Federal government has pledged  communication and advocacy  support for the upcoming nationwide Measles-Rubella, MR, vaccination campaign scheduled for October.

This assurance was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, during a courtesy visit by the Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions, C-WINS. 

A statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, in Abuja, yesterday,  praised the team’s commitment to public health and child wellbeing.

Idris affirmed the ministry’s readiness to champion public sensitisation efforts that would ensure the campaign’s success.

“You have come to the right place. The ministry of information and national orientation exists to support and amplify initiatives like this.

“We will work with you and relevant agencies under our ministry to ensure that Nigerians are well-informed about the dangers of Rubella and the need for vaccination.”

“Many Nigerians, like myself, may be familiar with measles, but are unaware of Rubella and its devastating effects.

“That children can be born blind, deaf or with heart defects due to maternal rubella infection is a tragedy we must work together to prevent,”: he said.

He emphasised the ministry’s readiness to co-develop strategic messaging and support public education efforts nationwide.

The minister also encouraged the team to engage the National Assembly for broader legislative support.

“We do not want this to be a one-off meeting, let us make this partnership continuous, impactful and far-reaching.

“Prevention is better than cure, and this is one area where information truly saves lives,” Idris said.

According to the statement, the delegation from C-WINS, led by the Project Lead, Dr Nihinlola Mabogunje, briefed the minister on the urgent need to raise public awareness ahead of the October campaign.

Mabogunje also delivered a comprehensive presentation on the life-saving importance of the Measles-Rubella vaccine.

She explained that it is an often-overlooked threat, especially to pregnant women.

According to her, contracting rubella in the first trimester can result in Congenital Rubella Syndrome, CRS, leading to babies born blind, deaf or with severe heart abnormalities.

Mabogunje assured Idris of the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, noting that it has been used worldwide for over 50 years.

“It is credited with saving more than 94 million lives. I commend NAFDAC’s stringent regulatory review and endorsement of the vaccine for safe use in Nigeria.

“I  urge the ministry to lead a national communication effort to combat misinformation and build public trust.

“To reach the target of 95 percent vaccination coverage, we need accurate, trusted and consistent messaging delivered through the channels that everyday Nigerians rely on,” she said. NAN

Department of State Services, DSS, has filed a fresh application against Professor Pat Utomi at the Federal High Court in Abuja over  alleged plans to hold rallies. 

The DSS, in the application filed yesterday through its lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, before Justice James Omotosho prayed the court to restrain Utomi and his associates from  making public comments or engaging in rallies in relation to the planned “shadow government” formation.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the DSS had, earlier, dragged Utomi, the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, before Justice Omotosho over his alleged plan to establish what he called, “a shadow government” in the country.

The security agency, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, prayed the court to declare the move as an attack on the constitution and Justice Omotosho had fixed June 25 for the hearing.

Meanwhile, the fresh motion filed before the presiding judge was against the reports that Utomi, who is said to be currently abroad, had planned to engage in protests, road shows, media interviews and related activities upon his return to the country on June 6.

In the application filed yesterday, the DSS sought one relief.

It prayed for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant/respondent (Utomi), his agents from staging road shows, rallies, public lectures or any form of public gathering, newspaper publications, television programmes, jingles or any other public enlightenment programme.

The service, in its grounds of application, argued that, if not restrained, Utomi’s proposed rallies, road shows and actions would “constitute a serious threat to  public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

It noted that as the agency statutorily empowered to safeguard the internal security of the country and prevent any threats to lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its constituent institutions, it is incumbent on it to forstal any threat to public order, safety and national unity.

It stated that before it filed the substantive suit, Utomi, a Professor of Political Economy and Management, had, through public statements, social media and other platforms, engaged in statements and actions aimed at undermining the outcome of the case now pending before the court, and which he is aware of.

The DSS said it gathered through monitoring and intelligence reports that Utomi plans “to stage road shows and rallies under the guise of freedom of speech and association in a bid to cause public discontent in furtherance of his establishment of the purported ‘shadow government/shadow cabinet.’

The plaintiff added, in a supporting affidavit, that the former presidential candidate’s intention “is to stage road shows and rallies that are capable of drawing a large number of Nigerians with intent to cause huge disruption of peace, breakdown of public order, enable riots and violent protests just as the recent “End SARS” protests in 2020.

“All the planned protests, riots and agitations that will ensue, if the purported actions of the defendant/respondent are not stayed, may lead to mayhem with a potential for anarchy, loss of lives and property.

“The proposed allies, road shows and actions of the defendant/respondent constitutes a serious threat to  public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The DSS stated that on May 26 during the fourth edition of  Topaz Lecture Series, under the theme: “Shadow Government: A Distraction or Necessity,” hosted by the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Mass Communication Class of 1988 Alumni Association, Utomi made statements capable of undermining the pending suit.

