Elections: Watch your utterances, archbishop advises clerics

Published

7 months ago

March 2, 2023

The Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, has advised clerics to be cautious of their utterances on the general elections in the interest of Nigeria’s peace and unity.

Abegunrin gave the advice in a statement on Thursday in Ibadan.

He appealed to clerics to continue to pray for the country.

“I am grateful to Oyo indigenes for being peaceful during the elections.

“ I pray that the remaining elections will also be peaceful.

“We must avoid anything that can destroy the society – jealousy, bitterness, selfishness and other vices that weaken us.

“To be close to God and one another is to love and embrace one another’s ideas.

Let’s jettison the phenomenon of the winner-takes-it- all but represent the interest of the entire population,” he said.

Abegunrin urged those who won in the elections and those who would win in the remaining elections to dedicate themselves to the service of the country.

“We are confident that, with God on our side, the newly-elected leaders will follow God’s will.

“Christians and Muslims should let their holiness transcend the doors of the church, especially, and mosques, to the homes, offices, schools and political arena.

“I pray that in all our activities, God will use us to make Nigeria peaceful, progressive and holy.

“Nothing is impossible with God, He only needs our cooperation,” Abegunrin said.

NCDC registers 1,968 Lassa fever cases in 28 states

Published

16 hours ago

October 3, 2023

Alero Danjuma

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has registered 1,068 Lassa fever infections across 112 local government areas in 28 states of the federation.

The NCDC said this via its official website on Tuesday in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 37 (Sep. 11 -17, 2023).

The centre indicated that 75 per cent of the cases were detected in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi States.

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. It is primarily found in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria.

The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents, specifically the multimammate rat.

According to the NCDC, there are currently 7,352 individuals with suspected cases and the infection has resulted in the unfortunate loss of at least 181 lives in the country.

The centre said that the case-fatality ratio of the infection stood at 16.9 per cent.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 37, 2023, 181 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 16.9 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (19.1 per cent).

“In total for 2023, 28 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 112 local government areas.

“Seventy-five per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 25 per cent were reported from 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.

“Of the 75 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 35 per cent, Edo 29 per cent, and Bauchi 11 per cent.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 93 years, Median Age: 32 years).

“The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.9. The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022,” it said.

It is regretted that in 2023 Lassa fever infected 49 healthcare workers across the country.

The agency said that the National Lassa Fever Multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre had been activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.

It added that prevention of Lassa fever involves avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings, practising good personal hygiene and taking precautions when caring for infected individuals.

The NCDC said that early diagnosis and prompt medical care are crucial in managing the disease and preventing complications.

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NLC, TUC suspend planned strike for 30 days

Published

17 hours ago

October 3, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

Organised labour unions have suspended their planned nationwide indefinite strike action for the next one month.

This was contained in a memorandum of understanding signed Monday by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja; as well as the TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Nuhu Toro.

The three-page document was also signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Dr Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.