News
FG Set To Begin Mpox Vaccination In Nigeria
By Mario Deepromoter
Federal Government has announced that the provisional start date for Monkey Pox (Mpox) vaccinations is October 8, 2024.
The Head of the Public Relations Unit at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Remi Adeleke, confirmed this in a statement made available to journalists on Friday.
He also mentioned that the vaccine rollout is scheduled to take place from October 3 to 6, 2024.
Adeleke explained that this timeline for vaccine deployment is designed to align with the three to six-week period required for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to complete its regulatory processes, including sampling, traceability, and laboratory analysis, following the receipt of the vaccine on August 27.
The anticipated date for implementing the vaccination program remains October 8, 2024.
“Due to limited available doses (9,980) of the Jynneos MPox vaccine, the quantities will be slit evenly (1,996 doses) across the five states for implementation. Specific states for implementation are being evaluated based on the current trend of cases in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention,” Adeleke added.
He stated that the overall population aimed for in the five states consists of 4,750 individuals, each of whom will be administered two doses spaced 28 days apart.
Adeleke further explained that the targeted demographic includes “close contacts of Mpox cases, healthcare professionals, and individuals with compromised immune systems.”
Regarding the vaccination strategy, the head of the PRU indicated that two locations will be designated for the vaccination process in each state.
“Fixed posts and special teams, fixed posts at sites within identified infectious diseases referral centres, and special teams to target communities where necessary for close contacts or identified risk groups vaccination.
“Two sites per state to be identified for vaccination. Only clients aged 18 and above will receive the vaccines based on the current strategy,” he said.
The service delivery team is currently assessing the number of additional doses of the Mpox vaccine that will be administered, ensuring that the country can utilize the available stock from the planned donation by the Africa CDC.
On Tuesday, the United States government gave Nigeria 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine.
Jynneos is a vaccine authorized by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent smallpox and mpox in adults aged 18 and older who are at risk of contracting mpox.
Naijablitznews reports that Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic disease.
It is transmitted from animals to humans and occurs sporadically, mainly in remote areas of Central and West Africa, close to tropical rainforests.
The Mpox virus causes the disease, part of the Orthopoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family.
On August 13, 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental significance, in line with its mandate to tackle major public health threats.
According to data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Nigeria has reported 48 confirmed Mpox cases out of 868 suspected cases across 35 local government areas in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
News
Kalu Leads House Delegation to Ogun for Condolence Visit
…eulogizes late Onanuga, ex-speaker Bankole’s mother
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CON, has described the late Deputy Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, as an irreplaceable parliamentarian known for her vocal nature and friendly disposition.
Leading a delegation on behalf of the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, Kalu visited Sagamu, Ogun State, on a condolence mission to the late Onanuga’s family.
Addressing the bereaved, he praised her dedication and influence, noting her unique presence in plenary sessions and unwavering support for her colleagues.
Kalu consoled her mother, Chief Mrs. Comfort Folashade Etutu, and her children, urging them to trust in God for comfort and strength. He assured the family of the House’s continued support and prayed against further untimely deaths in the household.
Earlier, Kalu led the delegation to Abeokuta for the fidau prayers of the late Mrs. Monsurat Atinuke Bankole, mother of former House Speaker Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole.
He lauded her sacrifices, which contributed to the success of her children, including the former Speaker’s contributions to the National Assembly.
News
N800bn Inadequate for Nigeria’s Road Projects, Minister Umahi Tell Lawmakers
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has described the N800 billion allocated to his ministry in the proposed 2025 budget as grossly insufficient to address Nigeria’s growing road infrastructure needs.
Umahi stated this during the 2025 budget defence session held on Friday by the House Committee on Works, chaired by Rep. Akin Alabi.
Speaking candidly, Umahi called for an upward review of the ministry’s budgetary allocation, stressing that the current figure would barely make a dent in the nation’s road development agenda.
“We plead with you to help us. N800 billion cannot do anything for us. It cannot address our road needs, and so we plead with you to help us,” the Minister told the lawmakers.
Umahi who emphasised the importance of adequate funding to complete ongoing projects and initiate critical new ones across the country, also stressed that borrowing was a necessary step to bridge the infrastructure gap and stimulate economic growth.
The Minister underscored the potential economic impact of infrastructure development, stating that it would create jobs and boost local economies.
“When the nation is in recession, you have to borrow money and invest in infrastructure. That is how you emerge from a recession. Infrastructure is a catalyst for economic activities, and this hunger we talk about will become a thing of the past,” he explained.
“Food sellers, sand suppliers, gravel workers, and others will benefit. Support Mr. President, and let’s borrow money to build infrastructure so Nigeria can be great again,” he added.
In response, Chairman of the Committee, assured Umahi that the committee would summon the Minister of Finance and the Head of the Budget Office to clarify the rationale behind the ministry’s limited allocation.
The session also provided an opportunity for the Minister to address lawmakers’ concerns about the state of roads nationwide, with assurances that the government remains committed to completing ongoing projects.
News
NASS Joint Committee Suspends Fire Service Budget Over Irregularities
By Gloria Ikibah
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior has suspended the budget defence of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) following significant discrepancies in the agency’s 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal.
At a hearing chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole and his counterpart from the House, Chaired by Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, lawmakers flagged irregularities, including contradictory figures and inadequate documentation.
The committee uncovered discrepancies in the procurement of firefighting trucks, with similar units priced at N1.5 billion in one instance and N2.5 billion in another, despite being from the same supplier and of identical specifications.
The FFS Controller General, Jaji Abdulganiyu Idris, attributed the difference to variations in tanker sizes but failed to provide adequate supporting documentation.
Senator Oshiomhole criticized the inconsistencies, stating, “This reeks of over-padding or over-invoicing. Your written submission does not align with your explanation, and we cannot overlook this.”
Lawmakers also raised concerns about unclear contract commitments and an outstanding payment of N603 billion for ongoing projects, which lacked proper specifications.
Oshiomhole emphasized fiscal responsibility, saying, “Every N10 wasted by MDAs adds up. Our duty is to ensure that every naira benefits Nigerians, especially the poor.”
The committee further queried the FFS over unverified revenue remittances. Idris presented manual receipts as evidence, but the lawmakers rejected them, demanding proper bank statements and confirmation from the Accountant-General’s office.
As a result, the committee stepped down the FFS budget defence, instructing the agency to rectify its submission. Oshiomhole warned, “Submit a revised presentation with accurate figures, or risk zero allocation in 2025.”
The decision underscores the lawmakers’ commitment to accountability and efficient use of public funds, urging the FFS to address the issues promptly to secure its funding.
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