News

MURIC supports Sanwo-Olu for second term

Published

7 months ago

March 6, 2023

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Monday, said that it will support Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second-term bid as governor of Lagos state following his sterling performance in his first term.

The group’s director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said in a statement that the governor’s score card would reveal giant steps in critical areas.

“The people of Lagos state will join their counterparts from other states of the federation to exercise their franchise in a nationwide gubernatorial election on Saturday, March 11.

“It is our humble submission that Sanwo-Olu is the best option and we urge Lagosians, regardless of religious background, to give him their votes.

“In his first four years, Sanwo-Olu has taken Lagos to the next level. His major achievements being the red and blue rail lines as well as the revamping of water transport with high capacity boats acquired by the Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY).

“These are very significant steps, particularly for a mega city like Lagos with its perennial traffic congestion,” he said.

He said Sanwo-Olu’s administration also constructed more than 308 roads among which were the Pen Cinema flyover, Lekki-Epe-Ibeju road expansion and the Lekki-VGC regional road.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) poured encomiums on his administration for its impressive performance in the quick and effective curtailing of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the area of education, apart from the free education in Lagos state primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions attract the lowest tuition fees in the state,” he said.

He appealed to Muslims in particular to regard the election this coming Saturday as an entirely different picture.

“A vote for Sanwo-Olu is a vote for Tinubu, his mentor.

“This time, Muslims will vote for a Christian, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He deserves our votes because of his brilliant performance.

“It may also be necessary to remind Muslims in Lagos state that Sanwo-Olu gave instructions for the issuance of the hijab circular in the state.

“We therefore implore the good people of Lagos to troop out en masse to vote for Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” he said.

Headline

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.

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.