Author: Helen Okechukwu

The Nigerian Government has taken proactive measures and increased surveillance to prevent the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country following the confirmation of the virus outbreak in Uganda. Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Abuja, disclosed that the airport and other entry points are under surveillance. Idris revealed that there is no case recorded in the country, urging citizens to restrict inessential travels to the affected regions as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). While…

Francis Van-Lare, the father of Suzzette Chibuogu, whose ex-husband, Ikenna Erinne, a United States (US)-based Nigerian doctor allegedly committed suicide, has debunked the claim surrounding his death. Erinne, a 36-year-old cardiologist doctor from Anambra State, was said to have shot himself to death on 26 January, 2025. Meanwhile, multiple claims have been unveiled on the circumstances that led to the death of the 36-year-old cardiologist. Van-Lare, a popular businessman, shared on his Facebook page on Sunday that on that day of the tragic incident, late Dr. Erinne had gone to his daughter’s house and held her and her children hostage…

Eunice Edonkumoh, the Chief Matron of Kpakiama Primary Healthcare Centre, Delta State, has urged citizens to take proactive measures to prevent the outbreak of cholera in the state. She made this call on Friday during the distribution of free drugs to all the primary health centres across the Bomadi Local Government Area, courtesy of the council boss, Rawlings Andaye. Expressing gratitude to the LG chairman, she explained the importance of preventive measures. “Cholera is a communicable disease mostly caused by contaminated water and food, and there are some recorded cases in various communities such as Esanma, Ogriagbene, Akugbene, Kpakiama and…

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on child trafficking, warning that the buying and selling of children will not be condoned under any circumstances. In a post shared on the government Facebook page today, it acknowledged that at a press briefing on Friday, Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, praised the Nigeria Police Force for successfully rescuing five children from a notorious trafficking syndicate. The operation, led by CSP Ngozi Braide, was based on intelligence received on January 8, 2025. The rescued children—Marvelous Obi aged 1, Promise Ifekwuna aged 3, Somtochukwu Onyemaechi…

The 2-year-old boy, Chris, who survived the fire outbreak after his six-month-old brother was burnt to death at their apartment, has been pronounced dead by his father, Mr. Saviour Moses. Recalled that on 14 January New Daily Prime reported that the fire, which started by 7 am, engulfed two of the seven units of the self-contained apartment at Rumuworlu Street, Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on January 13. The 2-year-old Chris and his mother were rushed to University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical care. For Chris, who was the only surviving child, it was…

To tackle irregular practices in government primary schools, the Delta State Government has sanctioned five teachers over alleged levy extortion on pupils. Through the State Ministry of Information, the Permanent Secretary, Theresa Adiabua-Oliko, in signed documents dated 31 January, made this known. This came shortly after an investigation and on-site visitation by the Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu. It was noted that head teachers had charged pupils illegally for 2025 Cognitive and Placement Examination. Read Also: FCT Primary School Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Unmet Demands The following are the affected schools: Asamala Primary School, Ugiliamai (Ndokwa West…

The Ondo State Government has urged striking nurses in public healthcare facilities in the state to return to work as there was no basis for their industrial action. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in the state, on Thursday, after an emergency meeting directed its members to commence an indefinite strike at 12:00a.m. on Jan. 31. A statement issued and signed by association’s chairman and secretary, Felix Orobode and Lucky Aremu, respectively directed its members to stay off duty until their demands are met by the state government. The…

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, has announced plans to commence the local production of HIV test kits and antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in Nigeria. According to Dr. Ilori, the initiative is expected to begin before the end of 2025 as part of the government’s strategy to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2030. She made this known on Friday during the inauguration of the Kwara Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatric ART Acceleration Committee in Ilorin. Dr. Ilori highlighted several key measures aimed at strengthening HIV response efforts. These include…

Niger has successfully become the first African country and the fifth globally to be declared free from onchocerciasis, a deadly parasitic disease known as river blindness. Onchocerca volvulus is the parasite that causes river blindness and is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black fly, mainly found near rivers. Marking a significant breakthrough, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organisation Director-General, on Thursday congratulated the nation for its tireless dedication in attaining this milestone. “I congratulate Niger for its commitment to liberating its population from this blinding, stigmatizing illness that causes so much human suffering among the…

To control the spread of the recent Ebola outbreak in Uganda, the World Health Organisation pledges to support the national health authorities of Uganda with $1 million from its Contingency Fund to accelerate early action. This was contained in a document made available on their website on Thursday, following its confirmation of the outbreak. In its effort to bring the virus under control, WHO noted that senior public health experts will be deployed to work with mobilised country office staff. Among its responses to tackle this surge are the supplies of medical equipment and personal protective gear, which are to…