Lagos, SCI collaborate to eliminate zero dose immunization for children.

Mothers in the country especially those who have immunized their children have been told to be advocates by extending messages on the benefits of immunization to other mothers explaining the need for their children to be adequately vaccinated.

The Permanent Secretary, of Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Akeem Mustapha, made the call at an Immunisation outreach in Ita Elewa PHC, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, to mark World Immunisation Week with the theme, "Immunisation is for all is humanly possible." 

He explained that Ikorodu is one of the strategic cities and the second highest in Lagos state that harbors a large number of children who have never tasted vaccination hence the need for the choice of the area.

Dr. Akeem Mustapha, who emphasized the importance of adequate immunization noted that children who are under-vaccinated or have zero doses are likely to spread the disease within the community.

He charged the mothers present at the program to be advocates and extend the message to other mothers on the need for their children to be adequately vaccinated.

According to him, "It is very crucial to ensure that they reduce the 20 percent of children that have not completed or have had no vaccination at all".

"The aim was to remind the mothers and the government that every child needs vaccination because it protects their future. "We are here for the children and role players asking government and caregivers to wake up to their responsibilities and ensure they protect the children with vaccines.

She noted that vaccines work to prevent diseases but if they are not vaccinated,  they will not grow well, talk well, go to school, and even be bold in their learning because they will be distracted.

Dr Akeem Mustapha urged the caregivers not to sit within the health facilities but to go out on outreaches and meet the caregivers within their domains on access to vaccination, particularly for under-five children.

He expressed gratitude to the mothers who made it to the event and those who had vaccinated their children, saying that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has considered it very important because health is wealth.

Deputy Country Director who is also the  Director of Programme Development and Quality, Mrs Jane Mbagi Mutua, said that the Save Children initiative believed that no child should die before their 5th birthday when they are properly vaccinated.

According to her, "Vaccination is one of the means of preventing the diseases and  Save Children initiative is committed to ensuring that every child accesses their doses of vaccinations".

 "They did an analysis in Lagos and discovered that about 80 percent of the children had been vaccinated, that is, 8 out of every 10 children got vaccinated, while 2 out of every 10 were not vaccinated". She stated 

Mutua added that they are working on a Programme called "Boost," which is aimed at finding the reasons why some children are not immunized.

On her part, SCI Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Dr Itunnu Dave Agboola, said that about one hundred and fifty mothers brought their children to the venue of the program to be immunization.

Dr Agboola, who promised to reach as many families as possible, said that their goal is to eliminate zero doses and Immunisation.

She noted that this can be achieved through collaboration as collaboration promotes the achievement of results.

Dr Agboola believes that collaborating with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board has been fruitful because they leveraged their strength to pull this achievement.

" I want healthcare providers to get immunization closer to the people as accepting to present their children and wards would reduce the current indices, improve acceptability, and cut off the cost of transportation". Agboola affirmed

NIMR cries out for help as EKO Electric sends disconnection notices.

The Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, has again sent an SOS to the Federal Government and the good people of Nigeria to aid as Ikeja Electric threatens a showdown with the institute.

Since the assumption of the office of Professor John Obafunwa, 

Ikeja Electric had been on the trail of the institute, sending high bills without meters and threatening to cut the power supply if it did not pay the outrageous amount it sent to the institute every month.

Professor Obafunwa, who expressed dismay at the constant harassment by EKo Electric insisting the crazy bill must be paid, said that NIMR is not a money-making institution but a research center that relies on government funds and donor agencies to perform its functions.

Prof said the institute had been making efforts to pay the earlier bills, but over time, it appeared there was no end to the payment as bills kept increasing and all efforts made to discuss a review yielded no results. 

According to him, " a series of meetings, messages, and calls seemed not to be yielding any results; rather, it has been threats and notices of disconnection, adding that any attempt to disrupt the power supply to the institute would be disastrous".

