The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has asked medical personnel to keep a high index of suspicion for diphtheria by being vigilant and on the lookout for symptoms.The NCDC has responded to reports of instances of diphtheria in the states of Lagos and Kano, according to Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, the agency’s director general, who made the statement in a public health alert available to newsmen in Abuja.He stated that instances are currently being found in the states of Yobe and Osun, where the NCDC is actively monitoring the issue.According to information from the Kano State Ministry of Health, there have been 25 deaths as a result of the diphtheria outbreak, along with 58 suspected cases and six people who have been admitted.The NCDC states that diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat and sometimes, skin of an individual.The symptoms of diphtheria include; fever, runny nose; sore throat; cough; red eyes (conjunctivitis); and neck swelling.In severe cases, a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat associated with difficulty breathing.Adetifa said in addition to clinically suspected cases, there have been laboratory-confirmed cases, and the NCDC is working with state ministries of health and partners to enhance surveillance and response to the outbreak.He said people most at risk of contracting diphtheria are: Children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine (a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine); People who live in a crowded environment; People who live in areas with poor sanitation; and Healthcare workers and others who are exposed to suspected/confirmed cases of diphtheria.NCDC hinted that diphtheria spreads easily between people through; direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.It advised parents to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated against diphtheria with three doses of the pentavalent vaccine as recommended in the childhood immunisation schedule.However, individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria were also advised to isolate themselves and notify the local government area , state disease surveillance officer (DSNO) or the NCDC
Makinde Shuns Atiku’s presidential campaign in Ibadan, PDP G-5 Governors Maintain Ayu must leave for equity and fairness must prevail.
There is no denying that attempts by the concerned parties to reach an agreement with the G-5 Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike, and consisting of Engineers Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Orthom of Benue State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, on how to drop their differences and work together with the
This truth cannot be far off given that the governor of Oyo State, who was supposed to host the presidential campaign event, boycotted the event for no apparent reason or apologies for doing so.
Our correspondent gathered that Governor Makinde who is seeking second term in office under the PDP platform deliberately shunned the presidential candidate campaign of his political party that was held at the historical Mapo Hall Ibadan, on Thursday based on his stand with his colleagues who are members of the G-5.
Atiku Abubakar in company of his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, national chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, chairman of the campaign council, Governor Emmanuel Udom, Director General of his campaign, Aminu Tambuwal, serving and former governors and members of the National Assembly and a host of other party members and supporters.
The G-5 Governors in their demands seeking for fairness and equity on sharing political positions of the party, this include and not limited to resignation of the chairman of the party Iyorcha Ayu who according to the aggrieved governors come from same geo political zone where the presidential candidate of the party emerged.
PDP G-5 Governors started feud with the party’s leadership over Dr Ayu’s refusal to step down, contrary to his promise to quit if the presidential candidate was picked from his geo political zone, the North. They have insisted that Ayu’s resignation is a condition for supporting PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in next year’s election.
One of the G-5 Governors, Okezie Ikpeazu, the Abia state Governor, in his recent interview said the philosophy of the G-5 governors was beyond the 2023 general election. The Governor said the agitation for inclusiveness was aimed at strengthening fairness and mutual trust in the country.
Ikpeazu maintained that a united Nigeria would be realized if there is political, economic and social harmony.
He said, “There are issues of integrity, keeping promises, making sure that if we say ‘after me, it’s you’, when that time comes, it happens. This will stabilize us as a country and engender social mobilisation sufficient to tackle our security problems, tackle the economic problems, and tackle other problems that confront us in this country.
“G-5 speaks to a new paradigm. It is beyond 2023. It speaks about a new paradigm. Ikpeazu said.
However, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in his address at the campaign promised to restructure the country of elected into power.
He said, “The people of the South-West have been known for agitating for restructuring, and by restructuring we mean giving more powers or autonomy to the states . It is one of our five pillars in our programme to make sure that we implement restructuring, meaning that more resources and more powers will be given to you so that you can develop at your own pace in your state as well as in your local government.
“We are committed to making sure that there are no more strikes in in our universities. It means that we will fund our universities, pay our teachers on time so that we don’t have any distractions to our academic activities.
“South-West is known also for business, that is why in our economic programme we are committed to making sure that the industrialization of the south-west is achieved and will have the support of the federal government. This is part of our commitments.”
“There are five major commitments that we made to the people of this country. For unity, we will make sure that there is inclusion for every part of this country. Every part of the country will be represented in our government, not like what the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is going. Atiku said.
