The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Jide Idris has said a total of 2,102 suspected cholera cases and 63 deaths have been recorded across 33 states and 122 local government areas since the beginning of the year as of June 30, 2024.

Idris said this on Tuesday at a press briefing in Abuja.

He noted that the case fatality rate is at 3.0 per cent.

He said seven of the top 10 states (Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers and Delta) that contribute about 90 per cent of the cases are Southern States.

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Cholera, a highly contagious food and waterborne disease, has in the recent past reared its devastating head in several states across our country. It is caused by the ingestion of the organism Vibrio cholerae in contaminated water and food.

“As of 30th June 2024, a total of 2,102 suspected cases and 63 deaths have been recorded across 33 States and 122 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.0% since the beginning of the year. Of the top 10 States (Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers and Delta) that contribute about 90 per cent of the cases, seven of them are Southern States.

“The National Cholera Multisectoral Emergency Operation Centre activated parades an array of subject matter experts and provides strategic coordination, meets daily and provides periodic situation reports for stakeholders.

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“This also ensures effective mobilisation, harmonisation and distribution of resources to support the affected states. This is done through the relevant thematic areas of response that cover coordination, surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Vaccination, Logistics, Research with a costed Incidence Action Plan for the response developed and being implemented.”

He added, “These will help facilitate rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making. It will also ensure that we deploy resources efficiently, strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity, enhance treatment of affected persons, and intensify public awareness and community engagement activities.”

A bill to alter the 1999 Constitution as amended to create Etiti state ( equity) in the South East passed through its first reading in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Sponsored by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah representing Isikwuato/ Umunneochi federal Constituency and four others representing the affected communities.

They include Hon. Princess Miriam Odinaka Onuoha representing Okigwe and Onuimo federal constituency, Hon. Kama Nkemkama representing ivo/Ohazara federal constituency, Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuife representing Orumba South and North Federal Constituency and Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu representing Oji river/ Agwai/ aniri federal constituency.

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The proposed state is to be created out of the present Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

When created, the new state will have 11 local government areas drawn from the five states with headquarters at Lokpanta.

The bill seeks to alter three sections of the 1999 constitution, to delete the word 36 and replace it with the word 37 to accommodate the new state and to insert the word Etiti, immediately after Enugu in the list of states contained in the Constitution.

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It also seeks to alter the listing of local government according to states and transfer the 11 local government areas from their current states to the new state.

The local governments to be affected are Isuikwuato and Umu-Nneochi (Abia), Orumba North and Orumba South (Anambra), Ivo and Ohaozara (Ebonyi), Aninri, Agwu and Oji River (Enugu) as well as Okigwe and Onuimo (Imo).

Meta has announced that content creators in Nigeria and Ghana with at least 5,000 followers will start earning money on Facebook from July 1, 2024.

The company introduced two monetisation features: In-Stream Ads on Facebook and Facebook Ads on Reels on Monday.

According to a statement from Meta, these features will allow creators to earn revenue by producing original videos and building their communities.

Eligible creators in both countries can monetise their video and reel content, with support available in over 30 languages globally.

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The statement read: “To use either product, creators must pass and remain compliant with Facebook’s partnership monetisation policies and content monetization policies and they must be at least 18 years old.

“Additionally, for in-stream ads creators must meet certain requirements such as having a minimum of 5,000 followers.”

Commenting on the rollout, Global Partnerships Lead, Africa, Middle East and Turkey, at Meta, Moon Baz, said: “Everyday, we’re inspired by the incredible African creators who use Facebook to tell their stories, connect with others and bring people together.”

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“This expansion will empower eligible creators in the vibrant creative industry across Nigeria and Ghana to earn money, whilst setting the bar high for creativity across the world and making Meta’s family of apps the one-stop-shop for all creators.

“In-stream Ads can play before, during or after on-demand videos, whether it’s pre-recorded content or when publishing a recording of a previous live stream.

“Types of In-stream Ads include Pre-roll Ads (which play before a video starts,), Mid-roll Ads (which play during videos), Image Ads (static image ads that display beneath the content) and Post-roll Ads (ads which appear at the end of videos).

“Ads on Facebook Reels integrate seamlessly into original Reels, enabling creators to get paid based on the performance of their original reels while entertaining fans”, Baz added.