The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Sanusi Bature, has declared that Aminu Ado Bayero was never an Emir of Kano.
Bature said former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje appointed Bayero as Emir of the eight Metropolitan local governments of Kano city.
Featuring on Arise Television, Bature said Ganduje made Bayero emir of the metropolitan Kano city due to the bastardization of the emirate.
According to Bature, Ganduje introduced politics into the Kano Emirate that predates Nigeria.
He said: “The action of the governor was to protect the integrity of the emirate as an institution. The Emirate of Nigeria pre-dates Nigeria and the country’s constitution, it’s over a thousand years history of people living together under one Emir.
“The previous administration of Ganduje decided to bastardize that history and bring politics into it.
“The politicisation of the Emirate is what the Yusuf promised to restore the lost glory during the campaign.
“This is not the first time an Emir was deposed, Ganduje did it and Sanusi left Kano for peace to rain. Sanusi is now back to Kano after the repealing of the law.
“I want to put it clear that Aminu Ado Bayero was never an Emir of Kano, he was appointed an Emir of eight metropolitan local government of Kano city.
“So, with the revision of the law under one United Kano, the Emirate Aminu served no longer exist. He was an Emir of Kano city Emirate, he was at that status because the main Emirate was bastardized by Ganduje by the 2019 Emirate law.
“He was the 14 Emir of Kano but his jurisdiction was not for the 44 local government of Kano, he’s just only for the eight metropolitan areas which is now abolished.”
Governor Yusuf had deposed Ado Bayero while reinstating Muhammed Sanusi as Emir of Kano.
Despite the action of the governor, Ado Bayero has refused to vacate his Nassarawa palace.
Bayero had since contested the action of the state government in court.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has attributed the success of his administration in the first year in office to President Bola Tinubu.
The clergyman-turn politician disclosed this on Friday during his thank-you tour to Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency.
Alia said every achievement recorded in the state was the handiwork of Tinubu, including the construction of roads, underpass, payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, remodelling of the Assembly Complex, and State Secretariat.
According to him, Tinubu had given him unimaginable support and urged the people of the state to be patient with him as the President had “very good intentions for the citizenry.”
He also promised to renovate and upgrade the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) Square in Makurdi to international standard.
Gov. Alia further disclosed that from now on, payment of salaries and pensions would start from the 22nd of every month.
The founder of Stanbic-IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside has announced his exit from the banking business.
Peterside made this announcement in a post via his verified social media page.
The banking icon wrote, “This has been an incredible 35-year journey that ends today, June 10, 2024.
“Every single day since Feb 2, 1989, I have been either the CEO, Chairman or Bank Director. All good things must come to an end. I give God the glory at age 68,” he added.
His exit comes after over three decades and a half of dedicating his wealth of experience to the Nigerian banking sector.
According to Sources, Peterside is investing his time more in advocacy, charity, philanthropy and human capital development through his foundation.
Recall that Peteside founded Investment Bank and Trust Company (IBTC), which later metamorphosed into Stanbic-IBTC Bank after a series of mergers over the years.
The Rivers State-born founded the bank in 1989, at 33, when most of his peers were busy lavishing their parent’s wealth.
After running the affairs of the bank for years leading it to the path of profitability and also ensuring the bank lived up to his expectations, he resigned in 2017.
He later channelled his strength to Anap Jets Ltd he founded in 2015. He also sits on the boards of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited and Standard Bank Group Limited.
Those close to the former member of the National Economic Management Team and member of the National Council on Privatisation disclosed that when it comes to finance, economics and business success, he is a walking encyclopaedia.
His family background as the son of Pa. Clement Atowari Peterside, an ophthalmologist and a retired controller of Medical Services in the Old Rivers State ensured he had a sound education.
He graduated from The City University, London with a B.Sc. in Economics and an M.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Peter Obi, an ex-Anambra State Governor and Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, has described Nigeria as poverty capital of the world, with the hungriest and most insecure people on earth.
Obi has, in recent time, been consistently speaking out against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, faulting its policies and focus especially amid economic crisis hitting the country.
In a post on his X handle (formerly known as Twitter), Peter Obi described it as disheartening how those in authority dismiss the country’s challenges by saying “we are not the only ones struggling with poverty and hunger.”
He said, “It is disheartening to hear those in charge, who were hired to address our problems, make statements like ‘we are not the only ones struggling with poverty and hunger’.
