Television Nigerian

FG constitutes advisory board on malaria

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

FG constitutes advisory board on malaria

The Federal Government has established an advisory board on malaria elimination and a ministerial task force on malaria elimination in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a press statement by Tashikalmah Hallah, the Senior Adviser, Media and External Relations to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammed Pate.

The advisory board and task force are to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in the country.

Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, occurs regularly and is widespread across Nigeria.

The World Health Organisation estimates that Nigeria had nearly 67 million cases in 2022, accounting for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden.

Also in 2022, Nigeria accounted for 31 per cent of global deaths and 38 per cent of global deaths in children under the age of five.

While inaugurating the advisory board and ministerial task force, Pate explained that malaria poses a significant burden on Nigerians in terms of mortality, morbidity, loss of work hours, out-of-pocket expenses, and government investments in treatments and interventions.

“Therefore, we need a paradigm shift from the standard approach to a more proactive and result-oriented method of defeating this disease.

“On this premise, we invited academics, malaria programme experts, development partners, private sectors, civil societies, business enthusiasts, policymakers as well as the political class to a roundtable discussion to rethink the country’s approaches and strategic views on malaria, which culminated to the setting up of the Advisory for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria, among other things agendas, and the Ministerial Task Force on Malaria in Nigeria,” the minister said.

The Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria is chaired by Emeritus Prof Rose Leke of the University of Yaoundé, Cameroun.

The members included Prof Dyann Wirth of the Harvard School of Public Health, Dr Soji Adeyi, President of Resilience Health System, Prof Ibrahim Abubakar of the University College, London, and Prof Peter Piot of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“They will offer evidence-based advisory services and meet regularly to review programme evidence and provide guidance on aligning with best practices for malaria elimination. They will also collaborate with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare to review implementation when necessary. The team will meet every twice in a year,” Pate added.

The Ministerial Task Force, Pate explained, would consist of stakeholders from various sectors who have extensive knowledge of malaria implementation in Nigeria and are based in Nigeria.

“They will ensure that the advice and recommendations from the AMEN are carefully considered, analysed, and implemented. The task force will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health, development partners, donor agencies, and the AMEN as needed.

“The task force will contribute to the overall goal of the National Malaria Elimination Programme and work to reduce the incidence of malaria. It will also aim to improve the impact of malaria interventions through coordinated efforts in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and awareness creation,” he stated.

The Ministerial Task Force is co-chaired by Pate and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa while the Chairman of the Malaria Technical Working Group in Nigeria will serve as the Vice Chairman.

Aregbesola’s Omoluabi Caucus receives defectors in Osun

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

0

Aregbesola’s Omoluabi Caucus receives defectors in Osun

Omoluabi Progressives, a political organisation backed by ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has received new members who defected into its fold during its monthly meeting.

A statement on Monday by the spokesperson for the caucus, Oluwaseun Abosede, said Aregbesola, while receiving the defectors, urged them to return to their various wards and mobilise more members into the group.

Describing the new entrants as politicians with value and uncommon grit, Aregbesola expressed conviction that the Omoluabi Caucus was on the right track to the desired political destination.

“I want you all to return home and work more in mobilising political eggheads and grassroots politicians to the fold. The essence of Omoluabi is embedded in our character, competence, and integrity. That is what we should all focus on doing.

“All of you have to work hand-in-hand to ensure that we accommodate many interests and make our tendency more vibrant than before. I know you can’t fail us.

“The new entrants are politicians with value and uncommon grit. I believe that slow and steady wins the race. I am convinced that we are on the right track. With God on our side, we will reach the promised land,” Aregbesola said.

A former Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salaam, called on members not to relent in their pursuit of the caucus’ agenda.

The Caucus Chairman, Mr. Azeez Adesiji, lauded members for turning out in large numbers for the membership registration of the group.

He assured new members of the caucus of fairness, just as he urged them to step up their mobilisation strategies as it would further impact the realisation of the vision of Omoluabi Progressives to reclaim Osun State in 2026.