Other prominent PDP leaders who accompanied Atiku to Ibadan campaign are the ex- national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, Idris Wada, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Dino Melaye, Nnamadi Sambo and Sule Lamido, Indidi Elumelu, Abdul Ningi, Bonie Haruna, Lyel Imoke, Yakubu Dogara and Philip Aduda.
While those who were in Ibadan to receive the party’s presidential candidate included Chief Wole Oyelese, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Prof Abiodun Raufu among others.
Fiscal Policy Will Drive APC Economic Reforms In 2023, Says Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for president, has declared that if he wins the general election on February 25, 2023, fiscal policy will be the main focus of his administration.
The former governor of Lagos State recently stated during a meeting with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) that within his first 100 days in office, he would assemble a team of technocrats to work alongside him in running the government. He also stated that PMS subsidies would be completely eliminated and instead allocated to more deserving projects like housing, rails, roads, and infrastructural renewal.
“Fiscal policy will be the main driver of our reforms as monetary policy is a weaker and less effective instrument. Henceforth, we will not tie our budget to Dollar- denominated oil revenues
“We will tie our budget to the projected spending levels that will push the annual growth rate above 10%, and this will inadvertently reduce the unemployment rate and the economy will be doubled in seven years.
“On electricity, generation and transmission will be decentralised 100%, allowing for investors to explore all sources of energy and more lucrative tariff system for better ROI for investors,” he said.
The APC presidential candidate promised that his government would relax the restrictions on import and foreign exchange, which he said, has increased smuggling and round tripping that has stifled the economy thus far.
In continuation of this, Tinubu stated that his government would move to a unified exchange rate regime, thereby cutting the official and black market dichotomy.
“On unemployment for our teeming youths, we intend to focus more on the creative sector music, fashion and movies because this sector has the tendencies of reducing unemployment by 30 to 40%.
“To achieve this, the legal environment will be created to address piracy and copyright issues and give backing to the much-needed private sector funding to boost the sector, while the government will be providing the hard infrastructure needs to generate millions of jobs and foreign exchange for the country,” he said.
Tinubu explained that despite passing the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, the nation has experienced “dwindling revenues from oil owing to oil theft and vandalisation. Reforms will be made to ensure 100% implementation of PIA by removing bottlenecks and working in a more coordinated manner using technology to drive the reforms.”
According to Tinubu, “Closing fiscal gaps, promoting domestic revenue mobilisation, implementing tax reforms, curbing institutionised corruption, optimising budget, and streamlining bureaucracy will be imperative for a new Nigeria.”
Fulani Herdsmen Shot, Killed Husband, Wife, Four Kids
Police confirm the incident
At Abagena village, across from the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, on Thursday night, a group of people who appeared to be Fulani herdsmen shot and killed about eight people.
Among those killed by the herders who went on the rampage were a man, his wife, their four children, and their dog.
Sewuese Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), of the Nigerian Police’s Benue State Command, verified the occurrence but stated that she did not yet know all the specifics of the assault.
Our correspondent also discovered that the herders had taken most of their victims’ heads following the attack, which occurred between 9pm and 10pm on Thursday.
We also gathered that many other victims were badly injured in the attack, while some of them that were shot in the chest have very slim chances of survival.
Among the bodies that were recovered, were the corpses of women and children, while the injured have been moved to the hospital for proper treatment.
There is an indication that Colonel Paul Hembah rtd, the Special Adviser on Security, to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state may address newsmen on the attack later on Friday.
2023: PDP, SDP presidential candidates met with S’West stakeholders in Ibadan
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Prince Adebowale Adebayo, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), were in Ibadan on Thursday for the South West Development Stakeholders Presidential Parley.
The South West Development Stakeholders Forum was in charge of planning the event.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Atiku’s running mate, Iyorchia Ayu, Governor Emmanuel Udom, the chairman of the campaign council, Aminu Tambuwal, the director general of his campaign, as well as current and former governors and members of the National Assembly, were all in attendance.
Prince Adewole Adebayo pledged 30 million young people in his speech for Nigerian youth.
He said, “I have travelled to other region and I have confirmed that they are not afraid of a Yoruba man to lead this country, they see us as people of integrity and they want someone with that can lead right, if I’m elected, I will address poverty.”
“I will also address the issue of insecurity, infrastructure, and effective and equal justice. I want to implore us that we should vote into power people of integrity that will not embezzle our collective efforts, let us vote into power people that have the love of the masses at heart.”
“I will fully support state police, government should be accountable for the masses, an accountable government will use the resources at his disposal to create wealth and job opportunities for his people.” Adebayo said.
In his own contributions, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar promised to restructure the country if elected into power.
