Ebola Virus Can Become Airborne- UN

Anthony Branbury, the United Nations, UN, Ebola
chief, has warned about the possible mutation of the
deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD.
Speaking to Telegraph on Thursday, he revealed that
the killer disease could mutate and become airborne;
a development he feared would make the epidemic
much harder to curb.
Anthony Branbury, the United Nations Ebola chief
Branbury explained that the longer the virus moves
around in its human hosts in the virulent melting pot
that is West Africa, the more chances increase that it
could mutate.

“It is a nightmare scenario that it could become
airborne, and unlikely, but it can’t be ruled out,”
Branbury said.
Meanwhile, the UN Ebola chief gave this mouth
opening revelation before America recorded its first
case of Ebola in Dallas, Texas.
However, William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University
infectious diseases expert in a response to the earlier
tension that Ebola could go airborne, told Scientific
American that there were already several problems
associating with Ebola and urged people not to make
things worse.

“We have so many problems with Ebola, let’s not
make another one that, of course, is theoretically
possible but is pretty way down on the list of likely
issues. Everything that is happening now can easily
be comprehensively explained by person-to-person
spread via body contact. We don’t have to invoke
anything else,” Schaffner said.
According to the World Health Organisatio, WHO, the
recent Ebola outbreak is the largest in history. A new
figure released by the Centers for Disease Control
showed that the disease had infected about 7,000
people and had so far claimed the lives of about
3,300 people.
The virus is contracted through body fluids; a
development that made isolation of patients very
imperative and the most reliable way of curb its
spread.

It was reported that infectious disease experts had
earlier expressed fears of the deadly virus going
airborne before but researchers after carefully
examining the possibility concluded that though it is
physically possible, but such a mutation is highly
unlikely to happen.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde
Fashola, has revealed the true heroes of the fight
against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease EVD, in
Nigeria.
It would be recalled that on October 2, 2014, it was
reported that following the current panic in America
over the reported outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus
Disease EVD, in Dallas, Texas , the United States
government has sent medical experts to Nigeria to
study how the country was able to quickly halt the
spread of EVD.

Popular Nigerian Dancer Dies During Childbirth

Popular dancer, choreographer has died exactly 20
days after her wedding.

Kemi Omotoyinbo, who is also partly an actress, was
said to have died during childbirth. The beautiful lady
who was famous for dancing for several popular
musicians including Pasuma, KWAM 1 and Shina
Peters, died in a private hospital in Lagos two days
ago, October 1st, exactly 20 days after her wedding
to husband Godwin Eloanyi, which was on September
13th.
Linda Ikeji reports that friends of the deceased made
it known that Kemi was in and out of labour for
several days in a private hospital which made the
doctor to resolve to C&S. The Cesarian operation
was however said to cost N450k in which the doctor
demanded an initial deposit of N300k before anything
was done.
The husband who could not come up with the money
immediately, begged the hospital management to
carry on with the operation, promising to pay the
next day (October 1st) but the hospital insisted on
the deposit and refused to carry out the operation.
Sadly, Kemi passed away last night.
Here is how one of the deceased’s friends
explained what happened to Kemi:
“Kemi wouldn’t have died if the doctors did pay
attention to her. She was in labour for several days
and was asked to pay certain amount of money
before she could be operated upon. The truth is that
Kemi was in labour for over one week. She tried in
vain to give birth the normal way but the baby just
didn’t come.
“Eventually the doctor told her she would have to go
through C&S. It was termed emergency C&S. The
hospital told her husband that they would have to
pay a sum of 450,000 for her to be operated upon.
He also said that before anything could be done they
would have to make a deposit of 300,000. The
husband made several efforts to raise 300,000 but
deposited all he had. He begged the doctors to
please go ahead with the operation and would pay
before the next day. That was on October 1st , the
night she died.”
“Kemi’s husband said he would pay the money the
next day but the doctor refused and stated
categorically that he would not move an inch else he
pays 300,000. It was at that point Kemi decided to
forward messages to people she knows so she could
get help. She got responses that money would be
made available to her the next day. On hearing that
the husband went to beg the doctors again, still they
refused. No bank was opened and nothing could be
done until Thursday October 2nd but unfortunately
she gave up the ghost that night. My point is, the
doctors knew she had to go through emergency C&S.
they could have saved her life and get the money
later. Nigeria is a very bad country I must confess.”
one of her friends said sadly.
It would be recalled that just recently, an actress,
Ijeoma Okorie, who is a member of Actors Guild of
Nigeria, AGN, Rivers State chapter, died during
childbirth alongside her twin babies .
This is just to bad of our Nigerian doctors.

