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NIGERIA TO HOST 1st AFRICAN CONGRESS ON SICKLE CELL DISEASE

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Globally, and in Africa, the growing burden of sickle cell disease is undeniable. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the world’s most common genetic diseases, affecting an increasing number of people but is still relatively unknown to the wider public. It poses a significant public health problem notably in sub-Sahara Africa and especially in Nigeria.


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Globally, and in Africa, the growing burden of sickle cell disease is undeniable. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the world’s most common genetic diseases, affecting an increasing number of people but is still relatively unknown to the wider public. It poses a significant public health problem notably in sub-Sahara Africa and especially in Nigeria.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 300,000 children are born annually with sickle cell disease worldwide, and over 75% of the affected children are born in Africa where over 1000 babies are born with the disease every day and about 50-90% of these children die before age 5. More than half of the world’s sickle cell disease population lives in Africa, which accounts for about 66% of the estimated 120 million people in the world living with the disease. Besides the very high prevalence rates in Africa and mostly in Nigeria, Africa also accounts for high under-5 mortality rates due to preventable complications.

The impact of sickle cell disease on affected communities cannot be overstated; it ranges from causing high morbidity and mortality, to reducing the quality of life, and imposing a high socio-economic burden on individuals, families and health systems. Although developments in recent years has seen Sickle Cell Disease recognized by both the United Nations (UN) and the WHO as a non-communicated disease of major and growing importance, it is still considered to be one of the most neglected tropical disease in Africa.

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The inaugural African Congress on Sickle Cell Disease aims to address this gap and more. The 3-day conference will be held at the prestigious Landmark Center in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria from Thursday, 31st October to Saturday, 2nd November, 2019 under the high patronage of Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, Ph.D.

The congress is being organized by Dr. SickleCell Center for SCD in association with Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation and supported by a host of Sickle Cell Organizations across Africa and is set to bring together government representatives, inter-governmental organizations, leaders of industry, civil society organizations, academic institutions, donors, the private sector, media and individuals living with sickle cell themselves from across Africa and rest of the world with aligned interest in exploring sustainable solutions to the challenges of sickle cell disease. The overall goal of the conference is to facilitate active exchange of information among scientists, researchers, policy makers and other relevant key stakeholders, to highlight challenges and opportunities, and enhance strategies to further sickle cell control in Africa.

Registration for all interested participants of the African Congress on Sickle Cell Disease opens in June 2019. Visit www.acscd.org or Follow @acscd_conf on social media to subscribe and stay updated on the latest information on early bird registrations and other necessary details.

For Sponsorship & Partnership, contact info@acscd.org


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Kebbi Governor Blasts Security Agencies Over Failure to Act on DSS Intel Before School Kidnap

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Kebbi Abduction: DSS Raised Alarm Before Attack, Governor Alleges Sabotage
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Kebbi State Governor, Mohammed Nasir Idris, has expressed outrage over what he described as a shocking failure by security agencies to act on credible intelligence warning of an impending attack on the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.

In the early hours of Monday, suspected gunmen invaded the school, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 female students. Three of the abducted girls reportedly escaped hours later.

Governor Idris, who arrived at the scene at about 6:45 pm on Monday, accused unnamed security agencies of undermining the security measures put in place by his administration.

“This is clear sabotage. We got credible intelligence from the DSS that this school was likely to be attacked. DSS further advised that we convene an emergency Security Council meeting, which we did. And the decision was that we would provide round-the-clock protection for the students,” the governor said.

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He recalled that he acted promptly on the DSS alert, mindful of the security lapses that led to the infamous December 2020 kidnapping of over 300 students from a secondary school in Kankara, Katsina State.

According to Governor Idris, security personnel were deployed to the school to guard the students. However, what followed left him “deeply disturbed.” Security operatives allegedly spent hours taking photographs with the students before abandoning their posts barely 30 minutes before the bandits struck.

The governor, accompanied by top security chiefs in the state, announced the establishment of a special investigation panel to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack despite the advance intelligence and government’s proactive efforts.

The panel, to be headed by the State Director of the DSS, will also coordinate efforts to secure the safe return of the kidnapped students.

A teacher who escaped the attack expressed shock over the turn of events, recalling that heavily armed operatives had been deployed to the school on Sunday and engaged students and teachers in emergency drills.

“The heavily armed security men spent the entire night guarding the school. Sadly, for yet-to-be-determined reasons, they left the school before dawn. About 30 minutes after they withdrew, the kidnappers struck,” the teacher recounted.

He added that the accuracy of the DSS intelligence may have influenced the governor’s decision to appoint the DSS director to lead the investigation committee.

Despite the tragic incident, the teacher expressed optimism, noting that indications suggest the girls were abducted, not killed.

“With the ongoing efforts by federal and state authorities, we are hopeful that they will all be rescued,” he said.

