Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) shows that in 2021 alone 25 million children did not receive the basic vaccine.

The data says the children did not receive vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, a marker for immunisation coverage in general.

Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), made this known in a press release.

It said global leaders must act now to reverse cuts to vital health services for women, children and adolescents caused by COVID-19, conflict and climate change.

The organisation stated that taking place alongside the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, tomorrow’s annual PMNCH Accountability Breakfast will highlight the need for urgent, targeted investment in programmes and policies to tackle the devastating social and economic impact of these crises on the health and wellbeing of vulnerable women, children and adolescents.

It stated, “Over the past two decades, a concerted global effort has improved the lives of millions of women, children and adolescents. The proportion of girls being educated globally, for example, rose from 73 percent in 1995 to 89 percent by 2020; the number of child brides reduced by 15 percent over the last decade, averting an estimated 25 million marriages; and there were three million fewer teen births per year since 2000. These gains, and many more, are now being undermined by COVID-19, climate change and conflict.

“Data from WHO and UNICEF shows that in 2021 alone, 25 million children did not receive the basic vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, a marker for immunization coverage in general. This represents the largest sustained drop-in rates of routine childhood vaccinations in a generation, potentially wiping out 30 years of progress. In 2022, 274 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection. This number is a significant increase from 235 million people a year ago, which was already the highest figure in decades.

“West and Central Africa has one of Africa’s largest displaced populations, with some 5.6 million internally displaced, 1.3 million refugees, 1.4 million returnees who still need assistance, and 1.6 million Stateless. In the Sahel region, armed conflict and attacks on civilians have displaced nearly three million people, nearly one million since January 2019.”

Nigerian youths have urged politicians to make their campaigns issue-based as against sentiments, as campaigns towards the 2023 elections begin the coming week.

They said manifestos should be based on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) in the country, in terms of education, poverty eradication, equality and lots more.

Founder, Follow the Money, Hamzat Lawal, who made the call said issues of ending poverty, hunger, providing justice, equity and fairness are some of the problems plaguing the country which young people want to hear candidates’ remedies to.

Lawal made the call in Abuja at a hangout organised by Follow the Money, marking the Global week to #Act4SDGs, which brought together stakeholders to reconnect over the SDG goals.

He said, “We know that in a few weeks campaigns will start in Nigeria and this week is World Democracy Week.

“We want to use this opportunity to say that as campaigns start and in the spirit of flipping the script, we must ensure that campaign messages are based on issues, not sentiments and do away with voter apathy by encouraging voters to collect their PVS’s and turn out on election day.

“For us as Follow the Money, we would be mobilising over 20,000 observers across Nigeria, not only to send the message of the SDG’s but to inform the electoral process so our democracy will be stronger.”

“Flipping the script is about organising and mobilising more young people through education and sensitisation, using digital technology.”

Executive Director Dean Initiative, Semiye Michael, said organisations are trying to mobilise actions and make statements to leaders, holding them to their promises.

A recent report by the Federal Government has shown that 43 per cent of children less than five years do not have their births registered with civil authorities.

Aside the fact that those not registered do not have any legal proof of their existence and identity, it negatively affects the government’s planning and spending for developmental programmes and interventions such as education and immunisation, among others.

According to the report obtained by The Nation, entitled “The Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Immunisation Coverage Survey (NICS), which was carried out between 2017 and 2021 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), and other partners, Sokoto (22.5 per cent), Jigawa (23.6 per cent), Bayelsa (28.2 per cent) and Niger (29.9 per cent) states have the lowest number of child birth registration, with over 70 per cent of children still unregistered.

The report further showed that, while the national average is pegged at 57 per cent, a 10 per cent point increase from five years ago, the under-five birth registration in the best-performing state, which is Lagos (94 per cent), is almost four times higher than that of the least performing state, which is Sokoto (22.5 per cent).

In a chat with The Nation, a public health advocate, Dr Ejike Orji, described the percentage of unregistered children in the country as a disaster, considering that Nigeria is getting into a demographic crisis, as about 72 per cent of the country’s population is under the age of 30 (mostly dependent).

