The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted Nigerians to the recall of Nivea Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant, 50ml labelled as providing 48-hour protection in African climates, following a warning from the European Union Rapid Alert System for Dangerous non-food products in Brussels.

In a notice released on Thursday, NAFDAC stated that the product’s batch number is 93529610.

“The recalled Nivea product is reported to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl)
propionaldehyde, a chemical prohibited in cosmetic products due to its potential to cause harm to the reproductive system, impair the health of an unborn child, and cause skin irritation and burns to users,” the agency explained.

NAFDAC added that the product is manufactured in Germany with Bar Code Number 42299882.

It advised importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the affected Nivea Roll-on with the specified batch.

“Members of the public in possession of the affected batch should cease sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report any adverse events experienced with the use of regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng, or through the Med-safety application available for download on Android and iOS,” it added.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday, announced the commencement of the 2024 Olojo Festival, revealing the event’s ancestral and spiritual significance.

Ogunwusi spoke at his palace during a news conference on the 2024 Olojo Festival with the theme “Evolving Transformational Domestic Tourism With Community Festivals.”

According to him, the festival is significant because of the spiritual exercises that characterise it and the testimonies it attracts.

He said the celebration of the revered cultural event was held annually in the ancient city to celebrate the day of the first dawn.

The Ooni said the festival was in remembrance of “Ogun,” god of iron, who is believed to be the first son of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba people.

He added that the festival marked the birth of the “Aare Crown”.

Ooni said that several prayers rendered to Olodumare through the iconic “Aare crown” during the Olojo festival had been answered with so many testimonies.

He stated, “Olojo is the festival of dawn and the birth of the crown, “Ade Aare”, the crown of all crowns. The crown that gave birth to all crowns all over the world with all the colours of the rainbow. It is called the spectrum of rainbow crowns.

“The crown does everything humans do, it is a very spiritual crown, very sacred. I am a living example and witness. I have actually charged the crown, I have prayed with it, that I want this done, this particular time.

“This is my ninth year on the throne, going to my tenth year by the grace of God, I have seen a lot of testimonies.

“I will pray with the crown worn on my head, I pray to the almighty God, Olodumare through the crown. I have never seen any failure in it. It is our strong heritage, our strong culture and tradition and we will continue to uphold it forever.

He added that they were not idol worshipers, but rather custodians of their ancestors’ legacy, which continued to benefit them.

“These are things we should not joke about, It is our heritage, we should not compromise it with anything. It is created by nature, by God Almighty who is the supreme being,” he said.

Explaining the nature of the “Ade Aare”, Ooni described the crown as a sacred, mysterious being which bears the nature of humans.

According to him, the crown functions like humans.

He said, “Olojo is the time when the crown comes out for blessings. This is a crown that has life in it till date, right from time immemorial.

“The crown changes the weather, it does not see the atmosphere except once in a year, during Olojo festival.

“In the crown, we see everything complete, we see the day, night, four corners of the world, the northern, southern, eastern and western poles.

“The birth of the crown is actually the first dawn pathfinded by Ogun, which is linked to our celebration.”

The Ooni added, “Olojo is the main new year celebration and this dovetails to everybody’s new yam festival all over because what is used to bring out yams are cutlasses and hoes made with iron.

“This is the time we get beautiful harvests, the time we get wallnuts, bitter kola. For us in Ile-Ife, we still uphold our heritage and that is why we celebrate the first dawn.”

Ogunwusi appreciated the sponsors for the festival.

“I want to appreciate you all, our sponsors, for everything you have been doing. For always responding to my calls. May God bless you and may our ancestors guide you all. I appreciate the state government as well,” he added.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Osun, Abiodun Bankole-Ojo, appealed to sponsors of the Olojo festival to look into the possibility of developing some tourism sites within the state, like the Oranmiyan Groove.

“Please corporate bodies, stop giving us monetary and material gifts, come and develop the Oranmiyan site as a tourist site. Government will not be able to do it all,” he said.

