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Lagos Kicks Off 2025 Health Week To Combat Maternal, Child Deaths
Lagos – In a strategic push to expand access to critical health services, the Lagos State Government on Monday, June 23, 2025, kicked off the first phase of its bi-annual Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition Week (MNCH+N) in Alimosho, the state’s most populous local government area.
The launch set the stage for a week-long, statewide intervention aimed at scaling up free, lifesaving healthcare for vulnerable populations.
With the theme “Reaching for Zero Preventable Maternal and Child Deaths,” the initiative mobilises healthcare workers and resources across all 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
The campaign runs through Friday, June 27, bringing essential services like immunization, nutrition support, antenatal care, and health education to doorsteps across Lagos.
According to health officials, the MNCH+N Week reflects the government’s broader goal to reduce health disparities and eliminate preventable deaths, especially among mothers, newborns, children, and adolescents. The choice of Alimosho for the campaign’s launch underscores the administration’s focus on high-need communities and its commitment to making comprehensive healthcare not just available—but accessible.
The First Lady, Dr. Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, addressing stakeholders, highlighted the significance of the MNCH+N Week as a critical intervention that empowers citizens with access to cost-effective, high-impact healthcare services that can transform health indices and save lives.
Dr. Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, described the MNCH+N Week as a “critical intervention” that brings high-impact, cost-effective health services closer to those who need them the most, especially women, children, and adolescents.
According to her, despite all efforts, the current under-five and infant mortality rates of 36 and 46 per 1,000 live births respectively remain a call to action. “No child deserves to die from preventable causes.”
She said: “Since its inception in Lagos in 2010, the MNCH+N Week has evolved into a national campaign. The week-long campaign will deliver a wide range of services including vitamin A supplementation, growth monitoring, free antenatal and postnatal care, family planning, counselling on home care, screening for malnutrition, as well as information and referral support for sexual and domestic violence cases.
“Services are offered free of charge daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at all public primary healthcare centres and designated outreach posts.”
Rises Against Quackery
Sanwo-Olu condemned the rising cases of quackery in maternal health services, urging citizens to avoid unregistered birth attendants and instead utilize services from licensed healthcare professionals or those registered under the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board.
She issued stern warning against the use of unregistered birth attendants, which she said continue to endanger lives across communities. She urged families to seek care from licensed professionals or certified traditional medicine practitioners recognized by the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board.
“Our communities must rise up to report illegal practices that put the lives of our women and children in danger,” she stated, reiterating the need for collective vigilance.
Spotlight On Alimosho
She continued, “The choice of Alimosho, Lagos’ most populous local government as the launch site was far from coincidental. Alimosho’s performance would significantly influence the outcome of the statewide outreach.”
She commended the local government’s history of community engagement and described the week as both “symbolic and strategic” in reaching grassroots populations with essential health services. She further advocate for wider registration under Ilera Eko, the state’s health insurance scheme, emphasizing that sustainability of care must extend beyond campaign periods.
Power In Collaboration
On his part, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, echoed the urgency of the campaign, calling on caregivers and families to take full advantage of the free services. He highlighted the inclusion of adolescents as beneficiaries, reflecting a broad-based strategy to reach every vulnerable group.
“Parents whose children have missed any vaccinations or Vitamin A doses should seize this opportunity. We also encourage communities to mobilize others to attend,” he urged.
Also, Representing development partners, Chief of Nutrition, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy, hailed the Lagos State Government for its consistency and innovation in maternal and child health. She revealed that in 2024 alone, MNCH+N Week in Lagos led to nearly six million children receiving Vitamin A and three million undergoing deworming.
Introducing the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), a new financing mechanism that doubles state investments in critical nutrition commodities, Hajeebhoy called on Lagos to join other states already leveraging the initiative. “We are confident that Lagos, with its leadership and infrastructure, can be a model for nutrition financing in Nigeria,” she added.
Community Drive, Infrastructure Development
Chairman, Alimosho local government, Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, represented by Vice Chairman Hon. Akinpelu Johnson, took the occasion to inaugurate a new administrative building at the council secretariat. He described the MNCH+N Week as “timely and essential,” pledging that Alimosho would continue to prioritise healthcare, particularly for women and children.
“Good health is not just a right, it is the foundation of economic stability and personal development.
“The journey to zero preventable maternal and child deaths requires more than medical supplies; it demands collaboration, vigilance, and sustained political will. The MNCH+N Week may last only five days, but its impact, if fully embraced, could resonate for generations.”