Professor Obafunwa, who went emotional at some point, stressed that the most worrisome aspect of the power cut would be the reversal of biological samples, reagents, and equipment provided by foreign donors, which are used for research.

"We have biological samples to be analyzed. These reagents are often provided by foreign donors. Equipment provided by foreign donors.

" I tried several times to explain to the authorities of Eko Electricity that we can't afford to shut down NIMR. We've had to depend to a large extent on foreign donors to assist us. But it's like some people don't seem to get it". Obafunwa lament 

He explained further, " Ikeja Electricity gave us a bill of almost $49 million for August, $48 million or so for September. October $44 million, I don't know what we are consuming. We've had to shut down power in the residential quarters".

The DG continued, " In the residences, power is shut down at 9 a.m. and restored at about 4 p.m. We have research going on in NIMR. We have temperature-sensitive equipment. We have reagents, and for these reasons, I've had consultations with

some other people,  I'd previously raised some concerns about what I still consider to be deliberate attempts to frustrate NIMR, and I'm talking about power supply.

"We are not a tertiary educational institution. We don't have the number of students that you have, whether it's University of Lagos, or Lagos State University, or whatever, that pays school fees, all that he said fell on deaf ears".  he emphasized

Prof stated, " We keep getting estimated bills," but information has it that NIMR's Metre is located in the Jibowu office, according to Officials of Eko Electric.

He explained that, as part of efforts made, "We've copied the legal office for NIMR. We've copied the National Electricity Regulation Commission. And we have now gone as far as trying to fix and install a meter here to be sure we're consuming that much electricity". 

He however called on people who matter to intervene and save the institute from a total blackout.

Knockouts and submissions Dominate the Battle Of The Hood MMA Tourney.

 

Combat sports lovers witnessed an action-packed evening of knockouts and submissions as the 'Battle of The Hood' Mixed Martial Arts MMA showpiece lived up to its billing at the Honourable Lukman Oluomo Sports Arena in Ajegunle.

The tournament, organized by Akalaka Spirit Of The Warrior, lasted into the early hours of Sunday 27 April 2025 with fight fans in Ajegunle asking for more.

Heavyweight star Kabiru 'Hulk' Adediran dominated Atiti Fidelis with a first-round technical knockout in the main event, confirming his reputation as one of Nigeria's most intimidating fighters.

Dr Ebere Bernard, President of the Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior MMA Promotion and Director, Youth Development in the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation, expressed satisfaction with the quality of bouts on display.

"For me, it's one of the best fights I've witnessed this year. As you can see, we have a lot of knockouts, submissions, and very entertaining fights. Gradually, we will get to identify with the game of MMA as a means of entertainment," he said.

In the light heavyweight category, Fabian 'Gentle Giant' Texas emerged as the standout performer, winning both his bouts via first-round knockouts to claim the division's honor. 

His path to the final victory over Martin Aziba included a first-round demolition of Imohi Prince in the semi-final.

Aziba had knocked out Ennis Abdulkareem in another semi-final of the light heavyweight class.

The lightweight category saw Joseph James claim victory by split decision against Effiong Bassey in a closely contested final, while Jeremiah Akpan secured a first-round submission win against Ichendu Victory in the bantamweight division.

The women's flyweight competition produced equally thrilling encounters with Immaculata Nelson emerging as the Best Fighter of the Night after defeating Miracle Andrew by submission in the third and final round. 

Nelson had earlier advanced by submitting Khadijat Idowu in the second round of their bout, while Andrew reached the final by securing a unanimous decision victory over Quadri Balikis.

"I'm very excited about winning the Best Fighter of the Night award. I was prepared, I knew I was going to fight two fights and so I did all I could so that I'll be able to withstand anything that comes," Nelson said after her triumph.

"You know people have talents but they don't have the platform to showcase their talents so this kind of platform makes the athletes go back home and train more, knowing that there is an avenue that can showcase us to the world so I thank the organizers."

