Asanda Biyana, Realness Partner and Project Manager of the Episodic Lab

By Babajide Awoyinfa

South Africa-based Realness Institute has called for submissions for its latest offering, Episodic Lab, a series development lab presented in partnership with Netflix.

The institute said in a statement on Monday in Lagos that the Lab would take place remotely from June 1 to Aug. 31, 2021, and is targeted at writers from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa with authentic and original stories of all genres.

The initiative, the statement said, was only open to writers from the three countries where Netflix is currently focusing its African Originals strategy, adding that selected writers would work on developing pitch documents for their story concepts.

It explained that six writers would be selected to spend three months in a Writers Room format.

These participants will work with a script consultant and a creative producer to fully develop their story concepts into an episodic pitch. Along with creative training, the writers will receive feedback from the Netflix Originals development team.

A stipend of 2,000 dollars per month will be paid to the participants to cover living expenses during the training.

Each writer will have an opportunity to pitch their finished product to Netflix and have their series developed for production, it said.

It noted that if Netflix does not commission further development and/or production, the rights to the developed material default to the authors. Creators should not be committed to a producer or director to participate in the Lab.

Potential applicants can be a writer/writing team with either film or television experience, but one writer only will be able to participate if selected.

Entries can be in any genre of fiction, in English and/or local language and concept must be set in South Africa, Kenya or Nigeria. No producers or directors should be attached.

Speaking from Cape Town South Africa, Asanda Biyana, Realness Partner and Project Manager of the Episodic Lab says, Series give writers the space to make bigger worlds and more layered stories.

There is no limit for what can be submitted, and we believe that with the pool of talent on our continent, and our incredible ability to tell stories, that we will see some extraordinary talent emerging from this process.

We are excited and are preparing to work really hard to select the first cohort for the Lab.

The statement said applicants must fill out the online application on the Realness Institute website at, and were advised to read through the form before submitting.

Interested participants are required to pay a submission fee of 30 Euros via Paypal or 55 Euros via international wire transfer to cover the banking charges. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 31, 2021.

It that for questions about the programme or application, the concerned person should emailor contactCommunications onand Asanda Biyana, Realness Institute

The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institute is inspiring a new wave of African Cinema with the mission to unearth the wealth of African stories stories from the continent, told with an honest and unapologetic point of view by African filmmakers.

It first programme, the Realness Residency, which started in 2016, has gone on to launch 30 film projects across 16 African countries in only five years.

The critical success of brave films such as The Wound, Rafiki, Akasha, I Am Not A Witch and Flatland is testament to the artistic and creative contribution that African filmmakers can make to the industry.

In 2019, it launched its second programme, the Creative Producer Indaba. This ambitious programme has been designed, in collaboration with international partners, to catalyse producers across the continent, and in doing so help transform the landscape of African and international independent cinema. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

APC logo

By Emmanuel Mogbede

An emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Mr Yekini Nabena, the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary on Sunday.

Nabena said that NEC members had been invited through a letter by the National Secretary of the partys Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John Akpanudoedeheh.

According to him, the meeting which will hold virtually, will review the partys position and set agenda for its next move.

In line with the COVID-19 public health protocols, the APC NEC meeting will be virtual. Login details will be sent to APC NEC members in due course.

The meeting is slated for 11 a.m. at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja, the APC spokesman said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

SDG

By Perpetua Onuegbu

In line with the objectives of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV), the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, has donated a 208-bed Model Transit facility to Ekiti State.

Janet Mcdickson, Head, Communications, OSSAP-SDGs, who disclosed this in a statement, said the facility was constructed and equipped in collaboration with the State Government to empower women and girls victims of GBV.

The facility contains an administrative block, a crche, 250-seater conference hall, 200 rooms self-contained apartment and a skills acquisition centre for hairdressing, tailoring, photography among others.

At the ceremony, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SSAP-SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, noted that the facility would aid the achievements of goals 3, 5, 10, 16 and 17 of SDGs.

The presidential aide commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to improve issues involving women and the girl child.

