Ekwutosblog has gathered that barring any last minute change, President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday to attend the 19th meeting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit taking place in the South American country.

The Nigerian leader’s participation is at the instance of the Brazilian President and current President of the group, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the Summit holding from Monday, November 18 to Tuesday 19, will bring together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including the European Union, the African Union, and multilateral financial institutions among others.

According to the statement, “This year’s meeting, under the theme, ‘Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,’ will see the participants discuss the fight against hunger and poverty; reform of the Institution of global governance and; sustainable development and Energy Transition.

“Nigeria has always strongly advocated for a reform of the global governing institutions, and often presented its impressive credentials as a strong contender for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

“President Tinubu is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit in advancement of Nigeria’s socio-economic reforms.”

The statement added that the President will be accompanied by top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Ministers of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Art, Tourism, Culture and Creativity, Hannatu Musawa, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

The President will return to Nigeria at the end of the visit.

I Can Only Act Nude If Movie Glorifies God — Actress Friday

Ekwutosblog has gathered that Actress and content creator, Monica Friday has stated that her primary criterion for accepting any movie role is that it must glorify God.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, she said, “Before any role comes my way, I believe God has already designed me for that production. As a Christian, I have already told God that whatever production He doesn’t want me to be part of, may it not come my way. I might have to play a half-nude role in a movie, but as long as the film glorifies God through its message, I’m fine with it. For me, it is all about the message.”

Despite her openness to diverse roles, Friday expressed concerns about being typecast due to her comedic performances.

She added, “I would love to explore other roles, such as playing a character carrying an AK-47 or taking on an action role, like someone training for karate. I don’t like being stereotyped. However, I realised that people like Osuofia and Mama Patience Ozokwor have made their millions through these kinds of roles.

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By Ruma Paul

DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh is battling its worst outbreak of dengue in years, with more than 400 deaths as rising temperatures and a longer monsoon season drive a surge in infections, leaving hospitals struggling to cope, particularly in urban areas.

FILE PHOTO: Mosquitoes are seen on top of the logged water at the Suhrawardy Udyan park, as number of dengue infected patients increase, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, October 14, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain/File Photo
© Thomson Reuters

At least 407 people have died from related complications in 2024, with 78,595 patients admitted to hospital nationwide, the latest official figures show.

By mid-November, 4,173 patients were being treated, with 1,835 of them in Dhaka, the capital, and 2,338 elsewhere.

“We’re witnessing monsoon-like rainfall even in October, which is unusual,” said Kabirul Bashar, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University.

Shifting weather patterns caused by climate change provided optimal conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary carrier of the disease, he added.

“These changes in the season are fostering ideal conditions for the mosquitoes to breed.”

Dense populations in cities exacerbate the spread of the disease, usually more common in the monsoon season from June to September though it has spilled beyond that window this year.

A rise in temperatures and longer monsoons, both linked to climate change, have caused a spike in mosquito breeding, driving the rapid spread of the virus.

Bashar called for year-round vector surveillance in Bangladesh to monitor and rein in the disease.

If detected early and treated properly, deaths from dengue can be reduced to less than 1%, said a renowned physician, Dr ABM Abdullah, adding, “Early diagnosis and prevention are key to controlling dengue.”

Last year was the deadliest on record in the current crisis, with 1,705 deaths and more than 321,000 infections reported.

The growing frequency and severity of outbreaks strains Bangladesh’s already overwhelmed healthcare system, as hospitals battle to treat thousands of patients.

Health officials have urged precautions against mosquito bites, such as mosquito repellents and bed nets, while experts want tougher measures to eliminate the stagnant waters where mosquitoes breed.

Delays in seeking treatment, particularly among rural populations who must travel long distances to specialised facilities in Dhaka, are swelling the toll, doctors said.

The disease can often show only mild initial symptoms that go undiagnosed until patients are critical.