brown will not only meet urgent nutritional needs but also create livelihood opportunities we must remember the human faces behind the statistics—the children whose lives we can save and the communities we can transform,” said FAO Representative in Nigeria Humanitarian partners called for increased investments in low-cost and locally sourced solutions such as Tom Brown that could save the BAY states an estimated US $120 million annually Scaling up Tom Brown production in Borno State and beyond has the potential to significantly reduce malnutrition and improve food security for the most vulnerable people across Nigeria *Tom Brown is a nutrient-dense product made from locally available ingredients proven to be effective in reducing malnutrition and preventing relapse by up to 35 percent among children discharged from UNICEF and WFP-supported nutrition centres This initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines on child wasting which advocate locally produced food supplements as part of a holistic approach to addressing malnutrition NSAG Activities Continue to threaten civilians in Borno and Yobe States Non-state armed groups (NSAGs) activities continue to pose a significant threat to civilians who are at risk of various forms of violence and sexual violence in Borno and Yobe states These NSAG activities continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria at least 40 farmers and fishermen were killed in an attack by suspected NSAG members in Dumba Community in Kukawa LGA According to humanitarian partners operating in neighbouring Monguno LGA This attack followed an incident in May 2024 when NSAGs issued an evacuation notice to the residents of Kukawa - over 200 people fled to Monguno LGA straining the overburdened IDP camp reception centre in the town Due to the disruption of their livelihood activities communities in Kukawa have become increasingly vulnerable and reliant on humanitarian assistance Humanitarian organizations are advocating for enhanced security measures and increased support to restore the livelihoods of the affected communities humanitarian partners reported that suspected NSAG members attacked a movement of 25 trucks transporting food supplies from Maiduguri to Damasak in Kareto village The NSAGs allegedly looted food supplies and set one of the trucks on fire This route is a critical humanitarian supply corridor facilitating the movement of essential relief items from Maiduguri to Damasak The attacks on humanitarian cargo present a severe challenge to relief operations over 47,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 77,000 IDP returnees in the town depend on humanitarian aid for their survival Disruption to aid delivery risks worsening the already fragile humanitarian conditions potentially leading to increased food insecurity and heightened vulnerabilities for the affected people over 4,600 people from 770 households in Yunusari local government area (LGA) in Yobe State fled their homes after receiving an ultimatum from an NSAG to vacate the area According to the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) the affected people were residing in the Bultuwa/Mar/Yara The displaced people sought refuge in the Ballari community The influx of displaced people has caused alarm in Geidam town with local communities expressing concerns over potential NSAG attacks Yobe SEMA assessed the situation of the newly arrived people while humanitarian partners are planning a rapid needs assessment to identify their needs The last major attack on the Geidem and Yunusari LGAs in 2021 resulted in the displacement of 180,000 people and Humanitarian Crisis Top Agenda at 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors' Forum in Maiduguri in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) organized the fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum from 29-31 January in Maiduguri themed "Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community" and cross-border cooperation in the region and civil society representatives addressed pressing issues including insecurity and the region’s vulnerability to climate change stated that while military power is necessary to contain security threats in the Lake Chad Basin it must be accompanied by strategies that address root causes such as poverty and lack of job opportunities for the youth in the region In a joint communique issued at the end of the conference the forum acknowledged that despite military successes by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against NSAGs remnants of these groups continued to launch attacks with limited Government presence and logistical challenges making security coordination difficult The forum underscored the urgent need for stronger transborder security measures Climate change was identified as another major factor contributing to the shrinking of the Lake Chad Basin and water scarcity intensifying economic hardships and forcing many affected people to resort to desperate survival strategies The forum advocated for expanded environmental protection initiatives and rehabilitating the shrinking Lake Chad ecosystem The forum identified local governance and traditional leaders’ roles as vital in bridging security gaps and fostering reconciliation It urged Government authorities to strengthen partnerships with traditional rulers and community-based organizations to enhance trust and facilitate reintegration and the reintegration of former combatants The participating governors included Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State (Nigeria) Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State (Nigeria) Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State (Nigeria) Midjiyawa Bakari of the North Region (Cameroon) Abate Edi’i Jean of the North Region (Cameroon) and Saleh Haggar Tidjani of the Province of Lac (Chad) Niger was announced as the host for the sixth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum the painful reminder of a missing loved one has remained the same In our first edition of Trail To The Truth “I just want to find him to put him to rest after 28 years of asking… ‘What happened to Robert Bornos?’ but to most he’s just ‘Link.’ that was Link,” said Link’s Sister he would do it,” said Link’s Aunt would be a date the Bornos family would never forget That night… Link was out celebrating a new job at a bar that was once known as the Choptank Inn — in Easton After ending a complicated relationship and moving back in with his mom a drink seemed the perfect way to celebrate his next chapter But that drink… may have been the last he’d share with anyone “At some point he told his friends or other people at the bar that he felt ill and was last seen leaving the bar That was the last time anyone has heard or seen from him.” Maryland State Police Detective Kristi Plutschak confirms Link did arrive to the bar with friends the evening of April 20th… but it’s what happened next that leads to more questions than answers “He would go off for a few days but he would always tell me where he was and when he was coming back and then I didn’t hear anything from him and I knew something was wrong because that wasn’t Link,” Cheryl explained “It would be highly unusual for Robert Bornos to leave in this fashion without saying anything to his mother or his siblings or his friends,” said Tfc With no concrete leads and the clock ticking… the Borno’s family took matters into their own hands by creating homemade missing person’s posters with Link’s picture in hopes that someone would recognize him and come forward with information what Link was last seen wearing: A WHO t-shirt Years of efforts to canvas his name across the county but still the trail has gone cold “It’s frustrating for any investigator not to close a case especially one like this to not be able to bring closure to the family explain what happened especially when we know there are people out there that know what happened to Robert,” said Tfc “I still ride around looking for things like any sign of anything because you hear so many rumors I would hear he was here and he was there and I would ride by just to see if I could find anything,” said Graves was the driving force behind the investigation After 26 years of searching for her baby boy… Linda passed away without ever knowing why her son didn’t come home I would go everywhere with her to help find him and we couldn’t It hurts and it hurts bad real bad for all of us and if we could just put him to rest with my sister that’s all I want,” cried Lewis This October would mark Link’s 54th birthday and with each year that passes the family says they’re losing hope but it would be a relief to me knowing that there was closure and he would be with his mother,” said Lewis Closure… a feeling the Bornos family hasn’t felt for decades I would love to bring closure to the family and his friends especially after all of these years,” said Tfc Police say even the smallest tip could be the ‘missing link‘ to solving this case it’s just better to come forward and get it off your chest because you may just be the help we’ve been waiting for,” explained Tfc the family won’t stop searching… saying his name… and… sharing his story — until they find the Trail To The Truth “I think we’re keeping him alive by talking it’s what I think Even though we know he’s not here but keeping him in our hearts.” You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed a flash flood that resulted from the failure of the Alau dam in Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) rendered at least 400,000 individuals homeless in Borno state.[1] Maiduguri and Jere were among the most affected LGAs with about 240,000 individuals affected across the two LGAs within the first 48 hours of the flood.[2] Following this Ngala LGA experienced an overflow of the river Yadzaram which coupled with the collapse of the Alau dam in Konduga led to flooding in Ngala and Diwka.[3] The floods have had far reaching multi-sectoral implications that threatened to roll back the gains achieved by humanitarian and development efforts in Borno state it compounded already existing inequalities obstructed supply chain thereby limiting access to lifesaving assistance and increased vulnerabilities and negative coping strategies.[3] CARE Nigeria received funding from the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) the Gates Foundation and CARE’s Humanitarian Surge Fund (HSF) to implement emergency protection WASH support and prevention and response to gender based violence Funding from DRA was planned to support vulnerable communities in Maiduguri and Ngala while the HSF and Gates Foundation funding was planned to reach flood affected communities in Jere LGA These responses were designed and are being guided by CARE Nigeria Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) reviewed in 2024 We understand that in crisis situations gender gaps widen and gender-based violence become pervasive CARE has carefully designed a gender and protection mainstreaming approach that utilizes evidence to ensure the adequate integration of appropriate gender and protection activities that will reduce vulnerability sustain our impact and lead to more transformed communities who are better equipped to be resilient and self-sustaining protection and safety risk assessment to inform on vulnerabilities proffer tailored messages and activities that seek to address the issues identified You don't have permissions to access this page BusinessDay The rainy season in Nigeria typically occurs annually with the highest concentration of rainfall between June and September Many states have been impacted by hefty rains from July to October resulting in significant flooding that has devastated various communities Maiduguri was affected by a massive flood due to the collapse