News

Polio: How UNICEF Moves To Eradicate Menace In Bauchi

Published

6 months ago

April 26, 2025

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the Bauchi state government has mobilised traditional rulers to ensure massive 2025 polio vaccine uptake and compliance in the state.

Speaking during the monitoring of the vaccination exercise in Ningi Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF’s Field Office, Bauchi, lauded the Emirs for actively participating in the advocacy of the polio vaccine uptake in the state.

Represented by Mr Eki George, UNICEF’s Social Behaviour Change Specialist, Rafique acknowledged that the role the traditional rulers would play to ensure massive vaccine compliance and uptake could not be overemphasised.

“It is a welcome development to see our royal fathers taking up the leadership role in leading our communities to do the right thing.

“We are indeed very grateful as we have sought for their roles in this campaign and here they are with us to ensure that our children are all vaccinated.

“We appreciated the presence of the traditional rulers during these monitoring exercises and this will definitely encourage and boost the uptake of the polio vaccine, especially by the non-compliance people in the state.

“This is a campaign where we want to ensure that all the zero dose children in the state receive the life saving vaccine as well as ensure that the parents especially, fathers continuously give consent for their children to be vaccinated,” she said.

Rafique expressed UNICEF’s readiness to support all the LGAs, the communities and the state at large in ensuring that all the qualified children are vaccinated and kick out polio from the state and Nigeria in general.

Also speaking, Alh. Othman Usman, Emir of Dass, said that the traditional institutions in the state were very committed to ensure that polio is completely eradicated in Bauchi state this time around.

The First Class Emir, who is the Chairman, Bauchi state Emirate Councils Committee on Health (BASECCOH), said the traditional rulers would be fully involved in the mobilisation of communities, especially the non-compliance for the vaccine uptake.

“There are many communities here that are very known for non-compliance of the polio vaccine and that is why I and the Emir of Ningi have decided to visit the communities by ourselves.

“We are here to sensitise the people of these communities to ensure that the health workers can be able to access each and every household to be able to vaccinate all the eligible children in these communities,” he said.

The Emir also explained that they had been working closely with some Malams and Imams who had been resisting the vaccine in the past, adding that they have all accepted it.

“It’s a very good effort and In-Sha-Allah, we are going to see successes because the issue of resistance is now being taken care of.

“Even those Imams that were resisting to some extent before are now with us and one of them just did a symbolic vaccination of some children,” he said.

The Emir of Dass was accompanied by the Emir of Ningi, Alh. Haruna Danyaya and some religious and community leaders.

News

Tenebe Threatens To Suspend Edo Commissioner Who Fails To Wear Asiwaju’s Cap

Published

7 hours ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

Chairman of the All progressives Congress in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has said that any Commissioner sent out of the State Executive Council meeting for not wearing Tinubu’s signature cap would be suspended from the party.

Recall that Governor Monday Okpebholo had, during the Inauguration of the last batch of Commissioners, to wear the cap whenever they attend Exco meeting.

Tenebe in a television interview and monitored by our reporter said it was an act of indiscipline and insubordination for any Commissioner not to obey Okpebholo’s directive.

He said any impediment for Edo APC not to achieve 3.5 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027 would not be tolerated.

He said, “If you refuse to wear the cap as the governor has directed, we will suspend you. That is indiscipline and insubordination.

“We are doing it because we have made a promise that 3.5 million votes are guaranteed. Everybody has keyed into realising the 3.5 million votes.

“If, as a member of the APC, you got an appointment, you are supposed to be loyal to the President.

“We are expressing our loyalty to the President by wearing the cap. Those complaining are not members of the APC. We, in Edo, have made it clear. No Asiwaju cap, no Exco.”

News

Police Alert Public On Anonymous Bomb Threats In Edo

Published

7 hours ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has alerted corporate organisations and members of the public to a wave of anonymous bomb threats being used by unidentified fraudsters to extort money.

The warning was contained in a public advisory issued on Monday by the Assistant Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem.

She said the command is investigating what it described as clear attempts to extort through fear and intimidation.

“The Edo State Police Command has observed a disturbing crime trend involving anonymous callers threatening individuals, business owners, and corporate organisations in Edo State, claiming that explosive devices have been planted within their premises.

“The callers then demand money, threatening to detonate the alleged explosives if their demands are not met. These acts are clear attempts at extortion through fear and intimidation, and the Command is actively investigating reported cases,” Ikoedem said.

In light of the development, the command urged members of the public to remain calm.

She added, “Do not panic or give in to any financial demands from such callers. The Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit is fully capable of detecting and neutralising explosives.

“Report all such calls or messages immediately to the nearest police station or to the Command’s Control Room via 08077773721 or 08037646272.

“Avoid spreading unverified information or causing unnecessary panic.

“Stay vigilant and report any suspicious persons, objects, or movements in your surroundings.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has ordered the deployment of specialised units, including the EOD team, Intelligence Bureau, and Tactical Squads, to respond swiftly to any reported threats and safeguard the public.

The Command also confirmed it is working closely with telecommunication providers and other security agencies to trace and apprehend the perpetrators.

News

Edo State Government Pays Last Respect To Late NSCDC Commandant

Published

8 hours ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

The Deputy Governor of Edo State on Monday led the state’s government delegation to pay last respect to the late Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Edo StaSte Command, Agun Joseph

The delegation comprised of all the security heads in the state, associates, politicians, as well other security.

The event which took place in Festival Hall in Benin, the deputy governor of the state described the late commandant as a man who impacted positively in the lives of the people.

Idahosa said Joseph will surely be missed, not only by his colleagues, but hundreds of others who came in contact with him.

“Joseph was a man of man of exemplary leadership, a team player, and a thorough bred officer who shared intelligence with sister agencies during his service years.

“As a state and people, we appreciate the commandant for being an astute officer who displayed quality leadership, exemplified courage, fairness, and justice in matters of security and governance.”

“Through his leadership at the NSCDC in the state, he exemplified courage, integrity, and professionalism of the highest order.

“He was a man guided by fairness, justice, and a deep sense of responsibility and excellence, always adhering to global best practices in matters of security and governance.

“Today, we gather with heavy hearts to pay our last respects to a remarkable officer, a dedicated public servant, a loving husband, and a devoted father.

“A man whose life was dedicated to serving our dear state and nation with distinction and honour,” he stated.

On behalf of the Edo State Government, Idahosa extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues.

Addressing the daughter, and brother of the deceased who were physically present at the valedictory session, Idahosa said, “We share in your grief and pray that God grants you the strength to bear this painful loss.”

“Though Commandant Agun has departed this world, His legacy endures — in the countless lives he touched, in the officers he trained, and in the peace and stability he worked so hard to uphold.

“As we bid him farewell, let us honour his memory by rededicating ourselves to the ideals he stood for — integrity, diligence, and selfless service to humanity,” he stated.

Heads of security agencies present at the event were that from the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Immigration, Nigerian Correctional Service, NDLEA, and the FRSC.

It would recalled that until his death, Agun, 57, was the commandant of the state command of the NSCDC.