News
WMD: ‘Nigeria Accounts For 24% Of Malaria Deaths Globally’
The Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr. Tomi Coker, has declared that Nigeria accounts for about 24 per cent of malaria deaths globally.
Coker, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen in commemoration of 2021 World Malaria Day (WMD) held at the Ministry of Health conference room, Okemosan, Abeokuta, said malaria was a disease that is preventable, treatable and curable.
The government also said the intervention will be in the area of distribution of free Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to pregnant women at first booking and children under five years who complete immunization schedules in all public health facilities.
Coker, who was represented at the briefing by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr A. E. Ayinde, said the World Malaria Day was set aside to mobilize the global community and resources towards providing education and understanding on malaria scourge.
“ The Africa region still bears 90 per cent of the global malaria burden and 91 per cent of malaria deaths worldwide. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa accounts for about 27 per cent of this burden and 24 per cent of Malaria deaths globally.
“In Nigeria, malaria is responsible for approximately 60 per cent of out-patient visits and 30 per cent of hospital admission. It contributes up to 11 per cent of maternal mortality, 25 per cent of infant mortality and 30 per cent of under five mortality. It is estimated that about 110 million cases are clinically diagnosed annually.
“Malaria creates additional burden on the already weakened health system and accounts for about N480billion in out-of-pocket expenses for treatment, prevention and man hours loss; it thus exerts a severe social and economic burden on the nation and households”.
The commissioner, who explained that the theme for 2021 World Malaria Day is, “Zero Malaria – Draw the line against Malaria” with the slogan “Stand up – Take action”, said the “theme makes the message more personal and emphasises need for communities and individuals to take ownership of malaria prevention more seriously.
“This year’s commemoration will build on the ‘Zero Malaria starts with me’ movement and the ‘Draw the line against Malaria’ youth-focused campaign. It is an opportunity to encourage and promote multi-sectoral collaboration as well as youth involvement in malaria elimination.
“This requires technical focus and sustained funding by the government, the private sectors and household resources.
“The Government of Ogun State is working with her partners to ensure that proven interventions are deployed towards malaria elimination; these include: Distribution of free Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to pregnant women at first booking and children under five years who complete immunization schedules in all public health facilities.
“It is pertinent to note that the state has also started the process of LLIN replacement campaign aimed at distributing 3.7million nets to every household. The household mobilization and distribution process to all households is planned for July, 2021.
“We also continue free testing and treatment with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) in all the primary health facilities in Ogun State. In 2020, out of the 311,668 fever cases tested, 255,872 were positive for malaria and 99.5 per cent of those positive were treated free with ACTs.
“The severe malaria cases are managed with Artesunate injection in secondary and tertiary health facilities. The free testing and treatment with ACTs is also extended to identified schools with School Health Workers. These schools are linked to close primary health centres for supply of RDT kits and ACTs to treat students in school.
“This gives opportunity of prompt treatment to students which prevents advancement to severe cases and reduces absenteeism. Also, Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) activities (such as drama, Interpersonal communication, net hanging demonstrations, role play in communities) are being scaled up with support from our partners.
“Capacity building programmes on malaria for all relevant health professionals and regular monitoring and supervision are carried out regularly to ensure standards. As part the effort of His Excellency to reduce infant and maternal mortality and increase life expectancy for the general populace of the state, the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun has commenced renovation of 236 Primary Health Care facilities with 42 already completed.
“The slogan ‘Stand up – Take action’ is a call to action to everyone to take a stand and carry out specific roles. Individuals and communities are encouraged to undertake regular clearing of bushes, drainages and receptacles that serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes. Ensure every member of their households, especially pregnant women and children sleep inside Insecticide Treated Nets.
“You should also take advantage of the free malaria test and treatment available in our public facilities whenever you have fever or other symptoms. Our traditional and community leaders are to sensitize their communities on clean environment and promote same to make sure their environments are rid of breeding sites for disease-borne vectors.
“Our religious leaders should include key messages on malaria prevention in their sermons and preaching. Media houses are enjoined to support awareness creation and promote malaria prevention through various mass media platforms. In conclusion, we will not relent on our efforts, as every step brings us closer to the goal of ending malaria”.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”
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