Japan Offers Ebola Drug

Japan could allegedly provide the self-developed unapproved drug to help treat Ebola.

Reuters reports with reference to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, who briefed journalists at a recent press conference held August 25, that Japan was ready to cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO) by offering their solution.

“I am informed that medical professionals could make a request for T-705 in an emergency even before a decision by the WHO. In that case, we would like to respond under certain criteria.”

T-705 is the developmental code for the influenza drug favipiravir. The developers, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Corp., and the U.S. partner MediVector are currently negotiating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the permission to to expand the use of favipiravir to fight Ebola.

Fujifilm spokesman Takao Aoki, explaining the mechanism of drug use, said Ebola and Influenza are same-type viruses adding that theoretically similar effects can be expected on Ebola, ABC News reports. According to the official, the effectiveness of T-705 was confirmed in experiments on mice. The company representative stated that it has favipiravir stock for more than twenty thousand patients.

Meanwhile the figure of people who died from Ebola outbreak in West Africa is gradually approaching 1500.

Chibok Girls: 57 Gain Admission Into US School

57 Chibok schoolgirls who managed to escape from the captivity of the dreaded Boko Haram sect have reportedly gained admission into a school in the United States of America (USA).

The Centre for Promotion of Ethics, Values and National Integration (CENPEVNI) said it was able to secure the admission through its collaboration with other groups.

This was disclosed in Abuja by the executive director of the group, and project coordinator, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Outreach Mission (RROM), Dr Mercy Sokomba, at a one day Stakeholders Interactive Session on Effective Victim Support Strategies, Leadership reports.

She said: “The reality of this particular offer is if the girls are ready for another form of separation from their parents. However, we have initiated discussions with some leadership of the Chibok community and at some point will meet with them and the parents for consent.”

She said offers for completion of education of the girls, inclusive of scholarship, have been made to RROM through Stefanos Foundation and the international support groups of RROM while adding that they hope the funds and support partnership will consistently get to RROM for project sustainability within scheduled time frame so as not to hinder the progress the outreach mission has made so far.

The Idibia family release statement on the passing of Michael Idibia

2face Idibia lost his dad on Aug. 23rd to cancer. The family has released the statement below

With sadness in our hearts, but with gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing on of our father, brother, uncle and in-law, Michael Agbo Idibia, a native of Okpokwu Idumoga in Benue State.

Nigerians doctors finally suspend strike after 65 days

After 65 days, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has suspended its strike. They made the announcement on their official twitter handle yesterday, and today, NMA president, Kayode Obembe, told journalists that the association decided to suspend the strike because of the Ebola outbreak.

Footballer dies after being hit in the head by object thrown by fan after match

24 year old Cameroonian striker Albert Ebossé Bodjongo (pictured above) was killed yesterday Aug. 23rd, after being struck in the head by an object thrown from the stands by an angry fan after his team lost 2-1 in a home defeat during an Algerian league game.

Congo confirms its first cases of Ebola, as British patient is flown to the UK

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have confirmed the first cases of Ebola virus in the north-western region of the country. Confirming the cases, the country's health Minister, Felix Kabange Numbi, said 8 people have tested positive to the deadly virus.

"The results are positive. The Ebola virus is confirmed in DRC," Mr Numbi told AFP

DR Congo is the first country outside the West African region to confirm positive cases of the Ebola virus since the recent outbreak. So far 1,427 people have died from the virus. 

Boko Haram declares Gwoza ‘Islamic Caliphate’ + Excerpts of the transcribed speech by Shekau

In a 52 minute video made available to AFP, the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, declared the creation of an Islamic caliphate in Gwoza town in Borno state seized by the sect early this month.

According to AFP, Shekau declared that Gwoza now has 'nothing to do with Nigeria'. 

"Thanks be to Allah who gave victory to our brethren in (the town of) Gwoza and made it part of the Islamic caliphate. By the grace of Allah we will not leave the town. We have come to stay,” said Shekau.

Find the excerpts of the transcribed speech by Shekau after the cut.