Everything You Need to Know About The Diphtheria Outbreak in Nigeria

Nigeria is currently facing a diphtheria outbreak. In January of 2023 alone, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed over 120 cases of Diphtheria disease with over 30 deaths in four states in the country.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It is spread through respiratory droplets and can cause a wide range of symptoms, including sore throat, fever, and difficulty breathing. The disease is particularly dangerous in young children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems.

ABOUT THE DISEASE

The disease was first reported in the Nigeria in the year 1989 with 5,039 cases. Then another outbreak in the year 2000 with 3,995 cases. In 2001, over 2,400 cases were reported. The total of confirmed cases has been on the decline until its resurgence in recent times. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported several confirmed cases of the outbreak as of 2021.

One of the main reasons for the outbreak is the low vaccination coverage in Nigeria. This means that many children are not protected against the disease, which makes it easier for the disease to spread.

WHAT CAUSES DIPHTHERIA?

A major factor contributing to the outbreak is poor sanitation and hygiene. Diphtheria is more likely to spread in areas where people live in close proximity and have limited access to clean water and sanitation. This is a common problem in many parts of the country, where overcrowding and poor living conditions make it easy for the disease to spread.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DIPHTHERIA?

The most common symptoms of diphtheria include:

• Sore throat
• Mild fever
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Hoarseness or loss of voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Nasal congestion or discharge
• Cough
• Fatigue

In severe cases, diphtheria can also cause:

• Breathing difficulties
• Heart failure
• Paralysis
• Death

HOW TO STAY SAFE

It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms. Diphtheria can be treated with antibiotics, but early treatment is crucial to prevent serious complications.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that at least 95% of children should be vaccinated against diphtheria to achieve herd immunity, but Nigeria's vaccination coverage is well below this threshold.

The NCDC, in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF and other partners have taken steps to control the outbreak. They have launched a massive vaccination campaign, targeted at children under 15 years of age, with a focus on high-risk areas. They are also providing antibiotics and other medical treatment to people who have been infected with the disease.

In addition to this, the NCDC is also working to improve sanitation and hygiene in affected areas, and to raise awareness about the disease and how to prevent it. This includes educating people on the importance of vaccination and handwashing, and providing information on how to recognize the symptoms of diphtheria.

It is important to note that the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from diphtheria is to get vaccinated. Parents should ensure that their children are up to date with their vaccinations, and adults should also consider getting a booster shot if they have not been vaccinated in recent years.

In conclusion, the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria is a serious concern. However, with the efforts of the NCDC and other partners, the outbreak can be controlled. It is important for everyone to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from the disease by getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene and following the guidelines provided by the health authorities. Additionally, if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms of diphtheria, seek medical attention immediately.

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MUSIC: Lanre Daniel - My Praise

Gospel music minister, Lanre Daniel Ayodele, is winding up on the year 2022 with his last release titled My Praise. The track also serves to usher us into the new year 2023.

Lanre and The Reformed Music Ministry indulge you to give praise and thanks to God for all He has helped accomplish and all that He has promised to fulfill.

My Praise is a worship sound to end the year with, even as we look forward to the beginning of another.

Lanre Daniel Ayodele is a Gospel Minister who has carved a niche for himself with his High-life gospel music; being able to fuse high praise and worship in different languages home and abroad.

He is a super talented  entertainer who has performed various religious and social events in Nigeria and across the United States America where he is based. He has been consistent with his sound and has different tracks and albums to his credit. 

Lanre and crew are welcoming you to a brand new year full of infinite possibilities.  Download, Stream, Listen, Share and Enjoy

DOWNLOAD  MUSIC: Lanre Daniel - My Praise

STREAM  MUSIC: Lanre Daniel - My Praise

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Everything You Need To Know About The Jos Food Festival 2022 Street Fest | #josfoodfest2022

Get ready for the biggest food exhibition and festival on the Plateau!

The Jos Food Festival was born with a vision to promote food tourism, celebrate and showcase the rich indigenous, cultural and agricultural heritage on the plateau. It was founded to convene people from diverse communities, ethnicities, religious and cultural groups within the state and its metropolis to provide the platform for young food entrepreneurs to connect, network, and forge synergies.

The maiden edition of the Jos Food Festival which held in 2019 hosted over three thousand (3,000) guests who graced the event. The edition tagged ‘Shawarmarathon’, offered food lovers and enthusiasts a common ground where they were taken on a food adventure, thrilling their tastebuds to a wide array of delicacies available at the event.