“We are the poverty capital of the world, among the most insecure people on earth, among the hungriest, have poor education quality and the highest number of out-of-school children, high infant mortality, corruption, unemployment, the highest income gap between the poor and the rich, high corruption perception index, infrastructure and healthcare challenges, and more.”
Obi, however, urged leaders to come up with concrete solutions and clear vision to address the country’s challenges, maintaining that mere comparisons of challenges with other countries would not solve the problems.
“Instead of merely acknowledging that other countries face similar challenges, we need to hear a thorough plan of action to tackle our unique struggles. We require concrete solutions and a clear vision to address these issues, not comparisons that downplay our circumstances.
“I urge those in leadership positions to offer tangible solutions, not mere reminders that others face similar challenges. We need a comprehensive approach to tackle our specific challenges, not marginalizations that dismiss our experiences.”
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced the approval of N21 billion for 11 Distribution Companies (DisCos) to provide meters for customers. This move is part of the Presidential Metering Initiative under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF).
According to NERC’s ORDER NO: NERC/2024/072, the initiative aims to operationalize “Tranche A” of the MAF scheme. The order, signed by NERC Chairman Mr. Sanusi Garba and Commissioner of Legal Affairs Dafe Akpeneye, will take effect from June 2024 and may be amended or revoked by future orders from the commission.
NERC stated, “The commission hereby approves the sum of N21bn apportioned pro rata to contribution by the DisCos as Tranche A of the MAF scheme. Attached to this order as Schedule 1 is a breakdown of the funds available for each DisCo to purchase end-use customer meters. All the meters to be procured and installed under the MAF framework shall be at no cost to the customers of the DisCos.”
The commission introduced the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulations in 2018 and the National Mass Metering Regulations (MAP&NMMR) in 2021 to tackle metering challenges within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Despite significant progress, a national metering gap still exceeds seven million customers.
NERC identified DisCos’ inability to secure financing as a major obstacle in acquiring and deploying end-use meters. The MAF scheme was developed to address this challenge by creating a credible revenue stream to support long-term financing for utilities.
NERC further noted that the NESI is expected to leverage the revenue stream under the MAF framework to raise substantial capital funding for metering, aiming to accelerate the closure of the metering gap for all customers.
considering purchasing an Airbus aircraft
The federal government plans to sell three aircraft from the presidential fleet to fund the purchase of a new jet for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This decision comes as the Presidency progresses towards acquiring a new presidential aircraft.
The National Assembly recently supported this move after the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended purchasing new aircraft for the president’s safety. In May, the House of Representatives directed the committee to investigate the state of the presidential air fleet following reports of the president using chartered flights due to a fault in the popular 001 jet.
In its report, the committee stated, “Considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognizing the dire consequences of any potential mishap from the technical or operational inadequacy of the presidential air fleet, it is in the country’s best interest to procure two additional aircraft as recommended. This will also prove cost-efficient in the long run, apart from providing a suitable, comfortable, and safe carrier for the president and vice-president.”
Multiple sources within the Presidency revealed that the government decided to sell three aircraft to help fund the new purchase. Jet HQ, a global aircraft sales company, has been appointed as the agent to sell these jets.
The presidential fleet includes six aircraft and six helicopters. The aircraft comprises one Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), one Gulfstream G550, one Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7Xs, and Challenger CL605. The three aircraft being put up for sale are the BBJ, one Gulfstream, and one Falcon 7X.
A used Boeing Business Jet is estimated to cost between $25 million to $41 million, depending on its flight hours and landings. A used Gulfstream is priced between $12 million to $15 million. An aviation expert suggested the government could raise at least $50 million from selling these three aircraft.
The Presidency is considering purchasing an Airbus aircraft. Discussions on this acquisition have reached an advanced stage. “The Presidency is planning to buy an Airbus aircraft, likely due to our renewed relationship with Airbus and its growing presence in Nigeria, competing with Boeing. Detailed plans for the new purchase will be available soon,” said a source who requested anonymity.
Amid persistent high prices, the Governor of Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso assured yesterday that inflation will subside in the months ahead.
At a meeting with leaders of organised private sector (OPS), the CBN governor said there were positive developments in the fight against the economic menace.
He told the OPS leaders at the meeting held at the bank’s Lagos office on Wednesday, June 19 that there is a deceleration in month-on-month inflation rates.
