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FG Set To Begin Mpox Vaccination In Nigeria
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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.
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SAD! Abductors k!ll soldier over delayed ransom payment
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Kidnappers have killed a Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, over a delay in ransom payment.
Recall that Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway.
He was reportedly travelling to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the time of the incident.
His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.
A military internal memo earlier obtained by SaharaReporters had read, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him.
“Currently they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”
However, another internal memo revealed that the body of the senior personnel has been recovered.
“Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”
SaharaReporters recently reported that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three army personnel during an attack on a military base in Borno State.
The terrorists reportedly attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, for several hours.
According to a source, the terrorists destroyed several buildings and stole two gun trucks during the assault.
“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reinforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left,” the source said. (SaharaReporters: Text, Excluding Headline)
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Canada gives new guidelines For Asylum Seekers Insists Evidence Of insecurity must be proven
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Canada’s immigration authorities have clarified that seeking asylum does not provide an automatic exemption from immigration laws.
The Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) emphasised that individuals seeking asylum must demonstrate that returning to their home country would subject them to serious harm in order to avoid deportation.
The asylum system is designed to offer protection to those fleeing threats such as torture, persecution, and inhumane treatment.
IRCC has reiterated that the asylum process is not a shortcut to entering the country.
Applicants must provide verifiable evidence of persecution and undergo multiple checks, including medical examinations, biometric data collection, and security screenings.
The statement reads, “It is a rigorous process to determine whether you have a legitimate need for refugee protection according to Canadian and international laws. Our rules-based system will determine the validity of your claim. It’s important to understand that not all claims will be accepted. If you make an asylum claim in Canada, you will need to:
Have health, criminal, security and other background checks
Get a medical exam
Provide personal and biometric (photo and fingerprints) information
Provide concrete evidence of persecution and the risks of being in your home country
Declare on your application if you are working with a representative, even if you’re not paying them
“Providing false information on your refugee claim application is considered lying, and your application may be refused.
“You’ll be removed from Canada if you don’t have a legitimate claim or are not eligible to make a claim in Canada. It can take a long time to get a final decision on your asylum claim. There’s no guarantee that you will be allowed to stay in Canada.”
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OSUN LG POLLS: Gov Adeleke Orders Restriction Of Vehicular Movement
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5am to 5pm on Saturday 22nd February 2022 across Osun state.
The directive of the State Governor was sequel to the statewide local government elections that are scheduled to be held tomorrow across the state.
Governor Adeleke who reiterated his commitment to peace and security said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst local elections.
He therefore directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organizations for the continued peace and security of Osun state.
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