He said, “I’m well and strong to lead Nigerian, I don’t mind giving a private company a tax waver to construct a rail transport system from here in Ibadan to Ogbomoso to ease the ways of doing business
and this will not only boost our economy at the local and state level but also at the national level.”
“If restructuring is your priority, I will implement it, I’m far ahead of any other candidates in terms of restructuring and devolution of power.”
“I’m a private sector believer as far as our economy is concern, it is only the private sector that can bring prosperity and create jobs for our teeming youths, when I was in office as the vice president of this country, we had a successful government because it was private sector driven, so today, you have a private sector believer before you.”
“The APC government has succeeded in dividing us, they’ve divided us so much between the North and the south, they have divided us between Muslim and christians, I stand before you today and I’m promising to unite this country through balanced federal government appointment.”
“Insecurity is part of our restructuring issues, in other words, the issue of if we will have a state police or not will depend on our legislature, in united state, we have state police, local police, even regional police, and so on, I will surely propose the state police to our national assembly if elected but it depends on the national and state assemblies, that is why I’m urging you all to vite into power people that will give you good representation.” Atiku said.
Oyo Rally Confirms PDP’s Unity, Resounding Victory In Elections In February And March — Atiku
According to the Atiku/Okowa campaign organization, the presence of Nigerians at the PDP’s presidential rally in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday in support of Atiku Abubakar, the party’s nominee for president, confirmed reconciliations and unity within the party in preparation for a resounding victory in Oyo, the South West, and across the other five geopolitical zones of the country.
In their joint effort to ensure the party’s victory at all levels of the upcoming general elections in February and March 2023, the Atiku/Okowa campaign noted, appreciated, and commended the unity, oneness of purpose, and consensus among the ranks of leaders, important stakeholders, and teeming party members with Governor Seyi Makinde.
The campaign, in a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan said, “the unity and single-mindedness witnessed at the Oyo Rally, just like in other states of the federation, further confirms that the PDP remains one big, indissoluble and indivisible family driven by the patriotic mission to rescue and rebuild our nation with Atiku Abubakar on the saddle as President.
“The people of Oyo State, and, of course the South West, are independent-minded, insightful, egalitarian and politically astute with unparalleled nationalistic outlook that cannot be swayed by parochial and narrow-minded sentiments.
“The action of solidarity by our teeming members and supporters in Oyo State, like in other States, have sent very strong signal to the weak and scavenging political parties that the PDP remains firmly united in the South West and other parts of the country.”
The campaign once again, commended the people of Oyo State; professional groups, community leaders, faith-based groups, traditional institutions, youths and women groups, student bodies, transporters, artisans, traders and all other very important segments of the State for their unwavering support and resolve to vote Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria.
“Our Campaign urges the people of Oyo State and Nigerians across board to remain united and resolute as they come out enmasse to vote and take a firm stand, within the ambit of the law and democracy, by protecting their votes to the very end and elect Atiku Abubakar in the overall interest of our nation,” the campaign said.
IGP Gives Over $13 Billion To Families Of Deceased , Disabled Officers
Usman Alkali Baba, the IGP of the police, started handing out checks on Thursday to cover insurance benefits for officers who died while performing their duties as well as those who sustained various types of life-threatening injuries while performing their duties.
Approximately 7000 families of deceased officers and those who were hurt or rendered incapacitated in the line of duty between 2012 and 2020 received checks from the IGP totaling more than 13 billion naira during an event held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
These backlog payments were made possible through the IGP’s passionate drive to ensure that Police Officers are adequately catered for in the event of injury or permanent disability due to the risks associated with policing, and that families of deceased police officers are adequately catered for in the absence of their breadwinners.
The IGP while reiterating the value of human life and wholeness, emphasized that prompt payment of insurance and other benefits due to officers who have met with some misfortunes due to the risky nature of policing in our contemporary environment and unforeseen hazards of policing, would greatly boost their morale and ensure they put in their best in service to the nation.
According to him, “On my assumption in office in April 2021, my attention was drawn to this development. Consequently, an urgent representation was made to Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari requesting for the release of funds to enable us pay all outstanding claims to the families of deceased Police Officers.
“It was with great relief that Mr. President appreciated my representation and graciously approved the release of the sum of 13,628,535,580.00k to pay the backlog of a total of 6,184 personnel that had previously fallen under the uninsured and uncovered periods of Group Life Assurance and Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, covering from Year 2012 – 2020.
“While sympathizing with the families of the deceased Officers, knowing that nothing will bring back their loved ones, I urge you all to judiciously utilize this funds in training your children and be rest assured that the Force under my leadership will continue to do more in advancing you welfare interests and that of serving personnel,” he said.
