Thursday, April 5, 2018

142 have died from Lassa fever in Nigeria since January

Lassa fever has killed 142 people in Nigeria since the start of the year, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said on Thursday, reporting a rise of 32 fatalities in a month.

"Since the onset of the 2018 outbreak, there have been 142 deaths," it said.

Cases have been recorded in 20 of Nigeria's 36 states, it said.

"Eight states have exited the active phase of the outbreak while 12 states remain active," it said.

On March 6, the NCDC reported 110 deaths in 18 states.

Last month the World Heath Organization (WHO) said the epidemic had reached record highs and promised to support efforts to contain it and treat those affected.

The NCDC said the southern states of Edo, Ondo and Ebonyi were worst-hit.

"WHO and NCDC have scaled up response at national and state levels," it added.

Lassa fever belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola, two deadly viruses that lead to infections with fever, vomiting and in worst-case scenarios, haemorrhagic bleeding.

The name comes from the town of Lassa in northern Nigeria where it was first identified in 1969.

The virus is spread through contact with food or household items contaminated with rats' urine or faeces or after coming into direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

It can be prevented by enhanced hygiene and avoidance of all contact with rats.

More than 100 people were killed in 2016 in one of the nation's worst outbreaks of the disease, affecting 14 states, including Lagos and the capital Abuja.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Nigerian football legend Nwankwo Kanu plans to run for president

Nigerian soccer legend Nwankwo Kanu has been inspired by Liberian icon George Weah’s feat, by announcing his intention to run for President of Nigeria in 2019 general elections.

Weah, who had a very successful football career in Europe, was elected President of Liberia in the 2017 election, defeating the incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai, and sworn in on 22 January 2018.

“My presence here today is about the future of our country and the happiness of our people,” Kanu told Goal.com. “The last 18 years of leadership has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria, plus general insecurity in the land.

“Also, I’ll do all it takes to wrestle corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption,” Kanu, who also had a successful career in Europe, added.

“If I get your mandate, I promise to do things differently and restore honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best. “George Weah’s victory in Liberia is a pointer that this dream is very realistic with you all on my side.” Kanu, 41, will be hoping to unseat incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari during the Nigerian general elections which will be held in Nigeria on 16 February 2019.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Video - Dozens killed in Boko Haram attacks in northeast Nigeria



The UN has condemned an attack in northeastern Nigeria that killed at least 34 people and injured dozens more. Suspected Boko Haram fighters detonated bombs and opened fire on residents of two communities on the outskirts of Maiduguri city.

Video - Low job prospects for Nigerian graduates who studied abroad



The number of Nigerians who travel abroad for studies is on the rise. The trend is visible at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and the destinations are varied and diverse. Many of these Nigerians are returning home after their studies, but are often unable to find employment.

Monday, April 2, 2018

Video - Nigerian security agencies given shoot to kill order following killings



The Governor of the Nigerian northwestern State of Zamfara, where armed bandits believed to be cattle rustlers have killed dozens, has ordered security agencies to shoot to kill anyone found carrying firearms in the State. This follows frequent deadly attacks in the State, which has largely been blamed on Cattle Rustlers.