Ogun State government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every child in the state have access to quality education, as part of its ‘ISEYA’ mantra.
Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, (SUBEB), Femi Majekodunmi, gave the affirmation during the Grand Finale of the 5th edition of Nestle Nutritional Quiz Competition, organised by Nestle Nigeria Plc., at Methodist Nursery and Primary School, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta.
Majekodunmi acknowledged the dedication and hard work of learners, teachers and other relevant stakeholders for their tireless efforts and remarkable impact on the educational landscape of the state.
SUBEB boss lauded the company for its impactful programmes, urging it not to relent in extending the gesture to other local governments.
According to him, “At this juncture, we recognise Nestle unflinching commitment to education and unrelenting support in creating a conducive learning environment for our learners.*
On her part, the Corporate Communication and Sustainability Lead. Nestle, Mrs Victoria Nwadoka, said the objective of the competition was to discover a new generation of young leaders, who live a healthy life and made the right decisions.
Speaking on behalf of other participants, Saidat Oguntade from Oke-Ona United School, Ilugun Elega, appreciated the company for the initiative, promising that the participants would use the event to improve on their learning and be an obedient child.
At the end of the competition, Oke-Ona United School, Ilugun Elega, emerged first; St. Peters Primary School, Siun, came second, while China Nigeria Friendship School Igbesa, Ado-Odo, Ota and Sokoya Memorial School, Sagamu, were in the third and fourth positions, respectively.
Ogun Govt reaffirms commitment to child education
Ogun Govt reaffirms commitment to child education
2.7m children at risk as vaccine coverage dips- Report
Global childhood immunisation coverage stalled in 2023, leaving 2.7 million additional children under-vaccinated compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to data published on Monday by the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
The latest WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunisation coverage which provide the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunisation trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases – underscore the need for ongoing catch-up, recovery, and system-strengthening efforts.
“The latest trends demonstrate that many countries continue to miss far too many children.
“Closing the immunisation gap requires a global effort, with governments, partners, and local leaders investing in primary healthcare and community workers to ensure every child gets vaccinated, and that overall healthcare is strengthened,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
According to the findings, the number of children who received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in 2023 – a key marker for global immunization coverage – stalled at 84% (108 million).
However, the number of children who did not receive a single dose of the vaccine increased from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023.
More than half of unvaccinated children live in the 31 countries with fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings, where children are especially vulnerable to preventable diseases because of disruptions and lack of access to security, nutrition, and health services.
Additionally, 6.5 million children did not complete their third dose of the DTP vaccine, which is necessary to achieve disease protection in infancy and early childhood.
These trends, which show that global immunisation coverage has remained largely unchanged since 2022 and – more alarmingly – has still not returned to 2019 levels, reflect ongoing challenges with disruptions in healthcare services, logistical challenges, vaccine hesitancy, and inequities in access to services.
The data further show that vaccination rates against the deadly measles disease stalled, leaving nearly 35 million children with no or only partial protection.
WHO, on its website recalled that in 2023, only 83 per cent of children worldwide received their first dose of the measles vaccine through routine health services, while the number of children receiving their second dose modestly increased from the previous year, reaching 74 of children.
“These figures fall short of the 95 per cent coverage needed to prevent outbreaks, avert unnecessary disease and deaths, and achieve measles elimination goals.
“Over the last five years, measles outbreaks hit 103 countries – home to roughly three-quarters of the world’s infants. Low vaccine coverage (80 per cent or less) was a major factor. In contrast, 91 countries with strong measles vaccine coverage did not experience outbreaks,” it said.
“Measles outbreaks are the canary in the coal mine, exposing and exploiting gaps in immunisation and hitting the most vulnerable first
“This is a solvable problem. The measles vaccine is cheap and can be delivered even in the most difficult places. WHO is committed to working with all our partners to support countries to close these gaps and protect the most at-risk children as quickly as possible,” said the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus
The UN agencies noted that the new data also highlighted some brighter spots in immunisation coverage as the steady introduction of new and under-utilised vaccines, including for human papillomavirus, meningitis, pneumococcal, polio, and rotavirus disease, continue to expand the breadth of protection, particularly in the 57 countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
“For example, the share of adolescent girls globally who received at least 1 dose of the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer, increased from 20 per cent in 2022 to 27 per cent in 2023.