The meeting was designed to discuss the state of the economy, monetary policy direction and fostering of collaboration.
It also focused on exploring how broad-based monetary policy communication and guidance can positively influence the global investment community’s perception of Nigeria and on determining the right bundle of monetary policies and interventions to increase the productive sector’s growth.
The apex bank governor expressed expectations for continued moderation in the coming quarters.
A key focus of the meeting was the CBN’s commitment to improved communication and transparency.
Cardoso emphasised the bank’s intention to utilise forward guidance, a strategy that has to do with communicating future monetary policy actions to enhance investor confidence – both domestic and international.
According to the CBN Governor, building trust through transparency is critical to attracting investment and fostering a healthy business environment.
Addressing the recent interest rate hikes implemented by the CBN, he provided a detailed explanation on the rationale behind the decisions and the expected timeline for their impact on the economy.
The CBN Governor assured the OPS that the measures were designed to achieve price stability, a core function of the central bank, while also supporting economic growth.
Cardoso acknowledged the challenges faced by the private sector in accessing foreign exchange (FX) and emphasised the bank’s ongoing efforts to improve FX supply while ensuring a fair and balanced approach that protects the interests of all stakeholders.
The meeting reiterated CBN’s commitment to collaborating with the private sector as discussions focused on establishing a framework for ongoing communication and engagement with OPS leadership.
This collaboration is designed to harmonise economic policy and ensure the CBN’s effective support for private sector growth, potentially in partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
Mr. Cardoso noted the importance of private sector input in shaping economic policy, saying: “The private sector is a critical engine of our economy.”
The inclusion of private sector perspectives is seen as crucial for creating a more robust and investor-friendly financial environment.
President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye, raised concerns regarding the operation of the CBN’s price verification system.
He, however, proposed a collaborative approach which was agreed upon, with the OPS providing specific details and suggestions for improvement.
Other private sector leaders also addressed the need for development finance support.
While acknowledging that such measures may not directly increase cash flow, the private sector leaders emphasised their value in enhancing the productive sector’s capacity to manage risks like exchange rate volatility.
The CBN’s role in facilitating trade finance and development finance through traditional institutions was also highlighted.
The apex bank presented a detailed explanation of the economy’s trajectory, the reasons behind the recent aggressive monetary policy rate hikes, and the expected transmission timeline into the economy.
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has permanently forfeited to the Federal Government properties valued at N11,140,000,000.00 (billion) and N1.04 billion linked to the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke made the order of final forfeiture after hearing a motion filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel Chineye Okezie.
The judge had on June 5, 2024, upheld the anti-graft agency’s motion filed an argued by its counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), for an interim forfeiture of the property.
Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele was suspected to have bought the choice properties by proxy, with the proceeds of fraud.
The EFCC named two current and one former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.
The trio, according to the affidavit filed in support of the application, are Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde a former CBN staff and others.
The properties are mostly located in highbrow parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Justice Aneke ordered the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper for any interested party to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.
Read Also: Why Corruption can be defeated in Nigeria – EFCC boss
The judge adjourned for hearing of the motion for final forfeiture.
Upon resumption on Friday, June 21, no party appeared in court to contest the judge’s interim order and Okezie moved her motion for permanent forfeiture.
Justice Aneke, after reading a 41-paragraph affidavit deposed to by an EFCC Investigating Officer, Michael John Idoko, the 19 exhibits attached, a Written Address signed by Okezie, and after hearing Okezie’s motion, granted the application.
The properties were listed by the EFCC in two schedules, A and B.
The judge said: “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: – that a final forfeiture order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
They Include shops and apartments at Cadastral Zone Maitama and Wuse.
For Schedule B, Justice Aneke added: “That a final forfeiture order of this Honourable Court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule B herein which properties were traced to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The properties include lands and apartments which were paid for on behalf of Oluwaseun at a total value of N1.04billion.
According to the affidavit, Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde “used their positions and Influence as CBN staff to secure retail and Special allocation of Foreign Exchange to different companies in exchange for kickbacks.
“That Olubunmi Makinde is the link between Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo and the various companies applying for the purchase of foreign exchange.
“That Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben
and Akomolafe Adebayo as staffs of the Central Bank of Nigeria has access to the bidding processes and bidding Data of companies who has applied for the approval of form Ms to the CBN through their various commercial banks.”
