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Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu Flags Off Polio Vaccination For Children In Five LGAS

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Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu Flags Off Polio Vaccination For Children In Five LGAS
Lagos State First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Friday flagged off the 2020 Polio Vaccination Exercise for children in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the State, vowing that the State Government would continue to implement various initiatives to safeguard the health of residents.
Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu
The affected councils are Apapa, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Somolu and Surulere.
The African Regional Commission had formally declared Nigeria Polio free on 25th August 2020, but the vaccination exercise was initiated as a result of environmental circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) detected at Makoko, Asegere Market in Lagos Mainland in September.
Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu  Flags Off Polio Vaccination For Children In Five LGAS
Through the exercise, children between 0 – 5 years would be vaccinated with two drops of oral polio vaccine, regardless of their previous immunization status, to prevent poliomyelitis that may result in paralysis of the limbs or death.
Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu  Flags Off Polio Vaccination For Children In Five LGAS
Speaking at the flag off ceremony held at the Secretariat Complex of Somolu Local Government, Sanwo-Olu said though Nigeria had been certified polio-free, that conscious efforts must be put in place to ward off the threat of the virus, which according to her, necessitated the vaccination exercise.
Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu  Flags Off Polio Vaccination For Children In Five LGAS
“This Polio free status can only be maintained by strengthening our routine immunization services and regular surveillance activity in our communities for both wild and vaccine derived polio viruses and acute flaccid paralysis.
“We should also bear in mind that few other countries which are yet to be certified free of polio virus will still constitute a threat to the whole world. Therefore, the need for us as a nation to continue with our vaccination strategy in order to improve the health of our children and guarantee their survival to economically viable adults cannot be over emphasized,” she said.
Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu  Flags Off Polio Vaccination For Children In Five LGAS
The First Lady commended health workers for their service to humanity despite the challenges so far witnessed this year, especially with regards to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
While reiterating the commitment of the present administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ramp up healthcare, the First Lady urged residents, especially parents and guardians to take advantage of the vaccination exercise to protect their children and wards against the virus.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Olugbemiga Aina said it was essential for people to ensure that eligible children within communities were adequately vaccinated, adding: “We must ensure that our communities are rid of the virus because as long as wild poliovirus is still in circulation in some countries, the whole world remains at risk.”
Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu  Flags Off Polio Vaccination For Children In Five LGAS
He said during the exercise, vaccination teams would be required to visit residential homes, schools, churches, mosques, gated estates and all public places where eligible children will be vaccinated.
Speaking separately at the event, representatives of the Federal Government, World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) commended the State Government for taking the lead in healthcare initiatives, especially to protect children.
Director, Southwest Zone of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Adefunke Adesope, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, said the Lagos State Government deserved to be commended for its continuous commitment and support to immunization activities, saying the FG was delighted with the actions and investigations of the State Government since the detection of environmental circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Makoko.
On his part, WHO State Coordinator, Dr San Nyeni said it was on record that Governor Sanwo-Olu did exceptionally well to improve the health indices of the State despite the challenges faced in the year.
Also, State Coordinator, UNICEF, Dr Charles Nwosisi said: “There is a saying we generally have that if Nigeria is to get it right, then Lagos would have to lead the way and get it right and indeed Lagos has been getting it right and leading the way.”
First round of the vaccination holds from November 14 to 17, while the second round will take place between December 12 and 15, 2020.

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Discipleship: “Walk with the Wise and You Will Become Wise” — Dr Chris Okafor

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Discipleship: “Walk with the Wise and You Will Become Wise”
— Dr Chris Okafor

…Evil communication corrupts good character
…The Holy Spirit is the seal of redemption

 

 

True Christian living, beyond winning souls, requires nurturing and sustaining new converts in the faith. This was the central message delivered by the Generational Prophet and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Dr Chris Okafor, during a teaching on “Understanding the Act of Discipleship.”
According to him, soul winning without proper establishment and follow-up defeats its purpose. “The goal is not just conversion but fruitfulness and continuity in Christ,” he emphasized, noting that believers must also understand the conditions that make prayers effective.

The Necessity of Discipleship

Dr Okafor outlined why discipleship is essential in the Christian journey:
New converts require guidance to withstand temptations that could pull them back into their former ways.
They must gradually disconnect from relationships and habits that previously weakened their faith.
Support systems should be in place to help them navigate personal and spiritual challenges.
Consistent follow-up, rooted in love and care, helps prevent discouragement and negative perceptions.
Proper integration into the body of Christ strengthens their sense of belonging and commitment.

Understanding Discipleship

He described discipleship as a deliberate process of helping believers grow in Christ and align with godly principles rather than worldly influences. It involves:
Guiding converts until Christ is fully formed in them.
Transmitting biblical values that strengthen their faith and daily conduct.

Practical Approach to Discipleship

The cleric highlighted key methods for effective discipleship:
Fervent prayer for the spiritual stability of new believers.
Demonstrating genuine love and consistent care.
Regular follow-up visits and visible engagement.
Encouraging early infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching habits that sustain spiritual growth.

