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Tackling obstetric fistula in Nigeria
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Tackling obstetric fistula in Nigeria

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By Abiemwense Moru, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In Nigeria, the battle against obstetric fistula, a painful and debilitating condition caused by prolonged and obstructed labour, has seen promising strides.

The progress so far is attributable to both government initiatives and inputs from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

One of the most significant government interventions is by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which has expanded its coverage to include care for Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) patients.

In the light of this, the NHIA Coordinator in Kwara, Hajiya Idayat Bello-Olaitan, said no fewer than 71 women in the state had benefited from the NHIA’s Free Fistula Programme (FFP), with 31 enrolled under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

VVF is an abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina, causing continuous urinary incontinence; it is one of the most distressing complications of gynecologic and obstetric procedures.

The government aims to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity through programmes such as the NHIA-FFP and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC).

According to Bello-Olaitan, women undergoing fistula treatment under these schemes receive free, comprehensive care, including surgery, feeding, transportation, and family planning counseling, thus eliminating the burden of out-of-pocket expenses.

Fistula survivors like Mrs Safiyanu Moses illustrate the success of these interventions; once ostracised due to the stigma of her condition, Moses now shares her journey of recovery and empowerment.

“I was ignored because of the smell, but today I am fine, like everyone else,” she said.

Empowerment initiatives such as NHIA’s FFP and community-based projects not only provide medical treatment but also offer vocational training, helping survivors rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.

In Minna, the Raised Foundation has conducted more than 800 successful surgeries since 2017, restoring hope and dignity to affected women.

According to the Foundation’s Communications Officer, Ruth Mamman-Jiya, the goal is to ensure that no woman endures the suffering of obstetric fistula while trying to give birth.

In a similar effort, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Government of Norway, has empowered 50 rehabilitated survivors in Gombe State through a programme that combines surgery, vocational training, and economic empowerment.

During a graduation ceremony for the 50 survivors, Dr Bajowa Lanre, UNFPA’s Sexual Reproductive Health Analyst, reiterated the agency’s commitment to ending obstetric fistula, describing it as a condition with severe stigma and life-altering consequences.

He said that women should never have to endure such experiences as UNFPA had provided life-transforming surgeries and support across Nigeria.

Lanre said with backing from the Norwegian Government, the programme was also helping women reintegrate into their communities with renewed dignity and economic potential.

The Gombe Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Ms. Asmau’u Iganus, highlighted that the support improved not only the social status of the survivors but also their economic well-being.

On his part, Dr Musa Issa, Founder of Fistula Foundation Nigeria, said that the treatment and empowerment of survivors turned them into role models within their communities.

Survivors like Moses now express hope and joy at their recovery and view themselves as ambassadors committed to helping other women seek treatment.

In Kaduna, Abuja, and Zamfara, the Bashir Foundation for Fistula and Women’s Health (BFFWH) is also working to provide both surgical repair and post-operative rehabilitation.

According to Ibukun Ogundare, Director of Media and Technology at BFFWH, the programmes focus on underserved communities and include post-surgery support such as psychological counselling and vocational training.

He said the efforts were part of a broader national movement to eliminate obstetric fistula and improve maternal health.

These combined efforts reflect a growing national and international commitment to ending obstetric fistula in Nigeria.

Through collaboration between government bodies, NGOs like the Raised Foundation and BFFWH, and international partners such as UNFPA, significant progress is being made.

For example, in southern Nigeria, Prof. Johnson Obuna, Medical Director of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOFIC), pointed out that many VVF cases were caused by poor Caesarean sections, highlighting the need for quality maternal care and skilled birth attendants.

To address such challenges, the Nigerian Government had unveiled initiatives like the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) project, offering free caesarean sections and improving access to skilled delivery services.

Since its inception, more than 4,000 women have benefited, contributing to a measurable decline in maternal mortality and morbidity.

Government support plays a critical role in combating maternal mortality and morbidity through policies like the free caesarean section initiative, which has already benefited more than 4,000 women.

The ongoing MAMII project is a key component of this national effort, aiming to reduce maternal deaths by improving access to essential healthcare services.

Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate announced key achievements in Nigeria’s fight against maternal health issues, including the expansion of the Free Fistula Programme, now active in 15 healthcare facilities nationwide.

He said that the initiative provides free fistula repair, care, and transportation to affected women, significantly improving access to treatment for this debilitating childbirth-related condition.

As part of broader reforms under MAMII, the government also unveiled a National Training Manual for Obstetric Fistula Management, reinforcing its commitment to long-term fistula prevention and care.

Observers say the efforts mark a critical step in addressing obstetric fistula and promoting safer childbirth for vulnerable women across Nigeria.

Expanded health insurance coverage now includes maternal care, providing critical services to women in underserved areas and helping to prevent complications like VVF.

Empowerment and reintegration are essential for long-term recovery.

Programmes that include vocational training and start-up support restore not just health but also dignity and independence.

Testimonies from survivors like Mrs Gladys Nwachi, who lived with VVF for 18 years, highlight the life-changing impact of these efforts.

Her story and others like hers underscore the importance of continued investment in prevention, treatment, and survivor support.

Ultimately, experts say tackling obstetric fistula in Nigeria requires a comprehensive approach, combining free surgical interventions, preventive maternal care, and post-operative empowerment.

It is experts’ view that the goal of eliminating obstetric fistula and improving maternal health outcomes across the country is within reach due to sustained commitment from both local and international stakeholders.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

Advancing press freedom through UN’s human rights declaration
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Advancing press freedom through UN’s human rights declaration

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By Fortune Abang, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

World over, a free press plays a crucial role in informing the public on positive developments; exposing societal ills, holding leaders accountable and acting as a watch dog.

In recognition of the importance of a free press, the UN General Assembly declared May 3, annually, as World Press Freedom Day.

The event is to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through media regardless of frontiers,’’ the declaration states.

Stakeholders say there is need for free, independent and diverse journalism to bolster democratic growth in any society.

They emphasise on the need for adherence to press freedom as it will be instrumental in not only exposing corruption, environmental issues and social injustices but also in shaping public opinion.

Some recounted risks faced by journalists and how most journalists lost their lives doing their job, while calling for sustainable measures to avoid further threats and censorship.

According to policy analysts, there is the need for intervention from media management and government at all levels in order to promote freedom of the press and bolster democratic culture across the world.

Alina Doodnath, a Caribbean Online News Agency “Loop News” Reporter based in Trinidad and Tobago, described Press Freedom as a strong foundation upon which journalists could advance their labour rights, to earn working and living wage.

According to her, in the Caribbean, journalists go above and beyond every day to uphold commitment to the professional ethics, working without overtime pay and, sometimes, under dangerous conditions.

“Their lives are at risk every day, whether it is from physical violence or from vulnerability, due to their employment’s lack of adequate labour regulations, leaving them dependent and also open to outside influences.

“Journalists have unrelenting commitment to helping people by upholding tenets of journalism through unbiased and accurate reporting; sometimes being a reporter can cost your life, whether from violence, physical and mental stress of the job.

“I hope in future media organisations will establish stronger protection policies for journalists to be able to carry out their duties with confidence, knowing their rights as workers are protected,” she said.

Marie Ngono, a journalist at the Cameroon Tribune, a bilingual national daily, stressed the need for various African media management to take proactive measures aimed at advancing press freedom and promoting credible information dissemination across the continent for public interest.

According to her, it entails capacity building centered on fundamental principles of journalism, promotion of editorial independence amidst political, economic and social pressure and the use of digital technology in countering the spread of fake news.

“Journalists should employ measures to ensure their self-protection against violence, including using digital and physical safety strategy, promote diversity and social-inclusion, as well as lend voices to marginalised persons in communities.

“Journalists should build public trust by upholding professionalism and transparency, as well as create awareness about relevant laws and policies designed to protect press freedom,” she said.

In the same vein, Talibeh Hydara, Editor of The Republic, a media-organisation-based in The Gambia, decried unprecedented violence against journalists across the world.

“Governments and societies must prioritise protecting journalists from censorship, harassment, and violence, ensuring they can report without fear.

