EU Donates 8 SDD Refrigerators, as Borno Denies Storage of Dead COVID 19 Vaccines

 

Head of mission INTERSOS, Enkas Chau making the donation to Borno State Government 

By JOE Hemba 

 

The Borno State government has disclosed as false some  recent reports in the Media(not The Nation) that the  protracted power blackout in Maiduguri has affected the potency of  a large number of  COVID19 vaccines.

 

The Executive Director, Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency ( SPHCDA ), Dr Goni Adam disclosed this while taking delivery of 8 Solar Direct Drive Refrigerators (SDD) with batteries and air conditions donated by INTERSOS with funds from  the European Union.

 

 The items are meant for  onward distribution across eight local government areas of the State. 

 

 

He  noted that the absence of the electricity did not affect the storage system of the agency which he said have said enough solar direct drive refrigerators for the COVID-19 vaccines.

 

"So it is not true that we have dead vaccines . In all our primary healthcare facilities, we have solar drive refrigerators where we keep our vaccines. So our vaccines are always alive and safe for use," he explained. 

 

 

Mr. Adam on behalf of  Borno State government expressed gratitude to INTERSOS for the donations made adding that it will go a long way in supporting the campaign of the State government in the fight against the virus in the state.

 

 

" We are happy that we are receiving the Solar Direct Drive Refrigerators from INTERSOS. I assure you that we will make good use of the facilities. We will immediately deploy them to the benefiting local government areas, " he added.

 

 

In his address,  the Head of Mission INTERSOS Nigeria, Mr Enkas Chau, said the organization was  supporting and collaborating with the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency in four vaccination pillars comprising; Risk communication and community engagement; Logistics and cold chain, Vaccination; adverse effect following immunization; Acute Flaccid paralysis community surveillance in the eight local government areas of Bama, Dikwa, Magumeri, Monguno, MMC , Ngala, Konduga and Jere.

 

 

" INTERSOS among other Borno State partners including WHO, UNICEF, AFENET, and NCDC supports Borno in solidarity to ensure a successful COVID-19 vaccination campaign with strong emphasis on internally displaced persons ( IDPs  ) camps in hard- to - reach areas of the State. 

" With funding from European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid ( ECHO ) and Switching Vluchteling , INTERSOS continues to support communication, AEFI, AFP surveillance, cold chain and vaccination activities across the eight targeted local government areas," he disclosed.

 

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Gov. Buni Lunches New School Feeding Program, Distribution of 100,000 Textbooks

Gov. Buni inspecting the free chicken and eggs for students feeding

 From JOE Hemba

 Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni on Friday lunched a revived free school feeding program in the state. 

 The new school feeding in the state will have on its menu chicken and eggs which will be served to the student unlike the pieces of beef used in the past. 

 The governor also lunched the distribution of 100,000 text books and laboratory equipment to all public schools in the state.

 Performig the ceremony at the Federal Government Girls College Damaturu, Gov. Buni said “improved school feeding programme with chicken and egg will introduced to the menu of public boarding schools across the state”.

According to the governor, the procurement and distribution of text books to the schools was to support government's drive to revitalize basic education to provide a strong foundation for the development of education in Yobe State. 

 "I am particularly delighted with this occasion marking the launching of the Maiden Education Day and Enhanced School Feeding Programme and Distribution of 100,000 Text books and modern laboratory equipment to secondary schools in the state.

 The governor expressed satisfaction with the state's performance in the education sector, saying "we have strong reasons to celebrate the impressive achievements recorded in the basic and secondary education.

 "I am particularly impressed with the usage of modern instruments and application of a combination of conventional and innovative techniques in teaching and learning processes which the Ministry invented in our schools" he said.

Gov. Buni inspecting books and laboratory equipments

 Gov Buni said "I am excited that we can today proudly tell our stories of success on the account of hard work and commitment of the state government following the declaration of State of Emergency on Education by this administration.

"He noted that the declaration of emergency has yielded impressive performance by students in national examinations. 

 As part of marking the commitment of his administration to educational development in the state, Governor Buni declared 1st July of every year to be celebrated as Education Day in the state. 

 The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Dr Muhammad Sani, described the success recorded in the education sector as impressive.

 "Education in Yobe state has moved many steps ahead, the future of the state is very bright and prosperous" he observed. The governor was entertained by students of the college with various playlets, quiz and current affairs.

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NAWOJ President Visits Yobe NUJ, Excited with Rapid Achievements

Comrade Rajab Mohammed with NAWOJ President, Ladi Bala in Damaturu

 From JOE Hemba

 The National President of Nigeria Union of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Comrade Ladi Bala has commended the accelerated development recorded by the Yobe Council of the NUJ led by Comrade Rajab Mohammed within a very short time in office.

