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Ododo restates tighter partnership with monarchs for peace

Kogi State governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with traditional institutions to promote peace, unity, security and grassroots development in the state.

Ododo gave the assurance on Saturday in Ankpa during the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the ascension of the Ejeh of Ankpa, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu II, to the throne.

The governor described traditional rulers as custodians of cultural heritage and vital partners in governance, noting that their closeness to the people positions them to understand community needs and contribute meaningfully to addressing grassroots challenges.

He commended the Ejeh for his leadership over the past five years and urged him to sustain efforts to promote unity, peaceful coexistence and development among communities under his traditional authority.

Ododo also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to strengthen cooperation with security agencies to tackle insecurity and protect lives and property.

He stressed that effective collaboration among traditional institutions, government and security agencies is essential to maintaining peace and creating an enabling environment for sustainable development.

He urged traditional rulers to continue serving as a bridge between the government and the people by communicating the concerns of their communities and supporting government initiatives in key sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure.

The governor added that sustained engagement at the grassroots level was necessary to ensure that government policies and development programmes adequately addressed the needs and aspirations of the people.

Yobe North: Court reserves judgment in suit seeking to disqualify Ahmad Lawan

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has reserved judgment in a suit seeking to nullify the emergence of former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.

The trial judge, Justice Salim Ibrahim, reserved judgment on Monday, after counsel representing the parties in the matter adopted their written addresses and presented arguments for and against the suit.

According to the judge, the date for delivery of the judgment would be communicated to the parties 24 hours before its delivery.

The suit was filed by an aggrieved APC aspirant, Hassan Kafayos

who is challenging the conduct of the party’s May 18, 2026, senatorial primary election in Yobe North Senatorial District.

Kafayos is praying the court for an order setting aside Lawan’s emergence as the party’s candidate, alleging that he was unlawfully excluded from the primary election despite being screened and cleared to participate.

The Plaintiff, through his counsel, Mr. Francis Mgboh, argued that Lawan did not participate in the May 18 primary election, insisting that he neither purchased the nomination form for the senatorial seat nor emerged from a valid primary conducted on the scheduled date.

The plaintiff’s lawyer further argued that the election was conducted under a repealed law and maintained that no valid primary election produced Lawan as the APC candidate and urged the court to declare Kafayos the duly nominated candidate of the party for the senatorial district.

However, the APC, Lawan and other defendants urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case.

Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, who represented the APC, said the party had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the suit was statute-barred because it was filed outside the time prescribed by law.

He noted that the primary election was conducted in May while the action was instituted beyond the constitutionally stipulated period.

‘The court has no jurisdiction because the suit is statute-barred, having been filed outside the time frame prescribed by the Constitution,’ arguing that the suit is an abuse of court process and urging the judge to dismiss it with substantial costs.

He further asked the court to discountenance a document containing proposed questions for the cross-examination of subpoenaed witnesses, describing it as incompetent.

Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, counsel to Lawan, equally urged the court to dismiss the suit and sought N100 million in costs against the plaintiff.

Abdulalim Akeem, who represented APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, also called for the dismissal of the suit.

Similarly, P. A. Bello, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who aligned himself with the submissions by the APC and Lawan, maintained that the suit lacked merit and ought not to have been instituted, urging the court to dismiss it with substantial costs.

In the Originating Summons filed by Mgboh, Kafayos joined the APC, Yilwatda, Lawan and INEC as the first to fourth defendants, respectively.

The plaintiff sought four major reliefs, including a declaration that his alleged exclusion from the primary election violated his constitutional rights and the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the APC’s constitution and nomination guidelines.

He specifically alleged that the APC and its national chairman violated Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom from discrimination, alongside Sections 84, 85, 86 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Kafayos also argued that the alleged exclusion contravened Articles 2, 9.3 and 20 of the APC constitution, which he cited in support of his contention that the party failed to comply with democratic procedures in its internal affairs.

He asked the court to restrain the APC and its national chairman from forwarding Lawan’s name to INEC as the party’s duly nominated candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District.

He equally sought an order restraining INEC from accepting or publishing Lawan’s name as the candidate emerging from what he described as a flawed primary election conducted on May 18, 2026.