“There is also an urgent need to strengthen legal frameworks to safeguard media independence, promoting transparency in governance and combating misinformation through education.

“If these measures are in place, media organisations will thrive on their own without any financial support and truth will prevail over falsehood and corruption,” he said.

Mohamed Saad, Editor-in-Chief of the Brown Newspaper based in Sudan, bemoaned bad governance systems and tradition as major challenges facing press freedom, particularly in the Sahel.

“Unfortunately, African journalism is often subordinate to governments’ authoritarian policy and many attempts to criticize or expose corruption can lead to imprisonment or assassination.

“We must change the ugly narrative; the concept of government towards journalism is changing the idea that journalism satisfies power.

“Fear of the authorities is also main reason for lack of press freedom in Africa; for there to be free press, there must be a nascent democracy,” he said.

A Ghanaian Times Senior Reporter, MALIK Sullemana, said that press freedom had become important to ensure sustainability of a just, fair and democratic society.

“No society can thrive without journalism; thus far, the state must ensure the safety of journalists is guaranteed at all times.

“To ensure press freedom, I suggest the enactment of laws or legislation that makes attacks on journalist a first degree felony, plus a fine and minimum prison term of not less than 25 years for offenders,” he said.

Marthe Akissi, a member of the National Organisation of Investigative Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire, underscored the need to strengthen legal frameworks protecting journalists and independent media, to advance press freedom.

She said it entailed abolishment of repressive defamation laws, often used to suppress critical voices and ending impunity for violence against journalists.

“Governments must create legal and institutional environments that protect, rather than repress the press.

“In this regard, my thoughts today, being World Press Freedom Day, are with some of our Burkina colleagues who have been kidnapped and others taken to the front line.

“Citizens’ support for free media and the mobilisation of civil society can also help to create an environment conducive to a free press operation,” she said.

On his part, Ephrahim Bahemu, Business Editor of Mwananchi Communications Limited in Tanzania, said press freedom could be strengthened through establishment of a legal framework to protect media independence, particularly in areas of government interference.

He said that such laws should be centred on safeguarding journalists from any environment that infringed upon their freedom to report issues of public interest.

According to him, in addition to legal protections, financial independence has become crucial for ensuring truly free press operations.

“Over the years, the media landscape has shifted dramatically; traditional sources of revenue, such as mainstream advertising, have been disrupted by the rise of digital platforms like Google and social media.

“As a result, many media outlets have become increasingly dependent on government advertising, which compromises their editorial freedom.

“To address this, the media industry must explore alternative and sustainable revenue models.

“One such solution could be implementation of paywalls for news content, encouraging audiences to support quality journalism directly. Innovation in monetization strategies is essential because good journalism cannot exist without financial resources,” he said.

Meanwhile, Eman Alshammry, Saudi Arabian Journalist of Aljazirah Newspaper, reiterated the need for journalists to imbibe professional ethics to bolster the freedom of the press, which she said is globally operated in red lines.

According to her, wanting to express one’s opinion does not mean that one should cross the boundaries of one’s profession as a journalist.

“Respecting the space available to you demonstrates your awareness and high culture.

“Freedom does not mean transgression; such is not freedom, but chaos,” Alshammry advised.

Stakeholders say effective implementation of policies centered on press freedom are pivotal to ensuring safety of journalists, as the ultimate guarantor of the people’s right to know.

They say supporting journalists in the midst of war, crises and teething conflicts through provision of technical, financial, legal and psychological assistance will advance press freedom and boost their right to information and protection.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

Championing ethical journalism in a press freedom era
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Championing ethical journalism in a press freedom era

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By Collins Yakubu-Hammer, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In any democracy, the media serves as both a watchdog and a voice for the people.

However, in Nigeria, the balance between press freedom and journalistic responsibility continues to ignite serious debate.

Nigeria ranks 112th on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, reflecting the challenging environment in which journalists operate.

In 2024 alone, security agencies were responsible for 45 out of 69 documented attacks on journalists, accounting for approximately 65 per cent of these incidents.

Moreover, between July and October 2024, 90 cases of press violations were reported, underscoring the worrisome rise in press freedom violations, and attributed to state actors.

In spite amendments to the Cybercrime Act, the law continues to be used to intimidate journalists.

In February 2024, for instance, four journalists were charged under this Act for reporting on alleged financial mismanagement at Kwara State Polytechnic.

Furthermore, the persistent practice of “brown envelope journalism”, where some journalists accept monetary inducements for favourable coverage remains widespread.

Stakeholders believe that this unethical practice undermines journalistic integrity, often attributed to low remuneration and delayed salaries.

Government censorship further exacerbates the situation.

In May 2024, authorities banned the broadcast of a song critical of President Bola Tinubu, citing a violation of public decency.

This action was condemned by human rights organisations as an abuse of power and a violation of artistic freedom.

Albeit these challenges, journalists continue to play an important role in holding those in power to account.

One widely cited expert on irresponsible journalism is Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate and media critic, who has repeatedly warned against the dangers of unethical reporting.

In a 2019 public lecture, he stated: “Irresponsible journalism is as dangerous as fake news; it poisons the public mind and erodes trust in institutions”.

He stressed that while press freedom is vital, it must be matched with a commitment to truth, fairness, and public interest.

“Freedom of the press is fundamentally defined as the right to communicate and express ideas through various media, including printed and electronic platforms, without undue government interference.

“However, it is crucial to note that press freedom is not absolute. Just as the law curtails actions like libel and obscenity, it should equally regulate the spread of misinformation”.

The Nigerian Constitution, in Section 22, grants the media the responsibility of holding the government accountable, thus recognising the media as the fourth estate of the realm.

Similarly, Section 39(1) of the Constitution guarantees every individual the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive, and impart information.

In the U.S, press freedom was enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution in 1787.

Nevertheless, this does not mean press freedom is without limits.ERE

For example, the 1990s saw the passing of the Espionage and Sedition Acts, which placed restrictions on freedom of speech.

Additionally, in 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that publications inciting imminent lawless action could be prohibited.

While press freedom is a cornerstone of any democracy, the question must be asked: should press freedom serve as a licence to spread misinformation, disinformation, and falsehoods?

This issue stems from the misconception among some citizen journalists and media outlets that freedom of speech permits the publication of any content, regardless of its credibility or propriety.

This, however, is a misinterpretation of the right.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, recently emphasised that Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, boasts one of the freest press freedoms in its history.

“We have press freedom; it is the responsibility of every government to protect it. However, I must stress that freedom of expression carries enormous responsibility.

“You cannot publish falsehoods and claim to be exercising press freedom. Press freedom is only valid when you speak the truth,” he stated.

He continued, “President Tinubu, as a foremost democrat, is fully committed to safeguarding constitutionally guaranteed rights for all Nigerians.

“He also encourages constructive criticism and healthy opposition, essential for strengthening our democratic framework.

“I reaffirm that President Tinubu’s administration remains dedicated to upholding press freedom and creating an enabling environment for media practice in Nigeria”.

Idris also warned media practitioners to be patriotic, urging them not to cede their platforms to criminals who spread fake news.

“We have a duty to deny them space. All media organisations must refuse to provide a platform for the dissemination of fake news,” he stressed.

“I call on the media to promote media literacy to identify and punish the purveyors of fake news”.

Furthermore, communication experts argue that media spaces should not serve as outlets for fake news and misinformation.

According to them, there are reports of some individuals exploiting press freedom to incite religious, ethnic, or communal conflicts through negative and false reporting.

Corroborating this stance, the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, recently responded to viral fake news about the sacking of three ministers.

“Security agencies must act urgently against fake news websites and platforms, and those who fail to verify the authenticity of stories before allowing them to go viral.

“Press freedom cannot exist when false narratives are concocted without regard for truth”.

The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Akintunde Rotimi Jr, has also called for media discipline and regulation.

He noted that the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), in spite being over 70 years old, lacks the capacity to address the spread of fake news among its members.

“There are media practitioners who, consciously, abandon caution and spread fake news,” he added.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dili Ezughah, recently highlighted the theme of the 2025 World Press Freedom Day: “Navigating the AI Frontier: Strengthening Press Freedom in Nigeria’s Digital Transformation”.

