Headline

Tinubu’s victory heralds new dawn in Nigeria, says group

Published

7 months ago

March 3, 2023

Diamond Group Nigeria (DGN), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has described the emergence of Sen. Bola Tinubu as President-elect, as a new dawn for Nigeria.

This is contained in a congratulatory message to Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima on their victory in the just concluded presidential election.

The congratulatory message made available to newsmen in Akure on Friday and signed by the group’s Chairman, Mr Toyyib Musa-Omoloja, said that the victory reflected the wishes of majority of Nigerians across the country.

It said that after the hard-won election, the president-elect and his team should strive to unite the country that had been divided along ethnic and religious lines during the electioneering period.

“The incoming government must take note of the loud sentiment of the youth demographic which could be discerned from their voting pattern in the elections.

“The youth and of course the generality of Nigerians desire a new Nigeria that all of us will be proud of,” the group said.

It also said that since there was no victor and no vanguished in the presidential election, other contestants should congratulate the president-elect and support him to achieve the rebirth the country craves for.

The DGN also advised those with genuine concerns to approach the courts rather than put democracy at risk through unguarded actions and utterances.

“We pray that the new Nigeria, which the “Renewed Hope” mandate of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, symbolises, will usher in great blessings for Nigeria and Nigerians,” the group said.

Headline

NCDC registers 1,968 Lassa fever cases in 28 states

Published

15 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

16 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.