Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim

Save the Children, in partnership with GSK, convened an engagement meeting on Thursday with the Kano State Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunization to address the persistent issue of zero-dose and under-immunized children in Nigeria.

According to Save the Children, Kano State has the highest number of zero-dose immunization cases in Nigeria, with 15 local government areas (LGAs) affected.

Ms. Taiwo Folake, Coordinator of the Save the Children International Boost Project, highlighted these concerns during a media and civil society organization (CSO) dialogue aimed at fostering collaboration to eliminate zero-dose immunization in affected LGAs.

She explained that the project focuses on reducing the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children and is currently being implemented in two states—Kano and Lagos. Within these states, efforts are concentrated in two high-burden LGAs: Ungogo and Gezawa in Kano State.

“Out of 100 LGAs identified in Nigeria with high zero-dose and under-immunization rates, 15 are in Kano. We are prioritizing the two most affected areas,” Folake stated.

She emphasized the media’s influential role in shaping public opinion and driving community engagement, calling their involvement crucial to the project’s success.

The initiative targets collaboration with state and local governments, as well as communities, to encourage caregivers to immunize their children and reintegrate those who have dropped out of vaccination programs.

Dr. Itunu Dave-Agboola, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for the Boost Project, outlined three key objectives: improving domestic resource mobilization for immunization funding, strengthening governance and leadership in immunization efforts, and enhancing community engagement through traditional and religious institutions.

“We aim to develop a Kano State-specific immunization policy to improve planning, funding allocation, and accountability. Community leaders play a vital role in fostering trust and acceptance of immunization,” Fagbola added.

Salisu Yusuf, Co-Chair of the Kano CoP on Immunization, reiterated the coalition’s commitment to working with stakeholders to reduce the number of high-burden LGAs and unimmunized children.

He dismissed misconceptions about immunization safety, stressing that vaccines are medically proven to be safe. Yusuf also pledged intensified sensitization campaigns through media outreach, house-to-house visits, and community meetings to improve public understanding of immunization benefits and expectations.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has confirmed that his tenure as the head of Nigeria’s electoral body will come to an end later this year.

Yakubu made the announcement while addressing his colleagues at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, The Gambia, on Thursday.

He stated that this would be his final appearance at an ECONEC meeting as Nigeria’s electoral body chairman, signalling the end of his second and final term.

Prof. Yakubu, who has served as INEC chairman since November 9, 2015, was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari for an initial five-year term, which was later renewed for another five years. He oversaw the controversial 2019 and 2023 general elections.

In his address at the event, Yakubu expressed his gratitude for the support and collaboration of his ECOWAS counterparts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining electoral integrity and fostering regional unity. He also called for continued cooperation among election management bodies (EMBs) in West Africa to strengthen democracy across the region.

Yakubu’s confirmation comes just days after rumours circulated online suggesting his removal from office by President Bola Tinubu. These rumours were quickly denied by the presidency.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has moved its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt in Rivers to Enugu.

The association premised its decision on “constitutional violations” in Rivers following the emergency rule in the oil-rich state.

The move comes weeks after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing a protracted political crisis and the vandalisation of oil facilities.

The NBA has described Fubara’s suspension as illegal and a “dangerous affront” to the country’s democracy.

In a statement on Friday, the NBA said although members were enthusiastic about hosting the AGC in Port Harcourt, the political climate in Rivers state quickly changed that.