Bayelsa has recorded a 98 per cent coverage in the first round of the 2025 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) programme conducted from the May 3 to May 6.

Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, deputy governor of the state, disclosed this during a meeting of the state’s taskforce on immunization in Yenagoa on Wednesday.

He said that the government’s ultimate target was to achieve 100 per cent coverage in subsequent immunisation campaigns.

Ewhrudjakpo lauded the WHO, UNICEF,  the Ministry of Health and other critical stakeholders for the feat achieved so far.

He, however, urged the partners not to rest on their oars as much still have to be done to achieve its target of 100 per cent immunization coverage.

He underscored the need for early preparations ahead of the second round of 2025 NIPDs scheduled for July.

The deputy governor assured the partners that funds for the programme would be released not later than two weeks to its commencement.

He directed all council chairmen to flag-off the second round of the 2025 NIPDs programme at any community other than their respective local government headquarters.

The deputy governor urged the chairmen to meet with the traditional rulers, school proprietors, and religious leaders in their areas to sensitise them on the importance of immunisation.

He also called parents, schools and churches to allow children to participate in the immunisation programme.

”The state government is serious about enforcing its public health law and executive order on compulsory immunisation.

“We have taken our immunisation coverage up to 98 per cent. But we want to take it to 100 per cent this time around, and that is why we have convened this meeting.

“We are also going to make an upward review of the logistics to reflect the present economic realities in the country,” he said.

Presentations by Dr Marcus Oluwadare of the WHO, and Dr Gbanaibulou Orukari, Director of Disease Control, Bayelsa State Primary Healthcare Board, revealed that area councils scored high percentage in the coverage.

They, however, identified poor workload rationalisation, data falsification and lack of commitment on the part of some personnel.

According to Oluwadare, we commend the Deputy Governor of the state for flagging off the NIPDs and chairing all the state ERMs in spite of his tight schedule.

“Bayelsa State was the only state to have full complements of her stakeholders in attendance during the April NIPDs in the whole of Nigeria,” he said.(NAN)

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the formulation of regulations for enforcing salt targets in processed and packaged foods, critical to checkmating the country’s growing prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

In a statement to mark World Salt Awareness Week 2025, the nongovernmental organisation (NGO) referenced World Health Organisation (WHO) data showing that reducing salt intake is one of the most cost-effective measures countries can take to improve population health outcomes.

CAPPA in the statement by Robert Egbe,

Media & Communications Officer, insisted that WHO Member States are on a plan to reduce the global population’s intake of salt by 30 percent by the end of this year.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW), between seven and nine grams of salt daily, far exceeding the WHO recommended limit of five grams (equivalent to 2 grams of sodium). 

Consequently, no less than 10 per cent of cardiovascular disease deaths in the country are attributed to excess sodium consumption. Sodium overconsumption has also been tied to the alarming rise in hypertension, now affecting over 35 per cent of adult Nigerians.

“This is too heavy a burden for the health sector to bear, and the issue is a major contributor to Nigeria’s alarming burden of noncommunicable diseases,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA.

Oluwafemi reaffirmed CAPPA’s support for the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction recently launched by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. 

He also urged the Ministry to ramp up support to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) which is drafting the regulations.

The statement noted that cultural practices, rapid urbanization, deceptive marketing and changing lifestyles are tilting Nigerians’ dietary patterns towards ultra-processed foods high in sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. 

“This makes the need for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on food packages a necessity. Furthermore, manufacturers should also be compelled to reformulate their recipes to reduce the salt content of their products without compromising quality,” the statement added.

World Salt Awareness Week is observed from May 12th to 18th and aims to raise awareness about the impact of excess salt intake on health and promote healthy dietary habits.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the formulation of regulations for enforcing salt targets in processed and packaged foods, critical to checkmating the country’s growing prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

In a statement to mark World Salt Awareness Week 2025, the nongovernmental organisation (NGO) referenced World Health Organisation (WHO) data showing that reducing salt intake is one of the most cost-effective measures countries can take to improve population health outcomes.