Alternatively, the plaintiff urged the court to order the APC to conduct a fresh primary election or declare him the party’s duly nominated candidate.

He also sought N50 million in aggravated and exemplary damages against the APC, Yilwatda and Lawan over his alleged wrongful exclusion from the primary election.

Atiku faults Tinubu’s $20.52bn, pound 1.045bn loan request, demands project details

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for approval to borrow $20.52 billion and pound 1.045 billion.

Atiku said the request vindicated his October 12 warning about a proposed loan of up to $20 billion.

Reacting on Tuesday through the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the President’s failure to identify the specific projects the loans would fund raised concerns.

‘On October 12, I warned Nigerians that President Tinubu was reportedly preparing to borrow up to $20 billion in connection with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. I asked him to confirm or deny the plan and publish the accounts. He did neither. Today, he has asked the Senate to approve $20.52 billion and pound 1.045 billion in external loans. My warning has been vindicated,’ Atiku said.

He said the President had listed broad sectors but had not provided a project-by-project account of what the borrowing would fund.

‘Nigerians have not been given clear project details, costs, locations or contractors to scrutinise. That silence is especially troubling given the highway’s inland rerouting,’ he said.

Atiku questioned whether the borrowed funds could be channelled through projects to political campaigners and favoured contractors.

‘Barely 12 weeks before an election, how can the President ask lawmakers to saddle Nigerians with more than $20 billion and pound 1 billion in debt without identifying projects and their costs? Is this a development plan for Nigerians or a campaign financing scheme dressed up as infrastructure?’ he asked.

He said that, if elected president, he would scrutinise every loan taken by the administration, especially those obtained in its final year.

‘I put local and international lenders on notice: any loan granted to this administration must meet all constitutional, statutory and due process requirements. Upon assumption of office, I will scrutinise every such loan. Any borrowing found to have been obtained without proper authorisation or process will be challenged,’ he said.

Atiku urged the National Assembly not to approve the loans until the President published details of every project, contract, cost, contractor, loan term and repayment obligation.

‘No public money should be borrowed in the dark, and no lawmaker should sign a blank cheque against Nigeria’s future,’ he said.

He said the burden was on the President to prove that the borrowing would serve the country’s interests and urged lawmakers to subject the proposal to rigorous scrutiny.

He added that families already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis should not be made to shoulder debts they had not approved.

Ex-Minister Sambo endorses Tinubu for second term, seeks constituents’ support

The former Minister of Transportation, Works and Housing, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, CON, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, urging Nigerians to back the administration’s economic reforms.

Sambo, who served as the Taraba State Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 presidential election, made the declaration while speaking with journalists in Jalingo.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain also urged residents of Taraba State to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying it would help attract more development to the state.

According to Sambo, Tinubu’s economic policies and interventions would yield long-term benefits for the country, improve living standards and should be sustained.

He said the economic difficulties facing Nigerians were part of the effects of ongoing reforms that had been delayed for years, adding that the process would initially involve hardship.

Sambo said the country needed to remain committed to the long-term goal of achieving economic and financial stability as a foundation for prosperity.

‘We are not oblivious to the feedback from the common man and the general increase in cost of living. However, we believe that the sacrifices being made today are necessary for enduring economic and financial stability.

Let us allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu consolidate the path of economic recovery and growth with a second term in office,’ he said.

The former minister expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic prospects, saying the benefits of the ongoing reforms would become more apparent over time.

‘Nigerians can be rest assured that it will get better. I firmly believe that the reforms coupled with other interventions, including increased spending in infrastructure projects, will ultimately translate into long-term economic stability and prosperity for the people,’ he stated.

He also called for better communication of the administration’s policies and their expected benefits to Nigerians, both in the short and long term.

‘Undoubtedly, PBAT is working, but we need men and women who will translate the impact of his work into simple terms that the common man on the street can understand. Many people are not adequately explaining the benefits of these reforms, either in the short or over the long term.

‘I believe it is high time all of us joined hands with President Tinubu to build our country,’ Sambo added.

On the 2027 general elections, the former minister expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects, predicting that the party would perform strongly across the country.

Employers lean on case studies, and simulations to hire best-fit candidates

A university degree may help a graduate secure an interview, but it does not always convince an employer that the candidate can perform the job.

