Features
Bauchi State And Cholera Epidemic
The causative link between cholera, gastroenteritis and consumption of unsafe drinking water and food contaminated by unhygienic water has been scientifically proved.
This explains why epidemiologists blame recent outbreak of cholera and gastroenteritis in the II northern states on poor access to safe and clean drinking water.
Statistics released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that more than 75 million Nigerians, about half of the country’s more than 150 million people, lack access to safe and clean drinking water.
This is in spite of huge investments in the water and sanitation sectors at various levels of government in the country.
Available records show that the water sector budgetary allocation between 1999 and 2007 alone was more than N357.86 billion for safe and clean drinking water.
Data also show that some 1.2 billion people lack safe water supply while 2.4 billion people live without secure sanitation worldwide.
Water Forum, a USAID-funded NGO, says one half of people living in developing countries, including Nigeria, are suffering from diseases caused either directly by infection through the consumption of contaminated water or food, or indirectly by disease-carrying organisms. According to medical experts, cholera is transmitted by contaminated water and food.
The disease causes serious diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to dehydration. Experts say cholera can be fatal, if not treated on time.
At the last count, the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed 352 deaths out of 6,497 suspected cholera cases recorded in some states.
The states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Katsina, Y obe, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Jigawa, Cross Rivers.
Stakeholders, however, believe that tackling the epidemic is beyond clinical interventions. One of such stakeholders is the Water Aid Nigeria.
“Water Aid Nigeria recognises that tackling this crisis demands integrated approaches that go beyond clinical interventions.
“The World Health Organisation estimates that poor sanitation and unsafe water cause 28 per cent of child deaths, and safe sanitation and water are proven and cost-effective interventions.
“Safe sanitation and clean water could prevent nine out of 10 cases of diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation conditions and simply using a safe toilet can reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases by nearly 40 per cent,” says Mr Onyinyechi Okechukwu, Water Aid Communication and Campaign Officer in Nigeria,.
This, perhaps, underscores the decision by Bauchi State Government to embark on a house-tohouse sanitation to properly educate the people on the imperative of keeping a clean and hygienic environment as part of efforts to halt the spread of pandemic.
Although medical experts have recommended the application of ORT as a remedial solution to the effect of cholera on human body, Dr. Musa Dambam, Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA), advises the affected to first visit health centres before applying oral rehydration solution.
ORT consists of a solution of salt and sugar and it is applied orally around the world, especiallyin developing world where it saves millions of children yearly.
Dambam, however, says creating awareness on ORT use may be abused. “We advise patients and their relations to rush to treatment centres first whenever they have the case.
“After they might have learnt the preventive measures, they could then apply the aRT. They can use it in transit before coming to hospital,” he says.
Dambam attests to the efficacy of the solution but advises people to use the ORT sachet as it contains additional ingredients which the conventional mixture of water, salt and sugar does not have.
The chairman says that following government’s aggressive efforts such as public enlightenment campaigns, chlorination of wells, disinfection of the surroundings as well as drugs supply, cases has reduced to the barest level in the state.
Dambam says the state government has also established more than 30 centres for the administration of ORT in Bauchi, as well as in the affected local government areas.
He says that all cholera patients at the designated area at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) are being treated and provided free feeding to avoid movement of people in and out of the designated area.
Dambam further states that government has embarked on house-to house chlorination of wells and disinfection of the surroundings in the state capital, while health educators are carrying out campaigns on sanitation.
According to him, the Federal Government has also assisted the state with technical and material support, while a group of doctors under the aegis of “Doctors without Borders” is on ground to support.
The state government says it has embarked on aggressive provision of clean drinking water to communities across the 20 LGAs.In collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BAURUWASSA), the government says it has so far raised access to clean drinking water from 2.7 million gallons in 2007 to 10 million gallons of water in Bauchi metropolis alone.
Mr. Bukata Bukar, the Commissioner for Water Resources, says the state government has purchased new generators and transformers to boost the capacity of the state’s water treatment plant in Bauchi metropolis.