The Kano police command says it will not comply with the directive of the state government on the eviction of Aminu Bayero, the deposed 15th Emir of Kano.
Speaking in an interview with Punch on Friday, Usaini Gumel, Kano commissioner of police, said the state government is “jumping the gun” with the eviction directive.
“The police will not evict the deposed Emir because the same government has filed a case at the state high court on the eviction order, which would come up on Monday, 24th June 2024,” Gumel was quoted as saying.
“The government is jumping the gun because the same government has filed a case on the eviction order, which is coming up on the 24th of June, 2024.
“So, if we carry out the order, it is like we are pre-empting the court because we don’t know what will happen at the court.”
On Thursday, the federal high court in Kano nullified all actions by the state government repealing the Kano Emirates Council Law of 2019 on May 23.
Muhammed Liman, the presiding judge, held that the defendants were aware of an interim order previously granted by the court but ignored it and implemented the Kano Emirates Council Law 2024.
The judge, however, ruled that his order did not affect the validity of the emirate law passed by the state house of assembly.
On May 23, Abba Yusuf, the Kano governor, announced the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano.
The governor also ordered the dethronement of Bayero as Emir of Kano.
Speaking after the court verdict, Haruna Dederi, Kano attorney-general and commissioner for justice, said the state has acknowledged the judgment, noting that the ruling affirmed the validity of the emirate law.
Dederi said the government has ordered the demolition of a section of the palace of Bayero.
He added that the police have been directed to take over the Emir’s palace in Nassarawa LGA.
The naira depreciated to N1,495 per dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange (FX) market on Friday.
The current rate represents a drop of 0.33 percent from the N1,490/$ traded on June 19.
Speaking to TheCable in Lagos, currency traders, also known as bureau de change (BDC) operators, quoted the buying rate of the greenback at N1,460 and the selling price at N1,495 — leaving a profit margin of N35.
At the official window, the local currency depreciated marginally to N1,485.53/$ on Friday — from N1,485.36/$ on June 20.
According to FMDQ Exchange, a platform that oversees the official FX trading in Nigeria, the dollar exchanged for as high as N1,505 and as low as N1,401, during trading hours.
The daily FX market turnover stood at $193.50 million.
On June 14, 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the unification of all segments of the FX market.
Owing to the devaluation of the naira, there have been consistent fluctuations in the FX market.
The FX situation, according to Timi Bomodi, comptroller of Seme command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on June 9, has made Nigerian goods affordable for African countries.
However, Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on May 29, said the devaluation of the naira accounted largely for the high cost of local medicine production.
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Flynas, a Saudi Arabian airline, says arrangements have been concluded to airlift the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims back home on Saturday.
In April, the airline signed an agreement with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to airlift pilgrims in the 2024 hajj exercise.
Yasser Ajlan, Flynas director for business development, had said the airline airlifted pilgrims from Borno, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, and Zamfara states to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In a statement on Friday, Umar Kaila, general sales agent (GSA) of Flynas, said pilgrims from Kebbi state would be airlifted from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
“We are happy to announce that Flynas is fully set to begin Phase Two of the airlift operation of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria from Saturday, June 22, 2024, with pilgrims from Kebbi State,” the statement reads.
“Like we had a seamless airlift operation from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia during Phase One without any delay, we have made adequate arrangements to transport our pilgrims back to Nigeria seamlessly and efficiently.”
Kaila said the airline has provided a smooth and seamless return airlift operation from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria.
He said the airline will conduct the return operation in 49 flights with five aircraft which will include pilgrims returning to Kebbi, Lagos, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Borno, Osun, Ogun, and Niger state.
The Kano State government and a legal practitioner, Abba Hakeem, have disagreed on the Federal High Court Thursday’s ruling regarding the claim to the Kano royal stool by Muhammadu Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero.
Naija News reported that Justice Abdullahi Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, overturned all the actions taken by Governor Abba Yusuf after the State House of Assembly amended the Kano Emirate law on May 23, 2024.
Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abba Yusuf, Sani Bature, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, alongside Hakeem, argued that the ruling was in their favour for several reasons and it affirmed the dissolution of the five emirates created in 2019.
Bature said, “People need to understand that yesterday’s judgment is in our favour because of several reasons. One, the judgment accepted the validity of the repealed law 2024, which invalidates the five emirates and also deposed the five Emirs in Kano.