“This was largely driven by strong introductions in Gavi-supported countries, such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The use of the single-dose HPV vaccine schedule also helped boost vaccine coverage,” it noted.
“The HPV vaccine is one of the most impactful vaccines in Gavi’s portfolio, and it is incredibly heartening that it is now reaching more girls than ever before,” said the CEO of Gavi, Dr Sania Nishtar. “With vaccines now available to over 50% of eligible girls in African countries, we have much work to be done, but today we can see we have a clear pathway to eliminating this terrible disease.”
Rivers Assembly blocks Fubara’s spending pending budget presentation
In a dramatic session on Monday, the Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, decisively halted all expenditures by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration until he presents the 2024 budget before the lawmakers.
The move came following a seven-day ultimatum issued by the Assembly to Governor Fubara, demanding the prompt submission of the state budget.
During the plenary session, Major Jack, the Leader of the House, brought attention to the expiry of this ultimatum.
After extensive deliberation, the Assembly took a vote to effectively freeze the Rivers State Consolidated Revenue Account, preventing any further spending by the Fubara administration without legislative approval.
Read also: IOCs supplying crude to Dangote Refinery, FG counters Dangote’s claims
It will be recalled that the Amaewhule-led Assembly had initially set the deadline on July 8, 2024, expressing concerns over constitutional breaches by Governor Fubara. The Assembly, in a letter dated the same day and signed by Martin Amaewhule, accused the governor of failing to adhere to constitutional provisions.
This development unfolded during the first session of the Assembly aligned with the faction supporting former Governor Nyesom Wike, marking a significant shift after months of political tension.
Previously, Governor Fubara had submitted the budget to a different faction of the House, presided over by his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, who acted as Speaker. This faction approved the budget estimates, subsequently signed into law by the governor.
The ongoing rift between Governor Fubara’s supporters and those aligned with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has been a persistent feature of Rivers State politics, often prompting interventions to mediate their differences.
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Court adjourns Kogi Chief of Staff’s trial till Tuesday
Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday adjourned the trial of Kogi State’s Chief-of-Staff, Ali Bello, and his co-defendant, Dauda Suleiman, till Tuesday for continuation of trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/573/2022, accused Bello and his co-defendant of N3 billion fraud.
The EFCC, in the charge, sued Bello and Suleiman as the first and second defendants in the case.
At the resumed trial, the seventh prosecution witness (PW-7) Aminu Rabiu, led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that he knows state former Governor, Yahaya Bello, and the two defendants who are being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency.
The witness, who said he is a businessman from Falala Construction Company Limited, told the court that he is into interior decoration and furniture work.
He said his compan has an account with Zenith Bank and did some jobs for the state government when Yahaya Bello was governor.
He said, “I did one job for the state government. I demolished and rebuilt the Presidential Lodge in Kogi State Government House.”
He also said he handled personal jobs for Yahaya Bello, in the past.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till Tuesday for the continuation of the evidence of PW-7.
Abubakar Aliyu (SAN) made an appearance for Ali Bello while Olusegun Jolaawo (SAN), appeared for Suleiman.
Hardship: Fubara urges Rivers residents to engage in agriculture
The Rivers State Government has advised the people of the state, especially women, to venture into agriculture to mitigate the impact of the high cost of living.
The government emphasized that agriculture will be prioritized in the 2025 budget to achieve the government’s agricultural policies for the state.
Rivers State Head of Service, George Nweake, who represented Governor Sim Fubara, disclosed this when he received members of the Women in Farming and Agro-Allied Support Network (WIFAASN) at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday.
He noted that the administration’s agricultural policies are geared towards ameliorating the plight of citizens and are awaiting implementation.
“The agriculture policies of the government have already been perfected, waiting for the time of execution and implementation.
“The governor has said that is the main target of next year’s budget: agriculture. But we will not give it to people who don’t have farms.
We will not deal with portfolio farmers.
“Those that will come with jackets are not the farmers we are looking for.
“We will not throw it in the air for the fastest person to catch it. No. If the best person in farming is a lame person, he will get it.
“Even if a sprinter is there, the sprinter will not be able to reach
it. We are going to do things that will have a human face,” he added.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara noted that the state has enormous agricultural potential, emphasizing the neglect of the sector.
He called for a change of heart among the people by keying into farming to catch up with the reality of the times and ensure food security.
