Monkey Pox: Plateau Records Two Positive Cases

Two cases of the dreaded Monkey Pox which was widespread in Nigeria last year have been discovered again in the middlebelt. 

 

 

The Plateau State Government has confirmed that the state has recorded two positive cases of monkeypox in Shendam Local Government Area of the state.

 

Dr Kunden Deyin, the state Commissioner for Health, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Jos that the first case recorded was imported from Port-Harcourt, as the victim came in from Rivers for treatment.

‎

According to the commissioner, the infected victim eventually infected his brother and both of them were treated at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos and discharged.

 

Deyin said that the state’s Epidemiology and Surveillance unit of the ministry are still monitoring the contacts to curtail the spread of the disease.

 

The commissioner said that the symptoms of monkeypox were similar to that of chickenpox but more severe. ‎

 

He said that the disease is primarily transmitted from animal to man while the secondary source of transmission is through human to human contact. ‎‎

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Deyin warned that people who kill, touch or cook bush animals, such as rats, squirrels and monkeys were at risk of contracting the disease as they serve as reservoirs of the virus.

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He cautioned the public to desist from indulging in such acts. ‎Deyin also called on the public to report any sign of unexplained rashes to the nearest health facility.

 

He further disclosed that the number of suspected cases has risen from the initial 87 suspected cases on Tuesday to 126 suspected cases.

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However, he assured that the ministry is working in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to contain the disease.

 

The commissioner further cautioned the public to ensure that they imbibe the act of hand washing and maintaining good hygiene as measures of preventing the disease.

 

Besides, Deyin further cautioned that people should desist from eating uncooked vegetables, raw fish, street foods and ensure that ‎they drink boiled water.

 

He also called on the public to report cases of diarrhoea and vomiting to the nearest health facility.

 

NAN recalls that the state had recorded five confirmed cases, three deaths from symptoms similar to cholera and 87 cases.

June 12: Buhari Has Done What Previous Govts Failed To Do – Ambode

(Files) President Buhari with Governor Ambode shortly after his arrival on a two-day visit to Lagos State on March 29, 2018.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 as the New Democracy Day.

He gave the commendation on Wednesday in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna.

President Buhari had made the announcement in honour of the late presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Moshood Kasimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

Reacting to the announcement, Governor Ambode described the development as a historic and symbolic moment in the nation’s political trajectory.

He said, “This is a welcome development. It is a historic moment in our nation and I join other Nigerians to commend President Buhari on this announcement.

“By this move, he has done what previous administrations failed to do,” the governor added.

He noted that the President’s action has shown that he is a man of history and character.

Ambode also said such development has given a hope to the heroes of democracy as it confirms that they did not die in vain.

President Buhari had taken to Twitter to make the declaration on Wednesday, six days to the historic day.

Apart from the announcement, he had also conferred a posthumous GCFR title on Abiola, explaining that June 12 will replace May 29 as the Democracy Day because it is more symbolic.

President Buhari’s tweets read, “Dear Nigerians, I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day.

“We have also decided to award posthumously the highest Honour in the land, GCFR, to Chief MKO Abiola.

“In the view of Nigerians, as shared by this Administration, June 12, 1993, was and is far more symbolic of Democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29, or even October 1.”

Meddy Ft. Hon. George Alli – Human Blood No Be ZoboB

Ageless Music Machine Gun Meddy is out with a new tune after the recent Killings in Otukpo by various cult groups. Many lives were lost in the process. Meddy alongside Otukpo Local Government Chairman Hon. George Alli took out time to preach out peace and Unity.





Download below and Enjoy

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Manchester United Sign Diogo Dalot From FC Porto... Here Are His First Words For United Fans (Photos)

Manchester United have signed the 'best young full-back in Europe' Diogo Dalot in a 19million pounds move from Porto defender. 

Diogo Dalot

 

Manchester United have completed the signing of Portuguese defender, Diogo Dalot from FC Porto in a 5-year-deal.

