The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cross River

  • Monkey Pox cases increase to 74 in 11 states – FG

    Monkey Pox cases increase to 74 in 11 states – FG

    The Monkey pox virus outbreak has spread to 11 states with 74 suspected cases recorded, Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole has said.

    Adewole made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    President Muhammadu Buhari chaired the meeting held at the State House Council Chamber, Abuja.

    The Federal Government, on Oct. 11 confirmed that 33 suspected cases of the virus were recorded in seven states.

    Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms in humans similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although less severe.

    Smallpox was eradicated in 1980. However, monkeypox still occurs sporadically in some parts of Africa.

    The minister, who updated the Council on developments in respect of the outbreak, listed the affected States as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa and Rivers as well as the FCT.

    “The Council also received an update on the state of the public health of the nation. We informed the council about the latest development in respect of the Monkey Pox virus outbreak. So far as of today, there are 74 suspected cases in 11 states of the country.

    “We have confirmed three from Bayelsa and 12 of the suspected cases from Bayelsa tested negative; four suspected cases from Lagos tested negative. We are still expecting the results of the other ones.

    “We are also doing test at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Edeh, to really understand the genomics of this virus.

    “Even when they are negative, the laboratory attendant should be able to tell us what exactly they are,’’ he said.

    The minister dismissed the assertion that the military was spreading Monkey Pox virus through vaccination.

    He said that the military was never involved in any vaccination in the country, adding that any vaccination must involve state governments and the Federal Ministry of Health.

    “It is also important to dispel the rumour circulating in the country that the military is vaccinating people and trying to spread Monkey Pox across the country.

    “The military is not involved in any vaccination exercise.

    “And I must educate Nigerians about how vaccination campaigns are done. The Federal Government will take the lead but we do not conduct campaign without working with states.

    “So, there is no way we will do campaign without working with the states,’’ he said.

    The minister announced that his ministry was conducting vaccination in only three states of the federation, namely Borno, Kwara and Kogi.

    He stated that the cholera vaccination was being conducted in Borno while that of Yellow Fever vaccination was being carried out in Kwara and Kogi.

    He stated that the ministry would soon start vaccination against measles while a nationwide vaccination against Yellow Fever would commence before the end of the year.

    Also addressing the correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, the Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, revealed that the Council approved N236 million for the completion of Sabke Irrigation Dam in Katsina State.

    He said the contract for the dam was initially awarded in 1997, re-awarded in 2009 after it was abandoned, but would now be completed by the current administration.

    NAN

  • Cross River launches cocoa nursery in Akamkpa communities

    Cross River launches cocoa nursery in Akamkpa communities

    The Cross River Government on Monday launched the first phase of the nursery of one million cocoa seedlings in Akim/Osomba communities in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

    Gov. Ben Ayade, who was represented at the ceremony by his Special Adviser on Cocoa Development, Mr Oscar Ofuka, said that the project was part of his administration’s efforts to make cocoa the largest revenue earner for the state.

    He said that the location of the cocoa nursery in Akamkpa Local Government Area (LGA) was to prove that cocoa could be cultivated in every area of the state.

    “Today is a great day for the people of Akim/Osomba communities; we want to prove to the world that Cross River is the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria.

    “Cocoa is our heritage and with the ongoing cocoa revolution programme in Cross River, we have decided to look at every nook and cranny of the state to revive this age-long heritage.

    “Very soon, Cross River will not have to depend on allocations from the Federation Account to fund our projects because our cocoa can give us the much-needed revenue to do whatever we want,’’ he said.

    Ayade said that the state government, through its Department of Cocoa Development, had already acquired 300,000 hectares of land in the two communities for the project.

    “Right now, we have raised 800,000 seedlings nurseries and within the week, our one million target will be achieved for the first phase,’’ he said.

    The governor said that the cocoa seeds for the nursery were acquired from the Cocoa Research Institute, Ikom, adding that within three months, the seedlings would be due for planting.

    Ayade said that the cocoa estate, which would be large enough to accommodate a school and a hospital, would be provided with electricity, just as in other cocoa estates in Ikom and Etung local government areas of the state.

    He urged the people, especially the youths and women in the communities, to take advantage of the opportunity to engage in farming to make life more meaningful to them.