He said: “43 per cent unregistered children less than five years is a disaster because the government can only plan with what it has. That is why people have been clamouring for an equitable and valid census. Even the annual projection that we are making that our population is growing by 3.2 per cent was made based on the 2006 census by the National Population Commission (NPC). It means that such a projection may be far lower than what it is.

“If about 50 per cent of the population is not recorded, that means whatever the government is doing will not work. That is why a valid and accurate census that this government is going to give to us is one of the key things that we will remember our President for, for signing off on this census next year.”

The report showed that poverty, education and location (urban/rural) of the mothers/caregivers were critical factors that determined whether the children were registered or not. It revealed that 70 per cent of mothers/caregivers with higher education knew how to register births of their children, while 75 per cent of mothers/caregivers with no education did not know how to register births.

It said: “Two out of every three mothers and caregivers of children aged below five years whose births were not registered, did not know how to register births.

“Percentage of children under age five whose births are registered ranges from as high as 89 per cent for the richest wealth quintile to as low as 33 per cent for the poorest wealth quintile.”

According to data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in low-and middle-income countries, on average, one in four children under age 5 (166 million) are not registered.

Out of this, 166 million children, half live in five countries namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday said it would shut down any school that failed to comply with the ongoing process of revalidation/registration and data capturing of the Department of Quality Assurance of the Education Secretariat.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola made this known at a meeting to address the low compliance by private schools in the FCT.

Adesola, who expressed displeasure over the slow pace of compliance by private schools, added that the FCT revenue driven by departments, boards and agencies will not be compromised.

Adesola said the process of revalidation/registration and data capturing is part of the requirements for operating schools in the FCT.

He cautioned schools that are in the act of obstructing officials of the FCT Administration from accessing their schools for routine inspection to desist forthwith or face the full wrath of the law.

He said the noncompliance to the guidelines and non-payment of the approved annual/accreditation charges by some private school owners could impair the smooth operations of the education sector.

He extended the revalidation, registration and data capturing exercise to December 31 2022, to allow the successful completion of the process.

By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja and Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday stressed the need for states to adopt strategies to step up service delivery at the grassroots and also on how to mitigate flood disasters this season.

The NEC, which was virtually presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo took its position when it received a briefing from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice-President, Mr Laolu Akande, the response strategy adopted by the Council was the operationalisation of the NEMA call centre, identification of equipment and personnel, emergency relief intervention: food and non-food items to impacted communities.

The NEC’s decision may not be unconnected with various reports of flood disasters that have ravaged several states.

For instance, in Nasarawa State, it was reported that the State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) has said that no fewer than 361,000 people have been displaced by flood following recent heavy rains in the state.

The Executive Secretary of NASEMA, Mr Zachary Allumaga reported yesterday in Lafia that the flood affected about 23 communities in seven local government areas.

Also, in Benue State, it was reported that no fewer than 100,000 people living along the bank of River Benue have been sacked by flood.

The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr Shior Emmanuel assured the people that the government would find a solution to the plight of the flood victims.

A Kebbi State High Court sitting in Birnin-Kebbi has granted the prayers sought by 43 aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contained in motion on notice filed before the court.

The trial judge, Justice Sabi’u Shuaibu in a ruling said the application has merit and accordingly ordered as prayed.

The plaintiffs, Alhaji Abdul-Malik Haliru (Milton), and 42 others filed a suit before the court against the PDP and four others, praying for an order setting aside the purported congress held variously at wards, local governments and state executive committees during the pendency of the applicant’s motion on notice.

The applicants also sought an order returning the party to status quo ante as well as an order of injunction restraining any member of the second respondents from parading himself as a member of the executive committee for any ward, local government and state following the purported congresses held in defiance of the applicants’ substantive suit and motion on notice.

The aggrieved members sought an order dismissing the respondents’ purported preliminary objection for constituting a flagrant abuse of the process of the court.

In his ruling after listening to submissions from the counsels to the applicants and respondents, Justice Sabi’u Shuaibu said considered as a whole, the applicants have satisfied the court on the two things required in the application of this nature and therefore found the application meritorious and ordered as prayed.

Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz has charged staff of the Corporate Communications Unit of the Commission to be professional in the discharge of their duties.

Engr. Aziz made the call while addressing participants at a 3-day Retreat organised for staff of the Corporate Communications Unit of the commission, held at Global Village Hotel, Nasarawa State, from 20th -22nd September 2022. The Retreat was supported by the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.

According to a statement jointly signed by the Manager, Communications, Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, Dr. Walter Duru and Head, Corporate Communications at NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, the NIMC helmsman also charged the participants to be more focused on delivery of excellent service to the citizens.

Speaking on the Retreat, Engr. Aziz said that “It is very exciting. I have got beautiful feedback from my staff. They said they have learnt so much and they look forward to putting them into practise. They have promised that I will see positive changes in the Corporate Communications Unit of the Commission.”

“I commend the Nigeria Digital ID4D project for the support to the Commission, particularly, around identification of gaps and taking deliberate steps towards closing the gaps. This Communication Retreat is one of such interventions. Nigeria ID4D has provided resources and experts to support the Commission. The organisation’s ecosystem model is great, and we are excited to implement it.”

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He further advised participants to put into practise the knowledge acquired, to improve their performance.

Earlier in his remarks, Project Coordinator, Nigeria Digital ID4D project, Musa Odole Solomon pledged the project’s commitment to sustained collaboration with NIMC and other ecosystem partners, even as he thanked the Commission for cooperating with the project.

Earlier in her presentation titled “NIMC: Mandate, Organisational Goals and Mission”, the commission’s Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, Barr. Hadiza Dagabana tasked participants to focus on delivering the organisation’s mandate through professional corporate communications practise.

In his presentation on “Corporate Communications: Implications, Strategies and Results”, former Commissioner for Information in Imo State and Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Prof. Emman-Owums Owuamalam urged participants to take deliberate steps to close gaps in communication between the commission and the citizens.

Also, in his paper titled “Launching a Communication Value-Chain Culture in NIMC,” Presly Obukoadata, an Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Digital Media, urged participants to uphold the values of the commission, even as he spoke on the need for a blend of promotional tools in communication design and implementation.

In their respective remarks, NIMC’s Acting Director/Head of DG’s Office, Mrs. Uche Chigbo, Head of Procurement, Princess Nkoyo Iwok, Head of Finance, Abolaji Akinola, Head of Enforcement, James Bura Mamza, Umaru Ba, Head, Human Capital Management, Rhoda Jackden and External Communications Manager, Nigeria ID4D, Mouktar Adamu, urged participants to implement the skills acquired from the Retreat, assuring them of management’s continued support.

The 3-day Retreat, with the theme “Inspiring NIMC towards a New Era of Marketable Nigerian Identity Campaign” was aimed at reminding participants of their roles towards achieving organisational objectives, aligning them with organisational culture and values, understanding of best practices in corporate communications, identification of strengths and weaknesses of the corporate communications team, while agreeing on next steps.

Highlights of the Retreat were paper presentations, team-bonding activities, interactive sessions, break-out sessions, among others.

The House of Representatives Committee on Works has urged that the expansion of the 5.4km Abuja-Keffi Expressway and Dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road Project embarked on by the Nigerian and Chinese Governments be delivered in within the stipulated time in April 2023.

The Committee Chairman, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, said this when he led his members on an oversight of projects, which has an entire length of 454 km and handled by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

Abubakar said the project was an important one as it connects Abuja to Nasarawa and Benue States, all the way to Enugu State.

He said the project, which cost about $542 million, is counter-funded by the China Exim Bank as well as the Chinese and Nigerian Governments.

He said the Chinese were contributing 85 percent of the funding, while Nigeria completed the remaining 15 percent.

The Committee Chairman urged that there must be no compromise on the quality of the job that would be delivered at the end of the project.

“There should be no compromise in terms of quality, standard and time delivery,” he said.

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The Ministry of Works assured that the project would be delivered within the stipulated time.

An official of the Road Sector Development Team of the Ministry, Engr Henry Usor, said so far the project had achieved about 72 percent completion.

