The stakeholders, under the auspices of Rivers Women Unite for Sim, began the walk from the popular CFC junction along Aba Road to the Polo Club in GRA, dancing to various musical tunes, including Afrobeats.

The women who wore white T-shirts, red and blue caps also displayed placards with different inscriptions to drive home their messages.

Some of the inscriptions read, “Allow Governor Sim work in Peace,” “O God give us peace in Rivers, give peace a chance,” “Peace is priceless,” “Rivers mothers stand for peace” among others, even as some of the women much older rolled on the ground with their placards crying for peace to reign in the state.

Comedian, Julius Agwu, a Nollywood actress, and the State Chairperson of the Labour Party, Hilda Dokubo, were among the personalities that joined the peace walk.

Also, the National Council of Women Society, Rivers State Chapter, Market Women, National Association of Women Journalist, Ijaw Women Connect, Non-Indigens Without Borders, Rivers Professionals, Arewa Women and Rivers Equity Club among others took part in the walk which lasted for hours.

While they observed a minute of silence for the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Dr Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son, the women said the peace walk was to register their voices in the current political situation in the state.

They demanded genuine peace and called for respect for the office of the state governor as enshrined in the Constitution.

The Media Officer of Rivers Women Unite for Sim, Glory Sunday, who read a nine-point resolution, said the women remained committed to the love and pursuit of peace for the overall growth and development of Rivers.

SOURCE: Punch

Lassa fever killed 72 in six weeks -NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said no fewer than 2,122 suspected cases, 411 confirmed cases, and 72 deaths have been recorded from Lassa fever in Nigeria this year as of February 11, 2024.

The confirmed cases were recorded from 21 states and 78 local government areas in the country.

The NCDC disclosed this in its Lassa fever situation report for Week Six, which was posted on its website on Thursday.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the Mastomys natalensis rodent (commonly known as the multimammate rat or the African rat). Other rodents can also be carriers of the virus.

The virus spreads through direct contact with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats; contact with objects, household items, and surfaces contaminated with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats; consuming food or water contaminated with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats; the person-to-person transmission can also occur through direct contact with blood, urine, faeces, vomitus, and other body fluids of an infected person.

The report partly read, “In Week 6, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 70 in epi week 5, 2024 to 83 in epi Week 6, 2024. These were reported in Edo, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Kogi, Plateau, Cross River, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Lagos States.

“Cumulatively from Week 1 to 6, 2024, 72 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 17.5 % which is marginally lower than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (17.6%).

“In total for 2024, 21 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 78 local government areas.

“Sixty-five per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 35 per cent were reported from 17 states with confirmed Lassa

fever cases. Of the 65% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 24%, Edo 23%, and Bauchi 18%.”

The centre noted that the predominant age group affected is 21-30 years, and the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1.

It added that the number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period

in 2023, and two new Healthcare workers were affected in the reporting week.

It, however, said the National Lassa fever multi-partner and the multi-sectoral Incident Management System have been activated to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Centre.

SOURCE: Punch

Three-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos Island, Hinders Vehicular Movement

A three-storey building under construction has collapsed at No. 1 Isalegangan Street by Itafaji Market, Lagos Island area of Lagos State. It was learnt that the building collapsed around 10.15am on Thursday.  The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu made this known in a statement on Thursday, noting that the agency responded to the scene of the incident and conducted a thorough assessment.

He said it was observed that the structure collapsed on its own without external factor, adding that the access street was very narrow and would be difficult for heavy-duty vehicular operations. “The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) should carry out the manual demolition of the few pillars that are still standing,” Oke-Osanyintolu recommended.  “The manual site clearance would be coordinated by LASEMA Lekki branch so that the road could be free from the debris related to construction work before the collapse. “Members of the public are being engaged in order to stay away from the incident scene,” he said