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JUST IN: US Donates 10,000 Mpox Vaccine Doses To Nigeria

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The government of the United States of America donated 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to Nigeria on Tuesday.

Jynneos is a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of smallpox and mpox in adults aged 18 years and older who are at risk of mpox infection.

Speaking during the official handover of the mpox vaccine to Nigeria in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, thanked the US government for the donation and stated that the Federal Government is committed to improving the well-being of Nigerians.

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Pate, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said, “This is a spirit of cooperation and collaboration through the years, and this vaccine will be of great help to us. The Federal Ministry of Health understands the importance of having a healthy nation, so all the policies that we implement and the collaborations are focused on ensuring our citizens’ health.

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“The Minister emphasises that all health matters are important to him, and Nigeria is very fortunate to have such a dedicated Coordinating Minister and Dr Tunji Alausa as the Minister of State for Health. Together, we are transforming the health sector.

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“Thank you for the 10,000 doses, and we look forward to receiving more. I also want to thank our development partners, USAID, PEPFAR, WHO, UNICEF, and all the UN organisations. Your collaboration is greatly appreciated, and this will significantly aid those in need.

“We all recognise the size of our population, and we must ensure that we address every disease, especially those that pose public health concerns. On this note, I would like to extend our gratitude.”

READ ALSO: Boy, 23, Bags Life Imprisonment After Mother Turned Him In For Murder, Robbery Others In South Africa

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Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic infectious disease (i.e. an infection transmitted from animals to humans) that occurs sporadically, primarily in remote villages of Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests. It is caused by the mpox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.

The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes the variola virus (the cause of smallpox), the vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox eradication vaccine), and the cowpox virus (used in earlier smallpox vaccines). Following the eradication of smallpox, the mpox virus has emerged as the most significant Orthopoxvirus.

On August 13, 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared mpox a public health emergency of continental security, acting under its mandate to address significant public health threats.

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As of last Friday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported that Nigeria had recorded a total of 40 confirmed cases of mpox out of 830 suspected cases across the country.

Details to follow…

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Tinubu Embarks On Three-state Visit

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday on a working visit to Borno, Bauchi and Lagos.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.

While in Borno, the President will commission projects executed by the Borno State Government under Gov. Babagana Zulum, in collaboration with the Federal Government.

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He will also attend the wedding ceremony of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Borno Governor, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, and his bride, Hadiza Kam Salem.

READ ALSO:Ambassadorial Nominees: Ndume Asks Tinubu To Withdraw List

From Maiduguri, Tinubu will proceed to Bauchi State to condole with the state government and the family of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the renowned Islamic cleric and leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood.

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Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi died on Nov. 27.

After the condolence visit, the President will travel to Lagos, where he will spend the end-of-year holidays.

During his stay in Lagos, Tinubu is expected to attend several engagements, including the Eyo Festival scheduled for Dec. 27.

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The festival, to be held at Tafawa Balewa Square, will honour notable personalities, including the President’s late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, former Lagos State governors Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Michael Otedola.

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My Wife Dented My Image, Took Our Marital Crises To Radio Stations — Husband

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He ran away from home after I was delivered of twins —Wife

Grade A Customary Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has ruled that a couple, Folaji and Ifedayo should go their different ways after it pronounced their marriage dissolved.

The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, who gave the judgment, stated that this was imperative to dissolve the marriage for peace to reign.

The plaintiff, Folaji, who dragged his wife to court, accused her of not loving him, always fighting him, and sometimes displaying violence.

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Folaji explained that the root of their differences was Ifedayo’s bias for his mode of worship.

According to the plaintiff, he attends a white garment church, which mode of worship the defendant abhors and therefore refused to attend services with him.

Folaji also said that Ifedayo concealed from him the fact that she was suffering from a particular ailment, which he became aware of after she was advised at the hospital to carry out series of tests.

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Folaji stated that the differences between him and his wife degenerated to the level that he became a regular face at the police station and also at radio stations, where his wife took their matters to.

READ ALSO:‘My Husband Kept Coffin Under Our Bed, Planned To Use Our Child For Ritual’

The plaintiff told the court that the defendant had done a lot of damage to his image, and thus prayed the court to put an end to their relationship so that he could pick up the pieces of his life.

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The plaintiff sought easy access to their children and promised to give them feeding allowance weekly.

He further requested an order restraining his wife from threatening him and from interfering with his private life.

Ifedayo, in her response, agreed that their union be dissolved.

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She stated that her husband was inhumane and that he packed out of their house before she was discharged from the hospital after she put to bed a set of twins.

The defendant further said that the plaintiff had never visited her and their children since he walked out of their marriage.

According to her, her husband sent her N20,000 through his counsel after he dragged her to court, but that she declined it because it was a ridiculous amount to feed a set of twins.

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Folaji, in his testimony, said: “My lord, my wife, and I had a proper wedding, and I paid her bride price.

“I expected my wife to be submissive to me and do my binding, but the reverse is the case.

“My wife is stubborn and troublesome.

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READ ALSO:My Husband Felt Insecure After I Got A Job, Accused Me Of Infidelity —Wife

“She swore never to attend my church because it’s a white garment church and that she loathes our way of worship.