According to him, the theme underscores the need to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the media landscape and the implications it holds for press freedom in the digital age.

Ezughah acknowledged the vast opportunities AI presents for enhancing investigative journalism, data analysis, and content creation.

However, he stressed the importance of deploying these technologies responsibly, ensuring that human oversight and ethical considerations are at the forefront.

“Journalists must uphold the highest ethical standards and verify all content, particularly in an era where deepfakes and synthetic media can undermine public trust,” he said.

In the same vein, the NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahaya has also emphasised that press freedom is essential for good governance, transparency, and national development.

He called for greater collaboration with both the public and private sectors to strengthen press freedom and uphold the media’s vital role in promoting good governance.

Additionally, NUJ FCT Chairperson, Grace Ike, has reaffirmed that press freedom is a fundamental right, not a privilege.

She praised journalists for their role in society and urged the government to prioritise media workers’ welfare, especially amid insecurity and economic challenges.

Ike also called on journalists to uphold ethical standards, advocate for better working conditions, and continue holding leaders accountable.

According to her, the media must amplify the voices of the vulnerable and defend democratic values.

While countries like Nigeria have laws against libel, hate speech, and cyberbullying to curb misinformation, observers note that no government will tolerate the abuse of press freedom for destructive ends.

They insisted that press freedom must be exercised with responsibility and integrity, cautioning journalists against using it to spread falsehoods or undermine national unity.

Ultimately, a balanced approach is needed, one that safeguards press freedom while promoting ethical journalism in the public interest. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

Gov. Mutfwang: Trudging on amidst recurrent distractions
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Gov. Mutfwang: Trudging on amidst recurrent distractions

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By Polycarp Auta, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In the run up to the 2023 general elections, political analysts identified Mr Caleb Mutfwang, a contestant to the Plateau governorship seat, as one candidate that was sure of victory.

They hinged such optimism on the affection the lawyer enjoyed among Plateau residents long before he picked the ticket of his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Such popularity was amply demonstrated when he returned from Abuja after collecting his party’s flag.

The crowd that came to welcome him at the Heipang Airport was so massive that his opponents feared an imminent defeat.

And, true to the fears, Mutfwang easily won the election and was sworn in on May 29, 2023.

The battle for the seat was to continue at the courts with the Supreme Court finally declaring him winner in January 2024.

Mutfwang quickly settled into governance, moving with the speed of a leader ready to fulfil his contract with the people.

The first challenge was the high debt profile and the decay in the state’s civil service.

Civil servants were already on strike as they were owed several months’ salaries. The outstanding salaries and pension arrears were paid and the workers returned to work.

Available records also show that the government has also paid gratuities and death benefits dating back to 1986.

The minimum monthly pension has also been increased from N5,000 to N20,000, with the payment now more regular.

Attention has also been paid to transportation.

According to Mutfwang, the goal is to “invigorate the Plateau economy and draw investors to its vast potential”.

In this respect, Jos intra-city bus service has been launched, easing movement across the capital.

In the first phase launched on May 7, 2024, 15 buses were inaugurated with more coming on board as the demand kept rising while more routes were getting covered.

To boost inter-state transport services, 15 buses have been added to the Plateau Express Ltd, while 20 Toyota Sienna vehicles have been acquired to ply the Jos-Abuja route.

The governor has also ratified a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Valuejets Airline for thrice-weekly flights to Jos.

Government has also brokered a deal with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to rejuvenate the dormant rail transport and mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the populace.

The envisaged train service is anticipated to invigorate economic activities, attract investments, bolster commerce, enhance tourism and create direct and indirect jobs.

The health sector is also being revitalized with the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Agency (PS-DMCMA), equipped to procure, store and distribute drugs and medical supplies in state-run medical outfits.

The goal, Mutfwang says, is to ensure that essential medications are available, accessible, and affordable.

Until recently, Plateau was celebrated as one of Nigeria’s cleanest states, making it a choice destination for tourists.

The Mutfwang administration found a changed situation with Jos grappling with heaps of refuse and powerful stenches oozing from all angles.

To tackle the menace, the government has declared a state of emergency on the environment with refuse disposal trucks evacuating waste in Jos/Bukuru metropolis and beyond.

The reintroduction of the monthly sanitation programme, supervised by the Governor, has led to significant improvements and the streets are noticeably cleaner.

The monthly stipend of street cleaners in Jos has also been reviewed from N8,000 to N15, 000 to encourage them to put in their best.

To improve the road network across the state, the government has initiated significant projects within the Jos/Bukuru Metropolis and across the 17 Local Governments.

The administration has rehabilitated a network of roads constructed more than 40 years ago and had deteriorated into hazardous conditions.

It has also completed the flyover bridge linking NASCO and Abattoir communities. This project is significant as it eases traffic within the capital city.

The construction of a 6.5km road at Angwan Rogo, with a bridge to Hawan Idi/Ali Kazaure, and a 12.1km road covering Amma Street to Apata, is another critical project.

Other critical road projects executed are the Sabon Barki-Building road, the Tudun Wada-Mado-Jabong road, among many others across the state, turning Plateau into a construction site.

In the agricultural sector,
the state has distributed N3.6 billion worth of fertilizer to bolster dry-season farming efforts.

The Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP), has also launched coconut and oil palm plantations to further diversify and strengthen the state’s agro-forestry sector, while 500 farmers specializing in maize, rice and wheat value chains, have been given assorted seeds to boost yields.

PADP has also procured 200 tractors, while 300 tractors belonging to ASTC were revamped and put to use.

Piggery farmers in Jos South and Langtang North LGAs, who were hit by the 2022 floods, have been assisted to restart.

Mutfwang has carried women and children along in his vision, beginning with the nomination of Mrs Josephine Piyo as Deputy Governor.

So far, the women affairs ministry has trained 102 widows on various skills at the Mangu Centre and equipped them with starter packs to start their businesses.

In the area of education, the Governor has reduced tuition fees by 50% for Plateau natives enrolled in state-owned tertiary institutions.

Additionally, there has been a 300% increase in scholarship awards for Plateau students pursuing higher education across Nigeria.

Government has also addressed the issue of unpaid salaries for ad hoc staff, some of whom had been on that status for several years.

Worried by the destructive malarial menace, the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP), has secured 2,998,650 Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) for distribution across households.

The Mutfwang leadership has also boosted the capacity of the Plateau Hospital, Jos, with 22 medical consultants across various specialities, while its long-abandoned laboratory complex had been completed and equipment worth N2 billion fitted into it.

In the area of primary education, the government has renovated and constructed 148 classrooms and dug boreholes in schools to make the learning environment conducive.

A lot has also been sunk into water supply with N1.3 billion spent to procure assorted Water Treatment Chemicals while N700 million went into settling liabilities incurred on similar items by previous administrations.

INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE

In pursuing his dream of a greater Plateau, Mutfwang has shown no discrimination either on the basis of religion, tribe or political leanings.

Two commissioners – Bashir Lawandi in water resources and energy, and Mohammed Nyalum of commerce – for instance, are Muslims.

He also has many Special Advisers, Special Assistants and top aides that are Muslims and is on record as sponsoring the highest number of Muslims to Hajj in 2023.

Areas with Muslims as residents have also enjoyed many development projects, a privilege that has attracted speedy growth to the areas.

SECURITY CONCERNS

But, as Mutfwang speedily moves to build a prosperous Plateau, a recurrent distraction – insecurity – is slowing down the steam and blurring his focus.

Indeed, the challenge of insecurity has, for long, been the lot of Plateau residents.

When Mutfwang came in, he visited camps where Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are kept in Riyom, Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas, to assess the situation.

Few weeks before he was sworn in, his own Mangu Local Government Area came under severe attack on May 15, 2023.

The attacks claimed a lot of lives and appeared to give him a signal that evil was lurking.

The violence subsided in the later part of 2023, 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, but resumed in the last few weeks with Bokkos, Bassa, Mangu, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom as the targets.

A distraught Mutfwang has since been running from pillar to post to secure his people.

