News
Childhood killer diseases: New Incentive sets to immunize 1.5 million infants in 2023
Nasiru Yusuf
An International Non-governmental Organization, New Incentive – All Babies Are Equal, NI-ABAE has set a target to immunize about 1.5 million infants against childhood killer diseases in Nigeria in 2023.
KANO FOCUS The Group’s Stakeholders Relation Director, Nura Muhammad made this known while addressing newsmen shortly after it bi-annual joint stakeholders meeting with stakeholders from North East held in Kano.
Muhammad said it intend to expand and reach the infants within the 11 Northern states where it is implementing the program.
According to him, “NI-ABAE started in 2017 in Katsina, Zamfara and Jigawa States. In 2020, they expanded to Sokoto and Bauchi. Till date, the program has enrolled over 952,138 infants and disbursed over 2.36 billion in Conditional Cash Transfer to caregivers. An independent randomized control trial of NI-ABAE (2017 – 2020) found that the program increases the likelihood that children would be fully immunized by 27 per cent and increases rates of individual vaccinations by 14 to 21 per cent.
“Additionally, the research found that the program contributed to improved timeliness of vaccines as well as improved knowledge of and attitudes towards vaccines among caregivers.
“NI-ABAE encourages each round of vaccines included in nigeria’s routine Immunization schedule. Small cash incentives are distributed to beneficiaries during each of the six routine Immunization visits, conditional on infants receiving, BCG (Newborn), PENTA and PCV (6, 10 and 14 weeks) and MCV vaccines (9 and 15 months). Though these vaccines are the ones minimally required to receive the incentive, all vaccinations in the routine Immunization schedule are encouraged. The caregiver receives N500 for all visits except for the 9-month visit where the incentive is N2,000 upon receiving MCV 1.
“These vaccinations are provided at no cost to the caregivers through govt-supported clinics. The cash incentives help compensate for transportation cost, lost income, and waiting times while creating behavioural change through awareness creation on the benefits of Immunization.
“We create demand for routine immunization as well enlighten the caregivers on the importance of routine immunization in such a way that even when the conditional cash transfer is not there they will bring their infants to get vaccinated.
“So we are equally pushing for the states to ensure that they provide these vaccines so that when caregivers come they get their infants vaccinated.
“Currently, we are implementing in six states namely Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi and Gombe. And we are planning to extend to Kano State between now and December. By the first quarter of next year, we will also extend the program to four more states of Kaduna, Adamawa Taraba and Kebbi. We want to be in 11 states which cut across North East and North West by mid next year. And to also enrol 1.5 million infants throughout the year,” the NI-ABAE Stakeholders Relation Director, Nura Muhammad however stated.
In attendance at the stakeholders meeting include Commissioner of Health, Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Health, Executive Directors of State Primary Healthcare Centre Development Agency, among others.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (ART) of the Republic of Cameroon, Philemon Zoo Zame, on Wednesday visited the headquarters of the [Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Abuja for a benchmarking exercise aimed at strengthening regulatory collaboration and knowledge sharing between both countries.
KANO FOCUS reports that during the visit, the Cameroonian telecom regulator met with the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Aminu Maida.
A statement issued by Ayiabari A. Kigbara, Manager, Media Relations, Public Affairs Department of the NCC, said the engagement focused on exchanging ideas and best practices in telecommunications regulation, with emphasis on enhancing efficiency and development within the sector.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
Cameroon telecom regulator visits NCC for benchmarking exercise
Dangote Refinery maintains ex-depot price of PMS
Tinubu congratulates Garo on appointment as Kano deputy governor
Ganduje acknowledges Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, 6 years after dethroning him
Gov. Yusuf to swear in Murtala Garo as Kano deputy governor Tuesday
Kano SUBEB disowns fake teachers’ recruitment results
Sarkin Fulanin Jaidinawa Abubakar Gwadabe Buhari dies, funeral set for Wednesday
Kano Judicial Commission sanctions Shariah Court Judges, other staff over misconduct
Tinubu nominates Kano’s Rabiu Umar as new NMDPRA chief