“So, therefore, at the moment and based on yesterday’s judgment, Aminu Ado Bayero and the other four Emirs were officially deposed and they should remain deposed until the determination of the appeal that was filed by us.”
However, Hakeem countered the Governor’s CP, stating that the court set aside repeal of the law setting up the five emirates.
He said, “The ruling of the Federal High Court yesterday was very clear. In fact the certified true copy of that ruling is currently going round on social media and it is clear that the first order given by that court is that all actions taken portion to the 2024 Kano State repealed law are set aside.
“The second order was that that does not affect the validity or invalidity of the law because it is a subject of a substantive suit which is still pending before the court.”
As the death toll from the latest cholera outbreak hits 40, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says the country does not have enough vaccines. According to the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris, Nigeria has placed an order for more cholera vaccines from donor agencies, even though the date of delivery is still unknown.
The NCDC boss stressed the need for the country to embrace the use of vaccines and other preventive measures to curb the spread of the acute diarrhoeal infection.
Cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by the ingestion of the bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, in contaminated water and food.
Cholera kills 4,364 in four years
No fewer than 4,364 people have died out of the 139,730 Nigerians suspected to have been infected with the disease across the country in the last four years, an investigation by Saturday PUNCH has indicated. The incidence rate was derived from an analysis of the weekly cholera situation reports released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control between 2021 and 2024.
Recall that the NCDC recently alerted the public to the increasing trend of cholera cases across the country as the rainy season intensifies. In a statement signed by Idris on Thursday, June 13, 2024, the agency said that from January 1 to June 11, 2024, a total of 1,141 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 30 deaths from cholera had been reported from 96 local government areas in 30 states of the federation.
The NCDC listed the 10 states that contributed 90 per cent to the burden of cholera as Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos. As of then, the Lagos State Ministry of Health said it had recorded 350 suspected cases of the disease in 29 wards across multiple LGAs with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation.
However, on Friday, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said the cholera incidence rate in the state had risen to 417 suspected cases, and 35 confirmed cases, with 24 deaths.
In a post made on his Instagram handle on Friday afternoon, Abayomi said, “The situation report as of June 19, 2024, indicated 417 suspected cases, 35 confirmed cases, and 24 recorded deaths.”
“Let’s adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene. Let’s stay safe #ForAGreaterLagos.”
He said the cases were reported from the Agege, Badagry, Ikeja, Mushin, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Epe, Ikorodu, Ojo, Alimosho, and Eti-Osa areas of the state.
Others he mentioned include Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Shomolu, Apapa, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos Mainland, and Surulere.
Also, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, told our correspondent on Thursday that the state had recorded one death and 14 cases.
This implies that in the last 12 days, the incidence rate of the disease in the country for this year had hit 1,222 suspected cases, 88 confirmed cases, and 40 fatalities.
The NCDC, however, stated that a multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group, led by the centre and comprising the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and other partners, had been providing support to the affected states.
With the latest incidence rate from Ogun and Lagos, investigations by Saturday PUNCH showed that a total of 4,364 deaths had been recorded out of the 139,730 people suspected to have been infected by the disease across the country since 2021.
Going by one of the NCDC’s cholera situation reports for week 52, there were a total of 111,062 suspected cases of the disease with 3,604 deaths across 435 local government areas in 34 states of the federation in 2021.
Another Cholera Week 52 report published by the NCDC and analysed by our correspondent revealed that in 2022, the country recorded 23,763 suspected cases with 592 deaths across 271 LGs in 33 states of the federation.
In 2023, there was a reduction in the incidence rate of the disease as the country recorded 3,683 suspected cases with 128 deaths across 166 LGs in 31 states of the country.
The prevalence rate of the disease further went down in 2024 with 1,141 suspected cases and 30 deaths recorded across 84 LGs in 30 states of the federation.
There were 473,000 cholera cases reported to the World Health Organisation in 2022, which was a 100 per cent increase compared to the rate reported to the global health organisation in 2021.
More so, a further increase in cases by 700,000 was estimated in 2023, while the latest data from the WHO showed that a cumulative total of 145,900 cholera cases and 1,766 deaths had been reported from 24 countries across five WHO regions.
In the latest global rate, Africa recorded the highest numbers, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean region, the region of the Americas, the South-East Asia region, and the European region.
However, speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the NCDC boss said while it is the National Primary Health Care Development Agency that is dealing with the issue of cholera vaccines, he is aware that the health minister has requested more vaccines from donor agencies.
