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EU provides N102m additional humanitarian aid to tackle child undernutrition in Sokoto, Zamfara
The European Union is allocating an additional €300 000 (N102m) in humanitarian aid to provide life-saving treatment to undernourished children in Nigeria’s northwestern states of Sokoto and Zamfara, where violence and forced displacement are leading to a further deterioration of the situation.
The funds will allow UNICEF to provide undernourished children and their mothers with immediate nutrition treatment. Furthermore, mobile health teams will be sent out to strengthen the capacity of health facilities in delivering comprehensive basic health care services, including supportive medical supervision.
“The EU is stepping up its humanitarian assistance in Nigeria to help in addressing without delay the child undernutrition emergency that the northwest region is facing. Our funding will contribute to deliver the much-needed treatment for children and improve access to basic health care. Timely help from the international community is essential to save children’s lives,” said Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.
As many as 280,000 children under five years of age across the states of Sokota and Zamfara are estimated to be suffering from severe acute malnutrition, which is a life-threating condition. Children are particularly vulnerable given the low vaccination rates against common childhood illnesses. In addition, both states regularly face cholera, yellow fever and meningitis outbreaks, while malaria is endemic and measles is recurrent.
Northwest Nigeria has seen an increase in violence over the last months that has exacerbated the already existing dire nutrition situation. Recurrent clashes have driven people to flee their homes in search of safety. These people leave everything behind, including their fields and their main source of subsistence. With communities in the region already struggling with the seasonal depletion of food reserves in-between harvests, the current lack of access to their fields means that they are likely to miss the next harvest, thereby putting further pressure on already strained food resources.
Medical facilities in the area are already working at maximum capacity to deal with cases of severe acute malnutrition. Mortality rates in such facilities are very high, as medical care is sought late, while many facilities are no longer running and/or are no longer accessible due to increased insecurity.
The European Union is one of the leading contributors of humanitarian aid in Nigeria. Since 2014, the EU has allocated almost €245 million to help the people in need in the country, including €28 million in 2019. EU humanitarian aid funding provides immediate assistance to cover the basic needs of the most vulnerable internally displaced people and host communities in Nigeria, and of refugees in other countries affected by the Lake Chad Basin crisis, namely Chad (Lake region), Niger (Diffa region), and Cameroon (Far North region).
A high court in Kano State has issued a permanent injunction restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from withholding funds allocated to the 44 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.
Justice Ibrahim Musa-Muhammad delivered the ruling on Monday after an ex parte motion filed on November 1 by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ibrahim Muhammed, and five others. The applicants sought to prevent the respondents from delaying or withholding allocations crucial to local governance.
Respondents in the case included the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), the CBN, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the 44 Kano LGAs, and commercial banks such as United Bank for Africa and Access Bank.
In November, the court had granted an interim order preventing the CBN and AGF from withholding funds. In his final judgment, Justice Musa-Muhammad ruled in favor of the applicants, affirming that they had established their case.
“The AGF, CBN, and RMAFC are duty-bound to disburse monthly allocations to the 44 LGAs as democratically elected councils,” the judge ruled, emphasizing that withholding the funds would violate the fundamental rights of residents.
Citing sections 33, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Articles 13, 19, 22, and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the court reinforced the constitutional requirement that local government funds be disbursed without interference.
Legal analysts and stakeholders in Kano welcomed the ruling as a landmark decision. NULGE Chairman Ibrahim Muhammed hailed it as a victory for grassroots governance, stating, “This ruling ensures that local governments receive their rightful allocations without political or bureaucratic interference.”
Senior legal practitioner Barrister Amina Yusuf described the judgment as “a reinforcement of the principle of fiscal federalism,” stressing that local government allocations are a constitutional right, not a privilege.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone-D (Southwest), the umbrella body representing students across Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States, has conferred an Award of Honour on one of its former leaders and a frontline aspirant in the forthcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election, Hon. Monsuru Akintunde Adeyemo, popularly known as Socrates.
The prestigious recognition was bestowed during the NANS Zone-D inauguration ceremony held on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the FUOYE Part-time Centre, Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Ayegbaju, Ekiti State.
While presenting the award, Com. Owolewa Taiwo, NANS Zone-D Coordinator, lauded Adeyemo for his selfless leadership and unwavering commitment to the association and Nigerian students. He described him as a pro-people thinker who served meritoriously and empowered many.
“Our amiable leader, Sir! Indeed, we’re proud of you, and we want to say thank you for all you’ve done for Nigerian students and humanity in general,” Owolewa said.
“On behalf of myself, the executives, leaders here present, and the entire Nigerian students in Yoruba land, I present this Award of Honour to you, Sir, Hon. Monsuru Akintunde Adeyemo (Socrates), in recognition of your invaluable contributions and meritorious service to NANS Southwest (Zone D).
“You’re being honoured with much appreciation and gratitude. May you continually flourish. Congratulations!”
In his appreciation and solidarity message, the politician, Adeyemo who was represented by the immediate past NANS/JCC Chairman in Oyo State and the current NANS Zone-D Contact and Mobilisation Secretary, Comrade Ridwan Ademola Adegoke (Pa Solution), thanked the association for recognising his contributions to students and humanity.
Describing the honour as a challenge to do more, he reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people.
“Indeed, I dearly use this medium to appreciate the current leadership of NANS Zone-D, capaciously led by our own valued brother and esteemed comrade, Owolewa Taiwo. Thank you for this wonderful meritorious ‘Award of Honour’ that was bestowed on me in recognition of my invaluable contributions and meritorious service to NANS Southwest (Zone D) as a leader and former coordinator of the zone.
“I remain pro-people, and I promise to do more.
“I’m humbled by your encomiums and acts of honour. Of course, this award is a testament to my selfless service to the people, and it is dedicated to all my fellow constituents of Ibadan North Federal Constituency and all my supporters at home and in the diaspora. Thank you all.”
Adeyemo, a renowned pan-African activist and communication professional, has been a pillar of support for student activism and youth empowerment, making him a celebrated figure in the Nigerian student movement.
Elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has passed away. The renowned nationalist died peacefully on Friday morning at his residence in Lekki, Lagos, at the age of 96.
His family confirmed the development in a statement, expressing gratitude for a life dedicated to the service of God, the nation, and humanity.
“With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation, and humanity, we announce the passing on of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo,” the statement read.
“The foremost nationalist, elder statesman, distinguished lawyer, very distinct politician, apostle of true federalism, former organising secretary of the Action Group, and national leader of Afenifere is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
“We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice. His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last.”
The family noted that consultations are ongoing with Pa Adebanjo’s associates, political allies, and various interest groups to plan a befitting funeral. Details of the burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened at his Lagos residence (8, Ayo Adebanjo Close, Lekki Phase 1) and his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Pa Adebanjo was a towering figure in Nigeria’s political history, known for his unwavering advocacy for true federalism, democracy, and justice. His passing marks the end of an era in Yoruba and Nigerian politics.
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