Governor Buni Mourns former commissioner, Goni Fika

Late Goni Fika

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has expressed sorrow over the demise of Alhaji Goni Fika, a former retired permanent Secretary and Commissioner in the State.

Gov. Buni who conveyed his condolence to the State and the family of the deceased described him as a humble personality and  reputable journalist who dedicated his life to the service for the state and beyond.

The Statement reads in parts 

"It is with total submission to the will of Allah that l received the sad news of the passage of Alh. Goni Fika, a retired Permanent Secretary and gentleman who dedicated his life to the service of our dear state.

 "Late Goni Fika excelled as a reputable journalist, dedicated General Manager of Yobe Broadcasting Corporation, a Permanent Secretary and Commissioner. 

 "He made great and selfless contributions to the development of our media organisations and the state generally" Governor Buni said. 

The Statement also noted that Late  Goni Fika will be missed for his humility, wise counselling and passion for the development of the state. 

 "This is a great loss to his family, Fika Emirate council and Yobe state. 

 "On behalf of myself, the government and good people of Yobe state, l commiserate with his family and pray to Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatur Firdaus" the Governor prayed.

 He also prayed to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the huge vacuum created by this great loss.

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NGO Tasks Journalists On Impactful Reporting On Gender Protection, SGBV and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

 

By Melvin Ibeh, Maiduguri 

A non - governmental organisation, Ambassadors of Dialogue, Climate and Reintegration (DCR Ambassadors), has charged Journalists to improve reportage on sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) and violence against women and girls ( VAWG ) .

The Executive Director DCR Ambassadors, Ruth Usman gave the charge at a one-day training for media reporters on "Impactful Reporting on Gender Protection and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls", which was held at the weekend in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. 

The Director who noted that a lot of actors are doing tremendous works in regards to gender based violence (GBV) prevention and response, especially provision of case management support, psychosocial support including media reporting and narrative writing, regretted that GBV cases remain grossly under reported ,especially in rural communities where access to media and the press is almost not possible. 

Represented by Tarhemba Msendoo Grace, Communications and Outreach manager DCR Ambassadors, Ruth Usman said humanitarian actors cannot relent, but continue to intensify efforts to prevent and respond to the risks by ensuring that access to justice and other social services is attained in a timely manner. 

She said:" The training is one of activities lined up for implementation on our project titled:"Strengthening Institutional and Multi-sectoral Capacity to Prevent and Respond to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and Violence Against Women (VAWG) in Borno State ".

A cross section of reporters at the SGBV training organised by DCR Ambassadors in Maiduguri

The project is a 24month intervention fully funded by Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)/EU Spotlight Initiative, with technical support from UN women in Nigeria and implemented across five targeted local government areas in Borno State comprising Maiduguri Metropolis, Jere, Konduga, Gwoza and Monguno. 

She noted that the training for media reporters is one of those timely strategies that will assist in changing the gender narratives in Northeast Nigeria .

Also speaking, Program Manager DCR Ambassadors, Richard Inyamkume said the training was based on recognition that media play important and critical roles in reporting Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

“The content about what goes out matters, we need professionalism and confidentiality in handling some of the cases that pertain to survivors. So it is important that those who are in the area of reporting GBV should be able to understand the guidelines and principles in handling of cases relating to GBV," he said. 

Mrs Blessing Tunor and Mr Abdulkareem Haruna who participated in the training described it as very important gesture that was long overdue considering that Borno is a conflict zone and knowing that women are the most vulnerable to the over 10 years Boko Haram insurgency. 

"There are some female headed homes where the women are faced with the challenges of feeding the families and sometimes exposed to sexual exploitation. Unless you are aware and trained to report GBV, you would not be able bring out all the issues not for story sake, but for a solution for eradication of the menace," the participants said.  End

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Over 6,000 Victims of Insurgency get Psychosocial Support In Yobe

From JOE Hemba

 Not fewer than 6000 victims of Boko Haram insurgency from Yobe State have received psycho-social support from International Alert, a non-governmental organisation. 

