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UNICEF, FG Partner to Address Malnutrition Emergency in Sokoto State

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Malnutrition Emergency in Sokoto

UNICEF, the Federal Government and EU partners are joining forces to address the malnutrition emergency in Sokoto, pledging urgent funding and sustainable support

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The Federal Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched an urgent response to tackle the malnutrition emergency in Sokoto State.

Also read: Nigeria Health System Fragility Costs Economy $1.2 Billion Yearly

A high-level delegation comprising representatives from UNICEF, the European Union (EU), Médecins Sans Frontières, and federal officials arrived in Sokoto on Saturday to mobilise support and funding to address the alarming rise in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children.

Leading the delegation, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof Nantewa Yilwatda, described the situation as dire, citing recent data from the Nutrition SMART survey.

During a visit to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, the UNICEF Country Representative commended Sokoto’s commitment to combating malnutrition, especially its allocation of ₦500 million to the cause.

In a show of support, UNICEF pledged a ₦1.5 billion counterpart contribution, while urging the adoption of sustainable, locally driven solutions.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot, echoed this support, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children, particularly those facing life-threatening nutrition challenges.

Prof Yilwatda, sharing his personal experience as a former Internally Displaced Person (IDP), highlighted the connection between insecurity and food crises.

“There can be no food security without peace,” he stated, encouraging the state to utilise its agricultural strength to fight hunger.

He praised the ongoing collaboration between Sokoto and humanitarian partners and called for long-term strategies rooted in local capacity and resilience.

Governor Aliyu thanked the delegation and reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to ending child malnutrition.

The team later visited the Sokoto State Specialist Hospital, where they witnessed the devastating impact of SAM on children and the strain it placed on health workers.

Medical officials warned that supplies of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) could be depleted by September.

They appealed for the expansion of stabilisation centres, particularly in rural communities, and the urgent release of over 30 containers of RUTF currently stuck at Nigerian ports.

“This is no time for bureaucracy. We must act fast to save lives,” the minister warned.

Also read: Lagos Mandatory Health Insurance Enforcement Begins Early 2026

The delegation recommended that the Federal Government prioritise clearing RUTF shipments, scale up local food-based interventions, and encourage states to increase their investment in nutrition programmes.

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GFF@25 Medical Mission Begins October 9 Across Ogun LGAs

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The Gateway Front Foundation’s GFF@25 Medical Mission will begin on October 9 and run through October 24, 2026, bringing free specialist medical services to residents across Ogun State as part of activities marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary.

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The 14-day intervention is being organised by the Gateway Front Foundation in partnership with Sharing Hope Medical Mission from the United States, Sharing Hope and Care Foundation and Redeemer’s Health Village. The programme is sponsored by Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The mission is expected to provide free major and minor surgeries, eye care, gynaecological procedures, orthopaedic treatment, plastic and burn surgery, as well as other specialist medical services. Organisers say more than 15,000 patients are expected to benefit from the programme.

More than 50 doctors from the United States are expected to participate in the mission, while local healthcare practitioners are also expected to receive training as part of the broader programme.

Ahead of the main intervention, the foundation has already begun medical screening and clinical assessments in parts of Ogun. On September 21, residents in Sagamu were screened across four centres, while another exercise was held on September 30 at Redemption City and Simawa to identify cases requiring specialised and surgical treatment.
The screening exercises covered conditions including cataracts, pterygium, dental cases, tumours, lipomas, ganglions, hernias, fibroids, vesicovaginal fistula, prostate conditions, orthopaedic problems, fractures, dislocations, amputations, diabetes and gastroenterology-related ailments. Selected beneficiaries are expected to proceed to the surgical phase of the programme.

To widen access and reduce pressure on a single location, the foundation has scheduled screening and medical interventions across several Local Government Areas, according to the programme schedule released by the organisers.

The listed locations include Ijebu North, Ijebu North East, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ogun Waterside, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Remo North and the RCCG City area.

The schedule is as follows:

October 9: Ijebu North, Kabiesi Solaja Hall and Bojowa Street, Ago-Iwoye
October 10: Ijebu North East, GFF Care Centre, Erunwon
October 12: Sagamu, Asoludero Hall and Ogijo
October 13: Ijebu Ode, Obalofin Hall
October 14: Ogun Waterside, Abigi Community Town Hall
October 15: Ikenne
October 16: Odogbolu
October 17: Ijebu East, Hazelway Hotel, Ijebu Mushin
October 18: Remo North, Ode-Remo Main Market
October 9, 10 and 12–16: RCCG City/Health Village area

The Redeemers Health Village in Mowe, Redemption City, will serve as the main location for cases requiring surgery, according to the organisers. This arrangement is intended to provide sufficient space and facilities for surgical procedures.

Monitoring officers have also been assigned to the various locations to coordinate activities, manage the flow of beneficiaries and support the smooth delivery of the medical services.

The GFF@25 Medical Mission is one of the major programmes marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary. The Gateway Front Foundation, established by Daniel, has over the years undertaken healthcare and other community-focused interventions, including medical outreaches and eye-care initiatives.

Residents requiring medical attention have been encouraged by the organisers to visit the nearest designated venue on the appropriate date for screening and assessment.

The foundation said the anniversary programme is intended to extend its humanitarian activities to more communities, with healthcare forming a major part of the GFF@25 interventions.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves 95% Salary Increase for Health Workers

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The Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal, has approved a 95 percent salary increase for health workers across the state.

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The approval, which adopts the Federal Government’s Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), is aimed at improving the welfare of health workers and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

The development follows an earlier increase by the state government to bring the salaries of medical personnel in Zamfara in line with those of their counterparts in the Federal Government.

With the new approval, a health worker currently earning ₦100,000 will now take home ₦195,000, while someone on ₦200,000 will earn ₦390,000. A worker on ₦300,000 will now receive ₦585,000, and those on ₦500,000 and ₦1,000,000 will earn ₦975,000 and ₦1,950,000 respectively.

In effect, the 95 percent increase means the existing salary of every affected health worker is almost doubled.

The approval is expected to boost morale, attract and retain qualified health professionals, and ultimately improve healthcare delivery across the state.

It also comes shortly after the state government recruited new health workers last week, with the newly engaged staff set to benefit from the new salary structure.

Health workers in the state have since expressed appreciation to Governor Lawal for the gesture, describing it as a major boost to the sector.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Zamfara State.

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NAFDAC urged to probe KissKids diaper claims

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NAFDAC

Consumer advocates call for an independent quality assessment after a viral TikTok video alleged foreign material was found inside a baby diaper

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