News

Polio Eradication: All Eyes On Nigeria – UNICEF

Published

1 year 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

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.