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Humanitarian Crises:  Why Nigeria Needs Collective Response – UN Rep, Fall  … Identifies Obstacles, Solutions to Humanitarian Interventions 

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Humanitarian Crises:
 Why Nigeria Needs Collective Response – UN Rep, Fall
… Identifies Obstacles, Solutions to Humanitarian Interventions
Mohamed Malick Fall is the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria. In this exclusive interview, he speaks on the need for a collective response to humanitarian crises in Nigeria, obstacles to humanitarian interventions, and the work of the United Nations, among others. UN OCHA Nigeria’s Head of Public Information, Ann Weru, and Public Information Officer, Dr. Chike Walter Duru, were there.
Excerpts:
What are the types of humanitarian issues in Nigeria?
Different types of crises exist in Nigeria; some are linked to conflict and insecurity; there are those that are triggered by insurgency in the north-east, some are linked to intercommunal violence, herders/farmers clashes, abductions, kidnapping, banditry, prevalent in many parts of the country.
In addition, Nigeria has a certain level of climate vulnerability. Sometimes, drought; sometimes, floods; sometimes heat wave, that impact the wellbeing of people and sometimes trigger the movement of people, loss of property or loss of livelihood and they exacerbate the hardship that the people are facing.
How the UN is responding to the challenges
The UN has a two-fold response. One is the humanitarian response, which, to me, is guided by the principle of saving lives and reducing vulnerabilities; helping people, not only to get back on their feet, but also to have hope that they can have a better future.
The second component is the one that tackles the root causes of these crises. Most of those root causes are linked to deficits of development, lack of basic services, lack of livelihoods, lack of skills for young people and lack of access to employment. Those require much deeper action, which is building, not only on UN humanitarian intervention, but also on development-related activities, which will be looking at short, mid and long-term projects for the development of those people.
What are the obstacles to humanitarian interventions in Nigeria?
We have several of them.
The biggest one is access, and sometimes, access is hampered by insecurity. There are many parts of the country without free and safe access because of the high level of insecurity that is still prevailing. This is valid for the north-east, where, despite all the efforts to push against the insurgency, you still see attacks like the recent ones in Konduga and Gwoza, which are sad reminders that it is not yet over. You have also insecurity prevailing in many other parts of the country.
Sometimes, access to the people in need is also difficult.
Funding gaps are also an issue, because, as you know, the world is overstretched by humanitarian challenges. For instance, we have gone past half of the year, but this year’s Nigerian Humanitarian Response Plan is funded below 50 per cent. We launched in May 2024, a Lean Season Plan, which targeted to address the most urgent needs of people affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, but we are in the peak of the lean season, and we have not even reached 30 per cent of the funding we need. If you look at humanitarian funding year by year, you will see that it is declining. The level of response from the donor community is getting lower because of the competing developments across the world. The wars in Gaza, Sudan, and other regions have completely changed the funding landscape for humanitarian response.
What further challenges are militating against this conflict?
The challenge of funding
There is a cost of doing nothing. People always look at things from the point of the cost of doing something. Let me take one example. In the Lean Season Plan, we are looking at addressing severe food insecurity and malnutrition. Today, look at the number of children that are malnourished. The survival of hundreds of thousands of severely acutely malnourished children and those at risk depends on urgent interventions.
In the Lean Season Plan, there is a projection of 230,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition during the lean season in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, alone. Their survival depends on the steps taken against the challenge.
The cost of inaction is that life is on the line. Children that survive acute malnutrition, from the fragile health conditions they have, may also face growth and development challenges throughout their lives. The cost of inaction is very expensive.
Way forward
What are the solutions to these challenges ?
I see several solutions around these challenges.
For funding, more innovative funding solutions are required. We must no longer rely on western countries as traditional donors.
A country like Nigeria is not poor. It is among the three biggest economies in Africa. It is increasingly urgent for the Government to allocate its own resources to the humanitarian response.
We also need to be more creative and see how we can make our humanitarian operations more efficient and more effective. There are many directions that need to be explored.
International Laws
Wherever you see conflict and war, it means that there are parties that do not believe in dialogue and in peaceful settlement of disputes.
For instance, the insurgents believe in extreme violence and terrorist actions. This is not peculiar to Nigeria. In the world, there are many wars taking place. Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and these are coming on top of previous crises. You have Somalia and Syria. The notion that any difference should be settled through arms and through guns amounts to pushing back on the principles of international laws. Many of the parties to conflict do not respect nor respond to the call of international humanitarian law.
In what ways does the UN support displaced people and the most vulnerable?
Whenever you see a crisis, those that pay the highest prices are the most vulnerable – the women, children, older persons, people living with disabilities, and that is why we prioritise them in our interventions. There are provisions in our interventions that prioritize the protection of children. There are also provisions that specially protect women from grave violations of their rights and from sexual violence. The rights of people living with disabilities are also protected.
For me, the humanitarian space is one of the few spaces where humanity has its expression. It is a place where you see actors daily, risking their lives to go and save lives, reduce vulnerability, protect and help people get back on their feet. It is also a space where you see host communities that are lacking in everything sharing the little, they have with people who are suffering or displaced. It is a place where you see Government and non-state actors getting together, to reduce vulnerability and save the lives of people. The work of humanitarians saving lives etc. has just one name – humanity prevailing.
Message for stakeholders
What we need to reduce the humanitarian needs in the world is for the people to go back to the principle of humanity.
If we act on preventing conflict, stopping conflicts, we will take away a huge number of people in humanitarian need.
At the same time, humanitarian needs are not only triggered by conflict; unfortunately, the way we treat our planet; the way we treat our ecosystems, the way we respond to the climate crisis that we are facing are also important issues.
We also have increased poverty and deeper inequalities. All of these are among the factors that trigger human suffering.
How do address these issues?
We need to address conflict, increased poverty, the climate crisis, and inequalities. If world leaders continue to push to address these issues and more, we will see a better world.
Members of the public should support humanitarian action. They should understand that it is not about humanitarian organisations and workers alone. It is about the entire society. The call here is the expression of humanity. It is a call to every human being. It takes mobilization, commitment, awareness for every one of us to be part of that humanity.

