The Plateau’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, says the state has recorded 11 confirmed cases of cholera, five deaths, and 53 suspected cases.
Mr Baamlong, who disclosed this to journalists on Sunday in Jos, said the confirmed and suspected cases were reported in the Pushit, Mangu 1 and Mangu 2 communities of Mangu Local Government Area.
According to Mr Baamlong, the state ministry of health is intensifying public health interventions to contain the outbreak, prevent further spread, and reduce its impact on affected communities.
He explained that the state had taken decisive actions to control the outbreak and protect its citizens by deploying additional response teams to the affected wards, scaling up treatment centres and isolation capacity, and the emergency procurement of rapid diagnostic test kits, intravenous fluids, and essential drugs.
The commissioner further said the ministry had activated an incident management system to ensure a comprehensive, multisectoral response to the outbreak.
“The activation of the IMS ensures a coordinated, efficient, and accountable response structure in line with national and international emergency response frameworks,” he said.
Mr Baamlong explained that cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
He urged residents of the Mangu LGA and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and take preventive measures, including drinking safe water, maintaining proper hand hygiene, avoiding open defecation, and ensuring proper waste disposal.
He also advised residents to promptly report suspected cases of cholera to the nearest healthcare facility for immediate attention.
While reaffirming the state government’s commitment to safeguarding residents’ health and well-being, Baamlong called on development partners and other stakeholders to support the ongoing response efforts.
The Obidient Movement has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, to stay away from any plan to rig the 2027 general elections.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Movement’s Directorate of Media and Communications.
The Movement said Nigerians must be allowed to freely choose their leaders through a free, fair and credible process.
This comes after Wike recently declared that he would lead President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT and Rivers State.
The Movement also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies to remain neutral and resist any form of political interference in the elections.
It stressed that no individual or political party has the right to decide the outcome of an election before citizens cast their votes.
Recall that Wike had on Monday described himself as the field commander of Tinubu’s re-election campaign in both territories.
The minister also said he would coordinate political activities in support of the President’s second-term ambition.
In response to the declaration, the Obidients said, “Wike must understand that coordinating a political campaign does not confer ownership of the electorate, control over voters, or authority over the electoral process.”
The Shendam Local Government Council of Plateau State is investing in a standard hotel in Karu, Nasarawa State, to boost internally generated revenue, create employment opportunities and provide accommodation for residents visiting Abuja and its environs.
The Shendam Guest House, which is currently 40 per cent complete, is expected to partner with Continental Hotels and other top hospitality brands to ensure professional service delivery and sustainable returns for the council.
The council chairman, Hon. Dr. Nicholas Kemi Nshe, disclosed this during an inspection of the project attended by lawmakers, government representatives, stakeholders and other local government chairmen.
Nshe explained that the project involved redeveloping an old facility comprising 13 flats constructed during the administration of former chairman Sebastian Bukhari more than two decades ago.
He said the council negotiated with the occupants and arranged alternative accommodation to pave the way for construction, adding that the project was expected to be completed within six months.
The facility will feature 84 en-suite rooms, event halls, a restaurant, laundry services, a swimming pool, a lounge and a gym.
Nshe said his administration was focused on investing public funds in sustainable projects that would deliver long-term benefits to the people.
“We are not thinking of taking the money, but we are thinking of investing the money,” he said.
The project consultant, Engr. Lawi Abdalla of ATM EARTH Creatives, expressed confidence that the hotel would be completed within six months, citing the commitment of workers despite challenges posed by the rainy season.
He explained that the nature of the terrain required stronger reinforcement materials and extensive retaining walls to ensure the building’s stability.
The member representing Shendam Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Joe Bukar, commended Nshe for the initiative, describing it as a visionary investment capable of generating revenue and creating jobs.
Bukar said the project aligned with the Plateau State Government’s The Time Is Now mantra and expressed confidence that it would deliver lasting benefits to the people of Shendam.
Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Istifanus Mwansat, described the project as an investment in the future and urged the contractor to ensure timely completion.
He encouraged local government chairmen to learn from one another and pursue sustainable development initiatives that would strengthen their councils’ financial capacity.
The Chairman of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, Hon. Stephen Pwajok, who spoke on behalf of other council chairmen, commended Nshe for the initiative.
Pwajok said the hotel would provide accommodation for Plateau indigenes visiting Abuja while serving as a potential source of revenue for the council.
He also commended Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for supporting development initiatives across the state’s 17 local government areas, expressing hope that the project would inspire similar investments elsewhere.