Blueskynews

  By Yusuf A Yusuf   Yobe State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (YSCHMA) held a meeting on Wednesday with 56 participants from 26 NLC-affiliated unions and CSOs to discuss service delivery.   The meeting aimed to Inform union representatives about YSCHMA’s operations, achievements, and newly reviewed service tariffs.Gather feedback, concerns, and suggestions from labour union representatives.  Others are;foster partnerships and collaborative relationships between YSCHMA and labour unions to ensure smooth implementation of the scheme in the state.Establish communication channels between YSCHMA and labour unions for timely resolution of issues.Address and clarify misconceptions about YSCHMA’s operations in Yobe State.    In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of YSCHMA, Dr. Babagana Tijjani, urged union and CSO representatives to collaborate.   “Although challenges exist on one hand o...

  By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has unequivocally condemned the recent bandit attacks in Kaduna State, urging repentant bandits to take immediate action to prevent further breaches of trust. The attacks, which were reported by BBC Hausa, occurred in the Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna State, directly contradicting the peace agreement established between the Kaduna State Government, local emirs, community leaders, and bandit leaders. This peace accord had successfully brought an end to over a decade of conflict in the region. In a statement signed by Hon. Khalil Moh’d Bello, National President of KACRAN,  call to action for all parties involved to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. According to statement,KACRAN, a peace-loving association, has celebrated the progress made through the peace accord and commends the dedication and courage of the Kaduna State Governor in this endeavor.The associati...

By Yusuf A Yusuf Damaturu The Northeast Zonal Team Sports Competition has commenced in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, as part of preparations for the final selection of athletes for 2025 National Sports Festival. Declaring the event open, Governor Mai Mala Buni urged all athletes to compete fairly, assuring them that the state has put in place all necessary measures for a smooth and successful tournament. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, ministry of Youth and sports  Mohammed M. Balumi, Governor Buni emphasized his administration's commitment to the development and welfare of athletes. He also encouraged participants to embrace the hospitality of Yobe State while assuring them of their safety throughout the competition. The Zonal Coordinator of Sports at the National Sports Commission, Mr. Okey Emmanuel, described the event as Nigeria’s equivalent of the Olympics, underscoring the importance of selecting only the best athletes for the festival. ...

  By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu  The North East Youth Initiative For Development (NEYIF), in partnership with Care Best Initiative (CBI) and JirehDoo Foundation (JDF), has distributed educational materials to 2,000 children in Jakusko and Geidam Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Yobe State. The initiative Funded by the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF),is part of a broader effort to provide humanitarian assistance to families affected by recent floods, ensuring children can continue their education in a safe and supportive environment.   In Jakusko LGA, 1,000 children in Buduwa and Dakido communities received educational kits, while another 1,000 children in Gadala and Kolori communities of Geidam LGA were provided with essential learning materials, including school bags, books, pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, and shoes. These efforts aim to address the immediate needs of flood-affected families while promoting access to quality educ...

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu  The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has commended the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Supreme Council of Nigerian Muslims, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III,for his exemplary leadership in promoting peace and unity across Nigeria. In a statement by the KACRAN National president,Hon.Khalil Mohammed Bello and made available to journalists in Damaturu on Saturday. According to the statement,as the holy month of Ramadan approaches and the Sultan marks his 10th year on the throne of the Sokoto Sultanate, a highly influential traditional institution in West Africa, KACRAN recognizes his significant contributions to national cohesion. KACRAN highlighted several key achievements of the Sultan's leadership to includes;reunification of Nigerian Muslims:The association acknowledged the Sultan's pivotal role in bridging a decades-long divide among Nigerian Muslims,fostering unity within the Muslim community.  The...

By Yusuf Ali  When Damaturu was chosen as the capital of Yobe State in 1991,it was little more than a glorified local government headquarters. With only one roundabout and an almost non-existent housing infrastructure, the task before Bukar Abba Ibrahim, the first executive governor, was daunting.  The capital was dusty lacked basic amenities, and the state was struggling to accommodate its newly deployed civil servants. Many of them had no choice but to sleep in makeshift arrangements, including classrooms in schools. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim launched an ambitious housing program.His administration began building houses for civil servants, a move some critics dismissed as a misplacement of priority, arguing that the houses were unnecessary since there were not enough people to occupy them.  However, history has vindicated Governor Bukar's foresight.Those very houses sold on owner-occupier basis on 50% discount are ...