“I know that the minister has requested more vaccines. But, I don’t know when they will come, because other countries also make requests internationally. I know that when they come, NPHCDA will decide how to distribute or use them.
“We don’t have enough to prevent an outbreak, because we need to give these things before that time. The problem is that to get vaccines, we need to plan ahead, and we don’t have the funds. Most countries plan ahead. When it comes to health security, we are supposed to stockpile some things in anticipation of an emergency.
“We don’t manufacture vaccines. We get them from donor agencies, just like any other country does. Whatever they supply will not be enough for us to use and in any case, it doesn’t give long-lasting immunity, so it has to be a combination of all control measures.
“The minister has requested support for these vaccines. He told me that last week. When they will come, I don’t know. However, we don’t necessarily have to rely on all those things if we can adopt other control measures,” the NCDC boss said.
Dr Idris also noted that the demand for cholera vaccines outpaces supply, adding that to consistently have adequate vaccines to curb diseases, the nation must plan ahead. He also stressed that Nigeria must embrace a combination of preventive measures to curb cholera outbreak, noting that cholera vaccines are not long-lasting.
“Cholera vaccine demand is far ahead of supply so most people who need them place orders and plan ahead. It is the same thing with all vaccines, not just cholera.
“We also know that cholera vaccines are not long-lasting. They only work for some time, so a combination of vaccines where necessary and all other preventive measures are the mainstay of the effort to curb the infection.
“The mainstay is to treat people if they are dehydrated, so they can replace lost fluids, maintain personal, environmental and sanitary hygiene, etc. We talk about boiling water before eating, washing hands after using the toilet, and before and after preparing food. If anybody suspects contamination, they should boil water before drinking and using it. It is a combination of all these preventive measures that will go a long way in helping to curb the outbreak,” Idris said.
Also speaking during a recent programme on Channels Television, the NCDC Director General had said that prevention was key in fighting the disease in Nigeria.
Idris noted that as the rainy season intensified, there were possibilities of increasing cases of cholera in the country. He said, “The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has said that the rains this year are going to be heavier, and when you have rains, you’re going to have floods, and this leads to contamination of our water sources. So, the chances are that cholera cases will increase.”
The DG, who blamed the outbreak of the infection on poor sanitation, personal and environmental hygiene, and lack of access to clean water, noted that the agency was conducting a risk assessment, and had alerted all the states about the outbreak. He said the state governments must ensure access to clean water and toilets for their citizens.
Cholera vaccine can help – Experts
Meanwhile, public health expert, Prof Tanimola Akande; and consultant physician, Kenechukwu Igwegbe, have urged Nigerians to consider taking the cholera vaccine as preventive vaccination to provide cover against the acute diarrhoeal disease.
The medical experts said cholera vaccines were not as popular as other vaccines, because they were often given to targeted populations, such as travellers to countries that have active transmission of cholera or given during cholera outbreaks, or to some populations that are at risk.
Due to the yearly recurring outbreaks, Prof Akande suggested that “preventive vaccination could be done in anticipation of cholera outbreaks.”
The World Health Organisation identified three WHO-prequalified oral cholera vaccines as Dukoral®, Shanchol™, and Euvichol-Plus®. All three vaccines require two2 doses for full protection.
But, Akande added that each of them conferred different levels of protection. “The protection varies from 65 per cent to about 89 per cent, depending on the type of vaccine. Most of the vaccines give protection for two years. There is however a type of cholera vaccine that gives protection of over five years when given in two doses,” he said.
Igwegbe noted that cholera vaccines were uncommon, because they were considered special vaccines that are paid for to obtain.
He however encouraged people to take the vaccine even with the outbreak. “Even now there is an outbreak, if a person tests and is negative, they can get the vaccine. When there is no outbreak, people can still take it.”
Unregistered tiger nuts drink caused Lagos outbreak
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has said that it has traced the latest cholera outbreak in the state to an unregistered tiger nut drink.
Speaking with our correspondent, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, said the officials of the Environmental Health Services from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment, were able to trace the cholera outbreak in the Eti=Osa Local Government Area to a particular brand of unregistered tiger nut drink.
“When we noticed an increase in cases in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos specifically, we went there to investigate. We carried out a survey and found that the common denominator, which was one of the deadly factors, was a tiger nut drink. People who came to the hospitals all identified that they had drunk tiger nut drink.
