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The event aims to discuss and make impact on changing the climate on EID and Biosecurity in Africa, identify regional and international opportunities for collaboration in EID and Biosecurity research.
Many Nigerian universities in the South West zone are in healthy competition to
initiate innovative projects that will impact positively on the institutions and their host communities, a surveyby Nigeria News Agency revealed.
The Centre for Research and Development (CERAD) at Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and Real
Margue Company Nigeria Limited, owners of BSB Bakery, for example, have started producing Turmeric and Ginger bread.
According to Prof. Joseph Fuwape, Vice Chancellor of the university, the bread production
goes through “special secret formula’’ developed by FUTA researchers and patented by CERAD.
Fuwape, who disclosed this to NAN in Akure, described the bread production as a success story and a plus for university-industry linkage.
He said that more people would enjoy the health benefits of Turmeric and Ginger in the form they have been presented.
The vice-chancellor added that the Centre for Renewable Energy Technology (CRET) of FUTA has also developed solar-powered
generators (FUTA Solar Box 1 and FUTA Solar Box 2).
He explained that the generators were the institution’s efforts in improving renewable energy to de-emphasise dependence on the
national grid.
According to him, the generators, which are of various capacities, whose components include Lithium Polymer Battery, Inverter, Change
Controller, Socket Outlet, Fuse and Switches, can power television sets, fans and a number of bulbs for a minimum of five hours simultaneously.
Fuwape commended the CRET team for the “ingenuity in developing such solar boxes at a time when Nigerians are groaning under erratic
power supply.
“The Centre for Renewable Energy Technology is housed in a building which is not linked to public electricity supply.
“It generates its own power through a combination of solar panels designed and developed by researchers in FUTA.
“The building also maintains an all-day long and year-round cool temperature due to choice of materials used.’’
The vice-chancellor also disclosed that two students of the university have developed an application that could give notification about electricity
availability in locations covered by the app.
The application, tagged UpNepa Nigeria, enables one to know when and where electricity is available.
Salaudeen Taslim, a 500 level student of Remote Sensing and Geoscience Information System and Salaudeen AbdulRaham, a 300 level
student of Computer Engineering, also spoke with NAN on the app.
They said the idea to develop the app was borne out of interest and personal development.
They said the inspiration to develop the app was due to frustration experienced by students, who always look around the campus for power
supply for academic purpose and to charge their devices.
NAN also learnt that FUTA has begun the process of extending the cultivation of new variant of tomatoes it developed to the larger society.
The vice chancellor said “FUTA, through its School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) recently organised a Practical Field
Training for selected farmers and agroprenurs on Greenhouse production of the Eva F1 tomatoes and other vegetables at the Teaching and
Research Farm of the institution.
“Eva F1 Tomato is a variety five times bigger in size than the commonly available one in the Nigerian market and it is capable of producing
paste more than four times the latter.
“The tomato has rare quality of remaining fresh over a period of two weeks from date of harvest.’’
Fuwape also said that FUTA recently inaugurated a new Phytomedicine Garden, explaining that
through the project, the university took a leap forward in the process that would lead to revitalising and modernising the herbs industry for
local use and for export.
He said “it is important for people to begin to look inward and take advantage of nature’s endowment, which is in abundance in our environment.’’
University of Ilorin (UniLorin) on its part, says it invented bullet-proof gadgets that has been tested and approved by Nigerian Army.
Its Spokesman, Kunle Akogun, told NAN that the institution had already signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with Nigerian Army to mass produce the gadget.
Akogun also said that some lecturers and staff of the institution had also invented a computerised automobile speed limiter.
He noted that the speed limiter, if produced in commercial quantity, would reduce accidents on the road, as it had been tested and found to be
effective.
“The gadget works, using computer programming. So, failure rate, to be modest, is extremely low, if not completely impossible, and reliability
rate is high,” he said.
The spokesman also said that Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of UniLorin
had also designed a prototype anti-theft device, capable of remotely monitoring and detecting theft of electricity by customers.
The device, he explained, was designed by acting Head of Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Dr Mudathir Akorede, with
assistance by some students.
Akorede then told NAN that the device could also cut off electricity supply to the premises of customers stealing electricity.
He said “the device can simultaneously send a message to the utility control room to alert the system operator with such customer’s details
displayed on the control panel.’’
