馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Allied People's Movement accuses Nigerian Presidency of misrepresenting Trump's letter on terrorism efforts
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Allied People's Movement APM has accused the Nigerian Presidency, led by President Bola Tinubu, of misleading citizens by portraying a letter from United States President Donald Trump as an endorsement of its counter-terrorism performance. The APM argues that Trump's letter merely acknowledged President Tinubu's resolve and commitment to addressing insecurity, rather than commending any concrete achievements in the fight against terrorism. Abubakar Yusuf, APM National Publicity Secretary, challenged the Presidency to identify any part of Trump's letter that praised Tinubu for tangible results. The Presidency had announced on Wednesday that Trump commended Tinubu's administration's security efforts, with Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stating that Trump also mentioned the deployment of US Special Operations Forces to train the Nigerian military. The APM, in a statement released on Thursday, described the Presidency's interpretation as an attempt to create a false impression of the country's security situation. The party quoted Trump's July 6, 2026, letter, which read, "Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people. I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities..." The APM reiterated that the letter speaks of resolve and commitment, not specific achievement
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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The Katsina State Primary Health Care system, supported by UNICEF, has intensified efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. This involves a second round of Tetanus-Diphtheria TD vaccination targeting women of childbearing age in Kaita Local Government Area. The one-week vaccination drive, which began on July 20 and concludes on July 27, aims to immunize girls and women aged 15 and above against tetanus. Sada Hashiru, the Routine Immunisation Provider and Officer-in-Charge of Unguwar Tsamiyya Health Clinic, noted that integrating the TD vaccination with routine immunization has improved acceptance. He explained that women bringing their children for vaccines are also offered the TD vaccine, allowing for greater reach without requiring additional visits. Health education is also being used to correct the misconception that the vaccine is only for married or pregnant women, clarifying that all women from age 15 are eligible. Supervising health official Isah Yahaya described the initiative as a vaccination intensification designed to increase coverage among women who missed previous doses. Vaccination posts are strategically placed within routine immunization clinics and Outpatient Therapeutic Programme OTP centers to reach more eligible women, including caregivers accessing nutrition services. Beneficiaries expressed satisfaction, with a 17-year-old receiving her first dose and a 35-year-old returning for her second, both understanding the vaccine's importance for the
The African Democratic Congress ADC has criticized the Nigerian presidency's celebration of a letter from former United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu. The opposition party stated that such diplomatic correspondence cannot shield the President from the judgment of Nigerian voters, especially as the country faces insecurity, economic hardship, and declining living standards. The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that routine diplomatic exchanges should not be presented as endorsements of the administration's performance. The party emphasized that Trump's letter does not reflect the realities in Nigeria or alter its security and socio-economic challenges. The ADC highlighted that the true measure of any government is the daily experience of its citizens, not international recognition. They pointed out the ongoing captivity of women and children in Borno and Kwara states, and violent attacks in Benue and other regions, arguing that diplomatic letters offer little comfort to those living under constant threats. The party also questioned the celebration of the letter given the U.S. Department of State's Level Three and Level Four travel advisories for parts of Nigeria due to terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime. The ADC urged the Federal Government to prioritize tangible improvements in governance over publicizing diplomatic exchanges, stating that Nigerians will judge the administration based on its record in office