Seven health workers abducted in Rivers!

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted seven health workers working for the Niger Delta Development Commission in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The health workers; four medical doctors, a pharmacist, one dentist and a nurse, were said to have been taken away by their captors at about 11pm on Saturday in Okolomade Community.

It was gathered that the gunmen, who stormed the community with AK-47 rifles, shot sporadically to scare away indigenes before going for their victims.

The kidnappers, according to a member of the community, came in two speed boats and escaped with the health workers through the waterways in the area.

The situation caused confusion as some members of the community, who ran into the bush to avoid being killed, came out the following morning.

A source said on Tuesday that the kidnapped health workers were in Okolomade community for the NDDC Free Medical Outreach Programme before being whisked away by the hoodlums.

According to the source, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of NDDC, Dr. Itotenaan Ogiri, who is a member of the community invited the health workers to render free healthcare services to the community for three weeks.

It was leanrt that the hoodlums took away mobile phones belonging to those living around the building where the doctors and other health workers were lodged.

However, the kidnappers have not called to demand any ransom, though efforts to reach the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad and the Head Corporate Affairs of NDDC, Mr. Ibitoye Abosede on the matter reportedly proved futile.
Source: Punch News

Nigeria On The Verge Of Losing Borno State!

Nigeria stands on the verge of being split in two as Boko Haram makes lightning territorial gains in the north-east of the country, the Nigeria Security Network (NSN) has warned in a special report, North-East Nigeria on the brink.

The network of Nigerian and international experts, including former United States Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell, warns that Boko Haram is preparing to take over Borno’s state capital, Maiduguri, following an attack on Bama to the south-east.

“If Maiduguri falls, it will be a symbolic and strategic victory unparalleled so far in the conflict,” the group says.

A successful attack could be followed by a take over of the whole of Borno state and possibly parts of Adamawa, Yobe, and neighbouring Cameroon, the group says.

The report says, “Unless swift action is taken, Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of ISIS’s lightning advances in Iraq.”

NSN calls on the Nigerian government to urgently reinforce Maiduguri to prevent it falling into enemy hands and re-gain control over Borno’s network of roads to stem the insurgency’s advance.

They warn that low morale and inadequate equipment in the army is causing soldiers to refuse to counter-attack and flee from battle.

The report states “Despite the bravery of individual soldiers on the ground and the best efforts of the Nigerian government and military to support them, the response to Boko Haram in recent days and weeks has been insufficient to halt the group’s dramatic advances...At this point in time, the Nigerian military does not appear to be in a position to stop Boko Haram.”

It also suggests that soldiers are sent into combat with only 60 rounds of ammunition to face Boko Haram fighters using heavy weapons and tanks, making it impossible for them to resist the insurgency’s advances.

The report calls on the international community to support Nigeria with non-lethal military assistance, including transportation to reinforce Maiduguri and reconnaissance. It also warns Cameroon to be ready to defend its territory.

It further warns that unless drastic action is taken, Nigeria could be facing not only a major loss of territory but a humanitarian catastrophe.

The report says that a Boko Haram takeover in Borno “would likely be accompanied by a major humanitarian crisis, involving the movement of possibly tens or even hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons fleeing Boko Haram, and atrocities carried out against civilians who remain in captured areas. Attacks against government workers and others in Maiduguri are very likely should the capital fall.”
Source: Sahara Reporters

Angelina Jolie shows off wedding dress!

In the first images of the ceremony, released to the United States' People magazine,  Angelina Jolie is shown wearing a flowing Atelier Versace wedding gown, designed by the brand's master tailor Luigi Massi.

The newlyweds Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt debuted photos from their surprise nuptials, which revealled the actress wore a designer wedding gown featuring artwork by their six children.

The Hollywood couple tied the knot during an intimate, secret ceremony at at the Chateau Miraval estate in Correns, France on August 23.

ISIS Reportedly Beheads Second American!

Two weeks after 45 year-old James Foley was beheaded by ISIS, another American journalist, was beheaded by ISIS, another American was reportedly beheaded and a video of his it posted on the internet.

SITE Intelligence Group, a research organization that tracks jihadist web postings, said on Tuesday that another American was executed by the Islamic militant group, and posted a video of it on the Internet.

Information revealed that the execution of the 31 year-old- America identified as Sotloff, came despite pleas from his mother aimed directly at ISIS’s top leader seeking mercy for her son, a freelance journalist who was captured in northern Syria a year ago. 

Steven J. Sotloff

In the latest video, Sotloff describes himself as “paying the price” for the Obama administration’s decision to strike ISIS targets in Iraq. The same masked fighter who appeared in the video of Mr. Foley’s beheading also appears beside Mr. Sotloff, asserting, “I’m back, Obama, and I’m back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State.” 

