Cholera Outbreak Overwhelms Health Facilities in Borno as Nearly 8,000 Fall Ill

By: Michael Mike

A rapidly escalating cholera outbreak in northeastern Nigeria has placed immense pressure on healthcare facilities in Borno State, with nearly 8,000 suspected cases recorded within five weeks and dozens of deaths reported.

Health authorities say the outbreak, which began in early May, has spread across multiple communities, affecting 14 local government areas and 50 wards. Official figures indicate that 7,850 suspected cases and 74 deaths had been recorded as of June 7, raising concerns over the state’s ability to contain the disease.

The surge has forced humanitarian responders and health officials to expand emergency treatment facilities as hundreds of new patients continue to arrive daily with symptoms of acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration.

Working alongside the Borno State Ministry of Health, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) established a Cholera Treatment Centre in the Ngarannam area of Maiduguri shortly after the outbreak emerged. The facility has since undergone multiple expansions, increasing its capacity from 121 beds to 271 beds in response to the growing influx of patients. A separate 20-bed treatment unit has also been opened in the Dalaram area of the state capital.

According to MSF, more than 7,400 patients had received treatment at its facilities by June 7, with an average of about 230 admissions recorded daily. The organisation reported that June 5 marked the peak of the outbreak so far, with more than 500 patients admitted in a single day.

Medical workers on the frontline say many patients arrive in critical condition after travelling long distances to seek treatment.

“The continued increase in cases shows that more needs to be done to prevent transmission and ensure people can access care as early as possible,” said Bienfait Tombola, MSF’s medical coordinator for the emergency response in Maiduguri.

Beyond direct patient care, response teams are training healthcare workers, setting up oral rehydration points, strengthening disease surveillance, and conducting public health awareness campaigns. Efforts are also underway to improve access to safe water through chlorination programmes and sanitation interventions aimed at reducing the spread of the disease.

Public health experts warn that cholera and other waterborne illnesses thrive in communities where access to clean water, sanitation facilities and healthcare services remains limited. Informal settlements and densely populated areas are considered particularly vulnerable.

Health officials are planning a cholera vaccination campaign as part of broader efforts to curb transmission and prevent further spread of the disease.

MSF and state authorities have stressed that while emergency treatment is saving lives, long-term investments in water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure will be crucial to preventing recurring outbreaks.

The latest surge adds to the humanitarian challenges facing Borno State, where years of conflict and displacement have strained public services and left many communities vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

Cholera Outbreak Overwhelms Health Facilities in Borno as Nearly 8,000 Fall Ill

Tinubu Hosts Madagascar President in Abuja, Seeks Stronger Bilateral Ties

By: Zagazola Makama

President Bola Tinubu on Monday received the President of Madagascar, Michael Randrianirina, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as both leaders moved to strengthen diplomatic relations and deepen cooperation between their countries.

President Randrianirina arrived at the State House Forecourt at about 2:57 p.m. on a courtesy visit and was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Following a brief reception ceremony, the Madagascan leader was escorted to the President’s office, where he held closed-door talks with President Tinubu.

The meeting was expected to focus on issues of mutual interest, including regional development, economic cooperation, trade, investment and continental integration.

Nigeria and Madagascar have continued to pursue closer collaboration in areas critical to Africa’s growth and prosperity, reflecting a shared commitment to promoting development, strengthening institutions and enhancing engagement across the continent.

Earlier, troops of the Nigerian Army conducted a Guard of Honour parade at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to formally receive the visiting leader.

Security sources said personnel of the 102 Guards Battalion and 176 Guards Battalion mounted the ceremonial parade at about 10:00 a.m. as part of official protocols for visiting heads of state.

According to the sources, the ceremony was conducted successfully and without any security incident.

The visit underscores ongoing diplomatic engagements between African nations aimed at fostering regional cooperation, economic partnerships and collective efforts toward sustainable development across the continent.

Officials said discussions between the two leaders were expected to further consolidate relations between Nigeria and Madagascar and explore new areas of cooperation for mutual benefit.

Tinubu Hosts Madagascar President in Abuja, Seeks Stronger Bilateral Ties

FRSC strengthens driver education to promote safer highways

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in collaboration with the Gombe State Government has begun a two-day training for 65 driving school proprietors and instructors in Northeast.

Our Correspondent reports that the training which was held in Gombe on Monday is aimed at upholding professional standards in driver education, curbing road crashes and promoting safer highways.

In his speech, Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, represented by his deputy, Dr Mannasah Jatau, highlighted that human error was responsible for over 95% of road traffic crashes.
Yahaya said it was in view of that, that the training of drivers in skills, knowledge, attitude, and behavioural patterns became imperative to ensure safety and prevent fatalities.

He said that the training would contribute to ensuring drivers were more equipped with the right knowledge while improving professional driver education towards reducing road crashes.

“Training these instructors and driving school proprietors will help reduce, to the barest minimum road traffic crashes.

“This will positively impact in reducing some of the causes of deaths, hospitalisation and loss of wealth and property, experienced by the society, on a daily basis,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Mr Shehu Mohammed, the FRSC Corps Marshal said that training driving school operators in emerging vehicle technology and modern road trends aimed at deepening the culture of safety on highways.

Represented by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Felix Theman, Mohammed said that the Driving School Standardization Programmme (DSSP) was crucial to ensuring professionalism and safety.

He said that the training would provide the right knowledge that would correct behavioural ills that result in road crashes.

“The corps is poised to ensuring optimal adaptation to evolving vehicle technology and modern road trends,” he said.

He said that the workshop highlighted the agency’s determination to modernising driver training with a view of enhancing behavioural change.

“The training has also promoted professionalism among driving instructors, enhanced credibility of driver licensing process, and strengthened collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders,” he said.

On his part, Mr Samson Kaura, the FRSC Sector Commander in Gombe State said one of the most critical pillars of road safety management was driver education and training.

Kaura said that drivers were the most active participants in the road transport system, and their knowledge, skills, and attitudes largely determine how safe roads were used.

He said it was in that regard, that driving schools occupy strategic and indispensable positions in shaping driver behaviour and promoting a culture of safety, discipline, and responsibility on roads.

Kaura further warned against sharp practices, stressing that any school owner involved in illegal dealings would not be spared.

On his part, Mr Victor Akpan, Chairman of Gombe State Driving School Proprietors commended the FRSC for their efforts in training them on innovative ways to improve professionalism and enhanced safety on roads.

Akpan urged residents to desist from home training their spouses but engage their services for better understanding of what driving entailed.

Our Correspondent reports that the theme of this year’s workshop, is “Professional Driver Education Using Innovative Training Models to Improve Road Safety and Reduce Fatalities in Nigeria,”

FRSC strengthens driver education to promote safer highways