Recruiters say employers are increasingly looking beyond academic qualifications to assess how graduates solve problems, communicate, respond to feedback and apply what they have learnt in practical work situations.

The challenge is distinguishing candidates who lack experience but have the potential to learn from those who may require more support than an employer can provide.

Rachel Njoroge, a senior recruiter at Bridge Talent Management, says the gap partly reflects an education system that does not always prepare graduates for the demands of the workplace.

Fresh graduates may need support not only in technical skills but also in understanding workplace expectations, including writing professional emails, meeting deadlines, following reporting structures and communicating with colleagues.

‘Employers are not just assessing whether you can do the job; they are also assessing how much work it will take to get you to the point where you can do the job independently,’ Ms Njoroge says.

She says academic qualifications remain relevant, but their value depends on the position being filled. Some employers, particularly in highly competitive graduate recruitment programmes, may prioritise strong academic results, while technical roles may require specific professional qualifications or practical competencies.

A degree alone, however, does not necessarily demonstrate whether a candidate can apply knowledge to real-world problems, communicate effectively or take ownership of a task.

‘A First Class degree is an achievement, and I’m not dismissing that. But the degree alone doesn’t automatically tell an employer whether you can apply what you’ve learnt, solve problems in a real work environment, communicate with colleagues or take ownership of a task,’ Ms Njoroge says.

Hildah Nyatichi, an HR business partner and account manager at IHR Solutions, says academic qualifications remain an important starting point because they demonstrate a foundation of technical knowledge and a commitment to learning.

However, employers also need evidence of how candidates would perform once hired. In her experience, this has increased the importance of practical assessments, competency-based interviews and other methods of evaluating candidates beyond their CVs.

Recruiters are using practical assignments, case studies, presentations, role-play exercises and work simulations to assess candidates’ ability to handle tasks related to the positions they are applying for.

These approaches can reveal strengths and gaps that academic transcripts may not capture. A candidate applying for a communications role, for instance, may be asked to complete a writing assignment, while another applying for an analytical position may be assessed on how they interpret information and solve a problem.

Ms Nyatichi says work simulations and job-related assignments are particularly useful because they give employers a more realistic view of how candidates might perform.

Ms Njoroge says employers can also combine aptitude tests, interviews and practical assignments rather than relying on a single assessment.

‘An aptitude test might tell you one thing, an interview another, and a practical assignment something else. The point is to gather enough information to make a sound hiring decision, rather than relying on one interaction or one score,’ she says.

The approach also requires employers to interpret results carefully. A candidate’s nervousness during an interview, for example, should not automatically be treated as evidence that they cannot do the job.

For some roles, employers are also looking for evidence of work beyond formal education. Portfolios, personal projects and coding repositories can help demonstrate a candidate’s ability to apply skills, particularly where formal work experience is limited.

The recruitment process is also evolving alongside the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence. Ms Njoroge says some employers are adopting technology to support screening and assessment, although the extent of adoption varies.

Hiring a graduate who needs additional training carries costs that go beyond formal courses or induction programmes.

Managers and experienced colleagues may have to spend more time explaining tasks, reviewing work and correcting mistakes. This can delay a new employee’s productivity and reduce the time available for other responsibilities.

‘If a manager or a senior employee has to spend significantly more time helping a new graduate than anticipated, that time is coming from somewhere,’ Ms Njoroge says.

Ms Nyatichi says training costs can include both direct expenses and indirect costs associated with supervision, slower productivity and the time required for a new employee to become comfortable with the role.

For employers with limited resources or teams already under pressure, the capacity to train a graduate can influence hiring decisions.

Both recruiters say employers may be willing to hire candidates with potential where they have the time, support systems and structured programmes needed to develop them. Where a role requires immediate independent performance, however, an employer may favour someone with prior experience.

This creates a tension in entry-level recruitment. Employers want candidates who can contribute, but graduates entering the labour market may have had few opportunities to acquire practical experience.

‘You cannot say you’re looking for a fresh graduate and then expect them to have three years of experience, know every system you’re using and be able to perform independently from day one,’ Ms Njoroge says.

‘At some point, you have to decide whether you’re hiring for potential or whether you need someone who is already experienced.’

