The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a significant 38% decrease in circulating variant polio virus type 2 (cVPV2) cases in Nigeria between 2023 and 2024.

Speaking at a news conference following a roadshow to mark World Polio Day in Maiduguri, Dr. Walter Mulombo, WHO’s Country Representative, highlighted the achievement as a result of concerted efforts by the Nigerian government and its partners to curb the outbreak.

Mulombo, represented by Dr. Aisha Kadi, emphasized the importance of vaccinating the remaining unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children, noting that the virus continues to spread due to gaps in immunization coverage.

“The global spread of cVPV2 underscores the need for continued vigilance, as no country is safe from polio until it is eradicated worldwide,” Mulombo said.

He praised the collective efforts that have protected millions of children from polio, adding that five of the six WHO regions, including Africa, are now free from wild poliovirus. However, challenges such as violence, vaccine refusals, and climate emergencies persist in reaching all children with vaccines.

Mulombo urged renewed support for global eradication efforts, stressing that the polio vaccine remains safe and effective in protecting children from paralysis caused by the virus.

Dr. Joseph Kaltungo, an agronomist based in Gombe, has advised farmers to stop using harmful pesticides for grain preservation, highlighting their severe health risks.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, Kaltungo emphasized that the Federal Government has banned the use of hazardous chemicals in grain storage to protect public health. He cautioned against the use of products such as Actellic dusts, Actellic liquid, rat killers, and Phostoxin, which can pose significant dangers when consumed.

Kaltungo urged vegetable growers to avoid spraying pesticides just before harvest to prevent food poisoning. He recommended safer storage techniques, like using chemically coated polythene bags for long-term preservation and jerry cans or drums for short-term storage. Additionally, he suggested mixing dried pepper with grains to deter insects.

The agronomist also stressed the importance of properly drying grains before storage, noting that groundnuts contaminated with aflatoxins, caused by fungal infections, have been rejected in international markets. He advised farmers to avoid storing grains on the floor and to use crates or cartons to prevent moisture absorption, which can lead to spoilage.

Kaltungo urged farmers to fumigate their silos and warehouses, ensuring proper ventilation and sealing holes to keep pests out. He also called on the government and development organizations to build more community storage facilities to help farmers prevent post-harvest losses, which negatively impact rural incomes.

By Philip Ikodor

The Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir has called on Nigerian women to rally behind the First Lady, Her Excellency Sen. Oluremi Tinubu CON, OON in support of her developmental initiatives. This call was made during a courtesy visit by various women’s groups to her office in Abuja on Tuesday. The Director-General emphasized the importance of women uniting behind the First Lady, especially in light of her recent humanitarian efforts in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

During her visit to Maiduguri, the First Lady provided cash donations and relief materials to victims of the devastating floods that recently struck the state, leaving many people homeless and claiming numerous lives. The Director-General applauded the First Lady’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and urged Nigerian women to actively participate in these efforts to uplift the nation.

The call to action underscores the significant role women can play in national development and the impact of collective support in addressing critical issues such as disaster relief and rehabilitation, she stressed.

The Director General also urged women across the country to support the First Lady in her various women development initiatives. She further emphasized the importance of supporting the First Lady’s efforts, which are aimed at uplifting the plight of women in Nigeria.

Dr. Asabe highlighted that while there are challenges, especially in the narrative of appointments and inclusivity, the First Lady is acutely aware of these issues. She reassured the women that the First Lady is working diligently to address matters affecting women and is committed to ensuring that their concerns are adequately handled.

She pleaded with the women not to be discouraged but to remain steadfast in their support as they work towards collective progress and empowerment.