By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

In a decisive operation, the Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) rescued 10 Nigerians from a suspected human trafficking network during a midnight patrol in Babura Local Government Area, a border region with the Niger Republic.

The victims, intercepted by the Operation Salama team at Tsamiyar Kwance on Sunday, were en route to Europe via illegal migration routes, according to the State Comptroller of Immigration, Mr. T. Musa.

The victims, comprising eight women and two men aged between 21 and 30, hailed from Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Imo states. They had been trafficked from their home states to Kano and then to Babura, with plans to cross into Niger Republic, travel through Libya, and reach Europe via the perilous Mediterranean route.

Among those rescued were,
Alatise Damilola, 29 (Oyo State),
Ayomide Adeyemi, 24 (Ondo State), Wisdom Chikwu Emeka, 29 (Imo State), Lateef Jumoke, 30 (Ondo State), Emyola Adeoye, 24 (Ogun State), Soneye Abigeal, 22 (Ogun State), Ogunleye Temitope, 29 (Ogun State), Osirowo Rebecca, 21 (Ogun State), Oniyide Kabirat, 27 (Ogun State) and Azizat Adaranijo, 26 (Ogun State)
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were lured with promises of a better life in Europe, unaware of the dangers of the route and the exploitative nature of human trafficking networks.
The Comptroller noted that these young Nigerians were vulnerable targets of traffickers exploiting economic hardships and the desire for greener pastures abroad.
The rescued victims have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and further investigation.
Efforts are underway to trace and dismantle the trafficking network responsible for their ordeal.
During a press briefing, Mr. Musa expressed alarm at the increasing cases of human trafficking and illegal migration in the state, calling for greater vigilance from families and communities.
“Parents and guardians must remain vigilant and monitor their children’s activities to prevent them from falling into the hands of traffickers,” he said.
The NIS reiterated its commitment to combating irregular migration and human trafficking through intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with other agencies.
The rescue operation highlights the urgent need for more robust policies to address the root causes of human trafficking and illegal migration, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunities.
The Immigration Service has called on the public to report any suspicious activities linked to human trafficking as part of a collective effort to eradicate the menace.

END

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Government has unveiled plans to establish a state-of-the-art Teachers’ Resource Center at the College of Education, Gumel, aimed at addressing the persistent issue of unqualified teachers in the state.

This development was revealed by the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Hauwa Mustapha, during an inspection visit to the proposed site.
Dr. Mustapha noted that the center will serve as a hub for professional development, offering intensive training for aspiring and practicing teachers to elevate teaching standards across the state.

She stated, “I am here to assess the site and the progress of work for the immediate takeoff of the center. The instructional materials and books, sourced from the United States, have already been delivered.”

Dr. Mustapha highlighted that the initiative is a critical component of Governor Umar Namadi’s broader agenda to revamp the education sector in Jigawa State. She urged residents to lend their support to ensure the program’s success.

The Provost of the college, Dr. Nura Muhammad Ringim, hailed the project as a transformative step toward enhancing teaching capacity and professionalism. Similarly, the Registrar, Malam Bala Isyaku, expressed gratitude to Dr. Mustapha for her dedication to raising educational standards, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.

With this bold step, Jigawa State is poised to strengthen its education system by equipping teachers with the necessary skills and resources to deliver quality education, fostering a brighter future for students.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Chapter of the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has lauded the state government for its progress in reducing the stunting rate among children, which dropped from 64% to 55% in 2023.

The commendation came during an advocacy visit to the Ministry of Agriculture, led by the CS-SUNN State Coordinator, Comrade Shu’aibu Musa Kafingana.
He attributed this improvement to the strong partnership between the state government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working on nutrition.

Speaking during the visit, Comrade Kafingana said:
“The stunting rate in Jigawa State was previously 64%. Recent data shows significant improvement, with the rate now at 55%. This progress reflects the combined efforts of the government and NGOs in creating awareness and implementing interventions.”

He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture for its contributions, particularly in addressing malnutrition among children and lactating mothers. However, he highlighted the need for consistent budgetary provisions and timely fund releases for nutrition-sensitive programs under the Jigawa State Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (JARDA).
“JARDA plays a critical role in preventing malnutrition, but we’ve observed gaps in budget allocations and releases, which need to be addressed for sustained progress,” he said.
Kafingana emphasized that CS-SUNN is a robust network advocating for better nutrition across Nigeria. With over 400 member organizations, CS-SUNN’s mission is to make Nigeria a nation where every citizen is food and nutrition secure.
He outlined the group’s strategic focus areas, which include partnerships, advocacy, capacity building, evidence-based interventions, and institutionalizing nutrition movements.
“We work closely with government bodies, policymakers, the media, and other stakeholders to drive awareness and actions that combat malnutrition, aligning with national and international nutrition goals,” he added.

Responding on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ilyasu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing malnutrition. He emphasized the administration’s focus on food security, a priority under the 12-point agenda of Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s administration.

Addressing concerns about JARDA’s funding, Alhaji Ilyasu clarified:
“Nutrition budgets are allocated annually under JARDA. However, last year, funds were not released, possibly due to the absence of a formal request. Ensuring such requests are made will streamline fund access in the future.”

The ministry assured stakeholders of its readiness to strengthen partnerships and sustain efforts to combat malnutrition in Jigawa State.