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Despite the Infections, Africa Without Monkeypox Vaccines

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birthplace of monkeypox

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox a new global health emergency after 20,000 cases were reported in 77 countries. Some 75 people have died in the 11 African countries where the disease was recorded, according to the latest reports in late July. It said monkeypox is an “extraordinary” situation that qualifies as a global health emergency.

Despite these few deaths last month and signs that it would spread further, Africa is fighting monkeypox without vaccine the same as it has been with Covid-19. A surge in monkeypox infections has particularly been reported since early May outside the West and Central African countries where the disease has long been endemic.

The vast majority of deaths due to monkeypox have been registered on the African continent. Africa remains the only part of the world with no doses of the vaccine, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Let us get vaccines onto the continent,” acting head of the African Centre for Disease Control, ACDC, Ahmed Ogwell, said in a weekly media briefing pointing to another instance of 1.3 billion people on the continent without access to a vaccine, as in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reports said that monkeypox has been established in parts of central and west Africa for decades, but it was not known to spark large outbreaks beyond the continent or to spread widely among people until May when authorities detected dozens of epidemics in Europe, North America and elsewhere.

Ogwell said the Africa CDC has engaged with international partners in attempts to obtain vaccines, and while he said “good news” is expected in the coming days, “we cannot be able to give you a timeline.”

Even doses of the smallpox vaccine, which has shown effectiveness against monkeypox, are not available in Africa, Ogwell said. “The solutions need to be global in nature,” he said, in a warning to the international community. “If we’re not safe, the rest of the world is not safe.”

The Covid-19 pandemic and the global hoarding of vaccine doses were a jolt to African leaders, who quickly joined together in an unprecedented effort to obtain doses and establish the production of more vaccines on the continent.

WHO’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there were about 16 million doses of approved vaccine available, but only in bulk, so it would take several months to get them into vials. His organization is currently urging countries with stockpiles to share vaccines while supply is constrained. It, however, estimates that between 5 million and 10 million doses of vaccine will be needed to protect all high-risk groups.

It has said it is creating a vaccine-sharing mechanism for protection against monkeypox, but the organization has released few details, so there’s no guarantee that African countries will get priority. No countries have yet agreed to share any vaccines with the health organization.

WHO, however, warned against discrimination. “A failure to act will have grave consequences for global health,” Lawrence Gostin, the director of the WHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law, said on Twitter.

Health officials have emphasized that monkeypox can infect anyone in close contact with a patient or their contaminated clothing or bedsheets. Researchers are still exploring how it spreads but believe it’s mainly through close, skin-to-skin contact and through contact with bedding and clothing that touched an infected person’s rash or body fluids.

Another report also pointed to the fact that monkeypox has been a globally neglected public health problem in parts of Africa for decades, but cases began to be reported outside countries where it is endemic in May. It generally causes mild to moderate symptoms, including fever, fatigue and painful skin lesions that resolve within a few weeks.

In Africa, monkeypox mainly spreads to people by infected wild animals like rodents in limited outbreaks that typically have not crossed borders. In Europe, North America and elsewhere, however, monkeypox is spreading among people with no links to animals or recent travel to Africa. In the U.S. and Europe, the vast majority of infections have happened in men who have sex with men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can contract the virus.

Economy

Forex Trading in Nigeria: Beginner Tips, Trends and the Benefits of STIC Cashback

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STIC Cashback

Forex trading is booming across Nigeria, drawing in thousands of new traders eager to make money from currency markets. This beginner-friendly guide explains how to get started, where to learn the basics, and how services like STIC Cashback can boost your profits through the best forex cashback Nigeria offers. Discover how to use the cashback forex calculator, what platforms to trust and how to trade smarter, not harder.

Forex trading is growing rapidly in Nigeria, with more and more individuals turning to the foreign exchange market to build wealth, create side income, or gain financial independence. Thanks to increasing access to online brokers and mobile-friendly platforms, people across the country—from Lagos to Abuja—are exploring how to trade forex like never before.