“The more I encouraged her to attend, the more she kept her distance.

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“She later reluctantly agreed to attend service once a month.

“My wife is secretive. She hid from me for years the fact that she was nursing an ailment. I only became aware of this when the doctor confirmed it after she went through a series of tests when she took ill.

“My wife, rather than being remorseful, decided to make life tough for me.

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“She became troublesome and never ceased to fight me.

“She is violent and always hit and harmed me with any dangerous objects within her reach.

“We always dragged ourselves to the police station where we became a regular face.

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“My wife, determined to dent my image, took our issues to radio stations where I was invited and our differences were aired.

READ ALSO:My Husband Felt Insecure After I Got A Job, Accused Me Of Infidelity —Wife

“I walked out of our marriage when I could no longer tolerate my wife’s misbehaviour.

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“She reported me again at the welfare office and, after mediating in our differences, I was asked to provide her with foodstuff and not money, which I did on a regular basis.

“But she has insisted that I would not have rest of mind.

“I pray this court to dissolve our marriage and grant me free access to our children. I promise to make provision for their upkeep on a weekly basis.

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“I further request an order restraining my wife from threatening and interfering with my private life.”

Ifedayo, in her response, said: “I agree that our marriage be dissolved. My husband is inhumane and has no conscience, which were the causes of the crisis we experienced in our marriage.

“I was admitted in the hospital to be delivered of our set of twins, but I returned to meet an empty house. My husband deserted me and our newborn children.

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READ ALSO:My Husband Shows His Other Wives More Affection, Woman Tells Court

“He never checked on them nor gave anything for their upkeep. He only gave them N20,000 of recent through his counsel after he came to court.

“I rejected the money because such an amount can not feed sufficiently two children of their age, not to mention other needs.

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“I plead that the court grant me custody of our children and make my husband responsible for their upkeep.

“I want him to give attention to their feeding and pay their school fees as and when due.

“He should likewise be available any time they need medical attention.”

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Giving her judgment, Mrs Akintayo said although both had a valid customary marriage and bride price was paid, the court had no choice than to grant their prayers of divorce since they now express their disinterest in it.

Akintayo ruled that they were no longer husband and wife.

She granted custody of their children to the defendant, stating that they were still minors in need of motherly care.

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The defendant was granted access to their children on a weekly basis while he was ordered to be responsible for their welfare.

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Coordinator, Edo First Lady Office, Majority Leader, Rights Lawyer, Others Bag 2025 Leadership Award

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The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani; Majority Leader, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Jonathan Aigbokhan, and human rights lawyer, President Aigbokhan, alongside 27 others were on Friday , December 19, 2025, honoured with the 2025 Leadership & Development Award.

In his welcome address at the event with the theme: ‘Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Innovating for a Sustainable Future,’ Team Lead, Leadership and Development Initiatives, Dr. Sunny Duke Okosun, said the initiative was to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations that are shaping the future of “our world.”

Okosun, who said the awardees were not just selected for award sake, noted that “our awardees have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to making a positive impact in their respective fields. Their stories will inspire us, their achievements will motivate us, and their dedication will challenge us to strive for greatness.”

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The Team Lead, while expressing his organisation’s
commitment to identifying, recognizing, and empowering leaders who are making a difference, said “we also look to the future, recognizing that the leaders of tomorrow will be those who innovate, collaborate, and prioritize sustainability.”

READ ALSO:Vanguard Correspondent Bags Edo Icon Award 2025

Okosun, who congratulated the awardees on “your outstanding achievements,” stressed: “Let us continue to inspire, motivate, and challenge each other to be the leaders we need for a brighter tomorrow.”

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In her keynote address, Anani described the theme of the event as timely and profound, stressing that “it speaks directly to the urgent need to prepare our present and future generations with the skills, values, and mindset required to navigate an increasingly complex world.”

The Coordinator, who noted that “a sustainable future demands leaders who are conscious of the environment, committed to social inclusion, and driven by economic responsibility,” challenged: “Leadership in our time must go beyond titles and positions; it must be anchored on service, innovation, integrity, and a clear vision for sustainable development. Leadership empowerment begins with education, mentorship, and opportunity.”

She added: “When we invest in our young people by equipping them with knowledge, encouraging creativity, and providing platforms for growth we are laying the foundation for enduring progress. Innovation, in this context, is not limited to technology alone; it also includes innovative thinking in governance, entrepreneurship, social development, and community engagement.

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“A sustainable future demands leaders who are conscious of the environment, committed to social inclusion, and driven by economic responsibility. It calls for leaders who can balance progress with preservation, growth with equity, and ambition with compassion. As a society, we must therefore foster innovation that addresses real challenges, creates jobs, strengthens communities, and improves the quality of life for all.”

Guest Speaker at the event, Prof. Festus Olise, described leadership as a curse to Nigeria, adding: “Year in, year out, we elect leaders into leadership positions yet our problems persist.”

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Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly who happened to be one of the recipients, thanked the organisers, stressing that it is a challenge for him to do more for his people.

I have done much for my constituents since I was elected, but the award will spure me to do more. Leadership is about catering for the followers, and this is a role I have been playing to the best of my ability.”

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