Editorial

Checking Spread Of Monkeypox

Published

3 years ago

June 15, 2022

Just when the world thought it had taken a furlough from global pandemics, and to an extent had accepted that COVID-19 was here to stay, the monkeypox disease suddenly reared its hideous head. The recrudescence of the virus is rapidly generating anxiety that could likely put the entire world on alternate health surveillance. Little is known of this disease, except that it does not spread as rapidly as the Coronavirus, but has obvious symptoms without a cure.
A reported case of the virus by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in London has snowballed into a substantial epidemic of another round of the malady in Nigeria, following its corroboration by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The report raised immediate questions over speculation that monkeypox may be disappearing on a global scale. Strangely enough, UKHSA stated that the patient had recently departed Nigeria. Why was the malady not detected in Nigeria?
Already devastated by many other deadly infections, the eruption of the monkeypox virus this year is adding to Nigeria’s alarming health problems. According to the NCDC, as of May 29, there had been 21 confirmed cases in nine states and the Federal Capital Territory. The only death was a 40-year-old patient with an initial substrate condition. The nation’s anti-disease mechanisms must be activated to contain this illness and others.
Nigeria is plunged into health wars on many fronts, spurred by poor health infrastructure, inadequate investments in health care, inaccessibility of quality health services and a stagnant health workforce. Diseases are dispersed across the country. These include Lassa fever, cholera and measles, to name a few. Our country has also been impacted by COVID-19. Now, monkeypox has declared its disturbing presence.
Monkeypox is a transmissible viral zoonotic disease (transmitted to humans by animals) caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. It is transmitted to humans by infected animals, usually rodents. There is also the potential for human-to-human transmission of the disease when one person comes in contact with another who is infected with the virus. The disease can also be acquired in association with materials contaminated by the virus which causes it.
Experts say the symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox. They include fever, rash, headache, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and unusual tiredness, etc. These signs can last two to three weeks as a period of manifestation. This means that the incubation period (infection to manifestation of symptoms) is about 14 to 21 days – that is how long it takes for someone to know if he or she has monkeypox.
In the aftermath of the outbreak, the Federal Government banned the sale and consumption of bushmeat to prevent the spread of the monkeypox pathogen. The ban was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development after the disease was officially confirmed in the country.
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Abubakar Mohammed, issued a statement urging hunters and bushmeat traders to suspend the endeavour. The ban should be sustained as the virus is thought to be disseminating in some rodents and squirrels. The consumption of such animals for food purposes may be a source of transmittance.
There is a need for Nigeria to avoid a repeat of the dereliction that enabled Coronavirus to gain easy access into the country despite weeks of advance warning to put premonitory preventive measures in place. The country has gone through complete or partial lockdowns in its most productive states and has spent monumental sums of money battling the plague and furnishing services to assuage its effects. Such blunders, including the failure to purchase, stock and make adequate arrangements to administer vaccines, should be prevented from occurring.
Recently, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control implemented a series of measures, including the isolation of suspected cases, the accumulation of smallpox vaccines and a community awareness campaign. Nigeria can do the same through containment measures to reduce the spread. Although general vaccination has been excluded for the moment, the government at all levels should quickly acquire medicines and isolation centres to manage the disease and the victims.
The authorities should not wait until the state of affairs worsens before assuming their responsibilities. The anticipatory measures already put in place should be maintained to stem a public health concern which could weaken a large part of the population if not controlled. Nigerians travel extensively in all parts of their country, which is why the disease has the potential to spread easily.
Monkeypox is endemic in West and Central Africa. It was first identified as a laboratory monkey in 1958. The first human infection occurred in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. An outbreak in the United States in 2003 was attributed to a pet store selling imported Gambian rodents. Controls include isolating suspected or confirmed cases, strict adherence to universal precautions, especially frequent hand washing with soap and water, and the use of personal protective equipment.
Experts say there is as yet no single confirmed cure for monkeypox, but they support the use of drugs used to treat smallpox and other remedies. Some physicians are hopeful that the smallpox vaccine will be useful for monkeypox. Consequently, surveillance measures should be enhanced to ensure the adequacy of all essential medicines. A task force similar to the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 should be established to coordinate the anti-monkeypox fight.
The Nigerian government should be proactive in controlling the monkeypox epidemic in the country. Since the virus encompasses countries all over the world, it should be seen as important to global public health. In this regard, we strongly advise the nation’s health authorities to raise awareness of the disease, prevention measures and treatment options available. All travellers from countries with an outbreak of the virus must be screened prior to admission to the country.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