OMG: Kim Kardashian Forgets Her Baby In hotel

39 minutes ago
American television and social media personality,
socialite, fashion designer, businesswoman, model,
and actress, Kim Kardashian, has amazed
onlookers .
Moment Kim Stepped out of the hotel…
Daily Uk Mail reports that the beautiful woman
amazed onlookers on wednesday when she stepped
out of a hotel without her baby, North west.
Moment Kim K turned back to pick baby Nori in the
hotel after she was reminded by the driver
She was shown in the video looking all radiant and
beautifully dressed as she steps out of the hotel and
walks towards the car, then, the driver reminds her
that she has left her 1-year-old daughter, North west
behind!

Moment Kim K came out with baby Nori
She however turned back, walk into the hotel to pick
her baby and she dramatically entered the SUV
amidst paparazzi.
Watch the video below:
Watch video
It would be recalled that just recently, the reality
television star was attacked and almost knocked to
the ground in an alarming assault during a Paris
Fashion Week event.

Shekau reappears, military faults video

The leader of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, Abubakar Shekau, has released a new video, in which he claimed that he is alive and active, contrary to claims by both the Nigerian and Cameroonian military authorities that he was killed in the battle front over two weeks ago.

It was not clear when the footages were recorded but the man that appeared in the 36 minutes video had all the features of the Shekau that appeared in most of the previous videos released by the sect, including looks, beard, pattern of dressing and speaking among others.

“I, hereby, put to lie the claim that I was killed,” Shekau said, amidst thunderous shout of Allahu Akbar “Allah is great” from his well armed lieutenants.

He claimed that his fighters shot down the   Alpha Jet (NAF 466) belonging to the Nigerian Air Force which was reported missing by the Defence headquarters.

The aircraft, with two pilots on board, reportedly left Yola at about 10:45 a.m. on September 12, 2014 on a routine operational mission but did not return.

One of the pilots was shown in the latest video stating that their aircraft was brought down by “fighters of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah.”

The ruin of the aircraft with the insignia of the Nigerian Air Force was shown.

The pilot, who said he did not know the whereabouts of his colleague, was thereafter decapitated with an axe by an executioner who dressed in military fatigue.

In the video, Shekau said he had gone far in ensuring that Sharia Law was strictly observed in his “Islamic Caliphate” and showed footages in which a man “convicted of adultery” was stoned to death.

The right hand of another man accused of “stealing” was chopped off while an unmarried young man and a young lady “convicted of fornication” were given 100 lashes each.

Shekau boastfully said, “I challenge you, I challenge you. You even said I was killed. If you kill me, does that mean you kill (the) religion? You are not honest. You have no proof, you have nothing to say.

“Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath. The wish of Obama will not kill me, the wish of Francois Hollande will not kill me, the wish of Benjamin Netanyahu will not kill me, the wish of Ban-ki Moon will not kill me, the wish of Queen Elizabeth will not kill me, the wish of the infidels of the world will not kill me, not to talk of Jonathan the laggard, not to talk of Kashim (Shettima) the tiny one, not to talk of Bra-Bra (Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Geidam) the filth. Nothing will kill me until my days are over. Do whatever you want to do. If you think what I’m doing is not the truth, even if you don’t fight me I will crumble,” he said.

Shekau was said to have been killed severally and only time will tell if he is actually killed or is still alive.

The latest video could not be independently verified and there is no immediate response on its content from Nigerian authorities.

However, the Nigerian military has reacted to the video purportedly released by “Abubakar Shekau” wherein he tried to debunk his killing during a battle in Konduga on September 17.

In it, military authorities insisted that Bashir Mohammed, alias Abubakar Shekau was actually eliminated as corroborated by still photographs and video evidence of surrendering and captured terrorists.

The reaction was contained in a short statement posted on defence information blog defenceinfo.mil.ng.

But independent investigations by PRNigeria revealed the anger by the military hierarchy at the propensity of some news media, especially foreign based ones, to fall for the antics of Boko Haram propaganda.

This is because in view of glaring evidences shown in still and video photographs coupled with oral testimonies of surrendering and captured terrorists, some media outfits still help in the spread of propaganda that Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau is still alive.