He has made it a duty to visit every hit community to commiserate with victims and caution against reprisal attacks.

He has severally met with President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top security officials to work out ways to tackle the menace.

At first, it appeared that the efforts had yielded fruits with both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies adopted to restore peace, but the resurgence of hostilities has shown that more needs to be done.

To tackle the violence, the Governor has reactivated the hitherto dormant state-owned security outfit —Operation Rainbow.

The outfit is expected to mobilise 600 personnel, chosen from across the local governments, to secure the state.

Its personnel shall be expected to use the knowledge of their communities to provide effective security, focusing on intelligence gathering and the relay of early warning signals.

The administration has also established the State Security and Information Centre where citizens can report security concerns via a toll-free line. This centre enables the government to receive timely information on pressing security issues in rural communities.

But, as the governor battles to secure the state, analysts fear that the situation would worsen if all stakeholders are not united to end the crisis.

They particularly decried a situation where politicians seek to make political capital out of the bloodshed and feared that desperate politicians could even stock the fire of violence to put the governor on the defence.

Worried by the recurring attacks on the rural communities, President Tinubu has directed security agencies to fully mobilise all resources to end the bloodshed.

He has also promised to fully support measures that could restore normalcy.

Former Plateau governor Jonah Jang has also decried the worsening insecurity in Plateau, urging everyone to support the Governor to bring peace.

Jang said that resolving the crises and restoring peace to the Plateau was not a matter the governor could handle alone.

“The attacks in Plateau are not mere communal disputes; they are perpetrated by a group with a specific agenda

“It is crucial for the President to understand the true nature of these attacks in order to address them effectively,” Jang said.

Jang advised Tinubu to convene an expanded meeting with community leaders to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation in Plateau.

He said that such a meeting would provide a platform for stakeholders to share their insights and experiences, enabling the President to develop a more informed approach to tackling the problem.

Jang urged the people of Plateau to remain strong and resist any attempt to destroy their state.

He urged the people to love everyone around them, but admonished them to “always remain alert so as to protect the state from invaders”.

Retired Admiral Bitrus Atukum, former Plateau Military Administrator, has spoken in the same vein and urged President Tinubu to give security agencies “specific instructions” to flush out miscreants invading Plateau rural communities.

Atukum, who ruled Plateau from 1984 to 1985, said that the attacks were constituting a “huge economic sabotage”.

“We are now in the farming season; if the attacks continue, farmers won’t go to the farm. That will lead to hunger and poverty,” he fumed.

On his part, Mutfwang has consistently rehashed what his predecessors had always said – that the violence is targeted at land grabbing – vowing, however, that no Plateau land shall be ceded to anyone.

While lamenting that many communities had been seized by the invaders, the Governor has promised to ensure that all displaced people return to their ancestral lands.

Analysts believe that the governor’s current consultations will bring peace to the state and ward off recurrent distractions obstructing his focus toward building a greater Plateau.(NANFeatures)

*If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

Africa’s customs chiefs and quest to boost intra-regional trade
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Africa’s customs chiefs and quest to boost intra-regional trade

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By Martha Agas, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was unveiled in 2021 with the goal of increasing intra-African trade by reducing tariffs and eliminating other trade barriers.

The AfCFTA initiative marks a significant stride in fostering greater economic integration across African nations.

According to the World Bank, AfCFTA has the potential to boost Africa’s exports by 560 billion dollars primarily in the manufacturing sector and raise the continent’s income by 450 billion dollars by 2035.

It also aims to enhance Africa’s global trading position while driving industrialisation by eliminating 97 per cent of tariff lines on goods and services.

Prior to the unveiling of the AfCFTA, analysts argued that intra-African trade was significantly lower than that of other regions due to persistent structural and policy-related challenges.

Between 2015 and 2017, intra-African trade accounted for only 15.2 per cent of the continent’s total trade, compared to 68.1 per cent in Europe, 59.4 per cent in Asia, and 55 per cent in North America.

Trade reports reveal only marginal improvement between 2022 and 2023, with intra-African trade accounting for 14 to 18 per cent of total trade, while in comparison, Europe maintains 60 to 80 per cent, Asia 58 to 60 per cent, and North America around 40 per cent.

Also, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) reported a 7.2 per cent growth in intra-African trade in 2023 with Southern Africa leading with 41.4 per cent, followed by West Africa with 25.7 per cent, East Africa, 14.1 per cent; North Africa, 12.4 per cent; and Central Africa 6.6 per cent.

To some stakeholders, this data shows modest progress, while others argue that the change is not yet substantial.

Experts note that Africa still lags behind its global counterparts due to high trade costs, inefficient border procedures, and inadequate infrastructure factors that hinder the full realisation of AfCFTA’s benefits.

To address these challenges, customs leaders, development partners, and technical experts committed to advancing customs modernisation across the West and Central Africa (WCA) region recently gathered in Nigeria for the fourth World Customs Organisation (WCO) Donors’ Conference for the WCA Region to discuss issues affecting intra-regional trade.

The conference, themed “Partner Mobilisation around the Priority Projects of the WCO’s WCA Region: A Genuine Pledge to Meet the Modernisation Goals and Performance Targets of Member Customs Administrations’’ represents a collective effort to transform customs operations, particularly through trade modernisation.

The theme, according to the Comptroller-General (C-G) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, reflects a shared commitment to transforming customs operations through targeted technical interventions supported by development partners.

Adeniyi said that customs administrations across the WCA region were grappling with several technical challenges that were impeding effective trade facilitation and revenue collection.

He said inadequate digital infrastructure was one of the challenges which was affecting seamless processing of declarations and risk management, while limited interconnectivity between national customs systems was obstructing effective information exchange.

He further explained that insufficient technical capacity to implement advanced customs procedures, such as post-clearance audits and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, also remained a significant hurdle for the region.

“We (WCA) have challenges in effectively implementing technical aspects of the AfCFTA Rules of Origin and other trade facilitation instruments,’’ he said.

According to him, fragile borders, technical barriers to coordinated border management, and the rapid growth of e-commerce are further complicating customs operations which can be addressed with the right technical support and partnerships.

Based on the Nigeria Customs Service’s experience and a regional needs assessment conducted by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Adeniyi outlined five key priority areas requiring donor support in the WCA.

The first is regional interconnectivity, which involves establishing infrastructure for real-time information exchange between customs administrations, using the Nigeria–Benin Republic model as a pilot.

The second priority is the development of a competency-based human resources system, by implementing the WCO framework to build technical capacity among customs officers.

Third, Adeniyi emphasised the need for technology-driven illicit trade detection, specifically through the deployment of AI-powered scanners and forensic tools to combat smuggling and other illicit activities.

The fourth priority focuses on supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA by building technical capacity to enforce preferential rules of origin and verification procedures.

Lastly, he highlighted the importance of regional single window integration, aiming to create interoperable national single window systems for seamless customs operations across the region.

Speaking at the event, Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said that the WCA region represented a market of more than 450 million people, with a combined GDP exceeding 900 billion dollars.

Edun said that in spite of the aforementioned, intra-regional trade accounted for just about 12 per cent of the region’s total trade volume, compared to 60 per cent in Europe and 40 per cent in East Asia.

Highlighting the region’s potential, Edun said it housed eight of the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries, which faced average import costs nearly twice those of coastal nations.

“Customs processing times across our borders average 12 days, significantly above the global best practice of less than 24 hours; these statistics highlight both our challenges and our enormous untapped potential.

“Suffice it is to say that modernising and harmonising our customs procedures, we could boost intra-regional trade by an estimated 50 billion dollars annually, create millions of jobs, and significantly reduce poverty across our communities,’’ he said.

However, the minister noted that emerging external challenges such as the imposition of reciprocal tariffs by the U.S. and the significant reduction in foreign assistance through USAID had direct implications for the region.

According to him, eight countries across West and Central Africa including Nigeria, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire have been affected by these measures, with an average tariff of approximately 13.83 per cent now imposed on exports to the U.S.

Such actions, he observed, not only increased the cost of exports but also undermined efforts to boost trade competitiveness and diversify economies across the region.