The Olojo Festival Chief Consultant, Ayo Olumoko, urged Nigerians and international tourists to grace the festival.

NAN reports that the Grand Finale for the 2024 edition of the annual Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, will be held between September 26 and September 30.

On September 26, there will be Ayo Olopon Traditional Game, Festival Cultural Talent Hunt (Audition) and Olojo Festival Colloquium.

On September 27, there will be Ojo Ilagun, Iwode Ile-Ife (Community cleansing) and Oonirisa’s terrestrial message to the world.

September 28 is the festival’s grand finale official ceremony, Ojo Okemogun, and the Aare cultural procession.

September 29 is Ojo Ajoyo (Asekagba), Grand Royal Reception – Invitational, Adire Oodua Cultural Exchange Exhibition and Oonirisa’s Ife Award for Community Service, 2024.

September 30 would be for the Ojo Ibile (Oonirisa’s ancestral traditional propitiation) and cultural talents hunt.

The Lagos State Task Force has arrested eight suspects for selling contaminated turkey seized by the Nigeria Customs Service.

The spokesperson for the agency, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said in a statement on Sunday, July 14, that during a raid in Epe, the agency discovered that “dozens of cartons filled with contaminated turkey seized by the Nigeria Customs Service and set ablaze at a dumpsite somehow found their way into the hands of unscrupulous elements trying to sell it to members of the public.”

He said following tip-offs from a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rasheed Shabi and the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, Task Force officials swung into action, raided the shanties close to the dumpsite and apprehended eight suspects with some of the contaminated turkeys and some harmful weapons.

Speaking on the incident, Oba Kamorudeen commended the Lagos State Task Force for its swift response to the incident, which, he noted, if left unchecked could result in a nationwide epidemic.

He said: “I am glad this menace has been nipped in the bud before it blows out of proportion. The state is currently battling to contain the cholera outbreak in some parts of the metropolis, so we need not compound the issues rather it’s our responsibility to the citizenry to ensure sinister forces do not plunge the state into crisis for their selfish gains.”

The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, who led the operation, said goods confiscated by the Nigeria Customs Service must have failed at some point to meet the required health and safety standards before being deemed unfit for human consumption, which led to it being set ablaze at a dedicated dumpsite.

“We cannot allow some ignorant individuals reintroduce products which have been condemned by a federal agency to find its way back into the market. Contaminated foods like this could cause cancer, lungs or liver disease and so on. Consumption is highly dangerous and we are here to ensure that Lagosians are protected at all cost,” he said.

Akerele noted that all contaminated goods were recovered and brought to the headquarters of the agency while the arrested suspects would be charged in court.

A drug baron on the wanted list of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency identified as Joachin Mbonu, has been arrested.

Mbonu was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA in his village mansion in Imo state on July 5.

A statement on Tuesday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said Mbonu was arrested along with his associate.

He stated that Mbonu belongs to a drug cartel behind the production of methamphetamine.

Babafemi said, “ A major drug cartel behind the production and distribution of deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’ has been taken down by operatives of the NDLEA following the arrest of the leader of the syndicate, 42-year-old Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu and his associate in his mansion tucked in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.”

The cartel with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state became a target of the Agency following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of substantial quantities of methamphetamine in the South East, South South and other parts of the country.

During the operation, Babafemi said operatives recovered 419.99 grams of methamphetamine, 750 grams of iodine, and a pump action gun with four cartridges among others.

He said, “After weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the Agency on Friday 5th July 2024, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges recovered.

“Exhibits recovered from the house include 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate, a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges.”

Babafemi added that the operatives also raided residences of Mbonu’s associates in Rivers and Imo States, recovering several illicit drugs.

The operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideouts located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grams of meth.

“Another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo state, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items. While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the federal government”, he added.

Babafemi stated that Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings.

He added that upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has destroyed counterfeit, expired, and unwholesome regulated products in Kano State, with a street value of approximately N985,300,290.00.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed that the products, seized from the Northwestern part of the country, were destroyed by fire on the outskirts of Kano metropolitan city.