 Ms Bala who was in Damaturu for the opening ceremony of the training of female journalists on Gender sensitive Reporting /Equity and Safety took time to pay a courtesy visit to the Yobe State NUJ Chairman in his office in Damaturu said she was impressed at the pace of development that the council has recorded within a very short time by Comrade Rajab Mohammed as the chairman. 

 “I must say that I am highly impressed by the level of achievements that you have recorded within this very short time of your tenure as the chairman of this council. The Yobe NUJ complex has completely changed within this short time. 

 “I am so proud of you my brother and as a council. I am also happy with the kind of support you are receiving from your members in the state. It’s our prayers that God will continue to guide you in doing the right things as a leader,” the NAWOJ President said. 

 The NAWOJ President said she was also particularly happy with the unity that Comrade Rajab has brought to the council and the harmonious working relationship among journalists in the state. 

 NAJOW also commended the Yobe NUJ Chairman for the support she received from the council for the success of the training program in the state. She congratulated Mr. Rajab for his last election while urging him to continue with the good work in the council. 

 In his remarks, the Chairman, NUJ, State Council, Comrade Rajab Mohammed said he was humbled by the visit of the NAWOJ. Mr. Rajab thanked NAWOJ for bringing the capacity training of the female journalists to the State. 

 He called on NAWOJ President to make welfare and capacity of women journalists as her top agenda. Mr. Rajab also promised to provide the needed leadership to the council which according to him will be built on justice, equity and trust.

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Lagos Businessman Donates 25 Million to Victims of Nguru Market Fire

 

A section of the burnt Nguru Market 

From JOE Hemba

 

A Lagos based businessman, Alhaji Aminu Yaro has donated N25 million for victims of the Nguru Market fire incident.

 

The donation was announced by Governor Mai Mala Buni at the Palace of the Emir of Nguru, Mustapha Ibn Kyari  and the traders at Nguru during a sympathy visit he paid to the Emir and the traders at Nguru yesterday.

 

Gov. Buni described the fire incident as an unfortunate incident and called on the traders to take it as an act from God which is destined to happen.

 

The governor who was accompanied on the visit by the Managing Director, North East Development Commission, Mohammed Alkali informed the traders that his government through the State Emergency Management Agency will get a full assessment of the damage and come to the aid of the victims.

 

He announced that NEDC which has the mandate of interventions like the fire incident will also provide succour to the traders whom he prays to God to replenish their losses in several folds.

 

Before his arrival at Nguru, Gov. Buni had a stopover at Gashua, 60km away where he inspected the new ultra-modern market under construction in the town.

 

The Governor who was satisfied with the quality of work executed by the contractor assured the traders that the shops will be directly allocated to traders without any middleman.

 

"There would be no middle men between the government and the traders in the allocation of the stores,” Gov, Buni said.

 

He  however urged the would-be beneficiaries to cultivate the culture of maintenance and safety measures.

 

The state commissioner for Commerce and Tourism, Alh. Barma Shettima, while conducting the Governor around the Market, said the Gashua Modern Market would be handed over to the government in the next few weeks.

 

"The contractors are now on finishing touches, they have done a good job and there is value for money in this project" he said.

 

At the Palace of the Emir, the governor also lifted a ban on the use of motorcycles in the two geo-political zones of Yobe north and Yobe South comprising 10 Local Governments.

 

IMPACTONLINENIGERIA  reports that for over eleven years, restriction on the use of motor cycles was imposed in Yobe due to the Boko Haram crisis.

 

The lifting of the ban was however conditional as the Special Adviser on Security, Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalem explained in a statement that the motor cycles will not be used for commercial purposes.

 

 

Gov. Buni addressing traders and community leaders at the burnt Nguru markets.

The statement reads:

 

The ban on the riding of motorbikes is hereby lifted with effect from 10th January 2022 in the 10 LGAs of Zone B and Zone C, namely; Fika, Fune, Nangere, Potiskum, Bade, Machina, Nguru, Jakusko, Karasuwa and Yusufari.

 

The ban is lifted with the following instructions:

 

(1). Motorbikes are to operate between 6am and 6pm daily.

(2). Motorbikes are not to be used for ‘*Achaba’*

(3). There will be no conveyance of passengers on motorbikes. Only a rider will be allowed without any other person on the motorbike.

(4). There should be proper registration, licensing, and documentation of all motorbikes and riders in the affected LGAs by the Yobe State Road Traffic Management Agency *(YOROTA)*

(5). All Motorbikes are to operate within their respective LGAs only.