In Azare, Misau, as well as in other towns and villages, the state government has also provided wells with hand pumps and motorised boreholes to boost water supply to the people.
Observers say that other communities, which have benefited from various water schemes in the state, include Bogoro, Kari and Gololo, which hitherto, had serious water supply challenges.
According to Bukar, about 205 solar-powered and motorised borehole projects have been completed and inaugurated, while 59 wells fitted with hand-pumps have been provided.
BAURUWASSA is the major government agency that has facilitated water supply across the state.
“Besides, water treatment chemicals are made available by the government and this has been very helpful in sustaining the current level of water supply,” he says.
Its Project Manager, Malam Garba Magaji, says that in three years, the agency executed 120 water projects in communities, schools and health facilities in Dass, Kirfi, Darazo, Giade, Zaki and Dambam local government areas.
He says that the improved water supply has also reduced the incidence of guinea worm disease in the state.
Observers note that the state government’s partnership with the Federal Government through the Conditional Grants Scheme (CGS) of the Office the MDGs has facilitated the drilling of more than I 00 solar-powered boreholes and 200 hand-pumped wells across the state.
Hajiya Hajara Wanka, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on MDGs, says that about N4 billion has been spent in providing boreholes, using the 2007 and 2008 grants.
She says that most of the water projects were sited in the remotest parts of the state, pledging that the government will not relent in its efforts to attain a total coverage ofthe state in water supply programme.
“Despite these laudable efforts aimed at providing water to the people of the state, much needs to be done to ensure adequate provision of water,” she says.
However, Gov. Yuguda has raised the alarm that the aging Gubi Dam, the main source of water, is at the verge of collapse, and this may affect the water supply level.
Mrs Leritmwa John, a housewife residing in Yelwa community, calls on the state government to come to the aid of the residents with acute water problems.
State officials expect similar requests also come from Rafin Zurfi, Wuntin Dada, Gudum Sayawa and Gudum Hausawa communities.
A water expert, Dr Hassan Bdliya, says that the increased demand for water use has exerted pressure on the water agencies.
Bdliya, who is the Administrative Secretary of the Hadejia-Jamaare-Komadugu-Yobe River Basin Development Authority, however, stresses the need for effective management of the nation’s water resources.
Health analysts note that many diseases that afflict the people can be attributed to drinking unhygienic water and according to WHO and UNICEF; an estimated 1.8 million children under five worldwide die from water-related diseases every year.
They, therefore, call on relevant agencies and stakeholders to decisively address the water supply problems of the citizens, while Bauchi State should not relent in its efforts.
Adamu writes for NAN.
Sani Adamu
From the fore going, the fight against drug trafficking should be treated as an international challenge with open collaboration, if the world leadership must win the fight!.
The circumstances or should I say the improvement on drug related activities are modifying and updating on daily basis. A close friend of mine in the United States of America who recently visited Jamaica, came with a lot of complicated information about drug trafficking and transaction. Being a qualified Nurse in US and on a visit to the Reggae Country (Jamaica), she said she was put aback when a man approached her and introduced himself as a Pharmacist. According to her, she immediately picked interest due to her professional background. To her, a business partner is birthed. But she was shocked to the narrows on learning that drug dealers or traffickers and subriquited Pharmacist in that Country. From her account, they ( The Jamaican Pharmacists), are the first set to people to meet and greet you at the Airport. No government or authority challenges them in the open due to the sophisticated nature of their transportation
Come to think of it, who would want to attack a Pharmacist on duty? Nigerians are not left out in the improvement on drug deal. A chat with a confident in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) Rivers State Command, so revealed. The Officer draw my attention to the movement of Dispatch Riders. He said part of the reasons they ride with almost speed equivalent of the thunder lightning, is to meet up with the appointment of delivering hard drug consignment to a client of theirs. According to him, those guys popularly referred to as Yahoo Boys are the ones who now payroll dispatch riders so that they can deliver their consignment ( hard drugs) on schedule no matter the sort of traffic or weather condition. The fear of loosing rich clients and that of the unknown treatment that may come of the Boys, as the officer puts it, drives the Riders crazy thus the reason to speed even at the expense of their lives.