Title TRIUMPH, KOs, more at Total Destruction event

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

0

Title TRIUMPH, KOs, more at Total Destruction event

The Total Destruction event, which was held on Sunday at the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State, lived up to its name, delivering a night of thrilling bouts and spectacular knockouts, According Sports Extra reports.

The event, organised by DeLads Boxing Promotions and sanctioned by the West African Boxing Union as well as the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, featured 16 Nigerian boxers trading punches in an action-packed night of boxing.

WABU President Remi Aboderin, who is also the General Secretary of the NBBofC, told our correspondent that they promised fireworks and have delivered them.

“We said before the event that this would be an electric atmosphere, and we delivered with spectacular fights. Every single fight kept the fans on the edge of their seats,” Aboderin said.

NBBofC Chairman Rafiu Oladipo also hailed the event as one of the best, saying, “This is one of the best events of the year, and we have more coming before the year runs out.”

In the main event, Lekan Muibi became the new West African Boxing Union light-heavyweight champion by defeating Olanrewaju Segun via unanimous decision after ten intense rounds.

Muibi, known as “The Engine,” remained undefeated, with the victory extending his record to 15 professional career wins, while this fight ended his all-knockout record with all 14 prior fights ending by stoppage.

The night began with Taye Fajimi securing a unanimous decision victory over Segun Gbobaniyi in an eight-round super lightweight clash. In another notable bout, Nurudeen Salau handed Sifon Iwatt his first career loss with a unanimous decision win from the judges.

Raheem Animasahu also emerged victorious, defeating Ojo Arabambi by unanimous decision after six rounds in their super lightweight contest. The super featherweight fight between Sikiru Shogbesan and Azeez Lateef was the only bout that produced no winner, as it ended in a draw after eight rounds.

Olanrewaju Durodola defeated Idris Afinni by a unanimous decision, showcasing his dominance in the ring. Afolabi Shittu added another knockout to his record, stopping his opponent in the second round. Similarly, Emmanuel Abimbola knocked out Semiu Olapade in the third round of their eight-round lightweight clash.

The Total Destruction event showcased the rising talent in Nigerian boxing, with each bout delivering intense action and memorable moments for the fans in attendance.

Nasarawa records 29 suspected cases

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

0

The Nasarawa State government has announced a total of 29 suspected cases of cholera in the Kokona and Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Areas of the state.

It, however, said there was no confirmed case of the disease in the state, as it expressed preparedness to tackle it in the case of an outbreak.

Available data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention showed as of June 24, 2024, there were 1,528 suspected cholera cases, 65 confirmed cases and 53 deaths across 107 local government areas in 31 states, reflecting a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of the year.

The most affected states were Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos.

The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, speaking on Monday at the opening of a three-day workshop on Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, hosted by the Rotary International in the Akwanga Local Government Area of the state, said in the past few weeks, Kokona LGA and Nasarawa Eggon LGA recorded 19 and 10 suspected cases respectively.

He regretted that one of the suspected patients in the Nasarawa Eggon LGA died during treatment at a healthcare facility in the area.

“We have 19 suspected cases of cholera in Kokona and 10 in Nasarawa Eggon. The one that died in Nasarawa Eggon had diarrhoea and was vomiting, but there was no confirmation that he died of cholera.

“I would want the public to know that cholera has symptoms similar to other ailments. We can only say a person has cholera after some laboratory tests have been done, and it is confirmed,” he said.

The commissioner noted that there was currently no known case of cholera across the state, as he assured of the state government’s preparedness to tackle the disease in case of an outbreak in any part of the state.

The State Epidemiologist, Dr Grace Tsakpa, said the state government was set to distribute cholera commodities to healthcare facilities across the state, to tackle the disease in the case of an outbreak.

Tsakpa narrated that specified healthcare workers across the 13 LGAs had been trained on sample collection and how to administer treatment to cholera patients.

“At the moment, we do not have any case of cholera in Nasarawa State, but I can tell you that we are prepared to tackle it in case there is an outbreak.

