News

Polio Eradication: All Eyes On Nigeria – UNICEF

Published

4 months ago

April 16, 2025

Editor

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that all eyes are on Nigeria on the eradication of polio during the last phase of the polio immunization campaign in the country.

Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of Bauchi Field Office, UNICEF, stated this when she paid an advocacy visit to the Gbong Gwom of Jos, Da Jacob Buba in his palace in Jos, Plateau state capital.

The UNICEF boss, who condoled with the Plateau state government over the death of some citizens some weeks ago, said “we are basically here for the forthcoming Polio campaign from 24th to 30th of April.

“This is to emphasise that this is the last year and opportunity for Nigeria to eradicate Polio.”

“It is significant for us that every child is immunized during this campaign for Polio because the eyes of the whole world are now on Nigeria. This is one of the three countries that has to make efforts towards eradicating Polio,” she said.

Rafique expressed worry over the fact that Plateau state has five local government areas with high risk of polio as they have a high number of zero dose under 5 children.

She listed the LGAs to include Jos North, Jos South, Shendam, Quan Pan and Wase, saying that UNICEF needs the leadership of the royal father and commitment of every individual in order to reach the unreached children who had not been vaccinated before.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Health in the state, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, who acknowledged that the state has five LGAs that were hit hard by polio virus, said that Nigeria was one of the three countries that were left for the virus to be completely eradicated in the world.

“We have a big responsibility, one of the things we are trying to say is that you, as the head of the traditional institutions in the State, we are soliciting for mobilization of the traditional rulers so that we can actively participate in the upcoming programme, so that at the end of it all, our children would have been reached, immunization would have gone very far.”

“Some of the LGAs mentioned have zero doses, which means, there are so many children that have never taken a dose of the vaccine and it is not very good.”

“We are going to join hands together with the traditional institutions, the other stakeholders that are also involved are the Councils Chairpersons, when the campaign kicks off, we are coming to you again so that you will be with us, if possible demonstrating.”

“There are a lot of cultural differences that a lot of people try to shy away from immunization, but when they see prominent people like you taking the lead, they will oblige,” he added.

Baamlong lauded UNICEF for providing the vaccines that would be administered as well as the resources to ensure that the campaign would be successful.

In his remarks, Da Jacob Buba, appreciated the UNICEF boss for commiserating with the state over the loss of lives of some of its citizens.

He also lauded UNICEF officials for leaving their own countries to work on Nigeria so as to make Nigerians enjoy health benefits of health.

“Let me inform you that we already have one of our traditional rulers who is representing us in the Task Force Committee on Primary Healthcare all over Northern Nigeria.

“It is very unfortunate that Plateau is one of Polio high risk states in the country but I assure you that we will overcome the situation by working with all of you accordingly”. He assured.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

21 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

21 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

21 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.