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Tag: SOKOTO

  • Corps member dies of heart failure in Sokoto

    Corps member dies of heart failure in Sokoto

    A Corps member, Anthony Ochai, from Benue State, has died of heart failure in Sokoto, the State NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Abubakar, has said.

    Abubakar made the disclosure in Sokoto on Friday, during the passing out ceremony of 1,411 corps members deployed to the state under the 2016 batch ”A”, Stream One.

    He said:” The late corps member was serving at the Government Secondary School, Tsamaye, Sabon-Birni Local Government in the state.

    ” The deceased was resting after a football match between the various batches of the scheme, suddenly he just collapsed and died.

    ” His remains were brought to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto and it was  confirmed that he died of heart failure.”

    Abubakar further stated that the late corps member hailed from Ugbokolo village, in Ukopo local government of Benue state.

    The coordinator also said that the remains of the late  Ochai would be buried on Friday in his home town, in Benue State.

    Abubakar further disclosed that 10 corps members had their service year extended by between three months to one year, for abscondment.

    In the same vein, 10 corps members were given state merit awards, while four others received the Chairman’s commendation certificate.

    He added that 85 other corps members were given commendation letters for outstanding performance.

    Abubakar advised the outgoing corps members to continue to be good ambassadors of the service

     

  • Sokoto recruits 500 street sweepers

    The Sokoto State Government has recruited 500 youths as street sweepers, the State Commissioner of Environment, Alhaji Bello Sifawa, said on Thursday.

    Sifawa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that the sweepers would help in evacuating used polythene bags which dot the streets in Sokoto metropolis.

    “These youths were offered full-time employment and were issued with their employment letters on April 4.

    “They have also been provided with the necessary working tools like shovels, brooms, wheel barrows and other related kits.

    “They have been divided into various teams and zones, with several supervisors to oversee their operations,” he said.

    The commissioner said the sweepers would also engage in the clearance of drains move refuse to the designated refuse collection sites.

    “Personnel of the State Environmental Protection Agency–SEPA, would later evacuate the collected refuse to other mega dumping sites located in the outskirts of the city.

    “This is aimed at ridding the city of filth, and preventing the unpalatable consequences of dirt,” Sifawa said.

  • Meningitis: Expert calls for effective response strategies

    “The committee should be responsible for reviewing the antibiotic vulnerability of Neisseria meningitis serotypes in the country.

    “Such committee can then use current trend and data on antibiotic resistance to formulate appropriate prophylaxis and treatment by state, zones or the country as a whole,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that there has been an outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) across 16 states of the country since November 2016, of which a new strain of the disease called “stereotype C’’ had emerged.

    As at April 3, there were 2,524 suspected cases with 336 deaths recorded in 90 local government areas in the affected states.

    The states included Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa , Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba , Yobe, Kano, Osun, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Plateau.

    Meningitis outbreaks peak in the dry season in certain states in the Northern region due to low humidity and dusty conditions and usually end as the rainy season approaches.

    The bacteria that cause it can be spread through exchange of saliva, which can occur during common activities such as kissing, sharing utensils and drinking glasses.

    The risk factors for meningitis also include living in close quarters such as dormitories, sneezing and coughing as well as smoking or being exposed to smoke.

    Also, particular lifestyle such as staying out late or irregular sleeping habits could put people at greater risk for meningitis, by weakening their immune system.

    Some common symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, headaches and vomiting.

    According to the WHO, even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment begins, five per cent to 10 per cent of patients die, typically within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

    Vaccination against the three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis still remains one of the most effective ways to be protected against certain types of bacterial meningitis, alongside avoiding the risk factors.

     

  • 41 die of meningitis in Sokoto

    The death toll resulting from a meningitis epidemic in Sokoto State has risen to 41, Commissioner for Health Dr. Balarabe Kakale has said.

    Kakale gave an update yesterday following the high alert declared by the government on March 20.

    He said the deaths were among the 600 confirmed cases in the eight worst-hit councils of Rabah, Kebbe, Tureta, Gada, Dange/Shuni, Wamakko, Kware and Bodinga.

    Kakale said: “The epidemic was caused by the type “C” strain of meningitis and not the type “A” strain, which the people had developed immunity against.

    “This new strain is deadlier than the dreaded Ebola disease, as it kills within four to six hours of afflicting a patient.

    “More than 80 per cent of the victims were not immunised, hence, the aggravation of the epidemic.”

    The commissioner added that the government has embarked on a state-wide mass vaccination, noting that over 700,000 persons, between one and 30 years, were being targeted across the 23 councils.

    The Federal Ministry of Health said the death toll has risen to 328, recorded in 90 local government areas in 16 states.

  • Meningitis immunisation team member dies in auto crash

    The Catholic Church on Sunday confirmed the death of Rev. Sister Christiana Umeadi, Health Coordinator, in an auto crash.

    In a statement signed by Rev Fr. Christian Anyanwu, Director of Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), in Abuja, said Umeadi, untill her death was a member of Sokoto Diocese.

    Anyanwu said that Umeadi who was returning to her station after participating in mass cerebrospinal meningitis immunisation, was involved in an auto crash at Bakura, in Zamfara State.

    He said that the medical team had covered several parts of Sokoto diocese for the immunisation in the last one month and as the outbreak got worse the health team intensified their efforts.

    The states they covered, he said, include: Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi.

    Anyanwu explained that Umeadi led her team to Zamfara State for the immunisation exercise in March, where they were billed to spend just a day in Gusau town.

    Anyanwu noted that her remains had since been deposited in the morgue at the Usmanu DanFodio Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto.

    He said that her immediate family, the Dominican Congregation, the Diocese of Sokoto and all her patients were left in utter shock and disbelief.

