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Cholera Outbreak in Lagos: 15 Dead, 350 Infected in Aggressive Strain

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3 months ago

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Child Poverty - Investors King

Authorities in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital, have issued a public health warning following the confirmation of a “highly aggressive and contagious” cholera strain that has resulted in 15 deaths and infected 350 individuals.

The densely populated city, home to approximately 25 million residents, has been on high alert since the outbreak was first detected.

The outbreak’s epicenter is in the affluent Lekki-Victoria Island neighborhood, where investigations into a potential water contamination source began a week ago.

Health officials have been working tirelessly to contain the spread, deploying community-based case finding and contact tracing measures.

Despite these efforts, at least 30 other regions across Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, have reported cases, pushing the national total to 882 as of June 2, according to data from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Health Commissioner, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the severity of the situation.

“The identified strain is highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination,” he stated. “Through community-based case finding and contact tracing, we have observed that the number of cases has peaked.”

In response to the outbreak, Lagos has activated public health emergency operations at a hospital in the Yaba area. Test results have confirmed that the cholera strain is a subtype associated with more severe disease manifestations.

However, Abayomi reassured the public that “cases are now dramatically subsiding in previously affected local government areas.”

The outbreak comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with its worst inflation in 28 years, largely driven by soaring food costs.

This economic strain is exacerbating poverty and diminishing the purchasing power of the nation’s 231 million people, 60% of whom are classified as multi-dimensionally poor by the government.

Cholera, a waterborne disease, causes severe dehydration through vomiting and diarrhea and is treatable with prompt administration of oral rehydration solutions.

However, treatment is challenging in communities with poor general health and limited access to medical facilities.

Over the past two years, cholera outbreaks have impacted at least 16 African countries, fueled by severe storms and conflicts that have accelerated the spread of the disease.

The Nigerian government has issued a national alert as the country recently celebrated the Muslim Eid Adha holidays, prompting widespread travel and large gatherings that could further propagate the outbreak.

Health officials are urging citizens to exercise caution and adhere to public health guidelines to mitigate the spread of cholera.

Efforts to control the outbreak are ongoing, with health authorities focusing on improving water sanitation and hygiene practices across the affected regions.

The government has also called for increased public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the symptoms of cholera and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms arise.

As Lagos battles this public health crisis, the resilience and cooperation of its residents will be crucial in overcoming the aggressive cholera strain and preventing further loss of life.

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Travel

Many Nigerians Disappointed as FG Refuses to Subsidise Hiked Passport Fees

Published

12 hours ago

on

September 28, 2024

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Nigerian International passport- Investors King

Many Nigerians have expressed their displeasure following the announcement by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday that the Federal Government would not reduce nor subsidise the rate of purchasing the international passport in the country.

Justifying the recent increase in passport fees, he clarified that the rise was approximately 45%, attributing the fee adjustment to the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira.

As per the new structure, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity increased from N35,000 to N50,000, while a 64-page passport booklet with a 10-year validity rose from N70,000 to N100,000.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians who had in August kicked against the new price when the Nigerian Immigration Service announced an upward review of the fees for Nigerian Standard Passports, said it was a ploy by the Federal Government to frustrate efforts by Nigerians to travel out of the country for greener pastures.

They expressed disappointment over the fee hike, accusing the government of making japa (migration) more expensive.

Speaking, a Nigerian, Fidelis Okoro noted that the Federal Government was expected to have subsidized the increment, adding that the Minister’s insistence on the hike fees is not welcome.

Another citizen, Agali, who shared his disappointment with the government in a chat with Investors King, said, “Now the government is increasing taxes and fees and fattening its IGR base on the detriment of poor masses. Even those who struggle to leave the country are not spared. I, for one had expected that the government should have subsidized passport fees but with this announcement by the minister, I am disappointed.”

But, the minister, while speaking at a media briefing in Abuja to mark his first year in office, explained the reason why the government could not subsidise passport fees for Nigerians.

He also clarified that the price increase did not affect the fees for Nigerians living abroad.

The minister explained that the increase in passport fees is a matter of cost-benefit analysis, especially when considering the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira, adding that if the government were to subsidise anything, he doesn’t think it should be passports.

“The increase is just from N35,000 to N50,000 — only about 45%. There has been no increase for Nigerians abroad,” he maintained.

He stressed that the government was not exploiting Nigerians but simply covering the cost of passport procurement.

Tunji-Ojo also revealed that Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, would soon enjoy more seamless passport acquisition processes.

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Education

ECOWAS Donates $380 Million to Electrify Public Schools and Health Centres Across 18 African Countries

Published

1 day ago

on

September 27, 2024

By

Ecowas

The Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS) has announced a donation of $380 million for public schools and health centres in 18 African countries.

The donation was announced by the Senior Adviser on the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project at the ECOWAS Commission, El hadji Sylla, during a stakeholders meeting in Abuja.

According to Sylla, with the move, the ECOWAS aims to promote a new innovative chain to electrify public schools.

Sylla, who stated the goals of the initiative funded by the World Bank, the Clean Technology Fund, and the Dutch government, revealed that the project will kick off from Nigeria and Benin.

He noted that the project covers 15 countries in the ECOWAS region.

According to Sylla “The cost of the project is $380m, and we want to promote a new innovative chain to electrify public institutions. Our target is to electrify schools and health centres to improve service delivery.

“We are piloting the project in Nigeria and the Benin Republic. The project covers 15 countries in the ECOWAS region and four countries in the Sahel region,” Sylla said.

“We are targeting schools and health centres to improve service delivery,” Sylla said, adding that the project is expected to be completed in five years across all participating countries, with the pilot phase in Nigeria and Benin to be executed within 18 months.

In Nigeria, the initiative will begin with electrification projects in selected schools and health centres in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Nasarawa states,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who was represented at the meeting by Bem Ayangeaor, noted that electrification in Nigeria has seen significant growth.

He, however, attributed the growth to the grants and subsidies flowing into the sector.

“I do not doubt that the rural electrification space in Nigeria, thanks to grants and subsidies, has grown significantly and will soon reach a stage where public support leverages private sector financing at higher efficiencies than it is presently done.

“A stage where the private sector would be more excited in investing in the electrification space because of the benefits to be gained,” Adelabu said.

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Dupe Olusola Launches Next Generation Foundation to Educate Underserved Children Across Nigeria

Published

3 days ago

on

September 26, 2024

By

Dupe Olusola

Dupe Olusola has announced the launch of the Next Generation Foundation, a philanthropic fund dedicated to improving the lives of underserved and vulnerable children through education.

With this foundation, Olusola, the Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, is extending her lifelong commitment to empowering others, driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of education. The foundation’s vision is for every child to have access to quality education, and a chance at a better life.

Reflecting on her motivation to create the foundation, Olusola shared: “Education changes lives—it opens doors to a future filled with opportunities, particularly for children who might otherwise be left behind. Nigeria faces one of the highest out-of-school populations globally. With the Next Generation Foundation, I hope we can make a meaningful difference in changing that.”

To mark her 50th birthday, Olusola has introduced the foundation’s flagship initiative, the 50 by 50 project – a multiyear scholarship program (commencing in the 2024/2025 academic session), for 50 children, between the ages of 6 to 18, from low-income families.

The 50 by 50 project will provide free tuition, books, school uniforms, nutrition programs, access to health services, and mentorship to the beneficiaries, starting in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states.

This effort will be powered by partnerships with leading social impact organizations focused on education.

Through the Next Generation Foundation, Dupe Olusola aims not only to provide access to education but also to support broader education reform initiatives across Nigeria. More details can be found at www.dupeolusola.com.

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