For employers, the challenge is to establish which qualifications and skills genuinely predict performance in a particular role.

Ms Njoroge says employers should consider practical tests where academic grades alone do not provide enough information about a candidate’s suitability. They should also review their onboarding processes to determine whether a graduate’s difficulties arise from gaps in ability, inadequate training or unclear expectations.

Node Union launches AI infrastructure investment platform

Node Union has announced the launch of its AI infrastructure investment platform, offering individuals access to participation packages starting at just US$10.

Operating across three data centre sites in different countries, the platform enables participants to invest in pooled computing infrastructure that supports artificial intelligence development, business operations and research activities.

Node Union brings together equipment financing, professional infrastructure management and commercial computing services.

Participants select packages linked to pools of computing equipment, while the holding company manages procurement, deployment, maintenance and commercial operations. The model is designed to make participation in AI infrastructure accessible to a broader audience.

Computing capacity is rented to external customers for workloads including AI model training, inference (the process of running trained models) and other demanding computing tasks. Revenue supports operating costs and equipment reserves, with distributable proceeds determined by the terms of each participation program.

Packages start at US$10 and can be combined across equipment categories. They represent participation in pooled computing resources rather than the purchase of an individual physical server.

The model provides for potential monthly distributions and optional reinvestment. Returns are not guaranteed and depend on operating results, including customer demand, equipment utilization and energy costs.

‘We see computing capacity not as an abstract digital commodity, but as a real productive asset: capital becomes equipment, equipment becomes capacity available to customers, and demand for that capacity underpins the project’s economics,’ said Alexander Weber, CEO of Node Union.

Node Union’s infrastructure uses a modular approach, allowing capacity to expand in stages in response to customer demand. Its technology strategy covers general-purpose computing and specialized AI workloads, with equipment selected according to performance requirements, availability and operating economics.

The platform targets businesses, AI developers, universities and research teams with different computing needs, from access to individual GPU resources to dedicated servers and larger clusters. Further development includes isolated computing environments for organizations working with sensitive data.

Across its three operational sites, Node Union’s approach to expansion considers power supply, water availability, cooling requirements and the impact on nearby communities. The company prioritizes renewable energy and cooling approaches suited to local conditions, with the scale of each site guided by available resources.

Node Union’s next phase focuses on expanding computing capacity and customer relationships, broadening access in eligible markets and developing reporting on equipment utilization and operating performance.

Investing in an election year: How Kenya’s 2027 poll could shape investment opportunities

How will the investment landscape evolve in the lead-up to the August 2027 elections? In this episode of the Make Money podcast, Churchill Ogutu, Economist and Head of Research at Capital A Investment Bank, discusses election cycles, changing investor sentiment, and favoured asset classes in times of uncertainty.

Make Money, a podcast series hosted by Kepha Muiruri, from Business Daily Africa, unravels ways to be financially savvy. Get practical tips and advice on how to increase your income, build wealth, and achieve financial freedom in Kenya. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned investor, we’ve got something for everyone.

Listen here:

Season 7

Buying Dangote: A deep dive into the refinery IPO – Episode 1

Season 6

Rating KPC’s IPO: Is the Sh9 share price a good deal for you? – Episode 1

How shares trading was built on M-Pesa – Episode 2

Bitcoin’s latest crash: correction or death spiral? – Episode 3

The golden hedge: Navigating global volatility from the NSE – Episode 4

Beyond the money market: Is the pivot to special funds worth the risk? – Episode 5

Trading vs buy-and-hold: Where are stock investors leaving money? – Episode 6

Inside the KPC IPO: What investors learnt – Episode 7

The dividend play: How to make money from rising payouts – Episode 8

Your Q1 investing scorecard: Gulf war, rate cuts and NSE grit – Episode 9

Should I sell my bond now that prices are high? – Episode 10

ETFs explained: One investment, many assets – Episode 11

Risk and reward: Navigating the pain and pleasure of investing – Episode 12

Why diversification is the future of investing – Episode 13

Season 5

Inside the Sh600bn money markets fund growth – Episode 1

Why more Kenyans are taking their money offshore – Episode 2

The low-interest playbook: Where to invest your money now – Episode 3

The bonds ladder: How to get a monthly pay cheque – Episode 4

The hidden cost of investing: How to stop fees from eating your returns – Episode 5

