Morning recap: Ebola-infected diplomat suffers organ failure, Shettima advises states on power, other top stories

The Federal Government disclosed on Tuesday the country’s only Ebola case after a diplomat was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This has prompted the FG and other state governments to intensify surveillance, contact tracing and emergency preparedness to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

Vice President Kashim Shettima had advised state governments to proffer solutions to power problems as he charged them to set up functional electricity markets under the Electricity Act 2023.

Also, 15 State Houses of Assembly have endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to pave the way for the establishment of state police, with the new states being Ekiti and Kebbi. This is to satisfy the constitutional requirement of at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states, representing a two-thirds majority.

The recap in full:

1. Ebola fears: FG, states on alert as infected diplomat suffers organ failure

A diplomat diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has reportedly deteriorated into multi-organ failure, as the Federal Government and state governments intensify surveillance, contact tracing and emergency preparedness to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

The patient’s name and nationality were, however, not disclosed.

The Director of Public Health Laboratory Service at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Olajumoke Babatunde, gave the update at an emergency meeting of the agency in Abuja on Wednesday.

The NCDC said the case is the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, the same strain causing the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, adding that three levels of molecular tests were done to confirm the strain.

Read more here.

2. Fix your power problems, Shettima tells states

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday urged state governments to end their dependence on the Federal Government for solutions to local power problems and to set up functional electricity markets under the Electricity Act 2023.

He spoke at the opening of the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The workshop, themed “Unlocking the Opportunities of the Electricity Act 2023 for Sustainable Energy Development and Economic Growth in Nigeria,” brought together federal and state institutions and regulators.

Read more here.

3. State Police: Ekiti, Kebbi endorse bill, tally hits 15

The Ekiti and Kebbi State Houses of Assembly have endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to pave the way for the establishment of state police, with Ekiti passing the bill and Kebbi lawmakers adopting a resolution in support of decentralised policing to tackle insecurity.

Before the latest endorsements, at least 13 states — Osun, Edo, Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Delta, Taraba, Cross River, Plateau and Enugu — had passed the bill.

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• Ondo crash: Residents lament non-fumigation of site

The endorsements by Ekiti and Kebbi bring the number of states that have backed the proposed amendment to 15.

Read more here.

4. Gas leak: Ogun schools shut, over 100 pupils hospitalised

The Ogun State Government has again shut some schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo after more than 100 pupils were reportedly hospitalised on Wednesday following exposure to an offensive gaseous substance.

The affected pupils were taken to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital, Ijebu-Igbo, and other healthcare facilities for treatment.

Among the worst-hit schools were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School, and Ago-Iwoye.

Read more here.

5. Ondo crash: Residents lament non-fumigation of site

Seventeen days after a military aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, residents are still complaining about a persistent foul odour, alleged water pollution and losses to their fishing business.

The residents said the situation had disrupted their social and economic activities, urging the federal and Ondo State governments to expedite efforts to clean up the affected area.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft reportedly crashed in the community, killing no fewer than 25 people on board. Military personnel have since been working to recover the remains of the deceased and the wreckage of the aircraft.

Following complaints about the stench, the Ondo State Government said it had begun efforts to clean up the affected area to address possible environmental pollution.

Read more here.

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