Subsequent editions of the Jos Food Fest have attracted sponsorships, food vendors, foodies and guests who troop in from destinations beyond the borders of the state.

The Jos Food Festival took a new dimension in July 2022 as it marked the first phase of the biannual event; attracting NASCO, Valgee Transport, Akaani, Fusion, Bricks and Roses, among others brands who were headline sponsors at the event. Also in attendance, were Plateau State Government Dignitaries, CEOs and representatives from various Brands and Companies.

Themed “South-South Relish”, the event aimed at bringing the southern Nigeria’s food experience to people on the Plateau; and it turned out a tremendous success, as people turned out en masse to savour new delicacies while networking and connecting with other food lovers.

ABOUT THE "STREET FEST" – JOS FOOD FEST 2022

The 2022 edition of the Jos Food Fest in dubbed ‘Street Fest’ will afford people a thrilling experience as it hopes to bring together people from all around Jos and its environs to come relish exciting moments with food and snacks. It would be an avenue for old-timers and newbies to street food to savour long-forgotten taste and try something new while bonding and building new networks and bridges with people.

Speaking to ACE SAID SO, the host of the biggest food exhibition on the Plateau, Chef Elvis Katlong, hinted that the December event will have a carnival-like feel to it, which will create a freely accommodating and enabling environment for people to come and share in the wonderful experience.

Chef Elvis, in a media chat stated that the event will equally be counting down to the New Year with a line of fun activities, which would include cooking competition, music and dance performances, target practice, drinking games, board and brick games, adult bouncy castle, photo booth and lots more. He added that there would be fireworks and a burnfire night, which will commence immediately after the main event.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Date: Saturday, 30th December, 2022

Time: 12:00 PM

Venue: Tamarald Event Centre, Opp. JIB, Old Airport Road, Jos

Tickets: Tix.Africa/jff2022

Food Vendors seeking to be a part of the event can register and secure a slot for the event by Clicking Here 

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Get Your Daily 2K Here And All That Teemirror Is About

Daily 2k by TEEMIRROR is a love letter to employees, freelancers, legitimate hustlers and everyone who strives to get their daily bread and make ends meet despite negative odds.

“Daily 2k” is that peculiar indigenous sound that will keep you thoroughly inspired and also entertained. 

It’s a message of Hope that’s conveyed through the use of IWURE (African Chants). In an angle, It also preaches the synergy between religions in Nigeria..

Listening to such chants gives one a feeling of hope/affirmation that God has answered our prayers.

Once in a while, artists leave the spotlight for a while and return to showcase new art that everyone would love. This is Teemirror’s journey, a creative, new generation artiste back with a new hit single titled “Daily 2K”

Teemirror is an award-winning afrobeats artiste who started music professionally as an undergraduate in the University of Ilorin. He has released popular tracks such as “Tanke Sir” “Olesibe” “AJONJOR” which are listened to by fans across the world.

His genre of music cuts across afrobeats and other unique sounds he calls AFROFusion. A simple Afrocentric evergreen sound that was birthed from the rising insecurity, failed governance and grey clouds every average person faces, Teemirror’s “Daily 2k” is a song of hope and perseverance that will keep you inspired to pursue your dreams and get out of the rat race.

Inspired by musical influences Olamide, QDot, SunnyAde, JAYWON, Ayinla Omo wura, Jumabee, Adekunle Gold to mention a few. He describes his sound as “Moments-inspired”

Get Your Daily 2K from Teemirror Here

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MUSIC: Jeen Realer - J's

J's is the first independent Extended Playlist released by the multi-versatile rapper and songwriter, Jeen Realer. It is a compilation of sounds that are reminiscent of the sub-urban areas of J Town, and features strictly J Town based artistes; hence the title. It is a playlist by J, for J, in the name of J. It is endorsed and marketed by Ydie Planet, so you know it's a banger.

DOWNLOAD MUSIC: Jeen Realer - J's

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Listen To Episode 1 Of Linda Ejiofor & Ibrahim Suleiman’s 'DUE Parenting Podcast'

Linda Ejiofor and her beau Ibrahim Suleiman have just launched a parenting podcast with a goal to share lessons they've learned on their marital and parenting journey – from preconception to post-partum.

In this first episode, the couple who both have a baby together walk us through their journey to childbirth, alongside the complications and lessons learned along the way.

Watch new episode below: 

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Elon Musk Takes Over Affairs At Twitter After Successful Buyout

Twitter has announced in a press release that it has accepted Elon Musk’s bid to purchase the Social media company for a whooping $44 billion.

