Comparing Between Jonathan’s Handling Of Ebola Fever And Buhari’s Handling Of Lassa Fever

 

At the time of writing this essay, Nigeria has lost 44 of her citizens to the dreaded Lassa Fever which like the equally dreaded Ebola Virus Disease is a haemorrhagic fever that spreads easily from one person to another even at the slightest of contacts. The two diseases need a comprehensive action plan involving the people and relevant agencies, local and international, as led and mobilised by government who deploys all resources necessary, be it human, cash and material, to tackle the menace headlong before it ravages the citizenry.

Distribution of Lassa Fever Virus and Ebola Virus In Africa: Stanford

That the disease has claimed 44 lives already within a short period of time shows how deadly it can be.
The Ebola virus which caused a worldwide stir in 2014 and claimed about 11, 000 lives in West Africa alone when the epidemic occurred that year, can be considered to be more fearsome because of the number of casualties it claims per occurrence and its rapid spread to even Europe and the US which also lost some seven citizens together in the outbreak.

READ ALSO: Lassa Fever And Why You Need To Take It Seriously

However, with all its threats and spread; with all its fame for defying medicine, the then government of Presdient Goodluck Ebele Jonathan rose up to the occasion and confronted that monster with total commitment and vigour, mobilising government agencies, personnel and other resources; sensitising schools, offices, churches/mosques etc while equipping hospitals and other public places with anti-Ebola kits and releasing the sum of N200million each to Lagos and Rivers States which had reported cases of the disease then despite the states being led by APC, the then opposition party, the disease could not do much damage to Nigeria contrary to genuine fears and worry expressed by the international community then.
Although outbreak of the disease was reported in West Africa, precisely Guinea, in March 2014, it did not give the world much concern until it was brought into Nigeria by a Liberian diplomat, Patrick Sawyer.
The moment the Ebola disease found its way into Nigeria, the alarm bell was rung all over the world because of Nigeria’s population and her lack of expertise to handle such an outbreak. However, with President Jonathan’s commitment, drive and patriotic approach to the fight against the disease, Nigeria managed to still eventually lose seven of her dear citizens while Europe lost three and the US lost 4. However, Liberia has lost 4,809, Guinea lost 2,536 and Sierra Leone lost 3,955.

READ ALSO: Lassa Fever Kills 40 In 10 Nigerian States – Health Minister

Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) commended “…the Nigerian Government’s strong leadership and effective coordination of the response that included the rapid establishment of an Emergency Operations Centre… strong public awareness campaigns, teamed with early engagement of traditional, religious and community leaders, also played a key role in successful containment of this outbreak”, hence, Nigeria was declared Ebola-free on October 20, 2014, exactly just three months after the first reported case. Thereafter, Nigeria had the luxury of even sending health workers to other sister African nations affected by the disease to assist them combat it.
Furthermore, the WHO Country Director in Abuja, Dr. Rui Gama Vaz, described Nigeria’s exemplary handling of the outbreak as a “spectacular success story.” It was, indeed, a commendable achievement.
In spite of all these achievements and accolades poured on Nigeria then for this rare feat, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the then major opposition party, tried several times to politicise the issue and distract the Jonathan administration from focusing on tackling the disease headlong so they could use it as one of their campaign issues against the then president, an issue which resulted in the PDP and Jonathan chiding the APC on different occasions for politicising what would have been a national disaster on all citizens irrespective of party affiliation, ethnic background or religious leaning but for government efforts.
Fast forward to 2016, and with the outbreak of the Lassa Fever which was officially declared by the federal government in January 2016, despite the Minister of Health saying it has been with us for 6 weeks (as at 8th of January, 2016), yet, the Lassa fever has killed 44 Nigerians as at January 18, and distracted by the so-called corruption cases deliberately churned up by the authorities as a decoy to parry the attention of Nigerians from other urgent national matters, Nigerians do not seem to be asking questions as to why the high fatalities within such a short period of time. With the death toll of Lassa fever reaching 44 and the possibility of it climbing higher, one can only thank God that Buhari and his party, APC, were not in power when Nigeria and indeed West Africa suffered the Ebola outbreak. It would have been a monumental disaster.

