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Hand Washing Day: UNICEF Urges Nigeria Govts To Invest In Hand Hygiene

Published

3 years ago

October 17, 2022

Editor

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on both the Federal and state governments to invest in hand hygiene for improved public health and to strengthen economic resilience in Nigeria.

UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, Mr Tushar Rane, made the call in Bauchi on Monday at the commemoration of the 2022 Global Handwashing Day.

According to him, governments, development partners, private sector, academic institutions must join hands to advocate for, and to make handwashing a centerpiece of healthy practices beyond the 15th of October of every year.

He appreciated Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for assenting to a bill to convert the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) units into WASH departments in the state.

The UNICEF boss said this would institutionalise and support funding for WASH-related activities in Bauchi state.

He further revealed that Bauchi state was among the leading states in the implementation of WASH related interventions in Nigeria, adding that the state presently has seven LGAs that had attained the status of Open Defecation Free (ODF).

Rane added that UNICEF was optimistic that the Bauchi state government would support the full implementation of the state’s ODF road map designed to end open defecation by 2025, and subsequently contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

“To encourage development partners to sustain funding support for WASH interventions in all the 20 LGAs of Bauchi State, we would like to suggest that the state government should consistently release project capital cost to provide WASH facilities for all communities, schools, and primary health centres.

“The state government should also facilitate monthly release of project LGAs operational fund to the LGA WASH departments by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to sustain project implementation at the LGA and community levels,” he said.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Ahmad Jalam, said this year’s commemoration has become more important as the simple and effective practice of hand washing with soap and clean water had been shown to be the first line of defence against the spread of coronavirus and cholera among other diseases.

Represented by Mr Adamu Ali, Director, Water Supply, Ministry of Water Resources, the commissioner said that WASH is one of the key priorities of governor Mohammed, adding that significant progress had been made in the improvement of access to safe water supply and effective sanitation in the state.

“I want to assure you that this government is resolutely committed to sustaining and accelerating progress in access to safe water supply, effective sanitation and good hygiene practices for the continued betterment of the lives of our people,” he said.

The theme of this year’s hand washing day is ‘Unite for universal Hand Hygiene’.

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day, which is a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

Related Topics:#UNICEF Bauchi world hand washing day

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PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

2 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

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Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

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2 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

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NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

3 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.