Orelope-Adefulire, who urged Ekiti state governments to ensure that they mainstream SDGs into their plans and policies, commended the government for its commitment to the 2030 Agenda.

In his speech, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, said the facility would complement the States Sexual Assault Referral Centre, popularly known as Moremi Clinic, in the fight against GBV.

According to him, the Transit Home as a safe haven for women, will also help the state to ensure that victims of gender abuse get justice and also provide succour to them.

The governor noted that his administration had signified its commitment to fight GBV with its naming and shaming policy as demonstrated by its sexual offenders register.

He added that violence against women is a serious violation of human rights with impacts ranging from physical, sexual and mental to even permanent disabilities for the victims.

Also speaking, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, described the facility as another evidence of Buharis desire to the achievement of the global goals.

She assured that the Buhari administration would continue to implement policies and initiatives for the protection of girls and women with introduction of broader social investment programmes in support of vulnerable Nigerians. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State

Ariwodola Idowu

Ekiti State government is poised to reverse astronomical increases in transportation fares, Akin Oyebode, Spokesman for Gov. Kayode Fayemi, said in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.

Oyebode said toward the realisation of the reversal, a government delegation, led by Biodun Omoleye, Chief of Staff to the governor, met with transportation unions on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.

At the meeting were leaders and representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and Pick-up and Lorry Association of Nigeria.

Others represented were those of Okada Riders Association, Tricycle Riders Association, and the National Association of Cooperative Transport and Tipper Drivers Association.

The governors spokesman said in the statement that government was convinced that the astronomical increases in fares resulted in unbearable increases in the costs of goods and services being experienced in the state.

He said government was astonished that transportation fare for a 45-kilometre journey outside the state, which used to be N500, suddenly went to as high as N1,400 and asked transportation unions to scale the fares downward in the interest of the masses.

We hope that in the next five days, this high cost would be reversed for the good of all, Oyebode said in the statement.

He said that at Sundays meeting, Chairman of RTEAN, Rotimi Olanbiwonninu, said the hike in the price of petrol, costly vehicle spare parts and the COVID-19 safety protocols, which demanded that transporters operated below capacity, combined to cause increased fares.

He lamented that proceeds from trips embarked upon by transporters who were compelled to reduce number of passengers barely covered the cost of buying fuel.

Also at the meeting were the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Hakeem Jamiu, the Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Akin Omole and the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief Muyiwa Olumilua.

In attendance were Ado Local Government Chairman, Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Engagement and Enlightenment, Mrs Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Court symbol

By Deborah Akpede

An Igando Customary Court in Lagos State on Monday dissolved 15-year-old marriage of a cleric, Yusuf Adeniyi, over infidelity.

Yusufs wife, Rebecca, 44, sought the dissolution of the marriage, saying that she caught him cheating on her.

Rebecca claimed that she caught her 47-year-old husband with a married woman on their matrimonial bed.

The Court President, Mr Adeniyi Koledoye, granted the request, saying that the petitioner insisted on divorce.

The court is left with no option than to grant your prayer and hereby pronounces the union dissolved.

The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Mrs Rebecca Adeniyi and Mr Yusuf Adeniyi dissolved.

Both of you henceforth cease to be husband and wife.

Each of you should go on his or her separate ways unmolested; the court wishes both of you well in your future endeavours, he said.

Koledoye ordered Yusuf to be responsible for their childrens feeding, education and general welfare.

Rebecca had also told the court that Yusuf had extra marital affairs with both single and married women.

I caught him having sexual intercourse with one. I grabbed the woman and tore her clothes.

I raised alarm; he started begging me not to expose the woman.

My husbands behaviour toward me changed after the incident. He no longer gave me money nor cared for me, she submitted.

The 44-year-old mother of four also claimed that her husband was fetish, saying that he married her with charm.

I was under the influence of charm in my marriage with Yusuf.

The wool was pulled off my eyes five years ago but I decided to remain in the marriage because of my children.

According to her, when her father died, Yusuf did not go for the burial.

Rebecca told the court that she was fed up with the marriage.

Responding, Yusuf admitted having an extra marital affair with a married woman but blamed it on the devil.

