By Our Correspondent

The Chief Executive Officer of Rural Health Mission Nigeria, Mohammed Sadiq, has outlined the organisation’s ongoing efforts to support flood-affected communities in Gombe, Bauchi, and Yobe States through its Community Recovery and Resilience Project.

Speaking at a press conference, Sadiq explained that the initiative, funded by the US-based Centre for Disaster Philanthropy, is aimed at strengthening healthcare systems in rural areas prone to natural disasters—particularly floods which often damage health infrastructure, limit access to care, and trigger outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.

According to Sadiq, last year’s floods severely impacted several communities, including Mai Kaho in Gombe, Gamawa in Bauchi, and Nangere in Yobe. In Gamawa alone, six health facilities were completely destroyed, while seven were inundated in Nangere. In Mai Kaho, just one health facility remained functional.

In response, Rural Health Mission Nigeria has taken concrete steps to rehabilitate these facilities. One health centre has already been renovated in Gamawa, while another is currently under renovation in Nangere. The organisation has also provided a reliable water supply to the primary health care centre in Mai Kaho to ensure better hygiene and service delivery.

Beyond infrastructure, the organisation is also addressing maternal health needs. Sadiq disclosed that the Mission distributed life-saving birth kits to 50 pregnant women in each of the affected communities. The women also received financial support to help ensure safe deliveries and reduce maternal mortality rates.

“The Community Recovery and Resilience Project highlights our commitment to improving access to quality healthcare and building resilience in vulnerable rural communities,” Sadiq said.

Rural Health Mission Nigeria continues to play a pivotal role in bridging healthcare gaps in hard-to-reach and disaster-affected areas of northern Nigeria.

By Muhammad Jamil Abubakar

The 11 Local Government Councils in Gombe State have once again pledged their unwavering commitment to improving nutrition and addressing the growing concern of malnutrition among women and children across the state.

This renewed commitment was made during a two-day capacity-building and advocacy workshop organized by UNICEF and Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning held in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chairperson of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Gombe State, Hajiya Fatima Binta Bello, emphasized the collective resolve of the councils to prioritize nutrition financing as a key component of their development agenda.

Hajiya Bello, who also serves as the Chairperson of Shongom Local Government Area, stressed that the councils are not only aware of the alarming rates of malnutrition in the state but are also determined to take strategic actions to tackle its root causes.

“We have identified poverty as one of the major drivers of malnutrition in our communities. It deprives families, especially at the grassroots, of the resources needed to provide adequate nutrition for their children,” Hajiya Bello stated.

She highlighted the readiness of the local governments to work collaboratively with the state government, development partners, and civil society organizations to roll out sustainable nutrition programs that target the most vulnerable segments of the population, particularly mothers and young children.

According to her, the councils are committed to implementing nutrition-sensitive policies in line with state and national health frameworks. These include increasing budgetary allocations to nutrition, supporting community-based interventions, and strengthening local health systems to ensure that nutrition services are accessible and effective.

“One of our core priorities is to sensitize and educate communities about the dangers of malnutrition and the importance of proper nutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. We believe that empowering people with the right knowledge will lead to better health outcomes,” she added.

The workshop, which brought together local government leaders, nutrition experts, and stakeholders from across the region, aimed to build the capacity of council officials to advocate for and implement impactful nutrition policies.

Participants at the workshop applauded the commitment of the Gombe State LGAs and called for consistent follow-through to ensure that the pledges are translated into concrete action on the ground.

As Gombe State continues to make strides in improving public health, the reaffirmation of commitment by the 11 local councils marks a significant step toward building a healthier, more resilient future for its people particularly the next generation.

By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Gombe State has intensified its campaign against the use of carbide for ripening fruits, highlighting its grave health risks to consumers.

During a sensitization meeting held at the Gombe main market, the NAFDAC State Coordinator, Mr. James Agada, warned that consuming carbide-ripened fruits could result in severe health complications, including cancer and kidney failure.

“Fruits play a vital role in maintaining a healthy diet, particularly during fasting periods when they are used to break fasts. However, using calcium carbide to ripen fruits exposes people to cancer, kidney failure, skin rashes, and other life-threatening illnesses,” Agada stated.

He urged fruit sellers to abandon the harmful practice, emphasizing that while NAFDAC has the authority to prosecute offenders, the agency prefers education and dialogue.

“It is more effective to educate and create awareness than to impose sanctions. Let’s work together to end this harmful practice for the health and safety of our community,” Agada appealed.

Mr. Musa Haruna, another NAFDAC official, noted that the issue is not unique to Gombe or Nigeria but a global concern. He reassured fruit sellers of NAFDAC’s readiness to collaborate with them to eradicate the practice locally.

“This challenge is faced worldwide, but with your cooperation, we can eliminate it in Gombe,” Haruna said.

Speaking on behalf of the fruit sellers, Vice Chairman Abdullahi Bello Muhammad commended NAFDAC for its efforts and disclosed that the association had already taken measures to address the issue following previous engagements with local authorities, including the Yeriman Gombe.

He added that any member found engaging in carbide use would face strict disciplinary actions, including suspension from the association.

Members of the fruit sellers’ association pledged to spread awareness and enforce compliance among their peers. They assured NAFDAC of their commitment to promoting food safety and holding violators accountable.

This campaign is part of NAFDAC’s broader mission to protect public health and ensure the safety of food consumed by Nigerians.