of Alau dam in the neighbouring Konduga LGA of Borno State The collapse of the dam exacerbated the flooding in Maiduguri in addition to the continuous heavy rainfall This marks the first time the Alau Dam has overflowed since 2012 The floods caused extensive damage to infrastructure severely affecting livelihoods and displacing households Climate variability and human-induced factors have exacerbated recently leading to increased displacement across Nigeria in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) identified 130 locations in Borno State that were impacted by floods or received internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to the flooding Through a network of key informants and field focal points and in close coordination with other humanitarian partners and local authorities the assessments were jointly conducted in these locations to provide insights to the government and humanitarian partners on the affected population's primary needs 48 wards and 130 locations that were assessed the joint assessment team identified 1,021,876 individuals in 193,613 households affected by the floods These individuals included IDPs displaced by the floods and residents impacted by the floods but remained in their communities The total affected population included 121,169 displaced individuals 756,765 returnees and 143,942 non-displaced individuals The Borno State government has confirmed a fire outbreak at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri on Wednesday According to a statement from the Directorate of Fire Service Ministry of Information and Internal Security the fire affected the ammunition facility within the barracks leading to the explosion of some munitions and loud bangs The statement added that a combined team of firefighters from the Nigerian Army Fire Service and Borno State Fire Service responded to the scene and successfully extinguished the fire The statement advised the public that secondary explosions may occur and cause loud bangs in the surrounding areas “Preliminary investigations suggest that the intense heat in Maiduguri around this time of the year may have triggered the fire “The combined team of firefighters remains at the scene,” stated the directorate © 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved © 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved The Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) defines the essential goods and services a household requires to meet their basic needs on a regular or seasonal basis This updated tool remains central to Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) supporting multi-purpose cash programming and providing: Transfer value benchmarks for food and non-food needs Data to inform multi-sector market assessments Baselines for monitoring cost of living trends and resilience outcomes 2024 –Following severe flash floods that displaced thousands and caused significant damage across multiple communities in Maiduguri the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Nigeria pledged the organization’s unwavering support to those affected officials from the Ministry of Reconstruction as well as representatives from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps he reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Borno in addressing the health challenges brought on by the recent floods Accompanied by the Borno State Commissioner of Health and Human Services Mulombo assessed the situation in flood-displaced communities where many displaced people have sought refuge Mulombo expressed deep concern over the impact of the disaster on the lives of the affected population He assured the people of Borno State that WHO would continue to provide critical technical and operational support to mitigate the health impacts of the floods displaced over one million people and significantly increased health risks such as cholera and other waterborne diseases This has further exacerbated the already challenging humanitarian situation in the state the flood affected the WHO National Polio Laboratory located at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the people of Borno State affected by this devastating flood WHO stands with you during this difficult time and we are committed to ensuring that essential health services reach those in need particularly those displaced by the crisis," said Dr "We are shocked by the scale of the disaster but we are here to assess the needs and support both the state and federal governments in addressing the challenges posed by this sudden emergency." Mulombo reiterated WHO’s dedication to collaborating with the Borno State government and other partners to prioritize the health and well-being of affected populations In partnership with the Borno State Ministry of Health WHO and its partners have been actively addressing the health challenges posed by the floods WHO is closely collaborating with health authorities to strengthen disease surveillance ensure the prompt delivery of medical supplies and prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases WHO has deployed four mobile clinics to IDP camps and provided essential medicines and medical supplies including Interagency Emergency Health Kits (IEHKs) and malaria treatments WHO is working to enhance the state's capacity to rapidly detect and respond to disease outbreaks within the camps Expressing gratitude to WHO for its ongoing support in responding to the flood emergency "We appreciate WHO’s swift response and continued efforts to address the health needs of our people we must also prioritize building stronger health systems that can withstand future challenges posed by disasters like this." While guiding the WHO team through the state capital Professor Gana highlighted that the flooding is the most severe the region has experienced in the past 30 years He reported that 14 health facilities had been affected and thousands