In light of the recent cholera outbreak in Nigeria, James Faleke, the lawmaker representing the Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has urged Nigerians to approach the situation with the same urgency and seriousness as they did with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos State on Monday, Faleke highlighted the gravity of the situation and stressed the need for nationwide vigilance and proactive measures.
According to NAN, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently reported 53 deaths due to cholera across the country. NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, announced that the Federal Government had activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera. Idris stated, “As of June 24, 2024, 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths were recorded across 31 states and 107 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of the year.”
In response, Faleke urged Nigerians to adopt rigorous hygiene practices and be mindful of what they consume. He stated, “Every Nigerian needs to be careful. Our attitude to cleanliness matters. The way we took COVID-19 seriously is the way we should take this cholera outbreak. Cholera has killed many people. We expected that, in this modern age, we should not be having an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria. However, it has come; so, we have to deal with it. People should be more careful with what they eat and drink.”
He added, “There are many fake products out there. Stop taking fake products. You don’t have to drink anything, take clean water.”
Additionally, the Lagos State Government, through the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Office, Sunkanmi Oyegbola, has urged public servants to maintain good hygiene to avoid contracting cholera or other water and airborne diseases.
