Health
“We Can Finally Start Again” — 300 Riyom Households Received ₦100,000 and Relief Support After Devastating Attacks
More than 300 households in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State have received ₦100,000 cash and essential relief materials from the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help them rebuild their lives after recent violent attacks displaced many residents.
The relief flag-off, held on Monday, November 10, was both emotional and hopeful as displaced families gathered to receive items including mats, mosquito nets, blankets, aqua tabs for water purification, cooking utensils, buckets, soap, and ATM cards preloaded with ₦100,000 each.
Representatives from the Red Cross, security agencies, traditional leaders, and local government officials were present at the event, which many described as a “fresh beginning” for affected families in the area.
In his welcome address, Rev. Davou Daka, a member of the Community Resilience Corps Committee, expressed gratitude to the Red Cross and its donors, noting that their support came at a time when many households were struggling to survive. “You have given us hope again,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Red Cross, Plateau State Training Officer, Mr. Mafeng Mark, emphasized that the intervention was purely humanitarian. “The purpose of this support is to help people pick up again, reintegrate into the society, and decongest camps. We are neutral and serve without discrimination. This is our little way of alleviating human suffering,” he stated.
He further appealed for continued support from well-meaning Nigerians and the government, acknowledging that access to some communities remains difficult due to insecurity and poor network connectivity.
Representing the security agencies, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) assured residents of ongoing efforts to restore peace in Riyom. “We appreciate this intervention and promise to do our best to safeguard our communities. But we need your cooperation — when you see something, say something,” he urged.
Traditional ruler of Riyom, His Royal Highness Dara Samuel Jok, the Gomre of Riyom, thanked the Red Cross for their compassion, describing the support as a “pathway back home.” “No matter how poor your house is, it is still your home. The Red Cross has given us a way to rebuild. Let’s protect what we’ve received and ensure peace returns,” he said.
The acting Disaster Management Officer of the NRCS Plateau branch, Mr. Yusuf Ibrahim, revealed that beneficiaries were selected through community-based volunteers who identified the most affected households. “The greatest joy is seeing smiles return to people’s faces,” he added.
Chairman of Riyom LGA, in his goodwill message, expressed mixed emotions — sorrow for the losses suffered and gratitude for the lifeline provided. “We are not happy about what brought us here, but today gives us hope to start again,” he said. “Riyom has one of the highest numbers of displaced persons in Plateau, and this support means a lot to us.”
The distribution ceremony also featured dance performances, children’s poems, and a symbolic naming gesture — as community leaders gave the visiting donors indigenous names “Simi” (Love) and “Fel” (Thank You) in appreciation.
For many residents, the gesture represents more than aid; it’s a chance to begin rebuilding. One beneficiary, Kangang Samson, shared that she plans to use the funds to settle her son’s hospital bills. “During the attack, my son was badly burned. This money will help me pay the remaining ₦50,000 and still cover his school fees,” she said.
Another widow, Chundung Danladi, whose children were killed in the violence, said through tears of gratitude, “This ₦100,000 is the first money I’ve received since the attack. May God bless the Red Cross for remembering us.”
Others, like Envou Markus and Tep Bitrus, said the intervention would help them return to farming and rebuild their livelihoods. “The Red Cross is selfless — they came to our aid even though they have no ties to us,” Bitrus remarked.
As Riyom slowly recovers from its painful past, one message echoed through the crowd — a renewed determination to heal, rebuild, and move forward together.
Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus, as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to spread across the region.
According to a statement published Tuesday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC and fell ill there.
The patient travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, where the patient was isolated after developing symptoms. Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at Kenya’s National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
Despite supportive care, the patient died on the night of 5 October and was buried on Tuesday in line with Kenya’s Ebola safe and dignified burial protocol, according to WHO.
“The government of Kenya notified WHO of the case in line with the International Health Regulations (2005) on 6 October 2026,” it noted.
Kenya becomes fourth country affected
According to WHO, Kenya is the fourth country to confirm a case of Bundibugyo virus disease in the current outbreak.
The DRC continues to battle the largest outbreak, while Uganda, where the virus was first detected in 2007, ended its latest outbreak in August. France also reported a travel-related case in June.
WHO noted that most of the cases reported in Uganda were imported from the DRC, while a smaller number were locally acquired among contacts and health workers linked to imported cases.
In the DRC, the outbreak has continued to expand. As of 23 September, the country had recorded 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths, giving a case fatality ratio of 48.1 per cent.
The outbreak had affected 63 health zones across seven provinces, with two of the latest affected areas bordering other countries. WHO said the expansion had increased the risk of cross-border transmission.
Kenya traces contacts
Following confirmation of the case, Kenyan health authorities have listed 28 contacts, including family members and health workers who cared for the patient.
They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight as the patient.
WHO said Kenya had been on high alert since May, when Ebola outbreaks were declared in the DRC and Uganda.