He added that the process of filing application for patenting the invention had commenced through the university’s Laboratory to
Product Centre.
The don further said that the invention was now up to standard that it could be patented, noting that “I brought this to the attention of the
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, although not officially, but if adopted, the device would enable distribution companies to cut their
commercial losses substantially.’’
He said that the idea followed the discovery that most people used electricity without paying for it.
He added that “many people that have been able to get the prepaid meter, even though they can afford to pay their bills, still want to bypass this to
steal electricity and this is not helping the companies.
“It is not helping us as a whole. If the industry should collapse, everybody will bear the brunt of that problem and that is why consumers too
have to share out of the problem.’’
Another lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, UniLorin, Ajijolakewu Kamoldeen, also designed a refrigerator with the capacity to freeze
any liquid in three minutes.
NAN reports that the refrigerator is more powerful than conventional refrigerators.
It works at 45 degree centigrade, while the conventional ones work between the range of 10 degree centigrade and 20 degree centigrade.
Dr Dupe Ademola-Popoola, an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the College of Health Sciences at the university, had also developed
a device that could detect sight challenges in children.
The don had been granted patent on the device called “Teacher Led Vision Screener’’.
The device, NAN learnt, could be used by non-professionals, particularly teachers, to detect sight inadequacies.
NAN also learnt that UniLorin has over 25 patents on various inventions carried out by lecturers and students of the institution.
On its part, University of Ibadan also recently inaugurated its Renewable Resources Centre which generates Biogas through waste.
Mr Tunji Oladejo, the institution’s Director of Communication, said other energy projects at the centre include the Smokeless Charcoal, using
wood charcoal Kiln.
According to him, the research that culminated into the renewable energy projects adopted multidisciplinary approach.
He said the renewable energy project was conceptualised by Prof. M.K.C Sridhar and Dr Taiwo Hammed of Department of Environmental
Sciences and College of Medicine respectively.
Oladejo said “the project has to do with scaling up laboratory-based research in that department into viable commercial ventures for the benefit
of the society. It was funded by Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund).
“The project has to do with making use of waste to generate biogas through technological process which can be used for domestic and
commercial purposes.
“It involves the combination of Chinese and Nigerian technology. It is a solution to irregular power supply in Nigeria as individuals can
deploy the technology once it is internalised.
“It is cheaper on the long run and we want almost everyone to be able to acquire this knowledge.
“UI has enough waste to generate its electricity through biogas. We need investors to come in and scale it up to commercial ventures.
“The flame of the smokeless charcoal is blue. It can be used by people who have health challenges, unlike the charcoal we are all used to.
Also, the project includes fertilizer production and mushroom cultivation.”
Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at the university, said some of the
innovations at the institution include University of Ibadan International Transmission Project designed to transmit educational activities of the university.
The initiative is under the aegis of Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and University of Ibadan Media Centre.
“The first demo has been made, starting with Faculty of Law,” the don said.
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) says one of its major innovations is its “First Improved Indigenous Chicken Breed” named “FUNAAB Alpha.”
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the school, Mrs Linda Onwuka, told NAN that the feat was achieved after 24 years of research.
It was, however, registered in July 2018 by National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB).
She said that the breakthrough would positively affect the common man and the nation in the poultry market and boost food production in the country.
She added that “we remain the first and only university to have produced the improved indigenous chicken.
“FUNAAB has successfully placed on the Nigerian poultry market, a dual purpose breed of chicken, tested under rural households from
September 2016 to December 2017.
“The breed was found to be one of the breeds preferred for egg production under semi-scavenging and scavenging conditions.
“The dual purpose FUNAAB Alpha attains 2.1 to 2.6kg at 20 weeks for males; 1.6 to 1.8kg for females, while eggs are improved from white to brown
from 60 to 120 eggs per annum to 200 to 250 eggs per annum,’’ she said.
She said that the team of scientists led by Prof. Olufunmilayo Adebambo, worked on the project for 24 years.
Onwuka also disclosed that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was the major partners who funded the establishment of the Pearl-FUNAAB
Chicken Breeding Centre of the University for the Project in 2014.
Also, Prof. Chinedum Babalola, the Vice Chancellor, Chrisland University, Ajebo, Abeokuta, told NAN that the institution used the mixture of
natural products and some chemicals to design what it called “Biochemical Weapon for Destroying Termites.’’
She explained that the chemical, when sprayed to affected area, could kill termites from the underground within two months.
