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2.3 Million Children At Risk Of Polio In Nigeria – UNICEF

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that about 2.3 million children in Nigeria have not received routine immunization (zero dose) bringing them at risk of polio outbreak.

UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, disclosed this during an awareness road walk in Bauchi on Thursday to commemorate this year’s World Polio Day.

According to her, out of this figure, about 22,000 children in Bauchi State have not received routine immunization thereby risking polio outbreak.

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“For over 2 decades UNICEF has supported Bauchi state in
its Polio Eradication Initiatives and Immunization Plus Days campaigns.

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“This year alone we have supported three
Statewide Polio Outbreak Response campaigns and two targeted local Ooutbreak Response in four LGAs with funding for vaccine logistics, social mobilization and technical assistance.

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“It is heartwarming to note that Bauchi has been free of wild polio virus since the last case in 2013. However, we
are still contending with the variant form of the virus

“Despite this success, 2.3 million children in Nigeria and around 22,000 children in Bauchi State have not received
routine immunization.

“Outbreaks of circulating
vaccine-derived poliovirus continue to persist,” she said.

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The UNICEF boss further said that child deaths and physical disabilities that polio causes could be banished from the State, Nigeria and the World if the stakeholders continue to put all hands on the deck to stop polio outbreaks.

She said to completely eliminate polio, every child in every household must receive the vaccine, saying unfortunately, thousands of children are still missing out.

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“The global decline in childhood immunisation coverage has led to rising outbreaks, even in countries that have been polio-free for decades.

“The battle against polio is particularly difficult in the most challenging environments, yet eradication is attainable.

“UNICEF delivers over 1 billion doses of polio vaccines each year, the largest portion of global vaccine deliveries,” she said.

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Rafique further urged government at all levels to prioritise vaccination for all children against polio, especially in hard-to-reach areas and communities with low immunization rates.

She urged the government to keep polio eradication on the front burner of political discourse while leveraging innovative solutions and coordinated actions to enhance the quality of immunization campaigns.

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We ask the Bauchi Emirate Council to support the mobilisation of parents and caregivers to avail their children for vaccinations and to support the resolution of non-compliance during and after campaigns,” she urged.

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UPDATED: INEC Declares Soludo Winner Of Anambra Guber Poll

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The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been declared the winner of the Saturday, November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election by the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.

Soludo, who polled a total of 422,664 votes, defeated his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Nicholas Ukachukwu, who scored 99,445 votes, while the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Sir Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes.

According to INEC, a total of 16 candidates from various political parties participated in the election.

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The state had 2,788,864 registered voters, out of which 598,229 were accredited. A total of 595,298 votes were cast, while 11,244 votes were rejected across the 21 local government areas.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Soludo Sweeps Anambra Guber Election

From the results announced, Soludo of APGA won in all 21 local government areas of the state in a landslide victory.

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Announcing the results at the INEC headquarters in Awka on Sunday, Omoregie said, “The number of registered voters was 2,788,864, while accredited voters were 598,229. The total valid votes stood at 584,054, rejected votes were 11,244, and the total votes cast amounted to 595,298.”

He added, “After collating the results as tallied into Form EC8E, it is now my privilege to declare the figures each candidate scored according to their political parties.

“There were a few areas affected by incidents, leading to cancellations in some wards across Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka South, and Onitsha South LGAs, amounting to 10,481 affected votes. However, the margin of lead between the top candidates did not affect the overall outcome of the election.

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“I, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Returning Officer for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, hereby declare that the election was peaceful. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having scored 422,664 votes — the highest number of valid votes cast and having satisfied the requirements of the law — is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

Breakdown of results:

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Total registered voters: 2,788,864

Total accredited voters: 598,229

Total valid votes: 584,054

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Rejected votes: 11,244

Total votes cast: 595,298

Votes by political parties:
A – 224
AA – 1,145
AAC – 292
ADC – 8,208
APC – 99,445
APGA – 422,664
APM – 892
APP – 73
BP – 126
LP – 10,576
NNPP – 525
NRM – 36
PDP – 1,401
SDP – 241
YPP – 37,753
ZLP – 453

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BREAKING: Soludo Sweeps Anambra Guber Election

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The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Anambra governorship election, Prof. Charles Soludo has been declared winner of the poll.

Returning Officer of the election, Prof. Edoba declared Soludo winner having polled
422,664 votes to defeat his closest opponent.

READ ALSO:AnambraDecides: CTA Frowns at Logistic Challenge, Ill-treatment Meted On Security Personnel

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AnambraDecides: CTA Frowns at Logistic Challenge, Ill-treatment Meted On Security Personnel

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The Center for Transparency and Advocacy on Saturday frowned at the logistic challenges faced during the Anambra governorship election despite INEC claimed preparedness.

The organisation also chided authorities concerned over ill- treatment meted on security personnel who were deployed from different on special special duty during the election.

In an mid-election briefing in Awka, Prof Alex Asigbo, an expert observer with the CTA said the election was held in a relatively atmosphere of peace, amidst heavy deployment of security personnel.

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Asigbo, who emphasized the need for INEC to carry out more voters education, disclosed that it was observed that while voting was ongoing, a church programme was being held in a part of Akwa.

READ ALSO:AnambraDecides: KDI Decries Vote Buying, Compromise of Ballot Secrecy

He said, “The Anambra State Gubernatorial Election, one of the off-season elections in today’s Nigeria’s electoral calendar held across 21 Local Governments on the 8th November 2025.

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“The election held as scheduled in a relatively peaceful atmosphere, amid heavy deployment of police and other security agencies. We had noted the general climate of peace in the build up to the elections. CTA deployed 50 trained election observers across the 21 local government areas to observe the election.

“Recall that in our pre-election assessment, we raised concerns on the preparedness of INEC, logistics, security, and the role of political actors in delivering a free, fair, credible, inclusive and conclusive elections.The following are the preliminary findings from our field observers deployed across the state: Time of arrival of INEC Officials and materials/ Commencement of voting

“Reports from our field observers indicate that INEC officials and materials arrived late in many polling units, resulting in late opening of polls in many polling units. In about 68 percent of polling units, INEC officials and material arrived between 8:25 to 9am, while in about 31 percent of the polling units, voting commenced much later – between 8:30 and 10:00am.CTA notes that INEC is yet to resolve its logistics challenge, as earlier highlighted in our pre-election press briefing.”

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READ ALSO:Yiaga, Kukah Centre, CEMESO, Others, Assess Anambra Guber, Advocate Electoral Laws Enforcement

He said that despite assurances from the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), CTA observers reported that logistics arrangements, including vehicles deployment, were inadequate, adding that In some instances, hired vehicles for the election refused to pick up other INEC officials to polling units after making their initial drop-off, which further contributed to delays.

Continuing, he said.
Our observers report that due to security reasons, INEC was forced to relocate voting in five communities of Azia, Orsumoghu, Mbosi, Ubuluisiuzo, Issekke and Lilu to the headquarters of Ihiala LGA . Voter Turnout/ Conduct of Voters Voter turnout was generally low. Many have been influenced by voter apathy, security concerns, and doubts about the credibility of the electoral process. Some of the citizens showed lack of interest in the election, one of such experience was at Demonstration Primary School at Agu Awka in Awka South where our observers reported a Church programme going on simultaneously with voting.

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“We charged citizens to take civic duty very serious. INEC and Political parties must also take civil and voter education very serious to educate citizens. However, CTA commends the citizens for conducting themselves peacefully and in accordance with voting guidelines. “

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