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The Federal Government says it has deployed epidemiologists and vaccines to arrest the outbreak of a new a strain of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis in parts of the country.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja that the new strain, which is not common in Nigeria, was imported from Niger Republic.

Adewole said the new strain requires a different type of vaccine and a team of epidemiologists had been deployed to address the challenge.

He described the outbreak of meningitis in Sokoto and Zamfara States as an unfortunate incidence, stressing that the ministry is working hard to contain the situation.

Adewole said: “It has become an annual ritual under this administration; we would want to put an end to annual outbreak of meningitis in some of the northern states.

“I have just spoken with the Commissioner for Health in Zamfara, who is appreciative of what the Federal Ministry of Health has been doing through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

“We have sent field epidemiologists; they are actually called disease detectives, to support them at the state level.”

The minister said government has provided vaccines and would continue to do more in terms of whatever was needed with respect to material and technical support to overcome the outbreak.

He said: “What we know in public health is that there is always an outbreak, but what is uncertain is where and the type.

“We want to be ready at any time.”

Adewole said he has scheduled a meeting with the commissioners of health from the Northern states to plan a resilient and strong strategy to put an end to meningitis outbreak in the country.

He said all the states in northwest region are prone to the disease and the states would be treated equally when confronted by outbreaks such as this.

While calling for more vigilance, the minister appealed to Nigerians to report all cases of unusual fevers to health facilities and avoid overcrowding.

He said: “When people are coughing let them be referred to facilities, open windows and ensure that we do not get infected easily.

“Children are more susceptible and when they have unusual fever they should also be referred to the hospital.”

According to him, many ailments like Lassa fever, meningitis and other diseases usually occur during the dry season and we expect many health challenges.

He said: “Global warming had changed many things; as far as we are concern we would be ready for many things.”

NAN recalls that an outbreak of CSM has claimed five lives in Gada and Wauru towns of Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Balarabe Kakale, said the victims died at the Gada General Hospital and Wauru Primary Health Centre.

He said: “Three of the deaths were recorded at the Gada General hospital, while two were recorded at the Wauru PHC.”

A similar report outbreak was also reported from Zamfara State on Tuesday.

 

NAN.

BIG STORY

Nigeria’s GDP Rate Grew By 3.46% In Q3 2024 — NBS

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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that Nigeria’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.46 percent in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.

In its GDP report published on Monday, the NBS noted that this growth rate is higher than the 3.19 percent recorded in Q2 2024.

The bureau also highlighted that the growth rate surpassed the 2.54 percent recorded in the third quarter of 2023.

According to the report, the performance of the GDP during the reviewed period was primarily driven by the services sector, which recorded a growth rate of 5.19 percent and contributed 53.58 percent to the total GDP.

“The agriculture sector grew by 1.14%, from the growth of 1.30% recorded in the third quarter of 2023,” the statistics firm said.

“The growth of the industry sector was 2.18%, an improvement from 0.46% recorded in the third quarter of 2023.”

“In terms of share of the GDP, the services sector contributed more to the aggregate GDP in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the corresponding quarter of 2023.”

The NBS also reported that the nominal GDP reached N71.13 trillion in Q3 2024.

Nominal GDP and real GDP both measure the total value of goods produced in a country in a year. However, while real GDP is adjusted for inflation, nominal GDP is not.

“This performance is higher when compared to the third quarter of 2023 which recorded aggregate GDP of N60,658,600.37 million, indicating a year-on-year nominal growth of 17.26%,” the bureau stated.

‘OIL PRODUCTION ROSE TO 1.47M BARRELS IN Q3 2024’

The report also revealed that the country recorded an average oil production of 1.47 million barrels per day (mbpd) in Q3 2024.

According to the NBS, this is “0.07 million bpd higher” than the production volume of 1.41 mbpd in Q2 2024 and “0.02 mbpd higher than the daily average production of 1.45 mbpd recorded in the same quarter of 2023.”

“The real growth of the oil sector was 5.17% (year-on-year) in Q3 2024, indicating an increase of 6.02 percentage points relative to the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023 (-0.85%),” the NBS said.

“Growth decreased by 4.98 percentage points when compared to Q2 2024, which was 10.15%. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the oil sector recorded a growth rate of 7.39% in Q3 2024.”

“The oil sector contributed 5.57% to the total real GDP in Q3 2024, up from the figure recorded in the corresponding period of 2023 and down from the preceding quarter, where it contributed 5.48% and 5.70% respectively.”