According to her, the products destroyed include medicines such as antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, analgesics, herbal remedies, and psychoactive and controlled substances, among others.

Adeyeye noted that removing substandard and falsified medicines from circulation will make Nigerians healthier.

The NAFDAC DG, represented by the Director, Northwest Zone, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, said food items such as vegetable oil, non-alcoholic beverages, sachet water, condiments, and tomato pastes, were also set ablaze.

She added, “And since only a healthy body can contribute positively to the economy, it will make Nigerians wealthier and the economy better

“Others destroyed were cosmetics such as creams, pomade, ointments, and chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides, agrochemicals, etc., as well as medical devices including diagnostic kits and infusion giving sets.”

The DG said the chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria has been a sore point for drug regulatory agencies, especially NAFDAC.

She stated, “The handling and disposal of NAFDAC wastes, like today’s exercise, is in line with our strategy aimed at eradicating fake drugs and other spurious NAFDAC Regulated Products from circulation in Nigeria.

“The products destroyed represent a grave threat to our communities. They are not mere substandard goods; they are potential instruments of harm that could devastate families and derail our nation’s progress. By destroying these items, we send a clear message: there is no place for counterfeit and unsafe products in Nigeria.”

According to her, NAFDAC’s efforts have extended beyond destruction, as the agency is actively working to strengthen its regulatory framework, enhance surveillance, and collaborate with local and international partners to stem the tide of dangerous goods at their source.

Calling on all Nigerians to join the fight, she urged, “Be vigilant consumers, report suspicious products and support legitimate businesses. Your actions can save lives.”

She warned those involving in trafficking fake and unwholesome products, saying, “To those who persist in trafficking fake and unwholesome products, hear this: We will find you. We will stop you. The full force of the law awaits you.”

Meanwhile, the State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Kasim Ibrahim, highlighted efforts geared towards sanitizing drug distribution in Kano.

He said drug sellers have been relocated from chaotic open markets to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Dangwauro, adding that this has paved the way for NAFDAC to record successes in safeguarding the health of Nigerians.

The UN World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a spike in cholera in several regions of the world, with almost 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths reported in 24 countries since the start of this year.

The agency’s Eastern Mediterranean Region reported the highest number of cases, followed by the African Region, the Region of the Americas, the Southeast Asia Region, and the European Region.

WHO, in a statement on Thursday, stated that no reported cases are in the Western Region, according to its bulletin released on Wednesday.

The UN health agency said it exhausted its global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) by March but was able to exceed “the emergency target of five million doses in early June for the first time in 2024.”

Yet, the supply of the vaccine does not equate to its demand.
WHO reported that since January last year, 16 countries have requested 92 million doses of OCV—almost double the 49 million produced during that time.

WHO, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners are working together to use resources to find long-term solutions for cholera.

On the positive side of health news, WHO announced on Thursday that Chad successfully eradicated “sleeping sickness” as a public health problem.

The agency applauded Chad for eradicating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (also known as sleeping sickness).

“I congratulate the government and the people of Chad for this achievement. It is great to see Chad join the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD),” Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said.

In eliminating the disease, Chad joined some 50 others globally that have succeeded in this endeavour.

“The 100-country target is nearer and within reach,” Mr Ghebreyesus added, referring to the target in the road map for addressing neglected tropical diseases by 2030.

Sleeping sickness can cause flu-like symptoms initially but eventually cause behaviour change, confusion, sleep cycle disturbances or even coma, often leading to death.

Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment, as well as surveillance and response, has proven that countries can control and eventually eliminate transmission.

The Lagos State Health Commissioner, Prof Akin Abayomi, said laboratory tests carried out on samples have confirmed that the disease outbreak in the state is due to cholera and the identified strain is highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.

Abayomi made this known on his Instagram page @profakinabayomi on Monday while giving an update on the cholera outbreak in the state.

Cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by ingesting the bacteria— Vibrio cholerae— in contaminated water and food. Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea, and the severe forms of the disease can kill within hours if left untreated.