    In his goodwill message, Prof. Augustine Ogogo, the Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar, commended the state government for deciding to revive cocoa production in the state.

    He pledged that the faculty would be ready to partner with the state government by using the cocoa estate for its practical sessions for students.

    He stressed that agriculture was the most dependable revenue earner in the world, saying that the era of oil revenues was fast fading away.

    “Agriculture remains the most stable revenue earner today because the era of oil is almost over. I assure you that the faculty will partner with you and send our students here for practicals,’’ he said.

    The head of Akim/Osomba communities, Mr Boniface Offion, thanked the state government for the project and expressed the hope that it would be beneficial to the communities and the state in general.

    He pledged that the communities would fully support the government’s efforts to ensure the success of the project.

    NAN

  • Monkey pox: C/River strengthens surveillance in border communities

    Monkey pox: C/River strengthens surveillance in border communities

    Cross River Government on Sunday said it had strengthened its surveillance team in border communities and all the local governments of the state as Monkey pox outbreak hits some states in South-South.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, disclosed this in an interview in Calabar.

    “Cross River is not far from other states in the South-South that have witnessed the outbreak, we are working round the clock to prevent the disease in the state.

    “As soon as we heard about the outbreak, we took extra precautions. Already, we have a team set up for infection, disease preparedness and control.

    “We are always on alert and in constant surveillance of any disease outbreak. We have held several meetings with the state epidemiologists because we believe that prevention is better than cure.

    “Currently, we are carrying out sensitisation and advocacy campaigns in communities through community leaders, town announcers and the media,’’ she said.

    Asibong said that the state had also taken proactive measures by dispatching its epidemiological team to strategic areas in the state.

    She described Monkey pox as a rare viral disease transmitted to humans from animals, adding that the first case was noticed in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970.

    According to her, infection of the disease results from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids and muscular injury of infected animals.

    She said that the incubation period ranged five to 21 days.

    According to her, the first five days known as `invasion period’, is characterised by fever, intense headache, swelling of the lymph back pain and others.

    The commissioner also described as false, some online reports alleging that a case of monkey pox had been detected in Okuni Village in Ikom Local Government Area of the state.

    The commissioner also said that security personnel on border areas across the state had been sensitised about the disease.

    She said that an infected person who contacts the disease usually notices symptoms similar to chicken pox and it normally starts from the face, palms and to the sole of the feet.

    “We have informed security personnel to look out for these symptoms and alert us accordingly.

    “The state government is very responsive to cases of disease outbreak and we pray that the recent outbreak of Monkey Pox will not get to Cross River.’’

    NAN

  • Actor sworn-in as Commissioner in Cross River

    Actor sworn-in as Commissioner in Cross River

    Hollywood actor, Eric Anderson, has been officially sworn in as Commissioner forTourism, Culture and Heritage in Cross River State.

    Anderson, an indigene of the state, took the oath of office on Wednesday in Calabar, the state capital.

    His Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Obaji Abung-Akpet, in a statement announcing the appointment, described Anderson as one, well fitted for the position, adding that it was also remarkable that the swearing-in ceremony coincided with World Tourism Day celebration.

    Until his appointment, Anderson was Special Assistant to Cross River Government on Tourism.

    The thespian is known to have featured in some notable Nollywood films, including ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’, ‘Streets of Calabar’, and ‘One Good Man’, among others.

  • Flood sacks 12 communities, destroys 3,000 farmlands in Cross River

    Flood sacks 12 communities, destroys 3,000 farmlands in Cross River

    Twelve communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River have been flooded, following two days of heavy rain. More than 3,000 farmlands were destroyed.

    The incident, which occurred between September 18 and 19, rendered hundreds homeless, with property worth millions destroyed.

    Mr John Inaku, director general, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), told NAN on Sunday, during an inspection that that more than 1,000 have been displaced and are taking refuge.

    According to him, the state has promised to address the plight of the people.

    NAN reports that some of the communities affected are Bago, Unu, Bagabo, Bakie, Bufua, and Kakwe-Beebo.

    “The deluge of Sept. 18 and 19 has caused massive flooding in 12 communities in Cross River.

    “Property worth millions of naira were destroyed in the process.

    “The flood also destroyed farmlands; banana, cassava, plantain, yam, cocoa and others were affected, with bridges washed away.

