BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

Over 300 cases of suspected meningitis have been recorded in Sokoto State, Commissioner of Health Dr Faruku Wurno has confirmed.

The Commissioner while registering deep concern over the development at a state high level sensitization campaign held at Sokoto north Secretariat, however assured that measures are being taken to curb the spread of the epidemic.

Dr Farukun who said they are deeply concerned about the protection of public health, said, “”over 300 people had contracted meningitis in recent weeks, only 16 are still receiving treatment across affected local governments, with the majority already discharged”

Addressing participants at the awareness campaign meeting organized by the State Ward Development Committee (WDC) Forum in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency. Dr. Muhammad Marnona and Dr. Larai Tambuwal, urged residents to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility upon noticing key signs of meningitis which are symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, or neck stiffness

Representatives from UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), and the Vice Chancellor of SAISA University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Prof. Abdullahi Mainasara, were also present to support the campaign.

In goodwill messages, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, and local leaders commended Governor Dr. Ahmed Aliyu for prioritizing health in the state.

WDC Chairman, Comrade Bala Gadanga Sokoto, described the campaign as timely and crucial, especially in the wake of the recent spike in cases across various local governments.

The campaign marks the first of its kind and reflects the state’s renewed commitment to proactive public health education and disease prevention.

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL,Sokoto

The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in collaboration with The Bakhita Initiative (JDPC Sokoto), have graduated no fewer than 960 Care Group Volunteers from Wurno and Wamakko local government areas of Sokoto State.

The programme, executed under the auspices of the KYAUTATA RAYUWA, was geared towards providing immediate emergency response to vulnerable families in Sokoto State.

Addressing the graduants, the acting Programme Manager, CRS, Clinton Ofoegbu said he was happy with the development, adding, the testimonies from the Care Group Volunteers will serve as a source of continued joy for him.

Giving objectives of the exercise, the Lead Promoter of Care Group Volunteer in Wamakko local government, Hussaina Mohammed said, they were trained through the Care Group Model and adopted a community based approach to promote essential Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) behaviour at the household levels.

While noting that the Care Group Model has helped in forstering sustainable behavioral change in rural communities, the Wamakko Lead Promoter, however appealed to them to sustain the tempo by continue working tirelessly to improve the nutrition and health outcomes of women and children in the state.

Earlier in a goodwill message, Sokoto State Director of International Cooperation, Alhaji Musa Muhammad Wamakko who represented the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Zayanna appealed to women in the State to always be supportive of their husbands at all times.

On his part, Abubakar Umar, Director Planning, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs speaking onbehalf of the Ministry’s Commissioner, Hadiza Shagari thanked CRS, the Bakhita JDPC Initiative for the numerous positive impacts they have been making in the lives of the people of the state.

Speaking onbehalf of the graduating women, Saratu Umar said the CRS KYAUTATA RAYUWA and The Bakhita (JDPC Sokoto) has greatly impacted their lives positively.

China has increased its retaliatory tariffs on imports from the United States to 125 percent, escalating the trade war between the economic powerhouses.

In his first public comments on the war, Xi Jinping, Chinese leader, said his nation was “not afraid”.

“The successive imposition of excessively high tariffs on China by the US has become nothing more than a numbers game, with no real economic significance,” the Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement on Friday.

“It merely further exposes the US practice of weaponizing tariffs as a tool of bullying and coercion, turning itself into a joke.

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“If the US insists on continuing this numbers game with tariffs, China will not engage.

“However, if the US persists in substantively harming China’s interests, China will resolutely take countermeasures and fight to the end.”

Stocks plunged in Europe following the move with the US dollar falling to its weakest against the euro since 2022.

The Donald Trump-led US administration is yet to respond to the move.

Despite drawing first blood with a global tariff blitz, Trump has retaliated with higher tariffs against nations and unions that responded to his taxes on goods.

When Beijing responded by announcing a reciprocal 84 percent tariff on US goods last week, Trump said their actions “lacked respect” and hit back with a 125 percent imposition, while lowering the rates for other nations.

China’s new rates on US goods are set to take effect on April 12.