Prior to the buyout, Elon Musk made a tweet saying; “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means.”

Elon said his goal at Twitter was to make it better than it ever was "by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans".

“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated”

It is uncertain what impact Elon Musk will have on Twitter or where he’ll start with changes. However, we do know he suggested nixing ads from Twitter Blue, and lowering its subscription price, while also adding Dogecoin as a payment option.

Elon Musk is notorious for his criticism over Twitter moderation, describing himself as a “free speech absolutist.” Describing how Twitter would function under his control, he said

“It’s just really important that people have the reality and the perception that they’re able to speak freely within the bounds of the law. I think broadly, the civilizational risk is decreased the more we can increase the trust of Twitter as a public platform.”

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VIDEO: Johnny Drille – Lies

Johnny Drille has just released the video for his song 'Lies'. The video track comes off his album titled 'Before We Fall Asleep.' The musical video was directed by Daniel David and Folarin Oludare for Mavin Films.

Catch a glimpse of the video below:

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Heartbreak and Music: Asa's Exclusive Interview with Korty EO | WATCH

If you think you know Asa the award-winning rhapsodic songstress you might want to have a rethink.

In this exclusive interview granted with Korty EO, Asa opens about heartbreak, religion, childhood and the impact they have collectively had on her music and style.

Asa made a the few fun reveals in the interview about her 13 year old dog and her long-time best friend who also happens to be her manager.

Watch her unveil her personality in this very interesting discussion.

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Apply For The Design Forward Residency Program 2022 for Free

The Assembly in collaboration with Ravensbourne University launches a digital fashion residency for 3D digital creators, fashion entrepreneurs, and university students looking to create innovative digital fashion products and experiences in collaboration with international peers.

Funded by The British Council, the four-month residency will build the capacity and competitiveness of creators and entrepreneurs in fashion and digital services, showcase cross-cultural design, and how well West African fashion creatives are embracing the versatility of digital design to increase efficiency and decrease waste.

3D digital creators in West Africa and students in the United Kingdom will team up and work collaboratively with fashion entrepreneurs to ideate and create digitally rendered fashion products or services, presented in digitally rendered surroundings and showcased digitally via films and live streams.

DSNFWD will provide training support and digital infrastructure for resident creatives throughout its duration. Training modules will be facilitated by a global faculty and include NFTs, Partnerships and Collaborations, Creative Direction, Pitching, Profitability, and Marketing.

A first of its kind, the digital residency is calling fashion creatives with 2-5 years of experience running a commercially viable creative practice or brand and digital creators who have been in existence for 1-5 years and are skilled in the use of design software such as Clo3D, Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite.

Entry into the program is free! To apply, visit this link. The deadline to apply to DSNFWD is April 21st, 2022.

Follow and use the program hashtag #dsnfwd for all updates on social media and follow The Assembly on Instagram: @assemblyofficial | Twitter: TheAssemblyHub | Facebook: TheAssemblyHub

For more info about the program or sponsorship opportunities please Email them at events@theassemblyhub.com

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INSPIRED | ‘Project Silver Lining’ Is Inspiring Change Through Interactive Heart-To-Heart Mentorship

As part of its mission to reach and impact teenagers across secondary schools within Lagos, Project Silver Lining (PSL) was at Helpers International School, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, with a goal to reach at least a thousand teens this year 2022.

Highlighting the need for the initiative, the Project’s coordinator Nofiu Adeyemi Ajibade said PSL would serve as an in-school mentorship program where they meet with young people monthly, chatting them up about topics capable of shaping their futures. He says;

“Growing up in a neighborhood like ours, I have seen, first hand, how easy it is to get derailed as a young person. I’ve seen several teenage pregnancies, boys resorting to drugs, fraudulence, louting, and all. Our society is seemingly getting worse by the day and in every way. PSL is founded on the ground that change can be inspired if people are taught and shown how to do better with themselves. And that’s our mission. To inspire change through interactive, heart-to-heart mentorship”.

Noting that schools are among the best places to find its primary target audience who are mostly teens, Adeyemi says schools have been chosen as meeting points with these teens on a monthly basis.

“Our primary target is young people. I particularly would like us to use the word “young people” more in describing our target audience. Our facilitators are equally youths who are passionate about driving positive change and making impact. They are often accepted based on recommendations or by application. Our crop of facilitators and formators are well to do in their respective disciplines and businesses. More importantly, they have a dependable value system, themselves.”