“We have sufficient drugs, fluids and antibiotics to manage cholera. But because such cases sometimes can be too much on the available medication we have, we will be happy if partners will support us with more drugs,” she said

Speaking on preparedness for an outbreak, the epidemiologist said, “As I speak now, we are planning how to distribute cholera commodities to the various LGAs to intervene whenever there is an outbreak.

“We have also engaged with relevant stakeholders in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies on how to go about intervention in case we have an outbreak of cholera in the state.”

To avert cholera outbreaks in their states, health authorities in Bauchi, Jigawa and Gombe states have embarked on sensitisation and water chlorination exercises.

The officials of the health agencies told the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi, Dutse and Gombe that they adopted proactive preventive measures to avert cholera, following the nationwide outbreak of the disease.

The officials, however, said no active case of cholera had been reported in the states.

The Waste Manager of Gombe State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Umar Musa, said the agency distributed chlorine to the 11 local government areas of the state.

“In 2023, the distribution targeted only the hot spots. Presently, we have expanded the areas and increased the quantity from six to 10 drums.

“Chlorination is a proactive measure against gastroenteritis and cholera, which is a waterborne disease

“We took the same measure in 2023 and the result was positive because we have not recorded a single case of cholera,” he said.

According to him, the chlorination was done for open wells, stagnant ponds, and reservoirs, adding that “Aqua tabs” were provided to households who sourced water from the river or stream.

In Jigawa, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdullahi Kainuwa, said the state had strengthened disease surveillance and public enlightenment campaigns to avert cholera.

He said the state successfully controlled Cholera, hitherto manifested during the rainy season due to strong commitment by the state government, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and donor partners.

“There is and still no single report of any case of cholera in the state. We embarked on a massive public campaign and awareness on the measures needed to be taken by the communities, especially personal and environmental hygiene,” Kainuwa said.

He, therefore, called on residents to avoid consumption of water from open wells, streams, and obsolete public water facilities.

Similarly; the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency sensitised communities to the dangers and preventive measures of cholera.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said the state had not recorded any suspected case since the NCDC declared a cholera outbreak in the country.

Mohammed said the agency had engaged stakeholders to create awareness of the disease and developed a preparedness action plan to enhance emergency response.

He also advised the people to maintain a good environment and personal hygiene to improve their health.

In Sokoto State, the government also said there was no cholera case so far in any part of the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmad, on Monday, said the ministry had already taken all the necessary measures for prompt response in case of any eventuality.

He, therefore, urged the people to ensure personal and environmental hygiene, especially during the rainy season.

“Let me call on our people in the state to ensure regular consumption of safe drinkable water. This would help in no small measure in preventing cholera,” he said.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Nura Bello Maikwanci, said the permanent secretary also called on the people to promptly report an outbreak of any disease to the ministry or nearest hospital for quick response.

Customs seize N18bn firearms, drugs from Turkey, recover 844 rifles

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

0

Customs seize N18bn firearms, drugs from Turkey, recover 844 rifles

The Nigerian Customs Services has intercepted and seized arms and ammunition worth N18.23bn in a drastic step to curb the smuggling of illicit items into the country through its borders.

It said the 848 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition, as well as illicit drugs, were intercepted at the Onne Port in Rivers State in containers originating from Turkey.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said this while displaying the seized items during a news briefing at the Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne on Monday.

The CGC said the illegal arms were concealed in other items inside a 1X40 foot container ‘MAEU165396’, while the drugs found in different cartons were in nine containers.

One of our correspondents gathered that the rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags.

The displayed exhibits include nine containers: one holding seized arms and ammunition valued at N4.17bn, six containing seized drugs valued at N13.92bn, and two containing used clothes valued at N144m.

He added the service had also arrested three suspects connected with the arms importation, and they are currently in custody after securing a detention warrant from a court.

Adeniyi stated, “Today, we gather to inform you about the recent significant developments in our operations to secure our nation’s borders and ensure public safety.

“You may recall that at a press briefing of this nature held recently at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos, I had disclosed attempts by criminal elements seeking to exploit our trade facilitation friendly posture to compromise our processes and procedures.

