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Insecurity: Residents express fear, concern over Calabar carnival

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Insecurity: Residents express fear, concern over Calabar carnival

Residents of Calabar in Cross River have expressed concern and a gloomy picture of the annual Calabar carnival following the spate of insecurity in the city.

The residents particularly expressed fear that the spate of kidnappings in the capital city would rob the shine off the annual carnival scheduled to commnece on Dec. 1.

In separate reactions to the situation, the citizens, however, told newsmen that the goverment and security agencies should step up efforts at securing the state.

NAN reports that the residents have been faced with almost daily cases of kidnappings that seem to defy solutions.

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Members of the various professions, including medical practitioners, lawyers, clerics, academicians and other high profile personalities have been targets of kidnappers of recent.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) recently called off a 40-day industrial action over the abduction of one of their colleagues, Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, who was seized from her private medical facility in Calabar.

They described her abduction as one too many among the medical professionals.

The chapter chairman of the association, Dr Felix Archibong, lamented that 115 days after her abduction, the professor and a neurologist was yet to secure her freedom.

He attributed the reason for calling off the strike to the appeal made by Governor Bassey Otu for the association to consider the innocent citizens who have been made to suffer unjustly.

However, Archibong said it was regrettable that security agencies and the state government had not been able secure her release after several promises made to that effect.

While noting that the state had become uninhabitable due to the activities of kidnappers, Archibong said several others, including medical personnel, have suffered same fate as Prof. Empraim.

“This is the situation in the state and it is regrettable that our colleague is still in captivity after 115 days.

“We are trying so hard not to make industrial action another alternative to getting the government and security agencies to keep to their promises,” he stated.

A resident, Mr Abel Achor, attributed the reason for the increase in the cases of abduction to hunger and called on the goverment to create the necessary environment for businesses to thrive.

“My stand is that if the government cannot provide the needed jobs for the unemployed, they should at least ensure an environment for businesses to thrive.”

Mr Emmanuel Owan, another resident who described the security challenge as unfortunate, feared that it posed danger for investors coming into the state.

He said the carnival would be the first casualty of the security challenge in the state.

According to him, “This challenge is in public domain and will definitely rob the shine off the coming carnival. You see how widely the abduction of the Director of Servicom in the University of Calabar was reported on Sunday.

“I think the state government, in collaboration with the security agencies, need to step up their game before the yuletide.”

The Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Cross River, Mr Anthony Attah, charged the governor to do more in the area of security than just promising to arrest culprits.

“The government needs to do much more than promising to arrest the culprits and condemning the act.

“Beyond what is reported at the state capital and its environs, the level of kidnapping going on in the rural areas is an unmitigated catastrophe,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the government and the Police have constantly assured that everything was being done to arrest the security challenges, particularly that of kidnapping.

The governor had, during the swearing in of 31 commissioners, warned kidnappers to desist from abducting residents of the state.

Otu, who said that his administration had procured technology to curb the menace, said, “Enough is enough.”

The governor, who directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute criminals in line with extant laws of the state, announced a reward for any useful information that would curb kidnapping in the state.

He said his government would continue to display zero tolerance to kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery, and that it explained why he announced N5 million bounties for credible information on kidnapping.

“The technology can detect whereabouts of kidnappers. I had earlier granted the criminals amnesty. Only a handful came out to surrender their guns.

“I am not taking anything for granted. I have decided to go all out for them. If they won’t allow others to live in peace, they, too, won’t.

“They live amongst us. And so, the people must help to volunteer information about them,” he appealed.

The state Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, who said some suspects had been arrested in connection with kidnapping in the state, reiterated his resolve to rid the state of crimes and criminalities.

Insecurity: Residents express fear, concern over Calabar carnival

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Empowered for a New Life: UNFPA Supports 50 Rehabilitated Fistula Survivors in Gombe

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Empowered for a New Life: UNFPA Supports 50 Rehabilitated Fistula Survivors in Gombe

Empowered for a New Life: UNFPA Supports 50 Rehabilitated Fistula Survivors in Gombe

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has empowered 50 rehabilitated Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) survivors in Gombe State through a collaborative program with the Government of Norway.

