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Media, UNICEF Brainstorm On Covid-19 Vaccination
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and journalists have expressed their commitment towards children rights influenced reportage on the novel Covid-19 pandemic.
UNICEF and members of the fourth estate of the realm showed their readiness to partner in the fight against the virus at a programme which took place in Port Harcourt, recently.
The event was organised by UNICEF in conjunction with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State(BCA) for media executives within the South-South zone.
The programme which was tagged, ‘ One-Day zonal media executive meeting on COVID-19 Vaccine, Vaccination and Theories’ had in attendance media practitioners from media organisations with visible presence in the zone.
The Tide also learnt that the event was the second held by UNICEF in its Enugu field office, comprising the States of the South-South and South-East zones, respectively.
Informing participating media organisations of the objectives of the meeting, the Communication Officer of the Enugu Field Office of UNICEF, Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe stated as follows: “The objectives of the programme are, identifying media networks in the field office (FO) to frame a pitch over all plights of children and women, to engage with 25 media representatives and practitioners in the south-South states to forge way for enhancing and making more visible issues affecting children and women, as well as calling the media to action,plan developed story pitches that will increase Covid-19 vaccination uptake”.
She emphasised that the media is a tool for informing and educating the citizens on issues of public interest, saying that the media have a wide reach.
She also noted that the role of the media in the timely dissemination of information can not be over stated, hence, UNICEF partnership with the media in its programmes and activities.
“The role of the media in the reportage of the Covid-19 vaccination,are the use of clear language, explanation of the stage, reportage of the numbers affected, reports on the adverse events following vaccination and the use of appropriate imagery”, she said.
In the opening remarks of the event, Director General, Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), Anyaso, Anyaso, who was represented by the Desk Officer of the corpo ration, Nkpa Okezie thanked UNICEF and the media for the partnership.
The Abia Radio boss described the media as a foremost tool for not only informing the general public of what is happening, but that it also has the capacity to constantly provide the needed education on issues that are of mutual benefits to the government and citizens.
Anyaso hinted that he was glad his office partnered with UNICEF towards finding lasting solutions to address issues partaining to the Covid-19 pandemic, as it affects children and women in this part of the nation.
Giving two lectures titled, ‘Covid-19: Vaccination As A Life Saver’ and ‘ The Impact of Covid-19 on Children and Women: the Need for Mass Vaccination’, a consultant physician in the Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Dr Obasi Chikezie identified some of the errenous beliefs on Covid -19 vaccines and vaccination as the ‘death of a vaccinated patient after two years’, ‘magnetic metals’ in the vaccines, ‘convulsion’, ‘ignition of electric bulbs’ by any vaccinated individual and ‘changes in one’s DNA’, amongst others, dismissing them as myths.
Chikezie, who also called on all yet to be vaccinated individuals to make themselves available for vaccination at their various states of residence, expressed dissatisfaction that the nation’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage was still low, adding that records available show that Nigeria has covered only just about 3 per cent.
He decried the low level of vaccination reecorded by Nigeria when compared to the Western and some of the Eastern countries of the world which he stated have recorded close to a 100 per cent coverage as disheartening,urging the government to step up the rate of the vaccination exercise with applicable sanctions in order to persuade Nigerians to take the vaccines.
“Our vaccination records in Nigeria show that we’ve vaccinated only just 3 per cent, while America,China,the UK and others have surpassed 70, 80 and some have even achieved close to 100 per cent coverage”.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”