The vice chancellor said that the institution embarked on such innovative project in realisation of the fact that the world would be static
without innovations.
Babalola, a professor of pharmaceutical chemistry, said: “there is always a need to improve quality of life and to do that, it is necessary to
engage in innovative researches.
“There are many challenges in various communities around the world waiting for people to solve them.
“Innovative research solves problems. Innovation should be applied to our current state of life so that we can have better quality of life.
“For example, there is one we have discovered and we are still working on it.
“We spent a minimum of over N300,000 to fumigate our hostels each semester and if we add residential areas, we will be talking
about N400, 000 or more.
“But there is someone on this campus who has discovered a very cheap method of fumigating such that we will spend just about N20,000.
“The cockroaches die, even snakes, so, we are going to take it up and see how we can turn it into a research that is systematically carried out,
evaluated and validated,” she said.
On the impact of the innovative projects on the host community, Babalola explained that the institution had not reached out to the community.
According to her, it is important to package the product properly in a way that it can be easily and properly marketed.
“The product has to be patented before exposing it to the community. My plan is to see my students go out and see termites infected
areas in the community and provide solution,’’ she said.
The vice chancellor stated that Christland University had a strong focus on research and innovation, adding that one of her objectives was
to ensure continuous innovative research among staff and students.
“So, I actually coined what I called `innovate Chrisland’, so that annually as we graduate students, we will honour students or staff that have
done something innovative, carrying out innovative research,’’ she said.
Prof. Festus Oyawale, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, said that some of the innovations
by students of the Chemical Engineering Department included the Batch Distillation Units, used to separate mixtures such as ethanol and water.
Oyawale also said that a door access control system, GSM based surveillance home security system, energy consumption management system,
remote cooling fan speed regulator system and mobile room ventilator were other innovations made by the Department of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering.
He said that students of Department of Mechanical Engineering also made a dual powered spice milling machine, multi grain separator and livestock
water digester which could be used in homes.
Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, on its part, says its African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases’ innovation has been able to
detect, manage and control infectious diseases in the country.
Prof. Onikepe Folarin, who is the Head of the centre, said that the university, through its innovation, helped the country to detect, contain and
control the outbreak of Ebola virus in 2014.
Folarin said that the centre, established in 2013, helped to contain outbreak of Monkey Pox in 2017 in Cross River and Yellow Fever in Edo in 2018.
She added that the centre was in the forefront of diagnosing and helping to control disease outbreak in the country.
She explained that the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) often sends samples of infectious diseases to the centre for analysis and diagnosis.
“Our main area of strength is on infectious disease and that is what we do. We are very strong in diagnosis.
“We use the knowledge of Genomics and Genomics information to tackle health issues and also use it to tackle infectious diseases in Nigeria and
West Africa, where we have high rate of infectious diseases,’’ Folarin said.
She said that the centre was equally working on vaccines and drugs, aside diagnosis, to cure infectious diseases.
Also, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) says the institution is able to generate locally made Computer Based Testing (CBT) software.
Dr Babajide Afolabi, the acting Director of Obafemi Awolowo University Computing Centre, said the university was known for its innovation in ICT.
According to him, most of the software used to run the university system are generated by the institution.
He said that among the software innovated were the ‘Home-grown Ife Student Information system’, which was being used to process students’ results.
Afolabi also said that the university had been using the software it developed since 1990, adding that the institution’s portal was fully developed locally.
According to him, the innovative project has contributed positively to the development of the university.
“We have been able to save less than N16 million annually on post UTME which we are successfully doing by our locally made CBT.
“The university also partnered with other institutions and companies like Charms and Venture Garden Group (VGD) in producing different software.
“Our target is to become `Software Hub’ for the nation where software will be developed for projects cheaply.
“We are also in the process of signing an agreement with Nigerian Army to develop software called `Land Forces Simulation Centre’ which will help the
army in training,’’ he said.
At the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), the institution says it invested resources and time into building world class facility within its short time.
It also stated its resolve to ensure that inventors and job providers rather than job seekers were raised in the university.
Head of Corporate Affairs at the university, Mr Tunde Olofintila, said ABUAD Farms, established about eight years ago, is one of the institution’s showpiece projects.
“ABUAD’s farms alone sit on several hectares of land and has a staff strength of about 85 workers, aside from hundreds of others working as core university staff.