I begged my wife to forgive me but she refused and raised alarm, he told the court.

The respondent, however, denied being fetish, saying that he never married his wife with any charm.

It is my wife that is fetish. She frequently visits herbalists and comes home with different substances.

He prayed the court not to dissolve the marriage, saying that he still loved Rebecca. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Crude oil

Oil prices fell on Monday as markets reacted to reports that major producers disagree on how much oil to pump in the coming months.

European Brent oil intermittently dropped below 46 dollars per barrel, around 2 dollars lower than on Friday.

The U.S.benchmark crude oil brand West Texas Intermediate briefly fell below 44.50 dollars.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and a Russia-led group of allied producers, jointly known as OPEC , are conducting online talks on Monday and Tuesday to discuss whether to prolong the current production curbs.

After the COVID-19 pandemic hurt global energy demand and oil prices earlier this year, OPEC decided in April to cut production by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd), reducing global supply by 10 per cent.

Under the agreed OPEC plan, the cut was relaxed by 2 million bpd in August and is scheduled to ease by nearly 2 million bpd more in January.

OPEC heavyweight Saudi Arabia and Russia want to delay the January rise, as many major economies are still grappling with a second COVID-19 wave.

Prices fell on Monday as an alternative plan emerged that would gradually raise oil output instead of delaying the increase by several months.

Oil prices are also under pressure because production in Libya and the United States has been increasing, according to analysts at Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

Overall, we are pessimistic about oil prices in the short term,they wrote.

Oil ministers from OPEC are set to start talks at 2 p.m (1300 GMT), while the broader OPEC group is scheduled to meet online on Tuesday afternoon.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

WHO

Gaps in life-saving interventions are undermining efforts to curb malaria, amid fears that the coronavirus pandemic could set back the fight against the disease even further, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

According to the World Malaria Report, released on Monday, the situation is particularly concerning in high-burden countries in Africa.

The UN health agency urged nations and health partners to step up the fight against malaria, with better targeting of interventions, new tools and increased funding.

It is time for leaders across Africa and the world to rise once again to the challenge of malaria, just as they did when they laid the foundation for the progress made since the beginning of this century, said WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Through joint action and a commitment to leaving no one behind, we can achieve our shared vision of a world free of malaria, Tedros said.

Though preventable and curable, malaria continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year. According to the WHO, nearly half of the worlds population is at risk of the disease and most cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.

Malaria is transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes. Controlling the vector such as by using mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying can help prevent and reduce transmission of the disease.

The WHO report found that in 2019, malaria cases globally numbered about 229 million, an annual estimate that has remained virtually unchanged over the last four years. Last year, the disease claimed about 409,000 lives, compared to 411,000 in 2018.

WHO said as in past years, the African region accounted for more than 90 per cent of the overall disease burden.

The region has made much progress since 2000, reducing its malaria death toll by 44 per cent from an estimated 680,000 to 384,000 but the pace has slowed in recent years, particularly in countries with a high disease burden.

A funding shortfall at both the international and domestic levels poses a significant threat to future gains, according to WHO.

In 2019, total funding reached US billion, far short of the global target of US.6 billion, resulting in critical gaps in access to proven malaria control tools.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as an additional challenge for essential health services worldwide. Though most malaria prevention campaigns were able to move forward without major delays, WHO voiced concerns that even moderate disruptions in access to treatment could lead to a considerable loss of life.

For instance, a 10 per cent disruption in access to effective antimalarial treatment in sub-Saharan Africa could lead to 19,000 additional deaths, while disruptions of 25-50 per cent in the region could result in an additional 46,000 and 100,000 deaths, respectively.

According to the WHO, ensuring access to malaria prevention, such as insecticide-treated nets and preventive medicines for children, also supported the response to COVID-19 by reducing the number of malaria infections and, in turn, easing the strain on health systems.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, underlined the need to ensure that malaria programmes are sustained and expanded.