Habits That Strengthen Faith

To remain grounded, believers were encouraged to cultivate:
Daily study of the Word of God
Consistent prayer and fellowship with God
Active participation in church gatherings
Bold expression of their faith
A conscious rejection of unrighteousness
Deep-rooted commitment to the house of God

A Foundation for Growth

In conclusion, Dr Chris Okafor stressed that discipleship thrives when believers are rooted in sound spiritual guidance. “When you walk with the wise, you become wise,” he said, adding that strong spiritual formation protects individuals from negative influences and preserves godly character.

The Grace Nation Global Sunday Communion Service, observed by members worldwide, featured testimonies, healing sessions, deliverance, and a special child dedication, rounding off the service on a note of faith and celebration.

 

Discipleship: “Walk with the Wise and You Will Become Wise”
— Dr Chris Okafor

By Sunday Adeyemi
[email protected]

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APC’s Misrepresentation of Makinde’s Remarks: A Disturbing Display of Intellectual Dishonesty* -Olufemi Aduwo 

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*APC’s Misrepresentation of Makinde’s Remarks: A Disturbing Display of Intellectual Dishonesty* -Olufemi Aduwo 

 

The attention of right-thinking Nigerians has been drawn to the misguided and politically contrived statement issued by the All Progressives Congress (APC), in which it accused Governor Seyi Makinde of incitement over his reference to “Operation Wetie”. Let it be stated without equivocation, the APC’s reaction is not only a gross distortion of context but also a troubling exhibition of either wilful ignorance or a fundamental inability to comprehend even the most elementary use of historical analogy. One is left to wonder whether those who crafted that statement possess even a kindergarten grasp of the English language, let alone the intellectual depth required for serious political discourse.

 

 

Governor Makinde’s remarks were clearly cautionary and not incendiary. His reference to “Operation Wetie” was an invocation of history, nothing more and nothing less. It was a sober reminder of the catastrophic consequences that follow when democratic processes are subverted, dissent is stifled and political arrogance is allowed to fester unchecked.To interpret such a warning as a call to violence is either intellectually dishonest or deliberately mischievous.

 

 

By attempting to criminalise a legitimate historical reference, the APC exposes a deeper anxiety, an unease with truth and a discomfort with reminders of what unchecked political excess can produce. The tragedy of the Western Region crisis is not a subject to be buried under partisan convenience, it is a lesson to be studied, understood and heeded.

 

It is both ironic and alarming that a party which claims to defend democracy would seek to undermine historical consciousness. Such conduct betrays a troubling tendency towards authoritarian thinking, where even words of caution are twisted into offences and dissenting voices are vilified rather than engaged.

 

 

The statement by Felix Morka, in particular, collapses under the weight of its own exaggeration. To leap from a historical reference to claims of “anarchy” and “murderous rage” is not only illogical but borders on the absurd. It is political theatre of the lowest quality. Furthermore, the attempt to cloak this mischaracterisation in the language of “national security” is both reckless and disingenuous. National security is far too important to be reduced to a tool for partisan intimidation.

 

 

The APC would do well to engage in introspection rather than projection. This pattern of deliberate misrepresentation and inflammatory overreach poses a greater risk to Nigeria’s democratic stability.

 

Nigeria deserves a political culture rooted in honesty, maturity and intellectual rigour not one diminished by propaganda, distortion and opportunism. In the final analysis, the issue is simple, those who cannot understand history are often the first to misinterpret it and unfortunately, the most likely to repeat its errors.

 

 

-Olufemi Aduwo is a

Permanent Representative of CCDI to the ECOSOC/United Nations.

NB: Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity, is a non-profit organisation with Consultative Status of United Nations

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Prophet Oladele Ogundipe Genesis Hosts Jehoshaphat Night 2026 : A Powerful Night of Praise, Power, And Prophetic Encounter in Lagos

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Prophet Oladele Ogundipe Genesis Hosts Jehoshaphat Night 2026 : A Powerful Night of Praise, Power, And Prophetic Encounter in Lagos

 

 

 

Genesis Global Isheri is set to host an extraordinary spiritual gathering tagged PPP, Praise, Power & Prophetic Night, themed Jehoshaphat Night, on May 1st, 2026, from 8PM till dawn. This highly anticipated event will take place at Genesis Bus Stop, LASU–Igando Road, Isheri Idimu, Lagos, bringing together worshippers, believers, and seekers from across the city for a night of intense spiritual upliftment. With a vibrant atmosphere already expected, the event promises a unique blend of deep worship, prophetic ministrations, and life-transforming encounters.

 

The night will be led by Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe, the host and founder of Genesis Global, known for his dynamic prophetic ministry and impactful teachings. Attendees can also look forward to powerful ministrations from guest ministers Minister Dare Oxygen and Mista Olamilekan, who are set to usher in an atmosphere of heartfelt praise and spiritual revival. The theme “Jehoshaphat Night” draws inspiration from the biblical account of King Jehoshaphat, where praise became a weapon for victory setting the tone for a night centered on breakthrough, faith, and divine intervention.

 

Beyond just a gathering, Jehoshaphat Night is positioned as a transformative experience where attendees can expect spiritual renewal, prophetic direction, and a deeper connection with God through music and the Word. With a carefully curated lineup and a strong spiritual focus, this all night event aims to ignite faith and inspire testimonies. Whether you’re seeking clarity, breakthrough, or simply a powerful worship experience, this is a night not to be missed in Lagos. Make it an event.

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