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu  The Yobe State Government, has signed N22.3 billion contract for the construction of a state-of-the-art flyover bridge and underpass at the Damaturu Main Roundabout. This marks a significant milestone in the administration's commitment to infrastructural development. The Commissioner for Works, Engr. Umar Duddaye, signed the contract thursday on behalf of the Yobe State Government, while Engr. Habib Geojea signed on behalf of Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited, the contracting firm. “It is pertinent to mention that the administration of His Excellency, Honourable Mai Mala Buni, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, has placed significant emphasis and priority on major infrastructural development. This includes the construction of roads, bridges, drainages, and other civil engineering works,” said the Commissioner. “The flyover bridge and underpass at Damaturu Main Roundabout will cost N22.3 billion, with a completion period of 12 cale...

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu Yobe state government in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,(UN-OCHA) has on wednesday relaunched the 2025 Humanitarian Need and Response Plan (HNRP)for North East Nigeria in Damaturu, Yobe State capital. The 2025 HNRP provides a framework for the United Nations,National and International NGOs, Civil society and the private sector to work in support of the Government of Nigeria to meet the needs of vulnerable people in Yobe,Borno, and Adamawa states in the north-east Nigeria.  The state level plan launch highlighted the specific needs in the state and plans to address them.Its elaborated on opportunities for state and humanitarian partners to reflect on the 2024 achievements and lessons learnt as well as to advocate for state and donor resources to meet critical needs highlighted in the 2025 Humanitarian Needs Response Plan (HNRP). It also be an opportunity for state government l...

By Yusuf A Yusuf,Damaturu  The Portrait of Lake Child Initiative (PLCI), in partnership with Grow Strong Foundation, has taken a significant step toward enhancing gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response efforts.  This is part of its sustainability plan and exit strategy for the NHF protection project titled,"Promoting Access to Multi-Sectoral Protection Services for Women and Girls in Yobe State". In her opening remarks,the Executive Director,PLCI, Zarah Yusuf Ahmad said,the organization recently conducted a capacity-strengthening workshop for community-based, women-led organizations, equipping them with essential skills to support survivors and improve local interventions. She stated that,the workshop brought together over 40 women-led organizations from five Local Government Areas—Damaturu, Fune, Gujba, Tarmuwa, and Potiskum. Training sessions focused on critical aspects of GBV response, including survivor-centered case management, referral mechanism...

By Yusuf A Yusuf,Damaturu  The Portrait of Lake Child Initiative (PLCI), in partnership with Grow Strong Foundation, has taken a significant step toward enhancing gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response efforts.  This is part of its sustainability plan and exit strategy for the NHF protection project titled,"Promoting Access to Multi-Sectoral Protection Services for Women and Girls in Yobe State". The organization recently conducted a capacity-strengthening workshop for community-based, women-led organizations, equipping them with essential skills to support survivors and improve local interventions. The workshop brought together over 40 women-led organizations from five Local Government Areas—Damaturu, Fune, Gujba, Tarmuwa, and Potiskum. Training sessions focused on critical aspects of GBV response, including survivor-centered case management, referral mechanisms, and access to justice.  Facilitated by experts in gender protection and ...

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu  The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has made a passionate appeal to traditional rulers across the country to take proactive measures in resolving the ongoing conflicts between herders and farmers. In a statement by the KACRAN national president,Khalil Mohd Bello made available to journalists in Damaturu,emphasized the importance of traditional rulers’ involvement in resolving herders-farmers conflicts. According to the statement, historically, before the European colonization of Africa,Traditional Rulers had complete authority over land management. African pastoralists, known for their law-abiding nature, would seek permission from Emirs and Chiefs before moving into new areas for grazing. Similarly, farmers would approach Traditional Rulers to request land for cultivation, ensuring mutual respect and cooperation. Although contemporary laws designate state governments as the primary landowners, the traditional land ...

  By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu Yobe State Adolescent Girls initiative for learning and empowerment (AGILE-AF) in partnership with Taimako Community Development Initiative (TCDI),and Women Empowerment Initiative has organized a one day workshop on girl Child Safe Space and life skills  programmes in Damaturu  The Executive Director, Taimako Community Development Initiative(TCDI), Gambo Garba Muhammad pointing out that ,the inception workshop served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration,and strategic planning. He noted that,it's also an opportunity for them to discuss the key components of the safe space and life skills program, align with their efforts and develop actionable strategies to ensure its successful implementation in the state. In her remarks,the Executive Director, Child protection and Women Empowerment initiative (CPWEI), Maryam Hassan explained the project would be implemented by Taimako Community Development Initiative (TCDI). She n...

