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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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Okpebholo Believes In Courage, Capacity Says Edo Poly Rector

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The acting rector of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, Dr Nosakhare Arodoye has promised to implement to the fullest the SHINE agenda of the state government.

Dr Arodoye said he was appointed by the governor to change the narrative of the Polytechnic from the present state to global standard with market-ready graduates and wealth creators within and outside Nigeria.

He spoke during the handover ceremony of the leadership in the state tertiary institution.

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According to him, “the governor sent me here for development that will position this institution in a manner that will be productively and evidently attractive to all for visible intellectual results and deliveries.

READ ALSO:Abductors Demand ₦5m As Teenager Is Kidnapped In Edo

“I’m for greater impact, lesser noise, the governor as a game changer understands this hence he approved my appointment as a tool for change in Edo Poly. Governor Okpebholo believes in courage and capacity.

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“The governor is not a cut to size, he knows how the academic environment works. You can see that his team is made up of global scholars and that is where I belong.

“I’m here to work, I’m going to teach, courses must be allocated to me. I go for what people run from as a progressive, just like the governor, you can see the turnaround of things affecting every area positively.”

Earlier, the immediate past acting rector, Engr. Sylvester Omoruyi briefed the new rector on the present state of the institution particularly the continuous support from the state government.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: Okpebholo Nominates Another 5 Persons As Commissioner-designates

He said Sen Monday Okpebholo has cleared the backlog of salaries as staff now receive their salary as at when due.

He noted that a total of twenty-two programmes have successfully been accredited with NYSC calling for various HND awarding departments.

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On partnership, he said the polytechnic is currently in collaboration with Xianzi and Fuzhou Polytechnic in China where seven students are currently undergoing studies on student exchange programmes.

Before arriving at the polytechnic premises, Dr Arodoye had visited the palace of the Elawure of Usen, Oba Oluogbe III.

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JUST IN: Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman

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The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Red Chamber confirmed Amupitan after a voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and after undergoing screening and answering questions posed by the lawmakers.

Amupitan had earlier arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier, exchanged pleasantries with Senators.

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He was accompanied to the chamber by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries.

READ ALSO:Why I Picked Amupitan As INEC Chair – Tinubu

At about 12:50 p.m., the nominee was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and was already seated ahead of the commencement of the exercise.

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Amupitan was allowed into the hallowed chamber after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved that Order 12 be set aside to allow visitors into the chamber, and he was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan, his family members, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending them for their presence.

Before introducing himself to the Senators for the question and answer session to take off, Akpabio disclosed to his colleagues that the nominee had been cleared by the office of the National Security Adviser after vetting.

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READ ALSO:Meet New INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan

According to Akpabio, the office of the Department of State Services had also cleared him.

The Senate President also said that the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, having done a fingerprint search on him, cleared him and said that he had no criminal records with the police.

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The screening exercise commenced at about 12:55 p.m. following Akpabio’s opening remarks, during which he outlined the procedures to be followed by the lawmakers in considering the nominee’s credentials.

The screening session focused on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and measures to deepen the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.

READ ALSO:Fire Ravages Residential Building In Oyo

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Following his confirmation by the Senate, Amupitan will oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.

President Bola Tinubu had nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law from the University of Jos, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The President’s letter conveying Amupitan’s nomination was read on the floor of the Senate by Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.

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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Amupitan, is widely regarded for his expertise in constitutional and international law.

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IPF Commends Tompolo’s Commitment To Security In Delta, Nigeria

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Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has commended High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for his remarkable commitment to improving security in Delta State, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

In a press statement by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, the IPF described Tompolo’s gesture towards Delta Security Trust Fund as a demonstration of his firm commitment to promoting peace, security, and progress in the atate, Niger Delta and Nigeria.

The group’s leadership lauded Tompolo’s philanthropic efforts, which according to them, portrayed his dedication to the well-being and prosperity of the country.

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READ ALSO:IPF Wants NDDC MD Ogbuku, Others Probed

Recall that Tompolo promised continued support for the Delta State Security Trust Fund after making a handsome donation at the event held at the government house yesterday.

“The unprecedented donation and firm commitment to peace and security in the country by High Chief Tompolo are shining examples of his leadership and dedication to the development of Delta State, Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.

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“We commend him for his vision and generosity, and we urge others to follow his footsteps in supporting initiatives that promote peace and security in Delta State and Niger Delta region.

“High Chief Tompolo’s support will go a long way in enhancing security measures in Delta state and contributing meaningfully to the overall development of the country,” the statement reads.

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