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Malnutrition in Ebonyi major health challenge – UNICEF
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The United Nations Children’s Fund has described malnutrition as a major public health challenge in Ebonyi State.
It stated this on Monday in Abakaliki, during the official handover of 2,832 cartons of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS), procured through the Child Nutrition Match-Fund project of the organisation.
Handing over the nutrient supplements to the state government at the old Government House, Abakaliki, Chief of the UNICEF Field Office, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, said the prevalence of stunting among children under five in the state increased from 20.6 per cent in 2015 to 25 per cent in 2018 and 32 per cent in 2024.
According to her, the increasing rates underscore the urgency of scaling up evidence-based interventions like the SQ-LNS, especially in priority states like Ebonyi.
She said, “Today’s handover is a product of a child nutrition match fund, a project, a co-financing mechanism that promotes shared responsibility between government, UNICEF and development partners.
“In the fight against child malnutrition, we commend the Ebonyi State Government for its strategic investment of 150 million naira which was matched by UNICEF resulting in the procurement and delivery of 2,832 cartons of SQ-LNS. Now being officially handed over, this partnership exemplifies sustainable financing for nutrition and domestic resource mobilisation in action.
“Malnutrition remains a major public health challenge in Ebonyi State and across Nigeria.
“The prevalence of stunting among children under five in Ebonyi increased from 20.6 per cent in 2015 to 25 per cent in 2018 and in 2024, 32 per cent based on the NDHS data. This increase in rates underscores the urgency of scaling up evidence-based interventions like SQ-LNS, especially in priority states such as Ebonyi.
“A critical window during the first 1,000 days of life with proper deployment through the primary health care platforms and community structures, this applies with significantly improved child growth, immunity, cognitive development, and overall survival in Ebonyi State,” she stated.
She urged the state government to ensure efficient last-mile distribution of the supplements to health facilities and communities, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, who received the supplements, expressed the hope that they will reduce the high rate of malnutrition in the state.
Governor Nwifuru, who was represented by his Deputy, Patricia Obila, vowed the supplements will be distributed accordingly to achieve the objective.
Kabiru Adamu Abdullahi, a long-time ally of Kwankwasiyya leader and Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abdullahi, who previously swore on the Qur’an to affirm that Kwankwaso did not send Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the APC earlier this year, announced his resignation from the NDC in a letter addressed to the party chairman of Kofar Ruwa Ward in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State.
He said his decision was prompted by frustration over what he described as “failed promises” within the NDC, adding that he would now support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid under the APC.
“I have been with Kwankwaso for 29 years but have only benefited from failed promises. I will go to where I will be respected more,” Abdullahi said.
In his resignation letter, he thanked the NDC for the opportunity to serve the party but announced his immediate resignation from its membership.
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Alleged Christian Genocide: Trump reviews U.S. designation of Nigeria as ‘country of particular concern’
Second Session of the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group to Address Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern Designation
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker hosted the second Joint Working Group (JWG) with a Nigerian delegation led by Nigerian National Security Advisor Mallam Nuhu Ribadu in Washington on August 12, 2026.
The engagement builds on progress made since the first session held in Abuja, Nigeria, on January 22, 2026.
Discussions centered on three priority areas: protecting Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, holding perpetrators of violence accountable by strengthening judicial and security institutions, and military-to-military cooperation.
Under Secretary Hooker and the Nigerian delegation reviewed progress on internally displaced persons’ (IDP) resettlement to their ancestral homes, counterterrorism prosecutions, and combatting the financing of terrorism.
The JWG identified continuing challenges, including reports of civilian fatalities and gaps in humanitarian expenditure transparency. Discussions on military-to-military cooperation continue today at the Pentagon.
The United States noted Nigeria’s reported efforts to date, including the prosecution of hundreds of Boko Haram and Islamic State-West Africa (ISIS-WA) suspects, expansion of judicial capacity, and recruitment and training of 50,000 additional police officers. Both sides acknowledged that more work lies ahead, particularly with supporting IDPs.
The two sides also discussed continued cooperation on countering terrorism financing, biometric information sharing to support accountability measures, and law enforcement capacity building through the Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT).
Under Secretary Hooker separately met with NSA Ribadu to further advance bilateral priorities and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to working with Nigeria to protect Christian communities and to deepen joint security cooperation.
Fire has gutted one of the hostels at St Louis College, Jos, Plateau State, destroying furniture, mattresses and other valuables.
The fire reportedly broke out at the school, located after Standard Junction, Jos, at about 6pm on Thursday.
The incident occurred while the students were on holiday, averting possible casualties.
An eyewitness, Taiwo Olayinka, who spoke to our correspondent, said several properties were destroyed in the affected hostel.
He said, “An unfortunate fire gutted one of the hostels in the school. Thankfully, students are on holiday, but furniture, mattresses and other valuables are being consumed by the inferno.”
The cause of the fire was not immediately known as of the time of filing this report.
Olayinka, however, said security operatives, including men of the fire service, had been deployed to the school to put out the fire.
Shock as Politician Who Swore on Quran to Back Kwankwaso Defects to APC
Alleged Christian Genocide: Trump reviews U.S. designation of Nigeria as ‘country of particular concern’
Fire guts hostel at St Louis College, Jos
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