COVID-19 threatens to further derail our efforts to overcome malaria, particularly treating people with the disease. Despite the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on African economies, international partners and countries need to do more to ensure that the resources are there to expand malaria programmes which are making such a difference in peoples lives, she said. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Alhaji Lai Mohammed

By Emmanuel Antswen

Global powers are deliberately blocking Nigerias moves to acquire needed armament to end terrorism and insurgency, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in Makurdi on Monday.

Speaking with newsmen on the side-line of a visit he paid to Benue States Gov. Samuel Ortom, the minister said the action of the world powers was deleterious and frustrating Nigerias resolve to end the twin-menace as well as end extremism.

He said notwithstanding the frustrations, the Federal Government would fight terrorism and insurgency to a logical conclusion.

We will never stop protecting lives and livelihoods. However, we must also understand that we are dealing with terrorists who are financed globally and we also need more support from global partners.

For instance, Nigeria had made attempts to acquire better and more effective platforms to deal with the terrorists, but for one reason or the other we have been denied this platforms, he said.

The minister also condemned the mindless killing of innocent Nigerian farmers by extremists in Borno last week.

What actually happened in Borno was quite unfortunate, but we also have to look at the strategy of the terrorists.

Terrorists use media and publicity as oxygen and so when they go on this kind of mindless killings, a dying terrorist group will suddenly spring to life.

This does not mean the government is not doing enough.

Terrorists everywhere have the same concept which is a group of people who are extremists and do not believe that you and I should be alive, he said.

The minister also said the Federal Government had done so much in addressing security challenges facing Benue State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ministers visit to Makurdi was for the official handing over of the North Central Zone campus of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)

Alhaji Mohammed commended the state government for its commitment to the development of tourism and hospitality for improved revenue generation.

He said that tourism and hospitality sector contributed 4.8 per cent to Nigerias GDP and employed more than one million people.

The minister said tourism and hospitality sector ranked second only to agriculture as largest employer of labour in the country.

Alhaji Mohammed assured that the North Central campus of NIHOTOUR would train personnel in the sector for optimal output. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FG pays 2186 MSMEs under Payroll Support Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government says 2186 companies employing 12,117 individuals have benefitted from its N75 billion Survival Fund for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Monday in Makurdi at the formal take-off of the North -Centh Zonal Headquarters of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Campus was handed over to the Ministry of Information and Culture on behalf of NIHOTOUR by the Benue State Government.

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister said the Federal Government had done a lot to alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially as it affects the Creative and Tourism sector.

He said Travel, Hospitality, Tourism and other related services had over one million private establishments employing over 9.8

million persons in the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory.

The minister said theindustry contributed about 4.8 per cent to total national output (GDP) and utilised about 1.6 per xent of Nigerians in the year 2016.

In addition, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers2019 hospitality report, the Nigerian hospitality industry is expected to grow by 12 per cent yearly till

2023, making it one of the fastest growing markets.

That is until the world encountered a hurdle by the name COVID-19, he said.

Mohammed said the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to encourage tourism development in Nigeria, due to its tremendous benefits.

Speaking on the project, the minister said it was coming at a time when globally, tourism is assuming its pride of place as a major catalyst for economic growth.

He noted that one of the prerequisites for tourism development was availability of well-trained personnel.

This forms the basis for the Federal

Governments decision to have a specialised training institution for the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria, which culminated in the establishment of NIHOTOUR.

It is our belief that no amount of investments in either infrastructure or in expanding tourism capacity in Nigeria will ever be successful unless the necessary manpower in the required numbers and at the required levels of knowledge and skills are provided to manage the sector.

This is why we are committed to seeing NIHOTOUR achieve its mandate in this respect, he said.

The minister assured that Benue and the country in general will benefit from the great export earning capacity, employment generation and wealth redistribution from the project.

He thanked Gov. Samuel Ortom for fulfilling the promise ofdonatingan edifice to the institute, adding that it showed the states commitment to the growth of the hospitality and tourism sector.

Mohammed reiterated his ministrysdetermination to develop, project and showcase Nigerias tourism endowment.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Benson Abounu, thanked the Federal Government and the Minister for giving Benue the opportunity to host the institution on behalf of the North-Central zone

He said the hospitality and tourism sector had become the area of focus for developed and developing countries, from which Nigeria must take opportunity of diversifying its economy.