Edun said that the abrupt withdrawal of development aid in health and education further compounded economic difficulties and underscored the urgency of accelerating AfCFTA implementation, boosting domestic revenue, and investing in resilient trade systems.

Echoing this sentiment, in a recent news conference, the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Gabriel Idahosa, said intra-African trade under AfCFTA should be aggressively promoted in response to the Trump-era tariff policies.

Analysts say this development highlights the need for Africa to deepen intra-African trade through AfCFTA and leverage frameworks such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to reduce trade costs and foster regional integration.

Experts and global institutions emphasise that for intra-African trade to thrive, trade policies must be harmonised and barriers significantly reduced.

For example, the World Bank underscores the importance of streamlined customs and lower tariffs, noting that digitised customs procedures can reduce border clearance times by up to 20 per cent.

Also, a customs expert, Dr Eugene Nweke, also called for the harmonisation and simplification of customs procedures in West and Central Africa (WCA) to boost regional trade, emphasising that it could be achieved through digitalisation, greater transparency, and consistent enforcement of regulations.

Nweke, who is also the Secretary of the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC), said customs administrations played a critical role in enhancing regional trade by reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and promoting economic integration.

He called for cross-border collaboration among customs administrations, the enforcement of anti-corruption measures, and targeted support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which often struggled with complex customs procedures and trade agreements such as the AfCFTA.

The expert urged the customs administrations to collaborate in sharing best practices, coordinating policies, and addressing common challenges.

“Customs administrations should also develop and implement regional strategic plans that align with continental frameworks like the AfCFTA to promote intra-African trade,” he suggested.

Ultimately, customs administrators and stakeholders agreed that boosting intra-regional trade in West and Central Africa requires comprehensive policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades, financial support, and a robust private sector.

They say WCO-WCA donors’ conference is a significant step towards mobilising resources and partnerships to bridge the gaps and realise Africa’s trade potential.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

Swipe to survive: How digital payments tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria
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Swipe to survive: How digital payments tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria

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By Usman Aliyu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Every morning, as the sun begins to rise in Benin City, Nigeria, 28-year-old Tonia Osakwe rolls up the tarpaulin covering her small kiosk at the Dawson/Akpakpava roads intersection, dusts off her Point of Sale (POS) machines, and prepares for a long day ahead.

Dressed in a neat yellow blouse and jeans on this day, Osakwe greets early customers, mostly traders, commuters and passersby, who are looking to withdraw or transfer cash.

For many, Osakwe has become the face of accessible banking in the neighbourhood.

Just a few years ago, she was battling anxiety and hopelessness after graduating with a degree from the University of Benin.

In spite of several attempts to secure employment, she was repeatedly turned down.

“I kept going to interviews, submitting curriculum vitae, hoping someone would take a chance on me; however, nothing came through.”

In 2021, Osakwe heard about a mobile money training session organised by a financial technology (fintech) company in the city.

With a N50,000 loan from a family friend, she started a POS business under a wooden shed; today, she has two kiosks and employs another young woman.

“It is not just a job; it is a second chance; I did not find work; I created one,” she said, beaming with pride.

Similarly, in a bustling corner at the Oba of Benin Market, 32-year-old Joshua Uche’s kiosk hums with activity.

Beneath the umbrella shading his stand, he punches numbers into a POS terminal, handing naira notes to a customer who just transferred money from her phone.

“This small machine saved me from roaming the streets; before this, I had no job for almost two years.”

As a POS operator and mobile agent, he caters to personal and family needs.

“My father wanted me to become a civil servant like him, but after three years of no job, I couldn’t wait anymore.”

Uche raised capital from personal savings and family donations to purchase a second-hand terminal and set up a roadside POS stand.

“Now, I make around N7,000 daily,” he said.

Uche noted that he supported his younger siblings’ school fees through the business.

At the edge of a busy junction in Ganmo, on the outskirts of Ilorin, Kwara capital, sits a neatly dressed young man, Muhammed Ayinde, greeting customers with a calm smile as he punches digits into a POS device.

For many passersby, Ayinde is just another agent offering quick cash services; but for him, this humble wooden booth represents something far greater, a stepping stone to academic achievement and personal transformation.

“In 2020, I had almost given up; I had a degree, dreamt of further studies, but no job to fund them; then my uncle introduced me to the POS business; that was how everything started,” Ayinde also recounted.

Like thousands of Nigerian youth caught in the choke-hold of unemployment, he found a lifeline in the country’s expanding digital payment system.

Setting up his first kiosk in 2021, he learnt the ropes quickly – how to manage customers, resolve failed transactions, and stay afloat in an increasingly competitive market.

Four years later, not only has the POS business become a reliable source of income, it has helped him fund a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin.

He now operates with two terminals and employs two other young men who also rely on the business to make ends meet.

“This business gave me back my dignity; while others waited for white-collar jobs, I built something sustainable; I am not just earning; I am learning, growing, and giving back,” he said.

Muhammed’s story is a testament to how digital payments are not only helping young Nigerians survive but also achieve upward mobility in a fragile economy.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), youth unemployment in Nigeria stood at over 6.5 per cent as of the second quarter of 2024, dropping from the all time high of 53.4 per cent at the end of 2020, when POS business was less common.

Across the country, young Nigerians like Osakwe, Uche and Ayinde are rewriting their economic stories through the growing digital payment ecosystem.

With youth unemployment hovering at high levels, many have turned to POS services and mobile money operations to survive and thrive in a harsh job market.

From the busy alleys of Lagos and Abuja to remote towns in Kwara, Edo and Kano, Nigeria’s digital finance ecosystem is becoming more than just a convenience; it is turning into a survival strategy.

The rise of digital payments has changed daily life, sparing countless residents the exhausting, hours-long journeys once required just to complete a simple banking transaction.

Today, financial services are no longer a distant dream, they are just a few steps away, at a neighbourhood agent’s kiosk.

“I used to travel far to the nearest bank just to collect small money; now, with these POS terminals on our street, I can withdraw or send money easily without stress.

“They have changed our lives,” Mrs Morufat Eniola, a petty trader in Ilorin, said.

For Mr Joe Egbon, a farmer in Benin, the services go beyond withdrawals.

“I pay for my fertiliser and seeds through these agents. Without them, it would take me a whole day to reach a bank. They make business faster for us,” he said.

Electronic transactions form crucial components of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI); others include digital identity and data exchange systems, which unarguably, have transformed how people access essential national services.

Nigeria has a long way to go to deepen these elements. However, the progress being made in digital payments gives hope to some.

For instance, the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) reports that more than 5.5 million POS terminals have been deployed across the country as of December 2024, doubling the 2.4 million recorded at the end of 2023.

In 2024 alone, over N18 trillion worth of POS transactions were recorded.

The vast majority of those behind these transactions are young Nigerians like Ayinde, Osakwe and others, many of whom are unemployed or underemployed graduates or school leavers, who have found in digital payments what the formal economy denied them.

The rise of mobile money and POS services is not only reducing youth unemployment; it is also contributing to financial inclusion.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), more than 38 million adults in Nigeria remain unbanked, with a significant number living in rural areas.

By setting up POS stands in marketplaces and underserved communities, young agents are bridging the financial gap for millions; they facilitate cash withdrawals, bill payments, airtime purchases, transfers, and even micro-savings, often becoming the only bank their communities can access.

For Ali Bello, who engages in POS operations in Benin, a city far away from his hometown, Kano, building a personal house was possible courtesy of the digital financial service business.

“I did not really go to school; I am just a secondary school leaver, who came to Benin from Kano alongside other friends, in search of greener pastures.

“While others are engaged in cloth selling and bureau de change business amongst others, I opted for POS services.

“I thank God, I am making it here, catering for daily needs as well as family obligations.”

However, the journey is not without its thorns; many agents report daily struggles with poor internet connectivity, frequent transaction failures, and high service charges that eat into profits.

Many operators express confusion over shifting regulations and multiple transaction charges imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We need clear policies that do not change overnight; for instance, besides the transaction charges incurred from cash transfer to another account, any cash inflow more than N10,000 attracts N50 electronic money transfer levy,” Bello said.

