1. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued an alert about a rising number of cholera cases in the country. There have been 1,141 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 30 deaths reported across 96 local government areas in 30 states. Ten states, including Bayelsa, Zamfara, and Lagos, account for 90% of the cases. The National Cholera Technical Working Group, which includes the NCDC, various federal ministries, and international organizations like WHO and UNICEF, is assisting affected regions. The NCDC advises the public to boil and store water safely, practice good hand hygiene, cook food thoroughly, avoid open defecation, dispose of waste properly, and seek medical care for sudden watery diarrhea instead of self-medicating.
2. In response to the high cost of living, Senegal’s new government has announced price cuts on essential commodities like rice, oil, bread, cement, and fertilizer. Government Secretary General Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo stated that these reductions will take effect soon as part of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s efforts to address inflation and unemployment. The price of a kilogram of rice will decrease by 40 CFA ($0.065), and a baguette by 15 CFA (0.023 euros). To support these cuts, the government will forgo taxes and customs duties on imports, costing approximately 53.3 billion CFA ($87 million). Increased monitoring will ensure compliance with new prices. This initiative aims to ease financial burdens, as food expenses constitute half of an average Senegalese household’s budget. Additionally, Senegal has recently become an oil-producing nation
3. The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed a contempt charge filed by former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello against Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Judge O.K. Oyewole also nullified a restraining order against the EFCC. Bello had previously sought to prevent the EFCC from harassing, arresting, or prosecuting him, claiming political motivation. The Kogi High Court had granted interim and later a permanent injunction restraining the EFCC. However, the appellate court ruled that courts cannot obstruct law enforcement agencies from performing their duties, upholding the EFCC’s authority to prosecute Bello and imposing a N1,000,000 fine on him.