“With our robust Risk Management System, we have always remained a step ahead of their moves. When these attempts revolve around revenue generation, our automated audit systems at different levels enable us to trace, track and recover the revenue. However, when efforts are geared towards creating actions that will produce irreversible consequences on national security, our alert level is elevated to match the threats posed to us.”

He said the arms were intercepted through credible intelligence monitoring the shipments from their point of departure in collaboration with the local, national and international intelligence communities.

“And so it was the case with this 1X40 foot container MAEU165396, which originated from Turkey, and based on several risk factors, became a subject of interest. We had followed its sail across the continents, as we benefitted immensely from credible information produced through our collaboration with the intelligence communities, both at the local, national and international levels.

“Working within our local structures, we followed diligently as the importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a private bonded terminal.

“Consequently, on Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination. The examination result revealed the following alarming contents: 844 units of rifles, and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition.

“The breakdown is as follows; 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles, 10 units of VC Verney Carron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum silver pump-action rifles, 50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker double-barrel rifles, 20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker single-barrel rifles, exclusive series, Sterling High-Quality live ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM).

“The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags. The duty-paid value of the container is N4.17bn.

“In connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice. Furthermore, a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law,” he added.

Reacting to this issue, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps condemned the proliferation and illegal possession of firearms across the nation.

Emphasising a firm stance against such activities, the NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, in an interview announced that the culprits apprehended would face prosecution by the law.

Afolabi said, “The NSCDC condemns all acts of proliferation and illegal possession of firearms. We also encourage that the borders be strengthened because of porosity. The Corps is always ready to synergise with sister security agencies to strengthen the security architecture of the nation.”

In another development, the controller general said its operative acting on intelligence intercepted eight containers ladened with illicit drugs in transit to a bonded warehouse.

He explained the smugglers trying to evade their officers wrongly declared its contents to evade duty payment and prohibition order.

He said, “Its officers, through synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted yet another 8×40-foot container in transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928.

“Upon examination, they were found to contain the following: Six containers laden with 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml), 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg) with a total duty-paid value of N9.6bn. Two containers laden with 720 bales of used clothes with a duty-paid value of N144m.

“The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is ₦13.92bn. In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the following decisions have been taken concerning these containers. The 40-footer container of evil, bearing 844 units of assorted rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition is hereby seized, alongside the other contents previously highlighted.

“The items would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser for diligent investigation, and ultimately rigorous prosecution.

“The suspects arrested would be handed over to the centre for further processing. We will work diligently with other agencies of government to apprehend all other cohorts and death merchants involved in this monkey business. The eight containers whose contents were wrongly declared to evade duty payment and prohibition order are hereby declared seized.

“The licences and permits issued for the operation of all the warehouses and terminals as well as those of their Customs agents involved in these cases are hereby suspended pending the determination of their involvement.”

He also promised to ensure full sanction for officers found complicit in the perpetration of these nefarious acts.

“Customs Officers who are found complicit in the perpetration of these nefarious acts would be heavily sanctioned in a manner that would be approved by the Board of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“Officers who kept faith with the oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refused to be bribed into releasing these containers will be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”

Abiodun condemns cops killing, restates call for state police

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

0

Abiodun condemns cops killing, restates call for state police

The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed his sadness over the killing of two police operatives in Aba, Abia State, on Friday.

The said incident again underlined the need for Nigeria to decentralise policing by establishing the state police.

The governor stated this on Monday in a condolence message he signed to commiserate with the people of Abia State and Governor Alex Otti.

He said those killing security officers who daily put their lives on the line for the safety of other Nigerians, were, no doubt, enemies of the nation and would surely pay for their criminal activities.

He enjoined the people of the state to join hands with Otti to tackle the menace of insecurity by promptly providing credible information in their communities on the activities of criminal elements.

Abiodun also called on the police and other sister security agencies to fish out the assailants to assure residents of the safety of their lives and property.

He further reiterated the call for state police as demanded by the Southern Governors’ Forum, adding that its introduction would help to resolve local crimes in various states of the federation.