It added that in the statements, widely publicised by various national newspapers and on social media platforms, he defended the creation of the purported shadow government and  stated that if the suit succeeds in favour of the DSS, himself and his group shall adopt a different name.

The agency added that Utomi had been served with the originating process in this suit and had entered appearance vide his Counsel, Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN) since May 20.

“The defendant/respondent (Utomi) is aware of the pendency of this action before this court, as he has been served with the originating process in this suit by courier as ordered.

“Unless this  court intervenes by granting this application, the defendant/respondent’s acts may foist a fait accompli on the court.

“It is in the interest of justice, national security and the rule of law for this  court to grant this application,” the DSS said.

Speaking  after filing the fresh application, DSS lawyer, Kehinde, SAN, explained the rationale behind his client’s decision to approach the court.

Kehinde said: “We, as counsel to the DSS, have just filed an application seeking interlocutory injunction against the defendant and his group pending the determination of the substantive suit.

“The application, being a public document can be obtained from the registry of the  court.

“It is good that as members of the fourth estate of the realm, you are keeping watch over the case filed against the formation of ‘Shadow Government’ by Professor Utomi and his group.

“The civil suit, as you are aware, was filed by the  as DSS in consonance with its statutory mandate of ensuring internal peace and avoidance of any form of insurrection and treasonable felony against the democratically elected government in the country.”

He said the application was filed because Utomi had continued to make inflammatory statements capable of igniting chaos in the country instead of abiding by the hallowed principle that civilised parties before the court are expected to maintain  status quo pending the determination of the substantive matter.

“What our client has submitted to the court is for the interpretation of the constitution whether any form of government by whatever nomenclature can be formed or allowed outside the constitution.

“Furthermore, our client is not interested in arresting anybody in respect of this matter having on its own accord submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the  court to interpret the constitution and determine the legality or otherwise of the ‘Shadow Government’ or any other nomenclature that it may be so named.

“It must be pointed out that our client under its current leadership is a very civilised organisation with absolute confidence in the rule of law.

”Its personnel will always approach the court of law whenever it feels that there is any infraction on its statutory duties by anyone or the rights of its personnel. Let the court have the final say.

“Gentlemen, we must all ensure that constitutional democracy and the rule of law have its way in Nigeria,” Kehinde said. NAN

From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, Enugu

Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, said the use of non-kinetic operational approach will enhance security, as well as build peaceful and resilient communities.

Musa said this in an address at the opening ceremony of a two-day Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation, HIMIC, workshop  held at 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, yesterday.

The workshop was organised by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with British Defence Staff.

Represented by a Director of Civil Military Relations, AVM Olushola Akinboyewa, the CDS said  the military is adopting better strategies to strengthen its non-kinetic operational approach. 

According to him, in a world where conflict and tension often cloud our perspectives, embracing non-kinetic strategies allows us to navigate conflicts with dignity, fostering dialogue and collaboration with the civilian populace.

He said, “The nature of today’s threats, including insecurity in various forms, calls for an approach that integrates both kinetic and non-kinetic methods. 

“The role of human security and civil-military cooperation in national development centers on bridging the gap between military efforts and civilian aspirations for peace and stability.

“By upholding human security values, we not only aim to neutralise threats, but also  protect and support the civilians affected by conflict. 

“This workshop will delve into the complexities of human security and CIMIC, providing participants with the tools to mitigate the effects of military operations on civilian life.

“The success of a modern military  depends not only on operational victories, but also on our ability to enhance human security, build resilience and foster peace and development in conflict-affected regions.”

Musa noted that the workshop was particularly timely, “as we face multiple challenges in our nation’s security”, adding that responding effectively requires a “whole-of-society” approach, where every individual and institution contributes to peace and security.

“This approach, coupled with our commitment to non-kinetic strategies, is central to safeguarding Nigeria’s unity and growth.

“Throughout this workshop, participants will explore frameworks that integrate human security into military operations, emphasising the critical role of CIMIC,” he added.

A personnel of the British Defence Staff, John Sanderson, said  the workshop would expose the participants to the importance of human security and protection of civilians in every field of operation. 

Sanderson, who is the lead facilitator of the workshop, noted that its essence is to build trust between military personnel and civilians in order to build a seamless relationship that works for all.

In a welcome address, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division, Major-General Oluyemi Olatoye, appreciated the CDS and  British Defence Staff for hosting the  national workshop in the 

Division.

Olatoye, who is also the Commander of the Joint Task Force in the South East, code-named ‘Operation Udo Ka’, noted that the Division had upheld respect for human rights in all its operations, adding that the workshop would  improve all aspects of civil-military relationship.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, FRSC, DSS, Nigerian Immigration Service, Customs, NDLEA and Nigerian Correctional Service among others.

The opening ceremony featured group photographs and exchange of plaques between the GOC and representatives of the CDS.