“The job would be completed in record time, going by the progress we have achieved so far. I believe we should be able to complete it by the time we come to the end of the project duration in April 2023,” Usor stated.

He said when completed, the road would cut down travel time and reduce accidents.

“When completed, it would have a lot of advantages.If you are moving from Abuja to the southeast and southern part of the country, this would be a better option for you to take through,” he said.

He said the project was awarded in 2017 but work started in 2019, because of its engineering, procurement and construction component.

“So you award and do the procurement and do the design and then before you start the actual physical construction,” he said.

He assured that before the road would be handed over for usage next year in good condition.

The Project Manager, Li Qaingqiang, also assured the project would be completed in April 2023.

He said that when the road is completed it will greatly reduce the accident rate and create safe travel conditions for residents along the route.

He added that the project will create at least 3,000 jobs, which is conducive to stimulating investment and consumption alongside the project.

“We are targeting to complete the project by April 2023 with sufficient budget allocation next year and we would ensure the road is in proper condition before it is handed over, ” he said.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana has assured the people of Niger Delta region of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to completing the East West road project, and also ensure Eleme section of the road is turned into a super expressway to underscore its strategic value derived from the quantum of investments across the axis in Rivers State.

The Minister made this known at the opening ceremony of the 5th meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta held in Uyo.

The theme of this year’s Council Meeting was, “Harnessing 21st Century Development Initiatives and Strategies for Greater Development Impacts in the Niger Delta Region”, had stakeholders across the region gathered to deliberate on issues affecting the people.

The Minister explained that one of the objectives of the conference was to canvass for more and sustained collaboration with Development Partners and other Stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes designed for the improvement of life in the Niger Delta region.

Umana added that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was looking forward to cross fertilize ideas and insights that would help move the development process in the region to a new threshold of progress.​​

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The Minister averred that the theme of this year’s conference underscored why the Ministry was established to drive Federal Government’s development plan for the region through the formulation of realistic policies and practical programmes that can be efficiently implemented to better the lot of the people of the region.

“I want to reassure this Meeting of the unstinting concern of President Muhammadu Buhari’s with the place of the Niger Delta region in the development scheme of the nation.

“It is worth noting that the Ministry has made commendable progress at repositioning the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to achieve its core mandate. A Forensic Audit was conducted on all projects and programmes of the Commission from inception to August 2019. The Report of the Forensic Audit has been presented to the President, and a White Paper on it is being awaited.

“Government is committed not just to completing the East West Road but also to turning the Eleme section of the road into a super expressway to underscore its strategic value derived from the quantum of investments across the Eleme Onne axis of the road in Rivers State. The scorecard of achievements in the region since the 4th Council Meeting is actually much longer given progress in the areas of socio economic development, capacity building for women and youths; construction of housing estates; investment in new school and health facilities; provision of electricity and potable water in many communities.

“Government is committed to sustaining these gains and doing more to improve the living standard of the people of the region.” Umana said.

The council meeting featured deliberation and presentation of communique.

The AIDS Health care Foundation (AHF), a global non-profit organisation has pledged $10 million to the Global Fund–the world’s best financing mechanism to fight infectious diseases.

AHF President Michael Weinstein announced the Seventh Replenishment of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in New York United States of America.

“Given the Global Fund’s outstanding track record of saving lives around the world, we feel our pledge is one of the best investments donors can make in global health,” Weinstein said in a statement in Abuja.

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“The Global Fund has demonstrated remarkable nimbleness in keeping existing programmes going while mobilising new resources for COVID-19. The Global Fund also values the role of non-governmental and community organisations in creating a more equitable and sustainable public health system.

“We hope this pledge encourages wealthy donor countries, NGOs, and the private sector to contribute their fair share to the Fund so that it can meet or exceed the fundraising goal of $18 billion,” he said.

On September 21 2022, donors, including wealthy G7 and G20 countries, gathered in New York to announce their commitments.

The outcome of the meeting would determine whether the $18 billion goal can be achieved.

According to Weinstein, funding is vital for ensuring the Fund can continue its lifesaving work and expand its mandate to address other existing and future global public health challenges.