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Brig-Gen M. Uba Killed by ISWAP After Terrorists Intercepted His Location

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Brig-Gen M. Uba Killed by ISWAP After Terrorists Intercepted His Location
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A senior Nigerian Army officer, Brigadier General M. Uba, has been killed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists after they reportedly intercepted and tracked his live location along the Damboa–Biu axis in Borno State.

Multiple military sources confirmed that the commander was abducted and later executed by the insurgents shortly after participating in a successful joint air–ground offensive against ISWAP fighters.

Operation Before the Incident

According to reports, the late Brigadier General had earlier led ground troops in a clearance operation, during which soldiers came under heavy ambush. Unknown to the forces, the route had been booby-trapped, leading to an intense gun battle.

The commander issued a distress call, prompting Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft to divert from ongoing missions to provide close air support. The airstrikes dispersed the insurgents and allowed the troops, including the commander and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members, to regroup.

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After the operation, General Uba contacted his superiors, assuring them of his safety and confirming that his team was reorganizing. Security sources, however, believe this communication may have inadvertently exposed his coordinates.

Abduction and Execution

ISWAP fighters reportedly intercepted his location and captured him alive. The terrorists briefly interrogated him before executing him, according to security officials familiar with the development.

Earlier reports from SaharaReporters indicated that the attack, which happened Friday night, resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and two CJTF members, alongside the abduction of Brig-Gen Uba and two other soldiers.

Although the Nigerian Army initially denied the abduction, officers confirmed that the Brigade Commander had not returned to base by Saturday morning.

One senior officer disclosed that the commander managed to transmit his live location to colleagues, but troops dispatched to the spot could not locate him. Another soldier abducted during the ambush—who was shot and left behind—was later rescued alive.

Sources also revealed that the General was forced to make a video call to his dry cleaner while in captivity but warned the civilian not to speak, suggesting he was under duress.

High-Level Military Response

Following the incident, top military commanders, including the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, rushed to Damboa to coordinate rescue efforts and boost morale among troops.

In response to the crisis, the Nigerian Army has appointed Brigadier General Mustapha to temporarily head the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa pending further directive from Army Headquarters.

Background of the Attack

It was reported earlier that how ISWAP launched a coordinated ambush on a Nigerian military convoy in northeastern Nigeria, killing several soldiers and CJTF members.

The insurgents, heavily armed and well-organized, targeted the convoy during nighttime operations, further heightening concerns over ISWAP’s evolving tactics and surveillance capabilities.

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Technology

2025 Bloggers Bootcamp Opens Registration for Aspiring Digital Creators

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2025 Bloggers Bootcamp Opens Registration for Aspiring Digital Creators
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Aspiring bloggers and digital entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to kickstart their online journey as registration opens for the 2025 Bloggers Bootcamp, scheduled to begin on December 1, 2025.

The intensive training program is designed to equip participants with practical skills needed to build, grow, and monetize a successful blog. Key areas of focus include:

  • Strategic Content Creation & Niche Selection
  • Creating and Designing a Blog/Website
  • Basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Monetization Strategies, including Google AdSense

The bootcamp will hold physically in Abuja and Jos, with a virtual option available for participants across the country and beyond.

Interested individuals can register via HERE

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WhatsApp message to +234 08060877989.


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Abuja

FCT Police Refute Claims of Attempted Assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima

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FCT Command Dismisses Viral Report on Alleged Attack on Lt. Yerima
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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has refuted viral social media reports claiming that Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, was the target of an assassination attempt in Abuja.

In an official statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, described the circulating reports as entirely false, emphasizing that no such incident was recorded or reported anywhere within the FCT.

“The Command wishes to categorically state that no such incident has been reported or recorded within the Federal Capital Territory. The public is advised to disregard this false information and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic,” the statement read.

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SP Adeh urged residents to remain vigilant and responsible, especially regarding the dissemination of information on social media platforms. She noted that spreading unverified claims could lead to unnecessary tension and undermine public safety efforts.

The Command encouraged citizens to report suspicious activity to the nearest Police Division or contact the FCT Police emergency lines 08032003913 and 08068587311 for a prompt response.

The statement, signed by SP Josephine Adeh, ANIPR, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents within the Federal Capital Territory.

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Lt. Yerima Escapes Alleged Assassination Attempt in Abuja Days After Clash With FCT Minister Wike

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Lt. Yerima Escapes Alleged Assassination Attempt in Abuja Days After Clash With FCT Minister Wike
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A young Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, reportedly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday evening in Abuja, just days after his widely publicised confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

According to military sources quoted by Vanguard, Yerima was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates. The suspicious vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Kubwa Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.

Sensing danger, the officer reportedly carried out what sources described as a “strategic manoeuvre” to evade the suspected assailants. The incident was said to have occurred around 6:30 p.m.

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The military source added that the matter is already under investigation and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves,” noting that additional information is being withheld to avoid compromising the process.

Source: Vanguard


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