He said that apart from being the food basket of the nation, Benue had abundant tourism potential to create jobs for the youths and boost the states economy.

He recalled that the project which was conceivedin 2015 and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2016, was completed in Januarythough delayed for handing over due to COVID-19.

The governor called on other North Central states to take the advantage of the courses available in the school.

On his part, NIHOTOUR Direcor-General, Alh. Nura Kangiwa, said the institution would offer 14 specialised Certificate and Diploma Courses in Hospitality ND Tourism sector.

He thanked the state for its support in realising the project, with a call on the governor to produce Tourism Master Plan for the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Bola Tinubu

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

A political pressure group, Tinubu Vanguard, has condemned the gruesome murderof 43 farmers by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno.

Dr Johnny Ben, the groups Director-General, condemned the act in a statement on Monday, describing the killing as great loss to the people of Borno and the entire country.

Ben urged Nigerians to be vigilant and provide necessary information to security agencies about suspicious movements of criminal element.

We condemn the killing of 43 farmers in Borno by Boko Haram; it is an indication that the sect is making a strong come back.

This is a great loss to the people of Borno and indeed the entire country, as the farmers are integral to governments plan towards food security.

It is worrisome to hear that the bandits also burnt their farm produce after the gruesome killings.

We sympathise with families of the deceased, the government and the people of Borno, he said.

The groups boss called on the military authorities to redouble their efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property of Nigerians in NorthEast and across the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

The Kwara government says it has recorded six new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total confirmed cases in the state to 1,118.

Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Spokesman of the Technical Committee on COVID-19, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Of the 1,118 confirmed cases, he said that 1,059 had been discharged, with 30 dead.

As at 9:20 pm. on Sunday, the number of active cases is now 29, while 1,059 have so far been discharged and 30 deaths recorded, Ajakaye said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

APC will clinch two Bayelsa Senate seats in bye-election says Sylva

By Nathan Nwakamma

Chief Timipre Sylva, the Minister of State for Petroleum says the All Progressives Congress, (APC) will clinch the Dec. 5 bye-election for Bayelsa West and Central seats in the state.

Sylva, gave the assurances at the committee rally for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District candidate Ebebi in Yenagoa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),recalls that the Central and West seats became vacant following inauguration of Sen Douye Diri and Sena Lawrent Ewhrujakpo as Gov and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa respectively.

The Nov. 16 guber poll was won by APCs candidate David Lyon who was sacked by the Apex court on Feb. 13 on grounds that his Deputy Sen Degi Biobarakumo submitted forged credentials in his nomination.

The APC is fielding Chief Peremobowei Ebebi for Bayelsa West and Mr Abel Ebifemowei for Bayelsa Central bye-election.

The minister noted that the party had more acceptable candidates for the polls.

He regretted that the former Gov.Seriake Dickson of the state and PDP candidate for Bayelsa West, was maligning the image of the APC candidate, who was a former Deputy Governor, due to Ebebis political clout and pedigree.

Sylva described the recent judgement by a Federal High court sitting in Yenagoa, barring Ebebi from contesting as a miscarriage of justice.

You all know the antecedents of our candidates, Peremobowei Ebebi and Abel Ebifemowei. You also know that the PDP candidates have failed Bayelsa.

Dickson did not argue that Ebebi was a lawyer, but took him to court on the grounds of his qualification for admission into the Rivers State University of Science and Technology where he read the law.

It seems to us, the APC family in the state, that the judiciary in the state is targeted at our party and candidates.

The said judge who gave the procured judgement is sympathetic to PDP, she is partisan and so we are not surprised at the biased judgement that was delivered in favour of Dickson and his party, Sylva noted.

He said that the party was hopeful that the Appeal court would upturn the judgement against Ebebi and the APC, maintaining that the two APC candidates would emerge as senators-elect at the end of the polls.

Also APC senatorial candidate, for Bayelsa West, Ebebi has urged his support base and party faithful to disregard the court judgement which had earlier disqualified his candidacy.