Independent.ng
The Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Oyo, Professor Sunday Okeniyi, has enjoined the newly employed staff of the institution to develop the spirit of teamwork, respect, and discipline, which are the hallmarks of every successful institution.
Okeniyi disclosed this during the orientation programme for the newly employed staff of the institution.
While welcoming the newly employed staff, he also congratulated them on their successful appointment into the fast-rising institution. “Your joining us today is not by chance, but by merit, commitment, and the will of God. Atiba University is a citadel of learning and character formation, envisioned to nurture and produce men and women of excellence, integrity, and service. By becoming part of this family, you are now co-builders of this noble vision.”
The V-C said the orientation programme was a deliberate initiative of the management to formally integrate the new staff into the University system. “It is designed to give you a clear understanding of our mission, vision, core values, rules, and operational culture. Our goal is not just for you to work here, but for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and leave an indelible mark on the growth and transformation of this University.”
He explained that the university places a premium on academic excellence, innovative research, moral uprightness, and community development. These values define the identity and are the standards the staff must all uphold in their respective assignments—whether as academic staff shaping young minds or as non-teaching staff providing essential support services that make our work possible.
While admitting much needed to be done, Okeniyi said the institution has recorded remarkable progress within a short time. “The future we envision—a future of global competitiveness, leadership in innovation and knowledge, and impact within and beyond Nigeria—requires the collective commitment of every member of staff. That includes you. Your dedication, creativity, and professionalism are needed to propel us forward,” he said.
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This Is War, Kill Every Single One Of Them – Fani-Kayode Blows Hot Over Zamfara Mosque Massacre
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the gruesome murder of five worshippers during an early morning prayer in Yandoto village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
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Speaking via his 𝕏 account, he insisted that the killers should be wiped out, adding that there should be no room for discussions or negotiations.
Fani-Kayode asserted that the killers are terrorists not bandits and described their actions as an act of war.
He wrote: “These are not bandits. Pls stop calling them bandits. They are bloodthirsty killers and terrorists and every single one of them should be wiped off the face of the earth.
“If our people cannot worship God in peace then we have nothing. No negotiation, no discussion, no ransom payments, no rehabilitation.
“This is WAR. Kill every single one of them, wipe out their blood line and decimate their communities and abodes. There is no place on earth for those that slaughter innocent civilians.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to address the escalating banditry crisis in the state.
Naija News reports that a deadly attack occurred on Sunday in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left several residents and vigilante members dead.
Speaking via a statement on Monday, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described the massacre as “a despicable and senseless act.”
He blamed the governor for the insecurity situation in the state, noting that it is a monumental leadership failure.
Adewara said, “The gruesome videos of the casualties circulating online make it look like Kwara is now at war. Under AbdulRahman’s watch, terror is reigning, kidnappers are taking over rural villages, and nowhere is safe again.”
The opposition party faulted AbdulRazaq’s alleged silence and absence from the affected community, insisting that a responsible leader should have personally visited Oke-Ode to commiserate with victims’ families and give assurances of decisive action.
It further accused the governor of neglecting local vigilantes and security personnel “battling criminals in the bush,” while diverting funds to “footballers and entertainers outside the state.”
The PDP’s criticism comes amid rising concern in Kwara North, where repeated bandit attacks have forced residents to abandon farms, schools, and businesses.
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Nigeria @65: Atiku Knocks Tinubu’s Government In Strongly-Worded Independence Day Message; Details Emerge
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has praised Nigerians for what he described as “uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions”
In his Independence Day message to Nigerians, the opposition leader alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration had abandoned Nigerians to their fate
Atiku lamented that Nigerians were enduring pains from “raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness all “compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration
In an Independence Day message released by his media office, obtained by Legit.ng, Atiku lamented that Nigerians are enduring excruciating pains from raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness.
The presidential hopeful accused the Tinubu administration of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
Atiku declared: “It is tragic that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”
Furthermore, Atiku called on citizens not to lose faith, reminding Nigerians that the 2027 election provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.
He said: “The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”
At 65, Atiku noted, Nigeria remains “a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay”.
The 78-year-old blamed Nigeria’s condition on “a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.”
He bemoaned: “Yet, he urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations.”
PRESS RELEASE
Nigeria @65: @atiku Hails Nigerians’ Courage, Blasts APC Over Economic Strangulation
Former Vice President of Nigeria and Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, has paid tribute to the uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience of Nigerians who, despite living under… pic.twitter.com/cPnI9KzxrJ
— Paul Ibe (@omonlakiki) September 30, 2025
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