A top source in Abuja told PRNigeria that the new video purportedly released by “Abubakar Shekau” was still being carefully studied but urged Nigerians to continue to have confidence in the ability of their military to contain terrorism in parts of the country but keep strict vigilance on their environment so as to report suspicious activities to appropriate authorities.

The reaction of Defence Headquarters entitled: “The Purported Shekau Video in Circulation is as follows:

“The Defence Headquarters is studying the claims made in the video purportedly released by the terrorists showing their leader Abubakar Shekau as dismissing his death. From immediate observation and what some online news outlets claimed to have seen, the video did not indicate when it was shot neither did it show any proof of life or currency such as screen time or date. The video also did not make any reference to anything that has happened since the impostor’s reported death.

“It is also noteworthy that the air plane said to be mentioned in the video had been missing before he was killed. It should not surprise anybody if the terrorists decide to manipulate pictures, clone another Shekau or upload a pre-recorded video all in a bid to prove invincible.

“As far as we are concerned, the individual who was appearing in video and claiming to be the leader of the terrorist group was killed in the Kondunga battle in September. The resemblance of the corpse and that of the eccentric character was incontrovertible. His identity was equally corroborated by people who knew him before we announced his death.”

While still conducting thorough investigation into the new claims in the purported video, the military promised that justice would be served to whoever bore that name or designation and whoever engaged in the act.

NYSC online registration

on October 03, 2014 at 4:04

THE move by the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to introduce online registration and call-up of prospective Corps members has raised a lot of controversy which, if not quickly addressed, might affect the activities of the organisation.
The full computerization of the call-up process was approved at the meeting of the management in Calabar, and aims to begin with the 2014 Batch “C” mobilisation exercise. Under the scheme, prospective corps members are given the option of registering and processing their call-up from the comfort of their homes or the nearest business centre if they choose not to travel to their schools.
The snag, however, is that they have to pay the sum of N4,000 to cover the cost of this computerized processing, since the NYSC says, a private firm is handling the computerization project on its behalf under a private/public partnership arrangement.
The concerns and outright rejection of this project by well-meaning Nigerians is quite understandable, in the wake of the Immigration job recruitment disaster in which job seekers were forced to cough out N1,000 each to apply for the jobs. More than 20 young people lost their lives in various centres.
The difference, however, is that the NYSC insists that the N4,000 call-up registration is not compulsory. Prospective corps members have merely been given the option to either save themselves the old troubles of travelling to their schools for the call-up letter, with the risks involved or simply  option for the seamless computerized registration.
The choice factor is very important, as it will enable those who live quite close to their schools not to carry out the online process and fee payment if they so wish. We, however, hope that those who opt for the old style of registration will not be subjected to any form of punitive sanction or disadvantage simply because they do not opt for the computerised scheme.
We call on prospective corps members who choose not to apply online to report any cases of victimisation, as this will expose the genuine intentions or otherwise of those behind it.
It is a welcome development that the House of Representatives has already waded into the matter with a view to ensuring that the right thing is done in the public interest.
We advise the legislators not to be carried away by sentiments but to focus on ensuring that when implemented the rights of corps members to chose to register online or not are respected with absolutely no room left open to the victimisation of those who prefer not to.
Particular attention should be paid to the cost attached to the call-up registration to make sure that due processes of the law were followed in arriving at it, and that the benefits are commensurate with what corps members are required to pay.
If foul play is suspected it should be dropped. But if the programme will make life easier for stakeholders in the NYSC scheme, let it go ahead.

Vanguard

Panic as America quarantines 81 Ebola suspects

OCTOBER 3, 2014

Thomas Eric Duncan, identified by a former employer and seen in this undated Facebook photo, is the first Ebola patient to be diagnosed in the United States | credits: Photo: ABC News
From Guinea, a country of 11 million people, the Ebola Virus Disease has spread to four other West African nations—Senegal, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leaone — killing more than 3,000 people in a matter of days. The latest destination for this near-genocide is Dallas, a small city in Texas, United States, where the first person diagnosed in the country has been quarantined alongside 80 other possible contacts.

The trip made by Thomas Eric Duncan, a former chauffeur, from Liberia to the United States on September 20 has now raised controversies on how far the virus can travel and may force countries to rethink the flight restriction policy against countries where the disease has been endemic.

Until September 17 when President Barrack Obama sent 3,000 troops to help with the transportation of medical equipments, the US been sitting on the sidelines.

Speaking at the US Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, Obama announced a comprehensive plan, which involves the construction of 17 treatment centres with 100 bed facilities each. Some 500 health care workers will also be trained weekly.

