Education
Meningitis C: MSF Vaccinates 148,000 People in 7 Days in Nigeria
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About 148,000 people between the ages of one and 20 have been vaccinated by 25 Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams with about 850 people per day for seven days.
Thousands of men, women, and children in northern Nigeria have been affected by a meningitis C outbreak, reportedly the largest to hit the country in the past nine years.
Almost six months after the first cases were recorded in Zamfara State, Nigeria’s Ministry of Health (MoH) is still struggling to fight this epidemic in seven states of the country.
MSF has supported the health authorities with surveillance and case management in the most-affected locations since February, when the outbreak was officially declared.
However, the slow reaction system of the country and a global shortage of vaccines have hampered the response.
On April 15, MSF set up a 200-bed treatment centre in Sokoto town, followed by a 20-bed facility in Anka, Zamfara.
In these locations, MSF’s Nigeria Emergency Response Unit (NERU) works intensively to provide free, high-quality medical care and reduce mortality rates as much as possible.
These teams treat challenging cases in a difficult environment. “A few days ago a nine-year-old boy was brought in unconsciousness and with severe meningitis,” recalls Caroline Riefthuis, an MSF nurse in Sokoto. “He received treatment for five days and recovered, but unfortunately we found out that he had become deaf and blind—side effects of severe meningitis.”
This little boy is one of 614 patients treated in Sokoto Mutalah Mohamad Hospital since April, when MSF took over the management of the center from the MoH due to a lack of supplies and qualified staff to run it.
In Anka General Hospital, 137 patients were admitted since the beginning of the outbreak. Most are between five and twenty years old.
Tackling the Outbreak
In addition to the staff working in the treatment centres, eleven MSF surveillance teams visited health facilities to determine the origins of new cases in Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Niger and Kebbi. These visits also allowed MSF to implement additional activities, such as health promotion, to increase community awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and active case finding.
At the end of April, the Nigerian MoH reported 9,646 suspected cases of meningitis C, with a total of 839 deaths since late 2016. And on May 1, MSF was finally able to join a vaccination campaign launched by the health authorities in Sokoto.
An additional campaign with a target population of nearly 130,000 will start later this month in the four most-affected LGAs of Yobe State
Late Response and Insufficient Vaccine Supplies
Although these vaccination campaigns are a crucial step to stop the spread of the disease, MSF has concerns regarding the late response to the crisis in a country where meningitis epidemics are not rare.
“The national early warning system and timely response needs to be strengthened, and the implementation strategy better-defined, to reduce the impact of the outbreak as much as possible,” explains Philip Aruna, MSF Head of Mission in Nigeria.
Even more worrisome is the global shortage of meningitis C vaccine, which contributed to the delayed response and increased mortality rates in Nigeria. “The outbreak is spreading fast and we are concerned because there are not enough vaccines to cover the affected population,” says Aruna. In Sokoto, for example, three million vaccines are required to launch a mass campaign, but only 800,000 were available. This insufficient quantity only allows for a reactive campaign, which requires teams to act fast to prevent the disease from spreading further.
To address these logistical challenges and reduce the mortality rates, MSF insists that treatment centers be decentralized so that all people affected by the disease, even those in remote areas, can access free, quality health care and the right tests to quickly confirm cases and prevent misdiagnoses. It is crucial that adequate prevention measures be put in place to avoid another delayed response when the next meningitis outbreak inevitably occurs.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To improve foundational literacy and numeracy in Nigeria, Oando Foundation has introduced an initiative called Foundational Learning Improvement Programme (LEARNOVATE – FLIP).
About 80 public primary schools across four of the 36 states of the federation, namely Ebonyi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Adamawa, would be used for the pilot of the programme by the organisation.
The aim is to support the government to achieve its Universal Basic Education goal by leveraging evidence-based methods to address the learning crisis in Nigeria and build.
Oando Foundation is going on this journey by partnering with other organisations like the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa, the Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA), and the Hilltrust Top Foundation.
This scheme integrates two methodologies by taking a targeted approach to enhance inclusive and equitable quality education.
The first is the Early Grade Reading (EGR), which is co-implemented by QEDA and Hilltrust Top Foundation, and focuses on foundational literacy for primary 1–3 pupils in Ebonyi, Plateau, and Sokoto States.
By employing mother tongue and English materials, the initiative ensures pupils build strong reading and comprehension skills.
The second method used TaRL to provide remedial literacy and numeracy support for primary 4–6 pupils in Adamawa State, particularly those with interrupted schooling.
The initiative builds on Oando Foundation’s current LEARNOVATE strategy centred around improving foundational learning through innovative approaches and promoting sustainability within educational systems.
“We are excited to introduce the Foundational Learning Improvement Programme as part of our LEARNOVATE strategy, in line with our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every child, especially in underserved communities, has access to quality education.
