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)

President Bola Tinubu has sought the approval of the Senate for the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s 2025Appropriation Bill

Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Wednesday.

“Pursuant to section 299 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which vests legislative powers over the Federal Capital Territory on the National Assembly, I hereby present the 2025 FCT budget proposal to the Senate for consideration.

“The 2025 FCT Budget Proposal prioritises investment in health care services, job creation, youth empowerment, social welfare services, education infrastructure as well as increasing productivity in agriculture,” the letter read in part.

The president said that the budget was aimed at lifting as many citizens as possible out of poverty, adding that a total expenditure of N1.7 trillion was proposed for the 2025 fiscal year.

He said that 85 per cent of the capital expenditure was dedicated to the completion of ongoing projects, while 15 per cent was earmarked for new capital projects.

“This is to sustain the ongoing efforts at providing basic infrastructure and social amenities in the FCT,” he said.

Tinubu expressed the hope that the budget proposal would receive the expeditious consideration and passage by the senate. (NAN)

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago is  seeking  the approval of the State House of Assembly to access the sum of Seventy Billion Naira bond from the capital market to fund critical ongoing infrastructure development. 

This was contained in statement signed by acting Head of department Media and publicity, Hajiya Mairo Adamu Mani of the State House of Assembly Wednesday.

According to her, the Niger State House of Assembly has received an executive correspondence from Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, regarding the issuance of a #70 billion bond.

 She explained that the correspondence was read during Tuesdays plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Hon.

According to the correspondence, the State Executive Council, at its 55th sitting on April 22, 2025, deliberated and approved the issuance of #70 billion out of the #100 billion Niger State 2025 bond raise program. 

The bond issue aims to finance critical projects in healthcare, education, infrastructure, water supply, and inter- and intra-state connectivity.

The Governor has requested the House to issue a resolution approving the conclusion of necessary documents for the bond issuance. 

“After the reading, the Deputy Speaker referred the correspondence to the House Standing Committee on Finance for further legislative action”

In another development, the House received a private member bill, presented by Hon. Murtala Adamu Badaru, Member representing Suleja Constituency. The bill seeks to regulate the activities of scavengers, old metal dealers, and panteka businesses within residential areas in Niger State.

The House commenced debate on the second reading of a bill to establish the Niger State Facilities Management Agency. After deliberations, the bill was referred to the House Standing Committee on Works and Infrastructure to report back to the House in two weeks for further legislative action.