Bauchi Sets Up SOLID Committee to Drive Lasting Support for Displaced Persons

By Bashir Hassan, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has taken a major step towards addressing displacement challenges with the inauguration of a steering committee for the Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities (SOLID) project.

Speaking at the ceremony in Bauchi on Wednesday, Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau said the initiative was designed to tackle the growing humanitarian and development needs of internally displaced individuals (IDPs) and the communities hosting them.

He explained that the project goes beyond emergency relief, aiming instead to integrate affected populations into the broader development plans of the state. According to him, the program aims to restore dignity, rebuild livelihoods, and create sustainable opportunities for people displaced by conflict and environmental factors.

Jatau noted that displacement has placed increasing strain on key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture and water supply, while also stretching the resources of host communities. He described the SOLID project as a long-term intervention backed by the World Bank, focused on addressing the root causes of vulnerability and promoting inclusive growth.

“The steering committee will serve as the apex decision-making body for the project in the state, ensuring coordination, policy coherence and accountability throughout implementation,” he said.

The committee comprises senior government officials, community leaders and representatives of displaced individuals, reflecting what the deputy governor described as a commitment to inclusive governance.

He urged members of the committee to prioritise transparency, effective collaboration among agencies, and strategic planning to ensure the project’s success. He also called on IDP representatives to actively participate in decision-making processes and ensure that the voices of their communities are heard.

Earlier, the project coordinator, Abdulsamad Abubakar, said the initiative would expand access to essential services such as infrastructure, education and healthcare while also creating economic opportunities for beneficiaries.

Abubakar added that the program would strengthen the capacity of government institutions to respond to displacement issues more effectively, ensuring long-term resilience for both displaced persons and host communities.

Bauchi Targets ‘Zero-Dose’ Children as New Immunisation Drive Kicks Off

By Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board has launched an ambitious eight-month intervention aimed at cutting down the number of children who have never received routine vaccines, in a renewed push to strengthen child health outcomes across the state.

The initiative, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund and funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea, is expected to improve access to life-saving vaccines and ensure that more children are reached through coordinated healthcare services.

Speaking at a one-day orientation for state health officials and primary healthcare directors from local government areas, the Executive Chairman of the board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said the programme would deploy targeted strategies to boost routine immunisation uptake in underserved communities.

He explained that the project is designed to reinforce healthcare delivery systems while expanding outreach efforts to caregivers, particularly in hard-to-reach areas where vaccination coverage remains low.

According to him, the intervention will integrate immunisation services into existing health platforms such as antenatal care, nutrition programmes, and routine clinic visits to ensure broader reach and efficiency.

Mohammed stressed that vaccines remain one of the most effective tools for preventing childhood illnesses and deaths, warning that children who miss routine immunisation are at far greater risk of contracting deadly but preventable diseases.

“Children who are not vaccinated are highly vulnerable. Once they contract infectious diseases, their chances of survival are significantly reduced,” he said.

Also addressing participants, the Health Manager for Immunisation in Nigeria, Kabir Sheikh, noted that the programme would address key challenges affecting vaccine delivery, including supply chain gaps, poor tracking of defaulters, and low community awareness.

He added that efforts would also focus on improving accountability mechanisms and strengthening public confidence in immunisation services.

The intervention will be implemented in Dambam, Jama’are, and Warji local government areas, which have been identified as high-priority locations due to the prevalence of zero-dose children and gaps in primary healthcare services.

Health officials expressed optimism that the project would significantly improve immunisation coverage and contribute to reducing child mortality across Bauchi State.

Bauchi Sacked Education Workers Demand Reinstatement, Seek Fair Review

By Ahmad Muhammad,  Bauchi

A group of disengaged workers from the Bauchi State Ministry of Education has appealed to the state government to reverse its decision and restore them to their positions.

The affected personnel, who served as Fingerprint Terminal Operators responsible for tracking teachers’ attendance in public schools, also called on the authorities to give them priority in the ongoing recruitment exercise.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Chairman of the Association of Bauchi Fingerprint Terminal Operators, Musa Alfa, said the workers had dedicated more than seven years to supporting the education system in the state.

According to him, their role was critical in strengthening discipline among teachers and ensuring punctuality, which in turn contributed to improved teaching and learning outcomes in public schools.

Alfa expressed disappointment over the manner of their disengagement, noting that it was carried out without prior notice or an opportunity for the workers to defend themselves.

“Our removal from service came as a shock and has placed more than 2,000 families under serious economic strain, as many of us depend solely on this job for survival,” he said.

He stressed that the affected workers possess the experience and relevant qualifications needed to continue contributing meaningfully to the education sector.

“We urge the government to reconsider its decision, reinstate us, or integrate us into the civil service,” Alfa added.

The group maintained that it remains committed to lawful and peaceful engagement, expressing optimism that the government would address their concerns with fairness and empathy.