 The support which was carried out as a result of the protracted Boko haram insurgency in the state and the northeast region had three beneficiary local governments including Gujba, Potiskum and Damaturu local government areas. 

 Yobe State Project Manager of International Alert, Williams Ubimago, disclosed this to journalists in Damaturu penultimate week at a meeting of the Validation of Draft Joint Community Action Plan and White Paper for Integration of the program in the state.

 Explaining the methodology of the project, Mr. Willam said the exercise was carried-out through community dialogue, support sessions for women and girls, multi stakeholders’ dialogue and family support sessions.

 He added that those who benefited from the project were basically children and women who were abducted and sexually abused by Boko Haram, stressing that, “the objective of the NGO was to eradicate the stigmatisation of the victims and ensure they were fully integrated into their communities”.

 His words: “There are various challenges encountered by the victims upon returning to their communities. “In Gujba, for instance, we have heard of women and children who either escaped or were rescued from Boko Haram by the military. 

 “Upon return to their communities, the community chased them back to the bush because they accused them of subscribing to the Boko Haram ideology. 

 “So how can community members reject their loved ones who are not the architects of their misfortune?

 “Therefore this workshop is aimed at communicating with policymakers to have a policy framework such that survivors are not discriminated, stigmatized or chased from their communities,” he explained. 

 The Project Manager praised the cooperation the project has received from the state government as well as traditional rulers and religious leaders since their operations in the state in the last two years.

 Some of the religious leaders at the workshop commended the commitment of International Alert in her attempt to integrate victims of insurgency back to their communities.

 “Some of these people were forced to join Boko Haram, some of the women were also forcefully taken away and made wives of these insurgents. If we reject them now, where would they run to?

 “We commend this organisation(Alert) for working hard to educate our people and also the victims of how they can live together again,” Imam Goni, one of the clerics said.

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Army Donates Protective Gears To CJTF

File

By Melvin Uche, Maiduguri 

The Nigerian Army has donated protective gears and other materials to members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Borno.

The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Brig.-Gen. Abdulwahab Eyitayo, who made the donation on Friday, said the materials were to enhance their complementary role in the counter insurgency operations.

Eyitayo who was represented by Lt.-Col. Agbo Solomon, Commander, 195 Battalion at the donation ceremony said the other items – fabrics, warm clothing and mosquito nets, were also to boost the morale of members of the CJTF.

Eyitayo said the items were distributed to the CJTF at Khadamari and Gogulong communities in Jere.

He said the donation was to appreciate their relentless support for Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) within 195 Battalion Area of Responsibility (AoR).

Mr Saminu Audu, the Commander Intelligence of the CJTF, thanked the Nigerian Army for the gesture.

Audu said with the CJTF’s knowledge of the local terrain and language, they had been able to contribute to the successes recorded so far in the counter-insurgency operations. End 

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IDPs: NNPC/SHELL Handover International Primary School to Yobe

One of the classroom blocks donated by NNPC/Shel SPDC to Yobe State

 

…Commissions Buni Yadi market

From JOE Hemba

Yobe State Government has taken delivery of an International Primary School built by Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation(NNPC) and SHELL Petroleum Development Company.

 The school which is located at Buni Gari, the home town of Gov. Mai Mala Buni was commissioned today Monday, by the governor himself at an event with a large turnout of the locals.

 Governor Buni during the commissioning ceremony explained that the project will greatly assist access to western education and improve basic education in the state, while praising NNPC/SHELL for their commitment to the post insurgency recovery of the state. 

The Honorable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr Abubakar Garba Iliya, said the project is an Emergency Education Intervention (EEI) for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) children/wards provided by Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the SHELL Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Nigeria Limited, operators of the NNPC/SPDC/TEPNG/Agip Joint Venture and Development Africa in partnership with Yobe State Government.

 Dr. Iliya explained that the project consist of four classroom blocks made up of 16 classrooms, administration block with offices, ICT Laboratory and internet connection. 

Some of the shops at the Buni Yadi Market

Others facilities of the project include a solar powered borehole for water and electricity supply, WASH facilities with male and female conveniences, Play ground and recreational facilities at the school.

 In another engagement, Gov. Buni commissioned a newly constructed Buni Yadi Market comprising of 600 shops for traders in the community.

 The market according to the governor will boost the local economy of the people and enhance their way of doing business.

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Gov. Buni presents over N164 Billion for 2022 appropriation Bill

Members of the public in the gallery during the budget presentation today by Yobe  Gov. Buni 

From JOE Hemba 

 Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has presented over N164 billion for the 2021 appropriation bill to the state House of Assembly today Thursday, 11th November, 2021.

 Gov. Buni while making the presentation said the current budget represents a 17.3% increase from last year’s budget. 

 Tagged; Budget of Continuity, Empowerment and Accelerated Development, the governor disclosed that  the “ 2022 budget will concentrate on pursuance of our goals on post-insurgency recovery and economic rejuvenation”.

 He also added that; “In the year 2022, we intend to maintain our policy on prudent management of resources, observance of due process, ensuring good value for money, completion of all ongoing projects, provision of basic infrastructure, general increase in agricultural production, improving commercial activities and enhancement of Internally Generated Revenue for speedy post-insurgency recovery and development”. 

 The sectoral allocation of the budget indicates that governance has the highest share of over N56 billion representing about 34.7% of the entire budget, works, Housing and Transport followed with close to N30 billion and education came third with N28.7 billion. 

 Below is the detailed sectoral allocations of the budgets.

 a) AGRICULTURE - Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Sixteen Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N8,716,994,500) representing 5.3%.

 b) COMMERCE - Seven Billion, Six Hundred and Eight Million, Five Hundred and Seven Thousand Naira (N7,608,507,000) Representing 4.6%. 

 c) EDUCATION - Twenty Eight Billion, Seven Hundred And Twenty Eight Million, Three Hundred And Forty Four Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N28,728,344,500) Representing 17.5%. 

 d) ENVIRONMENT - Two Billion, Six Hundred And Sixty Nine Million, Two Hundred And Seventy Three Thousand Naira (N2,669,273,000) Representing 1.6%.

 e) HEALTH - Eighteen Billion, Three Hundred And Thirty Eight Million, One Hundred And Forty Five Naira (N18,338,145,000) Representing 11.2%. 

 f) LAW AND JUSTICE - Two Billion, Nine Hundred and Twenty Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Nine Thousand, Naira (2, 920,989,000) Representing 1.8%. 8)

 WATER SUPPLY - Six Billion, Twenty Seven Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira (N6,027,360,000) Representing 3.7%. 9) 

 WORKS, HOUSING & TRANSPORT- Twenty Nine Billion Eight Hundred And Forty Million, Two Hundred And Ninety Four Thousand Naira (29,840,294,000) Representing 18.2%. 10) 

 GOVERNANCE- - Fifty Six Billion, Nine Hundred and Forty One Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (56,941,840,000) Representing 34.7%. 

 This include Government House, House of Assembly, Office of the SSG, office of the Head of Service, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, State and Local Government Auditor General's Offices, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and Planning, among others.

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Gov. Zulum Meets Health Workers Collecting Money in a Surprise Visit

Gov. Zulum on supervision

From  JOE Hemba

 In his characteristics of making surprise official visits to check excesses of government officials, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno today in one of such visits discovered another set of health workers extorting money from patients for services meant to be provided free of charge.

 Acting on intel, the governor took a 10 seater bus without any siren where he stormed the Gwange II Primary Healthcare in Maiduguri metropolis without notice and discovered that some unscrupulous health officials are collecting N8,000 to N10,000 from patients for services meant to be provided free of charge.

IMPACTONLINENIGERIA  reports that Gov. Zulum has in the past engaged in similar visits ranging from schools, public offices, hospitals etc.