19 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

Nigeria’s Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has unveiled a gratuitous proposal to increase the salaries of political and public office holders in the country. This plan seeks to fatten the pay packets of the president, vice-president, governors, deputy governors, and members of the National and State Assemblies. At a time when the nation is struggling to steady its economy, the suggestion that political leaders should be rewarded with more money is not only misplaced but insulting to the sensibilities of the ordinary Nigerian.

What makes the proposal even more opprobrious is the dire economic condition under which citizens currently live. The cost of living crisis has worsened, inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers, and the naira continues to tumble against foreign currencies. The majority of Nigerians are living hand to mouth, with many unable to afford basic foodstuffs, medical care, and education. Against this backdrop, political office holders, who already enjoy obscene allowances, perks, and privileges, should not even contemplate a salary increase.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has stepped in to challenge this development. SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the RMAFC to halt the implementation of this salary increment. This resolute move represents a voice of reason and accountability at a time when public anger against political insensitivity is palpable. The group is rightly insisting that the law must serve as a bulwark against impunity.

According to a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the commission has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although a hearing date remains unconfirmed, the momentous step of seeking judicial redress reflects a determination to hold those in power accountable. SERAP has once again positioned itself as a guardian of public interest by challenging an elite-centric policy.

The case, registered as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025, specifically asks the court to determine “whether RMAFC’s proposed salary hike for the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers in Nigeria is not unlawful, unconstitutional and inconsistent with the rule of law.” This formidable question goes to the very heart of democratic governance: can those entrusted with public resources decide their own pay rises without violating the constitution and moral order?

In its pleadings, SERAP argues that the proposed hike runs foul of both the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the RMAFC Act. By seeking a judicial declaration that such a move is unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the rule of law, the group has placed a spotlight on the tension between self-serving leadership and constitutionalism. To trivialise such an issue would be harum-scarum, for the constitution remains the supreme authority guiding governance.

We wholeheartedly commend SERAP for standing firm, while we roundly condemn RMAFC’s selfish proposal. Political office should never be an avenue for financial aggrandisement. Since our leaders often pontificate sacrifice to citizens, urging them to tighten their belts in the face of economic turbulence, the same leaders must embody sacrifice themselves. Anything short of this amounts to double standards and betrayal of trust.

The Nigerian economy is not buoyant enough to shoulder the additional cost of a salary increase for political leaders. Already, lawmakers and executives enjoy allowances that are grossly disproportionate to the national average income. These earnings are sufficient not only for their needs but also their unchecked greed. To even consider further increments under present circumstances is egregious, a slap in the face of ordinary workers whose minimum wage remains grossly insufficient.

Resources earmarked for such frivolities should instead be channelled towards alleviating the suffering of citizens and improving the nation’s productive capacity. According to United Nations statistics, about 62.9 per cent of Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty in 2021, compared to 53.7 per cent in 2017. Similarly, nearly 30.9 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$2.15 per day. These figures paint a stark picture: Nigeria is a poor country by all measurable standards, and any extra naira diverted to elite pockets deepens this misery.

Besides, the timing of this proposal could not be more inappropriate. At a period when unemployment is soaring, inflation is crippling households, and insecurity continues to devastate communities, the RMAFC has chosen to pursue elite enrichment. It is widely known that Nigeria’s economy is in a parlous state, and public resources should be conserved and wisely invested. Political leaders must show prudence, not profligacy.

Another critical dimension is the national debt profile. According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt as of March 2025 stood at a staggering N149.39 trillion. External debt obligations also remain heavy, with about US$43 billion outstanding by September 2024. In such a climate of debt-servicing and borrowing to fund budgets, it is irresponsible for political leaders to even table the idea of inflating their salaries further. Debt repayment, not self-reward, should occupy their minds.