 

(6). Any motorbike rider(s) that conveys passenger(s) should be sanctioned in accordance with extant rules and regulations.

 

(7). There should be no Inter-local government area movement with motorbikes, and anyone found violating this rule should be appropriately sanctioned.

 

 

All Security Agencies are requested to monitor and ensure strict compliance with these directives.

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Former Youth Parliament Leader, Shettima Reaffirms Intentions to Contest for APC NE Zonal Youth Leader

Shettima addressing the press in Maiduguri on his ambition for APC NE Zonal Youth leader

 From JOE Hemba

 A former Leader of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Mr Shettima Umar, has reaffirmed his intentions to contest for the All Progressive Congress(APC), North East Zonal Youth Leader in the Forthcoming National Convention of the Party.

 Umar who made his intentions known on Saturday at a Press Conference in Maiduguri, said that the decision was made after a wide and exhaustive consultations with various stakeholders and party stalwarts, especially the Youth constituency across the North East, students union bodies, women and youth organizations.

 He said that his interest to contest was born out of the desire to answer the clarion call of the young people to come over and contribute his ideal experience and God-endowed wisdom, coupled with his long-term vision for the progress of the North East.

 He said that "In-view of the enormous challenges and daunting task of repositioning our great party, I humbly consider myself to you as someone that is ready, able, capable and willing to offer my most sincere commitment and experience towards the upliftment of our great party, the APC. 

 He noted "Having spent a substantial part of my youthful life around services to the Nigerian students constituency, youth developmental activism, I believe I have acquired the requisite knowledge and experience to represent the Social and economic needs of the young people at the party level. 

 Shettima added "My background on students and youth activism, Political relationships has given me the opportunity, rare privilege and unprivileged understanding towards the Youth constituency, As such, I strongly believe that this knowledge will assist me to serve the Youth of the North East at the party level with utmost commitment, loyalty and sincerity of purpose. 

 "My vision for the APC is to bring together the youth of our dear country to be part of the major decision making body, by fostering Youth Inclusiveness in governance and the sustainability of our great party in the affairs of Government. My mission is to take our great party, the APC to the next level of victory and greatness, by influencing our dear youth to join our party and ensure it's success at the polls,” he said.

 He pledged to increase the visibility of the success of our great party, mobilize and open spaces for Youth and women to join the great party, organize town hall meetings across the Six states in the North East to deliberate on a future development plan for the country as well as facilitate other means of intervention for the party, upon assumption into office. 

A cross section of supporters at the event

 He promised to also engaged youth and women on governance and decision making processes in the region, empower youths to be self-reliant with 21st century skills for sustainability and to collaborate with stakeholders for the establishment of standard APC Youth and women Houses in each state in our region.

 According to him, he would collaborate with all APC states across the zone for the establishment of Youth and women development Commission Boards for the success of the party.

 He commended Borno Governor Babagana Zulum, for his outstanding commitment and courage towards governance in Borno, overseeing the conduct of APC ward, LG and State Congresses successfully, coupled with providing devidend of Democracy to the good people of the state by executing over 500 capital projects in virtually two years in office.

 Umar described the feats as the first of it's kind in the history of Nigerian Political system and prayed that Allah continued to protect the Governor as he continued to pilot the affairs of our dear state.

 "With the commitment of Governor Zulum so far, It is paramount upon us to thank our leader and mentor, Distinguish Senator Kashim Shettima for giving us Governor Zulum, this is one of the best decisions made by Senator Shettima, our former Governor and Senator representing Borno Central at the National Assembly.

 "You may also recall that the APC held it's ward, Local Goverbments and states congress respectively, so far it's one of the best Congresses held by any political party in this country, As such, It's paramount for me to commend the effort of our workaholic National Chairman and Chairman APC National Convention at the same time the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni for the steps he has taken so far to reform our great party, the APC as we approach the National Convention and the 2023 general elections respectively. 

 "It has become imperative upon me to also congratulate our leader, and a mentor per excellence, the man who has not only stood for us in this project but also endorsed our aspiration, the man who has taken our aspiration as his own personal project, the man who has made two wonderful governors in Borno State under his leadership, the man with all the required experience and capacity in leadership, in person of Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, the emergence of Dalori as our APC State Chairman in the recently conducted state Congress is an assurance of many more success to our party, We congratulate him and extend our sincere loyalty to him as our leader and mentor to the Youth of our great party, the APC.

 "We are also greateful to him for his outstanding support and commitment towards the #TeamShettima for APC North East Zonal Youth Leader Project and we will In sha Allah make him proud at the end. 