In Nigeria, cholera is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more frequently in areas with poor sanitation.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention warned the public of the increasing trend of cholera cases as the rainy season intensifies.

The centre noted that the 10 states contributing 90 per cent to the burden of the current cholera outbreak include Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos states.

There were 473,000 cholera cases reported to WHO in 2022 – double the number from 2021. A further increase of 700,000 cases was estimated in 2023.

The latest data from the World Health Organisation showed that a cumulative total of 145,900 cholera cases and 1,766 deaths were reported from 24 countries across five WHO regions, with Africa recording the highest numbers, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the Region of the Americas, the South-East Asia Region, and the European Region.

The commissioner noted that through community-based case finding and contact tracing, the number of cases has peaked and is now declining.

The geographical distribution of suspected cases by Local Government Area showed that Lagos Island is the epicentre of the outbreak with 106 cases; followed by Kosofe 49; Eti-Osa 38; Lagos mainland 30; Ojo 17; Ikorodu 16; Kosofe 16; Shomolu 11.

Others are Surulere -nine; Apapa -eight; Mushin -eight; Ifako Ijaiye -eight; Mushin -five; Alimosho -four; Ajeromi Ifelodun -four; Oshodi-Isolo -three; Ikeja three; Ibeju Lekki -two; Badagry -two; Amuwo-Odofin -one.

He, however, disclosed that there are 17 confirmed cases out of 350 suspected cases and 15 deaths so far.

Abayomi said, “350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple LGAs in Lagos State with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation.

“We are receiving support from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and international partners, including the WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund.

“Local Non-Governmental organisations are actively raising awareness and conducting community-based surveillance efforts.”

He also said the state is intensifying its public health campaigns in light of the Sallah celebrations and the associated transmission risks from gatherings and catering services, to prevent a resurgence.

“Suspected cases are receiving free treatment at our public health facilities, in line with public health response protocols,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointments of at least 555 persons to serve as Pro-chancellors/Chairmen and members of Governing Boards of 111 federal universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

This followed Tinubu’s assent to a list of nominees selected by the Ministry of Education.

An advertorial by the Education Ministry showed the appointment of a chairperson and four members for each of the institutions.

It was signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack.

“The inauguration and retreat for the Governing Councils will take place on Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission, 26 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. Both events will commence at 9:00am daily,” said Walson-Jack.

When contacted for confirmation, the Presidency said the list emanated from the Ministry of Education.

“This is from the Federal Ministry of Education…they make the nominations and forward them to the President to sign. But they are at liberty to release it from their end,” the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told our correspondent on Saturday.

The appointments come days after the Academic Staff Union of Universities had threatened to embark on another strike, potentially disrupting the academic calendar and causing further setbacks in the country’s higher education sector.

The union, on Tuesday, decried the failure of the Federal Government to appoint Governing Councils for federal universities.

The union also faulted what it described as the nonchalant attitude of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to matters about academics in federal universities.

The body of academics, during a briefing at the University of Abuja, also faulted the 35 per cent salary increment for professors and the 25 per cent salary increment for other academics in the university system.

There was confusion in an Area Court in Ilorin when the judge sentenced a divorce-seeking woman, Adenike Aliyu to three weeks of community service for admitting that she committed adultery while her marriage to her husband was legal.

The presiding Judge, Hammad Ajumonbi while delivering his ruling, said the punishment would serve as a lesson to the general public and the respondent in the case.

“I am not inclined to discharge the respondent just like that.

“The respondent conceded to be impregnated by one Abdulazeez Asikolaye to produce another child while the marriage between her and the petitioner still subsists.

“The respondent is hereby sentenced to three weeks community service with effect from today,” the Judge ruled.

The respondent had on Feb. 10, 2023, filed for divorce, custody and maintenance of three children.

She told the court that she gave birth to three children for one Abdulfatai Ahmed, left him in 2021 and later gave birth to a fourth child for another man.