“By incorporating evidence-based methodologies and focusing on lesson instructions and assessments in mother-tongue, we aim to address the existing learning gaps among young learners and create a deeper understanding of how to improve educational outcomes for Nigerian students.
“The impact of this pilot will not only inform future educational practices but will also support the achievement of the United Nations’ SDG 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Ultimately, our goal is to empower children with the foundational skills they need to succeed, contributing to the sustainable growth and development of their communities and Nigeria as a whole,” the Head of Oando Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh, commented.
Also, the chairman of the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs Patience Ogodo, commended Oando Foundation for its unwavering commitment to transforming education in Nigeria.
“By integrating evidence-based methodologies and prioritizing inclusive approaches such as mother-tongue assessments, this program not only improves learning outcomes but also empowers students to realize their full potential.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Ibeku High School in Umuahia, Abia State, has witnessed an extensive transformation courtesy of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc through its Adopt-A-School initiative.
The company renovated five classrooms and furnished them with new furniture; ensuring students enjoy a comfortable and conducive learning environment.
The firm also constructed a new multipurpose hall, which added versatility to the school’s facilities, thereby providing space for assemblies, school events, and various educational activities.
In addition, staff facilities received significant attention, with both the guidance counsellor’s office and staffroom undergoing complete makeovers to create professional working spaces for educators.
Furthermore, Stanbic IBTC rehabilitated a modern computer laboratory for the school and equipped it with 20 advanced computer systems and 25 workstations, positioning students to develop crucial digital skills for the modern workplace.
To demonstrate its environmental consciousness, the organisation strategically planted 100 trees across the school grounds, creating shade and improving the overall campus atmosphere.
This comprehensive upgrade has transformed the learning environment for 720 students and 52 teachers, bringing modern educational resources to the community.
The financial institution carried out this transformation in demonstration of its ongoing commitment to revolutionising educational facilities across Nigeria.
“The Adopt-A-School initiative remains a significant part of our broader mission to foster sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.
“We are dedicated to creating an environment where children can learn and thrive,” the acting chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr Kunle Adedeji, said.
Since the inception of the Adopt-A-School programme, Stanbic IBTC has upgraded several schools across the nation, including in Ogun, Niger, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Sokoto, Borno, and Gombe states.
Each project reinforces Stanbic IBTC’s dedication to fostering educational excellence and creating lasting impact in communities across Nigeria.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The library at Emotan College in Benin City, Edo State has been renovated by Fidelity Bank Plc through the Fidelity Helping Hands Program (FHHP) championed by the Phoenix Inductee Class of Fidelity Bank.
The facility was give a facelift by the lender as part of its education Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillar.
The action was taken by the financial institution in demonstration of its unwavering commitment to enhancing its host communities’ lifestyles and promoting quality education delivery across the country.
At the official handover ceremony, the Regional Bank Head of Midwest 1 at Fidelity Bank, Ovie Mukoro, highlighted the alignment of the renovation project with the bank’s CSR pillars, emphasizing the promotion of quality education and youth empowerment.
“The renovation project reflects the Bank’s commitment to enhancing the lives of its host communities through the dedication and generosity of its newly inducted staff who voluntarily contributed funds to support the project,” Mukoro stated.
The Principal of Emotan Junior College, Mrs Idukpaye Henrietta, expressed her gratitude, noting that the investment in the school is an investment in the nation’s future.
She looked forward to a lasting partnership that would continue to uplift and empower the students.
Similarly, Mrs Sandra Iyalekhue, Acting Education Secretary, Oredo Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), commended Fidelity Bank for the kind gesture, noting that the project would contribute to the educational development of the students and promote research work.
In Abuja, Fidelity Bank further demonstrated its CSR commitment by donating 40 tables and chairs to LEA School at the Federal Capital Territory.
This initiative, also executed under the FHHP by the Prodigies Inductees Class, aims to support quality education delivery in a bid to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 – Quality Education.
The Divisional Head of Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank, Mr Meksley Nwagboh, emphasised the importance of supporting education as a tool for societal improvement.
“At Fidelity Bank, we recognize the importance of supporting education as a tool for improving society. Through initiatives like this, we aim to ensure that every child has access to essential educational resources and become an asset to their family, their community and the nation,” the brand strategist said.
The headmaster of LEA School, Mr Mohamed Musa, expressed his gratitude for the timely intervention, noting that the donation would address the critical need for adequate classroom seating, preventing students from having to sit on the floor during classes.
He encouraged other corporations to follow Fidelity Bank’s lead and support quality education delivery.
These initiatives come to join a long list of Fidelity Bank’s interventions in the education sector.
It will be recalled that the bank launched the Read2Lead Initiative last year to foster a culture of reading and writing among young people.
The bank also hosted a webinar targeted at businesses operating in the education sector, themed, Maintaining Educational Standards Amidst Current Economic Realities, in September 2024 as part of its strategy to improve the country’s education system.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, its 251 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Awards; the Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023; and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards.
It was also recognised as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023 and the Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.
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