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Cholera: Commissioner says 5 die in Ogun

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Cholera kills 7 children in C/River, says DG

…As Expert cautions Nigerians against nonchalant attitude toward caring for heart***

No fewer than five persons were confirmed dead and 12 reported cases on Friday due to cholera at Lafenwa, Abeokuta North local council of Ogun.

The Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr Adesanya Ayinde, said at a news conference in Abeokuta that one person died in the hospital and four in the affected communities.

He listed the communities to include Kuto, Kobiti, Abule-Otun, Lafenwa, all in Abeokuta.

Ayinde revealed that eight cases were reported from health facilities and four picked in the communities from retrospective case search and confirmed through laboratory test.

He said the State Epidemiology unit had earlier received a report of laboratory confirmed case of cholera from the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, after which it immediately swung into action.

According to him, the state government is on top of the situation, adding that it  has commenced thorough investigation and currently fumigating communities to prevent spread.

He revealed that the government had conducted active case search in health facilities, pharmacy outlets and medicine vendors in the affected areas.

He further said that cholera alert have been sent to all health facilities, providing steps to take in case of suspected case.

He said the State Hospital Ijaiye, Abeokuta, had been identified as referral centre for treatment and had been provided with materials to manage cases.

“The case (index) is a 33 year- old gravid woman who presented at FMC on referral on the 19th of November from a private facility.

“She resides in Abule Otun, Lafenwa, Abeokuta but trades at Kuto Market. Prior to onset  of symptoms, she ate rice (purchased from food vendor) with “pure water” at Kuto market.

“There have been prior reports of suspected cases of cholera linked to Kuto market but could not be confirmed because they had commenced antibiotics.

“A total of 12 cases (index vase inclusive) have been line-listed, eight reported from heath facilities and four picked in the communities from retrospective case search.

“One death from cases reported in the health facilities and four other deaths in the community that never reported at the health facilities but information gathered from investigation,” he said.

Ayinde said that the government, through the water corporation, would commence screening of local sources of water in the communities.

He, however, warned residents of the state to desist from open defecation, saying that any house found without toilet would be sanctioned.

He appealed to the people to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, urging them to wash their hands after visiting the toilet.

In the meantime, a Cardiologist, Prof. Ngozi Ajuluchukwu, on Friday cautioned Nigerians against nonchalant attitude toward caring for their hearts.

Ajuluchukwu gave the advice on Friday in her keynote address entitled: “My Heart, Your Heart, Our Heart”.

She spoke at the 2019 graduation ceremony, award of certificates and prizes of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)’s school graduation in Idi-Araba, Lagos.

The expert said she was given free hands to choose her topic for discussion, adding that as a cardiologist, she had to stay close to the heart.

According to her, ‘My Heart’ was all about me, ‘Your Heart’ was our inter-relationships and intertwining lives direct that we all should be neighbour sensitive.

She said that there was equal opportunity and equity for all others in things concerning health and professionalism.

Ajuluchukwu said: “For instance, your Danfo driver’s heart and health should be your concern.

“He could have a cardiac arrest while you are on board and in transit.”

The cardiologist said individual contribution was expedient for collective good, especially for the good of the patient.

She said that the advocacy lies in the power of one for the success of the whole.

Ajuluchukwu said that Nigerians need separate healthy individual heart-cells (mycotes) to collaborate and be coordinated to produce one heartbeat.

“That is the regular heartbeat needed for life! You can imagine when some cells either refused or are unable to perform their legitimate specific roles.

Also read:  Cardiologist advises Nigerians against heart diseases

“The consequence is disease or the demise of both the heart and its owner,” she said.

Earlier, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, Chief Executive Officer, Nordical Fertility Centre, Lagos, said, “the graduands are agents of true love for fellow brothers and sisters and are agents of care.”

Abayomi, speaking as the guest of honour, said that he recognised the role of God in the process of healing patients.

“If we truly care about the people we encounter on daily basis, we will empathise with them.

“And work tirelessly to ensure that together, we will be agents of transformation in the healthcare delivery process,” he said.

Earlier, Prof. Chris Bode, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Lagos University Hospital (LUTH), said that mandates of the health institution, as a foremost hospital, were patient care, teaching and research.

Bode, represented by Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of LUTH, said that in the pursuit of the mandate of teaching, LUTH established 10 schools.

They are Community Health Officers Training School; Federal School of Biomedical Engineering; School of Anaesthetist Technician and School of Basic Dental Nursing.

