Cholera: Benue records four deaths and 16 suspected cases
Benue State has reported four confirmed deaths and 16 suspected cases of cholera. Dr. Henry Ijabo, the state epidemiologist, told journalists in Makurdi that the cases had been registered by 2024. According to him, the 16 instances were reported in the state’s local government areas of Agatu, Ado, and Otukpo.
He stated that the four deaths were documented while the inquiry was ongoing, and that the entire number of fatalities had still to be confirmed. He remarked, “They have not been confirmed yet. The four people perished while we were still investigating. We had one suspected case in Agatu LGA a few months ago, but we also reported one in Otukpo LGA and nine in Ado LGA.”
Lagos CP Adegoke: We have apprehended 4,000 criminals in six months
LAGOS—Fayoade Adegoke, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, has revealed that the command has apprehended 4,000 suspected offenders, who have been prosecuted in court and imprisoned. At the same time, foreigners among them have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The arrests and prosecution came after an unprecedented surge of immigrants with questionable backgrounds entering Lagos State. These people, largely from nearby countries, allegedly snuck into Nigeria and made their way to Lagos without legal papers, making it impossible for officials to follow their movements.
It was gathered that they often operate in syndicates, using sophisticated methods to evade detection by law enforcement agencies. Some of them, it was, gathered have formed alliances with local criminal gangs, further perpetuating the cycle of violence and crime in the state, leaving Lagosians feeling vulnerable and unsafe.
Many of these homeless immigrants have allegedly been involved in a variety of criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and fraud. It was discovered that they frequently operate in syndicates, employing sophisticated techniques to avoid discovery by law enforcement organisations. Some of them, it was found, had forged relationships with local criminal groups, prolonging the state’s cycle of violence and crime while leaving Lagosians feeling vulnerable and unprotected.
The naira falls to N1,535/$ in the parallel market
Yesterday, the Naira fell in the parallel market to N1,535 per dollar, down from N1,520 per dollar on Wednesday. Similarly, the Naira fell to N1,520.24 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM).
According to FMDQ data, the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM declined to N1,520.24 per dollar from N1,512.61 per dollar on Wednesday, representing a naira devaluation of N7.63. The volume of dollars traded (turnover) in the market increased by 51% to $173.51 million from $114.91 million on Wednesday. As a result, the gap between the parallel market and NAFEM rates grew to N14.76 per dollar from N7.39 per dollar on Wednesday.
Nigeria won the opportunity to host the $5 billion African Energy Bank
Nigeria has been granted hosting rights for the $5 billion African Energy Bank, the Federal Government said on Thursday.
It stated that the privilege was given during a virtual extraordinary meeting of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation’s Council of Ministers and that with the hosting rights, the bank will establish its headquarters in Nigeria.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), announced in Abuja, saying Nigeria emerged as the favoured host nation despite intense competition from Ghana, Benin, Algeria, South Africa, and Cote D’Ivoire.
He stated, “I am pleased to inform Nigerians that the African Petroleum Producers Organisation’s Council of Ministers has recently accepted Nigeria as the location for the African Energy Bank’s headquarters.
The greatest difficulty we face in Africa as oil-producing countries is money. So, a short time ago, the Council of Ministers convened and declared that the time has come for Africa to find ways to finance its oil and gas development. Based on that, the African Energy Bank concept was developed.
“We’ve spoken with our peers from other countries. Six countries, including Nigeria, competed to host the energy bank. Ghana, Algeria, Benin Republic, and others competed with us, but now, I want to thank all of them, APPO, and Nigerians for their support.
NNPC disagrees as the report puts petrol debt at $6 billion
Nigeria’s debt to suppliers of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, has risen to $6 billion, more than doubling since early April, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited struggles to bridge the gap between fixed pump prices and international fuel costs, according to six industry sources.
Although this was quickly rejected as incorrect by the NNPC on Thursday, the Reuters story indicated that the national oil firm began struggling early this year when late PMS payments surpassed $3 billion.
According to dealers, the corporation has yet to pay for some January imports, with late payments ranging from $4 billion to $5 billion. According to contract rules, NNPC is required to pay within 90 days of delivery.”The only reason traders are putting up with it is the $250,000 a month (per cargo) for late payment compensation,” a source in the sector told me.
According to the sources, at least two suppliers have stopped participating in recent auctions after exceeding their self-imposed debt exposure limitations to Nigeria, which means they would not ship any more PMS until they receive payment.
Tinubu appoints Dangote, Elumelu, and others to the Presidential Economic Council to increase oil output to 2 million barrels daily
President Bola Tinubu established the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) and launched the Economic Stabilisation Programme to ensure maximum oil output and food security, among other things.
According to a State House announcement on Thursday, Tinubu stated that the 31-member Council was established to address the need for innovative solutions to the country’s economic difficulties, emphasising the necessity of public-private partnerships in driving economic development. Nigeria faces the issue of ensuring energy security. We must work together to enhance our oil and gas sector, as well as increase energy generation and distribution across the country.
FG Lists Flood-Prone States; Says Downpour Could Worsen Cholera
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumum, expressed alarm during a press conference on Thursday. According to him, as of Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 63 deaths and 2,102 probable cases had been registered since the epidemic’s inception.
Recent continuous rains have resulted in flooding in some states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), causing the minister to call on state governments across the country to accelerate efforts in clearing drainages. He stated, “We are urging states and local government bodies to intensify and step up measures to prevent flood-related disasters in their respective jurisdictions as the flooding season approaches its climax.
“At the national level, some states began experiencing flooding and accompanying disasters in April of this year. So far, more than three states, including the Federal Capital Territory, have experienced extreme levels of flooding, with multiple casualties reported, including displacement and property loss.