General News

Outgoing SS3 Students of Anua Comprehensive High School Scores Propriator Inyang High, highlighting his impacts in the school ‎

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Chief Linus Inyang


‎By Emmanuel Ikpe

‎Out gone Senior Secondary Students of Anua Comprehensive High School, Anua Offot in Uyo Local Government Area has poured encomiums on the Proprietor of the  school, Chief Linus Inyang over his proactive and positive impact in the school structure since he came on board as the Village Head of Anua Offot.

‎Eteidung Linus Bassey Inyang who was coronated as the village head of the community on the 2nd of May, 2024, came in to meet things in the school unkept, as a man of dignity, he was displeased, and therefore used the mandate and power given to him to turned things around for good in the school, says the students.

‎According to the students, Chief Linus Inyang has changed management of the school, and has increased the staff salary thrice ever since he took over administration of the community and school. They commended him for mounting securities in the school compound and building of new structures for Computer Laboratory and Classrooms.

‎They equally lauded effort of Chief Linus Inyang in renovating old structures in the school and painted them to give the school a new look, and for strategizing with Tegrach Nigerian Limited to control erosion within the school environment.

‎Speaking further, the students noted that efforts of Chief Linus Inyang have yielded positive results and is making the school a better learning environment.
‎”with the help of Eteidung Linus Bassey Inyang, Anua Community Comprehensive High School is no longer; a camp of the cultist, no longer a raping ground, and no longer a field for the Egret, But rather, one of the best schools in Akwa Ibom State”
‎Anua Community Comprehensive High School was founded on the 10th of September 1977 during the regime of Eteidung (Chief) Cyril Essien, under the principalship of Mrs Catherine Essien which later was changed. Then Elder Ubokudom Gideon Etuk took over mantle of leadership as the principal from 2006 to 2012, which was handed over to Mr Gabriel Nsikak Udo and he ruled till 2024, but due to his shady handling of the office, the administration was handed over to Mr Paulinus you Effiong as the present principal of the school under the leadership of Eteidung Linus Inyang, the village head of Anua Offot.