In 2021, Project Silver Lining held a Children’s Day event, where it reached out to 200 school pupils giving them a charge to chase their dreams, no matter how big, crazy or unpopular it might be. This outreach was held at Local Authority Primary School (LA), Orile Iganmu. The pupils were gifted branded water bottles and face masks alongside some refreshment.

To end the first quarter of year 2022 (March), The team took its outreach to Helpers International School, Orile Iganmu where it reached over 100 secondary school students. PSL’s goal at the outreach was to talk the students through sharing some of their childhood traumatic experiences. And they did. Click here to see some of the data collected from the outreach.

In the words of Judith Lewis “Many abused children cling to the hope that growing up will bring escape and freedom. But the personality formed in the environment of coercive control is not well adapted to adult life. The survivor is left with fundamental problems in basic trust, autonomy, and initiative...”.

Commenting on the outreach at Helpers International School Orile, Adeyemi said: 

“We want to be the ears that hears the untold troubles and said yearning of young people. We want to be the uncles and aunties they listen to, and trust to help them lead a better life. Our goal for 2022 is to interact with 1,000 young people at a go (one single session). I easily see that number growing every month by next year, or very close to it.”

He says with the successes recorded, the project would rage on without any near end in sight. He says “based on our data, we can determine the best course of action to keep making the change.”

Project Silver Lining is under Art4Pact Foundation – an organization that seeks creative ways to shaping minds.

See more photos from the outreach below

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Ify’s Kitchen Shares Recipe for Unique Instant Noodles

Are you looking for new ways to spice up your instant noodles?

In this new vlog, Ify's Kitchen will show you how to turn your ordinary instant noodles into a dinner fit for a king. This recipe for Instant Noodles is both delicious and healthy. 

Hopefully, this will become your go-to fast noodle recipe.

What You Need

• 2 eggs
• Noodles seasoning
• seasoning powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 small Onion
• Seafood mix
• 3 -4 Scotch bonnet peppers
• 4 tomatoes
• I cup diced mixed bell peppers
• 3 packs instant noodles
• Cooking oil

Watch the video below

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Asa Releases A Fifth Studio Album Titled “V” | DOWNLOAD

We are a little over excited about the release of Asa's fifth studio album titled "V". After many months of teasing, the album has dropped with incredible hits like “Mayana” and “Ocean.”

The 10-track album features Wizkid, Amaarae, and The Cavemen with most of the tracks produced by P. Prime.

Download Asa - “V” here.

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Key Things To Know About The Newly Signed Electoral Act Amendment Bill

President Muhammadu Buhari Signs Electoral Act Amendment Bill into Law

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law. The law was signed on Friday, February 25, 2022, in the presence of Senate President Ahmad Lawan, House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, and other officials.

All election results will henceforth be signed by party agents and security agents before being announced and scanned at the PUs. This should make it easier to hold free, fair, and credible elections. Its effectiveness would be determined by the number of Nigerians who register to vote and keep INEC responsible.

This new electoral law has 10 major provisions that you should be aware of:

1. Section 3 (3) says that money for general elections must be spent at least one year before the election.

2. According to Section 29 (1), parties must have primaries and submit their candidate list at least 180 days before the general election.

3. When a candidate dies during an election, Section 34 gives political parties the power to hold a primary election to choose a new candidate.

4. Section 47: This authorizes the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use smart card readers and any other voter authentication technology.

5. Section 50 provides INEC with legal support for the electronic transmission of election results.

6. According to Section 51, the total number of accredited voters is taken into account when determining whether or not there was excessive voting at election tribunals.

7. For people with disabilities and other special needs, Section 54 (2) makes sure that they can get what they need.

8. Section 65 says that INEC can look into results that were reported under duress.

9. According to Section 84, anybody holding a political post (ministers, commissioners, special advisors, and others) must resign before they may participate in the election process as a candidate or a delegate.

10. Section 94 permits an early start to the campaign season. According to this rule, the campaign season will now begin 150 days before Election Day and finish 24 hours before the election.

Read the bill here.

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MUSIC: DML - Ololufemi

Budding Music sensation DML has broken his silence with the release of a sensational and soulful single he titles 'Ololufemi'. 

'Ololufemi' is thematic of love and the exclusivity it offers. DML shows off his lyrical prowess as well as a natural and distinct vocal range. The track was produced, mix and mastered by Mix Unusual. Be sure to support DML through streaming, downloading and spreading his sounds.

Now here's a track that is well deserving of the #1 spot on your playlist.

Download, listen, share and enjoy. Don't forget to leave a review in the comment section of the blog below.

DOWNLOAD MUSIC: DML - Ololufemi

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