The financial supermarket: Can your bank do it all? – Episode 6

NSE rally: Is it too late to invest? – Episode 7

Stocks 101: Your guide to opening a CDS account and making your first trade – Episode 8

Can AI replace your financial advisor? – Episode 9

Bubble or Boom? Decoding the AI-fuelled market frenzy – Episode 10

Black November: How to find investment bargains – Episode 11

The 2025 investment scorecard: Where did Kenyan investors win? – Episode 12

Season 4

Episode 1: The allure of infrastructure bonds

Episode 2: Maximising the dividend earning season

Episode 3: Minting generational wealth

Episode 4: Is the MMF party over?

Episode 5: Is your money safe in Saccos?

Episode 6: Insurance: Investment or Illusion?

Episode 7: Why Kenyans are going into business

Episode 8: Willy Kimani’s leap: Business insights from corporate to entrepreneurship

Season 3

Episode 1: Government bonds: Risk-free or low risk?

Episode 2: MMFs: Who really needs a fund manager?

Episode 3: How to protect your investments as interest rates fall

Episode 4: Is the stock market still a way make to money?

Episode 5: Does it still make sense to buy dollars?

Episode 6: How time directly impacts your investments

Episode 7: Hacking home ownership

Episode 8: Money matters: To bank or not to bank?

Episode 9: Trading 101: Separating wheat from chaff

Episode 10: What music can teach us about money

Season 2

Episode 1: Redefining your money goals

Episode 2: Making money work for you

Episode 3: Where to make money in 2024

Episode 4: Make your side hustles worthwhile

Episode 5: Loan and Behold: The art and science of borrowing

Episode 6: Career driven – Triumph at your job

Episode 7: Better Together – The Power of Group Investing

Episode 8: Make your networks shape your net worth

Episode 9: Buy now, Pay later – The A to Z of consumer credit

Episode 10: What would you do if you had Sh500,000?

Season 1

Episode 1: Financial fitness – walk before you can run

Episode 2: Myths about investing

Episode 3: Baby steps…Little is more

Episode 4: A cheque from government

Episode 5: NSE – Taking stock of the market

Episode 6: Going offshore – cast your bread in many waters

Episode 7: Kenya’s black gold

Episode 8: Investor’s edge – Saccos

Episode 9: How wife’s wake-up call led Ken to make more money

Delta govt extends clinical health workers’ retirement age to 65

The Delta State Government has said clinical health workers seeking to benefit from the extension of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years must apply six months before attaining the statutory retirement age and undergo medical fitness assessments.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, gave the clarification on Tuesday in Asaba, explaining that the extension was not automatic and would be granted only to eligible personnel who met the stipulated requirements.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had earlier approved the extension as part of efforts to retain experienced healthcare professionals and strengthen service delivery amid the growing migration of skilled workers abroad.

Onojaeme said the application process and medical assessments were necessary to ensure that officers seeking to remain in service beyond the age of 60 were physically fit to discharge their duties.

He explained that the policy covered several professional cadres in the health sector, including medical officers, nursing officers, pharmacists, dental officers, community health officers, assistant radiographers, speech therapists, dietitians, optometrists and relevant technical personnel.

According to him, the measure was expected to help the state retain experienced personnel, preserve institutional knowledge and address manpower challenges confronting the healthcare system.

The commissioner noted that the continued departure of skilled health professionals had placed pressure on healthcare delivery, making it necessary for the government to explore measures to encourage experienced workers to remain in service.

He said the extension would provide an opportunity for qualified personnel to contribute their expertise for an additional five years, subject to the approved conditions.

On the state’s preparedness against Ebola, Onojaeme reassured residents that no case of the disease had been recorded in Delta State.

He said the government had intensified preventive measures and was strengthening the capacity of health personnel to respond promptly to any suspected outbreak.

The commissioner disclosed that health officers were undergoing training, while the government was procuring protective equipment to safeguard healthcare workers and improve emergency response.

He urged residents to remain calm and support public health efforts, stressing that the government was taking steps to protect the population against potential health threats.