As of Tuesday, Kenya had screened more than 652,000 travellers entering the country, tested 267 suspected samples and trained about 5,000 health workers on Ebola prevention and management.
WHO said it has also supplied about 1,000 Ebola tests and 1,000 personal protective equipment kits to high-risk counties in Kenya.
READ ALSO: DRC Ebola outbreak remains active as death toll reaches 3,779 – Africa CDC
Nigeria on high alert
Nigeria has also strengthened surveillance in response to the regional outbreak.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said in a public health advisory issued in September that the country was on high alert and had activated enhanced surveillance measures.
It introduced a health declaration system under which travellers from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission may be required to complete a form before boarding.
The form requires travellers to provide information about their recent travel history, transit countries, destination in Nigeria and health status.
The NCDC said the measures are intended to strengthen surveillance and prevent the importation of Ebola into Nigeria.
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The development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) has opened applications for a second round of its NGO Support Initiative (NSI), offering free executive training to Nigerian civil society organisations, foundations and other social-impact organisations.
The eight-week virtual programme, scheduled to run from 20 October to 19 December 2026, is designed to strengthen organisational management, resilience, philanthropy and sustainable funding among local organisations.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Leiden University in the Netherlands, Dangote Business School and the Centre for Entrepreneurship Research and Training (CERT), Bayero University, Kano.
The programme comes amid growing concerns about the sustainability of Nigerian civil society organisations following cuts to international development assistance and increasing regulatory demands on non-profit organisations.
In 2025, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the dRPC launched the first round of the NSI to support Nigerian NGOs affected by international funding cuts, particularly the disruption caused by the United States government’s decision to halt several foreign assistance programmes.
The first round attracted 495 applications, with 17 organisations eventually receiving N5 million each to implement projects affected by the funding disruption.
The projects covered areas including maternal health, girls’ education, digital skills for young people and humanitarian assistance.
Funding crisis
The funding challenge facing Nigerian NGOs has persisted beyond the initial disruption to USAID-funded programmes.
In a February 2026 opinion article published on PREMIUM TIMES, Judith-Ann Walker, executive director and founding member of the dRPC, wrote that Nigerian NGOs were entering 2026 with fewer grant opportunities and would need to explore new funders, partnerships and alternative funding models.
She noted that the withdrawal of USAID support had affected organisations working in areas including youth entrepreneurship, climate justice, public health advocacy, school safety, zero-dose children and human rights, with some organisations forced to close programmes, offices and disengage staff.
PREMIUM TIMES also reported in June 2025 that Nigerian civil society organisations working on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria were calling for stronger domestic resource mobilisation to reduce dependence on foreign donors.
Stakeholders at the time argued that Nigeria could not continue to rely indefinitely on government and external donors to finance critical development interventions, particularly as international donors increasingly reconsider their aid commitments.
The dRPC’s second-round programme reflects some of these concerns, with one of its training streams focusing on organisational resilience, sustainable funding strategies and working with government to scale programmes.
New regulatory demands
The training also comes as Nigerian non-profit organisations face increased scrutiny of their operations and funding.
In July, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Nigeria Network of NGOs urged organisations to treat regulatory compliance as a central part of their operations, including keeping registrations, annual returns, tax filings and other legal obligations up to date.
The issue has become more prominent following the introduction of a proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, which seeks to require NGOs to register foreign aid and donor-funded projects with the government.
The bill passed second reading in the Senate in July, prompting debate over transparency, accountability and the potential effect of increased regulation on civic space.
In September, a coalition of civil society organisations called for the withdrawal of the bill, arguing that it could restrict civic space and give government excessive powers over organisations based on their sources of funding.
Against this backdrop, the dRPC said its second-round training would include a module on compliance with the regulatory environment, alongside project management, accountability, talent development, organisational visibility and sustainable funding.
Two training streams
The first stream, an eight-week Senior Executive Training Programme on NGO Management for Project Impact and Organisational Resilience, is targeted at 20 registered and compliant Nigerian CSOs with active grants.
The organisations must be working in areas including technical and vocational education and training and girls’ education, public health, the digital economy, climate action and humanitarian assistance.
Two representatives from each organisation, including founders, project directors or gender leads, are expected to participate.
The second stream focuses on professionalising local philanthropy, strengthening charitable foundations and improving corporate social responsibility.
It is open to 20 Nigerian foundations, charitable associations, old boys’ and girls’ organisations and CSR units of commercial organisations with active charitable portfolios supporting non-profit organisations.
READ ALSO: Nigeria targets expanded MMS coverage for pregnant women
Participants will be trained on issues including social entrepreneurship, sustainable financing, financial and strategic management, taxation and regulatory compliance, monitoring and impact reporting.
The dRPC said participants who complete either programme will receive certificates signed by the dRPC, Leiden University, Dangote Business School and CERT.
It said the training is free and that successful applicants would not be required to pay any fee or other consideration.
Applications for either stream close on 15 October 2026.
Application link: CLICK HERE
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