To him, the levy amounts to double charge as both the sender and the receiver are charged for a single transaction.

He called on the government to review the charges so as to encourage more people to embrace the digital payment system.

Nonetheless, the digital finance industry continues to grow; fintech companies like OPay, Moniepoint, and PalmPay have rapidly expanded agent networks, offering flexible account setups and low-cost terminals.

In 2024 alone, Nigerian fintech startups attracted over $2 billion in venture capital funding – making the sector the most funded in Africa that year.

Experts believe the sector’s true potential lies in its ability to create micro-economies across communities; one of such experts is Hussein Olarewaju, founder of HAQ Technology Management Services.

Olanrewaju, who is among the first 30 aggregators (agent managers) in Nigeria, says the digital financial solutions address the gap in traditional banking systems.

More so, fintech innovations like Moniepoint, which the founder helped develop, have multiplied job opportunities by creating layered structures where agents recruit, manage, and mentor others across states and regions.

“Seizing this opportunity, HAQ Technology built a network that used local agents – familiar faces within communities – to deliver banking services.

“This strategy not only increased financial inclusion but also created employment opportunities for young people tasked with managing the agent locations.

“Today, more than 500,000 to 1 million POS and mobile money agent points exist across Nigeria; many built on this very structure pioneered by HAQ Technology.

“Each agent point typically employs at least one to two staff, translating into hundreds of thousands of youth gaining reliable incomes in a country where youth unemployment stood at over 50% in 2023,” the fintech expert said.

Besides the high cost of transactions, which Olanrewaju also buttresses as being one of the constraints in digital financial services, the expert also identified financial illiteracy, particularly among the rural dwellers as another issue in deepening the payment system.

He emphasises that real financial literacy requires face-to-face interaction at the grassroots level, not just radio jingles or TV ads.

According to him, agents such as trusted community members, should be empowered to provide direct education to customers.

To ensure that digital financial services continue to empower youth and grow the economy, he advocates field-informed regulation, in which regular feedback from agents and aggregators inform Central Bank policies to make them practical and impactful at the grassroots.

Notably, as Nigeria leans further into a cashless future, it is young men and women like Osakwe, Uche, Ayinde, Bello and Olanrewaju, who are quietly building the infrastructure – one swipe at a time.

In the absence of formal jobs, some young people are creating their own; and in doing so, they are not just surviving, they are reshaping the very meaning of work and opportunity in Nigeria’s economy.

To sustain this momentum, stakeholders are calling for targeted government policies that support young operators, including improved access to credit, investment in network infrastructure, and training on cybersecurity.(NANFeatures)

 

This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

Military diplomacy as tool for peace, stability in Nigeria
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Military diplomacy as tool for peace, stability in Nigeria

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By Sumaila Ogbaje, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The Nigerian military recently initiated a new diplomacy campaign aimed at fostering peace and stability as well as winning hearts and minds in communities.

Observers say this innovative approach marks a significant shift from the traditional militaristic approach to security, recognising that lasting peace can only be achieved through building trust and cooperation with local populations.

The campaign, which is being implemented across various theatres of operation, involves engaging with community leaders, women, and youth groups to understand their concerns and needs.

Under this mode, military personnel are being trained to be more empathetic and responsive to the needs of the communities, providing humanitarian assistance and support where possible.

One of the key aspects of this campaign is the emphasis on civic engagement; military personnel are participating in community development projects, such as building schools, hospitals, and roads, and providing medical care and educational support to local children.

These efforts are designed to demonstrate the military’s commitment to the well-being of the communities and help build trust and confidence.

The results of this campaign are already being felt; in several communities, local residents have expressed gratitude for the military’s efforts, noting that they feel safer and more confident in the military’s ability to protect them.

The campaign has also helped to reduce tensions and improve relationships between the military and local populations, making it easier to gather intelligence and conduct operations against terrorist groups.

The maiden edition of the military diplomacy campaign being conducted by the Directorate of Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), commenced on April 24 in three states, namely, Adamawa, Anambra and Katsina.

The campaign is in line with the Chief of Defence Staff’s leadership concept, which is, “To Nurture a Professional Armed Forces of Nigeria that is People – Centric, Collaborative and Capable of Meeting its Constitutional Responsibilities in a Joint Environment”.

In Adamawa, specifically in Yola South Local Government Area, the campaign aims to promote peace, security, and patriotism by deepening civil-military relations through dialogue and sensitisation.

Addressing the audience at the Shagari Primary School premises in Yola, the DHQ Team Lead, Commander Godwin Egbunu, said the campaign was organised to also appreciate the people for their cooperation.

Egbunu said the campaign was an initiative of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, to encourage continued collaboration between the military and its host communities.

He said it was a way of reaching out to communities to encourage them to come out and share credible intelligence to support the ongoing military operations nationwide.

“Part of our message is for the youths and community members to desist from joining or being lured into criminal groups, cult groups, kidnapping gangs, and all other things that will bring about negative vices.

“We want to ensure that communities live at peace with one another, avoiding communal clashes.

“Wherever there are controversies, they should reach out to the nearest military unit to air their grievances so that the military can step in to avoid skirmishes.

“Also, we want to encourage you not to see the military as enemies but to see the military as partners and uphold the trust.

“The military is your military; so, they should love the military, embrace the military, and be friendly with the military,” he said.

Egbunu urged the people to also exhibit spirit of patriotism, orderliness and attitudinal change to ensure peace and security in their communities.

He also urged parents to observe their children, know how they lived outside homes to be able to know when they began to engage in negative activities.

Egbunu also urged them to always volunteer useful information to the military and other security agencies as well as avoid taking laws into their own hands, adding that self-defence did not mean killing another person.

The team leader also warned about the danger of fake news caused by the use of social media, saying that fake news had a negative impact on peace and security in the society.

He urged them to always rely on traditional media outlets like TV and radio stations to get authentic news or contact the nearest military formation to verify whatever information they had.

According to him, the military is not only about fighting but also engages in several non-kinetic efforts like medical outreaches, educational support and provision of essential amenities like boreholes.

He urged the people to be bold to relay whatever negative experience they might have had with the military in the past.

The Commander 23 Brigade Yola, Brig.-Gen. Paul Zawaya, represented by the Brigade’s Intelligence Officer, Lt.-Col. Felix Ayeni, commended the people for their cooperation with the military in tackling insecurity in the state.

He said the successes recorded by Operation Farauta in the state, were as a result of the support of the government and people of the state and pledged to sustain the operation to ensure that Adamawa remained safe and secured.

The Chairman, Yola South Local Government Area, Salihu Malkohi, represented by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Isah, thanked the CDS for the initiative and thanked the military for the good job being done in the state.

Malkohi said the local government had remained committed to supporting the military and other security agencies in ensuring peace and security in their communities.

He said the security being enjoyed in the local government had attracted an influx of people to the local government and attracted development and economic opportunities.

He solicited for more military presence in Adamawa, saying that were ready to give more land for more military barracks in the state.

Some of the community leaders commended the CDS for the military diplomacy campaign initiative, saying it would boost their confidence that they had a military that they could be proud of.

They called for frequent engagement of such nature to enable them to see the military as their partners and not oppressors.

Mr Darius Susarumso, a civil servant, said the engagement had painted a different picture of the military in the minds of the people.

He urged the military to take such campaigns to all parts of the country, especially the crisis affected areas, to be able to win the support of the people for their operations.

Malam Shehu Ali, a community leader and Secretary of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Yola South, said the engagement was most desirable for both the military and the civilian populace.

Ali said the military diplomacy campaign remained the only way to enhance the performance of both and bridging the gap in communication to avoid being misunderstood and earn cooperation of the civil populace.

“Therefore, this meeting and this kind of forum is unique, fundamental and is very important.

“I am happy that the military initiated an approach to achieve it; you can see the level of openness from the participants; that tells you that they have been looking forward to having this kind of a room and they have gotten it,” he said.

Another stakeholder, Pastor Catherine Christopher, challenged parents to raise up their children in the fear of God, perform their duties, and be able to transfer the same value to their children.