“Faced with this outbreak, the world is looking to us, the United States, and it is a responsibility that we embrace. We are prepared to take leadership on this, to provide the type of capabilities that only America has and mobilize our resources in ways that only America can do,’’ Obama had said.

However, Duncan’s trip to the US has thrown up several issues. First is the inability of officials at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital to isolate Duncan on September 26, the day he first reported to the hospital.

Reacting to the development, a Consultant Gynecologist, Dr. Rotimi Akinola expressed hope that the situation would be brought under control soon. He however, remarked that the failure to isolate Duncan on his first visit to the hospital shows a natural weakness in any human system.

“There is no human system anywhere in the world that is above mistake. But they have an effective contract tracing mechanism and better record keeping. I am sure that system will rise to the occasion,’’ he enthused.

Texas hospital explains

A nurse at the Texas hospital was said to have asked Duncan about his recent travels while he was in the emergency room, and the patient was said to have told the nurse that he had been in Africa.

Executive Vice President of Texas Health Resources, Dr. Mark Lester confirmed this but that the information was not “fully communicated” to the medical team.

The man underwent basic blood tests, but not an Ebola screening, and was sent home with antibiotics, said Dr. Edward Goodman with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.

Three days later, the man returned to the facility, where it was determined that he probably had Ebola. He was then isolated.

“The hospital followed all suggested CDC protocols at that time. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas’ staff is thoroughly trained in infection control procedures and protocols,” the hospital said Wednesday.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which has helped to lead the international response to Ebola, advises that all medical facilities should ask patients with symptoms consistent with Ebola for their travel history.

Duncan’s travel history “was not acted upon in an appropriate way,” said Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent.

“A nurse did ask the question and he did respond that he was in Liberia and that wasn’t transmitted to people who were in charge of his care,” Gupta said. “There’s no excuse for this.”

A U.S. official told CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen that the situation was clearly “a screw-up.” A patient who shows up to a hospital with a fever and a history of travel to Liberia should be treated as an infection risk, the official said.

Asked repeatedly by Gupta whether the patient should have been tested for Ebola during his first visit to the hospital, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said officials were still looking at details about how the case was handled.

“We know that in busy emergency departments all over the country, people may not ask travel histories. I don’t know if that was done here,” Frieden said. “But we need to make sure that it is done going forward.”

Duncan is a 42-year-old Liberian national, according to his friend. This is Duncan’s first trip to the US, where he was visiting family and friends.

The close associate, who does not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the case, contacted the CDC with concerns that the hospital was not moving quickly enough after Duncan’s second hospital visit.

The associate said Duncan is “all right” now, but is in pain and hasn’t eaten in a week.

He is in serious condition, the hospital told CNN. Neither the hospital nor government officials have identified Duncan by name.

Shekau live. Releases video.

Newly released video going viral on the internet shows the self acclaimed leader of the islamist insurgent group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shakau claiming he is well and alive. In the video Shekau refutes recent reports by the Nigerian military laying claims to his execution during a clash with the insurgent group.

He further stresses that no one can kill him and the group is still very much active and ready to carry-on with their activities.

Watch video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCjrR1d7uLM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

How pathetic. Its a sorry situation for Nigeria even for the military to have come out with cock-and-bull stories claiming Shekau is dead. Am ashamed of the system. 

The questions I ask is why can't the point of release of these videos be traced and what gives this guy such confidence and boldness. Rubbish .

Happy 54th Anniversary

@54, Today we move from point 'A' to point 'B' as a nation. We still stand tall and strong. Despite our differences, deficiencies , limitations, and problems bedevilling our nation and threatening our unity we are still waxing stronger and moving forward with great expectations.

Our biggest assets, our population and diversity still stands us out from other African nations and even gives us a place on the global out look.

This year has been very eventful in religious, economic, political, educational and every strata of our lives. From the Confab to islamist insurgency, from heroes exits to new births, from one collapsed structure to broken marriages, from missing monies to lottery wins, from one loot to criminals getting the boot. From Patrick Sawyer to the fight against Ebola, In all we still remained NIGERIA, Good people, great nation. Our extinction is not near.

Let's look forward to a greater tomorrow for our dear nation. Let's remember the soldiers who lost their lives while defending our unity in the fight against insurgency. Let's at least think a prayer for the kidnapped Chibok girls#bringbackourgirls. Let's pray for the forth coming election and all the campaigns to be peaceful, free, fair and credible. Let's be hopeful as we walk the walk into our 55th anniversary. Nigeria is looking up and tomorrow is looking brighter. Forward ever and backward never. Long live Nigeria. Long live our great mother land.

