TODAY 3RD DECEMBER 2023 BOSG FACILITATES WITH PLWD ON INTERNATIONAL DAY

-Borno State Government hosts PLWD to a  one-day  event at Prime Lodge Maiduguri 

- Over 500 PLWD attended 

-Governor Zulum was represented by the Commissioner of Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties Hon Ibrahim Tukur Shani

For the first time, the Borno State Government under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum sponsored the Commemoration of the International Day of People Living with Disabilities. This is among other commitments of the governor to ensure an all-inclusive Governance in the state.

In his opening remarks the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties Alhaji Modu said the theme of this year's celebration "Renewing Hope Together for disability-inclusive Society" is Timely and is in line with Gov Zulum's policy trust.

Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development spoke at length on what the state government is doing to promote the welfare and well-being of disabled persons in the state which includes payment of fifteen thousand naira monthly stipend to over four thousand disabled persons in the state, empowering them with live skills, construction of a new deaf school amongst others.

In his remarks the Hon Commissioner for Information and Internal Security Professor Usman Alhaji Tar urged disabled persons to be law-abiding while the state government put in place programs and policies that will improve their welfare and well-being.

In their separate goodwill messages, Amb Mai Modu who represented senior citizens, and representatives of the Police Commissioner congratulated the disabled persons on this day, and they pledged to support them at all times.

Guest speakers at the event Hajiya Adama Balla and Amb Ahmed Shehu Chairman of North East Forum appreciated the tireless efforts of the state Governor in improving the standard of living of disabled persons in the state and call for sustainability, they also presented a charter of demands of the PLWD which includes conducive learning environment, friendly health care system, equal job opportunities and domestication of disable Commission bill in the state.

Declaring the event opened the representative of Governor Zulum Hon Ibrahim Tukur Shani extended the Governor's heartfelt facilitation to the entire community of persons with disability in the state and pledged to improve the current efforts of promoting their welfare and well-being. 

On behalf of the joint National Association of Persona with Disability Mohammed Abubakar thanked the Governor for sponsoring the program and sustainability. 

UN AND BORNO STATE GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED A PEACE-BUILDING FUND (PBF)

 

The Borno State Government through its peace-building initiative "Borno Model" has experienced mass exit of repentant members of Boko Haram which significantly improved the security of the state. 

Against this backdrop, the United Nations in collaboration with the Borno State Government launched  a Peace Building Fund PBF to Complement the implementation of the Borno Model  

The launch is coming nearly a year after the commitment made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his visit to Maiduguri in May   2022  where he pledged to mobilize resources to help the state peace-building initiative.

The Fund was launched on Wednesday 23rd August 2023 by the Deputy Governor Borno State  Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur at Musa Usman Secretariat. International Conference Center 

In his Opening remarks, UNDP Head of Office Maiduguri  Moncef Kartas said, " I am happy to warmly welcome you all to the launching of the UN Peace Building Project (PBF) called: “Strengthening Reconciliation and Reintegration Pathways for Persons Associated with Non-state Groups, and Communities of Reintegration, Including Women and Children, Northeast Nigeria”.

He added that the Project will be implemented by the Consortium of four UN agencies ( UNICEF, IOM, UNDOC) with UNDP as a Convening agency.  They will be working closely with relevant State Government Ministries and Agencies to complement the ongoing efforts of the Borno State Government in the implementation of the ‘Borno Model 

The UNDP Head disclosed "Bama LGA has been selected as the main target location for the PBF project because it is one of the worst affected LGAs by the insurgency. Also, Bama LGA is presently receiving one of the largest numbers of caseloads of former associates and fighters for resettlement and reintegration.  As the main target location, it is expected that lessons learned from Bama will be adapted and replicated to other parts of Borno state for expanded geographical areas and to maximize impact"

Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo the Honorable Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development whose ministry is leading the implementation of the Borno Model took time to highlight the key stages of the model 

Which include Reception, Evaluation, Management Release, and Finally Reintegration.

On behalf of the Bama People, the Emir of Bama His Highness Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Ibn Kyari Elkanemi thanked the UN and Borno State Government for the initiative while assuring them of the total support of traditional and Religious institutions in Bama.

Launching the BPF His Excellency Deputy Governor Alhaji (Dr) Umar Usman Kadafur who is also the Chairman of the initiative  Said the  

 Borno model is designed by international best practices and in line with national Security initiatives.

He thanked the UN Secretary-General for fulfilling his pledge and all those who contributed to the Basket.

Each member of the Consortium explained their role in the implementation of PBF.

Heads of Ministries Agencies and Departments, International organizations, and Civil Society organizations attended the launch.

CO-CREATION WORKSHOP ON HEALTH CARE DELIVERY MODELS ENDS IN BORNO

- The Workshop Targets Conflict-Affected Areas of Cameroon And BAY States in Nigeria 

- Herwa Community Development Initiative Lead Research In Nigeria  

A three-day co-creation workshop on comparing healthcare delivery models in a conflict setting in Cameron and North Eastern Nigeria ends in Borno state, Wednesday 14th June 2023.

