The Bayelsa State Government has called for the cooperation of private school owners and proprietors to effectively implement its executive order on immunization.

Deputy Gov. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made the appeal on Friday during a meeting with proprietors of private schools, in Yenagoa.

He explained that the appeal had become necessary due to reports from immunisation teams indicating resistance and lack of cooperation from some private schools and parents.

Ewhrudjakpo emphasised that the executive order, which mandated immunisation for all nursery and primary school pupils in the state, was intended to promote child wellness and combat preventable child mortality.

He also dismissed rumours suggesting that certain vaccines were intended to depopulate Africa, urging parents and guardians to ensure their children were immunised.

The deputy governor noted that a new polio vaccine was developed to combat a mutated variant of the virus that had been detected in about four northern states.

He directed the state Ministries of Education and Health to issue formal notifications to all private schools about the government’s immunisation policy.

Furthermore, he instructed both ministries, along with relevant agencies, to establish a task force to monitor compliance, stressing that no child should be excluded from any immunisation campaign.

“This meeting is inevitable and profound inevitable because we are almost in an emergency, and profound because it will have far-reaching implications.

“You are very important because, as proprietors and teachers, you have significant influence over our children. Approximately 40 per cent of pupils in the state attend private schools.

“Among these are two key groups: children aged two to five and girls under 13. These categories are the focus of two major global health programmes.

“We’ve called this meeting because we’ve observed persistent resistance to immunisation from some school operators, who often cite parental objections. You need to be fully aware of the state’s policy, which is supported by an executive order.

“This order states that no child without an immunisation certificate should be admitted into any school in Bayelsa State. This is a binding government policy,” he stressed.

Mrs Janet Ekpefa-Abdullahi, State Chairperson of the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON), and Mr Richard Ugossough, State Secretary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), also discussed the opposition to immunisation.

They highlighted that opposition primarily came from parents who refused in-school immunisation.

Mr Peter Osiki, Principal of Deeper Life High School, Yenagoa, and Mrs Doris Amos of APSON, appealed to the government to communicate directly with schools through the Ministry of Education.

“They also recommended sensitizing parents through radio announcements in both English and local dialects.

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin 

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has increased the minimum wage for the state workers from N70, 000 to N75,000 to further improve their standard of living.

Okpebholo made the announcement while delivering his May Day speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City Edo State.

The Governor, while appreciating the contributions of Edo State workers to the growth and development of the state, said his administration will always seek ways to improve the welfare of Edo workers.

Okpebholo noted that the Workers’ Day celebration is a special day set aside to honor the hardworking men and women who keep the state moving forward.

“Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for Edo workers.

“It’s our way of saying thank you, Edo workers. We believe this will make a real difference, and in return, we count on your renewed dedication as we build a better Edo together.

“Since assuming office, my administration has remained fully committed to the welfare of our workers. 

“One of our first actions in office was to convert many casual workers, including over 1,000 cleaners who, for years, had no job security into the core civil service, giving them stability and peace of mind.

“We hired 500 new teachers to ease classroom pressure and help students learn better. 

“We are also reviewing the casual position of over 3,000 Edo State teachers for possible full employment because their effort will shape our children’s future,” he said.

He continued: “We approved the recruitment of 450 clinical and non-clinical staff for our state hospitals and regularized 126 contract staff at Edo State Specialist hospital. These steps not only strengthen our health system but also improve job stability for health professionals.”

The Governor also used the medium to inform the public that his administration has cleared outstanding salary arrears owed to Edo State polytechnic staff.

“In the judiciary, we made sure that judges who had been delayed in their appointments were properly sworn in and now fully carrying out their duties.

“To show our commitment doesn’t end at retirement, we have also approved health insurance coverage for our retirees because we believed that our responsibility to workers doesn’t end when they leave active service.”

Okpebholo said his administration was committed to timely payment of salaries and pension; steady recruitment where needed to improve service delivery; staff welfare and development and ensuring that Edo workers are treated with dignity and fairness.

“As we mark this day, I joined His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and my fellow governor’s in wishing all Nigerian workers a peaceful and fulfilling celebration. Your efforts shaped our nation and laid the foundation for a better tomorrow.”

Factional acting chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State chapter, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide commended the governor for the formations and implementation of laudable policies and programmes towards alleviating the suffering and hardships faced by Edo workers and pensioners.

He noted that the theme: “Reclaiming the Civil Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship” was apt and thought provoking as it borders on the very serious challenges faced by the Nigerian workers and the people as a result.”

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The Federal Government has directed that work should stop on the 12km Sagamu-Iperu Road by the Sagamu Interchange on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, gave the directive on Thursday during an inspection tour of road projects in Lagos and Ogun states.