Maku To Nigerians: Don’t Take Ebola Patients To Prayer Houses

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, on Monday in Abuja advised Nigerians against harboring people suspected to be infected with the Ebola Virus Disease in prayer houses.

He spoke at a conference organised by the Ministry of Health to provide guidelines to commissioners of health on how to sensitize the people on the deadly virus.
Maku said that while it was important to note that God still performed miracles, the public ought to be sensitized to help the federal government contain the disease by leaving their loved ones at designated quarantine centres.
Making reference to the story of the centurion in the Bible, the information minister asked relatives to rather send names of patients to prophets and religious leader for prayers.
“Miracles should take place in quarantine centres. If you have a prayer warrior in Lagos, just send the name of the person to him for the miracle”, Mr. Maku said.
He said that while the disease was deadly, it was important to note that there was no need to stigmatize anyone with the infectious disease. He called on persons who might show symptoms of the disease, to help by reporting themselves to quarantine centres in order to save their own lives and that of their family members.
He also encouraged state Commissioners of Health to work towards the translation of pamphlets shared at the conference to their various local dialects.
Thanking the media for its coverage of the virus since its outbreak in the country, Maku urged media organizations to ensure that stories on the disease did not cause anxiety among residents even as he sought their help in public enlightenment.
The Head, Port Health Services, Sani Gwarzo, said that Nigeria had started land border screening in Seme and Idiriko. He said it was the responsibility of every country to protect its borders.
Mr. Gwarzo said since the outbreak of the disease, the Ports Health Services was making sure that it delivered safe, healthy and easy screening at all ports and borders in Nigeria.
The Ebola Virus Disease spread to Nigeria in July through a Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, who it was later learnt, evaded quarantine in Liberia to attend a conference in the country. Although he died some few days later in Lagos, nine Nigerians have since tested positive for the virus with one dead.
Also, 177 primary and secondary contacts of the index case have been identified and isolated.

REVEALED: How Lagos Nursing Mother Contracted Ebola Virus

A medical doctor has revealed how a nursing mother contracted the deadly Ebola virus at a Lagos hospital.

It was learnt that the woman was the patient who visited the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation staff clinic on Muri Okunola Street in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.

NNPC had issued a press statement on Friday, saying that the clinic would be shut due to a suspected case of Ebola reported in the clinic.
Our correspondent gathered from the source, who had a first-hand information of the incident, that the nursing mother had first visited the First Consultant Medical Centre, Obalende.
He said, “The lady attended ante-natal at First Consultant prior to the arrival of the Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer. She was delivered of her baby at the hospital after which she was discharged.
“A few weeks later, Mr. Sawyer came around and was attended to by health workers. He was first treated for malaria, then typhoid, before there was high index of suspicion. He tested positive for Ebola and died.
“Then the woman, who gave birth at the hospital came back to the hospital for her baby’s immunisation. The nurses who attended to Sawyer also attended to her.
“When she visited the place again last week, she discovered the place had been shut down for proper fumigation as a means of control against Ebola.”
He said the nursing mother decided to visit a neighbouring clinic which was the NNPC clinic.
He said it was there she began her treatment after she fell ill.
“She was first treated for Malaria. However, after some medical tests, there was a high suspicion of Ebola haemorrhagic fever.
“On Friday, the Lagos State’s emergency response team on Ebola virus came around and took her to the Infectious Diseases Hospital,” he added.
Our correspondent learnt that the yet-to-be-identified mother and her baby, who were taken away from the hospital on Friday, had been quarantined.
Confirming the report, the Medical Officer of Health, Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, Dr. Wale Akeredolu, said the patient tested positive to the Ebola virus after a second test was conducted on her.
He confirmed the incident at a sensitisation programme organised for residents of the Eti-Osa Local Government Area by the council on Monday.
He added, “The baby has also been quarantined to see if after the incubation period of two to 21 days, she would manifest the symptoms of Ebola.”
The council boss, Abayomi Daramola, appealed to residents not to shirk their responsibilities on the pretext of running away from the virus.
He said, “This is a trying time in Nigeria. But the presence of Ebola does not mean people should run away from their responsibilities. The public apprehension is what can even spread the disease faster. So, people should just follow personal hygiene, use sanitisers and wash their hands regularly.”

Passenger Waiting To Board Dies At Lagos Airport

A passenger waiting to collect the Yellow Card from Port Health Officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos has collapsed and died.