 "I wish to most sincerely thank the great Youth of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba for believing in me, while we continue to work as a team to achieve this project together, I'm glad to also inform you that it's Youth O'clock and we are READY to SERVE. 

 "As we approach the APC Extra-ordinary National Convention, We will In sha Allah kick-off our campaign tour to all the six states we have in the North East next week as part of our continues consultations strategy, to congratulate the newly elected Executives of our great party at the recently conducted congress and to further intimate them on our aspiration,"he said. 

 In his remarks, Comrade Mahmud Muhammad, Council Member and ICT Coordinator of Borno State University, and Secretary General of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Borno State Chapter, urged stakeholders in the Northeast to rally around the aspirants. 

 He said "We rally him round most of the stakeholders of the party, they support the movement, blessed the project and assured to do everything humanly possible within their capacity as this is the only time a Borno indigene is aspiring for the Position. 

 "We (youths) constitutes the majority in the party and I believe, what is ours should be from us, so, am calling on the entire youths of Northeast and other stakeholders to take the project to the promise land. 

 "I believe after getting the support of our party stakeholders, next is the youths who can make it possible, who can make it happen, who can make it propel and its only with the wings of youths it can fly,"he said. He therefore urged the Youths to remain united noting that unity gives strength and strength lead to victory.

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Gov. Buni Honors own Deputy, Gives out Hands of Daughters in Marriage

Gov. Buni and his Deputy, Gubana at the wedding yesterday.

From JOE Hemba

Damagum, the headquarters of Fune Local Government Council went agog with dignitaries on Saturday including His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe state and Chairman APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Hon. Mai Mala Buni who honored his Deputy Idi Barde Gubana to give out his daughter in marriage as well as receive a wife for the son for his deputy.

Gov. Buni who stood as the father of his Deputy's daughter, Fatima Idi Barde Gubana also received in marriage a wife for the Deputy Governor's son, Hussaini Idi Barde Gubana at a colorfull ceremony at the Emir of Fune's Palace in Damaturu.

At the same occasion, the Emir of Fika and Chairman Yobe state Council of Chiefs, Alh. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, gave out the hands of another daughter of the Deputy Governor, Habiba Idi Barde Gubana to Gambo Usman.

The three weddings were presided over by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Ustaz Babagana Mallam Kyari.

It was a gathering of who is who in Yobe and from the neighbouring states of Bauchi and Borno. Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum who was the father of the groom in the third wedding sent in a representative.

Another dignitary at the event was the deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Baba Tela who also came to honor his colleague.

Gov. Buni during an interview with the press was happy with the large turn out of people to witness the wedding ceremony, stressing that it was a clear evidence of an indication that peace has returned to Yobe state.

Gov. Buni exchanging pleasantries with  emirs at the wedding yesterday

"I thank the great honour done to me and my Deputy by honouring the invitation to grace this occasion.

"I commend the people of Yobe state for their support and continuous prayers for the full return of peace to the state. The large turnout that we are witnessing here today is an indication of the return of peace in the state," Governor Buni said.

He prayed for a successful and happy married life to the new couples.

Similarly, Governor Buni was in Azare, Bauchi State to witness the wedding fatiha of the daughter of Malam Adamu Adamu, the Hon. Minister of Education.

The wedding was attended by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, the Senate President Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, state governors.

Ministers, Public officers and prominent politicians.

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Gov. Buni Sympathises with Nguru Market Fire Victims, Directs SEMA for Full Assessment

 

Gov. Buni

Yobe State Gov. Mai Mala Buni yesterday shares his grief over the unfortunate fire incident at Nguru Central markets where over three hundred shops were burnt.

The Governor in a message through his Director General Press Affairs, Mammam Mohammed describes the incident as a sad one which has become an annual occurrence.

The Statement said the new mordern markets will minimised such yearly incidents of fire outbreaks while promising for a speady completion of the market to be allocated to the traders.

The statement directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take a full assessment of the damage a report to government for adequate intervention.

the statement reads in full: 

"His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe state and Chairman APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has received with regret the sad news of the inferno that engulfed Nguru market.

"He described as sad and unfortunate the yearly reoccurrence of the fire incident which had continued to rob traders of their means of livelihood.

"Gov. Buni noted that government would continue to explore means of making life meaningful to the people.

"This explains why this administration is committed to building modern markets with fire proof materials across the state to safeguard our traders and their means of livelihood.

"Government will ensure timely completion of the markets and allocate them to our traders to improve their means of livelihoods.

"The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assess the damages and furnish government with the details".

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