Onojaeme said the retirement policy and measures to strengthen Ebola preparedness reflected the government’s commitment to improving the health system, retaining skilled personnel and protecting residents from public health emergencies.

Rescued red panda transferred to Khao Kheow Open Zoo

A female red panda rescued from suspected international wildlife traffickers has been transferred to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri for medical assessment and rehabilitation.

Police seized the five-year-old red panda on Saturday after finding it concealed inside a pickup truck they had stopped near the Myanmar border in Mae Sot district in Tak province.

The red panda, weighing approximately 5kg, was handed over on Tuesday morning to the zoo’s veterinary team and wildlife specialists by staff from Protected Area Regional Office 14 of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Authorities at the Mae Sot Wildlife Checkpoint had conducted preliminary health checks and implanted a microchip with an identification number before the transfer. (Story continues below)

Red pandas are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which provides the highest level of protection against international commercial trade.

Panatchakorn Photiphanthit, director of Protected Area Regional Office 14, said the red panda – also known as a bear cat or lesser panda – requires specialised veterinary care, nutrition and suitable living conditions, with stress management also essential to its recovery.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo will place the animal in quarantine for further health assessments and prepare an environment suited to its natural behaviour to minimise stress and support its adjustment.

Police and other agencies are continuing their investigation to identify those behind the suspected trafficking operation and trace any associated networks.

Two suspects were arrested after the search of their pickup in Mae Sot, as they could not show documents authorising them to keep the red panda. They were taken to the Mae Sot police station and charged with illegal possession of protected wildlife.

Offenders face maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and/or a 1-million-baht fine.

Ebola: Sokoto puts health workers on alert, says state remains low-risk

The Sokoto State Government has strengthened disease surveillance and emergency preparedness against the possible spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), assuring residents that the state remains classified as low-risk by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, gave the assurance on Tuesday after a stakeholders’ meeting in Sokoto to assess the state’s preparedness and strengthen measures for the early detection and containment of suspected Ebola cases.

Wurno said epidemiologists and disease surveillance personnel had been placed on alert, while emergency response mechanisms had been strengthened to ensure prompt intervention if a suspected case was reported.

‘I want to inform you that Sokoto is a low-risk state, as declared by the NCDC. There is no cause for alarm,’ he said.

He, however, stressed the need for continued vigilance, noting that Sokoto’s geographical location and international entry points required constant monitoring to guard against possible disease transmission.

The commissioner identified the Illela international border and the state airport as key points requiring attention, although the airport currently handles domestic flights.

‘We have a very good surveillance system, and our epidemiologists are also active. We have put all of them on alert so that, in case of any alert, we are able to switch into action,’ he said.

According to him, the stakeholders’ meeting brought together officials responsible for disease surveillance, prevention, case management and public awareness to review existing arrangements and identify areas requiring further intervention.

He said the government was committed to maintaining adequate preparedness and ensuring that relevant health institutions could respond swiftly to any eventuality.

‘The level of readiness is intact and ready for any eventuality,’ Wurno added.

On isolation arrangements, the commissioner said the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Amanawa had been prepared to accommodate and manage suspected Ebola cases if necessary.

‘Our Infectious Disease Hospital is ready. We have prepared it for isolation where there is need,’ he said.

Wurno explained that the facility had been equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential materials for infection prevention and control.

He added that the hospital’s Chief Medical Director attended the stakeholders’ meeting and briefed participants on its readiness to support the state’s emergency response.

Meanwhile, the commissioner said the diphtheria outbreak in Sokoto was showing signs of improvement, with fewer than 20 patients receiving treatment across three designated centres.

He identified the centres as Specialist Hospital Sokoto, with a 45-bed capacity; Amana, with 100 beds; and another facility with five beds.

According to him, each centre currently has fewer than 10 patients on admission, indicating a decline in the number of people requiring treatment.

‘As it is, we have less than 20 patients on admission in all the three centres, and the case management is going very well, excellently,’ he said.

The commissioner said the progress in managing diphtheria had encouraged the government to sustain its public health interventions while strengthening preparedness against other infectious diseases.

He urged residents to remain calm, rely on credible sources for health information and promptly report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.

The state government said continuous surveillance, early detection and effective coordination among health agencies remained essential to preventing disease outbreaks and protecting residents.