‎With collaboration between the headteacher Mrs Utibeno Ita and staff, both teaching and non teaching, Anua Comprehensive High School has really moved to an enviable heights.

‎The out gone Senior Secondary Students of the leadership include Umoh Effiong Ernest Senior Prefect Boys, Jennifer Angulanne Senior Prefect Girls, Alafine Okon Assistant Prefect Girls, Victoria Ogechi Sanitary prefect, Edet Abasiofon Assistant, Esther Ubong Punctuality Prefect, Akah Favor Chapel Prefect, Glory Asuquo assistant, Bassey Emmanuel Games Prefect Boys, Akpode Favour Games Prefect Girls, Antigha Elijah Labour Prefect Boys and Udoh Emediong Golden Labour Prefect Girls.

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RSG Moves To Commission 10 People-Oriented Projects

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Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma addressing journalists at the press conference on Friday.

By George Mgbeleke
The Rivers State Government will from Monday, August 17, begin the commissioning of 10 major people-oriented projects across the state as part of efforts by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration to deepen development at the grassroots.

In a statement by Head, Information and Public Relations Unit,
Office of the Secretary to the State Government, The commissioning programme, which will run through August 31, will cover projects across several local government areas, include roads, bridges, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure and other public facilities.

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, disclosed this on Friday during a media briefing in Port Harcourt.

According to Dr Wokoma, the projects are tangible evidence of the Governor’s commitment to transforming communities and addressing the developmental needs of residents across the state.

He disclosed that the commissioning will commence on August 17 with the Buguma-Degema-Abonnema Road, which links communities in Asari-Toru, Degema and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas.

The Egwi-Afara-Mba Road in Etche Local Government Area will be commissioned on August 18, followed by the Capt. Elechi Amadi Polytechnic’s Entrepreneurship Centre/Engineering Faculty Building on August 19.

On August 20, the governor will commission the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Dual Carriage Way in Ikwerre/Emohua/Onelga Local Government Areas, while the Omoku Zonal Hospital, Omoku in ONELGA, will be commissioned on August 21st.

The commissioning programme will resume on August 24 with the Omademe Internal Roads in Ikwerre LGA and attention will shift to Port Harcourt LGA on August 25 for the Commissioning of the New Runway at the Air Force Base, Rumuola.

On August 26, attention will shift to Emuoha LGA for the commissing of the Agba Ndele Road and Bridge while two major health facilities — the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital and New General Hospital, Rumuigbo, both in Obio/Akpor — are scheduled for commissioning on August 27.

The 10-day programme will end on August 28 with the commissioning of the Bonny National Grammar School in Bonny Local Government Area.

Dr. Wokoma said the projects reflected the administration’s determination to ensure that government policies and programmes affect citizens positively.

“These projects scheduled for commissioning are tangible evidence of His Excellency’s unwavering dedication to transform our communities and address the developmental needs of our people,” he said.

He added that the projects underscored the administration’s commitment to ensuring that governance produced “meaningful and measurable benefits for every citizen across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.”

The SSG also acknowledged the contributions of government officials, contractors, host communities and other stakeholders to the completion of the projects as he urged Rivers people to participate in the commissioning activities and continue to support the administration in its pursuit of peace and development.

“We invite all Rivers people to join in celebrating these milestones and to continue supporting the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as it advances peace, development, progress, and prosperity,” Dr Wokoma said.

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Improved Life Expectancy and Role of Medical Lab Scientists Stressed At 2nd Public Lecture for FUO Ex-VC

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By David Owei,Bayelsa

The School of Postgraduate Studies Auditorium, Federal University Otuoke (FUO), was filled to capacity on Friday, July 17, 2026, as students, staff, management, alumni, distinguished academics, medical professionals, and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the sterling leadership, academic excellence, and enduring legacy of the immediate past 3rd Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Teddy Charles Adias, at the Second Edition of the Professor Teddy Charles Adias Annual Public Lecture and Birthday Celebration.

