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NACA, NEMA Pledge to Integrate HIV Services into Emergency Response Plans

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9 months ago

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National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have pledged to integrate HIV prevention and treatment services into Nigeria’s emergency response systems to ensure no one is left behind during disasters.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The decision was announced in Abuja when NACA’s Director General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, paid a courtesy visit to NEMA’s headquarters. The two agencies agreed to strengthen collaboration in responding to emergencies while ensuring that people living with HIV receive continuous care and access to treatment, even in crisis situations.

Dr. Ilori said the initiative will help protect vulnerable Nigerians, especially those displaced by floods, conflicts, and other disasters. “We must ensure that internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups have access to HIV prevention tools, testing, and treatment during emergencies,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure no one is left behind, no matter the situation.”

NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, described the visit as timely, noting that the partnership between the two agencies is crucial to building resilience in disaster-prone communities. “We share a common goal of coordination and protecting lives,” she said. “Synergy between NACA and NEMA is essential for an effective, people-centered response during emergencies.”

Umar pointed out that most health assessments in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps often ignore HIV testing and treatment, leaving affected persons at risk of losing access to life-saving care. She said NEMA will work with NACA to include HIV screening, counseling, and awareness programs in its standard emergency response protocols.

The collaboration aims to improve health outcomes among displaced populations and prevent new infections in humanitarian settings. NACA and NEMA also agreed to train emergency workers on HIV awareness, prevention, and care during disaster response operations.

Nigeria faces frequent emergencies, including floods, armed conflicts, and displacement crises, that disrupt access to essential health services. In such situations, people living with HIV are among the most vulnerable, as they often lose contact with health facilities and struggle to continue treatment.

Dr. Ilori said NACA’s long-term goal is to make HIV services sustainable by embedding them into national systems, rather than treating them as stand-alone programs. “Integrating HIV response into broader health and disaster management systems is key to ensuring continuity of care,” she said.

Health experts have welcomed the move, saying it reflects a growing recognition that public health and disaster response must go hand in hand. “Emergencies expose gaps in our systems,” said a senior public health officer familiar with the initiative. “When HIV services are built into emergency response, it ensures continuity of care and protects people who are already vulnerable.”

The agencies are expected to develop joint guidelines, create emergency response teams trained in HIV management, and pilot the initiative in selected states most affected by recurrent floods and displacement.

If successful, the partnership could serve as a model for integrating HIV services into humanitarian operations across West Africa, where millions of people face similar challenges due to conflict and natural disasters.

The NACA-NEMA collaboration marks a shift toward a more inclusive disaster response strategy—one that considers both immediate survival needs and long-term health care.

As Nigeria continues to confront climate-related emergencies and displacement, officials say the new approach will help ensure that people living with HIV maintain access to treatment and that the country’s progress in combating the disease is not reversed by crises.

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TERROR FINANCING ALLEGATIONS: EFCC Drags Miyetti Allah Leader To Court In Multi-Million Dollar Probe!.

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10 hours ago

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July 9, 2026

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  • Bello Bodejo, the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday to face charges related to an alleged $2.63 million money laundering scheme.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

    • In addition to money laundering, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Bodejo of financing terrorism.

    • Bodejo is the sole defendant named in the 12-count charge, which was filed in late June 2026.

    Allegations and Plea

    • The EFCC alleges that Bodejo accepted various large cash payments in U.S. dollars from Sa’idu Abubakar, including $100,000 in January 2022, $200,000 later that month, $980,000 in February 2024, and $500,000 in March 2024.

    • The agency specifically charged Bodejo with willfully accepting these large cash payments without utilizing a financial institution, as mandated by law, and possessing funds suspected to be linked to unlawful activities.

    • During the hearing before Justice Inyang Ekwo, Bodejo entered a plea of not guilty after the 12-count charge was read to him.

    • Legal counsel for both the prosecution (Wahab Shittu, SAN) and the defense (Ahmed Raji, SAN) were present, with the defense offering no opposition to the plea proceedings.

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“THEY DON’T LIKE ME!”: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Exposes Tense Relationship With Civil Servants!.

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11 hours ago

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July 9, 2026

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  • FCT Minister Nyesom Wike stated during a monthly media chat in Abuja that he is unpopular among civil servants.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

    • He attributed this lack of popularity to his efforts to shut down channels for the fraudulent diversion of public funds, explaining that money previously misappropriated by staff is now being redirected toward road infrastructure.

    Reasons for Friction

    • The Minister criticized the habit of approving funds for unnecessary activities, such as traveling to conferences in the United States for land administration, suggesting that staff should instead conduct research locally.

    • Wike highlighted a significant shift in budget management, noting that he reduced recurrent expenditure in favor of capital expenditure, moving from a system where recurrent spending accounted for 65 percent of the budget to one where capital projects now receive 70 percent of funding.

    • He maintained that he will not approve large sums for “frivolous” conferences, choosing instead to prioritize infrastructure projects that provide tangible benefits to the public.

    • Conclusively, Wike asserted that because he puts money into roads rather than funding these conferences—which he described as vehicles for corruption—he does not expect to be liked by the civil service workforce.

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STUDENT LOAN BONANZA: ₦1.5 Billion Hits 6,129 Student Accounts In Massive NELFUND Payout!.

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11 hours ago

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July 9, 2026

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  • The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has released a total of ₦1,501,935,800 to 6,129 students for the 2025/2026 academic session.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

    • This update was shared by NELFUND on Thursday through its verified handle.

    • The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s effort to increase access to higher education by lessening the financial pressure on students and their families.

    Breakdown by Institution

    • Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI): Received ₦1,360,920,800 for 5,396 students across five tranches.

    • Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology: Received ₦104,530,000 for 680 students.

    • Edo State College of Nursing Sciences: Received ₦36,485,000 for 53 students.

    Institutional Confirmation and Feedback

    • All three institutions have officially acknowledged receipt of the funds.

    • Dr. Bukola Makinde, Registrar of Sikiru Adetona College, confirmed that the funds have already been credited to the students’ bank accounts, noting that this support will facilitate “hitch-free academic progress”.

    • Mabel Omobude, Provost of the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, pledged transparency and stated that the funds will be applied strictly for their intended educational purposes.

    • Prof. Andrew Babatunde Omojola, Vice-Chancellor of BOUESTI, commended the Federal Government and NELFUND for their efficiency in managing and releasing the funds.

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