At the graduation ceremony held in Gombe on Thursday, Dr. Bajowa Lanre, UNFPA’s Sexual Reproductive Health Analyst, reiterated the agency’s commitment to eradicating obstetric fistula, a debilitating condition that occurs during childbirth. He highlighted that UNFPA continues to provide life-saving surgeries for women affected by fistula and severe perinatal tears in Nigeria, working towards a future where maternal mortality and related conditions are eliminated.

Obstetric fistula, an abnormal connection between the rectum and the vagina, is often stigmatized in communities, bringing shame and social isolation to survivors. “No woman should endure this experience,” said Lanre, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll it takes on women and families.

The empowerment initiative, which equips survivors with vocational skills and tools, is seen as key to reintegrating them into society. Sewing machines, grinding machines, popcorn processing equipment, and transportation stipends were provided to help the women become economically self-sufficient.

Gombe’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Ms. Asmau’u Iganus, expressed gratitude for the initiative. Represented by Mrs. Abu Hassan, she noted that the program would enhance the survivors’ livelihood and boost their social and economic wellbeing.

Dr. Musa Issa, Executive Director of the Fistula Foundation Nigeria, praised the collaboration between UNFPA, the Norwegian government, and the state, calling the empowered women role models who can inspire others in their communities.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Safiyanu Moses, shared her journey from being ostracized due to the condition’s effects to regaining hope for a brighter future. “This intervention has transformed my life,” she said. “I will use this empowerment to help my family and community while raising awareness about treatment for others.”

The program aims to foster support systems for fistula survivors and reduce the stigma associated with the condition in Gombe State and beyond.

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WAFU Qualifiers: Mailantarki Care FC beat Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 1-0

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WAFU Qualifiers: Mailantarki Care FC beat Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 1-0

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles …

The Nigeria National team U-20 (Flying Eagles) suffered a defeat in the hands of Mailantarki Care FC in one of its series of preparatory games on Wednesday in Abuja.

The reigning Champions of the 2024 International Youth Championship in Denmark (Dana Cup) produced an all-around performance against the Nigeria National team outfit, the Flying Eagles at the FIFA Goal Project pitch of the MKO Abiola Stadium.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s U-20 team began preparation last week ahead of the upcoming WAFU Championship scheduled in Togo, where the representatives of the zone in the 2025 U-20 nations cup will emerge.

Sensational wing wizard Miko Dalha scored the only goal of the game following a delightful footwork before smashing into the near post before the break.

The host could have equalized from the spot deep into the game just for Mailantarki goalie Abbati Muhammed to punch away the penalty kick. However, the Flying Eagles defeated Water FC 1-nil in its first game courtesy of Bayelsa United forward Rabiu Abdullahi.

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USAID Urges Adamawa Officials to Sustain State2State Interventions and Reforms

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USAID Urges Adamawa Officials to Sustain State2State Interventions and Reforms

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has called on Adamawa State officials to continue supporting various interventions and reforms to foster sustainable development across key sectors. The call was made during a review of Adamawa’s financial instructions held in Yola on Wednesday.

Aduku Godwin, the Regional Advisor for USAID’s Learning to Read Project, emphasized the importance of maintaining these reforms to drive long-term progress in areas such as governance, education, and infrastructure development. He affirmed USAID’s commitment to collaborating with the State2State team in Adamawa to enhance good governance and ensure quality education in the state.

Machill Maxwell, USAID Project Management Specialist for Integrated Governance, commended the improvements seen in Adamawa’s health, education, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sectors. He stressed the need for efficient and accountable use of resources, pointing out that past inefficiencies had limited the impact of significant financial investments.

Hajiya Nafisa Ado, Senior Technical Assistant and Learning Advisor for the Learn to Read Project, expressed satisfaction with the partnership aimed at building the capacity of state officials to promote transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in governance and education.

Similar collaborative efforts are also underway in Bauchi, Gombe, Ebonyi, and Sokoto States as part of USAID’s broader initiative to support state-level reforms in

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