    “The worst aspect of the flood is that it also destroyed streams, which served as the only source of drinking water for the people, while the main access road was washed away as a result of landslide,’’ he said.

    One of the victims, Mr Bette Obi, chairman of Cross River Forestry Commission, told NAN that the flood wreaked serious havoc on residents.

    Obi, who said his cocoa and plantain farms were destroyed, appealed to the state and Federal Government to come to their aid.

    “As we speak, our farmlands have been washed away by flood. The streams where we fetch water for drinking has been polluted.

    “We need government’s assistance in our communities to ameliorate our plight,’’ Obi said.

    Another victim, Mr Gabriel Ofre, traditional ruler of Bago community, said that the flood displaced his household, and that his property and other vital materials also gone.

    Ofre appealed to SEMA and NEMA to come to their aid, saying that residents were peasant farmers, who lived on the meagre earnings from their farm produce.

  • Flood sacks 12 communities, destroys 3,000 farmlands in C/River

    Flood sacks 12 communities, destroys 3,000 farmlands in C/River

    Twelve communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River have been flooded following two days of heavy rain, while more than 3,000 farmlands were equally destroyed.

    The incident, which occurred between the late hours of Sept. 18 and the early hours of Sept. 19, has rendered hundreds of residents homeless as properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

    Mr John Inaku, the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), told NAN on Sunday, during an inspection of the affected areas that the economic survival of residents of the submerged communities had been seriously affected.

    Inaku stated that more than 1,000 people have been displaced and are taking refuge in nearby communities.

    According to him, the state government has promised to address the plight of the people.

    NAN reports that some of the communities affected are Bago, Unu, Bagabo, Bakie, Bufua, and Kakwe-Beebo.

    “The deluge of Sept. 18 and 19 has caused massive flooding in 12 communities in Cross River.

    “Properties worth millions of naira were equally destroyed in the process.

    “The flood also destroyed farmlands; crops such as banana, cassava, plantain, yam, cocoa and others were also affected while some bridges were washed away.

    “The worst aspect of the flood is that it also destroyed streams which served as the only source of drinking water for the people, while the main access road was washed away as a result of landslide,’’ he said.

    One of the victims, Mr Bette Obi, Chairman of Cross River Forestry Commission, told NAN that the flood had wreaked serious havoc on residents of the area.

    Obi, who said his cocoa and plantain farms were destroyed by the flood, appealed to the state and Federal Government to come to their aid.

    “As we speak, our farmlands have been washed away by flood. The streams where we fetch water for drinking has been polluted.

    “We urgently need government’s assistance in our communities to ameliorate our plights,’’ Obi said.

    Another victim, Mr Gabriel Ofre, traditional ruler of Bago community, said that the flood had displaced his entire household, and that his property and other vital materials destroyed as well.

    Ofre appealed to SEMA and NEMA to come to their aid, saying that residents of the area were peasant farmers, who lived on the meagre earnings from their farm produce.

  • Navy holds route march, assures Cross River residents of safety

    Navy holds route march, assures Cross River residents of safety

    The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, on Saturday said it was committed to its constitutional role of providing security for all residents in Cross River.

    Rear Adm.Victor Adedipe, Flag Officer Commanding the command, made the disclosure at the end of the command’s third quarter route march in Calabar.

    Adedipe said that the route march was a routine exercise organised by the Naval Headquarters and geared towards ascertaining the physical fitness and mental alertness of the personnel.

    The FOC, who led the personnel on the route march, added that the exercise was observed quarterly with a view to also re-assure members of the public of their safety.

    “As a security agency, we remain fully committed to our constitutional role of providing security along the water ways and on ground.

    “This exercise is held primarily to keep the personnel very fit for the job. The exercise is also taking place simultaneously across all Navy formations in the country.

    “The exercise is all about keeping fit and that is what is expected of any member of the armed forces to remain physically and medically fit.

    “With what I saw today, I am happy to say that personnel of the command  are combat ready in maintaining peace and order in the society and for any military exercise,“ he said.

    He urged personnel of the command to be committed and fully alert in their area of operation.

    Adedipe said the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies in the state with a view to providing security for the residents.

    He commended the personnel who participated in the march for showing a lot of zeal and high spirit needed for the job.

    NAN reports that the march began at the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory (NNS-V) through IBB road, Marian road, MCC road, Calabar highway and ended at NNS-V.

