News

Cervical Cancer: FG, UNICEF Flag Off Vaccination Of 48,000 Girls In Bauchi State

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2023

Editor

The National HealthCare Development Agency in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, have flagged off the vaccination of 48,000 girls against cervical cancer in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi state.

Speaking during the exercise on Thursday, Mrs Aishatu Labaran, UNICEF’s Toro Local Government Facilitator, said that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination was for girls within the age of nine to 14 years, adding that the exercise would be conducted for three weeks.

According to her, UNICEF had sensitised the religious, traditional leaders, teachers and more than 100 schools in the area on the importance of the vaccine and the dangers of cervical cancer, hence, the high level of acceptance of the vaccination.

“The acceptance of the vaccine is a bit high unlike that of polio. There is less rumour and less non compliance in this HPV vaccination,” she said.

Labaran, who said that the vaccination would be introduced into the routine immunisation, called on the local government authorities in the state to emphasize on community engagement as this would enhance creation of awareness.

Also speaking, Mr Malami Danjuma, Health Education Officer, Toro LGA, said that in the first two days of the HPV vaccination campaign, over 13,000 girls had been vaccinated so far across the LGA.

He attributed the turnout to the vigorous campaigns embarked upon by members of the LGA Volunteer Community Mobilizers (VCM), mama2mama and others involved in the pre-rollout activities.

The LGA Health Educator said that the importance of the vaccination in the prevention of cervical cancer among women of reproductive age could not be overemphasised.

He lauded UNICEF and other donor agencies for the vaccine and other logistics support for the success of the campaign.

In her remarks, The Director, Primary Healthcare, Toro LGA, Mrs Rahmatu Ishiaku, appreciated the federal government, UNICEF and other donor agencies for making the ‘life saving’ exercise a reality.

“People are happy to receive the vaccine and in fact, they are even demanding for it and if it doesn’t reach them, they are coming out to where the vaccination is taking place”. She said.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

10 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

32 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.