READ ALSO: Ebola Scare Hits Nigeria Again, 1 Dead, 10 Quarantined In Nigerian City Of Calabar

It is sickening, smacks of gross incompetence and a display of high level of crass irresponsibility on the part of our government of the day to be talking about setting up a National Action Committee to tackle the outbreak nearly three weeks after its emergence was officially declared. The Action Committee would be inaugurated at an Emergency National Council on Health meeting. The question is, what is “emergency” about calling a council meeting over a disease that has been allowed to ravage citizens for so long? Why did it have to take the intervention of the Senate via its committee on health for the Buhari administration to be talking of a council meeting to tackle the fever? Why did we have to wait for 44 of our citizens to die before action is being taken? Under Jonathan, Ebola could only spread to three states of Lagos, Enugu and Rivers before it was effectively contained. Why did we have to now wait for this Lassa fever to spread to 10 states before waking up from our slumber?
Surely, there is a lax attitude from this government towards the wellbeing of its citizens. It is obvious this government lacks any action plan for its citizens whether in health, employment, economy, education, social welfare, infrastructure etc.
When compared to the progress made under the Jonathan administration and the commendations the country received from all over the world with regard to the dogged fight put up against Ebola disease, one would have thought that Nigeria should only improve on that in tackling any disease of similar trait. But with the Lassa fever saga, it has become obvious, and another incontrovertible proof that the “Change” promised Nigerians during the campaigns is nothing but a change for the worse.
Lastly, in the interest of the nation and fellow citizens, I will advise the Buhari administration and the APC to eat the humble pie and approach the PDP for advice on how best to tackle this latest disease before it ravages all of us, and as a responsible and patriotic party, I will also strongly advise the PDP not to withhold any information and or resources from APC when they are approached for advice and expertise. This country belongs to all of us and we must see to it that our citizens are defended stoutly against any disease, no matter how deadly!

 

Wenger: Walcott Has Become Deadly

 Arsene Wenger believes Theo Walcott has become deadly since the 10 years he has spent at Arsenal.

Walcott joined Arsenal from Southampton, in June of 2006, and has gone to be a success at the club.

And Wenger believes Walcott has become more deadly with each passing year at the club.

“Theo is very intelligent. He always had pace and his movement off the ball was always perfect,” Wenger told Arsenal’s official website.

“I think he is much more conscious of teamwork and he has improved as well in his finishing.

“He is absolutely deadly compared to 10 years ago. He needed many chances to score a goal and he can finish very well. His final ball and his technique are much better.

“Ten years here, that shows as well that he loves Arsenal and I’m convinced he will give us much more in the next five years than the last five because he is a player who is always moving forward and trying to do better.

“He has a very positive attitude.

“A player like him is very difficult to find and Theo’s movement off the ball and intelligence is really his brand and are part of his characteristics.”

Walcott has netted three goals in 16 Premier League appearances in 2015-16.

 

Bony: No Regrets In Joining City

 Wilfried Bony has cleared speculation that he will be leaving Manchester City and claims to be happy at the club.

Bony joined City from Swansea back in January 2015, but has not had enough starts.

And this spurred rumours he was planning an exit in January, which he has now denied.

“I’m happy at the club,” Bony told BBC Sport.

“All this speculation is not true. I have a contract so I’m happy and I think I’m at one of the top clubs in the United Kingdom.

“I have no regrets about joining Manchester City. We play in the Champions League and we’re one of the top clubs in the world.

“I’m happy here and I can just say I’m blessed.”

Bony, who has netted eight goals in 23 appearances in all competitions for City in 2015-16, has a contract until June 2019.

 

Lassa Fever'Avoid drinking soaked garri,' Medical Union warns

 Adeofalade added that the union was also calling for adaptation of best practices for food storage to prevent epidemic.

The Medical and Health Workers Union, Lagos State Council, on Saturday said that it would embark on public enlightenment to discourage consumption of soaked garri for now to prevent Lassa Fever.

Mr Razak Adeofalade, the Chairman of the union stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, the house rats that caused Lassa Fever are mostly in contact with Nigerian most staple food garri, a cassava product.