  By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu  In preparatory to the take off of the newly established Yobe state Ministry of Livestock Development, the Yobe delegation to Morocco on Tuesday engaged Morocco's biggest livestock farm, Maroc Lait, for a transfer of technology, experience and knowledge to enhance successful livestock development in the state.  Mohammed Raita, Director General of the company described the establishment of an independent ministry of Livestock by the federal and state governments as a positive move to improving livestock development and revenue generation.  He advised the state government to concentrate on developing effective management, genetics, feeds, water and veterinary services for the success of livestock farming in the state and country.  "We have developed a fodder laboratory for production of fodder seeds to provide healthy and nutritious feeds to the cows to produce more dairy and beef to the livestock farmers"  Raita expla...

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu In an effort to mitigate the effects of climate change in the north east region, Plan International Nigeria with funding from the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance(ZCRA)has organised a five days capacity building workshop for media climate change champions across Yobe,Adamawa and Abuja. The Capacity building participants cut across print,online, electronic media,NOA CSOs, among other relevant stakeholders in Yobe and Adamawa took place in Kano State. The programme is coming as a result of communities down the flood plains of river Komadugu in Yobe and river Benue in Adamawa every year experienced flash and riverine flooding between the months of July and October. The flooding disrupts economic activities in these communities by causing the collapse of roads and bridges,which hinders access to markets.  As a result, market dependent communities faced hunger due to limited opportunities to buy and sell food, "According to the IOM D...

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu  In a bid to tackle the negative tide of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women, girls and Youths in the state,Taimako Community Development Initiative (TCDI), in collaboration with the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), has organized a one-day awareness campaign on gender-based violence (GBV) in Azbak community, Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State. The campaign, themed “Adjusting Perception and Awareness on Gender-Based Violence, Prevention and Response,” aimed to empower the community to address GBV issues and develop local response mechanisms. The initiative sought to foster community ownership of the process, encouraging open discussions about the causes and nature of GBV within their specific social context. A community gatekeeper, in his opening remarks, stressed the importance of collective responsibility in preventing GBV. He called on parents to prioritize the basic needs and education of their children, particula...

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu  A non governmental organizations ,Media and Disability Care Initiative MEDCI has taken part in supervising the ongoing kidney disease research sampling in Gashua Community. Led by the  Executive Director , Comrade Rajab Mohammed Ismail,commended Yobe State Government for supporting the projects under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni. Comrade Rajab commended the special Adviser to Yobe state Governor on Science,research and innovation,Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina for swung into action by mobilizing his team to Gashua town to commence the kidney disease sampling research. Earlier speaking,the projects coordinator Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina said they were in Gashua on the directives of the Yobe state government to carry out samples collection, which will take them for ten days . In his response,the Chairman Bade local government area Ibrahim Babagana welcome the research team a equally assured of the coun...

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu  The newly appointed Yobe State Head of Civil Service,Tonga Betara Bularafa has on thursday  assumed office. Tonga Betara appointment was announced on Wednesday in a statement that he should resume duty immediately. The heading over ceremony held at the head of service conference hall, Governor's office in damaturu was attended by well-wishers who accompanied the newly appointed HoS and the staff of the office of the Head of Service respectively. Shortly after he received the handover notes from the permanent secretary, public service office,Alh.(Dr)Bukar Kilo,Tonga Betara assured to justify the confidence placed in him by contributing to the growth and development of the state. He expressed appreciation to the Governor,Mai Mala Buni for entrusting him with the responsibility to serve as the new Head of Service in the state. He called on all personnel at his office and the state in general to be punctual and dedica...

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu  The National Orientation Agency NOA Yobe State Office has on Wednesday commenced the sensitisation of stakeholders to prevent the outbreak of lassa fever,cholera and cerebral spinal meningitis virus in the state. The enlightenment campaign took place at the palace of the district head of Bulabulin in Nayi-Nawa Community of Damaturu Local Government area of Yobe state. The prevention Campaign  was attended by officials of NOA, UNICEF,WHO,Health Experts, Traditional leaders,Community members,NURTW,Corp members as well as  journalists respectively. Speaking  during the awareness campaign,the state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA,)Yobe state Office, Ali Audu said,the campaign became necessary considering the state approaching heat season from February- March to April. He noted that the awareness is going to cover the 17 local Government Areas of the state,hence the need for good hygienic practice from the community membe...