He said he was hopeful that the expected judgement from the appeal court would upturn the former judgement and put him back on the ballot.

He promised that he would fast track the development of the senatorial district when he emerged winner in the forthcoming polls.

Source: NAN News

By Omuboye Sukubo

The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Honour Sirawoo, has commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the release of the FIFA COVID-19 Relief Fund to the association.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Rivers, through Mr Olalekan Ige, Media Adviser to the SWAN President.

The president confirmed that the NFF had released N11.4 million as part of the COVID-19 relief fund from FIFA to SWAN.

Sirawoo lauded the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF for the transparent way and manner it disbursed the funds in accordance with the FIFA guidelines.

FIFA and the NFF must be commended for this transparent process. It has been done in such a manner that is open for all to see.

FIFA must also be commended for such a gesture despite a challenging period of the Coronavirus pandemic across the world.

It is a sign of a responsive and responsible football governing body, he said.

Sirawoo assured that the funds allocated to SWAN would be utilised transparently in accordance with the stated guidelines.

Let me state clearly that we will follow all guidelines as stated by FIFA and NFF; every penny expended will be published for all to see.

Our mantra has always been responsive leadership and we will demonstrate that in all our dealings.

An enlarged NEC meeting will hold in a couple of days to determine how the funds will be utilised, he stressed.

The SWAN president also charged Nigerias representatives in CAF club competitions to make the nation proud by targeting the ultimate prizes.

He noted that Plateau United, Enyimba, Rivers United, and Kano Pillars had the resources and personnel to perform well in the competitions.

He called on respective managers of the teams to do all within their means to make the players comfortable for optimal performance. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Create more awareness on HIV/AIDS to reduce risk of COVID-19, expert urges

By Abiesmwense Moru

As Nigeria prepares to mark this years World AIDS Day, Dr Akhalia Momodu of Diamonds Medical Centre, Abuja has called for more awareness creation on HIV/AIDS to reduce the risk of contracting the COVID-19 pandemic.

People living with HIV/AIDS are at risk of contracting COVID-19 because of the state of their immune system. There is the need for more sensitisation to help people know how the two diseases relate, he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

Momodu said that awareness creation had become necessary because people no longer bother about HIV/AIDS.

People no longer worry about HIV/AIDS. They only worry about COVID-19 pandemic and observe its protocols. It is good to remind everyone that HIV/AIDS is still there and has no cure as yet, he said.

He explained that HIV/AIDS patients could be exposed to other diseases during the pandemic, hence the need to take more precautions.

He further explained that a person living with HIV, who was not adherent to his or her drugs, could worsen the situation.

Momodu said that COVID-19 could also pose a lot of risks to someone already living with HIV because every opportunistic infection is always going to worsen the situation which we try to prevent every now and then.

According to him, there are many people that do not want to go for checks.

I think what we should do is to reorganise, carry out more campaigns, more symposia and there should be time to carry out test for people.

With the COVID-19 protocol on social distancing, many people do not want to go to the hospitals not to talk of checking their status. I think a lot of people are just afraid of going to the hospitals to conduct test, he said.

The medic explained that because of economic challenges, most people have refused to go for test not knowing that it was free, except in some private hospitals.

I think campaigns are still needed to let people know that HIV/AIDS is still there and is killing people hence the need for caution.

Among young Nigerians, many just seek fun through sexual intercourse. We need awareness so that people may know that HIV/AIDS still exists.

There should be more campaigns, he emphasised.

On addressing HIV/AIDS issues, he said that Nigeria had done very well for sometime.

In the hospitals I have visited, there are people coming in for their drugs; even the younger ones do so. But we still need to do more.

The only way to do more is to run campaigns again through social media, radio, television, among others, for people to know HIV/AIDS is still there.

People need to volunteer and agree to go for the test as it is free and the drugs are also available.

In fact, I have seen a lot of couples that are doing very well and they are able to raise up grown up children that are healthy without being infected, he said.

Momodu expressed displeasure at some religious perceptions that discourage patients from adhering to their drugs.