of people displaced The Commissioner emphasized that the immediate needs of the people include shelter He urged partners to assist the government in addressing these urgent needs while the government continues its efforts to ensure that people can return to their homes as soon as possible the Shehu of Borno expressed his appreciation to both the government and WHO for their prompt support to the affected populations He also called on the government to implement a lasting solution to prevent future breaches of the dam forms part of a broader commitment to supporting the Borno State government in addressing the health impacts of emergencies such as floods WHO has deployed emergency health teams to flood-affected areas to conduct risk assessments and enhance surveillance systems to detect and prevent disease outbreaks These floods come at a time when Borno State is already grappling with a complex humanitarian crisis driven by years of conflict and displacement The WHO Country Representative’s visit and the Organization’s steadfast commitment to supporting the state highlight the critical need for sustained health interventions in such challenging humanitarian settings The government of Borno state has announced a temporary power outage in Maiduguri and some Local Government Areas (LGAs) due to the need for maintenance of power lines and other power infrastructure in the state In a press statement released by the Directorate of Information the power outage is expected to be for a short duration The Borno government has urged the public to exercise patience while the maintenance is completed and power is fully restored They are also encouraged to switch off domestic appliances to protect them from possible surges or sparks during the maintenance The Borno State Government appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation in this matter Information and enquiries on the temporary power outage should be directed to the Directorate of Energy the Vice President of Worldwide Channels & Alliances for Amazon Web Services (AWS) joined the University of Michigan Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) community for a fireside chat on January 31st spoke about her career path and shared her insights on leadership and it feels like just yesterday that I was walking the halls working in the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility “I really am motivated by learning and education it’s built on a foundation of learning and developing new skills.” Borno is a Palestinian refugee who fled Kuwait during the first Gulf War with her family in 1990 Forced to abandon all their possessions and savings her family was given just three days to evacuate to the United States “We came to the United States with nothing,” Borno said “The only thing that my parents had was their education so the idea that the only thing that stays with you is your own learning and your own skill set is really ingrained in me Education is the one thing that no one can take from you and that’s why I feel so strongly that it is the single best investment you can make.” and that’s why I feel so strongly that it is the single best investment you can make Borno earned her Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she was an Intel PhD Fellow at the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSystems she joined the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) One of Borno’s earliest projects at BCG was advising President Obama’s task force for the automotive industry government should subsidize the industry and the bailout Borno found the business world to be very different from what she was used to in academia She’d spent a little more than six years earning her PhD but she now had as little as six weeks to make decisions that could affect billions of taxpayer dollars “It showed me the difference in terms of how you can make really big decisions off of the best information you have at the time,” Borno said a leader in IP-based networking technologies where she held several leadership positions over the course of her six-year tenure One of these positions was SVP and General Manager of Cisco’s Global Customer Experience (CX) Centers where she led a team of 18,000 engineers to deliver Cisco’s full services portfolio one month before the COVID-19 pandemic would force a dramatic shift in both work and life as customers sent employees to work from home and needed to use Cisco’s virtual collaboration and security tools for their now distributed workforce “My job was to empower my people to deliver an amazing body of work and to enable them to reach a potential that they didn’t think they could,” Borno said “The whole technical support team at Cisco did not think we were going to be able to deliver on the new workload overnight and we delivered to the highest customer satisfaction measurements ever recorded in the company’s history and I’m really proud of how I handled that My job was to empower my people to deliver an amazing body of work and to enable them to reach a potential that they didn’t think they could Borno believes the key to this success is about embracing full accountability as a leader I’m the one who approved it and allowed it to go out there in the wild “That ultimate accountability really empowered the team to think creatively and deliver to our customers.” Borno also sees opportunities for the tech industry as a whole to take greater accountability specifically regarding its impact on society and the environment This includes embracing practices to improve energy efficiency and unite companies across the tech industry to empower sustainability we have a responsibility to build a better world and to give back to the communities in which we live,” Borno said “We are accountable to be better for our communities we have a responsibility to build a better world and to give back to the communities in which we live which