She said the campaign had given them hope that the people had something to hold on to and look up to in the military, urging the people to pray more for the armed forces in their effort to rid the nation of insecurity.

Analysts say the campaign seeks to win the hearts and minds of citizens, encouraging them to support national unity, safety, and peace as part of the military’s non-kinetic approach to fighting insurgency.

They say with the right approach, the Nigerian military’s new diplomacy campaign can become a model for other countries facing similar security challenges; demonstrating the power of building bridges with local communities to achieve lasting peace and stability. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

Democracy strong, alive in Nigeria
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Democracy strong, alive in Nigeria

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Democracy strong, alive in Nigeria

By Bayo Onanuga

We have read the alarming claims of disgruntled opposition figures,  some partisan human rights crusaders and emergency defenders of democracy over recent defections of key members of opposition parties into the governing All Progressives Congress.

 

The seismic shift caused by Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno’s open declaration of support for President Bola Tinubu, the defection of the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, the former vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last election, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and the principal political actors in Delta and Rivers States certainly threw the opposition and their sympathisers into disarray.

 

While the opposition elements are understandably heartbroken over the failure of their fabled grand coalition to gain traction, we find it disturbing that they resorted to peddling false allegations of promoting a one-party State against President Bola Tinubu, who is working very hard to reverse decades of economic mismanagement in our country.

 

Contrary to the false claims in the propaganda materials in circulation across mainstream and social media, democracy is not under any threat in Nigeria.

 

Accusations that the administration is moving towards authoritarianism are baseless and exaggerated.

 

We must add that no policy, official action, or directive from the Presidency seeks to “dismantle democracy” or “weaken opposition or create a one-party state.”

 

Accusations of bribery, blackmail, and the weaponisation of state institutions only exist in the idle minds of politicians and their agents who have failed in their assigned role of opposition and are fishing for scapegoats.

 

The opposition cannot blame President Tinubu and the governing APC for their poor organisation, indiscipline, and gross incompetence in managing their affairs. It is certainly not part of President Tinubu’s job to organise or strengthen opposition parties.

 

We find it curious that those who celebrated the defection of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the formation of a regional grand coalition with the sole aim of defeating President Tinubu in the 2027 election are the same people shedding crocodile tears over Nigeria’s so-called drift to a one-party state and authoritarianism.

 

While the latter-day defenders of democracy raised no anxious voice against the disgruntled politicians cobbling an anti-Tinubu, anti-APC coalition along dangerous regional lines, even before INEC blows the whistle for party politicking, they are quick to ascribe the political shifts in some states to “bribery, blackmail, and coercion” without any shred of evidence.

 

Without any equivocation, freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of choice are part of the cherished ideals of democracy.  When politicians and citizens cannot freely join any association or political party of their choice or cannot openly express their views, democracy is imperilled.  Those opposed to the Tinubu administration should understand that they can issue diatribes, without fear, against the government because we practice a thriving democracy.

 

It is hypocrisy writ large when opposition politicians and their collaborators in the ‘human rights’ movement desire that the party of the President should implode so they can gain electoral advantage and cry wolf when their wish does not materialise.

 

We want to state that democracy is not threatened or undermined simply because politicians exercise their rights to freedom of association. Nigerians migrating to the APC and expressing support for Tinubu are doing so out of their free will, based on the belief that the reforms being executed are in the interest of Nigerians and the unborn generation. It is a gross disservice to democracy in itself for these emergency defenders of democracy to delegitimise the political choices of some Nigerians while upholding the choices of others to form a coalition against Tinubu and APC.

 

Under President Tinubu, democracy is strong, and the multiparty democratic system will continue to flourish unhindered. His administration remains resolutely committed to upholding and strengthening the democratic foundations upon which our Fourth Republic has stood since 1999

 

Politicians changing party affiliation is not new or peculiar to Nigeria. In more advanced democracies, there are ready examples of notable politicians, statesmen and women who changed their parties.

 

President Tinubu and the National Working Committee of the APC, under the leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, deserve commendation for making the ruling party viable and attractive to all Nigerians willing to participate in the democratic process.

 

President Tinubu is an avowed democrat and a firm believer in multiparty democracy. His political activism and democratic credentials in galvanising and strengthening opposition platforms as a force that defeated a sitting President and the then ruling party attest to his credibility as a tested defender of multiparty democracy.

 

We urge all Nigerians to join hands with the administration in protecting our democracy by respecting our people’s choices and giving alarmists, who draw their narratives from the pool of fiction, a wide berth.

 

Onanuga is the Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy)

Malaria: How misdiagnosis fuels Nigeria’s fever, AMR crisis
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Malaria: How misdiagnosis fuels Nigeria’s fever, AMR crisis

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By Abujah Racheal, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Mrs Grace Ameh is a resident of Eyyan Community in Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory.

Each time her five-year-old daughter runs fever, her first suspicion will be malaria. This is because of limited access to diagnostic facilities.

Ameh said that a nearby patent medicine vendor often prescribed malaria drugs and antibiotics for her child without conducting any tests, relying solely on the symptoms.

“Weeks ago, my daughter’s condition worsened after multiple treatments. We kept giving her malaria drugs and antibiotics but nothing worked.

“Eventually, we rushed her to a hospital, where they told us that it was typhoid,” she narrated.

Ameh’s story reflects the harsh reality for millions of Nigerians, where fever is often equated with malaria.

Misdiagnosis is not just dangerous, it is fuelling a growing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) crisis.

According to the 2024 World Malaria Report, Nigeria accounted for 40 per cent of malaria cases and 46 per cent of malaria deaths among the 10 High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) countries last year.

Though global interventions have averted over 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths since 2000, malaria continues to threaten lives, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, which shoulders 95 per cent of global malaria deaths.

Data from the Primary Healthcare Performance Initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also reveals a disturbing trend that diagnostic accuracy in Nigeria is just 36.4 per cent.

This means that fewer than four in 10 patients are correctly diagnosed.

Given that 70 per cent of diagnostic decisions rely on lab tests, the majority of Nigerians are being treated without laboratory confirmation, especially in primary healthcare settings.

Experts said that malaria is the most frequently mistreated disease in Nigeria. Community health centres, pharmacies and clinics often treat patients presumptively, resulting in poor outcomes and preventable deaths.

Akindele Opeyemi, a pharmacist and health systems consultant, said that the Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (MRDT) was designed to be affordable, fast and easy to use.

Opeyemi said that many frontline health workers were not using them consistently in spite of policy support.

“Community pharmacists, nurses and even some physicians have stopped using MRDTs. They do not trust the results, or the logistics are simply broken.

“In some cases, prior antibiotic use masks the malaria parasite, leading to false-negative MRDT results. Some MRDT kits are also too weak to detect low-level infections, further eroding trust,” he said.

According to him, when those treating over 70 per cent of malaria cases do not use diagnostic tests, it is no surprise that malaria deaths are rising.

Mr Batet Musa, Nutrition Policy Advisor at Resolve to Save Lives, said that even when malaria drugs were prescribed correctly, malnutrition could render treatment ineffective.

“Artemether/lumefantrine, a common malaria drug, requires fatty foods for optimal absorption, something many families cannot afford.

“A child fed only with pap won’t absorb the medicine well. Sometimes, it is not just fake drugs or misdiagnosis, it is hunger,” Musa said.

He said that sub-optimal dosing, especially in children due to poor knowledge or economic hardship, leads to treatment failure and severe complications.

Dr Ridwan Yahaya, Antimicrobial Stewardship Manager at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), said that antibiotics were frequently prescribed alongside malaria drugs.

Yahaya said that overtime, this indiscriminate use had led to a dangerous rise in drug-resistant bacteria, a problem now recognised as a major global health threat.

“Misdiagnosis contributes to antibiotic overuse. We are creating a population of resistant organisms, and that is deadly,” he said.

In spite of over 70 years of interventions, Nigeria still accounts for 30 per cent of global malaria cases (68 million) and 23 per cent of global malaria deaths (194,000 annually).

To reverse this, stakeholders are calling for a rethink of malaria strategies.