  • Police boss urges traditional rulers to report crime

    Police boss urges traditional rulers to report crime

    Mr Hafiz Inuwa, the Commissioner of Police in  Cross River  has called on the traditional rulers in the state to report all cases of crime in their communities to the police.

    Inuwa made the call on Thursday in Calabar at the end of the one-week celebration and inauguration of the Police Community and Relations Committee ( PCRC ), Cross River chapter.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the celebration is `The Role of PCRC in Crime Prevention and Control’.

    According to Inuwa, the call becomes necessary because the traditional rulers are the closest to the people, adding that the police cannot fight crime alone without the support of members of the public.

    He said that since the traditional rulers were the custodians of the people and their culture, it was important for them to report all cases of criminality in their communities to the police.

    “The PCRC has been an integral part of the police for many years now; this has helped in maintaining peace and order in the society.

    “There is no society that exists without crime, but I must say that the crime rate in Cross River is relatively low.

    “I am happy that our traditional rulers are part of the PCRC. I want to charge them to report all cases of criminality in their communities.

    “If traditional rulers can effectively collaborate with the police in the area of information gathering and sharing, I think we will achieve maximum result in policing the state accordingly, ‘he said.

    Mr Mike Effiom, Chairman of PCRC in the state said that the committee, established in 1984, was an arm of the police force meant to foster community based policing.

    Effiom said that the duties of members of the PCRC were focused toward promoting the concept of community policing and enhancing public relations between the police and members of the public.

    “The PCRC does not only promote community based policing; we also protect lives and property, educate, inform and partner with well-meaning persons or groups to checkmate criminality in the state.

    “We will continue to mobilise and enlighten our members to be proactive in policing our various communities across the state, “he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that high point of the celebration was the award of excellence on crime prevention and management to Inuwa byPCRC.

  • Edo, Delta, Cross River fish farmers get equipment

    The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), in partnership  with the United States  Agency for International Development (USAID), yesterday empowered eight fish farmers cooperative groups with fish smoking equipment.

    The farmers were drawn from Cross River, Delta, Ondo and Edo.

    Speaking at the presentation in Ibadan, Mrs Abimbola Okoya, executive director of BATNF, said foundation seek to support small holder farmers in venturing into  commercial farming.

    Okoya said the fish farmers were trained on how to use the equipment, adding that this  will add value to their business in preservation and  packaging.

    She said there were many unhealthy smoked fish in the market as a result of poor preservation and the use of unconsumable chemicals.

    “I encourage you to make effective use of this equipment and train other members of your community.

    “We would continue to monitor everyone to ensure that you make use of the equipment effectively,’’ she said.

    Also speaking, Mr Kayode Faleti, the southern coordinator of  USAID, urged beneficiaries to be diligent in carrying out their farming business.

    Faleti said the foundation would reduce the  post-harvest losses  of farmers  and increase  their income through value addition.

    “With this smoking equipment,  you can determine when to sell your product and when to keep them instead of hurrying to sell at a loss for fear of the fish getting spoilt.

  • Edo, Delta, Cross River fish farmers get equipment

    The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), in partnership  with the United States  Agency for International Development (USAID), yesterday empowered eight fish farmers cooperative groups with fish smoking equipment.

    The farmers were drawn from Cross River, Delta, Ondo and Edo.

    Speaking at the presentation in Ibadan, Mrs Abimbola Okoya, executive director of BATNF, said foundation seek to support small holder farmers in venturing into  commercial farming.

    Okoya said the fish farmers were trained on how to use the equipment, adding that this  will add value to their business in preservation and  packaging.

    She said there were many unhealthy smoked fish in the market as a result of poor preservation and the use of unconsumable chemicals.

    “I encourage you to make effective use of this equipment and train other members of your community.

    “We would continue to monitor everyone to ensure that you make use of the equipment effectively,’’ she said.

    Also speaking, Mr Kayode Faleti, the southern coordinator of  USAID, urged beneficiaries to be diligent in carrying out their farming business.

    Faleti said the foundation would reduce the  post-harvest losses  of farmers  and increase  their income through value addition.

    “With this smoking equipment,  you can determine when to sell your product and when to keep them instead of hurrying to sell at a loss for fear of the fish getting spoilt.