 The governor who was joined on the mission with the state commissioner for Health expressed his displeasure and ordered a full investigation into the matter.

 The disappointed governor also noted that the attitude of the officials of the healthcare centre has made the facility to be deserted because, the people cannot afford to pay such amount of money for common ailments like malaria. 

 “The staff we met here (at Gwange II, PHC) confirmed that they use to collect between N8,000 to N10,000 from patients to treat malaria. In fact they have turned this Government health centre to a private hospital, and this is why the centre has been deserted by people who mostly do not have the money to access services here. The workers just collect money and put it in their pockets”, unhappy Zulum said.

Gov. Zulum checking records in one of the primary healthcare

 The Governor directed the Borno State Primary Healthcare Agency to thoroughly investigate, identify all the culprits and take appropriate disciplinary actions.

 Zulum was also sad that the same primary healthcare centre had only one medical staff on ground to attend to patients, despite having 29 health workers on Government pay roll. 

 “You can imagine that at 2:00pm, this primary healthcare centre we built and fully equipped is empty (because of extortion and without medical staff). This level of impunity cannot be tolerated. The earlier we address it, the better for all of us” Zulum queried. 

 At a sister primary healthcare centre in another location within Gwange I, Gov. Zulum was happy that the situation was the opposite of what he saw from his first point of call. At the Gwange I healthcare centre, medical workers on ground attending to patients without extorting them and they received the governor’s commendations.

IMPACTONLINENIGERIA  checks revealed that Zulum administration has constructed over 75 primary healthcare centers, built and renovated dozens of general hospitals and employed close to 600 medical workers of different categories, and is also building houses for doctors and nurses to inspire good medical services to citizens.

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NUJ-SWAN Stage Grand Peace Walk in Damaturu

The Peace Procession in Damaturu today.

 From JOE Hemba

 Journalists from Yobe State today staged a grand peace rally in the State capital Damaturu to mark the return of peace in the State after more than a decade of Boko Haram insurgency in the state. 

 The Peace Walk which was put together by Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria(SWAN), Yobe State Chapter is one of the pre-activity for the 2021 Media Games slated to begin in the evening today at the NUJ, Damaturu sports complex along Gashua road, Damaturu.

 According to the NUJ and SWAN Chairman of the State, Comrade Rajab Mohammed and Ahmed Kagana Ahmshi, the games are part of the NUJ and SWAN’s contribution to the counter-insurgency agenda of the Federal Government.

 “These games as you can see has its theme as ‘Media Games for Peace’. NUJ together with SWAN put together this event as part of our contribution as the media to show case to the world that peace has return to Yobe State and the state is now open for all kinds of legitimate business activities to thrive,” Comrade Rajab explained. 

 The SWAN Chairman, Comrade Kagana Amshi said,” apart from our routine writing in the newsroom and on the field, we decided to come together as a way of exercising our bodies as well as make a statement to the outside world that Yobe is now enjoining relative peace, despite the over one decade insurgency in the state”.

Some female journalists displaying peace messages

 “We also believe that one of the major objectives of the fiesta is to key into the counter-insurgency program of the Federal Government through sports,” Kagana added. 

 The grand walk which was tagged “WALK for PEACE” started from Gujba road around ministry of Water Resources through the Central Round About enroute Gashau road where the journalist had a stopover at the Emir of Damaturu’s Palace gyrating with the drums and the trumpets of the band group which kept the walk all alive with music. 

 A total of 14 Chapels comprising of the Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp., YTV, YBC, Correspondents, House of Assembly, Ministry of Information, Yobe State University, etc all participated in the walk.

 The opening ceremony for the games is expected to take place at about 4pm in the evening today.

 Highlights of the Walk was a medical a free medical out-reach provided by the NUJ-SWAN in partnership with General Sani Abatcha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu where journalists were tests from all kinds of aliments ranging from high blood pressure, hepatitis , suger level, etc.

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