    “We all resign to the will of God and trusting that our Sister will rise again at the resurrection,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that until her death Umeadi was the Assistant Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Gusau, and Zamfara State.

    The church has yet to announce a date for her burial.

    NAN reports that health officials reported over 100 cases of cerebrospinal meningitis in Sokoto State with five deaths.

    Officials also reported no fewer than 80 people have lost their lives to meningitis in Zamfara in the last two months, the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Suleiman Gummi has said.

    Meningitis had earlier killed at least three students in a Secondary School in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

    Severe heats occasioned by intense solar radiation and living in congested apartments are parts of what medical experts believe are causing meningitis. (NAN)

  • Teenager found hanging in Sokoto

    Teenager found hanging in Sokoto

    A 13-year old student of Junior Secondary School (names withheld), has been found hanging in front of their house in the Damboa area of Sokoto metropolis.
    The corpse was seen on March 24.
    The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mr El-Mustapha Sani, who confirmed the incident, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the remains of the teenager had since been buried according to Islamic rites.
    Sani, however said: “We have arrested another teenager, 16-year old (names withheld), who was a friend of the deceased.
    “The suspect was said to have gone to the family house of the deceased and asked his mother to refund some money the deceased had allegedly stolen from his mother.
    “The mother of the deceased was said to have refunded N 1,500, which was rejected by the mother of the suspect, alleging that the money was more than that.
    “The suspect reportedly went to the family house of the deceased on the fateful day and told his mother to come and carry his remains.”
    Sani further said that the mother of the suspect was now at large.
    He said the police will conduct thorough investigation to unravel the mystery behind the death of the teenager.

  • Teenager found hanging in Sokoto

    Teenager found hanging in Sokoto

    A 13-year old student of Junior Secondary School (names withheld), has been found hanging in front of their house in the Damboa area of Sokoto metropolis.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the corpse was seen on March 24.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mr El-Mustapha Sani, who confirmed the incident, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the remains of the teenager had since been buried according to Islamic rites.

    Sani, however said, ”We have arrested another teenager, 16-year old (names withheld), who was a friend of the deceased.

    ”The suspect was said to have gone to the family house of the deceased and asked his mother to refund some money the deceased had allegedly stolen from his mother.

    ”The mother of the deceased was said to have refunded N 1,500, which was rejected by the mother of the suspect, alleging that the money was more than that.

    ”The suspect reportedly went to the family house of the deceased on the fateful day and told his mother to come and carry his remains.”

    Sani further said that the mother of the suspect was now at large.

    He said the police will conduct thorough investigation to unravel the mystery behind the death of the teenager. (NAN)

  • Woman,60, slumps, dies in Sokoto

    Woman,60, slumps, dies in Sokoto

    A 60-year-old woman on Friday slumped and died while walking along a street in Sokoto.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m. along Garba Duba road in Sokoto metropolis.

    The Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, El-Mustapha Sani, confirmed the incident.

    ” She was walking along the street when she suddenly slumped and people gathered at the sight.

    ”A police patrol team arrived at the scene and took the unidentified woman to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, where she was confirmed dead.

    ”Her remains have been deposited at the Mortuary of the same hospital for autopsy.

    “We don’t know her identity, but we estimate her age to be about 60 years,” Sani said.

    The police spokesman also said that the deceased had tribal marks which suggested that she might have hailed from Katsina State.

  • Woman, 60, slumps, dies in Sokoto

    A 60-year-old woman on Friday slumped and died while walking along a street in Sokoto.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m. along Garba Duba road in Sokoto metropolis.

    The Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, El-Mustapha Sani, confirmed the incident.

    ” She was walking along the street when she suddenly slumped and people gathered at the sight.

    ”A police patrol team arrived at the scene and took the unidentified woman to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, where she was confirmed dead.

    ”Her remains have been deposited at the Mortuary of the same hospital for autopsy.

    “We don’t know her identity, but we estimate her age to be about 60 years,” Sani said.

    The police spokesman also said that the deceased had tribal marks which suggested that she might have hailed from Katsina State.

  • Meningitis kills 23 in Sokoto

    •Govt contemplates closing schools

    Twenty-three deaths have been recorded in Sokoto State following the outbreak of Meningitis, it was learnt yesterday.

    Government is considering closing some schools.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Balarabe Kakale, confirmed the outbreak in Dane, Dange/Shuni Local Government, during sensitisation campaigns on the disease.

    Some of the areas covered in the campaign were Sahabi Dange Primary School and the PHC, Dange, Bodai, Shuni, Fajaldu and Wababe communities.

    Kakale said the deaths were recorded in the seven worst hit councils of Kebbe, Bodinga, Rabah, Wamakko, Gada, Dange/Shuni and Tureta.

    He said: “The government, since March 20, deployed about 15 medical teams, comprising over 150 personnel, to the 23 councils. They were equipped with ambulances, free drugs, and medicament.

    “The teams conducted house-to-house searches, definition and management, both at home and the hospitals. They have so far treated about 400 mixed cases of severe malaria and meningitis across the seven worst-hit councils.

    “Of the 400 cases, 56 were confirmed to be meningitis, of which additional fatalities were recorded. These 16 additional deaths excluded the seven earlier recorded in parts of Gada council.”

    Kakale added that the government was contemplating closing some schools if the problem persisted

    “This is to save more lives, though the cases are reducing, and the people now report suspected cases to health facilities.

    “We also intimate the people not to link meningitis to witchcraft or sorcery. Rather, suspected cases should be reported to hospitals as they are stocked with drugs and medicament for free treatment of the patients.”

    He urged parents to ensure their children are immunised against polio, and especially the six child-killer diseases – tuberculosis, whooping cough, measles, meningitis, tetanus and diphtheria.