Chris Nwokolo, vice president of the Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior, highlighted the organization's mission to change perceptions about Nigerian youth through combat sports.

"We're all about youth empowerment, creating opportunities for youths and an avenue for them to express themselves. How can we catch those very energetic youths and channel their energies in the MMA world," he said.

"We want to feed that culture and put Nigeria out there. So when people think about Nigeria, they're thinking of strength, they're thinking of youth, and that way they stop thinking of us as a nation of fraudsters, but rather as a nation of energy."

The event, which was broadcast to over 35 countries across Africa and beyond, represented another significant step in Nigeria's developing MMA scene.

According to Dr Bernard, fighters who reached the finals will be signed to the promotion with opportunities to compete internationally.

"The ultimate goal of Akalaka promotion is to depopulate the streets with youth that are associated with negative vices and by so doing, provide them with an economic means, job opportunities, and training," Dr Bernard explained.

Commonwealth Games 2026 Baton Relay Reaches Nigeria.

The buildup to next year's Commonwealth Games will be under the spotlight in Nigeria as the country hosts the King's Baton Relay KBR between 15 and 18 July 2025.

Launched at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, Monday 10 March 2025, the relay is expected to traverse 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.

The KBR for the Commonwealth Games 2026 commenced on 11 March 2025 in the Caribbean.

Africa is the second region to host the relay, with Nigeria joining the rest of the continent for the six-day festivities.

For the first time, each nation and territory will receive a baton which will be designed to showcase its culture, creativity, and vision.

In Nigeria, the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games, Nigeria will decorate the baton.

To facilitate this, a joint committee comprising the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the National Sports Commission will be established to plan and execute the program.

The baton will be presented to His Majesty during the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland on 26 July 2026.

Second Tier Club Competition Throws Out Lagos Based Side

After failing to honour three consecutive games in the Nigeria National League NNL, Lagos based side 1472 FC will take no further part in the 2024/25 season.

The NNL relied on the league’s article 14.11 to expel the club.

In the letter signed by the NNL’s Chief Operating Officer, Danlami Alanana, the defaulting side 1472 are also fined the sum of N5 million.

Consequently, the results of all their played matches have been nullified, and unplayed matches canceled. 

1472 failed to hhonormarches against Abia Comets (Match 9), Dakkada FC (Match 53), and Ijele FC (Match 74).

Story by Kelechi Bernard @woramangra

LSG launches National Immunization week...as immunization begins May 3rd

The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-olu, has flagged off the  National Immunization Week in Lagos, with a call on parents to avail their children from age zero to five years of polio vaccines between May 3 and May 6.

At the kickoff ceremony at the Lagos House, Alausa, Dr Sanwo-olu, said the state government remains committed to ensuring no child in Lagos dies of any disease that can be prevented by immunization.

The theme, Humanly Possible, Saving Lives Through Immunization, challenges us to do everything we have power to ensure again, no child suffers or dies from a disease. We have the tools and knowledge to prevent. In line with the vision of our governor, young governor, Mr. Mabajidio Nishola, and the Teams Plus agenda, it prioritizes health and health development.

The state remains resolute, and " I keep on repeating it, no child should be left behind "

"We will keep on talking to them to ensure that all the children that have missed out are covered. We've done it before, we'll do it again. We will find them.

Let us make a collective pledge today that no child in Lagos will suffer from a disease we can prevent, that we will reach the unreached, that we will end polio once and for all. Like I said, we will find them. We will advocate continuously, update the community regularly.

She commended the Commissioner of Youth for supporting the young ones by ensuring that the immunization campaign achieved the desired results.  

Quoting the youth leader, "He told us 60% of our community is made up of youth.

He reminded us, of no youth, no nation. No nation, no youth. The work is now being passed down to our youth". She said

They have to continue campaigning so that we can save the young ones out there.

According to her, "From Saturday, May 3rd to Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, the leg of state, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and our development partners, will roll out the National Immunization Plus Games. Children aged 0 to 59 months at 0 to 5 years will receive two doses of oral polio vaccine, free of charge."

