US Archives - The Nigerian Diplomat

United States Provides $9.5 Million to Prevent Malnutrition in Borno

The United States of America has provided an additional $9.5 million to the UN’s World Food Program (WFP) to prevent malnutrition in Borno state during this year’s “lean” season.

The provision was made through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to augment ongoing support by its Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and Food for Peace (FFP) for more than 175,000 mothers and children under five in nine local government areas (LGA) in Borno State. This is in response to the call by WFP to meet a severe funding shortfall in which USAID is pleased to play a part in making sure that the most vulnerable of those impacted by the Boko Haram conflict are taken care of.

WFP launched what is called a Blanket Supplementary Feeding Program which will distribute the nutrient-rich food monthly through the end of the rainy, or “lean,” season, prevent further decline in nutritional status among young children suffering from moderate acute malnutrition, as well as protect the nutritional status of others who are not yet malnourished but are at high risk and anticipated to significantly reduce the burden on the health system related to treating malnutrition as well as other health conditions related to under nutrition, and consequently preventing related mortality.

U.S. Trains 60 Nigerian Anti-Bomb Policemen in Lagos

The United States embassy in Nigeria has concluded a one-month training for 60 Nigerian anti-bomb policemen in Lagos – comprising of four sessions of 15 participants who will become Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) mentors.

According to the Regional Security Officer in the US Embassy, Mr Scoitie Blancett, they were happy to share their expertise with the officers and expressed optimism that the effects of the training would bring about safety for people in the country.

The police officers, drawn from different commands were trained and the training was facilitated by the American Embassy in Nigeria through the Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistant (ATA) in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

In his closing remarks, Mr Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) represented by the DIG Operations, Mr Joshak Habila declared;

“The beneficiaries are expected to impart the knowledge acquired to other bomb technicians across the country in order to enhance EOD service delivery.

The training was designed to expose participants to current trends in rendering safe/disposal of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) through the application of EOD standard, practice and technique.

Participants were taken on overview of recent threat particularly in Nigeria and by extension, the Africa Bomb threat assessment/tactical operations, IED electronic review, post blast investigation overview.”