 

The 19-year-old, who was understood to have a €20m (£17.4m) release clause in his contract at the Estadio Dragao, underwent a medical with Manchester United on Tuesday.

 

Here are excerpts from his first interview as published by ManUtd.com;

 

Diogo, welcome to Manchester United. How does it feel to sign for the club?

 

I’m very excited for the [size and] dimension of this club and I hope to achieve great things here.

 

What do you already know about Manchester United and what are your expectations of this club?

 

I know that this is one of the best clubs in the world and it is unbelievable to be here and I hope to achieve great things.

 

 

You came through the system at Porto, another big club with great traditions, so what has that taught you?

 

I grew up at Porto. Porto gave me everything. Who I am today is because of what Porto gave to me and that has been most important.

 

How proud do you feel to be Jose Mourinho’s first Portuguese signing with United?

 

Yeah, it’s very good. It was very important to make this choice and I hope to help him, because I know that he will help me to improve a lot.

 

You’re still a teenager, but does the move show how much faith the manager has in your potential to recruit you at this early age?

 

Yeah, I think that age is not very important now in football. I think that if you work and you improve, I think you can handle it.

 

 

How would you describe yourself as a player?

 

Like a hard-working player, I think. I’m very instant in improving and I’m mostly a hard-working player, I think.

 

Can you play at left-back as well as at right-back?

 

Yeah, I prefer to play at right-back, but if I need to play in any position, I will play, no problem.

 

How excited are you for the challenge of Premier League football?

 

I’m very excited. For me, it is one of the biggest leagues in the world and I’m excited to play there.

 

 

What are your short-term plans and ambitions and your long-term goals here at United?

 

Just to help the club achieve good things here and win, because this is a winning team.

 

Do you have a message for all the Manchester United fans, watching this throughout the world?

 

Just expect that I will give everything for this club, for this shirt and, hopefully, help the club to win. That’s the most important thing.

Lol, Snoop Dogg shades Ghana for failing to qualify for World Cup

Rapper,  Snoop Dogg took to Instagram to shade Ghana for not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He shared side by side photo of Nigerians in their world cup gear and an unknown man wearing a funny outfit. The rapper captioned the snap: 'Ghanaian World Cup Gear vs Nigerian World Cup Gear.

Federal Government Jacks Up Taxes On Cigarette And Alcohol

Nigerians who enjoy drinking might have reason to be worried as the new excise duty is about to take off. 

 

Costs of Cigarette and alcohol to go up, as Nigeria increases excise taxes with effect from today

 

The new excise duty for alcoholic beverages and cigarette earlier approved by President Muhammadu Buhari will take effect from today, finance minister, Kemi Adeosun said.

 

Under the new rates for tobacco, each stick of cigarette will attract one naira specific rate per stick; that is N20 per pack of 20 sticks in 2018. In 2019, tobacco will attract two naira tax per stick or N40 per pack of 20 sticks.

 

By 2020, tobacco tax will even go higher, as it wlll attract N2.90 kobo per stick or N58 per pack of 20 sticks.

 

Despite the increases, Adeosun explained that Nigeria’s cumulative specific excise duty rate for tobacco is still comparatively lower than obtained in some African countries.

 

It is 23.2 per cent of the price of the most sold brand as against 38.14 per cent in Algeria, 36.52 per cent in South Africa and 30 per cent in Gambia.

 

Adeosun also said that the new specific excise duty rate for alcoholic beverages cut across beer and stout, wines and spirits for the three years, 2018 to 2020.

 

Under the new regime, beer and stout will attract 0.30k per centilitre (Cl) in 2018 and 0.35k per Cl each in 2019 and 2020.

 

Wines will attract N1.25k per Cl in 2018 and N1.50k per Cl each in 2019 and 2020, while N1.50k per Cl was approved for spirits in 2018, N1.75k per Cl in 2019 and N2 per Cl in 2020.