According to our news source, the SITE group said ISIS was threatening a third captive, a Briton it identified David Cawthorne Haines, as the next beheading victim. 

Two other Americans are believed to be held by ISIS.

Orange Drugs Boss's Daughter Weds In The United States!

Nigerian mogul Tony Ezenna's second daughter weds in the United States. Beautiful Chinwe Ezenna, is now Mrs  Meks Aroh.

Mr. and Mrs Mekx Aroh

The couple were traditionally married last Dec. in Akokwa - Imo State, home of the bride. 

Congratulates to the newly-wed.

Genevieve Shines in Drop Dead Red Gown!

Genevieve looks stunning in this red sleeveless gown with beads design. 

Ebola Epidemic - Socio-Economic Implications of Inadequate Human Resources for Health, and Poor Health Financing!

In a statement accompanying the new 2014 health workforce factsheet and scorecard, an Editor of Afri-Dev.Info Rotimi Sankore commended the efforts of the health sectors in Ebola affected countries but cautioned that:

"A key reason why the World Health Organisation and leading health groups have warned that the epidemic will take months to bring under control and may effect up to 20,00 people is that no health crisis can be swiftly and sustainably resolved with weak health systems. Health workers are the core of every health system, but most African countries have only between 5% and 40% of numbers and required mix of health workers. In addition current levels of health financing are a fraction of required investment”

Ebola, and the ongoing challenges of HIV, Malaria, TB, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Reproductive, Maternal or Child Health will not be sustainably resolved without the necessary long term population based planning, multisectoral coordination and investment across the Education, Labour, Human development, Finance, Economic development and Health sectors."

The historical under investment in especially the Education sectors - including poor population based and development needs planning in many African countries - has resulted in many having just a fraction of human resources required across multiple sectors for long term sustainable development.

On How Health Worker Shortages Have Undermined Fight Against Ebola:

"Liberia with about 4 million people has only about 50 doctors compared to over 12,000 doctors for roughly the same population in Croatia. Sierra Leone with almost 6 million people has 136 doctors compared to over 18,000 in Denmark for roughly same population. Guinea with about 11 million people has just over 900 doctors compared to over 76,000 doctors in Cuba for about same population, and Nigeria has just under 59,000 doctors compared to 295,000 doctors in Japan which has 40 million people less than Nigeria. It is not a coincidence that Ebola has devastated Liberia and Sierra Leone which are 2 of the 5 countries globally with the lowest numbers of doctors. (See Factsheet for comparison tables on doctors, nurses & midwives and pharmacists in Ebola affected countries. See Scorecard for Africa Rankings).

Poor Health Financing has Left Most African Countries Unprepared for Ebola:

“The poor investment in overall education and human resources development; combined with poor actual per capita investment in the health sector - translates into huge differences in life expectancy between African and other countries.

Liberia invests only $18 per capita in health compared to Croatia's $818; Guinea $7 compared to Cuba's $573; Sierra Leone $13 compared to $5,563 in Denmark; and Nigeria $29 compared to Japans $3,824. Consequently and in tandem with other related factors - the difference in life expectancy between Liberia and Croatia is 16 years; between Guinea and Cuba 21 years; between Sierra Leone and Denmark 34 years; and between Nigeria and Japan 30 years.”

Disruption to Society and Economy:

With experts estimating that a one year improvement in life expectancy can result in an increase in GDP of up to 4%, the reasons for persistent economic under development become much clearer.

Ebola has with higher visibly - than other long standing but equally serious health challenges - disrupted education, farming, food production and supplies, banking, mining, manufacturing, airlines, tourism, retail markets and supply chains, with predictions for heavy economic losses in affected countries.

Emergency funding and donations are only useful for a short term response. Ebola demonstrates again like HIV before it that health is not just a responsibility of the health sector – and the long term response must involve Finance, Planning, Human, Social and Economic Development Sectors".

Women Account for Up To 75% of Cases and 60% of Mortality:

The Ebola response must take account of the special situation of women and girls, and take necessary measures to protect them. Disaggregation of case’s and mortality indicates that women tend to be disproportionately affected. Women account for 55 to 60 percent of the deceased in the current epidemic in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, according to UNICEF.“

Women also constitute a large section of the health workers and are on the frontlines of response.

Liberia’s task force on Ebola has reported that 75 percent of those who were infected or died from Ebola were women, because they are often the primary care-givers, nurses and traders within their communities. Women are also the traditional birth attendants, nurses and the cleaners and laundry workers in hospitals – and often have to work in less than ideal conditions.