The IGP further promised better welfare packages for members of the police family either serving, retired, or slain in the line of duty, so as to cement the already existing esprit de corps amongst the components of the police family.
Suspected explosion rocks APC campaign rally in Rivers, causing panic.
A suspected dynamite explosion shook the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign event in Port Harcourt on Thursday, sending members of the Rivers State chapter into a state of panic.
The explosion at the well-known Igboukwu field, also known as Ojukwu Playground, the location of the APC gathering in Port Harcourt, injured some party members who were present to varying degrees.
Women were observed escorting the injured victims away from the scene of the violent incident.
Although the cause of the explosion and potential perpetrators were unknown as of press time, it was learned that there had been a fight between young people from the Rumuji village and APC, who control the Igboukwu field.
The youths were said to have prevented the party from holding the rally at the field located at the popular Mile one area of densely populated Diobu in Port Harcourt.
The youths, it was learnt had barricaded and shut the entrance gate of the field thereby denying the party access to the field.
A resident of the area who pleaded anoymity said, “there was an explosion suspected to be dynamite. The explosion came with a loud bang and some persons were injured. The party officials had altercation with the youths of the community over access to the venue of the rally before the explosion occured,” the source said.
Rivers State Publicity Secretary of APC , Darlington Nwauju, could not pick his several calls. But Barr Sogboye Eli, spokesman of the APC campaign council confirmed the incident, adding that “the party will issue an official statement after preliminary investigation”.
Rivers State Police Command Public Relation Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko did not also pick her calls.
NCC extends MoU with Lottery Commission
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, (NLRC) on Wednesday in Abuja, signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding with provisions to prevent unauthorized lottery and gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the NCC, noted that the MoU, which will have an impact on the gaming industry, is in line with the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) and is intended to promote ethical business practices for the protection of telecommunications consumers in relation to lottery and gaming activities.
According to him, the cooperation complies with the Commission’s SVP, 2021–2025, which calls for facilitating strategic partnerships and working with other organizations to improve service delivery.
He explained, “The initial MoU expired in 2022, amendments and modifications have been made since no MoU is cast in stone, especially given the industry’s dynamic nature.”
The Director General of NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila expressed confidence that the MoU will yield favourable outcomes in curbing illegal online gambling as he shared his hope that NCC and NLRC will achieve their intentions in the interest of gaming stakeholders.
He noted how unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets, hence the collaboration with the Commission to arrest such tendencies.
Earlier , the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management), Barr. Adeleke Adewolu disclosed that the MoU was designed to address recent technology information-sharing capabilities, and consumer satisfaction and to enhance areas of co-regulation in line with the Federal Government’s digital economy mandate.
The new MoU replaces one that was first signed by both organizations, which expired in 2022. It provides complementary approaches to deter unapproved lottery/gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing in recognition of how unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets.
Under the agreement, following requests from NLRC, NCC shall endeavour to block or disable illegal lottery gaming operators on the telecommunications service providers’ platform in Nigeria and NLRC
The document was developed by a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) comprising representatives of NCC and NLRC to implement the MoU and other matters that promote collaboration between both organizations in their regulatory functions.
CBN Asserts Enough New Naira Notes In Circulation.
*** Claims We’ve Been pleading with Banks To Pick Up New Naira Notes
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said that they have been pleading with commercial banks to accept the new Naira notes.
The previous N200, N500, and N1000 notes will no longer be considered legal tender after January 31 according to the apex bank.
With fewer than two weeks to the deadline, there have been worries about this, though.
The CBN used several measures, such as prohibiting over-the-counter payment using the new notes, to control the scarcity.
The issue remained despite the top bank’s instructions to commercial banks to stock their ATMs with the new currency.
At a sensitization programme in Lagos, Kofo Salam-Alada, Head of legal department of the apex bank, said the CBN will go tough on banks that continue to fill their ATM machines with old naira notes as the deadline to phase out the notes nears.
He said, “I can tell you today that the CBN on a daily basis issues new notes. As we speak, banks are with the CBN taking money. We are actually begging banks to come and take money from the Central Bank. We have these new naira notes in our vaults and we are begging banks to come and take it.
“We found out that a lot of things are happening that we need to checkmate, so we stopped withdrawal of new notes over the counter to ensure that everyone can have access to it and not one chief who is known to the manager, walks in, and carts away all the new notes in a particular branch. That is why we said it should be in the ATMs which cannot distinguish people.
“We also have monitors going around banks now. I have been to some ATMs this morning and I have done the reports. We are not mobilising the masses against the banks because the banks are there to serve you, but be rest assured that they will serve you now that they know that the CBN is on them to serve you with the new naira notes.”