The marriage was dissolved on mutual agreement of the two parties but the ex-husband filed another case on March 27, 2023, for custody of the four children that Adenike Aliyu bore for him.

The former husband told the court that he named the fourth child.

”We still had sex after she left my house.

“I have a witness who will testify that the fourth child is mine,” he said.

The ex-husband later told the court that in the interest of justice and his children, he withdrew the complaint and agreed that the three children be in the custody of their maternal grandmother.

The Oyo State Government has fixed Saturday, June 1, 2024, for the state burial ceremony of the immediate-past Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.

The development will be the first in line of activities for the coronation of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

The seat became vacant following the demise of Oba Balogun, who joined his ancestors at the age of 81 after a two-year reign.

The state burial for the late Oba Balogun is billed to take place at the main bowl of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, in Ibadan, the state capital.

It was further learnt that the coronation date would be officially announced immediately after the burial ceremony of the late Oba Balogun.

The Ibadan kingmakers, last month, had forwarded the name of Oba Olakulehin as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland to Governor Seyi Makinde, through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Investigations further revealed that necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure a hitch-free coronation ceremony

Also, the newly-built multimillion-naira Olubadan Palace at Oke Aremo, in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of the state, would be inaugurated two days before a yet-to-be-fixed.

A complication from measles is suspected to have killed at least 19 children in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa.

Commissioner for health, Felix Tangwami, told journalists in Mubi on Saturday that more than 200 children in the local government area were already infected.

He said the outbreak was reported in Yola on Saturday, leading to a quick mobilisation of medics and drugs to affected communities.

He assured that children with severe infections would be referred to hospitals.

The commissioner said the medical team would move from Mubi to Gombi Local Government Area, where another outbreak had been reported.

Mr Tangwami blamed the refusal of parents to immunise their children for the outbreak.

Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone launched a large-scale rollout of the malaria vaccine on Thursday to protect millions of African children across the West African states.

With the announcement on World Malaria Day, the number of African countries incorporating the vaccines into their childhood immunisation programmes increased to eight. The World Health Organisation in Benin said in a statement that the coordinated initiative aims to strengthen vaccine distribution across Africa.

The statement said that over 30 countries have indicated interest in adopting the vaccine with support from organisations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance as efforts to fight the disease with existing strategies like insecticidal nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention continues.

It said that Benin, having received 215,900 doses, has seamlessly integrated the malaria vaccine into its Expanded Programme on Immunisation, targeting children from around five months of age.

Health Minister Benjamin Hounkpatin stressed the vaccine’s pivotal role in protecting children from the illness, reassuring the public of its safety and effectiveness.

Meanwhile, in Liberia, the vaccine rollout began in Rivercess County, an area with high malaria prevalence, with plans to extend coverage to five additional counties.

Liberia’s Health Minister, Louise Kpoto, hailed the vaccine’s introduction as a transformative milestone in the fight against malaria, rallying communities, healthcare workers, and international partners to combat the disease and secure a brighter future for the country’s youths.

The deployment of two WHO-recommended vaccines, RTS, S and R21, has shown promising results in pilot programmes across Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, significantly reducing malaria cases and child mortality rates.

Sierra Leone’s Health Minister, Austin Demby, emphasised the collective endeavour to eradicate malaria, leveraging a comprehensive approach to disease prevention and treatment.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, stressed the importance of sustained efforts to reduce malaria-related fatalities and strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the region.

Aurelia Nguyen, chief programme officer at Gavi, praised the expansion of malaria vaccine coverage, highlighting its crucial role in saving lives and easing pressure on healthcare systems.

However, she cautioned against complacency, emphasising the need for continued investment and collaboration to address the multifaceted challenges posed by malaria.

The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc on Monday said the current outage being experienced in Gombe State was as a result of the collapse of the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s 330 kV line.

There have been blackout in the state for about 10 hours.

According to a statement issued by the company’s Head, Corporate Communications, Dr Friday Adakole, heavy rainstorm and wind storm facilitated the collapse of the 330 kV tower.

