News

Lassa Fever Kills 227, Over 1,200 Infected In 28 States

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

Editor

No fewer than 227 deaths and 1,270 confirmed cases of Lassa fever were recorded in Nigeria from 28 states in 2023, Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has disclosed.

Meanwhile, in response to the rapidly increasing cases of Lassa fever in Nigeria, NCDC through the National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group (LF-TWG) has activated the national multisectoral Emergency Operations Centre for Lassa Fever, (LF-EOC).

The rise in the number of cases was reported from week 49 and associated healthcare workers’ infection for three weeks with a total of 9,155 suspected cases.

Disclosing this press statement announcing the activation of the EOC, the Director General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa said the zones of impact of Lassa fever have been increasing across the country with risk of international exposure.

Statistics from NCDC also revealed that in 2022, Nigeria recorded a total of 1,055 cases and 189 deaths recorded within the same period, showing an increase in Lassa fever cases in the country.

Adetifa explained in the statement that the situation report as of 7th January 2023 in comparison to of 7th January 2024 revealed that although the country currently has more confirmed than week 1 of 2023, the current CFR of 11.6 per cent was lower than that for the same reporting week of 2023 (CFR of 27.6 per cent).

He said the Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre, EOC, would strengthen the coordination of response efforts towards reducing the spread of the infection.

He said the LF-EOC activation resulted from a risk assessment conducted by subject matter experts from relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies, stakeholders, and major partners.

The outcome of the risk assessment placed the country at “High Risk” of increased risk of Lassa fever transmission and impact due to the increased number of states reporting cases, high case fatality in confirmed cases, low index of suspicion among healthcare workers, healthcare worker infections and deaths and continued attrition of essential healthcare.

Noting that in 2023 the upsurge indicated an early peak into the high transmission season nationally, he “explained that before the activation of EOC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the NCDC had Issued an alert letter to States to guide state-level preparedness, readiness, and response activities for Lassa fever among others.

“The LF-EOC activation will coordinate a national response particularly across affected states to help minimise suffering, reduce mortality, interrupt disease transmission, and address socioeconomic complications caused by Lassa fever using a one health approach.

“This national response requires all of the government and all of the people’s participation along with the support of partners and other stakeholders.”

“While the NCDC has the mandate to lead the prevention, preparedness, and response to public health emergencies, this is done in collaboration and with the support of States who also have to develop and implement evidence-driven outbreak response plans for their territories.”

He said the public has a collective responsibility to maintain personal and environmental hygiene as well as food hygiene.

“We urgently urge the public and healthcare workers to remain vigilant. Early detection and immediate presentation at health facilities significantly increase survival chances. The NCDC remains dedicated to safeguarding the health of Nigerians and is actively working towards reducing the fatality rate to a single digit,” he stated.

News

Nigeria Faces Breakup Without True Federalism, Nwodo Warns

Published

39 minutes ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

A former Minister of Information and past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo

A former Minister of Information and past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s future, warning that the country could break apart before the 2027 general elections if sweeping constitutional reforms are not urgently implemented.

Delivering a keynote address at the launch of two books authored by veteran journalist Ike Abonyi in Abuja, Nwodo said Nigeria’s current system of governance was deeply flawed.

“What we practice today is not federalism but a unitary constitution in disguise,” he said.

Nwodo emphasised that the structure of power must be revisited to allow regions greater control over their resources and internal affairs.

“Let each region manage its resources and development, while contributing taxes to fund essential federal responsibilities like external defence, foreign affairs, customs, and immigration.”

He warned that failing to restructure before the next national election could have grave consequences.

“If we head into 2027 without addressing these structural imbalances, there may be no election—and worse still, no country.”

Citing Nigeria’s economic woes, Nwodo highlighted the alarming state of public infrastructure and declining quality of life.

“We are bleeding billions annually due to poor infrastructure. Life expectancy is now one of the lowest globally. Our youth are unemployed and frustrated. Something must give.”

Calling for bold reforms, he stressed the need to prioritise education, digital skills, and agricultural development as tools for economic revival.

“The future lies in education that meets today’s realities. Every Nigerian child should be digitally literate. We must return to agriculture and vocational training.”

The event drew political figures, scholars, and civil society actors, many of whom echoed the call for urgent restructuring as a path to national stability and growth.

News

FG Shortlists Candidates For Civil Service Jobs

Published

3 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has shortlisted candidates for the ongoing recruitment into the Federal Civil Service.

In January 2025, the Federal Civil Service Commission announced vacancies for over 70 positions across various government agencies.

