News

Cholera: NYSC, BASEPA Conduct Sanitation In 20 LGAs

Published

3 years ago

July 29, 2021

The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in collaboration with Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) has embarked on environmental sanitation in all the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.

Speaking during the commencement of the exercise in Bauchi on Thursday, Alhaji Hamisu Abubakar, the State Coordinator of NYSC, said the move was to assist the government in mitigating the spread of cholera outbreak and other epidemics in the state.

He explained that the collaboration came at a good time when the state NYSC was embarking on its national environmental sanitation exercise as ordered by Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, the Director General of the NYSC.

According to him, following the outcome of the nationwide medical outreach recently conducted on the platform of NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), the D-G observed that, most of the ailments diagnosed and treated were as a result of poor hygiene.

“The Director General observed that most of the ailments diagnosed and treated during our nationwide medical outreach were as a result of poor hygiene. They include chronic diarrhea, dental caries, head and body lice, ringworm, dysentery, typhoid among others.

“He therefore, noted that efforts must be made to save many more lives by empowering the people with adequate information on good grooming and environmental hygiene.

“Many people don’t keep their environment clean, so the NYSC management deem it fit to carry out this national environmental sanitation exercise and also to sensitize the communities.

“In order to broaden the exercise, especially, with the outbreak of cholera in the state, we wrote to BASEPA so as to have synergy, effective coverage and they obliged us with every necessary equipment.

“So, we are in collaboration with BASEPA, we are complementing their efforts in cleaning up Bauchi state,” he said

The state coordinator, however, called on the people of the state to maintain a high level of hygiene at all times, adding that cleanliness is Godliness.

Also speaking, the Director General of BASEPA, Mr Ibrahim Kabir, who explained that it was the duty of the agency to ensure cleanliness and improved sanitation in Bauchi state, said he was excited to have received a letter from NYSC to conduct such an exercise.

“When we received the letter from the NYSC to conduct this exercise, we were very happy and that’s why it was very easy for us to bring all our equipment to support them.

NYSC members during the sanitation exercise.

“As far as we are concerned, this is a gigantic effort from the part of the NYSC and we have to commend them.

“They told us that this is a national environmental sanitation exercise which they were directed to conduct in Bauchi. We are happy they partner with us because we are the agency responsible for this exercise,” he said.

The D-G explained that if proper hygiene could be ensured among the communities in the state, more than 70 to 80 per cent of the cholera outbreak would be reduced.

The National Environmental Sanitation exercise was part of the NYSC’s activities to mark the 2021 National Sanitation Day and areas to be covered include marketplaces, motor parks, undesignated dumping sites among others.

News

Lagos, Ondo, Taraba Top In Highest Okada Fares In March – NBS

Published

10 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

A recent National Bureau of Statistics report shows Lagos, Ondo, and Taraba recorded the highest Okada (motorcycle) fares in March.

The data indicates substantial differences in transportation costs across various Nigerian states.

In March 2024, the average fare for Okada rides per trip in Nigeria rose by 2.15% compared to the same period last year, with fares reaching N472.16, up from N462.21 in March 2023.

This was contained in the most recent National Bureau of Statistics Transport Fare Watch report for March 2024, published on the agency’s website.

However, fares in Lagos, Ondo, and Taraba states were notably above the national average for March 2024.

Lagos had the highest Okada fare at N850 per trip, with Ondo following at N725 and Taraba at N670, illustrating significant differences in transportation costs across regions.

Imo and Yobe states, with average Okada fares of N655 and N630 respectively for March 2024, ranked fourth and fifth among Nigerian states for the highest motorcycle journey costs per trip.

News

Trouble Looms As OAU Students Threaten Shut Down With FG Over Fuel Crisis

Published

10 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

The students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University said on Sunday, said the challenges faced by students due to the sudden surge in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit and the scarcity of the product have reached unprecedented levels.

The President of the union, Abbas Ojo, in a statement released on the campus in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and sent to The PUNCH, urged the Federal Government to immediately address the issues.

The union threatened to hit the streets in protest if the situation persisted.

Since the weekend, queues have surfaced across some filling stations in Ogun and Lagos states as some stations also remained shut.

The PMS also known as petrol has been selling between N700 and N800 at some filling stations. Some persons claim to buy the fuel at prices higher than N800 in Lagos and Ogun with the situation causing a hike in transport fares.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had said some supply issues were responsible for the queues, urging customers to exercise patience.

A resident, Tomisin Bakare, who said he bought PMS from a filling station around the Lagos State University-Igando axis stated that he was shocked when the attendant said fuel was N700 per litre.

“This is after I had already spent over 50 minutes in the queue,” he added.

According to the students’s union president, the situation is not different in Osun, particularly around the campus environs where he noted bus drivers had increased fares.

“We, as students, can no longer endure the burden imposed by the government’s economic policies,” Ojo said.

“Last year, when the decision to remove fuel subsidy became public knowledge, many, including students, harboured doubts about its impact on the nation’s economy. Even those who supported the removal of subsidies were skeptical, given the absence of concrete plans to alleviate the ensuing challenges,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, during his swearing-in, announced the removal of fuel subsidy. Since then, Nigerians have been grappling with harsh economic realities coupled with the depreciation of the naira against the dollar.

“From soaring electricity tariffs to the skyrocketing cost of living, the adverse effects of the government’s capitalist policies have spared no one.

“Despite these challenges, students persist in their pursuit of education and academic endeavours. However, recent events such as fuel shortages and fluctuating prices have left students stranded both on campus and outside campus,” Ojo stressed, noting the students had been pushed to limits.

The union demanded immediate action from the FG to address the fuel scarcity, curb suspected hoarding of fuel, and regulate prices.

“We also demand that the government should revive the country’s refineries. The government must not test our will by not addressing these demands within the next 48 hours. Failure to do so, we shall hit the streets till the government addresses the fuel crisis which constitutes a threat to our academic pursuit,” the statement added.

News

JUST IN: Popular Gospel Singer Is Dead

Published

18 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Popular Gospel singer Morenikeji Adeleke, also known as Egbin Orun, is dead.

Her colleague Esther Igbekele, confirmed the death in an Instagram post on Sunday.

The gospel singer expressed shock and sadness, sayin Egbin Orun departed suddenly without bidding farewell.

According to her, the two had recently spoken, unaware of the impending tragedy.

Igbekele praised Egbin Orun’s beauty, kindness, and strong support for her ministry.

She wrote, “I got home from my program to hear about this great loss.. Prophetess Morenikeji Egbin Orun you left without saying goodbye..

“We spoke together last week not knowing you are about to embark on a journey to the great beyond.. You are such a beautiful and kind hearted woman and a very good supporter of my ministry.

“I am deeply saddened with your demise but God knows best. You will be greatly missed and your good deeds will continue to linger in our hearts.

“Ah Egbin Orun. Good night! Keep resting in the bosom of Christ.. Ah Gone too soon..Yeeee.”

The cause of her death remains undisclosed and no official statement has been issued.