News

NCDC Records 1,307 Cholera Cases, 34 Deaths In 30 States

Published

5 months ago

May 2, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday said the country has recorded 1,307 suspected cases of cholera across 30 states and 98 Local Government Areas.

The Director General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, who stated this at the national health security press briefing in Abuja, added that the country also recorded 34 cholera-associated deaths, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 2.6 per cent, which is above the target of less than one per cent.

According to him, cholera remains endemic in Nigeria, particularly in communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation, and it is a highly contagious infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and can be fatal without prompt and adequate treatment.

He warned that as the country approaches the peak of the rainy season, a concerning trend in cholera transmission is emerging.

“The proactive dissemination of localized flood risk data is expected to drive coordinated action at the federal, state, and community levels, ensuring timely interventions that can help prevent waterborne disease outbreaks like cholera. NCDC is actively tracking these occurrences.

“As of epidemiological week 16 (ending 20 April 2025), 1,307 suspected cases of cholera have been reported across 30 states and 98 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with 34 associated deaths, resulting in a CFR of 2.6 per cent. This rate is well above our target of less than one per cent,” he said.

Cholera is a food and water-borne disease, caused by the ingestion of the organism Vibrio Cholerae in contaminated water and food.

Water is usually contaminated by the faeces of infected individuals. Contamination of drinking water can occur at the source, during transportation, or during storage at home. Food may be contaminated by soiled hands, either during preparation or while eating.

Beverages prepared with contaminated water and sold by street vendors, ice, and commercially bottled water have been implicated as vehicles of transmission, as have cooked vegetables and fruits freshened with untreated wastewater.

The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms (incubation period) is two hours to five days. It has a higher risk of transmission in areas that lack adequate sanitation facilities and/or a regular supply of clean water. Unsafe practices such as improper disposal of refuse and open defecation endanger the safety of water used for drinking and personal use.

Idris pointed out that the people most at risk of cholera are people of all ages living in places with limited access to clean water, people living in areas with poor sanitation and poor hygiene, people living in slum areas where basic water or sanitation infrastructure is missing, people living in rural areas who depend on surface water or unsafe piped or borehole well water sources for drinking, people who consume potentially contaminated food or fruits without washing and cooking properly, and people who do not perform hand hygiene at appropriate times

He added other risk factors are man-made or natural disasters like floods, resulting in population movements and overcrowded refugee camps, relatives who care for sick people with cholera at home, and healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and other health workers who provide direct patient care in the absence of standard precautions.

“The symptoms of cholera include acute profuse, painless watery diarrhoea (characteristic rice water stools) of sudden onset, with or without vomiting. It may be associated with nausea, profuse vomiting and fever.

“Severe cases can lead to death within hours due to dehydration (massive body fluid loss). However, most infected people (about 80 per cent) may only show mild symptoms or have no symptoms at all.

“The disease is easily treatable if detected early. Most infected people can be treated successfully through prompt administration of oral rehydration solution, to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, and appropriate antibiotics. The ORS solution is a powder that can be reconstituted in boiled or bottled water. Cholera can be deadly when infected people do not access care immediately.

“Cholera can be prevented through ensuring access to safe, potable drinking water; proper sanitation and waste disposal; and appropriate hygiene including handwashing. Raw fruits and vegetables, food from street vendors, and raw or undercooked seafood should be avoided,” he added.

He advised the public to reduce the risk of cholera, by ensuring that water is boiled and stored in a clean and covered container before drinking, practising good personal hand hygiene, using alcohol-based hand sanitiser, and ensuring that food is well cooked before consumption, avoiding open defecation, and indiscriminate refuse dumping.

He advised health workers to play a vital role in detecting and managing cholera cases by adhering strictly to the infection prevention and control protocols, reporting suspected cases to the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers, and educating patients and community members about preventive practices.

He also advised State Governments to prioritize action for solutions that ensure access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation, and proper hygiene practices in communities.

“To ensure readiness and early control, the NCDC is implementing cholera readiness workshops in the South-West and North-west to enhance preparedness and response capacity. Similar ones are planned for the South-south, North-east, and North-central zones of the country in May.

“Treatment protocols disseminated to all states, prepositioned response commodities (cholera test kits etc.) with appropriate training, 134 Local Government Areas classified as hotspots have been prioritized for multisectoral intervention, including potential RRT deployment; risk communication materials reviewed and updated and airing to commence immediately. 36 plus one states are currently being assessed for readiness for cholera outbreaks.

“While new cholera cases remain relatively low, their spread across 30 states amid the rainy season underscores the need for sustained vigilance. We call for intensified multisectoral collaboration especially in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene to prevent further transmission and reduce mortality,” he said.

He added that the agency remains committed to leading a coordinated national response, working closely with state governments and partners to ensure timely support and regular updates.

News

PSC Names Conference Hall After Ex-chair Arase

Published

26 minutes ago

September 25, 2025

Editor

The Police Service Commission has named the Chairman’s conference hall after the late Chairman and former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

The Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the conference hall, located on the sixth floor of the PSC’s headquarters, Abuja, was renamed in honour of the late Arase.

“The Police Service Commission has named its Chairman’s Hall on the 6th floor of its Corporate headquarters, as Solomon Arase Hall in honour of its late Chairman,” the statement read.

