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FG Asks Nigerians Not to Shun Handwashing Culture Insists It is Crucial for Public Health

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FG Asks Nigerians Not to Shun Handwashing Culture Insists It is Crucial for Public Health

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has encouraged Nigerians not to shun the handwashing culture, insisting that clean hands are crucial for public health and global health security.

Speaking at the commemoration of the Global Handwashing Day in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako while noting that about 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the world, said: “Promoting proper handwashing in Nigeria is a strategic move to equip the nation in its fight against disease outbreaks as well as global threats such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).”

He lamented that children and other vulnerable population are more prone to such diseases like diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, because of poor knowledge about the importance and practice of effective handwashing. In order to create and promote awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing as an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives, noting that the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 declared 15th October of every year as Global Handwashing Day.

The Minister said this years’ theme: “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?” reflects an important question which provokes the thought that irrespective of the significant progress made in promoting handwashing with soup under running water, “our journey is far from over. This theme therefore confronts every sector and every individual with the reason to continue practicing and promoting effective handwashing and not to neglect this simple but powerful practice seeing that the benefits are limitless.”

He stated that: “Hand hygiene inclusion in government plans and funding not only improves health but also boosts the economy by reducing the burden on health services and promoting high healthcare standards.

“It also contributes to attaining multiple target’s of the Sustainable Development Goals on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), nutrition, education, health and economic growth.”

He stressed that: “For businesses including markets, effective hand hygiene practices can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases leading to fewer sick days for businessmen/traders, and increased productivity. This enhances marketplace well-being, supports public health, and strengthens overall resilience against disruption of business.

“In schools and workplaces such as hospitals and offices, clean hands are important in preventing diseases including hospital-acquired infections, ensuring consistent school/work attendance, and increased productivity.

“In the home, clean hands are still very much important to maintain good health by reducing the transmission of infectious agents (germs), and lowering the risk of infections such as diarrhea, typhoid and respiratory infections. Clean hands are still important in the home to prevent cross-contamination of food thereby reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. Very importantly clean hands help to protects vulnerable family members such as newborns, elderly and immunocompromised individuals who are more susceptible to infections.”

The minister insisted that: “Handwashing with soap under running water helps to reduce diarrhoeal diseases by 30%, respiratory infections up to 20%, and can also help to reduce the transmission of outbreak-related diseases such as cholera, Lassa fever, Ebola, COVID-19, m-pox etc. Handwashing is protective against up to 50% of avoidable infections acquired during health care and also prevents the spread of antimicrobial resistance.”

FG Asks Nigerians Not to Shun Handwashing Culture Insists It is Crucial for Public Health

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Bauchi DPO, another killed in fatal motor accident

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Bauchi DPO, another killed in fatal motor accident

By: Zagazola Makama

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Toro in Bauchi State, SP Mustapha Garba, and another person died following a fatal motor accident along Bargar Tsamiya in Toro Local Government Area, police said on Sunday.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, which occurred on June 14, 2025, at about 11:30 hours, involved a Mercedes car driven by the DPO, alongside two passengers, and a stationary Opel Astra vehicle, who had left the vehicle to attend to his farm.

Police sources said the DPO was traveling from Gumau to Magama Gumau town to attend his wedding Fatiha when his vehicle hit a pothole, causing him to lose control and swerve into the other lane, subsequently colliding with the stationary vehicle before somersaulting into the bush.

The DPO and another victim, Mr Shaaibu Cheski, 45, from Gumau Town, died while receiving treatment at General Hospital, Toro, while two other victims are currently undergoing treatment, police sources added.

Bauchi DPO, another killed in fatal motor accident

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Zulum commissions 20 road projects in Maiduguri to mark Democracy Day 

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Zulum commissions 20 road projects in Maiduguri to mark Democracy Day 

…Construction of 2 hospitals, int’l conference centre kicks off

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Thursday commissioned 20 road projects in Maiduguri, the state capital, to mark the 2025 Democracy Day.

They are Maina Kenindi Road, Talba Road, Yerima Road, Tafa Balewa Road, Cemetery Road, Park Road, Benue Road, Kinshasa Road, Homan Road, Kyari Sandabe Road, Elkanami Road and Onitsha Road.

Others are Dicharima Road, Sokoto I Road, Sokoto II Road, Engr Bukar Tijjani Road, Waziri Road, Marghi Road, Zajeri/Umarari Riad and Ambs Mahmud Ahmed Express Road in Gwange.

The combined 21.8 km projects were cited in Maisandari, Umarari, Ngarannam and Gwange, all in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

The governor reaffirmed his commitment to providing democracy dividends for the people of Borno State till the end of his administration.

“In sha Allah, before the expiration of my tenure, people of Borno State will witness many more projects,” Zulum said.

…Construction of 2 hospitals, int’l conference centre kicks off

Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has started constructing three more projects, comprising two hospitals and a 4,000-person international conference centre.

One of the two hospitals is a specialised orthopaedic service centre with a 200-bed capacity in the Goni Kachallari area of Jere Local Government.

Zulum commissions 20 road projects in Maiduguri to mark Democracy Day 

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Two Benue civil guards killed, others injured as security forces repel bandits’ attack in Tor-Donga

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Two Benue civil guards killed, others injured as security forces repel bandits’ attack in Tor-Donga

By: Zagazola Makama

Two operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) have been confirmed dead, and three others injured following a late-night attack by suspected armed bandits on a military post in Tor-Donga, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday when about ten armed bandits riding on five motorcycles stormed the army camp in Tor-Donga in an attempt to ambush troops stationed there.

The BSCPG operatives, who were on security duty at the location, intercepted the attackers. In the ensuing gunfire, one guard, identified as Torna Atim, was shot and died on the spot, while another, Fanga Gundepuun, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and later died in hospital.

Three other guards l, Guusu Terver, Mzuuga Terzungwe, and Abugh Ivanbee , all residents of Tor-Donga, sustained varying degrees of injury and were rushed to Nguher Hospital in Katsina-Ala for treatment.

Reinforcements from the Nigerian Army and military and other security agencies responded swiftly and successfully repelled the bandits, who fled into the bush, abandoning two motorcycles at the scene.

The motorcycles have been taken into custody.

Two Benue civil guards killed, others injured as security forces repel bandits’ attack in Tor-Donga

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