Katsina records 11 months without new polio case after mass immunization campaign
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Katsina State has achieved 11 consecutive months without a new polio case, following a mass immunization campaign that reached over 2.9 million children. This milestone was announced by Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE HALG during World Immunisation Week 2026. Dr. Bartholomew Ochonye, Chief Executive Officer of HALG, stated that while this progress is significant, the fight against polio remains fragile. The campaign, which began in April 2025, involved over 4,000 field teams conducting house-to-house enumeration across 2,356 hard-to-reach settlements, covering more than 836,000 households and vaccinating over 1.6 million children in its first phase. HALG also led a statewide micro-planning exercise across all 34 local government areas to improve vaccination accuracy. Despite these gains, the campaign revealed that over 50,000 children identified had never received a single vaccine dose before the intervention. Major obstacles persist, including insecurity preventing access to some settlements, vaccine hesitancy, cold chain limitations, and weak health infrastructure. Dr. Ochonye emphasized the need for sustained funding for last-mile immunization systems, including enumeration, community engagement, and monitoring, to ensure that all children, especially those in hard-to-reach areas, are consistently reached. Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, but outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus continue to pose a threat, particularly in northern states with
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Three minors, aged between four and 15, from Awun community in Oro-Ago, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been released after residents reportedly paid a N60 million ransom to their kidnappers. The children were abducted from their home in February while their father, Olajide Buraimoh, was absent. Community sources indicated that the ransom was raised through contributions from local residents and indigenes living abroad, following extensive negotiations. The kidnappers also demanded food items, including rice, groundnut oil, spaghetti, semovita, beer, and seasoning sauce. The fundraising effort was coordinated via the Awun community's WhatsApp platform. A pregnant woman abducted with the children was released last week, while the minors remained captive until Monday. A resident named Ismail described the significant emotional and financial impact on the community. When contacted, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, stated he was unaware of the abduction or any ransom payment.
Kano residents and opposition figures have criticized Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's decision to allocate 1,540 plots of land and N100 million to leaders of the All Progressives Congress Polling Units Association. Residents expressed disappointment, citing widespread poverty and inadequate public facilities, arguing that state resources should benefit all citizens regardless of political affiliation. Ado Bala questioned the fairness of distributing land only to APC supporters, stating that land is held in trust for all residents. Another resident, Shehu, called the action a clear demonstration of favoritism and a potential case of vote-buying ahead of the 2027 general elections. Aisha Hassan urged Governor Yusuf to extend similar gestures to all residents to avoid criticism. Alhaji Musa Ungoggo, state chairman of the African Democratic Congress, alleged the move was a bribe to rig the upcoming elections, suggesting the funds should have been used to address critical issues like overcrowded primary schools and undredged dams. The state chairman of the People鈥檚 Democratic Party, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya, declined to comment, stating he needed to verify the facts as he had been out of the state.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago's solar energy initiative has been lauded by stakeholders for its potential to transform the state into a leading industrial destination and improve electricity supply. The project, which includes a 100-megawatt solar power plant, aims to provide an alternative electricity source for residents and industries, thereby boosting internally generated revenue and attracting investors. The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, commended Governor Bago's "industrial statesmanship" for allocating 500 hectares of land for the project, foreseeing significant economic development and investment. The governor emphasized that the initiative leverages the state's gas resources and vast land, in addition to its four hydropower dams. The Federal Executive Council has approved a $160 million financing package for the Niger State Solar Energy Development Project, comprising a $150 million facility from the Islamic Development Bank and $10 million from the Niger State Government. This project is expected to expand electricity access, particularly in rural communities, and support Nigeria's renewable energy drive. The Niger State Government has already deployed solar mini-grids and other renewable energy solutions, providing 24-hour solar power to over 180 communities that previously lacked consistent electricity. Key public institutions have also transitioned to independent solar systems. The Abuja Steel Mills Limited, a subsidiary of the African Industries Group, i