The 330 kV tower, number 290, collapsed around Shingen Abba Area of Tirwun Village in Bauchi Local Government Area.

Adakole’s statement partly read, “The unfortunate incident has affected the entire Gombe State including Ashaka Cement Plant.

“TCN is already working assiduously towards reconstructing the collapsed tower in order to restore normal supply to the good people of Gombe state.”

While urging customers to bear with the company, the statement added that power would be restored once engineers concluded the repairs.

“Customers are therefore requested to kindly bear with the company as the management is endeavouring to solve the problem.

“Power would be restored as soon as the problem is resolved,” the statement added.

The Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Egbe Ayuk, has said only 196 Primary Healthcare Centres of the 1,045 spread across the state are functional.

The commissioner made the disclosure in Calabar on Tuesday during a briefing to mark this year’s World Health Day which has the theme: “My health, my right.”

Mr Ayuk noted that the celebration was shifted because of the Eid-el-Fitr public holidays declared for last week by the Federal Government.

He however, said that the number of functional healthcare PHCs would be increased to 450 within the next two years.

According to him, the state is having challenges in terms of healthcare centres.

He said, “Today we have 1045 primary healthcare facilities but the structural ones that are functional are about 196. We expect that within the next two years, we will upgrade it to 450 and bring the total number of functional facilities to 600.”

He said that the state would leverage the National Basic Healthcare Provision Fund assisting states to develop their healthcare needs.

“We take advantage of what they have on ground and also access funds from the World Bank,” he stated.

Mr Ayuk said that another challenge in the health sector receiving attention was in the area of personnel.

He said the present administration did not meet up to eight pharmacists in the state employment, adding that the number had been doubled since the government came on board. The commissioner also said that only 30 doctors were currently fully employed in the state with a few contract staff.

He also disclosed that the state developed its health care sector along five pillars including developing a strong PHC architecture in the state and having a subsidised healthcare financing system for the poor.

Others are having a very strong health insurance system in place, ensuring equity in health resource allocations as well as ensuring quality service delivery.

Kingmakers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have appointed the current Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The kingmakers are also the members of the Olubadan-in-Council.Olakulehin’s appointment was ratified at a meeting held at Mapo Hall on Friday.

The meeting started around 11:00 am and ended some minutes after 12:00 pm.

The Olubadan stool became vacant as a result of the death of the 42nd holder of the title, Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun, who joined his ancestors last month.

The Olubadan-in-Council met at Mapo Hall on Friday to nominate Olakulehin and the nomination was ratified by all the members present.

Olakulehin was nominated by the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Lateef Adebimpe.

The meeting, which was attended by Olakulehin, was chaired by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, a former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja.

Other members of Olubadan-in-Council at the meeting are Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole Foko; Ashipa Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; Ekarun Olubadan, Adebayo Akande; Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Dada Isioye and Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.

Immediately after the ratification, the High Chiefs will send the name of Olakulehin to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, for endorsement.

The World Health Organization, WHO, says about 3,500 people die from the hepatitis virus every day, while the global toll continues to rise.

WHO on Tuesday, called for swift action to fight the second-largest infectious killer every day.

New data from 187 countries indicated that the number of deaths from viral hepatitis rose to 1.3 million in 2022 from 1.1 million in 2019, according to a WHO report released to coincide with the World Hepatitis Summit in Portugal this week.

Meg Doherty, head of the WHO’s global HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infection programmes, in a press conference, noted that the situation is alarming.

The report explained, “there are 3,500 deaths per day worldwide from hepatitis infections — 83 percent from hepatitis B, 17 percent from hepatitis C.”

It stated that there are effective and cheap generic drugs which can treat these viruses, saying that only three percent of those with chronic hep B received antiviral treatment by the end of 202.

The report said for Hepatitis C, 20 percent or 12.5 million people had been treated, explaining that the results fall well below the global targets to treat 80 percent of all people living with chronic hepatitis B and C by 2030.

He explained that the overall rate of hepatitis infections did fall slightly.

