Day: June 27, 2024

In response to the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic in some African countries following the 2024 Hajj in Saudi Arabia, Minister of Public Health Dr. Manaouda Malachie has announced strengthened border surveillance measures. In a statement released on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the minister outlined several preventive and control measures aimed at containing potential outbreaks in Cameroon, particularly in light of 5,500 Cameroonian pilgrims attending the event. Key measures include the mandatory completion of identification forms for all international travelers arriving at airports, systematic testing of suspected cases, voluntary screening of travelers, and the prompt screening of suspected cases in hospital emergency departments. Additionally, all positive cases will receive free treatment. These proactive steps come as many countries, whose citizens participated in the pilgrimage, grapple with rising COVID-19 cases. Saudi Arabia reported more than 1,300 deaths from heat-related illnesses during this y ear's Hajj due to extreme temperatures reaching up to 51.8 degrees Celsius at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Senegal, with 12,900 pilgrims, has confirmed COVID-19 cases among returning pilgrims, with 78 cases detected out of 124 tests conducted at Dakar's Blaise Diagne International Airport. Dr. Malachie urged Cameroonians to remain vigilant by continuing to practice preventive measures such as wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, practicing hand hygiene, and regularly disinfecting public spaces. Since recording its first case on March 6, 2020, Cameroon has reported over 125,000 positive cases and 1,974 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. The government's proactive measures have been credited with successfully containing previous waves of the pandemic. Source: Cameroon News Agency

Lagos, Nigeria ( CNA) Nick Imudia, a prominent figure in Nigeria's business community known for his roles as former CEO of Konga ( an online store) and leader in solar energy solutions, tragically ended his life on Tuesday night. The 54-year-old entrepreneur was found deceased outside his apartment in Lekki, Lagos, having jumped from the balcony. Imudia, originally from Ika South local government area of Delta State, had a distinguished career marked by his tenure at Konga, one of Nigeria's largest e-commerce platforms. More recently, he served as CEO of D.light, a pioneering company in residential solar energy solutions. Before taking his life, Imudia reportedly contacted his brother based in the United States to outline instructions for the management of his estate. He also made a poignant call to his young daughter from a previous relationship, reassuring her of his eternal presence, telling her to look to the sky whenever she missed him. The news of Imudia's death has sent shockwaves through his circle of friends, family, and business associates, who are struggling to understand the reasons behind his tragic decision. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death while the community mourns the loss of a visionary leader in Nigeria's business landscape. Imudia's legacy as an innovator and leader in both e-commerce and renewable energy will be remembered by many, underscoring the importance of mental health awareness and support in high-pressure industries. Source: Cameroon News Agency

Reports coming out of Batibo in the Northwest Region indicate a deadly incident involving a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Two persons, Ndong Njong and Fomunyoh Charles Mbah, were confirmed dead, including the driver of the car whose legs were completely shattered. What we know One civilian fatality: Only one person is reported to have survived the IED detonation in Oshum village. Targeted attack: Ambazonian fighters are alleged to have planted the IED on the highway, targeting a convoy that included two armored vehicles. A civilian car hit: Detonation occurred prematurely, striking a civilian Toyota Corolla instead of the armored vehicles. Extensive damage: The blast destroyed the Corolla to pieces. Ndong Raphael who survived the incident, was administered first aid by a military medical doctor on the incident scene and taken to the Bali district hospital. Source: Cameroon News Agency