Marshall Ononye

Obama celebrates with Nigeria at 54, promises to help fight terrorism

As Nigeria marks her 54th independence
anniversary, U.S. President, Barack Obama, has sent
out goodwill message to the country.
Obama also pledged the support of the American
government to Nigeria in combating terrorism.

Obama said the U.S was looking forward to
strengthening its relationship with Nigeria in the
coming year, especially on good governance.
He added that “Nigeria continues to play a key
leadership role in Africa and at the UN in promoting
regional peace and stability.
“At the heart of our enduring friendship is our
shared commitment to democratic values, the rule of
law and economic development.
“We look forward to strengthening our relationship
and working closely in the coming year, especially in
promoting good governance and combating
terrorism.
“As Nigerians observe this special day, we wish you
a more peaceful and prosperous year’’, Obama wrote
in the message addressed to President Goodluck
Jonathan.

2015: Why I want to be President – Buhari

on October 01, 2014 at 7:33
ABUJA—Former Head of State, and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday in Abuja formally declared his intention to seek his party’s nomination to contest next year’s presidential election, saying the country is tired of 15 years of purposeless leadership by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The expression of Buhari’s intention is coming exactly one week after former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, another presidential aspirant declared to run for the plum office on the party’s platform.
By this development, Buhari has become the second person to declare his presidential ambition in the party.

Addressing a crowd of supporters under the aegis of Buhari Support Group Centre in Abuja, the former military ruler said he would make formal statement on his intention soon.
He however urged his supporters to be ready to take the support beyond his person to ensure victory for  APC.
He said: “Within the next few weeks, the party will hold its convention to choose the flag bearers who will stand election on its platform. Your duty as supporters and volunteers will, among other things, include participation in the preparation for these primary elections and seeing to their successful conclusion and getting yourselves ready to do all it takes to wrest power from the PDP.
“With your support, I intend to offer myself for the position of the president of the republic on the platform of our great party. I intend to make a formal announcement soon and I hope I can count on your continuing support and sacrifice.
“However, I would like to point out to you that to be more meaningful, your support must extend beyond my person and always be available to the party and all those the party puts forwards; because it is the party that is the platform.
“You must remember at all times that APC is a party with several qualified people for each and all the positions that will be contested, including that of the president.
“It is the primaries that will determine who eventually represents the party in which capacity. If I get the nomination, I expect you will redouble your effort and commitment until we clinch the presidency. But in the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who wins, I will expect you as good party men to extend to him your total support.
We are a united party, and united we shall remain because  our strength lies in our unity.”
Apparently tired of having his name associated with pre and post election violence, Buhari warned his followers to desist from any unruly behaviors.
“For this and for other reasons, I must  warm all my supporters, volunteers and other well-wishes within the party or even out of it not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf.
“My supporters must not engage in any kind of behavior or conduct that will tarnish the image of any leader or promote division or rancour within the ranks of the party. Whoever does that should know he or she is working for the enemy”, he said.
…Says we are in 15 years of PDP purposeless leadership
Taking a swipe at the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  he said the party in its 15 years of existence was clueless about the challenges facing the country. According to him, change was imminent.
His words: “Today, we are in the 15th year of purposeless leadership by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and all we have seen is unprecedented deterioration in the security and law and order, astronomical rise in the incidence and intensity of corruption, and in the failure of governance.
“And as we reach this last lap of the journey, I would like to request that we concentrate all our effort and energy toward realising and achieving change in how this country is run. The only way to meaningful change in this country is to vote the PDP out of power to which it was never legitimately elected, anyway.”
…Maintains APC is hope of Nigerians
Buhari who has been a contender for the position since 2003 boasted that APC was the alternative party Nigerians were waiting for.
He said: “We are the alternative the nation has been waiting for. We are committed to democracy and entrenching its culture in Nigeria. We are committed to the principles of good governance and making them work in this country. We are committed to public probity and entrenching a culture of accountability in the conduct of government business.”
“Because we are committed to developing the potentials of this nation into true greatness, we shall bring about transformative change in this country-change in the way things are done and change in the way things are undone; change in the way this nation is left unsecured and mismanaged; and change in the way corruption is pampered and worshipped; and we shall install a culture of openness in the public affairs. We shall develop this land and go after prosperity and get it for our long-suffering people.”