Benue doctor dies from Lassa fever, state records new outbreak
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
A senior medical doctor with the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, working in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, has died from Lassa fever complications. The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, confirmed the death on Monday in Makurdi, stating that contact tracing and surveillance measures have been activated. The deceased reportedly battled the illness for over two weeks. Dr. Ogwuche noted that the death occurred as the state was preparing to be declared free of Lassa fever. The doctor, who hailed from Kwande Local Government Area, initially declined hospital admission, requesting home management, but was later referred to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital in Plateau State due to kidney complications, where he subsequently died. His remains were buried according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention protocols. Following this new outbreak, the ministry has intensified public awareness campaigns and reactivated response measures. Health authorities are also on alert for other infectious disease threats like Ebola, with strengthened surveillance across health facilities. The state had nearly completed a 42-day incubation monitoring period for Lassa fever before this new case emerged, necessitating a fresh observation cycle.
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Ghanaian traditional priest Nana Kwaku Bonsam has stated he is spiritually targeting England captain Harry Kane to aid the Black Stars in their upcoming FIFA World Cup encounter. Bonsam, known for similar past claims, said his actions would be "just enough to stop him against my country" but not cause serious injury. This claim, shared by TouchlineX, has generated widespread online reactions. Bonsam previously asserted involvement in Cristiano Ronaldo's 2014 World Cup knee injury when Portugal played Ghana. The England-Ghana fixture is a 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match. Ghana began its campaign with a 1-0 win over Panama, while England also started strong, with Harry Kane scoring. Social media users have reacted to Bonsam's comments, with some questioning his strategy, others dismissing it as attention-seeking, and some referencing his past claims, noting Ronaldo scored against Ghana despite the priest's alleged intervention. The development has sparked mixed reactions across African football communities on X, with some viewing it as mind games or entertainment, and others emphasizing focus on on-pitch performance. England and Ghana are scheduled to play their second Group L match on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Zachariah Fera-Achinyan, in charge of the Force Intelligence Department, stated that extortion, human rights abuses, and other misconduct by police personnel are signs of unprofessionalism and indiscipline. Speaking at a stakeholders' meeting in Gombe State, Fera-Achinyan noted that officers who engage in extortion often live beyond their legitimate means, citing instances where a corporal might live like a Deputy Superintendent of Police. He emphasized that professionalism requires sacrifice and contentment, and urged the public to recognize such behavior as a deviation from professional ethics. The DIG recalled a past culture of modesty within the Force, where officers were encouraged to live within their earnings. He also condemned other forms of misconduct, including drinking on duty and poor appearance, stating that a shabbily dressed officer often behaves shabbily. Addressing the manpower shortage, Fera-Achinyan acknowledged that Nigeria's police-to-population ratio falls short of the United Nations' recommendation of one officer per 400 people, with over 300,000 officers for a population exceeding 200 million. He explained that this shortfall led to the adoption of community policing strategies and assured that efforts are underway to improve the situation through ongoing recruitment, with plans to recruit 50,000 new officers. Gombe State is expected to receive 96 newly recruited officers for each of its 11 local government areas.
Canada's year-on-year inflation reached 3.2 percent in May, a 29-month high, primarily driven by elevated gasoline prices resulting from the Iran conflict. Statistics Canada reported that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz contributed to a 33.2 percent increase in pump prices compared to the previous year. Despite this, experts suggest that the overall inflation picture does not indicate an immediate widespread rise in consumer costs. Senior TD Bank economist Leslie Preston noted that oil prices have decreased since a tentative peace deal between Iran and the US, and gasoline prices are following this trend, leading to an expectation that May will be the peak for headline inflation this year. The Bank of Canada has maintained its core interest rate at 2.25 for five consecutive announcements, balancing the need to stimulate an economy affected by US tariffs with inflationary pressures from the Middle East.