is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform She specifically leads the AWS Partner Organization (APO) which is a global team that serves over 100,000 companies in more than 150 countries When it comes to stepping into new roles and responsibilities Borno said the key is to rely on the skills you have and be confident that you can develop the skills you need “You’ve got to bet on yourself,” Borno said and the other fifty percent was truly a learning opportunity and development opportunity.” One of the learning opportunities Borno illustrated was her experience moving from her role as an expert to her role as a leader she tried to micromanage a talented team member This was not only unsustainable for both of them but it also stifled the team member’s creativity and made everything more inefficient “I had to shift from having all the answers to asking the right questions and guiding,” Borno said “I don’t have to have all the answers I have a team that complements my knowledge or my skills It’s good to align on an outcome and a goal but as to how we get there – there’s room for creativity.” Borno also stressed the importance of leaders taking the time to understand their employees and the communities in which they live and work leaders can be more effective in driving mutually beneficial outcomes “Being able to empathize and understand what motivates and drives employees “I think U-M definitely trains you to build on those foundational elements well.” I think U-M definitely trains you to build on those foundational elements well one of Borno’s teammates at AWS was a woman who was most passionate about empowering other women Borno helped her employee develop a new function that now works with AWS partners to train economically disadvantaged or underrepresented groups in cloud technologies and then connects them to jobs through business partners with AWS “She thought that she was going to have to work at AWS and then get on the board of a nonprofit before she could do this kind of work it’s really important to know what your people want and then help them achieve that potential.” Borno has four pillars to effective leadership: But there’s another essential practice for being a good leader – a practice which Borno disregarded at first Leaders have to be willing to take time to care for their physical and mental health it was easy to burn the candle at both ends and pull all-nighters and work non-stop,” Borno said when it got to a broader scope where the decisions I made could impact 18,000 employees or 100,000 partners I actually had to prioritize my physical health and my mental well-being.” The requirements for getting enough sleep and physical exercise are non-negotiable for Borno now She also encourages everyone to find their own way to disconnect which she tries to do at least once a year She finds the experience to not only be a good physical challenge but an important mental health boost as well “That’s a really good moment to be with myself,” Borno said “I can just be with my thoughts a few nights on a mountain recognizing how small I am compared to the vast universe out there.” Borno has served on the Board of Directors at Experian since 2018 She is also a member of The Forum of Young Global Leaders an organization that seeks to drive public-private cooperation in the global public interest in alignment with the World Economic Forum but due to scheduling conflicts and pandemic delays Ravi Pendse, the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Michigan CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now! Editan Legit Hausa Sharif Lawal yana da ƙwarewar shekaru wajen kawo rahotannin siyasa Jihar Borno - Ƴan ta'addan Boko Haram sun dasa bama-bamai waɗanda suka yi sanadiyyar mutuwar sojoji biyu a jihar Borno Ƴan ta'addan Boko Haram sun dasa bama-baman ne a kan hanyar Maiduguri zuwa Damboa a jihar Borno. Jaridar Vanguard ta rahoto cewa lamarin ya faru ne da misalin ƙarfe 11:00 na safe a ranar Talata, a kusa da ƙauyen Nyeliri, wanda aka bar shi babu kowa da ke ƙaramar hukumar Konduga ta jihar Borno. Kara karanta wannan 'Yan Boko Haram sun farmaki jami'an tsaro a Adamawa, an samu asarar rayuka LURA: Shin kana son bamu labari da tattaunawa da marubutanmu? Tuntubemu a info@corp.legit.ng Fashewar ta jefa fargaba a zukatan direbobi da fasinjoji, inda suka watse zuwa sassa daban-daban duk da kasancewar suna ƙarƙashin rakiya ta dakarun sojoji. Harin na zuwa ne ƙasa da kwana 16 bayan wasu bama-bamai da ƴan ta'addan Boko Haram suka dasa sun hallaka fasinjoji takwas tare da jikkata wasu da dama a hanyar Maiduguri zuwa Damboa. Hanyar Maiduguri zuwa Damboa ta kasance ana amfani da ita na wucin gadi tare da rakiya ta sojoji a kullum, amma har yanzu tana cikin haɗari saboda yawan hare-haren da ƴan ta’adda ke kai wa. A makon da ya gabata, a ranar Juma’a, 25 ga Afrilu, wasu masu sayar da gawayi guda shida sun rasa rayukansu a yankin Mulgoi. Haka kuma, a ranar Lahadi, 27 ga watan Afrilu, wasu manoma biyu sun hallaka a hannun Boko Haram a hanyar Kanama da ke ƙaramar hukumar Damboa yayin da suke gyara gonakinsu domin shirin noman damina. Kara karanta wannan Amnesty ta zargi Gwamnatin Najeriya da gazawa wajen kare rayukan jama'a Da yake tabbatar da faruwar lamarin na ranar Talata Ya bayyana sabbin hare-haren Boko Haram a matsayin abin tsoro wanda aka kasa ɗaukar matakin da ya dace a kansu Kudu Borno) ya yi kira ga Gwamnatin Tarayya da ta samar wa dakarun soji da makamai na zamani domin kawo karshen kashe-kashe da lalata rayuka da dukiyoyi a yankin A wani labarin kuma kun ji cewa wani abin fashewa da ake zargin bam ne ya yi sanadiyyar rasuwar matafiya a jihar Borno Rahotanni sun bayyana cewa bam ɗin ya jawo asarar rayukan matafiya da dama bayan ya tarwatse a kan hanyar Kala-Balge zuwa Gamboru-Ngala Kakakin rundunar ƴan sandan jihar Borno wanda ya tabbatar da aukuwar harin ya bayyana cewa an garzaya da waɗanda suka jikkata zuwa asibiti