Organised by the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, the event underscored the Faculty’s commitment to immortalising a leader whose visionary administration laid a strong foundation for academic growth, institutional excellence, and the development of the Faculty.

The event was chaired by Professor Ebimieowei Etebu, Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF), who was ably represented.

The Chairman’s representative commended the University and Faculty for institutionalising an annual lecture in honour of Professor Adias, describing the initiative as a noble tradition that celebrates visionary leadership while promoting intellectual discourse.

He noted that Professor Adias’ remarkable contributions to higher education and human capital development have earned him a permanent place in the history of the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Niger Delta and the nation at large.

The highlight of the occasion was a thought-provoking public lecture delivered by the Guest Lecturer, Dr James Omietimi, Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on the theme:

“Beyond the Bench: Medical Laboratory Scientists as Key Players in Nigeria’s Fight Against Preventable Deaths.”

Dr. Omietinmi stressed that Medical Laboratory Scientists are indispensable partners in modern healthcare delivery, emphasizing that accurate laboratory diagnosis remains the bedrock of effective treatment, disease surveillance, and preventive healthcare.

He observed that many avoidable deaths in Nigeria result from delayed or inaccurate diagnosis, inadequate laboratory infrastructure, and the underutilisation of Medical Laboratory Scientists in healthcare policy and decision-making.

According to him:

“strengthening laboratory services, investing in modern diagnostic technologies, continuous professional training, and integrating Medical Laboratory Scientists into national health planning would significantly reduce preventable deaths and improve health outcomes across the country.”

He challenged governments, healthcare institutions, and development partners to accord laboratory medicine the priority it deserves in achieving universal health coverage.

Host of the event, Professor Eni-yimini Solomon Agoro, who doubles as Dean of the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, described Professor Teddy Charles Adias as an exceptional administrator, accomplished scholar, and compassionate mentor whose visionary leadership contributed immensely to the establishment and rapid growth of the Faculty.

Prof. Agoro explained that the annual lecture and birthday celebration were conceived not merely to honour the celebrant but to sustain his ideals of excellence, innovation, discipline, and service to humanity.

The Chief Host, and Fourth Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke, Prof. Promise Mebine, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chris Onyema, lauded his predecessor, Professor Adias for his unwavering support for the Varsity, College and the Faculty during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor.

He stated that the remarkable achievements recorded by the Faculty today are directly linked to the enabling environment created under Professor Adias’ administration, adding that the annual lecture would continue to inspire future generations of scholars and professionals as the new College of Medical Sciences was named after him to honour his legacies not just in FUO, but in the Medical profession at large.

The atmosphere became even more emotional as Professor Teddy Charles Adias arrived with his wife, Dame Lolo Charles Adias, to a resounding standing ovation from the audience. Visibly overwhelmed by the warmth and affection shown by the University community, Dame Lolo Charles Adias was almost lost for words as she witnessed the outpouring of love, heartfelt tributes, and goodwill messages in honour of her husband.

One after another, distinguished guests, senior academics, professional colleagues, former associates, students, and protégés extolled Professor Adias’ virtues, describing him as a transformational leader, bridge-builder, institution builder, and mentor whose legacy continues to inspire excellence across the University community.

They praised his humility, accessibility, integrity, and unwavering commitment to academic development and staff welfare.

In his response, Professor Teddy Charles Adias expressed profound gratitude to the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, the Dean, the University management, staff, students, and all guests for the remarkable honour bestowed upon him.

The celebrant described the recognition as deeply humbling and encouraged members of the University community to remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence, innovation, scholarship, and selfless service.

He urged Medical Laboratory Scientists to continue advancing the profession through research, professionalism, and ethical practice for the benefit of society.

The celebration reached its climax with the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of goodwill messages and commemorative gifts, cultural entertainment, musical performances, and a sumptuous reception attended by guests from within and outside the University community.

The successful hosting of the Second Edition of the Professor Teddy Charles Adias Annual Public Lecture and Birthday Celebration further reaffirmed the enduring impact of Professor Adias’ leadership and the determination of the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science to preserve his legacy as a symbol of visionary leadership, academic excellence, and service to humanity.

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