‘NON-OIL SECTOR CONTRIBUTED 94.4% TO Q3 GDP RATE GROWTH’

The non-oil sector grew by 3.37 percent in real terms in Q3 2024, which is 0.62 percent higher than the rate of 2.75 percent recorded in the same quarter of 2023, according to the NBS.

The bureau also pointed out that this growth was higher than the 2.8 percent recorded in the second quarter of 2024.

“In real terms, the non-oil sector contributed 94.43% to the nation’s GDP in the third quarter of 2024, lower than the share recorded in the third quarter of 2023, which was 94.52%, and higher than the second quarter of 2024, which was 94.30%,” the NBS added.

The non-oil sector, which includes information and communication (telecommunication), trade, agriculture (crop production), financial and insurance (financial institutions), manufacturing (food, beverage, and tobacco), real estate and construction, made positive contributions to the country’s GDP growth.

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BIG STORY

Nigeria’s Unemployment Rate Decreased To 4.3% In Q2 2024 — NBS

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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that Nigeria’s unemployment rate stood at 4.3 percent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024.

In a report released on Monday, the NBS highlighted that the unemployment rate had decreased from the 5.3 percent recorded in Q1 2024.

The NBS defined the unemployment rate as the proportion of the labour force (the total of unemployed and employed individuals) who are not employed but are actively seeking work and available for employment.

“The unemployment rate for Q2 2024 was 4.3%, showing an increase of 0.1 percentage point compared to the same period last year,” the report states.

“The unemployment rate among males was 3.4% and 5.1% among females.”

“By place of residence, the unemployment rate was 5.2% in urban areas and 2.8% in rural areas. Youth unemployment rate was 6.5% in Q2 2024, showing a decrease from 8.4% in Q1 2024.”

According to the report, the unemployment rate among individuals with post-secondary education was 4.8 percent, 8.5 percent among those with upper secondary education, 5.8 percent for those with lower secondary education, and 2.8 percent among those with primary education in Q2 2024.

‘EMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASED TO 76.1%’

The report also showed that the employment-to-population ratio, which compares the number of employed individuals to the total working-age population, increased to 76.1 percent in Q2 2024.

“In Q2 2024, 76.1% of Nigeria’s working-age population was employed, up from 73.1% in Q1 2024,” the report notes.

“Disaggregating by sex, the employment-to-population ratio was 77.2% for males and 75% for females in Q2 2024.”

“Additionally, the employment-to-population ratio in urban areas was 73.2% and 80.8% in rural areas in Q2 2024.”

“This represents an increase in the ratio compared to 69.5% and 78.9% in Q1 2023, respectively.”

‘SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCREASED TO 85.6%’

The report further reveals a significant shift in Nigeria’s labour market, as the proportion of self-employed individuals rose in Q2 2024.

“The proportion of persons in self-employment in Q2 2024 was 85.6%,” the report indicates.

“Survey findings show a decrease in the share of employed individuals primarily engaged as employees, from 16.0% in Q1 2023 to 14.4% in Q2 2024.”

“The self-employment rate among females was 88.3%, while for males it was 82.2%.”

“Disaggregating by place of residence, the rate of self-employed individuals in rural areas was 94.3% and 79.7% in urban areas.”

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BIG STORY

BON Awards Hosts Memorable Book Reading Of Do As You’re Told Baji

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On November 24th, 2024, the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards organized a captivating book reading of Do As You’re Told, Baji, authored by the renowned writer Lola Shoneyin. The event, held at 11 a.m. in Kwara State, celebrated the power of storytelling and the importance of fostering a culture of reading among families.

Among the distinguished attendees were the First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, alongside notable figures such as Wole Ojo, Cynthia Clarke, Chioma Okafor, Segun Arinze, and Kemi Adekomi, who added prestige and insight to the event.

In her remarks, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq highlighted the vital role of parents in fostering a love for reading among children. “Parents should cultivate the habit of reading with their children,” she said. “It’s not just about education—it’s about creating lasting memories and strengthening family bonds.”

The reading of Do As You’re Told, Baji showcased Lola Shoneyin’s vibrant and relatable storytelling, leaving participants inspired to embrace literature as a means of cultural and personal enrichment. The event also featured engaging discussions about the book’s themes, celebrating the depth and diversity of Nigerian literature.

This initiative reinforces the BON Awards’ dedication to promoting the arts, literacy, and the celebration of Nigerian creative talents.

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