The account of a prominent Party Promoter, Wayne Anthony, as obtained online recently, also pointed out that ‘No Legislation Will Stop Clubbers From Doing Drugs’ Party promoter, Wayne Anthony, arrived in Ibiza, a Spanish Island in 1988, at the same time as dance music and the party drug ecstasy. Despite hallucinating badly enough to make him give up the lifestyle forever, he says laws will never stop clubbers taking drugs. “I don’t think you can control these things,” said former party promoter Wayne Anthony. He arrived in Ibiza in 1988 and began setting up club nights and raves in some of the island’s most iconic venues. In the years that followed, the sleepy Spanish island turned into a raver’s haven of clubbing and hedonism, with party drugs like ecstasy commonly found. “What Ibiza represented was this beautiful, hot island which was visually stunning and we knew you could party there quite legally,” said Wayne. “You didn’t have to look over your shoulder. You could just be as free as you possibly could be.”
That freedom came with a price. Along with the lavish clubs, all-day-benders and hot Spanish sun came drug cartels and crime. The city transformed into one the world’s most vibrant party capitals, “fuelled by a dangerous and lucrative drugs trade which drew as many criminals to its shores as it did party animals”. Wayne, one of the contributors to the documentary, spoke to Sky News ahead of its release.”I’m not going to sit here and say the cartels aren’t there. They are all there and they’ve been there from the ’90s,” said Wayne. But he said most people tried to ignore the organised crime going on around them. According to Wayne, clubbers usually took the approach of: “‘Give me 10 E’s . Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Hallucinating giant spiders Although he described the Balearic island as the “motherland”, it was eventually a bad experience with drugs that convinced Wayne it was time to leave Ibiza.
He’d been partying for days when he realised he’d taken too many drugs. A friend told him to drink cough medicine, dangerous advice that he now says could have killed him. “I saw the worst hallucination I’ve ever seen in all of my life. I ended up locking myself in the villa with all the shutters down. When he sobered up, he realised he had “come to the end” of his party life on the island. “I never looked back. I never took another drug. I got away from the club world.” ‘I don’t think you’re going to be able to stop it’ Despite his life-changing experience, he doesn’t think criminalising drugs is a good idea – or particularly effective. “If you’re old enough to vote for who’s going to be a world leader, if you’re old enough to put your name down on debt for 25 years, I feel like you should be old enough to govern what you put inside your own body, you know?” said Wayne.
Back to Nigeria, some illicit drugs worth over N30billion seized at Onne Port in Rivers State.
This blood chilling development forced the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency at the Onne Port, following what authorities described as repeated incidents of importation of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition through the said port. To this effect, the government said it was immediately implementing emergency protocols at Onne Port for the next three months by conducting thorough examinations of all suspected containers in the premises.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, in charge of the port via a press conference, said it henceforth, unveiled the seizures of illicit goods by the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. In defence for his action, Adeniyi said the recurring incidents posed a threat to national security, adding that the health of citizens at the Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo, describing it as a disturbing trend.
The customs boss stated, “Earlier today, I joined numerous stakeholders to take a significant step towards the cause of trade facilitation through the inauguration of upgraded facilities provided by the West Africa Container Terminal, Onne. “As I express delight that trade facilitation is getting traction in Onne Port, I cannot help but call your attention to a grave concern. This has to do with the repeated incidents of national security breaches unfolding in Onne Port. I appreciate your presence, as we all have a shared responsibility in safeguarding our national security. As we are all aware, the policy thrust of Mr President supports the re-energising of our business environment to drive faster import clearance and grow our capacity for exports, Our emphasis has been to promote initiatives that speak to Trade facilitation and economic development. “It is a matter of regret that criminal elements in the international supply chain are exploiting our pro-trade stance to commit atrocities bordering on national security breaches”.
