Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2023, Adewole Adebayo, has welcomed ex- Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the party.

Taking to X on Monday, Adebayo expressed his excitement, stating that El-Rufai’s entry strengthens the party’s mission to rescue Nigeria from years of poor governance and economic decline.

“On behalf of the teeming members of the @TheSDPNg and patriotic democrats who believe in Nigeria and her promise of inevitable greatness, I heartily welcome my dear brother @elrufai to our party.

“With the hardworking and sagacious Mallam joining our ranks, an avid worker for the people has been enlisted in our forces against poverty and insecurity,” Adebayo wrote.

He underscored the party’s commitment to fulfilling Chapter 2 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which addresses fundamental human rights, social justice and economic development.

Adebayo urged like-minded democrats and nationalists to join the SDP’s movement for national restoration.

“Good politics begets good governance. Let no one sit on the fence any further.

There is no time to waste. Join us on the March Again! God bless Nigeria,” he added.

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has narrated his thoughts on how long he wants to live on earth, revealing that he outrightly rejected prayers for an extended lifespan beyond 100.

Speaking during a sermon, the revered cleric recalled how some of his followers prayed for him to live to different ages.

He said when they prayed for him to reach 80 years, he responded with a hearty “Amen.”

The pastor humorously recalled an instance where a woman, in her enthusiasm, prayed that he should live up to 140 years.

Reacting to the prayer, Adeboye said he completely rejected the idea, emphasizing that the world is filled with troubles.

“When I was 70 years old, some children of mine began to pray for me. And they said, ‘Daddy, you will live to be 80,’ I said Amen. ‘You will live to be 90,’ I said Amen. They said, ‘You will live to be 100,’ I didn’t answer them.

“And then one fellow got excited and said, ‘You will live to be 120,’ I said na lie! What will God say I have done wrong? I have been here for 70 years, He will now keep me here for another 50 years? In this world?

“Where today you have electricity, tomorrow you don’t have? But there was one lady who got really excited, and said, ‘You will live to be 140,’ I said no be me.”

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has emphasised the growing urgency for Nigerians to maintain rodent-free environments and enhance personal hygiene amid the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak.

With the disease spreading and already claiming 98 lives in 2025, including a medical doctor, the agency stressed the need for preventive measures such as proper waste disposal, sealing food in airtight containers, and blocking rodent entry points.

The agency’s Director General (DG), Jide Idris, said that the public health advisory became necessary due to the alarming case fatality rate of 18.3% as of epidemiological week 9 (February 24 – March 2, 2025).

During the period, he said the 98 deaths were recorded across 14 States, including that of a health worker, a physician.

Breaking down the figures, the DG revealed that as of the period under review, Nigeria has recorded 2,728 suspected cases and 535 confirmed cases.

He said Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi States accounted for 91% of confirmed cases, while 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) contributed 68% of the total cases.

Providing details on the physician’s case, Idris said the agency was notified of a confirmed Lassa fever infection in a 31-year-old physician who had recently returned from the United Kingdom.

On the 5th of March 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) was notified of a confirmed case of Lassa fever by the Ondo State Ministry of Health, in a 31-year-old physician managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip abroad (UK).

“The patient departed Nigeria on 19/02/2025 and returned on 27/02/2025. Samples were taken late on Friday, 28/02/2025, on suspicion of Lassa fever, but the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 01/03/2025.

“The laboratory investigation result returned was a Lassa Fever positive on PCR on Tuesday 04/03/2025.

“The patient was said to have visited his fiancée in Edo state, as well as family and friends before travelling,” he said.

The DG assured that to contain the outbreak, the Ondo State Ministry of Health has intensified contact tracing and monitoring of all possible contacts.

He also noted that national health authorities have mobilised response efforts, including surveillance at points of entry and coordination with international health agencies.