She urged Community and religious leaders as well as the Media to champion the course of the advocacy to correct all misinformation and myths about vaccines, noting that "it is safe.

We will keep on talking to them to ensure that all the children that have missed out are covered. We've done it before, we'll do it again. We will find them.

Let us make a collective pledge today that no child in Lagos will suffer from a disease we can prevent, that we will reach the unreached, that we will end polio once and for all. Like I said, we will find them. We will advocate continuously, update the community regularly.

The Chief of the UNICEF Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, Ms Celine Lafoucriere, maintained that over two million children in Nigeria are still not immunized which pose threats to their well-being and that of others in their communities, hence the need for aggressive awareness to reduce Polio to ground zero, noting that oral polio vaccine prevent over twenty four million cases of paralysis.

On his part, Director Health Education and Information, Lagos State Health District 1, Mr Olawole Abiola, appealed to parents especially mothers to ensure their children take the full doses of immunization saying one off vaccination is not good enough, with emphasis that the many myths around vaccines are not true and children should not be deprived of their fundamental human rights.

High point of the event was the commemoration immunization walk from the  office of the first lady at Alausa to Ikeja with health workers displaying placards with the immunization week theme Immunization for all is humanly possible, for every child: complete vaccination.

Use alternative routes: Lagos to close popular bridge in phases for 110 days.

The Lagos State Government has announced a detailed traffic diversion plan ahead of the emergency repairs on the Oworonshoki/Third Axial Bridge.

The schedule is to begin on Tuesday, 6th May, and run until Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025.

The repairs, which will span a total of 110 days, will be executed in eight phases across both lanes of the bridge.

According to a statement issued by the Commissioner,  Lagos Ministry of Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Phases 1 to 4 would cover the stretch of the Oworonshoki/Third Axial Bridge inbound the Third Mainland Bridge and would last from 6th May to 14th July, adding that phases 5 to 8 would focus on the outbound section of the bridge and would run from 15th July to 23rd September.

He said during the first phase, motorists heading to Oshodi or Victoria Island through Oworonshoki would be diverted about 50 meters before the work zone and returned to their original route shortly after the affected area.

“Commuters approaching from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are advised to reroute through the Ojota Slip Road, continue onto Ikorodu Road, and access Anthony, where they can make a right turn by the Taxi Park to reach Oshodi,” he said.

“Other alternate routes include using Anthony via Town Planning Way to link Gbagada and proceed via Third Mainland Bridge, or travelling from Mowe and its environs through Ojota and Funsho Williams Avenue to connect Eko Bridge and proceed to Victoria Island.

“For those coming from Ikeja, a route through Maryland, Funsho Williams Avenue, and onward to Outer Marina is advised. Drivers heading to Oshodi from Ikeja should use Ikorodu Road through Maryland, turn at Anthony by the ramp near the Taxi Park, and continue to Oshodi,” Osiyemi added.

According to the commissioner, when the repair moved to the outbound section from 15th July, motorists heading to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Oworonshoki would also be diverted 50 meters before the affected area and merged back to their original lane afterward.

He said commuters traveling from Victoria Island to areas like Alapere, Ketu, and Ikorodu were encouraged to use Eko Bridge and continue on Funsho Williams Avenue through Ikorodu Road towards their destination.

Osiyemi added that travelers heading to Mowe and surrounding areas from Victoria Island could also follow the Eko Bridge through Funsho Williams Avenue and proceed via Abiola Garden Ramp.

He assured that Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials would be on the ground throughout the repair period to manage traffic flow and reduce inconvenience to road users.

He urged motorists to remain patient and cooperate with traffic officials, stressing that the partial bridge closure is necessary for vital maintenance work on the bridge’s expansion joints by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

The government reiterated its commitment to minimizing disruptions while ensuring the safety and structural integrity of the bridge.