“The attempts to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this port has necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port, coming on the heels of a seizure of a huge cache of arms a couple of months ago. It is disheartening that perpetrators have not backed down on their illegal acts. Recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend; Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo. The scale and nature of these illegal importations pose a significant threat to our national security and the health of our citizens. Today, we are here to showcase yet another series of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Area 2 Command. On display are twelve containers of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination. Seizures on Display include: Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a Paid Duty Value (DPV) of N4,716,573,846.
“Others are, three x 40-feet containers containing 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, and other items, with a DPV of N17,432,506,000 were seized”.
According to the report, more seized items were, “Five (5) x 40-feet containers; Containing 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, and other items, with a DPV of N8, 128,568,295,90. This very action of the Nigeria Customs Service, further complicated the hope of how soon the fight against drug trafficking could be brought to a halt owing to its high profile nature.
Another hair-raising report of the illicit drug deal has it that when NDLEA bursted a Snake-Guarded Shrine Used For Storing Illicit Drugs sometime ago in Edo State. This very news report was published in The Tide Newspaper on June 24, 2024. According to the report, NDLEA said its operatives uncovered a shrine, guarded by a snake, being used for storing illicit drugs, during an operation in Edo State. The Agency in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, added that its operatives discovered a specially constructed large hole in a wall, hidden behind wallpapers and fetish objects used for drug storage. It further noted that methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg among others, were recovered from the shrine.
To be cont’d
King Onunwor
The persistent clash between farmers and herders in Nigeria has been a longstanding issue. These conflicts, often, over resources like land and water, have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of large numbers of people, deep-seated mistrust between communities and insecurity. Herders, traditionally nomadic, move their livestock in search of grazing land and water. Farmers, on the other hand, require the same resources for their crops. This competition often leads to clashes, especially in areas where land is becoming increasingly scarce due to population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation. As these clashes intensify, there has been a growing call for sustainable solutions. Two weeks ago, President Bola Tinubu took a bold step towards tackling the issue by inaugurating the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms and creating the Ministry of Livestock Development.
The committee which has the president as the chairman and the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega as the deputy chairman has the mandate to address obstacles to agricultural productivity and open up new opportunities which benefit farmers, herders, processors, and distributors in the livestock-farming value chain as well as propose recommendations aimed at fostering a peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers, ensuring the security and economic well-being of Nigerians.The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development was part of the recommendations of the National Livestock Reforms Committee. Part of the 21 recommendations submitted to the president include: “This agenda should include the establishment and resuscitation of grazing reserves as suggested by many experts and well-meaning Nigerians and other methods of land utilisation.
“Create the Ministry of Livestock Resources in line with practice in many other West African countries. In the alternative, Federal and State Governments should expand the scope of existing Departments of Livestock Production to address the broader needs of the industry,” among others. Experts in the agricultural sector have posited that the livestock industry can create millions of jobs directly in farming, processing, and distribution, and indirectly in related sectors like feed production, veterinary services, and marketing. It provides livelihoods for rural populations, helping to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in rural areas. It also increases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings through the exports of livestock and livestock products such as meat, dairy, wool and leather.
According to them, a well-funded livestock industry supports the growth of agro-processing sectors, such as meat packing, dairy processing, and leather manufacturing, adds value to raw products and creates additional economic activity as well as stimulates the development of supply chains, including logistics, packaging, and retail, contributing to broader economic growth. It enhances economic resilience by diversifying the agricultural sector and providing a buffer against crop failures or other agricultural shocks and many more. Some other agriculturists have also opined that the livestock industry in Nigeria is currently underdeveloped and that by the creation of the ministry of livestock development will open up the industry which will be a huge money spinner for Nigeria.
Reports have shown that a Livestock Ministry can play a pivotal role in mitigating conflicts between farmers and herders by implementing policies and programmes aimed at fostering coexistence and sustainable resource management. The Ministry can work towards clearly demarcating grazing routes and farming areas. This would reduce instances of trespassing and accidental crop destruction, a common flashpoint for conflict. While introducing rotational grazing systems can ensure that land is used sustainably, preventing overgrazing and land degradation, establishing water points and boreholes specifically for livestock can reduce competition for water resources. Similarly, promoting the development of pasturelands through reseeding and controlled burns can improve grazing conditions.
