News

All’s set for 2023 Lagos Women Dance — Convener

Published

7 months ago

March 3, 2023

All is set for the 2023 Lagos Women Dance on Saturday where many women from all walks of life are expected to participate.

The dance, which is organised by Jela Projects Limited in conjunction with Seed Rehabilitation Foundation, is in its fourth edition.

According to a statement signed by the Founder, Jela Projects Limited, Mrs Angela Tony-Iji, on Friday in Lagos, the dance has the potential to promote tourism in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

The statement also said that the dancing helped in reducing stress and women should be encouraged to imbibe the culture of dance.

“We are also calling on the government, corporate organisations, and well meaning Nigerians to partner and sponsor women events, tailored toward women’s health and fitness physically, emotionally and financially.

“Women are overlaboured with all forms of chores, and are stressed, having little or no time to de-stress, socialise, do medical checkups, mingle, and have fun.

“As a result, a lot of people are depressed, most especially at this season of harsh economic crunch; women need to be encouraged.

“There will be financial talk; health tips, and grants accessibility talk; dance, food and drink, and feed your soul with scaling-up message that call for the growth of women,” it stated.

The statement noted that the dance, which would hold at National Stadium, Surulere, would grace women from Canada, Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda among other countries.

It also stated that no fewer than 5,000 women were expected to participate in the 2023 edition.

“Government officials will also participate to grace the occasion, “ it said.

Headline

NCDC registers 1,968 Lassa fever cases in 28 states

Published

17 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.

Headline

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.