Niger Delta
Bayelsa Faults Surveillance Report On Cholera Outbreak … Declares NCDC Report Data Misrepresentation
The Bayelsa State Government, through its Ministry of Health, has faulted the inclusion of Bayelsa on the list of states affected by the cholera epidemic outbreak as recently published by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in its disease surveillance report.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Toyin Azebi, faulted the report recently at a joint press briefing shortly after a meeting of the Bayelsa Taskforce on Immunization and Health Services presided over by its Chairman and Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in Government House, Yenagoa.
It would be recalled that the NCDC had in its recent Epidemiological Week 22, 2024 report, placed Bayelsa as amongst the states with the highest burden of cholera cases.
Azebi, who noted that there was no confirmed outbreak of cholera in Bayelsa in recent times, said the NCDC’s pronouncement of cholera outbreak in the state was a total misrepresentation and should be discountenanced as such.
She emphasized that all suspected 449 cases of cholera in the state from January to date had turned out negative from clinical laboratory tests, as they were proven to be cases of gastrointestinal diarrhea.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the ministry had reached out to the NCDC on the issue, and they had reviewed the State’s data again and found out that their initial report was incorrect and agreed to issue a rebuttal which they had not done as at the time of the press briefing.
“The NCDC report is a gross misrepresentation of the Bayelsa data, and we have tackled them on it. They have reviewed our data with us and will soon do another pronouncement excluding us as a state with a cholera outbreak.
“Since January 2024, there have been 449 suspected cases of cholera reported across the eight LGAs. Importantly, only two new suspected cases were reported in the most recent week, indicating no new cases. We are able to even report these cases of watery diarrhea because of our optimized surveillance system across the state.
“Extensive testing has been conducted to confirm cholera cases. Out of 42 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) carried out, only 14 returned positive. Crucially, all 14 positives from the Rapid Diagnostic tests turned out negative when subjected to culture test.
“Culture tests are the gold standard for cholera diagnosis, and no cases have been confirmed by this method. And this attests to no outbreak.
“In summary, the cholera situation in Bayelsa State is under control with no culture confirmed positive. The State Government is taking active and comprehensive steps to manage the situation effectively, ensuring public health and safety”, she said.
Commenting on the issue of a dead whale found on the shores of coastal Okpoama Community in Brass Local Government Area of the state, reportedly being butchered for food, Dr. Azebi cautioned the people to refrain from the act as it could lead to a serious epidemic outbreak.
According to her, consuming the dead whale could lead to mercury poisoning, botulism and bacteria infections that might prove dangerous to the health of the people.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Jones Stowe, said the State’s disease surveillance system was well fortified, noting that all suspected cases of cholera were negative to culture test.
On the few reported cases of yellow fever across the eight LGAs in the state, Stowe the Ministry was taking proactive steps to ensure no deaths and no further spread of the infection.
According to him, presumptive positive cases are being monitored closely while the confirmation tests are awaited from Dakar in Senegal.
Other members of the Bayelsa State Taskforce on Immunization and Health Services that spoke at the press briefing include the State Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Marcus Oluwade; the State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Very Rev. Father Joseph Opelema, and a representative of the State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Idris Makeni.
While stressing the need for the public to always maintain good hygiene to prevent contracting infections, they called on Bayelsans, especially parents, to make their children available for routine immunization to achieve 100 percent immunization coverage in the state.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The Police in Akwa Ibom State says it has rescued a 63-year man and retiree of Shell Petroleum Company who was recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
The command’s Spokesperson, ASP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Uyo, the State capital.
John said the victim, who was abducted on June 17 and held hostage by his abductors, was rescued unhurt in a compound at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo.
She said the rescue followed reliable intelligence information which prompted the Command to swing into action.
According to her, the kidnappers engaged the police rescue team in a gun duel in the process of rescuing the victim.
“Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers opened fire at them, one of the kidnappers was fatally wounded in the process while the others fled”, she said.
The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Waheed Ayilara, had ordered the command’s SWAT operatives to immediately swing into action.
”Efforts are seriously ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang for possible prosecution”, she said.
John further said that preliminary investigations revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded N50 million as ransom for the release of their captive.
“They later agreed to take N20 million, but I tell you on good authority that no ransom was paid as at the time of the rescue.
As part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Delta State State Drug Control Committee on Monday took sensitisation campaign to streets of Asaba on dangers of drug abuse.
Members of the committee, drawn from the State Ministries of Health, Education, Justice, as well as representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, amongst others, converged at the Oshimili South Arcade from where they walked through some streets of Asaba.
Mrs Helen Orie, the Chairperson of the committee and Director, Pharmaceutical Services, State Ministry of Health, who led the campaign/road walk, said drug abuse was on the increase and needed to be curbed before it got worse.
Orie, speaking on the theme for the 2024 celebration: “Say No To Drug Abuse”, noted that drug abuse always had devastating effects on individuals involved, the family setting and society at large.
Orie, a Pharmacist, explained that the fight against drug abuse was in two dimensions; supply reduction, being championed at the Federal level and demand reduction, being handled by the Drug Control Committee at the state level.
She said the committee, with the support of the State Government, had recorded some successes in the prevention and control of drug abuse in the state.
According to her, we have taken sensitisation campaigns to public places, including places of worship, markets, schools and communities with significant impacts.
“Today’s sensitisation/road walk is meant to further create more awareness on the need for a drug-free society”, she said.
Orie commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support toward the campaign against drug abuse in the state.
Also speaking, the Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Delta Command, Silas Omobude, said 14.4 million Nigerians, aged between 18 and 29, were involved in drug abuse and trafficking.
Omobude, who is also the State Secretary of the committee, said fighting the drug war was a Herculean task which required the collective effort of all critical stakeholders.
He noted that the State Government had reasonably supported the committee to record some breakthroughs.
On his part, the Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Onyemeziem, debunked insinuations that the Nigerian movie industry had contributed to societal ills, including drug abuse.
Onyemeziem said the guild was in partnership with the NDLEA and the Delta State Government in the war against drug abuse, and urged youths to say no to drug abuse and embrace meaningful ventures.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor, has urged cocoa farmers in the state to adopt good agronomic practices in order to ensure improved yields.
Offor gave the advice on Monday at Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area, during the distribution of cocoa seedlings to farmers to mark the beginning of the 2024 cocoa planting season.
She disclosed that the State Government had made available over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers across the state.
The Commissioner said the distribution of the cocoa seedlings to farmers signaled a significant step to increased cocoa production and improvement of livelihoods.
“We know the current price of 1kg of cocoa in the market, it is very expensive. So, it is a wake-up call by Governor Umo Eno for all to return to the farm.
“When you receive the cocoa seedlings, make the best use of them. Do well to maintain good agronomic practices, to reap bountiful harvests.
“This year, we have provided over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers in the state. I implore you to make good use of the seedlings”, Offor said.
The Commissioner called on cocoa farmers to notify extension agents in the ministry early if they were confronted with of any challenge
In his remarks, the State Chairman, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Ekikere Bassey, said it was expedient for agriculture stakeholders to support the cultivation of cocoa to improve the economy of the state.
He said cocoa farming was a lucrative agribusiness, and urged farmers to show interest in the cultivation of the cash crop.
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