As this trend picks up momentum, both beginners and experienced traders are seeking smarter ways to trade. One powerful way to get more out of every trade is through cashback forex programs, with STIC Cashback leading the charge as the best forex cashback Nigeria has to offer.

Why forex trading is on the rise in Nigeria

Forex trading, or the exchange of one currency for another, offers flexibility, liquidity and global access. With the Nigerian economy becoming more integrated into global markets, forex is becoming an attractive financial opportunity for many Nigerians.

People are drawn to the 24-hour nature of the forex market, the low barrier to entry and the chance to learn and grow independently. Whether you’re trading major currency pairs like EUR/USD or looking into CFDs (contracts for difference), forex offers endless possibilities.

However, entering the market without preparation can be risky. That’s why it’s essential to start with a guide like the one found at sticcashback.com/blog/how-to-trade-forex-for-beginners. It provides the fundamentals on how to trade forex for beginners, including broker selection, setting up your account and managing risk.

Getting started: How to trade forex for beginners

As highlighted in the STIC Cashback blog linked above, starting with a solid foundation is key. Here’s a quick roadmap for beginners:

  1. Learn the basics – Understand how currency pairs work, how pips are calculated and what affects market movements.
  2. Choose a trusted broker – Work with brokers partnered with STIC Cashback to enjoy cashback benefits on every trade.
  3. Set goals and risk levels – Define your trading plan and use tools like stop-losses and take-profit orders.
  4. Start small, grow smart – Begin with a demo account or micro-lots, especially if you’re still learning.

When paired with the cashback forex calculator, beginners can estimate how much they’ll earn back from their trades through cashback—something that can significantly impact long-term profitability.

The power of cashback forex programs

Forex trading can involve fees and commissions, which add up quickly over time. Cashback forex programs offer a simple but powerful way to reduce those costs by returning a portion of your trading volume as real money.

Here’s where STIC Cashback shines.

  • Weekly cashback – STIC Cashback provides a weekly cashback forex payment based on how much you trade.
  • Low withdrawal minimum – You can withdraw once your cashback hits just $50.
  • No catch – You earn your cashback simply by trading with STIC Cashback’s trusted broker partners.
  • Best rates – Their offer is widely considered among the best forex cashback Nigeria users can access today.

With STIC Cashback, traders get back a portion of every trade. This effectively lowers trading costs and increases profitability. The STIC Cashback forex calculator lets you forecast your cashback earnings based on your trading volume, helping you plan smarter and making it far and away the best forex cashback Nigeria has to offer.

Why Nigerian traders trust STIC Cashback

STIC Cashback stands out for its transparency, fast payments and strong relationships with reliable brokers. Nigerian traders love STIC Cashback because:

  • It’s easy to use.
  • It works with top brokers who accept Nigerian traders.
  • Payments are reliable, safe and timely.
  • You can calculate your rewards using the cashback forex calculator before you even trade.

As a service built for both beginner and expert traders, STIC Cashback is helping make forex more profitable and accessible and is easily the best forex cashback Nigeria can offer its traders. Whether you’re just starting or already trading daily, it makes sense to earn extra from each trade.

Partner with trusted brokers, trade with confidence

One of the biggest benefits of using STIC Cashback is access to their network of trusted broker partners. These brokers meet high standards for safety, speed and transparency, ensuring you can trade forex and CFDs confidently.

When you trade through one of these brokers and use STIC Cashback, you’re not only gaining an edge through low spreads and strong platforms, but you’re also earning a rebate every week. It’s the perfect blend of efficiency and extra income.

Join Nigeria’s growing forex community today

With forex trading gaining popularity in Nigeria, there’s never been a better time to start. Thanks to resources like the STIC Cashback beginner’s guide and tools like the cashback forex calculator, new traders can begin with clarity and confidence.

Sign up today at www.sticcashback.com and start trading with one of STIC Cashback’s broker partners. Tap into the best forex cashback Nigeria traders can rely on. Whether you’re looking to trade full-time or just want to earn from market movements in your spare time, STIC Cashback can help you grow your account faster.