According to Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, 60 per cent of hospital visits in Nigeria are due to malaria, including at tertiary hospitals.

Pate said that this suggested a significant failure at the primary care level.

One promising initiative is the African Leadership and Management Training for Impact in Malaria Eradication (ALAMIME).

The initiative is coordinated by Makerere University’s School of Public Health and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

ALAMIME is building leadership capacity for malaria programmes across nine African countries, including Nigeria.

ALAMIME Nigeria Lead, Prof. Olufunmilayo Fawole, said that the country needed malaria solutions grounded in “our context, not copy-paste”.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP).

The MoU is to support local manufacturing and strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain, especially for malaria diagnostics and treatment tools.

This partnership, under the World Bank’s IMPACT project, aims to tackle long-standing issues such as stockouts, expired kits and unaffordable drugs that plague frontline providers.

To address Nigeria’s malaria diagnosis crisis and curb rising antimalarial resistance, Dr Salman Polycarp, an epidemiologist, stressed the need for stricter regulatory oversight.

Polycarp said that such a step would ensure that only reliable, internationally approved Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) kits would be distributed and routinely monitored.

“Continuous training and re-training of healthcare workers, especially at the primary care level, is essential to improve their ability to accurately use and interpret RDTs.

“In high-burden areas, RDTs should be integrated with microscopy to enhance diagnostic precision, particularly in complicated or drug-resistant cases,” he said.

He also emphasised the need for public awareness campaigns to educate communities on the importance of proper diagnosis before treatment, discourage self-medication and reduce reliance on presumptive treatment.

“Large-scale, region-specific studies on RDT performance are also necessary to account for Nigeria’s diverse ecology and ensure diagnostic kits are deployed where they work best,” Polycarp said.

Dr Tochi Okwor, Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the NCDC, said that healthcare providers should strictly adhere to treatment guidelines, prescribing malaria drugs only after confirmed test results.

She also called for regulation of over-the-counter access to the drugs.

“Investing in research on Plasmodium species and tracking emerging resistance patterns through genomic surveillance is vital, especially in areas with high transmission,” she said.

Okwor also recommended adoption of next-generation diagnostic tools including molecular testing and AI-based technologies, to detect infections missed by standard RDTs.

She said that Nigeria must strengthen partnerships to access better tools, technical expertise and innovations.

“Upgrading health information systems to track malaria cases, RDT performance and treatment outcomes will support data-driven policy decisions and improve healthcare delivery,” she said.

For mothers like Ameh and thousands of Nigerian children, accurate diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death.

Only homegrown solutions tailored to local realities can bring Nigeria closer to malaria elimination and prevent a deeper AMR crisis.(NANFeatures)

** If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria **

Strengthening gender desks in schools: The Kaduna example
Features

Strengthening gender desks in schools: The Kaduna example

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By Aisha Gambo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

 

Across many schools in Kaduna state, a silent transformation is unfolding to tackle School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) and create a safer environment for students, especially girls.

 

For students like Hauwa’u Yusuf, a Senior Secondary 1 student at Government Secondary School, Rigasa, daily school life once came with anxiety and fear.

 

She was bullied by some of her male classmates who taunted her, mocked her, and threatened physical assault.

 

At the time, Hauwa’u and her peers, unsure of whom to confide in, chose silence.

 

Such experiences are not isolated.

 

Bullying, a major form of SRGBV, includes behaviours like name-calling, peer exclusion, verbal harassment, physical violence, and even cyberbullying.

 

According to UNESCO, nearly 130 million students between the ages of 13 and 15 globally have experienced bullying.

 

In Nigeria, these figures are reflected by the UN Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), which reports that 50 per cent of girls and 52 per cent of boys under 18 have encountered physical violence.

 

Additionally, 25 per cent of girls and 11 per cent of boys have suffered sexual violence, much of which occurs in school environments.

 

More specifically, 44 per cent of Nigerian girls and 35 per cent of boys have reported enduring physical or sexual violence from either teachers or fellow students.

 

The widespread prevalence of such violence threatens not only the safety of students but also their academic performance and emotional well-being.

 

In response to these alarming statistics, the Kaduna State Government has initiated targeted interventions through the establishment of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) focal persons, also known as Grievance Response Mechanism (GRM) Officers, in schools across the state.

 

This initiative aims to provide safe, confidential, and accessible avenues for students to report incidents of abuse and receive appropriate support.

 

Yusuf’s school was one of the beneficiaries of this intervention.

 

With the deployment of a GBV focal person, the school created a space where students like Hauwa’u could safely report harassment.

 

“The bullying has reduced,” she said, while suggesting that further measures, like deploying more security personnel, could enhance the initiative’s effectiveness.

 

The GBV/GRM officer at the school, Salamatu Sadik, explained her role succinctly.

 

“I sensitise students about GBV and listen to complaints confidentially. I also ensure that offenders are reprimanded or reported to higher authorities when necessary”.

 

She stressed the importance of continuous training for GBV officers and recommended the use of pamphlets and leaflets to educate students about GBV and the steps to take when they encounter it.

 

Expanding on this initiative, Aisha Muhammad, Deputy Director of Female Education at the Kaduna State Ministry of Education noted that suggestion boxes have been introduced in schools to enable anonymous reporting.

 

According to her, existing school counsellors have been retrained and repurposed as GBV focal persons.

 

“When a girl experiences sexual violence or any form of abuse, she reports directly to the focal person. These officers are trained to handle complaints confidentially and link survivors with healthcare and psychosocial support”.

 

Muhammad, who is also the focal person for the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), said all local government areas have service providers, including hospitals and social workers, designated to provide timely interventions.

 

Other schools are implementing additional measures to reinforce safety.

 

At Government Girls Secondary School, Maimuna Gwarzo, GBV officer Amina Abdullahi stated that the school works closely with the Kaduna State Vigilante Service (KADVIS) to control access to the school premises.

 

“Girls are discouraged from forming close personal relationships with male teachers, and any inappropriate overtures are to be reported immediately.

 

“We tell the girls that if any male teacher asks to see them after school or elsewhere, they must inform us immediately,” Abdullahi said, underlining the importance of boundaries and proactive communication.

 

While these measures have led to positive changes, challenges persist.

 

Grace Yohanna, Centre Manager of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Kafanchan, expressed concern that some GBV officers still lack the training to maintain confidentiality.

 

This, she said, is a key element in building trust with survivors.

 

“There must be continuous awareness campaigns in schools. Students need to know who the GBV officers are, how to access them, and what help they can expect,” Yohanna said.

 

She added that both teachers and students need comprehensive education about inappropriate behaviours, such as corporal punishment or unwelcome physical contact, which are often normalised.

 

Comparatively, other Nigerian states and African countries offer useful models.

 

In Ekiti State, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNICEF, introduced gender-sensitive training for teachers and set up community-based referral mechanisms.

 

Lagos also established a digital GBV reporting platform and formed GBV school clubs to foster peer engagement and awareness.

 

Elsewhere in Africa, Rwanda’s Ministry of Education has introduced Anti-SRGBV Committees in schools, comprising students, parents, and staff who mediate peer-related conflicts and raise awareness.

 

Kenya, through its Girls’ Education Challenge programme, combines gender desks, counselling, and safe spaces with mentorship programmes for at-risk girls, ensuring they remain in school and are protected.

 

Following these regional examples, Rev. Joseph Hayab, Country Director of the Global Peace Foundation, called on tiers of government to engage trained professionals for GBV roles.

 

“Any institution with a gender desk must adopt policies that protect confidentiality and create safe spaces for disclosures,” he urged.

 

All in all, stakeholders say that the establishment of GBV/GRM desks in Kaduna schools is a commendable step towards a gender-responsive education system.

 

However, experts argue that for these structures to have lasting impact, further actions are essential.

 

They recommend regular training for staff, sustainable funding for awareness campaigns and safety infrastructure, effective monitoring, and learning from other states and countries.

 

According to them, if adequately scaled and supported, these gender desks could become a model for other Nigerian states and beyond, ensuring that all students, especially girls, have access to a safe, inclusive learning environment free from discrimination. (NANFeatures)

 

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

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