 

The Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mr Babatunde Irukera, said the decision to increase the excise duty on these commodities was consistent with prevailing global practices.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Adeosun in March had announced a 90-day grace period to manufacturers of the products.

 

The grace period was granted by President Buhari.

 

Adeosun said the new excise duty rates would spread over a three-year period from 2018 to 2020 in order to moderate the impact on prices of the products.

 

According to her, the upward review of the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco was to raise the government’s fiscal revenues.

 

She said that it would also reduce the health hazards associated with tobacco-related diseases and alcohol abuse.

 

Adeosun said the new duty rate on tobacco was a combination of the existing ad-valorem base rate and specific rate while the ad-valorem rate was replaced with a specific rate for alcoholic beverages.

 

He said he was convinced government’s approach would foster consumer confidence, provide regulatory clarity and prioritise safety, to reinforce the mandate of the council.

 

Also, Akinbode Oluwafemi, the Deputy Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action of Earth Nigeria, described the decision to increase excise duty on tobacco as praise-worthy.

 

“We applaud the federal government for making tobacco products priced beyond the reach of our kids and the poor who are unfortunately targeted by the tobacco industry through their cheap but lethal products.

“Considering the looming tobacco menace in Nigeria, it is necessary to take stringent measures to halt the deliberate marketing of tobacco products to kids,” Oluwafemi said.

 

However, the President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr Frank Jacobs, expressed fear that the proposed hike may lead to closure of factories and loss of jobs in the country.

 

NAN also recalls that the ECOWAS Council of Ministers had at its 62nd and 79th Ordinary Sessions in Abuja in May 2009 and December 2017, issued directives on the harmonisation of the ECOWAS Member States’ Legislations on Excise Duties.

 

Similarly, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its 2017 mission report advised Nigeria to raise the excise duty on a stick of cigarette to N5, which is five times the approved amount.

“The low tax level prevails even though Nigeria is the highest alcohol drinking country in Africa and leads the top 10 largest beer drinking countries,” the Fund said.

 

The new rates also fall short of the more aggressive recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Article 6 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which suggests 70 per cent excise on tobacco products.

 

-NAN

Shocking: Popular Gospel Singer, Chris Morgan Attacked And Stabbed Along Airport Road, Abuja

One of the Nigeria's most popular gospel singers, Chris Morgan, has been attacked and stabbed by robbers. 

 

Chris Morgan

 

According to Daily Post, some suspected armed robbers on Saturday attacked and stabbed a popular gospel singer, Chris Abah Ochogwu Morgan, AKA Chris Morgan, along the Airport Road, Abuja.

 

Daily Post reports that the robbers, heavily armed, emerged from the bush and robbed them off their valuables, including some cash.

 

The musician and his band were said to have alighted to ascertain the real cause of the sudden breakdown in their car when they were attacked.

 

The bloodthirsty attackers, who were apparently on a different mission stabbed the singer close to his spinal cord.

 

Morgan is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Gwarinpa, Abuja.

 

Recounting his ordeal from the hospital bed, Morgan told Daily Post that, “As if that was not enough, the man took his knife and wanted to slit my throat and I began to shout Jesus and hit the sword and it injured my hand.

“I summoned courage and I took off and they went after my boys, they chased one of them for close to 30 minutes in the bush but he escaped.

“I was in the middle of the road shouting for help in the pool of my blood when a woman saw me and recognised me. She quickly opened her back door and helped me to enter.

“It was God who saved me and my team. I thank God no life was lost. It was just another distraction by the enemy,” a thankful Morgan told our reporter.

 

Also speaking on the matter, the singer’s manager, Moses Ogidi Paul, told Daily Post that they miraculously escaped from the robbers.

Apple Declares War On Facebook With New Features To Stop The Social Network Tracking Users

The privacy thing has gotten totally out of control as Apple CEO, Tim Cook declares war on Facebook as Apple unveils new features to stop the social network tracking users. 