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Economy

Genesis Energy, Katsina Seal $500m Investment Deal

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Genesis Energy Katsina $500m deal

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Katsina State government has attracted an investment worth about $500 million for the development, financing and execution of a series of major energy infrastructure projects across the state.

The state government recently sealed the deal with a United Kingdom-based leading Pan-African clean energy infrastructure development and asset management company, Genesis Energy Holding.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties outlines a strategic partnership for the development, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of key energy projects.

In addition, these projects aim to accelerate the industrialisation and socio-economic advancement of Katsina State and provide clean, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions for the region.

It also provides the framework for the collaborative development of a diverse portfolio of energy projects, focusing on solar, wind, hydro, mini-grids, and natural gas solutions.

The Governor of Katsina State, Mr Dikko Radda, described the partnership as “a significant step toward providing reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly power solutions, fostering economic growth, and attracting investments to Katsina State.”

“This MOU represents a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to build resilient infrastructure that will not only address Katsina’s immediate energy needs but also lay the foundation for a prosperous and greener future for generations to come.

“The first of the series of projects being constructed under this partnership will shortly be commissioned before the end of this April 2025,” he added.

On his part, the Chairman and CEO of Genesis Energy, Mr Akin II Omoboriowo, noted that, “Lighting Up Africa is more than just a vision for Genesis; it is the very heartbeat that drives us. We are committed to enduring the rigorous process of developing and financing projects to bring sustainable energy solutions to the continent.

“For Genesis Energy, this marks a significant milestone as we continue to actively partner with Katsina State in achieving energy independence, creating a pivotal opportunity to industrialize the state and position it as a major player in clean and renewable energy generation.”

The primary objective of this collaboration is to address the state’s growing energy needs and support the Nigerian Government’s broader energy security and sustainability goals.

The MOU lays the foundation for creating a multi-phased energy platform that will provide power to critical sectors, including healthcare, industry, and agriculture while contributing to the regional transition to a green economy.

The key initiative of the MOU involves powering critical sectors and providing critical energy infrastructure across key sites across the State, deploying suitable energy technologies.

Phase One of the projects is expected to be executed concurrently across multiple initiatives, aimed at promoting energy independence, facilitating industrialisation, creating jobs, and displacing significant amounts of CO² emissions.

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Economy

Unlisted Securities in Nigeria Down 0.41%

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local unlisted securities

By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange opened the week on a sad note after it depreciated by 0.41 per cent on Monday, April 14.

The loss was influenced by the decline in the share price of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc during the session by N1.80 to close at N20.90 per unit compared with the N22.70 per unit it closed last Friday.

This brought down the market capitalisation of the trading platform  by N7.78 billion to N1.911 trillion from N1.919 trillion as the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) was also pulled down by 13.28 points to 3,264.29 points from the previous session’s 3,277.57 points.

Business Post reports that the bourse crumbled yesterday despite two securities on the platform finishing on the gainers’ chart.

UBN Property Plc appreciated by 19 Kobo on Monday to sell for N2.17 per share versus the preceding session’s N1.98 per share, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc gained 8 Kobo to settle at N35.63 per unit, in contrast to last Friday’s N35.55 per unit.

Yesterday, there was a 99.7 per cent decline in the volume of securities traded by the market participants to 436,357 units from the 152.3 million units recorded in the previous trading day.

There was also a 99.8 per cent fall in the value of transactions to N10.1 million from N4.6 billion, while the number of deals increased by 218.8 per cent to 51 deals from 16 deals.

At the close of business, Impresit Bakolori Plc remained the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 533.9 million units valued at N520.9 million, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 153.6 million units worth N4.9 billion, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc with 71.2 million units sold for N24.2 million.

Okitipupa Plc was the most traded stock by value (year-to-date) with 153.6 million worth N4.9 billion, followed by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 14.7 million units sold for N566.9 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with 533.9 million units valued at N520.9 million.

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