“I sincerely commiserate with the government and the people of Abia State over the killing of security operatives in the state. Indeed, the issue of security is too important to be left in the hands of security agents alone.

“I urge the people to continue collaborating with security agencies by providing credible information that will help to nip criminal activities in the bud.

“Obviously, every crime has a local outlook. It is on that note that I call on the Federal Government, once again, to look into the issue of state policing as a way of strengthening our security architecture in the area of local intelligence gathering at the community level,” Abiodun said.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Oyo, FG partners to distribute grains

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

0

The Federal Government, in conjunction with the Oyo State government, on Monday, distributed assorted commodities from the Natural Strategic Reserve to vulnerable persons in the state.

Governor Seyi Makinde, who received the foodstuffs at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Secretariat, Ibadan, warned the 33 local government chairmen in the state not to share the commodities among their political class.

Makinde, represented by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, reminded them that security operatives, especially the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, would monitor the distribution.

The deputy governor said, “This distribution would have come before now, you know the project is directly under my office, but I intentionally delayed it by advising His Excellency, Governor Makinde.

“Now that you have been elected, you are now the chairmen of local governments. I want to warn you on behalf of the governor not to share it among yourselves or political class.”

He further explained that the state government also released funds for the project and urged them to distribute it to the appropriate group.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, who was represented by the Zonal Director, South-West, Steven Adewale, recalled that one of President Bola Tinubu’s promises was to reduce the impact of the current economic downturn being experienced in Nigeria.

“Mr President approved the release of 42,000MT of the assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The assorted food commodities include maize, millet, sorghum and garri.

“Based on the directives of Mr President, 20 per cent of the food items due for each local government area should be given to religious organisations (JNI & CAN) and three per cent to be given to the boarding schools in the councils,” he said.

Also speaking, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, who represented the Olubadan-in-Council, urged both the federal and state governments to find solutions to the issues of insecurity in the state, especially in the Oke-Ogun region, lamenting that kidnapping and killing of farmers were rampant.

“I want to use this occasion to appeal to the Federal Government, through our dear Governor Makinde, to help us find lasting solutions to the insecurity in this state, especially in the Oke-Ogun area. Our people are no longer going to the farms for fear of being killed or kidnapped.

“We need security in this state. Please, it is getting out of hand. We need to go back to farming. We need tractors, let’s go back to mechanised farming.

“We Obas are discussing this issue of insecurity daily. Your Excellency, help us to pass this message to President Tinubu that people are suffering,” he said.

Borno bombing death toll hits 32, 14 survivors discharged

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

0

Borno bombing death toll hits 32, 14 survivors discharged

The death toll in the Saturday suicide bombing attacks in the Gwoza area of Borno State has hit 32.

While 14 of the victims have been discharged, 26 remain in the hospital receiving treatment.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, gave the update on Monday while speaking with journalists after paying a condolence visit to the victims and families of those who lost their lives in the suicide bombings.

The attacks, carried out on Saturday by suspected female suicide bombers, struck a wedding, a hospital, and a funeral in Gwoza, a town near the border with Cameroon.

According to the Borno State Police Command spokesman, Nahum Daso, on Sunday, three blasts took place on Saturday in Gwoza.

Shettima described the incident as pathetic, rehashing the words of the late Dele Giwa saying, “One life lost in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in cold blood.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, revealed details of the VP’s visit in a statement titled, ‘VP Shettima in Maiduguri, consoles victims of Gwoza suicide bombings’.

Shettima spoke to journalists immediately after meeting and commiserating with victims of the attack at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, conveying the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to the Borno State government and the people of Gwoza.

He said, “It was a very pathetic scene. Our hearts go out to the victims. So far, we have recorded 32 deaths; 42 of those injured were brought in from Gwoza and about 14 have been discharged, while about 26 are currently receiving attention.

“I want to use this forum to most sincerely register our profound gratitude to the Borno State government, the National Emergency Management Agency, the State Emergency Management Agency and ICRC for rising to the challenges of the times and giving their best in terms of support.”

