The Kebbi State Ministry of Health in collaboration with State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), has inaugurated rollout of malaria vaccination for children from five to 11 months in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is being launched simultaneously in Bayelsa.

NAN also reports that the Dep. Gov. Umar Abubakar-Tafida, of Kebbi, flagged off the malaria vaccine immunisation exercise in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

Flagging the exercise, Abubakar-Tafida, lamented that malaria had been a significant challenge, “claiming countless lives and impacting the health and well-being of our communities.

“Today, we take a monumental step in our ongoing battle against this deadly disease.

“The introduction of the malaria vaccine stands as a symbol of hope and a clear demonstration of our unwavering dedication to protecting the health of our citizens.

“Kebbi State has long remained committed to improving the health and well-being of its people.”

He said the present administration’s focus has always been on ensuring accessible healthcare, advancing medical interventions, and addressing the pressing health challenges that affect the communities.

“The introduction of the malaria vaccine into our routine immunisation programme is a clear indication of this commitment.

“We recognise that the health of our people is foremost to the growth and prosperity of our state.

“This initiative is part of our broader vision to reduce preventable diseases, particularly malaria, and to create a healthier, more resilient population,” he said.

Abubakar-Tafida, also added that the introduction of the malaria vaccine was a game-changer in their fight against this disease.

“When combined with existing malaria control measures such as Seasonal Malaria Chemotherapy (SMC) and the distribution of treated mosquito nets, we are confident that we can significantly reduce the burden of malaria in Kebbi.

“With the launch of this vaccine intervention, we are optimistic that we can create a healthier, more prosperous future for our people,” he said.

Abubakar-Tafida urged the general public to take advantage of the lifesaving intervention, saying” the vaccine is safe, effective, and free.”

He stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to ensure that children, families, and communities were protected from the scourge of malaria.

“To our esteemed healthcare professionals and Traditional Rulers, your commitment and relentless work have brought us great success to this pivotal moment.

“Your efforts in ensuring the successful rollout of this vaccine are immeasurable. You are the front-line heroes in our fight against malaria, and for this, we owe you our deepest gratitude,” he commended.

The deputy governor thanked the National Primary Health Care Development Agency for their tireless efforts in leading the charge against malaria in Nigeria.

“I would also like to express our gratitude to the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international partners for their technical and financial support towards this initiative.

“Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to continued collaboration in our quest to eliminate malaria and other communicable diseases,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health in the state, Alhaji Yunusa Ismail, highlighted that the malaria had been one of the health challenges facing the countries for many years.

He added that other nations had tried and eliminated malaria completely from their countries, saying that there had been series of discussions by the stakeholders in the countries, including the governors on ways to tackle the menace.

“It was concluded that at the end of the discussions that a newly introduced malaria vaccine should be tried and piloted in Kebbi and Bayelsa state, hence the reason for the inaugural rollout of malaria vaccination in the state.

“The vaccination has commenced on this December and the exercise will continue till February, 2025,” he said.

Ismail called on the traditional rulers to partner with the stakeholders to eradicate malaria through vaccine.

Speaking on behalf of the Gwandu Emirate, the Focal Person of the emirate, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad, assured that the emirate would sustain its fatherly and advocacy contribution for the success of the vaccine set target in the state.

“The state is closer to Fadama and riverine areas, which add to the high rate of malaria alarming record in the state.

“We call on the general public to come out en mass for the vaccine and we thank the government and its partners for the feat,” he said.

Representatives of National Primary Heath Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Jamal Musa, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Nasir Zurmi, and UNICEF, Alhaji Isa Ibrahim, appreciated the efforts of the state government and transformative leadership of Gov. Nasir Idris, in health sector in the state.

They renewed their commitment to ensuring the eradication of child killer diseases, especially malaria, urging parents and caregivers to leverage the vaccine rollout for the promotion of the children health in the state.

The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a remodelled Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) and staff quarters in Olugbo, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun.

Speaking during the inauguration on Thursday, the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen.

Olufemi Oluyede, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to collaborating with communities to promote infrastructural development.

He explained that the scheme introduced to provide support to communities of serving senior officers was a way of giving back to society.

Oluyede, represented by the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Maj. – Gen. Baba Yahaya, emphasised that the project’s goal was to support government’s efforts.

“I must say that the projects executed by the Nigerian Army are not intended to compete with or subdue the responsibilities of government but to complement their efforts.

“It will also enhance the quality of life of the people,” he said.

Earlier, Maj. – Gen. Adekunle Adeyinka, Commander Corps of Supply and Transportation,

Disclosed that the restored facility would effectively provide primary health care service to over 62 communities and more than 8,000 persons.

Adeyinka noted that the selection was based on necessity and its expected impacts.

He urged the people of Olugbo community to make the most out of it by ensuring it was adequately protected and maintained.

He appealed to the state’s Ministry of Health to increase the centre’s workforce by adding a doctor, two midwives, two pharmacists, two laboratory technicians and a health attendant, to optimise the delivery of healthcare service.

In his remarks, the Speaker,Ogun Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, praised the Army’s kind gesture, saying that it was important to always give back to communities.

In a similar vein, the Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Folashade Adeyemo, noted that

Access to quality health was not a necessity but a right.

Adeyemo added that the facility was a significant step toward providing affordable healthcare to all.

She urged all well-meaning individuals to contribute and support the state government, saying “the government alone can’t provide facilities to all”.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking Persons (NAPTIP) says it is proposing the establishment of a command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to tackle cases of Violence against Persons (VAP).

The Director-General of the agency, Mrs Binta-Adamu Bello, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the 2024 stakeholder’s coordination meeting on implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 and corresponding state laws.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was supported by Ford Foundation to commemorate the first day of the 2024 Global 16 Days of Activism, an annual campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.

The NAPTIP boss said that the establishment of the FCT command would further solidify the agency’s commitment toward eradicating social menace, especially with the issue of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the nation’s capital.

According to the NAPTIP boss, it is expected that the command will enhance quicker response to SGBV cases, improve coordination among stakeholders, provide specialised support services for survivors and strengthen investigation and prosecution.

She said that the command would serve as a model for other states and strengthen stakeholders’ collective efforts to eradicate SGBV within the FCT, while inviting the stakeholders’ input and expertise in facilitating the move.

She said “I have strong conviction that we will leave here with renewed vision toward eradicating the ills associated with violence against persons and in turn, make the country safer and more habitable.

“It is gratifying to note that this meeting is holding on the first day of the Global 16 Days of Activism, which is an annual campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.

“The theme for this year is “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence against Women and Girls”, which resonates with the 30th anniversary review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and platform for action.

“At this point, I must commend the efforts of Ford Foundation for graciously supporting this meeting under the project “Strengthening Government Approach in Preventing and Responding SGBV.”

She reiterated NAPTIP’s commitment to work with states, the mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat of the FCT and Civil Society Organisations to implement laws that abhor

Violence against women and girls.

Mrs Tolulola Odugbesan, the acting Director, VAP Department, NAPTIP, said that the coordination meeting was an opportunity for stakeholders to connect, proffer guidance, reflect on concerns, review successes and identify gaps.

She added that the meeting was also to discuss challenges, assess the level and effectiveness of intervention efforts and proffer recommendations and far-reaching strategies associated with the implementation of the VAPP Act 2015.