“This is not to talk about the university’s wood processing industry where finished woods are processed for export.
“There was a day we tried to go round all the boundaries of the farm and it took us three hours to accomplish.
“Top on the list of our farm innovations is the idea behind the Moringa processing facility.
Moringa is super food which contains all the nutrients our body needs.
“We have already developed several products from the moringa leaf which we plant here. We have the leaf, seed, moringa tea, capsules, hair cream,
soap and body butter.
“The products are now marketed at commercial capacity, ABUAD may well be the first to fully utilise the moringa into several products in the country.
“Afe Babalola University invested heavily in the feed mill, which now services about four South Western states. The feed mill also currently makes food
for quails, pigs, geese, snails and poultry across the country
“There is also a bee farm which produces undiluted honey daily,’’ he said.
According to him, one of the main revolutions thrown up at the farm is the construction of a fruit storage barn which can store fruits for about six months.
Olofintila, who expressed regrets that Nigeria loses about 40 per cent of its agricultural products due to poor storage facilities, said “ABUAD barn
makes economic sense.
“We also have over 600 fish ponds, each having a minimum of 5,000 fishes, and massive artificial lakes scattered all over the farms.
“There is also the mango plantation where we have well over 110,000 trees of Tom Atkinson specie of mango, which produces several thousands
of fruits yearly for local consumption and export.
“The university also has Teek Tree plantation with over 500,000 trees.’’
The Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Michael Ajisafe, said the institution recently turned the sod for the establishment of Research Industrial Park.
He explained that the park was designed to translate into viable products, the research efforts of the university through the establishment of various
industries in a dedicated park.
Ajisafe said that the park would take off with a 5.7 Megawatts of Gas turbine-driven Power Plant, which would be provided by ABUAD Plant Limited.
He said it would also provide veritable platform for staff, undergraduates and graduates training and general technical empowerment.
He added that it would promote investments in high-tech industries, as well as encourage the establishment of small, medium and large scale
industries totalling 120.
At the Ekiti State University, the institution said it established solar power infrastructure as alternative energy source.
Mr Bunmi Ajibade, the institution’s Director of Information, said the university was determined to nurture and create a range of renewable energy
sources, including wind energy.
NCDC mobilises support against Meningitis
CSM
Abuja, April 24, 2019 The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has called for collective effort of Nigerians to tackle Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, made the appeal in a statement on Wednesday to commemorate the World Meningitis Day in Abuja.
He harped on applying preventive measures which he says is better than cure.
According to Ihekweazu, meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes, known as meninges that protect the brain and spinal cord from infection and direct physical injury.
He said the theme for this year is “Life after Meningitis”, adding that globally, meningitis affects about 2.8 million people each year.
According to the World Health Organisation, about 10 to 15 per cent of those surviving meningococcal meningitis will suffer from complications, including mental disorders, deafness, palsies and seizures.
“Survivors are also likely to suffer from disabilities resulting from damages to the nervous system, including hearing loss, learning and behavioural difficulties.
“Also, other complications include loss of sight, limb and organ damage, hence raising awareness of Meningitis and its after-effects is therefore very vital,” he said.
He stressed that the disease remains a major public health challenge affecting countries in the African meningitis belt, where Nigeria falls; noting that in 2019, 15 states are currently affected in Nigeria.
“Meningitis cases have been found to occur through the year in the country with an observed increase during the dry season.
“The disease is highly contagious and can kill within 24 hours, so recognising the symptoms early and acting fast is crucial.
“Meningitis can affect anyone, however infants, young children, adolescents and older people are at greatest risk, with major risk factors of being overcrowding and poor ventilation,” he said.
Ihekweazu said that infection of the meninges by microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses results in the condition known as Meningitis, is a very serious infection that could lead to death if left untreated.
The NCDC boss added that this year, the NCDC seeks to increase awareness on the signs, symptoms and the devastating after-effects that it could have.
He also said that part of the target by NCDC is the extreme importance of early diagnosis and treatment, and the crucial need to support Meningitis survivors and their families.
Ihekweazu said that Meningitis could be prevented by avoiding overcrowded places and ensuring adequate ventilation in the home, covering the nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing, coughing or blowing the nose
He added that proper disposing of used tissues promptly into a waste bin was also another means of preventing the disease.