The Vice President, who made a personal donation to all the victims of the attacks and condoled with the families of those killed by the multiple explosions, said the heart of the President was with them.

“The heart of President Bola Tinubu is with the victims and he specifically instructed us to come and offer our condolences and commiserations to the victims of this incident.

“We are here with the Director General of NEMA, with the Minister of Agriculture, with the Minister of Transportation and, of course, the Chief Whip of the Senate, a son of the soil from Gwoza, who was here since yesterday (Sunday), and the Acting Governor. They have been working round the clock to provide succor and support to the victims,” VP Shettima stated.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement on Sunday by the Presidency, said his administration would redouble its efforts “to ensure that those who trouble the nation, dispatching precious lives, and disrupting law and order are completely removed.”

While in Maiduguri, the Vice President also attended the funeral prayer for the late mother of former Borno Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Hajiya Aisa, at the family residence of Late Galadima Modu Sheriff along Damboa Road.

Also, the Southern Senators Forum, on Monday, condemned the tragic suicide bombing attacks that took place in Tashan Mararaba, Gwoza town, Borno State.

In a statement on Monday and by its Chairman, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, and Secretary, Senator Barinada Mpigi, the forum expressed profound shock and sorrow over the barbaric incident, extending their thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families, and the entire community affected by the of violence.

The lawmakers said, “These heinous acts of terrorism are a stark reminder of the persistent security challenges facing our nation.

“The despicable act once again highlights the urgent need for a collective, collaborative, and robust response to terrorism in our country.

“We call upon the Federal Government and all security agencies to intensify their efforts in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians. Those responsible for this atrocity must be swiftly brought to justice.”

The forum, however, commended President Tinubu for his prompt condemnation of the attacks and his administration’s resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Similarly, opposition political parties, under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties, condemned the Borno bombings.

The CUPP, in a statement by its National Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, described the attacks as “evil works of formidable enemies who take advantage of government’s lack of proactive actions to wreak havoc on innocent Nigerians.”

The opposition parties said they received the new of “with a deep sense of grief.”

CUPP claimed that “over the years, it has become clear that the war against terror has been compromised by all those involved in dealing with the menace, with the government having no answers to the challenges posed by the terrorists that have been ravaging many parts of the country.

“The corruption enterprise surrounding the war efforts and absence of creative ideas on the part of government and the consistent failure of intelligence has contributed significantly to strengthening of the various terrorist groups terrorising the country for about two decades now.”

US Supreme Court says Trump enjoys immunity from criminal trial

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

0

US Supreme Court says Trump enjoys immunity from criminal trial

The United States Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Donald Trump had some immunity from prosecution as a former President, a ruling that would likely delay his trial for conspiring to overturn the 2020 elections.

The 6-3 decision split along ideological lines comes four months ahead of the presidential election in which Trump is the Republican candidate to take on Democrat Joe Biden, AFP reports.

The historic case was the last heard during the court’s current term and had far-reaching implications for executive power and the White House race.

Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts, in his majority opinion, said a president was “not above the law” but did have “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution for official acts taken while in office.

“The president therefore may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts,” Roberts said.

“As for a President’s unofficial acts, there is no immunity,” the chief justice added, sending the case back to a lower court to determine which of the charges facing the former president involves official or unofficial conduct.

A US District Court will now hold what is expected to be a series of lengthy pre-trial hearings, making a trial before the November election extremely unlikely.

Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the US as well as conspiracy to obstruct and obstruction of an official proceeding – the January 6, 2021, joint session of Congress held to certify Biden’s victory.

He is also charged with conspiracy to deny Americans the right to vote and to have their votes counted.

The three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor saying she was doing so “with fear for our democracy.”

“Never in the history of our Republic has a President had reason to believe that he would be immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law,” Sotomayor said. “In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.”

“Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organises a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune,” she said.

AFP reports that the 78-year-old Trump, in a post on Truth Social, welcomed the ruling calling it a “big win for our Constitution and democracy.”

Biden’s reelection campaign team countered that Trump “thinks he’s above the law and is willing to do anything to gain and hold onto power for himself.”

“Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results,” the Biden campaign said in a reference to the storming of the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

Trump’s original trial date in the election case had been March 4.

But the Supreme Court – dominated by conservatives, including the three appointed by Trump – agreed in February to hear his argument for absolute presidential immunity, putting the case on hold while they considered the matter in April.

Facing four criminal cases, Trump has been doing everything in his power to delay the trials at least until after the election.

On May 30, a New York jury convicted Trump on felony charges of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal in the final stages of the 2016 presidential campaign, making Trump the first former US president ever convicted of a crime.

His sentencing will take place on July 11.

Why flood may worsen cholera outbreak in communities, experts warn

News

admin

-

July 2, 2024

0

Why flood may worsen cholera outbreak in communities, experts warn

As Nigeria is gripped by a fast-spreading cholera outbreak, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirming the disease in 115 Local Government Areas, across 32 states, physicians and researchers have urged the federal and state governments to provide safe drinking water to communities prone to flooding to curb further transmission of the infection.

The experts also want the FG to holistically address flooding in communities, warning that such a deluge could worsen the outbreak.

Establishing a link between flooding and cholera outbreak, a Medical Researcher, Dr Dan Onwujekwe, said communities affected by perennial flooding in the country may witness an outbreak of acute diarrhoeal diseases if the government fails to provide them with alternative sources of clean and safe water to drink.

Speaking in an interview with According Healthwise, the physician warned that an outbreak of cholera in flood-prone communities and states will fuel the number of casualties recorded so far from the outbreak.

Cholera, according to the experts, is a waterborne disease and the risk of transmission is higher where there is poor sanitation and disruption of potable water supply.

The researcher noted that cholera is always a major threat when the country experiences severe flooding.

Onwujekwe, who is a retired Chief Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba Lagos, recalled such outbreaks happening in the past and urged the government to avoid a repeat of the incident.

Cholera outbreaks, based on records, have been a reoccurring issue in Nigeria.

The World Health Organisation, Africa Region, noted that Nigeria experiences an increase in the number of cholera cases during the rainy season every year.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Surveillance and National Incident Manager, NCDC, Dr Muntari Hassan, recently announced that 54 deaths and 1,579 suspected cases have been documented since the beginning of the year.

The centre in its latest epidemiological report revealed that Nigeria has recorded a case-fatality ratio of 1.9% as of the beginning of June 2024.

Based on this, experts warn that Nigeria is at high risk for increased cholera transmission and impact due to the rainy season.

Further speaking on this, Onwujekwe explained that there was likely to be a surge in the outbreak of acute diarrhoeal diseases in the affected communities as the rains intensified.

“The major dangerous one of which is cholera, we must prepare for it. We are already having cases even before the flooding occurred.

“But it is just going to get worse with flooding. So, we must show preparedness, we must increase our preparedness, and show evidence to tackle it.

“The government should provide flood victims with alternative sources of protected and safe water to drink”, he maintained.

The current cholera outbreak has notably affected Lagos, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, and Nasarawa states.

However, Bayelsa State is the most impacted, accounting for 50 per cent of all suspected cases.

The primary cause has been linked to the consumption of contaminated water and inadequate sanitation, exacerbated by the onset of the rainy season, which often leads to increased cholera cases due to flooding and compromised water sources.

Continuing, Onwujekwe said there is a need to alert the public and also raise awareness of the inherent dangers of recording cholera outbreaks amid the flooding.

“The outbreak of cholera is what worries me most because sources of water for drinking will be compromised.

“We need to alert people to know that an outbreak of cholera is likely, due to the flooding. We need to be hammering on it so that everybody will know what to do to prevent cholera or what to do when they see such cases.

“There is a need to emphasize this because cholera is very deadly.

“It is a disease that is said to make physicians humble because they can easily get overwhelmed even though they are prepared to tackle it.

“We need to do a lot more now because it is going to happen, it is likely to spread.”

The researcher noted that awareness and preparation must be accorded a priority.

“In all those affected communities, we must do something to make sure that they have sources of water that are reliable. It is not rocket science. It can be done”, he said.