 

Apple CEO, Tim Cook

 

Apple boss, Tim Cook has taken aim at Facebook once again by calling for greater regulation of tech companies who may be abusing user privacy with data collection.

 

In a wide-ranging interview, Cook told CNN that issues around privacy have 'gotten totally out of control' and that some form of regulation would be 'fair'.

 

The comments come as Apple unveiled a slew of new features for its Safari browser that are aimed at limiting Facebook, Google and other tech giants from tracking users across the web.

 

Silicon Valley tech giants have been facing heightened scrutiny as consumers, officials and others continue to question their data collection practices.

 

Most recently, Facebook has dealt with the fallout from its Cambridge Analytica scandal, when it was discovered that 87 million users' data had been harvested and shared with the Trump-linked research firm without their knowledge.

 

A recent New York Times report also claimed it had allowed third parties to access some data from the platform without user consent.

 

The controversy has resulted in more talk around the idea of regulating big tech.

 

'Generally for me, I'm not a big fan of regulation,' Cook told CNN. 'I think self-regulation is best.' But when it's not working, you have to ask yourself what form of regulation might be good'

 

'And I think most people are not aware of who is tracking them, how much they're being tracked and the large amounts of detailed data that are out there about them, nor about the companies that possess the data,' he added.

 

However, Cook said that his beliefs around government regulation of tech were ' not focused on any singular company,' such as Facebook or Google.

 

'We're focused on the practice of tracking people when they don't know they're being tracked,' Cook explained.

 

'So what we believe is one of the most offensive things is when you are on another website but this website that you were on three or four times earlier is still tracking what you're doing'

 

'We don't think that's reasonable for people', he added.

 

To that end, Apple released a new tool called 'intelligent tracking prevention' in the latest version of Safari that gives users greater options to limit how they're being tracked from site to site.

 

The new data privacy tools will 'shut down' the ability of social networks such as Facebook to track users on the web, including blocking Like and Share buttons that can be used by social media platforms to monitor web users.

 

They'll be available in the latest macOS 10.14 update, called 'Mojave', as well as iOS 12 for the iPhone and iPad.

 

The tools will target the practice called 'browser fingerprinting' which allow sites to track you based on your computer's system configurations.

 

Speaking at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Jose on Monday, software boss Craig Federighi said the firm was placing tighter controls on social media’s access to data.

 

'We’ve all seen these Like buttons, and Share buttons and these comment fields. Well, it turns out these can be used to track you, whether you click on them or not,' he said.

 

'And so this year we are shutting that down'.

 

Mr Federighi said Safari users would now see an alert appear asking users to choose if they would like to share their data.

 

Source: Dailymail UK

Singer, Tekno Bags New Deal With Universal Records

Things are going well with Nigerian musician, Tekno after welcoming a new baby as he has just bagged a new deal.



Tekno

Popular Nigerian singer and music producer, Tekno is smiling to the bank after bagging yet a new deal with Universal Records.

The PANA crooner who just welcomed a baby girl with his girlfriend Lola just signed a deal with Universal Music Nigeria and Island Records UK.

Universal Music Nigeria shared the news on social media with the caption;


“Welcome @teknoofficial to the @umgnigeria & @islandrecordsuk Family 🕺ðŸ�¾ðŸ•ºðŸ�¾ðŸ•ºðŸ�¾ #TeknoIsUniversal “.


Watch the video below:

 

Arsene Wenger Tipped To Replace Zidane At Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane leaves Real Madrid in shock departure days after winning third successive Champions League making room for the club to ponder on whom to hire as replacement.

 

Arsene Wenger

 

Arsene Wenger is the bookmakers favourite to replace Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid boss.

 

Real are on the hunt for a new manager after Zidane announced he would leave the club. The Frenchman won the Champions League for a third successive season as his side beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev on Saturday but he has decided to step down.

 

Wenger meanwhile left Arsenal at the end of last season, after nearly 22 years as manager. Wenger has however insisted he has no plans to retire and has emerged as the surprise 3/1 favourite with many bookmakers.

 

The bookies meanwhile believe his main rival for the job will be his former north London rival Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentinian has been linked with the Real top job for some time but has recently signed a new deal at Tottenham.

 

Pochettino is yet to win a major trophy which could work against him but the former Espanyol boss has been praised for his approach and for promoting young talent.

 

He made suggestions towards the end of the season that he could depart Tottenham but his fresh five-year deal makes that unlikely given just how much compensation Real would have to pay.

BBNaija: Miracle Returns To 'School', Snaps With Colleagues

Big Brother Naija 2018 winner was pictured with his aviation schoolmates in Ilorin, Kwara State with his mission undisclosed.

 

Miracle (on glasses and jacket)

 

The self-acclaimed Fly Boy, Miracle Ikechukwu Igbokwe took some time off his busy schedule to visit his former school - International Aviation College Ilorin, Kwara State.

 

It is not clear if the 23 year old only paid a courtesy visit to his former school or he is interested in furthering his education there. He posed for a picture with some aviation students who looked happy to see him again.

 

Miracle has never hidden his intention to travel abroad to complete his aviation training and obtain his commercial pilot license, CPL. It would be recalled that the Imo State native was denied visa to the U.S twice and Canada once in his bid to study abroad.

Mugshot Of Ex-Governor Of Kaduna State, Minister And Others Thrown Into Prison (Photos)

Mugshot photos of former Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and others charged for stealing, bribery and fraud have been released.

Former Kaduna state Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Kaduna office, today May 31, 2018 arraigned the former Executive Governor of Kaduna State Mukhtar Ramalan Yero; former Minister of State, Nuhu Somo Wya; former People's Democratic Party, PDP, Kaduna State Chairman, Abubakar Haruna Gaya and the former Secretary to the State Government, Hamza Ishaq.

 

They were arraigned before Justice S.M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court Kaduna on a Four Count charge bordering on Criminal Conspiracy, Bribery, Money Laundering and Criminal Diversion of Funds to the tune of N7000,000,000 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) only. 

 

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Lead prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi then prayed the Court for a date for commencement of trial, while remanding the accused persons in prison custody.

 

Lead defence counsel, Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) made application for bail orally but Justice Shuaibu refused. The Court ruled that formal applications for bail of the accused must be filed. He therefore adjourned the matter to the 6th of June, 2018 for hearing of bail application. He also ruled that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

 

Their arraignment followed a petition alleging criminal diversion of One Hundred and Fifteen Million Dollars equivalent to Twenty Three Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Five Thousand Naira (N 23, 299,705,000.00) NNPC missing funds some years ago by the former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke. The missing sum was later traced to have funded the bribing of officials across the 36 state of the federation for the 2015 presidential election through Fidelity Bank.

 

Investigations into the case has so far revealed that the over Twenty Billion Naira was wired to some top PDP and INEC officials across the country which was specifically disbursed through various branches of the Fidelity Bank with Kaduna State benefitting over N800 million (Eight Hundred Million Naira) only in two instalments of N700,000,000 and N190,000,000. 

 

The sum was received and acknowledged by Nuhu Somo Waya, Abubakar Gaya Haruna and Hamza Ishaq on behalf of the State for onward sharing to INEC staff spread across the 23 Local Government Areas in Kaduna State.

 

Count one of the charge reads: "that you, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Whilst being the Executive Governor of Kaduna State ), Nuhu Somo Wya (Whilst being a former Minister of the Fedearl Republic of Nigeria), Ishaq Hamza (whilst being the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government) and Abubakar Gaya Haruna (Whilst being the Chairman PDP Kaduna State Chapter), sometime in 2015 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court (Federal High Court) did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a crime to wit: indirectly taking possession of the of N700, 000, 000 (seven hundred million Naira) which you ought to have known forms part of unlawful activity to wit: bribery and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a)of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as ammended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Same Act."