This ignoble proposal is insensitive, unnecessary, and profoundly reckless. It should be discarded without further delay. Public office is a trust, not an entitlement to wealth accumulation. Nigerians deserve leaders who will share in their suffering, lead by example, and prioritise the common good over self-indulgence. Anything less represents betrayal of the social contract and undermines the fragile democracy we are striving to build.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

20 hours ago

September 22, 2025

The Tide

Editorial

Rivers’ Retirees: Matters Arising

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government deserves commendation for the manner in which it conducted the last biometric exercise for pensioners in the state. For the first time in many years, the verification process was not only efficient but also humane, a development that has brought relief to a category of citizens that often bears the brunt of neglect.

Unlike previous verification exercises that left pensioners exhausted and unattended, the latest exercise set a refreshing precedent. Retirees were given proper and sumptuous meals, and in addition, the government paid the sum of N10,000 into their accounts to cushion their transportation costs. Such gestures go a long way in demonstrating that those who had laboured for the state are not forgotten in their twilight years.

The measure was particularly necessary given that some pensioners had to travel long distances to reach their verification centres. For elderly men and women, such journeys come with physical and financial strain. By recognising these realities and easing the burden, the government has shown that pensioners deserve dignity, not disdain.

Beyond this laudable act of consideration, the authorities must reflect on the very structure of pension verification. The era of compelling retirees to be physically present for routine verification should be reconsidered. With digital tools and innovation, the government can adopt systems that capture and confirm data without the stress of physical assembly. This is crucial for pensioners residing in other states or even abroad.

While we acknowledge the importance of verification in cleaning up pension records, we cannot ignore the darker side of the matter. It is regrettable that some allowances continue to be paid to deceased pensioners, with relatives fraudulently collecting the funds. The latest biometrics, thankfully, exposed some of these sharp practices. The exercise, therefore, is not only about order but also about justice.

We urge families of deceased pensioners to be patriotic enough to inform the government of the deaths of their loved ones. It is deeply shameful that in some instances, individuals attempted to impersonate late pensioners during the biometrics. Such behaviour undermines the spirit of honesty and deprives genuine retirees of their due entitlements.

The exercise also revealed another important area of concern: the health of pensioners. It is reassuring to learn that the state government has reportedly promised to take over the medical treatment of some retirees who arrived for the biometrics in critical condition. This is a step in the right direction. Elderly citizens, after years of service, should have access to special health care facilities in the state. Setting aside hospitals or designated centres for the aged is not just desirable but necessary.

While pension payments in Rivers State have remained consistent, attention must now be directed towards gratuities. Senior citizens deserve to receive their retirement benefits without the bureaucratic hitches that have often marred the process. After years of loyal service, nothing is more demoralising than to see retirees languish for want of their gratuities. Every worker, as Scripture reminds us, is worthy of his wage.

Retirement, in any civilised society, should not be reduced to a sentence of suffering. In dealing with pensioners, government must consistently wear a human face. The humane manner displayed during this verification exercise should not be a one-off. It must become the norm in all dealings with retirees. Measures must continually be put in place to ensure that they do not feel abandoned by the state they served.

One welcome innovation has already been introduced. The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has altered the method of gratuity payment. Pensioners now receive their monies directly into their bank accounts, eliminating the cheque-based system that for years served as fertile ground for corruption. This reform is both pragmatic and forward-looking. Similarly, the implementation of the N32,000 pension harmonisation is also commendable.

Direct payments gratuities ensure transparency and drastically reduce the possibility of diversion of funds. More importantly, they restore confidence in the system and assure pensioners that their entitlements will reach them without interference. In this way, the government has not only safeguarded the process but also upheld the principle of accountability.

Seamless gratuity payment has a ripple effect on the workforce as a whole. When workers are confident that retirement will not plunge them into hardship, the temptation to falsify age in order to remain in service is eliminated. Such reforms, therefore, enhance efficiency, honesty, and productivity in the public service.

In sum, the Rivers State Government has struck a refreshing chord in its handling of pension verification. It has shown empathy, innovation, and accountability. However, the momentum must be sustained, and the focus must shift towards modernising verification methods and prioritising retirees’ welfare in health, gratuity, and dignity.

When retirees are treated with compassion and fairness, the message to those still in service is clear: faithful service to the state will not go unrewarded. The humane verification exercise, though a single event, offers a hopeful glimpse of what governance can look like when people, especially the elderly, are placed at the heart of policy.