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NCDC Reveals That Diphtheria Now over 1,300 As Vaccination Gaps Persist

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Nationwide Diphtheria Vaccination

NCDC Reveals That Diphtheria Now over 1,300 As Vaccination Gaps Persist

NCDC reveals that diphtheria now over 1,300 as vaccination gaps persist. The NCDC says Kano State accounts for 75 per cent of confirmed cases, with 18,108 out of 25,812.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said 1,319 deaths have been recorded in the country’s ongoing diphtheria outbreak.

The NCDC said this in its latest situation report from the National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) published on Sunday via its official website.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by corynebacterium diphtheriae.

It typically affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, where the bacterium produces a toxin that can lead to complications such as breathing difficulties, heart failure or nerve damage.
Vaccination is the primary means of prevention, and early treatment with antitoxins and antibiotics is crucial for managing the disease.

The NCDC said that over 42,000 suspected cases had been reported across 37 states since 2022.

“The report covered Epidemiological Week 10 of 2025. It highlighted persistent challenges in tackling the disease, including low vaccination coverage, inadequate laboratory capacity and delayed case confirmation,” it said.

According to the NCDC, Kano State accounts for 75 per cent of confirmed cases, with 18,108 out of 25,812. Other high-burden states include Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,408) and Katsina (1,501).

The public health agency said that the case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 5.1 per cent, meaning one in every 20 confirmed cases results in death.

“In some states, the mortality rate is even higher. Kaduna recorded the per cent, Plateau has 48 per cent, Lagos has 83 per cent and Adamawa has 80 per cent,” it said.

In the latest reporting week, the agency said that 23 new suspected cases were reported – 20 in Lagos and three in Katsina. It, however, said that none has been confirmed yet, with 56.5 per cent of cases still unclassified due to delays in laboratory confirmation.

The NCDC said the Federal Government had launched reactive vaccination campaigns in high-burden states and intensified community engagement with traditional and religious leaders.

Public health experts have warned that late diagnosis and poor access to treatment may be contributing to the high fatality rates.

Despite Nigeria’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), the report revealed that only 4,981 (19.3 per cent) of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
According to a virologist, Dr Solomon Chollom, the numbers indicate a critical gap in routine immunisation coverage, particularly in northern Nigeria.

Mr Chollom emphasised the need for urgent mass vaccination campaigns, particularly targeting children aged one year to 14 years, who make up 62.9 per cent of confirmed cases.
He said that another alarming finding was Nigeria’s limited testing capacity.

“In 2024, all cases were confirmed based on clinical symptoms rather than laboratory testing, indicating shortages of reagents and PCR capacity for diphtheria diagnosis. This raises concerns about the actual burden of the disease. Without widespread testing, we could be underreporting or misdiagnosing cases,” he said.

The government promised to improve laboratory capacity and optimise protocols for PCR testing, but implementation has been slow.

Experts advised that there was a need for a nationwide diphtheria vaccination drive, improved disease surveillance and a steady supply of diagnostic materials.

With Nigeria facing one of its worst diphtheria outbreaks in decades, health officials warn that without improved vaccination and surveillance efforts the situation could worsen.

NCDC Reveals That Diphtheria

NCDC Reveals That Diphtheria

The government has outlined certain steps to be taken. They include increasing case management support and data harmonisation across affected states and improving laboratory diagnosis through PCR testing on clinical samples.

Others are expanding vaccination coverage to close immunity gaps, particularly among children and strengthening public awareness campaigns through social media and community engagement.

Public health experts say preventive vaccination remains the best defence for now, urging parents to ensure that their children receive routine immunisations.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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