A Sokoto Muslim cleric, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, on Tuesday, led his followers to observe Eid prayer.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, had on Monday, declared Wednesday, as the day of Eid-el-Fitr.

The Sultan, who is the President General of Nigeria’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said the decision followed the report of National Moon Sighting Committees across the country, which confirmed the non-sighting of the new moon.

A statement signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Junaidu, made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Monday evening, said, “The council accepted the report and accordingly declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH.

However, Lukwa flouted the Sultan’s directive on moon sighting as he conducted prayers at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30am. on Tuesday.

Justifying the action, Lukwa said the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday.

He said, “There were reports of sightings of the new crescent in many places, including here in Nigeria, but the one that we were sure of is that of Niger Republic.

“We have a verified video clip of their council of Ulamah authenticating the report after which the country declared Tuesday as Sallah day. So it is now binding on us to observe Eid on Tuesday because this is what the teachings of the Holy Prophet says.

“If we can accept that of Saudi Arabia, why can’t we agree with that of Niger Republic, which is nearer to us.

“I am not saying all Nigerian Muslims must observe their Eid prayer on Tuesday, but we have no moral justification not to observe our prayer on Tuesday because the new moon was sighted by our neighbours. And remember, there is no fasting on Sallah day. It is prohibited.”

Lukwa has been defying Sultan’s directives, accusing the monarch of forcing Muslims to accept the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia, which he believes is against the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The cleric, however, challenged any scholar with a contrary view to a public debate.

Kogi State Government has debunked any outbreak of Lassa fever across the 21 local government areas of the State.

Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza while reacting to a viral video of an alleged lassa fever outbreak, noted that a student who was admitted to the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja did not die of lassa fever.

According to the Commissioner, it was reported that the student died of hemorrhagic fever.

The Commissioner explained that the deceased student who was admitted at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja presented complaints of fever and bleeding from the gum.

He added that the patient was being investigated and managed, while samples were taken and sent to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC) Abuja, but before the result was released, he had lost his life.

The Commissioner said the result came out to be negative for lassa fever.In his words, ”the suspected case has turned out to be negative for lassa fever.

“It is not only lassa fever that can make a patient to present bleeding from the gum. Other reasons could include blood dyscrasias and bleeding disorders”.

He advised members of the public to disregard the report as no case of lassa fever has been reported in the state.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kaduna on Monday began a special Eid-el-Fitr patrol, reiterating its commitment to sanitising all roads in the state.

The sector commander of the corps, Kabir Nadabo, stated this at the commencement of the patrol at the Kawo motorpark in the Kaduna metropolis.

Mr Nadabo said the special patrol was for the command to achieve crash-free festivities.

According to him, the command has outlined strategies to ensure that the special operations are conducted across the entire state.

Mr Nadabo said all the instruments to enhance the success of the operations had been put in place.”

They include putting adequate human and material resources on ground and collaboration with sister security agencies such as the Nigerian Police, NSCDC, and SSS,” he said.

Mr Nadabo said flash points, such as areas susceptible to traffic gridlock, have all been identified for adequate deployment of personnel for effective traffic control.

“The command has set aside 14 Hilux vehicles, five power bikes, five ambulances, and one tow truck for effective operations.

“The strategic routes of Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria, and Kaduna-Pambegua, which have the highest volume of traffic, will be adequately manned by operatives of the corps,” he added.

Mr Nadabo said the corps has stationed operatives along the construction area from Command Secondary School down to Peugeot Junction, and down to Abuja Bridge for traffic control and prompt removal of obstructions.

He said, “May I also add that for the first time in Kaduna, only three crashes were recorded within a period of 21 days. This is primarily due to home-grown initiatives birthed and implemented by the command.”

Mr Nadabo said the corps was poised to continue to work hard to ensure the mandate of the corps.

The sector commander appreciated the Kaduna State government for its continuous support of FRSC activities.

He also lauded sister security agencies and transport unions for their commitment to assist the corps when the need arose.