``We are going to encourage members of the public to depart from the process of drinking gari at this moment, it is better that the cassava flour is utilised for `eba,’ because of the use of hot water.

``We are waging total war and that is: `War against Rats,’ and that is what we are going to do to ensure we do not have another victim of Lassa Fever in the state.

``We will also be telling them to ensure that their fruits and raw vegetables are properly washed if they must be consumed raw and cook to the appropriate temperature.

``The whole essence is to enlighten our people because education carries a lot of weight in this whole activity,’’ he said.

Adeofalade added that the union was also calling for adaptation of best practices for food storage to prevent epidemic.

According to him, the union is determined to wage war against rat in the state and public enlightenment on fighting epidemic.

He said his members cut across all government’s hospitals and local governments and would be mobilised to start enlightenment on the evil of rodents.

``We will go into premises, market place and teach them on the best practice of storing of food items from contacts with rodents,’’ he said.

He said the union will be working in collaboration with the Environmental Health Officers to reach out to the grassroots

 

Boko HaramUK sends officers to train Nigerian soldiers to fight sect

 The UK troops, from the Second Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment, are expected to provide infantry training for their Nigerian counterparts.

The United Kingdom has sent 35 of its military personnel to Nigeria to aid in training the country’s soldiers to fight terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

The UK troops, from the Second Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment, are expected to provide infantry training for their Nigerian counterparts.

This was disclosed via a statement released by the Press and Public Relations Affairs Officer, British High Commission, Joe Abuku, on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.

The statement reads in part:

“Almost 1,000 Nigerian Army personnel had benefitted from training to prepare them for counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, and the work by 2 RANGLIAN, known as The Poachers, is now well-recognised across the AFN.”

“The UK also supports a Nigerian intelligence and analysis cell focussed on the North-East and based in Abuja, and nearly 30 UK Armed Forces personnel are deployed in Nigeria on an enduring basis in training and advisory roles.”

The United States of America also recently showed its support for Nigeria’s war against terror by donating 24 mine-resistant and armour-protected vehicles to the Nigerian Army.

 

Boko HaramGovernment to deploy police officers to towns recovered from sect

 This was disclosed by Minister of Interior, Abdulrahaman Dambazau (rtd) during an assessment visit to Maiduguri, Borno State.

The Federal Government is set to deploy police officers and paramilitary workers to towns recovered from terrorist sect, Boko Haram in the North-East.

This was disclosed by Minister of Interior, Abdulrahaman Dambazau during an assessment visit to Maiduguri, Borno State.

“We are in the state as part of effort to speak to the governors in the affected states and have on the ground assessment of situations,” Dambazau said.

“We are going to bring more personnel so that we can have back in place civil authority in the affected areas and to assist the military in the task of bringing security back to the areas,” he added.

Dambazau is also expected to visit Adamawa and Yobe, which have also suffered attacks from the sect.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the war against Boko Haram has technically been won.

 

Jim NwobodoOhanaeze wants to know how ex-governor shared N500M collected from Dasuki

 The demand was made on the group’s behalf by its National President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Secretary, Okwu Nnabuike via a statement.

The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has urged former governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, to explain how he shared the N500 million he allegedly collected from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

The demand was made on the group’s behalf by its National President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Secretary, Okwu Nnabuike via a statement.

It reads:

“We charge Nwobodo to let Nigerians know how he disbursed the N500m which he received from Dasuki. He should take a clue from Dasuki as well as Chief Tony Anenih, who have since disclosed how they shared money made available to them.

“Since Nwobodo said the money was meant for Jonathan’s mobilisation campaign in the South-East, he should let the world know how he disbursed the money – he should disclose the identities of all the South-East leaders and politicians who received money from him and how much he gave to each of them.

“If he pocketed the money, he should also let the world know. We also wish to remind him that President Muhammadu Buhari jailed him as a military head of state and so history is about to be made as the same President may jail him again – this time, he may bag a bigger sentence.”

Nwobodo has however denied collecting money from Dasuki saying that he only received N100 million from former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu.

Meanwhile, the former governor has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move which has been described as an attempt to evade justice for his alleged part in the $2.1 billion arms deal fraud which was spearheaded by Dasuki.