By David Torough, Abuja

UCare Nigeria, with support from the ECOWAS Peace Fund, on Friday expanded its humanitarian pilot programme to the Abagana Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

The initiative, which began at Ichwa camp, is designed to provide both health and non-health support across three camps.

According to UCare’s Benue State Team Lead, Mr.

He added that members of surrounding host communities, who are also burdened by displacement, are included in the programme.

Nyityo noted that although the camp’s population had reduced as some displaced persons attempted to return to farming, renewed attacks were driving many back into the facility. “We are recording more people in the camp again,” he explained.

Commissioning the newly installed borehole and toilets on behalf of the partners, Abagana camp manager and BSEMA representative, Ms. Shipinen Unande, described the intervention as “a massive development” that would ease water supply challenges and improve sanitation.

However, she expressed concerns over deteriorating shelters, food shortages, lack of farmland, and the absence of essential drugs at the camp’s pharmacy.

According to her, some families are forced to sleep under staircases while others dig up tree roots for firewood.

Unande further appealed for scholarships and skill-acquisition programmes to empower young people in the camp, saying: “We have vibrant youths who can work if given the opportunity.”

Also speaking, the camp chairman, Mr. Azende Festus, lamented worsening living conditions caused by insect infestations affecting many households.

Beyond infrastructure, UCare also distributed mosquito nets, dignity kits, and mama kits, and conducted medical outreach for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

The ECOWAS-supported initiative aims to reach 3,000 displaced persons across three camps in Benue State by the end of August, providing health care, safe water and sanitation facilities, nutritional supplements for children, and other essential humanitarian aid.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

In a landmark move towards environmental sustainability, engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, in partnership with the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has successfully carried out a major tree-planting exercise at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Abuja.

The initiative, which saw the planting of over 20,000 indigenous tree seedlings, marked a significant contribution to Nigeria’s fight against deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss.

It also reaffirmed Julius Berger’s broader commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

The effort, which was a collaborative blend of expertise and shared vision, saw the FRIN leading the technical aspects of species selection and ecological suitability while NCF brought in decades of conservation experience and community engagement, with Julius Berger providing the funding, and coordination support.

Speaking at the event, Dean of the Faculty, General Research at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General J.Y. Maina, representing the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. O.O. Oluyede underscored the strategic importance of environmental protection in national security

He said, “today’s exercise is a practical demonstration of our shared recognition that environmental protection is inseparable from national security. Climate change, desertification, and environmental degradation pose long-term threats to our country’s stability. Tree planting is not just an ecological necessity; it is a strategic investment in our collective future.”

Even as he praised Julius Berger’s leadership and commitment, calling the collaboration “a shining example of how the military, government institutions, and the private sector can work together for sustainable development.”

The Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Conservation Foundation, Garba Boyi, who ably represented the Director-General, Dr. Joseph Onoja of the NCF said the Foundation is a non-governmental organization, adding that the organisation’s focus and mandate is actually in the area of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria.

“For us to achieve that, we have developed or come up with an initiative, which we call it Green Recovery Nigeria. This is an initiative that is meant actually to salvage the situation in which our vegetation happens to be. Because going by the statistics, we have less than 10% of our vegetation cover left.

“So we as an organization, feel the need to contribute our quota to complement the government activity by planting trees.”

In commending Julius Berger’s effort in the tree planting exercise, he said, “I want to use this opportunity to thank our sponsors, Julius Berger for being a huge part of this initiative. This is really a big feat and we are sincerely grateful to the company for giving us the funds and really excited that Julius Berger gets to be on this journey with us.”

The Chief Executive of a key stakeholder in the exercise, Ceed Africa Limited, Dr. Okechukwu Ogbonna, thanked Julius Berger for the funding support for the exercise even as the Director, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Prof. Zacharia Buba Yadura appreciated the leading construction company for its collaborative effort, saying, “we didn’t have sponsors or partners, and Julius Berger decided through the NCF to be a partner of this Initiative. We are grateful to Julius Berger for joining us on this vital journey.”

The event brought together stakeholders from the public, private, and military sectors, among which were: the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarbe Abbas Lawal ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Minister of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari, the representative, Chief of Army Staff, Maj. JY Maina, Dean Faculty of Research , NAHFC, the Director of Coordination and Linkages, NAFHC, Major General O. Nwachukwu, The Corp Commander, Nigerian Army Women Corps, Brig. Gen. MI Amatso, the Director General, FRIN; Prof. Zacharia Buba Yadura, Zonal Coordinator, NCF, Garba Boyi, and the Liaison Officer, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Dr. Christopher Nwadike.

The Julius Berger delegation to the Tree Plantiong Ceremony include Emmanuel Isibor, Daniel Isichei, and Uzoma Olivia.
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By Tony Obiechina Abuja

A total sum of N2.001 trillion, being July 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils. The revenue was shared at the August 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja.