News
Bauchi, UNICEF, NPC flag of massive birth registration exercise
By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
Bauchi State state governments in collaboration with the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the National Population Commission (NPC) have flagged of a massive birth registration campaign in Bauchi State.
Flagging off the ceremony, Governor Mohammed Abubakar assured that all primary healthcare facilities and government hospitals in the state will have a desk officer dedicated to registration of birth.
He also added that all relevant state government agencies and departments are to key into the initiative of UNICEF Maternal, New born and Child health and Nutrition (MNCHN) project to ensure that henceforth all births in the state are registered and appropriate certificate issued.
He therefore called on all parents, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, as well as opinion leaders to cooperate with the registrars that will go from house to house in the next ten days from 6th to 16th July, 2017 during the campaign period to register all children under 5 years.
Speaking in a welcome address at the flag off ceremony the NPC Federal Commissioner, Alhaji Hassan Bashir said that the essence of the campaign was to address the low level of birth registration of children between 0 to five years in the state.
“The figure is least in the North East sub region standing at about 25% of expected number. Such intervention has taken place in 2 other states (Adamawa and Kebbi States) and since then, the level of registration in those states have really boosted to about 70%.
He said that the exercise will also help in providing an accurate data for proper policies planning by the state and federal governments in the areas of health, education and provision of social amenities.
The NPC Federal commissioner therefore commended Bauchi State government for providing office accommodation for the commission to carry out the exercise.
In his address the Chief Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi field office Dr. Abdullahi KaiKai, said with funding supports from European Union, integrating birth registration with the healthcare delivery system is the practical approach in which UNICEF, the National Population Commission, the Bauchi State Government through the Ministry of Health and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency are collaborating to ensure increased birth registration coverage can be attained and sustained in Bauchi State.
Dr Kaikai said UNICEF appreciates the efforts of the Government of Bauchi State while recalling that in 2014; about 1,292 health workers in various health facilities across Bauchi State have been trained on birth registration process so that they can support the conduct of birth registration efforts in the various health facilities in the State.
Dr. Abdullahi KaiKai said in spite of the support garnered so far and foundation strengthening efforts, the National Population Commission in Bauchi State needs a lot of intensive efforts to registration thousands of children being missed both at the health facilities and in marginalized, hard to reach, rural and very rural communities.
The need therefore for accurate data for planning purposes, according to Dr. KaiKai cannot be overemphasized especially as it concerns health, education, and the provision of amenities.
He added that the exercise is a practical approach to ensure increase in birth registration coverage in the state.
“As of January 2014, about 1,292 health workers in various health facilities across Bauchi State have been trained on birth registration process so that they can support conduct of birth registration efforts in the various health facilities in the state”, he added.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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