News

No Mother’s Death Is Acceptable, Says UNICEF

Published

10 months ago

October 24, 2024

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that no mother across the globe deserves to lose her life before, during pregnancy and postnatal periods.

Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office stated this in Gombe during a media dialogue on ‘Strengthening Primary Health care system: Gavi-UNICEF Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian government.

She said that is why UNICEF could not compromise on any mother’s health, hence the massive strengthening of health facilities under the Gavi Vaccine Alliance’s PHC MoU especially in Gombe and Taraba states.

According to her, this is evident in the 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 alone.

Rafique explained that UNICEF had been going to the nooks and cranny of communities to reach out to those people who are resistant and don’t believe in vaccination as well as make use of health facilities to sensitize them on the importance of health care services.

The UNICEF boss, who revealed that a lot of mothers die because they don’t get the appropriate medical health care necessary, said “this is a crisis for us. It is an emergency thing that must be addressed.

“We can reach every child and every mother. If we can’t save mothers and children, then what are we doing?

“No mother’s death is acceptable and we can’t compromise on any mother’s health. Zero child, zero mother’s death is achievable and this is why we must reach them, prevent diseases and save them.

“There should be no child that we have not reached through their mothers and that is why health care systems are being strengthened to reach every child and mother”.

Rafique, who highlighted poverty, low awareness among others as major causes of child death, called on all stakeholders to support UNICEF in the campaign and spread the message.

She also urged both the Gombe and Taraba state governments to integrate all the health workers engaged through the Gavi Vaccine Alliance-UNICEF Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) into their state’s civil service to enhance effective and efficient healthcare service delivery.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

3 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.