ABUJA — The Nigerian government has placed the country on high alert following a resurgence of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In response, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated emergency preparedness measures and ramped up national surveillance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The directive was announced in an official health advisory signed by the NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris. According to the agency, all preparatory activities are fully underway and will be continuously reviewed based on evolving public health risk assessments and epidemiological data.

Key Prevention and Surveillance Updates

• Enhanced Border Screening: Enhanced surveillance protocols have been introduced for all inbound travelers arriving from countries experiencing active or relevant EVD transmission.

• Health Declaration Mandate: Travelers from affected regions are required to complete a formal Health Declaration Form to assist public health authorities with contact tracing and monitoring. Passengers from all other countries are currently exempt.

• Public Vigilance: The NCDC has urged the public to remain vigilant, watch closely for symptoms associated with Ebola, and immediately report any suspected cases.

• Medical Advice: Anyone exhibiting symptoms is advised to promptly seek professional medical care, ensuring they provide a detailed travel history and information on potential exposures.

The health advisory was issued following a Dynamic Risk Assessment conducted in close consultation with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The NCDC has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to safeguarding the health of all Nigerians through rigorous, evidence-based surveillance and swift emergency response mechanisms.

Situation Update in the DRC

Recent data highlights the severe scale of the ongoing outbreak in the DRC:

• Total Toll: As of September 20, the DRC has recorded a total of 7,672 confirmed EVD cases and 3,699 related deaths.

• Current Hospitalizations: There are currently 886 patients receiving treatment in isolation wards.

• Recent Spikes: Recent updates show an increase of 58 confirmed cases and 23 deaths across several provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo.

• Recoveries & Contact Tracing: A total of 1,879 people infected with the Bundibugyo strain have successfully recovered, while roughly 79.9% of identified case contacts remain under active medical follow-up.

Star forward Victor Osimhen is set to make his return for Galatasaray following the conclusion of the first international break of the 2026-2027 season, with reports pointing toward an October 9 clash against Kasımpaşa.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Recovery Timeline: Osimhen has been sidelined with a muscle strain sustained during a match against Başakşehir on September 4, causing him to miss key fixtures including a Champions League opener against Sporting Lisbon.

• Super Eagles Withdrawal: Although initially named in Nigeria’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, team officials confirmed his recovery took longer than expected, leading to his withdrawal.

• Awoniyi Earns Recall: With Osimhen out of commission, Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to the national team for the first time in two years.

• Blistering Early Form: Before picking up the injury, the former African Footballer of the Year enjoyed a phenomenal start to the campaign, netting six goals and providing two assists in just four matches.

The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has shared a remarkable personal story about how his true Hausa and royal identity was concealed from him for nearly three decades.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Protection Over Inheritance: Olawepo-Hashim revealed that his late father, Alhaji Hashim Abdullahi Yauri, deliberately kept his royal heritage a secret following a warning from an Islamic cleric regarding potential dangers within the royal family.

• Growing Up Under Wraps: As the grandson of the 40th Seriki of Yauri, he was relocated and raised in the Borgu Emirate under a different identity, growing up in a Yoruba cultural environment far removed from his northern royal roots.

• Distinguished Family Lineage: He paid tribute to his father—a former Police Commissioner and Commandant of the Police College, Kaduna—and his grandfather, Seriki Jibril, an independent-minded traditional ruler honored with the OBE during the colonial era.

• Bridging Cultures: Reflecting on the 27-year secret, Olawepo-Hashim noted that discovering his heritage did not replace his upbringing, but instead granted him a richer appreciation of the diverse cultural strands that define his identity.