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UNICEF Lauds Northern Traditional Rulers On Polio Eradication Campaign

Published

1 year ago

December 5, 2024

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the traditional rulers across the Northern parts of Nigeria for their active roles in the fight against polio in the country.

UNICEF Nigeria representative, Cristian Munduate, made the commendation in Bauchi on Wednesday during the quarterly review meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee on PHC Delivery.

Represented by Shamina Sharmin, UNICEF Abuja, Munduate said: “I applaud our royal fathers for being a significant part of writing the unique story of Nigeria in the fight to eradicate the wild polio virus and now, in the critical war against outbreaks.

“The vital roles the traditional leaders are playing in the polio response, routine immunisation and primary health care cannot be underestimated.

“This is especially when it comes to raising awareness and encouraging the use of healthcare services which is especially important for vulnerable populations like women and children.

“Combating polio requires a collaborative effort involving the government agencies, international organisations, local communities and other stakeholders”.

She said that UNICEF could not alone make the difference alone but called for more collaborations with all stakeholders in order to overcome the challenges, stop the nomadic movement, low routine immunisation coverage and ultimately achieve zero dose and polio free Nigeria.

The UNICEF boss further called on the traditional leaders to continue to do more to strengthen the routine immunisation and kick polio completely out of Nigeria.

“UNICEF is committed and dedicated to implementing approaches in close coordination with other stakeholders like the ministry of health, National Primary Health Care Development Agencies to effectively affect vaccination related behaviour change in individuals and communities,” she said.

Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Saad III, lauded Gov. Bala Mohammed for hosting the meeting.

He also thanked the development partners like Bill and Melinda Gate foundation, Aliko Dangote foundation, WHO, UNICEF, Rotary, among others.

“We appreciate your contributions. We can’t do it alone without your support and that of the state governors in the North in particular.

“We will continue to work for the people of Nigeria and the people of the North in general,” he said.

In his address, Prof Ali Pate, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, explained that President Bola Tinubu was clear in his vision for the country to be better than it was.

“To be prosperous into the future and at the core of that prosperity, good health begets hope because without health, there is no hope.

“It’s the consequences of that that he unveiled a specific transformational agenda just a year ago and all the 36 governors of this country signed a compact and 17 development partners also signed a compact with the federal government.

“This is to focus on improving the health of our population and the governor of Bauchi did that and we are joining hands with all the 36 state governors and FCT to expand the services that will reach our population,” he said

According to him, there are 8,800 primary healthcare facilities that are now being reached on a regular basis with quarterly disbursement of resources through the basic care provision fund.

He said about 4,000 primary healthcare centres all over Nigeria were in the process of being revitalised with the support of the federal government.

Speaking, Gov. Bala Mohammed appreciated the Sultan of Sokoto for the invaluable roles he has been playing in primary healthcare development.

He said his government would continue to recognise and cherish the role he played in mobilising traditional leaders to create awareness in the community.

Mohammed also commended all the development partners for their continued support toward the improvement of health conditions of the people of Nigeria.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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