“We couldn’t just take their word for it, so we had to take that drink and test it to see what was in it. We immediately sent people out to look for those selling it, so we could take a sample. We found empty bottles with a name on them, but we discovered that it wasn’t even registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the regulatory body that ensures the safety of consumables,” she said.
NCoS preventive efforts
Meanwhile, in a decisive move to safeguard the health of inmates and staff, the Nigerian Correctional Service has intensified its efforts to prevent a cholera outbreak across its facilities.
The proactive stance came amidst rising health concerns.
The spokesperson for the NCoS, Abubakar Umar, who spoke to our correspondent on Friday highlighted the service’s rigorous measures.
“Our primary mandate includes the secure and humane custody of inmates, ensuring their welfare in all aspects, including health,” Abubakar stated.
He emphasised that due to proactive measures, there had been no cholera outbreaks or similar epidemics in any NCoS facilities.
“Due to our proactiveness, we have not recorded any outbreak of cholera or any such epidemic in any of our custodial centres. Therefore, no inmate or staff is affected,” he added.
Abubakar outlined the comprehensive healthcare system in place, which included a variety of medical professionals and consistent medical supplies.
For severe cases, inmates were referred to government hospitals.
Cholera vaccine not routinely available – NPHCDA
Also speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a source in the NPHCDA who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to speak said the cholera vaccine was not routinely available in Nigeria.
“Cholera vaccine is not one of our routine vaccines. So, it is not routinely available. But, there are global stocks from which any country could draw in the event of outbreaks.
“Previous attempts at stockpiling cholera vaccine have led to expiry of the stock due to improved hygiene practices. But, it makes sense to have a stockpile of the vaccine for rapid response before applying for global support during an outbreak. We have done that, and will continue to do it,” he said.
Cites Non inclusion of his picture in 2024 Calendar
Urges Unity, Quality Service Delivery
The Rivers state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sacked the chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, RSTRC and paramount ruler of Emohua local government area, Eze Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse for not putting his (governor) picture and that of his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, in the 2024 calendar. In his stead, the Governor appointed the Paramount Ruler of the Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, as the new Chairman of the council.
Governor Fubara announced at a special meeting he had with members of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Eze Chike Worlu Wodo is the Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara pointed out that, under Eze Sergeant Awuse, the council produced a calendar for the year 2024, and insulted the State Government by deliberately refusing to include the photographs of the Governor and the Deputy Governor.
Such posture, Governor Fubara noted, among others, clearly demonstrated that the council under that kind of leadership had not, and would never live up to expectations.
“I want the council to live up to its responsibility. From my observation, the council is moribund. So, I can feel that the council, for a while now, has been very inactive.
“I am not talking about other things that have been happening. But I feel there are responsibilities of the chairman, and so far, I have not felt it and you can also attest to that, that you are not seeing that leadership that you expect.
“I would like to draw your attention to a special insult that was meted to this government. The council produced a calendar for the year 2024, and the Governor’s picture, and the Deputy Governor’s picture were not in the calendar.
“I want to ask you: does it show any sign that, that leadership is working with this government? Does it show that your chairman is working with this government?
“So, I have decided today, we have to move forward. By the special grace of God, the administrative life-span of the chairman is one year, which is renewable. So, at this particular time, I have to say that with the power vested on me, I announce that the tenure of Chief Sergeant Awuse has been terminated.”
The Governor pointed out that there was need to have a more competent and diligent traditional ruler with the presence of mind, and ability to carry everybody along, stressing that Eze Chike Worlu Wodo most appropriately fits into that cap, with a fatherly personality, mature character, integrity and pedigree.
Governor Fubara clarified that Eze Apara Kingdom can also access every traditional ruler, elicit their cooperation and be able to provide the needed direction that the council dearly needed. “So, going forward, there is need to have a leadership that will accommodate everybody and move this council forward.
“Let me, before saying other things, announce here that the new chairman from this particular moment will be Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Ohna Apara, Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom. He will be the chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, and I believe strongly that he is going to do better and accommodate everyone.”
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, the Eze Ohna Apara, Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, pledged that he will foster unity, devote his time and energy to the assignment given to him, and work in synergy with every member of the council to ensure that there was peace within their various domains.
He also assured the readiness of the council to synergise with the State Government to maintain peace and harmony in the communities so as to fast track the development of the entire State.