According to the governor, the call is in line with the Wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative pet projects -Agricultural Support Programme and Every Home a Garden – aimed at supporting women farmers nationwide to strengthen the agricultural sector of the economy.
Hardship: Fubara urges Rivers residents to engage in agriculture
Adeleke, ICPC sign MoU on project monitoring, evaluation
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the leadership of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, on Monday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at implementing necessary measures to prevent corrupt practices in project implementation.
Speaking at the brief event where the MoU was signed held at Osun Government House, Osogbo, the ICPC chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN) said that besides preventing corruption, the partnership also includes the adoption of a more effective strategy in the fight against graft.
Aliyu, who expressed a firm belief that the fight against corruption could not be won by a single individual or agency, added that to defeat graft, concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the three tiers of government would be required.
“This collaboration embodies our collective resolve to combat corruption and foster a culture of integrity and accountability in Osun State.
“Our collaboration with the Osun State Government is a testament to this belief. Together, we will galvanise support, implement necessary preventive measures, and adopt a more effective strategy in our battle against corruption. This also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for improved governance for effective service delivery.
“In conclusion, let us remember that our success in combating corruption is not merely for the present generation but also for the future of our beloved nation. By working together, we can create a society where integrity, transparency, and accountability are the norms,” Aliyu said
He called for the cooperation of Nigerians for the Commission to achieve its goal of stopping corrupt practices in the country.
In his remarks, Adeleke declared that his sole ambition for seeking public office was selfless service.
Adeleke further said, “During the inauguration of my cabinet, I openly warned those with a corrupt mindset should to opt out before it is too late. We apply rigorous vetting in the financial approval process. We ensure the enforcement of procurement laws without fear or favour.
“Our government is therefore elated to partner with the ICPC to further deepen good governance, especially in terms of anti-corruption protocols. The anti-corruption agencies have delicate assignments which demand the support and cooperation of those holding top government offices. Our government is today demonstrating this political will by entering into partnership with the ICPC on project monitoring and evaluation.”
IOCs supplying crude to Dangote Refinery, FG counters Dangote’s claims
The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has countered claims made by Alhaji Aliko Dangote that International Oil Companies (IOCs) are refusing to supply his 650, 000 BPD refinery with crude.
Dangote, Africa’s richest person, had accused some international oil companies (IOCs) of struggling to supply crude to Dangote Petroleum Refinery while speaking on CNN’s ‘Connecting Africa’ programme, which aired on June 3, 2024.
Asked if domestic oil companies have been supplying crude to the refinery, he said “there are challenges”.
A few weeks later, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, also accused the IOCs of planning to frustrate the survival of the new Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Edwin had said the IOCs were deliberately and willfully frustrating the refinery’s efforts to buy local crude by hiking the cost above the market price, thereby forcing the refinery to import crude from countries as far as the United States, with its attendant high costs.
However, the NUPRC punctured the narrative on Monday as Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer while appearing on an interview with Arise TV disclosed that the Dangote refinery is receiving crude oil sales from International Oil Companies (IOCs)
He said that according to the commission’s knowledge, the IOCs are making crude oil available for interested buyers, and the product is abundant.
“Yes, in recognition of the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that make the supply of crude to domestic refineries obligatory, the commission has enforced that. The issue is not that the IOCs or other producers are refusing to make crude available.
“To the best of the knowledge of the commission, there is nothing like IOCs being too big or not complying with their statutory obligations to make crude oil available.
“Making the crude available is done at a price and the provisions of the law is that it should be done on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis.
“No producer is refusing to make crude available to the Dangote refinery,” Komolafe said.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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Obaseki sacks health commissioner, Samuel Alli
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has sacked the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Alli, with immediate effect.
According to a statement on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, the governor directed Alli to hand over all government documents and resources in his possession to the most senior civil servant within the ministry.
Ogie also announced the appointment of Dr. Roland Igbinoba as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects.
The statement reads, “The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the disengagement of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Alli, with immediate effect.
“He is to hand over all government documents and resources in his possession to the most senior civil servant within the Ministry of Health.
“The government thanks him for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”
It added, “The governor is resolute on his finishing strong objective and will remove any obstacles that may hinder optimal service delivery to the people in the remaining four months of his administration.
“The governor has also approved the appointment of Dr. Roland Igbinoba as Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, who will support the government in fast-tracking the conclusion of developmental projects across the state.”