Others include School of Health Information Management; School of Medical and Psychiatry Social Work; School of Medical Laboratory Science; School of Midwifery; School of Nursing and School of Post Basic Nursing.

He said that in conjunction with College of Medicine, University of Lagos, LUTH also trained medical and dental students, nursing, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists and radiographers.

 

 

Health and Safety

CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

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CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

…Says Words are sometimes sharper than Swords

The National Cybercrime Centre – Nigeria Police Force has stressed that the word is sometimes sharper than the sword and warned journalists to be more disciplined and mindful in their choice of words online.

 The Acting Assistant Director of the Cybercrime Centre, SP Abubakar Smart, advised at a cybercrime workshop organised for journalists by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday at the International Maritime Press Centre, Apapa, Lagos.

 Smart stressed that the pen could be sharper than the knife and therefore warned that journalists should ensure that whatever they push out online would not get them in trouble.

“What strikes the mind of people when we talk of cybercrime is internet fraud but it is more than that.

“Today, it has become a global threat due to the way we use digital technology, the nature of our work and the way we interact online.

“Journalists need to be well-informed about the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as amended, to be more educated about cybercrime so as not to fall victim,” he said.

Smart described cybercrime as any criminal activity done in cyberspace on any social media platform.

He listed them to include bullying, stalking,  fraud, identity theft and phishing.

“The punishment for cybercrime can be up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to N10 million and asset forfeiture.

“We should be aware of regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the cyberspace is free.

“Some of them are the National Cybercrime Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” he said.

In his paper presentation, Dr Layinka Adagun, a veteran journalist and Mass Communication Lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic urged journalists not to be desperate to be superstars.

He said that the zeal to confirm exclusive stories and the persistence to get information first could make some run foul of the cybercrime law.

Adagun said that some media professionals had a misconception that their daily activities, particularly intellectual outputs were removed from Internet governance.

“The internet has become a global tool for everything including a channel for freedom of expression but sadly, the freedom that the internet depicts is now being attacked and users intimidated.

“We all need to safeguard our access and activities on the electronic highway,” he said.

He said that cybercrime could be avoided, reduced or eliminated through a combination of individual awareness, organisational measures and technological solutions.

“Some strategies are: to educate ourselves on cybercrime, use strong passwords, be cautious with links and attachments, keep software up-to-date, and implement cyber security policies,” he said

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Health and Safety

Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

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Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has warned that any further attempt by its officers to pull the wool over the public eyes, may be treated as an act of gross misconduct and thus, attract serious sanctions 

The NCoS emphasized this in a statement made available by the Public Relations Officer and image maker, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, specifically calling attention to a public reaction of one of its officers, to a recently trending video.

“The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB)”, the statement indicated, adding:

“The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three (3) other officers following their alleged roles in various misconducts to allow for further investigation.

“The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state”, the statement further indicated.

It would be recalled that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.

 The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly. 

The Image maker consequently advised the public to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that a thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules as well as other extant laws.

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Health and Safety

Tinubu: We Have Eliminated 300 Boko Haram, Other Banditry Groups’ Commanders

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Tinubu: We Have Eliminated 300 Boko Haram, Other Banditry Groups’ Commanders

… Vows to reduce the cost of living, saying efforts will dovetail into greater farming and bumper agricultural harvests

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said that Nigerian security forces have eliminated more than 300 commanders of the Boko Haram terrorist group in the last year.

Also eliminated are many commanders of other banditry groups, especially in the North-West and North-East.

Tinubu gave the security update in his National Broadcast to mark the nation’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

“I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry.

“Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism.

“Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever.

“As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

“We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home.

“It is an unfinished business, and our security agencies are committed to ending it as quickly as possible.

“As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms.

“We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this,” he said.

In the meantime, President Bola Tinubu has stressed that his administration is taking appropriate measures to reduce the cost of living.

The President said this in his Independence Day broadcast on Tuesday.

“The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide.

“My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home,” said the President.

He commended the governors of Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the Southwest governors that had embraced the agricultural production programme of his administration.

“I urge other states to join the Federal Government in investing in mechanised farming. We are playing our part by supplying fertiliser and making available tractors and other farm equipment.

“Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2,000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months,” he said.

He added that the energy transition programme being implemented by his government was on course.

“We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players.

“The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation. 

“Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion,” he said. 

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