Arase was appointed the 18th Inspector General of Police in April 2015 and retired in June 2016. He served as Chairman of the PSC till 2024 and passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja on the 31st of August 2025, aged 69.

In the statement, Ani said the current Chairman of the PSC, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), represented by the Director, Human Resource Management, Aminu Malumfashi, at a night of tribute held on Wednesday, hailed Arase as “a gentleman of rare courage and intellect.”

“Speaking at the day of tributes in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, said his predecessor was not only a Police Officer of repute, a Scholar and a reformer, he was a gentleman of rare courage and intellect,” he said.

According to the statement, funeral rites for the late Chairman will continue on Friday with a requiem mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, and lying in state at his Abuja residence, before his body is airlifted to Benin, Edo State, for burial.

“Tomorrow, Friday, September 26th, 2025, there will be a requiem mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja and a lying in State at his Abuja residence in Maitama on Saturday, before his remains will be airlifted to Benin, Edo State, for the continuation of the burial rites.

“A strong delegation from the Commission will also be in Edo state for the final burial rites of its former Chairman. His remains will be lowered to Mother Earth, on Friday, October 3rd, 2025, in his Benin residence,” the statement added.

News

Lagos DSVA Unveils Policy To Fight Workplace Harassment

Published

55 minutes ago

September 25, 2025

Editor

Lagos State, on Thursday, took a major step in tackling workplace harassment as the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency held a symposium on ‘The Impact of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence on Labour and Organisational Productivity in the Workplace.’

According to a statement by the Lagos DSVA on X on Thursday, he event drew over 130 professionals from banking, oil and gas, hospitality, FMCG, and trade union sectors.

In her welcome address, DSVA Executive Secretary, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, emphasised that SGBV “is not only a human rights violation but also a major economic challenge.”

She highlighted data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, noting that Nigeria loses an estimated $3 billion annually, about 1% of its economic output, due to gender-based violence.

Vivour-Adeniyi also shared findings from a recent DSVA survey of 549 professionals, revealing that “over 70% had experienced workplace harassment, 89.3% knew someone affected, and only 4.5% had never encountered such misconduct.”

She stressed, “These numbers show that SGBV is not a distant issue, it is happening in workplaces across Lagos State, affecting productivity, mental health, and economic growth.”

Speakers at the symposium called for urgent action. Representing AXA Mansard, Chief Marketing Officer Mrs. Adebola Surakat said, “We remain committed to advocacy and awareness on the dangers of workplace harassment. Organisations must do more to create safe, inclusive environments for all employees.”

Chairman of the Lagos State House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon Omolara Olumegbon, noted that “SGBV is both an economic and societal challenge,” adding that the House would “continue to strengthen legal frameworks to protect vulnerable workers and promote dignity in the workplace.”

Keynote speaker Founder of Women At Risk International Foundation, Dr. Kemi Ibru, underlined the toll of harassment on workplace productivity.

She said, “We must implement zero-tolerance policies, ensure survivor support systems, and make organisations accountable. Workplace harassment is not just a moral issue, it affects business and national growth.”

A panel of experts, including Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye, Dr. Nkechinyere (Nikky) Duru, Dr. Iyadunni Atinuke Gbadebo, Mrs. Olubusola Abidakun, and Comrade Abiodun Aladetan, explored practical strategies for prevention and response, with discussions moderated by Ms. Anuli Aniebo.

The symposium also marked the launch of the ‘Lagos State Guidelines for Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace’, described by organisers as “a pioneering framework for safer and more inclusive organisations across the State.”

Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri, Consultant Psychiatrist and CEO of Redimed Consulting Services, concluded the event with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to “all partners and participants for advancing this crucial cause.”

“Sexual and gender-based violence concerns us all,” the organisers emphasised.

Sexual and gender-based violence, ranging from harassment, intimidation, and coercion to physical and sexual abuse, is a widespread issue across Nigeria.

Workplace harassment not only affects individuals’ mental and physical health but also reduces productivity, increases staff turnover, and undermines organisational growth.

News

Snoop Dogg ‘In Love’ With Australian Rules Football

Published

6 hours ago

September 25, 2025

Editor

American rapper Snoop Dogg said he was “in love” with Australian Rules football Thursday, ahead of a controversial performance at the sport’s grand final.

The 53-year-old will take to the stage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, which will be jammed with up to 100,000 fans watching as Geelong face Brisbane.

“I’ve been coming to this country for years and I understand what this game is and what it means,” he told Australian media at a function where no questions were permitted.

“I know that it’s not just a sport, it’s a way of life. I just fell in love with the sport,” he added.

“I always would watch it, but never really understood it.

“It reminded me of American football, rugby and a couple of other things, but now that I understand it, I like it and want to know more about it before the grand finale.”

AFL, which is similar to Ireland’s Gaelic football, traces its roots back to 1858 and is Australia’s most popular spectator sport.

Snoop Dogg was a controversial pick for the grand final entertainment, given his past use of misogynistic and offensive lyrics in some of his songs.

The AFL was accused of hypocrisy for hiring him in August while at the same time banning Adelaide star Izak Rankine for four games over a homophobic slur against an opponent.

AFL chief Andrew Dillon defended the decision to hire the American, whose real name is Calvin Broadus.

“I’ve been really confident with the choice of Snoop,” he said.

“He’s performed at the Olympics, he’s performed at a Super Bowl, and he’ll suit our stage.”

AFP