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.
The Yobe State Government has approved the enrolment of state and local government retirees into the Social Equity Programme of its health insurance scheme.
The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA), Babagana Tijjani, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Damaturu.
Mr Tijjani said the approval was granted by Governor Mai Mala Buni following a recommendation from the agency.
He said the initiative aims to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending among pensioners and improve access to comprehensive, quality healthcare services at YSCHMA-accredited health facilities.
According to him, the approval underscores the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare of retirees by ensuring they continue to access quality healthcare after retirement.
“This approval is another demonstration of the governor’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of residents of the state,” he said.
“By bringing retirees under the social equity programme, the government is ensuring that senior citizens can access quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.”
The executive secretary further said that the inclusion of retirees in the scheme aligned with the administration’s healthcare reform agenda and the state’s drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
He also described the development as a significant step in expanding access to healthcare and strengthening social protection.
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Mr Tijjani commended the governor for approving the initiative and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to its effective implementation.
He said the YSCHMA would work closely with pension unions, relevant government institutions and healthcare providers to ensure a transparent enrolment process and seamless access to healthcare services for eligible beneficiaries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the YSCHMA was established under Yobe State Law No. 7 of 2019 to implement the state’s contributory healthcare scheme and promote equitable, affordable and qualitative healthcare services for residents.
The federal government has launched the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services.
The framework introduces nutrition standards for food purchased with public funds as part of efforts to reduce unhealthy diets and curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
The guidelines, unveiled on Monday in Abuja at an event themed “Public Procurement of Food: Promoting a Culture of National Wellness Through the Food Value Chain,” are expected to influence food served in public institutions, including schools, hospitals, correctional centres and military establishments, by setting evidence-based standards on nutrition, food safety and quality.
Delivering his keynote address at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, said the initiative marks a shift from viewing public procurement as a routine administrative process to using it as a strategic tool to improve public health and national development.
“When the government demands healthier, safer and more nutritious food, it creates incentives for the entire food system to innovate, improve quality and align with higher public health standards,” he said.
Why it matters
Mr Salako said the government remains the country’s largest institutional purchaser of food, meaning procurement decisions have the potential to influence food production, consumer behaviour and nutrition standards across the food value chain.
According to him, the guidelines establish limits on sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats in foods procured by public institutions while encouraging balanced and nutritious diets.
He said the document complements existing national policies, including the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, the Trans Fat Regulation and the 2023 National Policy on Food Safety and Quality.
Rising burden of unhealthy diets
Mr Salako noted that unhealthy diets contribute to about 7.2 million deaths globally every year, driven largely by excessive consumption of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats as well as inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
He revealed that the average Nigerian adult consumes between 3.9 grammes and 4.9 grammes of sodium daily, almost double the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended limit of 2 grammes.
Mr Salako added that increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has contributed to rising rates of obesity and diabetes, prompting the introduction of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, while industrial trans fats have also been restricted under Nigeria’s Trans Fatty Acid Regulation.
“These measures are designed to control dietary patterns that fuel the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, placing enormous pressure on health systems, national economies and household incomes,” he said.
Child malnutrition remains a concern
Mr Salako also highlighted the country’s persistent nutrition challenges, noting that malnutrition remains a direct or underlying cause of nearly half of the deaths among children under five years.
He said the Nigeria Mini Demographic and Health Survey found that about four in every 10 Nigerian children under five are stunted, while nearly two million children suffer severe acute malnutrition annually.
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“These are not merely health statistics. They represent profound human capital challenges with significant implications for educational attainment, labour productivity, household prosperity, national competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.”
Implementation key
Mr Salako stressed that the success of the guidelines would depend on effective implementation rather than their launch.
He urged procurement and accounting officers across government institutions to ensure compliance, noting that procurement decisions influence health outcomes, productivity and public confidence in government.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would continue to promote disease prevention through healthier public policies as part of efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
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