According to a veterinary doctor, Dr Andrew Obadiah, by providing training for herders on sustainable livestock practices and for farmers on conflict resolution, both parties can understand the importance of coexistence. He said that extension services of the ministry can offer advice on improving livestock health and productivity, reducing the need for large herds and extensive grazing. “Setting up local committees involving both farmers and herders to mediate disputes can provide a platform for dialogue and peaceful resolution. Encouraging community-based conflict early warning systems can help prevent clashes before they escalate”, he emphasised.For Mrs. Stella Ugwu, a farmer, having a ministry dedicated to the development of the livestock industry can help in diversifying income sources for both farmers and herders and in turn reduce dependence on land.
”For instance, promoting agro-pastoralism can provide farmers with livestock and herders with agricultural produce”, she explained, adding that providing incentives for adopting sustainable practices, such as subsidies for fodder production or crop insurance, can ease economic pressures. Ugwu was however of the opinion that the creation of a new ministry to handle livestock affairs was uncalled for, since the job can effectively be done by the Technical and Service Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security and its equivalent on the states level.In some countries, the establishment of a Livestock Ministry or similar bodies has shown promising results. For example, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture includes a dedicated department for livestock which has successfully implemented programmes to improve pastoral livelihoods and reduce conflicts.
In Kenya, the establishment of the National Drought Management Authority has helped manage resources better, thus reducing clashes between herders and farmers during dry seasons.The president of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Othman Ngelzarma, sees the Ministry of Livestock Development achieving the same feat for Nigeria in the near future. He told newsmen that, “MACBAN expresses its deepest appreciation to the Federal Government for creating a ministry of livestock to unlock the trillion-naira livestock economy and create qualitative and productive jobs across the value chain to improve the Nigerian economy. With this development, MACBAN believes the hope of the Nigerian pastoralists is now achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, the Middle Belt Forum took a different view of the proposed Ministry of Livestock Development, saying it was not enough to sustainably resolve the decades-long farmers-herders crisis in the country. According to the National President of the association, Mr. Bitrus Pogu, what is needed to end the perennial farmers/herders clashes is a deliberate action by regulatory bodies and the government to stop criminal elements from carrying out deadly attacks on innocent Nigerians, mainly farmers. Hear him: “If the reason for creating the Ministry is to stop clashes, I think it is wrong because all of these attacks and killings that are happening have nothing to do with conflicts between farmers and herders. “Farmers have never connived at any given time to go and attack herders, but rather, criminals who happen to be Fulani gang up and attack farmers, kill, maim and chase them out of their ancestral homes.
“Then, the Fulani will come and occupy them. So, it is more about invasion, criminality, and terrorism. And the majority of those they hire to do these evils are not even those who have cattle. So, a deliberate action has to be taken by the government against the perpetrators, which will address the criminality.” Mr. Pogu suggested that the government should adopt ranching for productivity and enduring peace between the pastoralists and farmers in particular and the entire country in general.While the establishment of a Livestock Ministry presents a viable solution, it is not without challenges. Funding constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and corruption can hamper its effectiveness. Additionally, deeply ingrained cultural practices and mistrust between farmers and herders can be difficult to overcome.
Critics argue that without a holistic approach that includes land reform, climate change adaptation, and broader economic development, a Livestock Ministry alone may not be sufficient. Therefore, it must work in tandem with other governmental and non-governmental bodies to ensure comprehensive solutions. “A dedicated Livestock Ministry, with its focus on sustainable resource management, conflict resolution, and economic incentives, offers a promising avenue to address the root causes of these clashes. However, its success depends on effective implementation, adequate funding, and the cooperation of all stakeholders involved. With the right strategies and commitment, devoid of any political or selfish interest, it can play a crucial role in fostering peace and prosperity in affected regions”, they advised.
Calista Ezeaku