The workshop aimed to determine the best models to provide healthcare in a conflict-affected setting and is part of a project that has a Cameroonian-based NGO Reach Out as the lead while HQWWWEIII Io Io Io Ioerwa Community Development Initiative leads the Nigerian side and other partners in the projects including the Ministry of Health, University of  Cambridge, University of Maiduguri and the University of Buea.

Dr. Metuge Alain head of the Health Department Reach Out disclosed that for the project to archived its aim in-depth research was conducted in conflict-affected communities of both countries where the survey was carried out using various reliable survey tools.

IDPs, Host communities, Refugees, Government officials, and Mid and senior humanitarians were interviewed on preferred healthcare delivery models, their quality of delivery, and challenges.

He added this particular workshop held in Nigeria is the second in a series the first was conducted in Cameroon it brought together humanitarian health actors, Government Agencies, Communities, and  CSOs to create a guide on selecting the best deliverable models for conflict-affected settings.

Mohammed Ngubdo Executive Director Herwa CDI said the workshop also presented to stakeholders findings from the survey for their input and validation. Subsequently, both results will be tested and approved by regulatory bodies which will be further published for public use.

Other Resource persons at the workshop took participants through various sessions, they are Professor Tendonger Nicolas Head of the Department of Public Health University of Buea Cameron, Lundi Anne Oman Cambridge University, and Dr Rosalind Parkes Rantashi. And Dr Zara Wudiri Public Health Department University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital 

Participants made Commitments to put to use the end product of the research for effective healthcare service. 

7O YEARS OF BUSINESS IN NIGERIA NBC EMPOWERS WOMEN IN BORNO

7O YEARS OF BUSINESS IN NIGERIA NBC EMPOWERS WOMEN IN BORNO 

- 367 Women Trained in 5 Aptitudes Plus Marketing Techniques 

- 25 Outstanding participants Received Startup kits 

As part of activities Marking their  70th anniversary in doing business in Nigeria, Nigeria Bottling Company, a Member of Coca-Cola Group empowered three hundred and Sixty-seven women in Maiduguri who were sent forth in an event on Thursday, 7th June 2023 in Maiduguri 

The empowerment program was implemented by Karis and Eleaos Foundation and Herwa Community Development Initiatives.

In her welcome remarks, the project officer of the Karis and Eleos Foundation, Adedoyin Shittu said that the empowerment program was conducted in six states Lagos, Oyo, Edo, Kano, Rivers, and Borno with a total number of one thousand women beneficiaries to be empowered with adequate skills for financial stability.  

In this particular training in Borno State, the Project officer explained further was the final in the series implemented by the foundation alongside their supporting partners Herwa Community Development initiative, consisting of 367 beneficiaries trained in bakery, beast-making cents-making cosmology, Coca-Cola retailers,  business, and market strategy skills, while only 25 Outstanding participants received startup kits.

On behalf of the Foundation leadership, she acknowledged the good conduct of the beneficiaries during the training and called on them to put into use the skills they have acquired as they will be adequately monitored by the foundation to ensure sustainability.

The Executive Director, Herwa CDI Amb Hassan Ngubdo represented by Grema Sanda spoke on their role in the partnership which includes the identification of beneficiaries, facilitators, and location of the venue for the conduct of the training. He appreciated the foundation for finding them worthy of the partnership and NBC for sponsoring the project. 

Malam  Sanda also advises the beneficiaries to judiciously put into use the skill and items given to them for economic benefits.

In his keynote speech, Adebayo Adesina the Plant manager of NBC Maiduguri highlighted some other activities the company carried out during the anniversary which are youth and women empowerment, Water Stewardship Projects among others, and expressed the company's commitment to continue to deliver on its social Cooperate responsibilities 

His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno represented by the district head of Maisandari, Alhaji Abba Bukar thanked the Company for the training and called to extend the distribution of the startup kits to other participants.

In their separate remarks, community leaders appreciated the support describing it as timely and thanked NBC for financing the projects.

Other dignitaries who spoke during the events  are representatives of the Borno State Agency for Mass Education and State Emergency Management Agency all appreciated the Nigeria Bottling Company for the empowerment which they said  will go a long way in supporting the state government's drives towards poverty alleviation 

In a Vote of thanks delivered by the Corporate Affairs Manager, Northern Region of NBC Malam Mohammed Aminu thanked the Borno state Government, the Royal father for his fatherly support, Karis and Eleos Foundation, and their supporting partner Herwa CDI for perfectly implementing the training. He also uses the event to thank community leaders for supporting the smooth conduct of the training.

Highlights during the events featured the presentation of start-up kits to 25 outstanding beneficiaries.