News

How Gavi, UNICEF Boost Immunization Enrollment In North-East

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2024

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have successfully boosted immunization enrollment in two Northeastern states of Gombe and Taraba.

This was made possible sequel to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Primary Healthcare signed with the Nigerian government to strengthen healthcare service delivery in Nigeria.

UNICEF had swung into action immediately after signing the MoU three years ago with massive campaigns on benefits of immunization as well as the need for pregnant women to access medical facilities and be delivered by skilled birth attendants even in the hard to reach communities of the two states.

Speaking during a media dialogue on strengthening Primary Healthcare Systems on Gavi PHC MoU in Gombe, UNICEF Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, said that the MoU targets to achieve 85 percent fully immunized children by the end of 2024.

According to her, the percentage of fully immunized children in both Gombe and Taraba states had gone up to 79 and 80 percent from as low as 50 percent.

“The overall health system is being strengthened and we are trying to reach even the last child who has never been humanized.

“The purpose of strengthening this Primary Healthcare System is to reach those unreached families children and mothers and that is why this is an important programme and the media role is very critical.

“We appreciate the various achievements recorded during the 3-year implementation of the MoU in the two states which includes an increase in the number of routine immunization outreach sessions, leading to reaching more eligible children and a reduction in Zero Dose load – reduced to 4% from 24% in Taraba.

“Improved availability of vaccines at the last-mile, resulting in significant reduction of vaccine stock-out at service point.

“Improved availability of skilled birth attendants especially at the Apex Primary Health Care Facilities following the recruitment of 440 health workers particularly in Gombe state,” she said.

The Chief of Field Office said that with funds from Gavi, UNICEF had Provided Hilux trucks and motorcycles Vehicles that are used for vaccine distribution and supportive supervision, adding that it also renovated some health facilities, provided solar equipment at the LGA cold stores in the states.

“I would like to appreciate all stakeholders, especially the Gombe and Taraba States Government for providing the enabling environment for the implementation of the agreed mandates of the MoU.

“However, I wish to implore the government to mainstream the health workers engaged through the MoU into the State’s civil service.

“I urge both States to honor their co-financing obligations, and as well provide the necessary structures and resources for the sustenance of the MoU gains.

“I thank our donor, GAVI for their continued support to improving the wellbeing of children in our field office states and generally in Nigeria. This continued support is critical to ensuring that every child survives and thrives,” Rafique said.

She assured that UNICEF would continue to provide the required support to government at all levels, for the improvement of health and living standard of the population, especially children and women in the communities.

News

Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

Published

1 hour ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.

The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.

In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.

Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.

Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.

In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.

Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.

In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.

He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.

The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.

Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.

Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.

News

Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Editor

The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.

He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.

The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.

“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”

Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.

He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.

News

Police Confirm Edo Tanker Explosion, say No Casualty

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed tanker explosions that rocked Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s Police Publice Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, who confirmed the incident via the phone, said the explosion occurred at about 6:30 p.m. following the fall of a fuel tanker along the road.

Ikoedem said the incident occurred on Wednesday evening at about 6:30 p.m. following the fall of a fuel tanker along the road.

She explained that spilled fuel seeped into underground tunnels, which later ignited and caused three explosions in different parts of the Auchi community.

According to her, officers from the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters and the Area Command were mobilised to the affected areas and successfully cordoned them off to prevent loss of lives.

She added: “No casualty was recorded. Our men on ground were able to cordoned the affected areas.”

It was gathered that three separate explosions rocked the town simultaneously in different parts, which led to properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

A resident who does not want his name in print said via the telephone that the blasts occurred along Igbei Road, Igbo Shade, and along the Auchi–Okene Road, close to Winners Junction.

The resident, who alleged the explosions appeared to have been coordinated, called for a thorough investigation into the incident to prevent future occurrences.

Calls put across to Mr. Monday Edogiawere, Chairman, Red Cross, Edo State, were not picked.