The announcement, contained in a newspaper advertorial signed by the Director of Recruitment and Appointment, Ogaba Ede, listed several roles.

Some of the listed positions include: Administrative Officer, Planning Officer, Programme Analyst, Procurement Officer, Senior Computer Engineer, Dentist/Dental Officer, Population Programme Officer, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Education Officer, and Senior Youth Development Officer.

Also on the list of positions are Psychologist, Biomedical Engineer, Surveyor, Aerodrome Engineer, Computer Engineer, Geologist, Programme Analyst, Statistician, and Foreign Affairs Officer.

Applications were submitted through the official recruitment portal, which many applicants reported was difficult to access during the registration period.

The deadline, initially fixed for March 10, was later extended to March 17.

The Head of Press and Public Relations at the FCSC, Taiwo Hassan, in an interview with our correspondent, denied insinuations that the process had been abandoned.

He stated that the screening process had progressed, with some applicants already shortlisted.

“We have not been quiet and we have not abandoned the exercise. As a matter of fact, work has been ongoing on the recruitment exercise.

“Candidates have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted have been sent an email on their preferred location for their Computer-Based Test among other details.

“It is not correct to say those who applied have not been contacted. We have picked from those who submitted their applications. These are the ones that will sit for the CBT,” he said.

Although he did not provide specific figures, it was previously reported that applicants were vying for 2,130 available positions in the federal civil service.

News

WAEC Under Fire As Results Portal Goes Down

Published

3 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The West African Examinations Council has come under renewed fire following the temporary shutdown of its result checker portal on Wednesday evening, a move it attributed to “technical issues.”

The announcement, posted via WAEC’s official X handle, @waecnigeria, sparked fresh criticism as many Nigerians continue to express outrage over the poor performance recorded in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, particularly in English Language.

“WAEC hereby informs the general public that the result checker portal @waecdirect.org is temporarily shut down due to technical issues.

“However, the Council is working assiduously to ensure that candidates are able to access their results in the next 24 hours. We apologise for any inconvenience this might have caused you,” the notice read.

Wednesday’s notice has further fuelled speculation and public discontent over the examination body’s credibility, especially after Monday’s announcement that only 38.32 per cent of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat the 2025 WASSCE obtained credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, the worst performance recorded in a decade.

Across social media platforms, many candidates and concerned Nigerians pointed fingers at WAEC’s logistics failures, especially the delayed conduct of the English Language paper, which reportedly held late into the night at many centres on May 28.

On X (formerly Twitter), several users shared screenshots of results showing credit passes in other subjects but failure in English, calling for a comprehensive review of the English Language scripts.

Tweeting at @sikimark, Mark Imohi wrote, “It is concerning that the English exam, which was delayed at centres nationwide, is now resulting in widespread failures. If JAMB could make amends, we hope you (WAEC) will take steps to rectify the situation. It was a national disgrace.”

Another user, @_samad1, lamented, “We wrote exams at 8 pm. We were given one hour or 30 minutes to answer questions that should last two and a half hours. There was no light, and everyone was in a hurry to leave. Please rethink.”

Some candidates expressed optimism that once the portal is reopened, there could be changes in the scores.

“When the portal is reopened, you will see magic,” tweeted Daniel Ebitimi (@ebitimi_da15726).

Others alleged deliberate manipulation and revenue generation motives behind the poor grading.

“Just like JAMB, WAEC is gambling with the future of Nigerians. If the majority of the D’s, E’s and F8’s awarded in English are rechecked, WAEC will pay dearly,” @JayTrezy posted.

Parents also joined the chorus of displeasure, expressing confusion over how students who excelled in other subjects could have failed English.

“My daughter got five A1 and two B2, only to get D7 in English and Physics (withheld),” tweeted a parent, @Johnway11145073.

Another user, @DEYHOT_official, pleaded, “WAEC, please I am begging, help us check the English Language exam again. I can’t accept this result. I struggled so hard to get money and pay for this exam, and now you failed me. This result is affecting my future.”

Some went as far as demanding a total recall of the 2025 results.

“We reject this year’s results, particularly the English and Maths. WAEC, please do the needful to avoid mass protests,” @pastorbtdaniels posted.

The Teacher, @MarquizDejavex wrote, “Students wrote English paper in the mid night and yet WAEC failed them.”

King Jeporphs, @e_okwori tweeted, “The students who were robbed and given abysmal grades in English should tag presidency, Minister of education to have an external body revise the whole exam process.”

WAEC has yet to issue any further clarification on the English Language grading or respond to the growing demands for a review of the affected scripts.