Nigeria

Nigeria to launch new malaria vaccine

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Nigeria is set to become one of the first countries to deploy a new malaria vaccine after receiving an initial batch of 846,200 doses. Developed by scientists at the University of Oxford and produced by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax, the R21 vaccine marks a significant step in the country’s fight against malaria. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate noted that these doses are crucial for eliminating malaria, a disease that affects around 97% of the Nigerian population. Nigeria is the hardest-hit country globally, accounting for 31% of malaria-related deaths. The vaccines, acquired in partnership with the international Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, will be provided free of charge. A trial rollout will start in Kebbi and Bayelsa, the states with the highest malaria burden, before expanding nationwide. An additional 153,800 doses are expected to arrive on October 26, bringing the total to nearly one million.

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Climate change and conflict drive rising malnutrition rates

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Climate change and ongoing conflict in northeastern Nigeria have led to a sharp rise in severe malnutrition cases. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports a 24% increase in young children suffering from malnutrition compared to last year, highlighting the struggles families face in the Lake Chad region. Rabiatu Jubrilla shared her experience of bringing her son to the ICRC’s Mubi stabilization clinic, stating he was unable to sit up on his own. After stopping breastfeeding at 1 year and 9 months, he began to lose weight, raising concerns about his health. The protracted conflict has displaced millions and destroyed livelihoods, severely impacting access to agricultural land. Paul Ezra, a farmer from Adamawa State, lamented that violence from groups like Boko Haram has made farming nearly impossible. The ICRC’s Nigeria Head of Delegation, Yann Bonzon, noted a 58% increase in fighting in the Lake Chad region in the first half of 2024, coinciding with rising food insecurity. The area’s reliance on subsistence farming makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change, which has caused irregular rainfall and devastating floods that destroyed crops. The ICRC estimates that over six million people in the Lake Chad region will face food shortages in the coming months due to the combined effects of conflict and climate change.

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Mpox deaths exceed 1,000 as outbreaks widen across Africa

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Mpox-related deaths have surpassed 1,000 amid outbreaks affecting 18 of Africa’s 55 nations, according to the head of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya. This week alone saw 50 new fatalities, bringing the total to 1,100. Kaseya urged international partners to fulfill their pledges to support Africa’s response, highlighting a nearly $600 million budget for a six-month plan developed by Africa CDC and the WHO. Of this amount, 55% is earmarked for addressing mpox in 14 affected nations and enhancing preparedness in 15 others. Mpox, related to smallpox, typically causes milder symptoms like fever and body aches, but severe cases can result in lesions. Zambia and Zimbabwe recently confirmed new cases, with eastern DRC remaining the epicenter of the outbreak. The mpox virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958, and while it had sporadically spread in central and West Africa for years, a global outbreak began in 2022, prompting rapid vaccine distribution from wealthy countries.

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Death toll in Nigeria’s tanker explosion rises to 153

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 Nigeria Police Force confirmed Wednesday that the death toll from a tanker explosion rose to 153. Police spokesman in Jigawa State, Lawal Adam, told Anadolu that 100 people were hospitalized at various facilities. He said the explosion occurred on an expressway in Jigawa state in northwestern Nigeria. The disaster, according to the police, was triggered by residents who had rushed to scoop petrol that had spilled after the tanker overturned. The zonal coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nura Abdullahi, told the Turkish news agency that a mass funeral was held in Majiya town of the Taura local government. The head of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, Haruna Mairiga, put the death toll at 153. Mairiga added that the victims were burned to ashes beyond recognition at the scene of the blast. President Bola Tinubu demanded a comprehensive review of fuel transportation safety protocols across Nigeria following the accident. Vice President Kashim Shettima, on behalf of Tinubu, sympathized with the families of those killed in the accident and prayed that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

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Niger renames streets, squares from French colonial era

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Niger replaced on Wednesday the names of streets and public squares inherited from the French colonial era with those of prominent African historical figures. The renaming, initiated by the Ministry of Youth and Culture, saw streets and squares in the nation’s capital of Niamey given new names. The locations had long carried names that reminded the public of the hardships and suffering endured under colonial rule, according to Youth and Culture Minister Amadou Abdourahaman. Among the changes, a boulevard previously named after former French President Charles De Gaulle was rechristened as Djibo Bakary Boulevard in recognition of Bakary’s pivotal role in Niger’s independence. In another symbolic gesture, the engraved portrait of French commander Parfait-Louis Monteil on a stone wall in Niamey was removed and replaced with the image of Thomas Sankara, the legendary revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso. Additionally, “Francophonie Square” was renamed the “Alliance of Sahel States Square” to honor the alliance formed by Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. The changes follow another significant cultural shift in Niger. In June 2023, the country replaced its colonial-era national anthem, “La Nigerienne,” composed in 1961 by French composer Maurice Albert Thiriet, with “For the Honor of the Homeland (Pour l’honneur de la Patrie),” which celebrates Niger’s struggle against colonialism.

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Nigeria: More than 2 million people have been displaced due to flooding

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In Nigeria’s Kogi State, it has been reported that more than 2 million people have been displaced due to flooding. Umar Y. Mahmud, the Disaster Management Officer for the Red Cross in Kogi State, stated that the floods occurred in nine areas of the state as a result of the Niger and Benue rivers overflowing. Mahmud noted that the flooding has displaced over 2 million people and explained that rescue teams are assisting residents in evacuating to camps and villages. “The situation is currently very dire due to the rising Niger River,” he said. He also mentioned that approximately 150,000 hectares of land have been submerged due to the flooding. This year, about 300 people have lost their lives in Nigeria as a result of floods caused by heavy rainfall.

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Nationwide blackout in Nigeria after electricity grid collapse

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The national electricity grid collapsed on Monday, resulting in a nationwide blackout. In a statement on X, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) reported that the grid failure occurred at 6:58 PM, impacting power supply in their service areas. “The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) wishes to inform its valued customers of a general system collapse that occurred at 6:48 PM today, October 14, 2024,” said Ezeh. “This has led to the loss of power currently being experienced across the EEDC network. As a result, all our interface TCN stations are offline, preventing us from providing services to customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. “We are on standby, awaiting detailed information about the collapse and restoration efforts from the National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo.” The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) also stated that they are collaborating with stakeholders to restore power. “Please be informed that a system collapse at 6:48 PM has led to a loss of power supply across our network,” EKEDC announced. “The power outage is due to a failure in the national grid at 6:58 PM today, affecting our franchise areas. Rest assured, we are working with relevant stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid stabilizes. Thank you for your understanding.” Emeka Ezeh, head of corporate communications at EEDC, confirmed that they are unable to supply power to customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.

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Boko Haram: 15 members surrender in Nigeria

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 Fifteen members of the Boko Haram terrorist group surrendered to the Nigerian army on Sunday, the West African nation’s military announced. A statement from the Nigerian army said it conducted an operation in the Aguata region of northeastern Borno State against Boko Haram. The statement indicated that 15 members of the group surrendered during the operation and that their camp was destroyed. Boko Haram, which has been active since the early 2000s, has carried out mass violence since 2009, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Since 2015, the group has also conducted attacks in neighboring countries Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

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