The ugly incident happened Monday, during the first official tour of the airport facility by the new Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka.
The deceased was identified as Mr Akunne Osei, a Nigerian residing in Accra who arrived Lagos for business transactions aboard an Arik Air flight on Friday August 8, 2014 and was on his way back to Accra for medical treatment, reports Vanguard.
General Manager, Corporate Communication, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Yakubu Datti, while reacting on the passenger’s death said; “The passenger, Mr. Akunne Osei took ill on Saturday August 9 and started stooling. When the situation got worse, he called his doctor in Accra who instructed him to return to Ghana immediately for further treatment.”
“During boarding formalities for his return trip to Accra, at the international terminal of MMA, Mr. Osei, who had obviously become weak at this time, was subjected to Ebola Virus test by port health officials, the result of which was negative. No further attention was paid to him after his Ebola Virus result read negative but the passenger later slumped and died around the port health office.”
The body of Osei was said to have been kept at zero car park of the airport terminal and was still there when the minister visited the facility.

The First Ebola Victim: Read the Story of the 2 Year Old Boy in Guinea

The largest outbreak of Ebola in history was likely started by a 2 year old boy in a remote village in Guinea according to researchers. The boy, called Patient Zero in this outbreak, died on December 6th 2013 after suffering from fever, black stool & vomiting. That illness has now been found to be Ebola 

Before he died, he infected his mother, his 3 year old sister, his grandmother and a mid wife who was caring for him when he was ill. His mum and sister died before the end of December 2013 after suffering bleeding symptoms. His grandmother died January 1st. The mid-wife died by February 11th but before dying, she had passed the virus to her family members who died the following month in March 2014. Continue…

The virus spread from the Southern Guinea village to other parts of Africa after villagers from Sierre Leone and Liberia, who share a border with the village, attended the grandmother’s burial. Two of the funeral attendees fell ill and the virus spread from their families to their villages and to health care workers and family members taking care of patients. And one Patrick Sawyer brought it to Nigeria!

How the child became infected is a biggest mystery as scientist who have traced the the outbreak this time say they don’t know how the toddler got infected.

So far, 960 people have died from the virus while 1,779 people have been infected…

Newly Married Nurse Tests Positive To Ebola Virus In Lagos

This deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, has caused and still causing trouble for many families. The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has revealed that another Lagos nurse has tested positive to Ebola.
This sad development is coming 22 days after the first first case of the virus was recorded. The minister said the newly married nurse was among those that had direct contact with the late Liberian man, Patrick Sawyer, who is said to be the one who imported the disease into Nigeria.
Unfortunately, before the Nurse was diagnosed, she had gone home and slept with her new husband. So, her husband is now among the 177 people that government has placed under strict surveillance in Lagos.
The Health Minister added that, so far, nine persons have developed EVD, thus bringing the total number of the confirmed Ebola cases in Nigeria to 10. Two persons have died as a result of the virus in Nigeria.
All those who had primary contact with late Sawyer had been placed on either surveillance or quarantined.
The minister confirmed that the Ebola had so far been restricted to Lagos as it had not spread to other states.

SAD: ‘Ebola’ Corpses Litter Streets Of Monrovia For Days, Angry Crowd Protests (PHOTOS)

Riot police raced to quell a demonstration blocking Liberia’s busiest highway Saturday as an angry crowd protested the government’s delays in collecting the bodies of Ebola victims.