“People should form the habit of washing hands frequently with soap under running water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
“Early presentation to a health facility and treatment increases chances of survival, so visiting the health facility immediately symptoms is suspected is extremely crucial.’’
He therefore urged all health workers to practice standard precautions at all times.
NCDC to establish disease treatment centres in 36 states, FCT
NCDC
Jessica Onyegbula
Abuja, April 2, 2019 The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says it is working towards establishing treatment centres in the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to ensure quick response to infectious diseases in the country.
Director-General of the centre, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
Ihekweazu explained that the treatment and isolation centres would be established in collaboration with state governments by the end of next year where such facilities were lacking.
“There are confirmed cases of Lassa fever in 22 states; some of them have one or two sporadic cases but our goal is to have a treatment centre in every state capital.
“They won’t all be at the same level and the same capacity but our hope by the end of next year is to have treatment and isolation centre as well as an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in every state capital in Nigeria.
“This will help to coordinate the response to infectious diseases from our Incidence Coordination Centre (ICC) at the headquarters with all the EOCs in the various state capitals.
“We already have EOCs in 12 states and they were established within the last two years, but gradually we keep increasing.
“So, step by step, we are covering the entire country with our Emergency Operation Centres as well as treatment and isolation centres for infectious diseases,” Ihekweazu said.
According to him, plans have been intensified for the inauguration of Plateau, Anambra and Rivers EOCs in April.
This, Ihekweazu said would bring the total number of EOCs in the country to 15.
He noted that NCDC often collaborates with the state ministries of health in establishing the centres.
The NCDC DG said “The state provides the building, while NCDC goes in to equip it with all the communication equipment needed.
“NCDC also provides the infrastructure, the telecom, the screen; we train them for a period of two weeks and mentor them for another two weeks, and then we hand it over to them to run.
“We keep on supporting airtime for communication and things like that to make sure internet access are working; we have now done this in 12 states and we will continue state by state.
“It is not a very simple thing to do because states have to identify a location and we see if that location is appropriate and all of that.
Ihekweazu pointed out that Nasarawa State Government was already constructing and equipping a large treatment centre for infectious diseases which would be integrated into the network of treatment centres in the country.
“I visited the centre about a month ago and great progress has been made and we are supporting the state and advising them on what to do,” he added.
Lassa fever national mortality rate drops in 2019
Lassa fever
Benin, March 20, 2019 Prof. Sylvanus Okogbenin, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Edo, says Lassa fever mortality rate has reduced tremendously in the country.
Okogbenin told the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Irrua, Edo, that the mortality rate had dropped to a single digit from the 14 per cent it was in 2018.
He said that the result was achieved in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners.
“You will understand that ISTH is renowned for the management, diagnosis and control of Lassa fever through the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, which came into existence in 2007.
“Over the years, we have had this annual epidemic of Lassa fever but over the years, it has become better and better.
“This is demonstrated in the mortality rate of the disease on annual basis because there was a time the mortality was over 40 per cent, then it fall to 20 per cent.
“Last year we had mortality rate of 14 per cent; 14 per cent is the lowest mortality that has ever been recorded in any epidemic of Lassa fever.’’
He added that: “One of the targets that were set for this year is to get single digit mortality.
“So far, the epidemic of 2019 is not over and we have been able to achieve that for this long, thereby making the mortality for Lassa fever below 10 per cent.
“I think it is a feat we are happy to speak about; that is why I said that there will always be challenges but it is much better than it used to be.’’
According to him, creation of public awareness contributed immensely to the low mortality rate so far recorded in 2019.
“There is more awareness now compared to 10 years ago.
“And you see, patients come in earlier than they used to because when a patient comes early, the chances of survival is very high; that has happened a lot this year.
“Part of the preparations for the epidemic is that we have stocks of supply and this year was particularly very good because NCDC was able to supply us with Ribavrin and supplies of Personal Protective Equipment.
“In fact, when there was manpower shortage, they were able to bring in some staff to help us with the response. And that is why the mortality significantly reduced.
“Again, we now have Intensive Care Unit for Lassa fever patients,’’ Okogbenin said.
Mrs Kehinde Oboro, the state Disease Surveillance Officer, also told NNN that the state was currently training Disease Surveillance Officers (DSOs) in the 18 Local Government Areas on safety measures as concerns nosocomial (hospital acquired infection) infections.