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Court dismisses application to vacate forfeiture order in N96m contract fraud case
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application to vacate a final forfeiture order granted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in a N96 million contract fraud case.
The ruling was predicated on an application dated and filed on 15th February 2024 asking the court to set aside the interim and final forfeiture orders granted to the ICPC to freeze certain bank accounts believed to have been used to receive the sum of N96 million for contracts that were never executed.
In a case involving former Surveyor-General of the Federation (SGF), Ebisintei Bietoru Awudu, Kumeni Services Limited and Geolev Nigeria Limited, ICPC had in December, 2021 and April 2022 secured interim and final forfeiture orders respectively from the Federal High Court over funds believed to be proceeds of crime.
However, the second respondent/applicant (Kumeni Services Limited) challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter just as it argued that ICPC lacked the locus standi to apply for order of forfeiture.
Delivering her judgement on the application on Thursday, Justice Evelyn Maha held that the argument of the second respondent/applicant (Kumeni Services Limited) was confusing and unsettling because the originating process filed failed to refer to any extant law or imaginary law that precludes the federal government to apply for a forfeiture order.
“The second respondent applicant did not attach any document before me that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation did not give consent to the ICPC to file this action for forfeiture.
“Also, it’s a common knowledge in law that the AGF is in charge of protecting all the interests of the federal public in Nigeria and any action before any court of law or anything that has to do with any federal government of Nigeria.
“In that contention, the arguments of the second respondent applicant failed having not shown in the court, the law that should not allow ICPC to apply under the name of the federal government,” the judge stated.
She further stressed that ICPC did comply with the publication order made by the court for anyone affected to show course, why the interim forfeiture order should not be made final.
“And it is clear that the publication order was made by the court. Again, the second applicant is also misleading the court, as my records show that the ICPC complied with the order of publication and the interim. So, in consequence of the above, it’s my finding that the application is lacking in merit and is hereby dismissed by the court.”
Justice Maha also frowned at the application that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter saying that was a gross-abuse of court process.
“If I have heard that I don’t have jurisdiction, I would have awarded a million-dollar cost. You have to be careful because this is a gross abuse of court process.” the judge warned.
ICPC had in 2019 received a petition from concerned citizens alleging that that one Surveyor Ebisintei Bietoru Awudu, in connivance and collusion with the second respondent/applicant (Kumeni Services Limited) perpetrated fraud at the office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation.
The petition was investigated and the Commission discovered that all the contracts awarded to the 2nd Respondent/Applicant by the 1st Respondent was a conduit pipe for siphoning money belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria in form of unexecuted and inflated contracts.
Court dismisses application to vacate forfeiture order in N96m contract fraud case
13 killed in Benue communities
Gunmen suspected to be armed herders have killed 13 people in separate attacks on Benue communities on Sunday.
According to locals, 12 people were reportedly killed in Egwuma in Agatu, and one displaced person returning from a farm in Gwer West LGAs of the state.
Some locals who spoke to journalists on Monday in a telephone chat said that one displaced person was injured and five others still missing.
At Egwumoa, in Agatu LGA, suspected armed herders were said to have attacked the community in a killing spree.
Confirming the report, a lawmaker representing the Agatu state constituency at the House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh said that 12 people were killed.
He said, “We are tired of this daily killing at Ogbumogbo, Ejima and all those areas down to Ikpele, those villages have been deserted for close to one year. So, those places are like the Fulani colony.
“This one happened yesterday (Sunday) 12 people were killed.”
When told that the governor said relative peace had returned and that IDPs are going back to their ancestral homes, the lawmaker said, “It’s a lie, they are talking nonsense. There is no peace anywhere.”
“Even the IDPs they said have returned, if you go there you will see them there, so I don’t know why they use propaganda, it’s not correct.
In Gwer West LGA, suspected armed herders were reported to have attacked some displaced persons who were returning from their farms on Sunday killing one, one injured and five others still missing.
A former camp manager in Agagbe IDP camp, Jacob Terna said, “Armed Fulani herders attacked and killed Mr Ikyumbu Aondowase, 30, while Mr Achin Terzungwe, 45, was badly injured and five others missing.”
He said that the suspected armed herders ambushed the displaced people while returning from their farms.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the killing of five people in the Agatu community but said she was not aware of the incident in Agagbe, Gwer West LGA.
She said, “There was an attack in Agatu, about five persons were killed but in Gwer West am not aware of that.”