In Guinea, where the deadly Ebola outbreak emerged in March, health officials announced Saturday that the country was closing its land borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone — two of the countries where the killer virus has now spread and where deaths are mounting.
The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak an international health emergency Friday. The growing unease in Liberia, where nearly 300 people have died from the gruesome disease, raises the specter of social unrest.
Several bodies had been lying by the roadside for two days in the central town of Weala, 50 miles (75 kilometers) from the capital of Monrovia, and no government agency had picked them up, residents said.
The Ebola virus spreads through the bodily fluids of its victims and many in West Africa have fallen ill after touching or handling corpses. Liberia’s government has ordered that all Ebola victims be cremated amid community opposition to neighborhood burials for fear of further contamination.
Information Minister Lewis Brown sounded a warning on state radio Saturday.
“Security people are on their way to put things under control,” Brown said, directing his comments to protesters. “We don’t want people taking the law into their own hands.”
The latest Ebola outbreak is the largest ever recorded for the disease and so far has killed at least 961 people, according to figures released Friday by the U.N. health agency. This outbreak emerged in Guinea and has since spread to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria.
The situation is particularly dire in Liberia, where the Doctors Without Borders charity group has described the conditions as “catastrophic.”
“There are reports of dead bodies lying in streets and houses,” said the group’s emergency coordinator in Liberia, Lindis Hurum.
At least 40 health workers in Liberia have contracted Ebola in recent weeks and most of the city’s hospitals are closed, Hurum said.
On Saturday, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was meeting with health workers at City Hall in Monrovia.
“The president wants to express the collective gratitude of the entire nation to our health care workers who have continued to make tremendous sacrifices for this country and people,” said Brown.
State radio broadcaster Smith Toby called health workers “front-line soldiers” leading the fight against Ebola.
Liberia has launched “Operation White Shield” under which soldiers are deployed in different locations and at checkpoints outside the capital to discourage residents’ movements, part of Sirleaf’s emergency measures to better fight the disease.
Health workers were stationed next to soldiers at checkpoints Saturday, taking the temperatures of commuters. People with temperatures above normal were blocked from leaving.
Also Saturday, a Catholic humanitarian group based in Spain said a Congolese nun working in Liberia had died of Ebola.
The San Juan de Dios hospital order announced that Sister Chantal Pascaline died “from Ebola in the Hospital San Jose de Monrovia, despite the care she received from a volunteer nurse.”
Pascaline belonged to the same order as a Spanish missionary priest and nun evacuated to Madrid by jet this week. Both are in stable condition in a Madrid hospital, officials say.

A MUST READ – HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE EBOLA VIRUS!

Wash Your Hands with Soap
Do this a lot. You can also use a good hand sanitizer. Avoid unnecessary contact!

No Bush Meat & Suya
Bush meat may be carrying the virus. Also avoid suya. Better to restrict yourself to food you prepared yourself.

Disinfect Your Surroundings
The virus cannot survive disinfectants, heat, direct sunlight, detergents and soaps. Clean up!

Fumigate If you Have Pests
Fumigate your environment & dispose of the carcasses properly! Better a clean environment for you!

Don’t Touch Carcasses
Dead bodies can still transmit Ebola. Don’t touch them without protective gear or avoid them altogether.

Protect Yourself
Use protective gear if you must care or go near someone you suspect has Ebola.

Report
Report any suspicious symptoms in yourself or anyone elseIMMEDIATELY you notice them. Don’t delay!!

Educate Everyone
Tell your neighbours, colleagues and domestic staff. You’re safer when everyone is educated about Ebola.

BREAKING NEWS: Bomb Explosion Rocks Maiduguri Market, Scores Feared Dead

A bomb explosion has been reported at the busy Monday Market close to the Power Holding Company Nigeria (PHCN) building in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.



Bombed Scene

According to SaharaReporters, the bomb exploded at about 8:20 a.m. within the market premises, a usually crowded commercial centre.

Following the huge security presence at the scene, number of casualties could not be ascertained as at press time, but Emergency officials are said to be on their way to the explosion scene.

However, one of the state government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the blast and revealed that the number of casualties were very high.

The source also noted that security operatives were on ground, trying to rescue some of the victims as well as secure the area.

More to follow....

Nigerians attack Joseph Yobo’s wife on social media after Super Eagles World Cup exit

Nigerians on social media have let all hell loose of Adaeze Yobo, wife of Super Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo, following the team’s exit from the on-going World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria was knocked out of the second round after suffering a defeat against France. Les Blues won by two goals to nil thanks to two late goals – the first from french midfielder Paul Pogba and an own goal from Joseph Yobo.

Shortly after the match, Nigerians took to social media to express their disappointment in some of the team’s players including Mikel Obi and the team’s captain Joseph Yobo, stating that they should not have not made Super Eagles coach Stephan Keshi‘s final selection.

Others have turned on Yobo’s wife, former beauty queen Adaeze, using her as a point of contact to get to her husband.

‘Let’s report Adaeze’s IG as spam that way we won’t see Yobo’s face for awhile‘, model @KingUcheUdoh wrote. Another user @sketch_aj wrote ‘I think you need leave your man he isn’t loyal‘.

On Instagram, people commented on Adaeze’s last photo upload with derogatory remarks like; ‘you are disgrace to your family and Nigeria entirely‘ – @nashawnhunt and ‘Rotfl…I actually didn’t notice yobo during this world cup competition until now..dude sealed d deal..@adaezeyobo no mind dem jare‘ – @juxsugar.

Her fans however supported her by fighting back at the ‘critics’. ‘Mad people!! What did yobo do? Is he the first to score an own goal? Besides France had scored their first goal. .so all you rude peeps that didn’t even watch the match should shut up and free adaeze!! Enyeama did well but at the end committed blunder!! Send them not @adaezeyobo‘, wrote @janeiyke.

