Economy
Bill Gates Urges Tinubu Government To Continue Momentum For Polio Eradication
Bill Gates Urges Tinubu Government To Continue Momentum For Polio Eradication
Bill Gates urges Tinubu Government to continue momentum for polio eradication. Mr Gates acknowledged the Nigerian government’s efforts and progress, disclosing that polio detections in the country reduced by about 40 per cent in Q1 2025.
Bill Gates, the chair of Gates Foundation, has advised the federal government to continue its longstanding commitment to end polio transmission in the country.
Mr Gates, during a media roundtable with selected journalists on Wednesday in Lagos, emphasised that with the tightening of global funding, it’s more important than ever that Nigeria keeps up the momentum of polio eradication.
“Now is not the time to stop because, unfortunately, the virus is still circulating, and we need stronger action—especially in Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi states.
“What is important now is that the government urgently continues its longstanding commitment alongside partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and the heroic efforts of frontline health workers to end polio transmission.
“The emergence of variant polio cases remains a serious challenge and can fuel doubts about vaccine safety,” Mr Gates said.
He stated that this was the reason the foundation was supporting Nigerian-led and GPEI partners such as UNICEF and WHO to engage affected communities directly.
“That’s what we need to do more, and the key to stopping outbreaks lies in rapid, high-quality response campaigns and closing immunity gaps,” Mr Gates added.
He highlighted the importance of robust routine immunisation coverage to achieve and sustain a polio-free world, increasing population immunity and reducing the immediate and long-term risks of polio.
According to him, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a key partner in this effort, financing the provision of the inactivated polio vaccine in lower-income countries.
“The world is in the final sprint to end this horrific disease, and Nigeria is key to that success.
“With strong investments and partnerships, I am confident we will bring about a world where no child faces the threat of polio,” he said.
Mr Gates acknowledged the Nigerian government’s efforts and progress, disclosing that polio detections in the country reduced by about 40 per cent in Q1 2025 compared to the same time last year.
“We have also seen some useful improvements in the April immunisation campaign. These are positive outcomes from all the hard work the government and partners have been doing,” he said.
The philanthropist noted that Africa’s success in eradicating wild poliovirus is a major public health achievement made possible by strong government leadership, sustained surveillance, and effective partnerships.
“But we must understand that ongoing disease surveillance will play a vital role in detecting and rapidly responding to new outbreaks,” he said.

Bill Gates Urges Tinubu Government
Polio (poliomyelitis) is an infectious disease caused by a virus which invades the nervous system and often causes irreversible paralysis.
It can strike at any age but mainly affects children under five. There is no cure for polio, as it can only be prevented through vaccination.
Nigeria eradicated wild polio in 2020. However, a resurgence saw Nigeria report 122 confirmed cases of circulating poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) between January 2024 and March 10, 2025.
These cases primarily occurred in the northern states.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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