CAPPA in the statement by Robert Egbe,

Media & Communications Officer, insisted that WHO Member States are on a plan to reduce the global population’s intake of salt by 30 percent by the end of this year. But most countries, including Nigeria, are unlikely to meet the deadline.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW), between seven and nine grams of salt daily, far exceeding the WHO recommended limit of five grams (equivalent to 2 grams of sodium). 

Consequently, no less than 10 per cent of cardiovascular disease deaths in the country are attributed to excess sodium consumption. Sodium overconsumption has also been tied to the alarming rise in hypertension, now affecting over 35 per cent of adult Nigerians.

“This is too heavy a burden for the health sector to bear, and the issue is a major contributor to Nigeria’s alarming burden of noncommunicable diseases,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA.

Oluwafemi reaffirmed CAPPA’s support for the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction recently launched by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. 

He also urged the Ministry to ramp up support to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) which is drafting the regulations.

The statement noted that cultural practices, rapid urbanization, deceptive marketing and changing lifestyles are tilting Nigerians’ dietary patterns towards ultra-processed foods high in sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. 

“This makes the need for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on food packages a necessity. Furthermore, manufacturers should also be compelled to reformulate their recipes to reduce the salt content of their products without compromising quality,” the statement added.

World Salt Awareness Week is observed from May 12th to 18th and aims to raise awareness about the impact of excess salt intake on health and promote healthy dietary habits.

The United Nations (UN) Women and other stakeholders on Monday,  called on Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri to assent to the bill promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Adamawa.

Mrs Amina Bello, the National Programme Officer, UN Women, made the call during a policy dialogue on Enhancing Inclusion of Women with Disabilities (WWDs) in peace and security decision-making, in Yola.

The programme sponsored by the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) had in attendance disability rights advocates, PWDs, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), government agencies, among others.

Bello emphasised that the rights of PWDs are human rights and stressed the need for robust measures, policies, and legislation to protect those rights.

“Adamawa is in the process of passing a bill to re-enact the PWD Commission into law.

” The bill has been passed by the State House of Assembly and is currently awaiting the governor’s assent.

“All stakeholders must continue to advocate for a comprehensive legal framework that guarantees the rights of PWDs.

“This will ensure their meaningful inclusion in all aspects of society and enable them to access social, economic, and political opportunities without hindrance,” she said.

Bello noted that the policy dialogue created a unique platform for WWDs, government agencies, and other stakeholders to engage in constructive discussion.

“Participants developed a Joint Action Plan that identified key challenges and proposed actionable solutions.

“The meeting also integrated WWDs into women-led peace structures such as the Mixed Observation Team and the Women Mediation Network,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Rukaiyatu Tahir, Principal Welfare Officer, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, said peacebuilding among WWDs was a core mandate of the ministry.

“The rehabilitation department ensures the inclusion of WWDs in peacebuilding processes.

“We work to protect their rights and shield them from discrimination and stigmatisation.

“The ministry also empowers them to be independent and productive, reducing their reliance on street begging,” Tahir added.

In her remarks, Mrs Jamila Babuba, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), said the organisation continues to strengthen advocacy efforts for WWDs.

According to her, “FIDA provides accessible legal aid through pro bono services and ensures legal support considering mobility and communication challenges.

“We also advocate for inclusive legal frameworks that incorporate disability rights into post-conflict legal reforms,” Babuba said.

She stressed the importance of the unique needs of WWDs be reflected in new laws and policies that guarantees their rights.

NAN reports that on March 27, the Adamawa  House of Assembly  passed a bill to prohibit all forms of discrimination against Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.

The bill, which repeals the Adamawa Disability Rights Commission Law No. 14 of 2016 and enacts the Adamawa State Persons with Disability Law Commission, aims to ensure the full integration of PWDs into society.

NAN reports that the bill, sponsored by Hon. Yohanna Jauro, the representative of Mubi South Constituency, was one of four crucial legislations passed by the house.

It seeks to create a legal framework that guarantees the rights of persons with disabilities and mandates their protection from any form of discrimination, exclusion, or unfair treatment.

Disability rights activists have long called for stronger legal protections and more effective implementation of policies to ensure accessibility and full participation of PWDs in various sectors, including education, employment, politics, and public services.(NAN)