The UN World Health Organization (WHO) and health authorities in Burundi are racing to identify a mysterious illness that has claimed five lives in the country’s north. The outbreak, centered in Mpanda district near the Democratic Republic of the Congo border, has sickened 28 people so far. First reported on March 30, the cases have mainly affected members of the same household. In a statement Thursday, WHO said patients presented severe symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and blood in urine, with some showing jaundice and anemia. READ ALSO: WHO hosts first global forum of collaborating centres While initial tests for…
Author: Newsdesk
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) convened the historic first Global Forum of Collaborating Centres, bringing together representatives from more than 800 institutions across over 80 countries. The meeting, one of the world’s largest and most diverse public health networks, highlighted emerging health threats in today’s fragmented world. In a statement, WHO noted that scientists at the forum discussed challenges that demand urgent action while also creating opportunities to mobilize efforts toward better health solutions. The Forum concluded Thursday with renewed commitment across the network, moving beyond rigid scientific projects toward dynamic, integrated partnerships. Rooted in one of WHO’s core…
The Non-Governmental Organisation Ndigbo Unity Forum has called on South-East governors to revive agricultural plantations and farm estates established by the defunct Eastern Regional Government. The group’s Chairman, Chief Augustine Chukwudum, made the appeal on Thursday during an interactive session with journalists in Enugu. Chukwudum emphasized the need for governors to leverage the region’s agricultural potential to create jobs and secure the economic future of coming generations. He specifically urged investment in palm, cashew, breadfruit, and plantain plantations spread across the South-East. READ ALSO: Understanding who owns agricultural business between North and South – Ali A. Ali “It is disheartening…
The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project has opened bids for the construction of three Livestock Improvement Breeding Centres (LIBCs), three modern slaughterhouses, and the rehabilitation of eight wet markets across the state. Dr. Abdulsalam Hadi, Permanent Secretary of the Kogi Ministry of Livestock Development, declared the bid open on Thursday in Lokoja. He praised the L-PRES project for modernizing the livestock sector. Hadi, also Chairman of the State Technical Committee of L-PRES, said the projects would boost productivity, improve food safety, and strengthen the livelihoods of farmers and value chain actors. He urged bidders to maintain…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed as false a viral image circulating on social media claiming to show a newly introduced N5,000 banknote bearing the portrait of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The image, widely shared across platforms, sparked debate among Nigerians, with many questioning the authenticity of the purported high-denomination note. However, the apex bank clarified that the claim is entirely misleading and not from any official source. In a statement posted on its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the CBN categorically described the content as fake, urging members of the public to disregard it and rely only on…
The international medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders is supporting the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Benue State in responding to the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak, as rising patient numbers continue to strain health facilities. As of mid-March, 410 suspected Lassa fever cases have been reported in Benue State, including 60 confirmed cases and 14 deaths. Among the confirmed cases are 14 healthcare workers, highlighting the risks within health facilities and gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. Nationally, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 167 deaths from Lassa fever in…
Youth and community groups in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have suspended all political activities and issued a strong call for urgent government intervention to address the worsening security crisis in the area. The resolution was contained in a communiqué released on Thursday following an emergency meeting convened by the Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA) in Kuta, the council headquarters. The groups expressed deep concern over the persistent insecurity that has plagued the area for more than a decade, tracing its escalation to violent incidents in Allawa town in 2014, which claimed several lives, including that of a…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed circulating claims that Polaris Bank is facing liquidation, reaffirming that the country’s banking system remains stable and secure. In a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the apex bank flagged a viral post alleging the bank’s imminent collapse as false. It clarified that suggestions Polaris Bank failed to meet recapitalisation requirements and could lose its operating licence do not reflect the reality of the sector. The misleading report had also claimed that the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) was set to take over the bank’s liquidation process, and that…
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) faces a looming internal crisis amid allegations of interference in its presidential election by powerful interests within the National Officers’ Committee. Dr Ezoke Epoke, Chairman of the association in Cross River, disclosed this during an interaction with journalists on Thursday in Calabar, raising concerns over the credibility of the electoral process. Epoke said the controversy centres on the disqualification of Dr Ofem Enang, a presidential contender, which has sparked widespread concern among members and stakeholders nationwide. Enang, a former Second Vice President and State Chairman, was disqualified from contesting for the association’s top leadership position.…
Some farmers in the country have proffered workable solutions to address Nigeria’s growing post-harvest losses, estimated at up to $10 billion annually. The farmers shared their views in separate interviews with reporters on Thursday in Lagos. It was reported that Nigeria loses between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of its total annual agricultural output to post-harvest waste. The losses, estimated at approximately ₦3.5 trillion annually and between $3.7 billion and $10 billion, are largely driven by poor storage, inefficient transportation, and limited processing capacity. The most affected crops include fruits, vegetables, and tubers. An agricultural analyst and crop…