Addis Ababa: Telecom and Addis Ababa University have signed partnership agreement to implement Smart Campus project by establishing smart classrooms and other cutting edge solutions vital to learning activities. Ethio-Telecom CEO, Frehiwot Tamiru and acting President of the Addis Ababa University, Samuel Kifle signed the agreement. The agreement aims at ensuring education quality and inclusiveness; it was indicated on the occasion. Enhancing access to educational materials and improving the conduct of laboratory testing by establishing smart classrooms is also the objective of the agreement. Additionally, exams are administered in the smart classrooms, and results are promptly made public. Installations of various infrastructures vital to the project will be carried out as part of the agreement to ensure the security of the Addis Ababa University Sidist Kilo campus. Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia is focusing on being self-reliant in medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, according to Ministry of Health. The local medical inputs manufacturing and innovation exhibition recently opened by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Millennium Hall has demonstrated Ethiopia's encouraging activities to become self-reliant in the production of medical equipment and supplies. Health State Minister, Frehiwot Abebe told ENA that the ministry is focused on creating a healthy citizenry by engaging in preventive-based curative practices across the country. The state minister, who said that efforts have been underway to increase the share of local supply of medicine and medical equipment, added that this would also be a big leap toward creating jobs and foreign currency. According to her, focusing on the development and production of local products will not only ensure economic sovereignty of the country but also help to extricate the nation from dependency in the sector. She revealed that various activities are being carried out in this regard in line with the directives set by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. ShieldVax Enterprise, a vaccine producing enterprise, is under construction to locally produce vaccines and replace exported vaccines, Frehiwot further disclosed. Moreover, actions geared towards ensuring sustained national development in the health sector, and measures supporting local producers in the sector by assisting them to produce quality materials that replace imported items would be strengthened, the state minister added. She further said ScinticaMed, a medical manufacturing company, has started producing ultrasound machines demonstrating that the nation is actively involved in producing medical equipment. Recall that Health Minister, Dr. Mekedes Daba stated that activities have been underway to upscale the share of local pharmaceutical industries with 47 percent in accordance with the mid-term plan for development and investment in the health sector. Ethiopia has already developed a sy stem of supply of medical inputs, health and pharmaceutical polices to enable the country to become self-sufficient in the sector over time, the minister added. The nation has managed to locally produce medicine supplies worth 75 million USD this Ethiopian fiscal year, enabling the government to save 53.1 million USD. Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The European Union has donated 18 vehicles for field work to the Ministry of Justice in an effort to improve the criminal justice system in Ethiopia. European Union Deputy Head of Delegation to Ethiopia, David Krivanek handed over the keys to Justice Minister Gideon Timothewos today. The 18 vehicles were purchased and delivered to Ministry of Justice in accordance with the agreement reached between the two parties to improve the criminal justice system in Ethiopia, it was learned. It was noted on the occasion that the vehicles will be of great help in streamlining the field work carried out by the ministry to investigate the violation of human rights within the framework of the reform of Ethiopia's criminal justice system.The handover ceremony was held in the presence of the project's support staff and senior officials of the Ministry of Justice. Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said the local medical products manufacturing and innovation exhibition, held in Addis Ababa over the last six days, has promoted Ethiopia's investment opportunities and the county's potential in the sector. Local Medical Products Manufacturing and Innovation Exhibition, opened by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the 22nd of June, was officially closed today in the presence of high ranking government officials and stakeholders in the sector. On the occasion, Deputy PM Temesgen said the expo has demonstrated the commitment of the government to enhancing local manufacturing of medical products and ensure import substitution in the sector. The expansion of local medical supplies products is vital to Ethiopia not only to free from the dependency of import products but also instrumental to enhancing the health of its citizens, he underlined. The stride being demonstrated by the government to improving the national health system emanates from the country's broad g oals to create a healthy nation important to ensuring prosperity, Temesgen underscored. According to him, Ethiopia was importing 92 percent of its medical supplies with significant foreign exchange up until last year. However, Temesgen said the government has brought positive achievements following its measures with a view to increasing the share of local medical supply products which has now reached 36 percent. He also revealed that Ethiopia has been exporting medical products to 35 countries. The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Ethiopia will soon become self-sufficient in medical supplies if it continues with the current pace to encourage local manufacturing. He further stressed the need to give a great deal of attention to product quality and global acceptance noting the presence of conducive policies to encourage the sector and attract investment. The exhibition, held under the theme "Our Health by Our Products," with the objective to boost the local medical supplies manufacturing, has been visit ed by over 100, 000 citizens during the past six days. The exhibition has showcased Ethiopia's healthcare investment opportunities as well as domestically produced medical products and services. Some 107 manufacturers from the sector have participated in the exhibition, which also featured networking opportunities for investors, panel discussions, and other programs. Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The World Gem Foundation's Africa Project has today graduated the first generation of career gemologists in Ethiopia. Some 12 graduates, who passed through rigorous theoretical and practical skill for over the past 11 months, received their diploma from Minister of Mines Habtamu Tegegn today. Project Africa is an initiative by the World Gem Foundation to create a 'Value Chain' that will be self-sustaining and ensure that those living in gem producing areas benefit economically from the mining and processing of their gemstones. Speaking at the occasion, the Minister said that the graduate will play immense role to transform the sector by exploiting the untapped potential of minerals in the country. He added that Ethiopia has more than 40 types of different precious minerals that need to be utilized through advanced technologies. Habtamu explained that due to lack of professionals, the country has exported several tonnes minerals to international markets without value addition. Founder and CE O of World Gem Foundation, Geoffrey Dominy said 'our Value Chain' will include centres of excellence so that students can study gemology, gem faceting and jewelry making. The CEO stated that through the establishment of World Gem Foundation Gem Testing Laboratories, World Gem Foundation will ensure that gemstones are correctly identified, graded and traced to their original source. Gemology is the science of studying, cutting, and valuing precious stones. Certified gemologists are rare in Ethiopia and the country is unable to make use of its mineral and gemstone resources, it was learned. Source: Ethiopian News Agency