News
100m Nigerians Risk Elephantiasis …Health Minister Raises Alarm
The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, says two out of every three Nigerians are at risk of being infected with the Lymphatic Filariasis disease.
Chukwu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Fatimah Bamidele, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the National Conference to Stop Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and Malaria in Nigeria.
The World Health Organisation says lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease, which occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.
When a mosquito with infective stage larvae bites a person, the parasites are deposited on the person’s skin from where they enter the body and migrate to the lymphatic vessels where they develop into adult worms in the human lymphatic system.
Infection, according to WHO, is usually acquired during childhood, with the painful and profoundly disfiguring visible manifestations of the disease occurring later in life.
Whereas the acute stage of the disease leads to temporary disability, lymphatic filariasis leads to permanent disability.
“ LF as it is called and malaria are parasitic diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes; they are endemic in all states and the FCT.
“Nigeria is ranked the third highest global burden of lymphatic filariasis after India and Indonesia.
“Over a 100 million persons, that is two out of every three Nigerians are at risk of the disease.
“ The LF prevalence studies indicates that 13 states have high prevalence rate of about 23 per cent, while the rest have prevalence rate of about 10 per cent.
“Such complications are major impediments to productivity and psychosocial well-being of our people.’’
The minister said the number of people who were administered drugs as treatment for lymphatic filariasis rose from 4.7 million in 2009 to 10 million in 2010, adding that the data for 2011 was still being collected.
He explained that more than 4,000 health workers and 50,000 community volunteers had been trained and retrained to deliver interventions on the disease.
The minister said malaria was a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the country.
According to him, more than 90 per cent of the population is at risk of the being infected with the disease.
He identified children under the age of five years, pregnant women, visitors from non-malaria infested regions and sickle cell anaemia patients as persons that were more vulnerable to the disease.
Chukwu said as part of intervention programmes, a total of 45.7 million long lasting insecticide nets were distributed in 29 states of the federation.
Also speaking, the chairman of the event, General Yakubu Gowon, called for rapid scale-up intervention programmes targeted at the elimination of malaria and lymphatic filariasis.
Gowon also called on all international and local stakeholders to collaborate in eliminating the two diseases from Nigeria.
He said the conference was very important to Nigeria and significant on the global public health calendar.
Dr Frank Richard, the Director, Malaria and Lymphatic Filariasis Programme at the Carter Center, Atlanta, USA, said the aim of the conference was to create awareness on the benefits of integrating malaria control and Lymphatic Filariasis activities among relevant stakeholders.
Richard added that the conference was also aimed at scaling-up intervention programmes to eradicate the two diseases.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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