Kehinde said the training became necessary after seven health workers became infected with Lassa fever in the state.
“One of the infected health workers eventually died of the disease but the other six survived.
“So, this training also involved all caregivers, clinicians and morticians on how to save themselves and other corpses in the mortuary from contacting Lassa fever.
“Focal persons among whom are teachers, farmers and chemists are also being trained on the 41 diseases of public health importance,’’ Oboro said.
She, however, pleaded with the Federal and State Governments to assist the Edo State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre with surveillance vehicles to enable them effectively monitor the 18 LGAs of the state.
Centre confirms 23 new cases of Lassa fever in Nigeria
Lassa fever
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 23 new cases of Lassa fever that were recorded between Feb. 18 and Feb. 24.
NCDC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Ihekweazu said that 1,279 suspected cases had been reported from 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from Jan. 1 to Feb. 24, 2019.
He said that 381 of this figure were confirmed positive, 15 probable and 858 negative.
According to him, from the onset of the 2019 outbreak, there have been 83 deaths in confirmed cases.
Case fatality ratio in confirmed cases is 21.8 per cent, he said.
The CEO said that Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Oyo, Kebbi and Cross River, had recorded at least one confirmed case in 66 local government areas.
He, however, noted that in reporting week 08, two new health workers were affected in Edo.
Ihekweazu said that 15 healthcare workers had been affected since the onset of the outbreak in seven states.
The NCDC said that 55 patients were hospitalised at designated centres for managing the illness: 27 in Irrua; nine in Owo; one in Abakiliki; one in Bauchi, seven in Plateau; seven in Taraba; one in Gombe; one in Kaduna, and one in Kebbi.
He said that 4,499 people suspected to have had contact with those infected, had been identified in 18 states.
Ihekweazu said that 1,987 of the suspected contacts were being followed up; another 2,461 had completed the mandatory 21 days of follow up, to be sure they did not show any symptoms.
He noted that four persons were lost to follow up, and 77 symptomatic contacts were identified, of which 47 tested positive.
The CEO said that multi-sectoral one health national rapid response teams (NCDC, NFELTP, Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Federal Ministry of Environment) were deployed to Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi.
NCDC provided an ambulance to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, while the National Lassa fever multi-partner and the multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre continue to coordinate the response activities at all levels. (NNN)
JESY/FLP/MST
Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
The outbreak of monkey pox which was reported by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) dominated searches on Internet search engine — Google — this week.
Google’s Spokesman, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, made this known in a dispatch to Nigeria News Agency on Thursday in Lagos.
According to him, the week’s top trending search terms on Google Nigeria are dominated by national news.
He stated that “the NCDC recently stated that the first case of monkey pox was reported on Sept. 22 in Bayelsa.
“As at Monday 31, other suspected cases had been reported across seven states including Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun and Cross River.
“The Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said in a statement that the centre had activated an emergency operation centre to coordinate investigation into the outbreak and also workout appropriate preventive measures across affected states.
“Concerned Nigerians raced to Google to search for information on causes, symptoms and prevention of the disease.”
Kola-Ogunlade said Nigerians bid farewell this week to former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Victor Malu, who died in a hospital in Cairo on Oct. 9.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari, in a condolence message, noted that Malu demonstrated incredible courage and leadership during his reign as chief of army staff and even in his retirement.
“Well-wishers visited Google to read more about Malu’s achievements,’’ Kola-Ogunlade said.
The Google manager said that in the world of sports, football lovers celebrated Nigeria’s 1- 0 win over Zambia during the third round of the World Cup qualifiers match held on Oct.7 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
He added that the win qualified Super Eagles for FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Google spokesman said “Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, expressed excitement about the World Cup qualification.
“This saw excited fans racing to Google search to get more details about the match,’’ he said.
Kola-Ogunlade said University of Lagos suspension rumour also got people’s attention online.
He noted that the management of the university had condemned rumours that they suspended a final year student of the institution for dancing with the statue of former vice-chancellor.
He added that students of the institution posted a video on social media of a 400 level student from Faculty of Arts dancing with a statue of former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe.
“Nigerians reacted negatively to the video, which went viral. This sparked rumours that the student involved was rusticated from the university.
“Concerned citizens raced to Google to get updated information about the situation.”
Google Trends launched in May 2006 allows one to see how popular search terms and its demography have been over time on Google.
Edited by: Fela Fashoro/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
