News

Wildlife Day: NCF advocates awareness on endangered species, wildlife crimes

Published

7 months ago

March 3, 2023

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation on Friday called on Federal and state Governments to create more public awareness on endangered species and Wildlife crimes.

The Acting Director of Technical Programmes, NCF, Mr Adedayo Memudu, made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that March 3 is a day set aside internationally to celebrate wildlife Day and the United Nations theme for the 2023 World Wildlife Day is “Partnerships for wildlife conservation”, honoring the people who are making a difference

“The World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people.

“At the same time, the day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts,” the director said.

According to Memudu, creation of awareness, advocacy and public engagement programmes would go a long way at educating the populace about endangered species.

“Also field demonstration, expedition and wilderness experience and research will go a long way.
“There can also be a mainstreaming nature conservation and environmental education in national education curricular in schools.

“The government can also integrate people into natural resource management and governance,” he said.
Memudu added that NCF had a very robust relationship with the Federal Ministry of Environment and other relevant MDAs.

“This is aimed at collaborating on the establishment of effective and enabling institutional, legal and policy frameworks that help to safeguard Nigeria’s rich biodiversity and wildlife resources.

“We have strategic technical partnerships with relevant government MDAs to advance sustainable natural resource management in Nigeria.

“We also have direct field interventions in critical ecosystems to safeguard the wildlife resources,” he said.

The director further said that NCF also collaborates with government on national awareness, advocacy and public engagement programmes such as annual lectures, symposia, green ball, Walk-for-Nature and research.

“We also contribute to the preparation of the policy instruments to enhance sustainable management of Nigeria’s wildlife resources such as the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP), National Forest Policy etc.

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.

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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.