Joseph Yobo made his 100th appearance for the Super Eagles against France

Nigerian Military Narrated How Abuja Blast Suspect Was Killed

Confirming the death of Abuja blast alleged bomber, the Nigerian military narrated how it happened.
 
Photo: Abuja blast scene
According to the statement officially released on Friday on the Defence Headquarters website, the suspect, who was taken to hospital after had been shot by the military while trying to escape from the scene, died in the hospital, Premium Times reports.
It was claimed that in the hospital the suspect kept shouting: "People will die! people will die!"
Speaking about the immediate action after the explosion, which has already claimed 24 lives, the military said:

"The soldiers pursued the fleeing suspects and shot at one who fell off the bike with his bag, while the rider escaped through the crowd. The bag recovered from the suspect was later confirmed to contain a package of IED and other accessories."

It was also added that another suspect nabbed at the scene was under interrogation. The statement added that 15 more suspects were later apprehended in the country capital after a raid that led to the recovery of weaponry.
It would be recalled that Abuja shopping mall Emab Plaza was rocked by a ghastly explosion this Wednesday. While police first stated that 21 people were killed in the attack, the Health Minister yesterday said that 24 victims died.
Shortly after the bombing it was made known that one suspect was shot and one arrested in connection with the case

Adaeze Yobo Becomes Africa Fashion Week 2014 Celebrity Ambassador

Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (2008), Adaeze Stephanie Yobo, has joined the echelon of world class super celebrities on the Africa Fashion Week Ambassadors List.
24 year old Adaeze achieved her childhood dream of becoming the most beautiful girl in Nigeria in 2008, at the age of 18, beating 29 other beautiful Nigerian women to the crown. She also represented Nigeria at Miss World 2008 in South Africa, making the top twenty list in Miss World Talent, and placed second in Miss World Sports.
Adaeze Yobo who is also a UN Ambassador for Peace, established her own charity during her reign as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Known as the Adaeze Igwe Foundation, the foundation of which is most passionate, sought to create awareness and garner support for Sickle Cell Anaemia, Aids and Breast Cancer patients. The foundation also raises funds towards similar causes such as Malaria and Tuberculosis. Its mission was to “create and increase access and opportunities to Nigerian Youth and Communities for addressing their needs and challenges towards sustainable development.
Adaeze whose beauty and fashion sense is subject of many celebrity magazines and blog features, met and married Joseph Yobo in Jos, after a brief courtship, and in 2011, was ranked 92, in a list of 101 Sexiest Soccer Wives and Girlfriends, according to Bleacher Report. Adaze and Joseph Yobo are now parents to their first child, Joey, and live in Istanbul Turkey, where Joseph is furthering his football career.
In enlisting Adaeze as Celebrity Ambassador, Africa Fashion Week London, the biggest African inspired fashion event in the UK for three years running since 2011 and parent event to Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, which is also the biggest platform supporting up and coming fashion talents in Nigeria, is furthering its key objective of  inspiring the teeming youth talent all over the world, especially in Africa, by presenting celebrity offerings and success stories as benchmarks for positive youthful aspirations.
Speaking on the appointment, the founder of Africa Fashion Week London, Ronke Ademiluyi, says: “I am delighted to have Adaeze on our platform. Her beauty, achievements and strategic status makes her a miracle and a rare find. Millions of our youthful followers all over the world will be inspired by her”
Adaeze will be joining the ranks of other Celebrity Ambasadors on the AFWL platform such as Ghana Ex Beauty Queen Menaye Donkor, Congo DCR  Ex Beauty Queen, Supermodel and UN Ambassador for Peace, Noella Coursaris Musunka, Bassist and lead vocalist of the Noisettes British Band Shinghai Shoniwa,  Sky Tv Presenter, Lukwesa Burak and Ugandan Born Editor of the London Based New Africa Woman Magazine, Regina Jane Jere.
In her capacity as AFWL ambassador, Adaeze will be working closely with some of the world’s best celebrities of African Origin such as Yinka Shonibare, artist and Member of the British Empire (MBE) and director of the Tiwanis Art Gallery London, and Princess Fifi Ejindu, Nigerian Born, World Class Architect and Real Estate Entrepreneur and Life patron of Africa Fashion Week London. Together they will all gear efforts towards increasing and strengthening the pedestal for launching the careers of young African inspired fashion designers globally.