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More Than 1.5 Million Children At Risk As Devastating Floods Hit Nigeria

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Sponsored by: H&H

More than 2.5 million people in Nigeria are in need of humanitarian assistance – 60 per cent of which are children – and are at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning and malnutrition due to the most severe flooding in the past decade, UNICEF warned today.

The floods, which have affected 34 out of the 36 states in the country, have displaced 1.3 million people. Over 600 people have lost their lives and over 200,000 houses have either been partially or fully damaged. Cases of diarrhoea and water-borne diseases, respiratory infection, and skin diseases have already been on the rise.

In the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe alone, a total of 7,485 cases of cholera and 319 associated deaths were reported as of 12 October. As rains are expected to continue for several weeks, humanitarian needs are also expected to rise.

“Children and adolescents in flood-affected areas are in an extremely vulnerable situation,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “They are particularly at risk of waterborne diseases and emotional and psychological distress. UNICEF is working closely with the Government and other partners to provide life-saving assistance to those who are most in need.” 

The floods are adding another layer of complexity to an already precarious humanitarian situation in the country. Immediate priority needs for children include health, water, sanitation, and hygiene; as well as shelter and food. Additional funding and resources are required to respond to growing needs and to sustain ongoing humanitarian interventions, with a focus on the most vulnerable, including children with disabilities.

According to UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI), Nigeria is considered at ‘extremely high risk’ of the impacts of climate change, ranking second out of 163 countries.

Children in ‘extremely high risk’ countries face a deadly combination of exposure to multiple climate and environmental shocks combined with high levels of underlying child vulnerability, due to inadequate essential services, such as water and sanitation, healthcare and education.

To date, UNICEF has supported the government response in three affected States – Jigawa, Niger, and Kaduna, including through the provision of cash assistance, distribution of cholera kits, government-led mobile health teams, temporary learning centres and learning kits and cholera kits. With additional support, UNICEF can scale up its response in other states to provide lifesaving medical equipment and essential medicines, chlorination of water and sanitation supplies, as well as to support the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence.

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NiDCOM BOSS HAILS DR. ELENITOBA-JOHNSON ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE US ACADEMY

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NiDCOM BOSS HAILS DR. ELENITOBA-JOHNSON ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE US ACADEMY

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H
Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has congratulated Dr. Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson on his induction into the US National Academy of Medicine (NAM), describing it as “an honour well- deserved”.

In a statement by Abdur- Rahman Balogun, Director of Media,Public Relations and Protocols, stated that Dr. Elenitoba- Johnson has yet achieved another ground breaking milestone in the Medical world globally.

Dabiri-Erewa described the honour as a demonstration of his outstanding professional achievement and unwavering commitment to service in the medical field.

She applauded his constant research and studies on ways of ameliorating the needs of his patients which has earned him this great honour, the highest honour in the field of health and medicine.

The NiDCOM boss urged Elenitoba- Johnson not to be relentless in the discharge of his duty and to keep making Nigeria proud as hard work pays, an example being the honour he just got. 

She also prayed to God for protection and directions as he joins the League of Medical Professionals doing great things globally.

Dr. Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson, an international leader in the fields of Hematopathology and Molecular Genomic Pathology as well as a translational researcher also held leadership positions at the University of Utah, University of Michigan and University of Pennsylvania.

National Academy of Medicine (NAM) works alongside with the National Academy of sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.

NAM members make a commitment to volunteer their services in National Academies activities.

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NiDCOM BOSS CONGRATULATES GBENGA OGUNJIMI ON D.C’s HONOUR TO NIGERIAN CENTRE

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NiDCOM BOSS CONGRATULATES GBENGA OGUNJIMI ON D.C’s HONOUR TO NIGERIAN CENTRE

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has congratulated Gbenga Ogunjimi on the honour bestowed on Nigerian Center, a center he established in the District of Columbia.

In a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that October 1st has been declared as Nigerian American Day in Washington, D C .

The declaration was announced by the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Kimberly Bessett on behalf of D.C Mayor Muriel Bowser in celebration of the enormous work the center has provided to immigrants in D.C and uplifting the contributions of Nigerians and Nigerian Americans in the District as well as nationwide Dabiri-Erewa applauded Gbenga on this milestones, describing it as the first of its kind in the District and a great honour to Nigeria.She encouraged him to keep up the good work while urging other Disporans to key into this feat and be the best in whatever they are doing as hard work, determination and dedication leads to greater success.

According to Ogunjimi, the Nigerian Center provides a variety of services like walk-in immigration support,IRS free tax counseling, pathway to Prosperity micri-loan program and Nigerian language training classes in collaboration with African Ancestry inc.

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Africa CDC Strengthens Laboratory Capacity for Mpox and Other Outbreaks in Burundi

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and referral processes while ensuring biosafety and biosecurity practices. These outcomes are crucial for an effective response to mpox outbreaks and generally contribute to strengthening sample referral and biosafety and biosecurity measures in Burundi.

Africa CDC has also strengthened Burundi’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak by donating critical equipment and materials.

The donation includes an Illumina MiniSeq sequencing system and reagents, a high-performance computer server, mpox qPCR testing kits, and other essential consumables.

In addition, the INSP team has been trained on molecular testing, sequencing, and interpretation of results.

“These resources provided, and skills built, will enhance the country’s molecular testing and sequencing capabilities, enabling accurate and timely detection and characterization of mpox cases and boosting the national testing and pathogen detection capacity,” said Dr. Yenew Kebede.

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