In terms of religion, l have seen some cases where someone goes to a religious house and the prophet tells him or her not to take drugs anymore.

They will tell the patient you have been healed, I have prayed for you and everything is okay. The gullible person will just stop taking the drugs.

Such patients will just stay away from the drugs and before you know it, everything will get worse.

There is a situation of a woman, who was in a religious house for seven days doing fasting, no food, no drugs and nothing.

Before you know it, her situation was deteriorating with diarrhoea, ulcer, cough, among others. When I saw her, she was in a very terrible state.

We just had to counsel her, start all over again. But when the situation was getting worse because there was no one to take care of her, we had to refer her to her state.

This was because her mother requested for her and promised to care of her as she takes her drugs.

We are still handling two or three cases like that where religion is still hindering people from taking their drugs, he said.

He advised that it was important an infected person took his or her drugs with faith and believe all would be fine.

So, going to the Church or the Mosque does not mean you should stop taking your drugs . You should have faith. Taking your drugs by faith means everything will be fine.

These are some of the problems we are also facing and we have to educate them more on adherence to drugs and never to fall victims of so called prophets, he said.

On strategies adopted to minimise mother-to- child-transmission of HIV, the doctor explained that during antenatal, all necessary screenings were usually carried out, including HIV.

During the screening, when you discover the mother is infected and not on drugs, you have to start her on Antiretroviral (ARV) drug and monitor her to ensure she adhered to her drugs.

When she gives birth, we administer Noveapine for the baby as the mother continues her drugs.

We counsel them in terms of breastfeeding and use of formula meal, that there should not be any combination. You are either doing exclusive breastfeeding for six months, or you want to use formula.

This is because food combination may expose the baby more. We counsel them very well to be aware of any danger posed to the baby, if they are not careful.

We also monitor the baby from to time to time for six weeks as they come for check-up, and there is always follow up and all that.

I have a patient that gave birth at my former hospital, she has my contact and am still monitoring her and the baby as they are doing very well.

These are the possible ways of preventing mother-to-child-transmission of HIV, he said.

On whether babies could contract HIV from breastfeeding, Momodu said that babies can never contract HIV from breastfeeding as far as the mother was taking her drugs accordingly.

He further said that it was very safe and advisable for the mother to breastfeed her baby.

Apart from HIV, breastfeeding is one of the best ways of feeding babies as it prevents the baby from other exposure and other infections.

As long as the baby is being fed on niverapine and the mother is on her drugs, there is no way that baby can be infected.

We have so many women that have given birth like that and their babies are healthy he said.

On advising the public on HIV/AIDS, he said that it was necessary to let everyone know that HIV is still very real.

It is among us and living with us.

The good thing about it is that when you are tested and found positive, it is not the end of anything because once you are on your drugs, you still live the number of years you want to live.

There are many positive people that I know living healthy lives. Until they tell you, nobody knows.

I will advise people to go for test every six months. When you know your status, you can never worry about anything as the drugs are readily available.

As long as you adhere to the drugs, you can live long.

It is good you go for test as HIV is a silent killer just like other viral disease such as hepatitis B. We should be aware of those killer diseases and volunteer ourselves.

Even as a medical doctor, I do screen myself because of the exposure, to be sure am okay. So we should not shy away from it. Volunteer yourself to be tested, Momodu advised.

Source: NAN News

Mr-Patrick-Akpan-the-Coordinator-of-Network-of-People-Living-with-HIVAIDS-in-Nigeria-NEPWHAN

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) has called on stakeholders to collaborate to put an end to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Nigeria before 2030 target.

Mr Patrick Akpan, the Coordinator of NEPWHAN in Lagos, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Akpan spoke with NAN on the challenges that HIV/AIDS had taken a back stage in 2020 due to emergence of COVID-19 pandemic.

He expressed the optimism that if everyone comes together, more progress could be achieved toward ending HIV/AIDS soonest before the 2030 deadline.

It has become important for everybody to come together so that we can fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, and the world at large.

At NEPWHAN, we are working to ensure that our members take their anti-retroviral drugs regularly so that they dont transmit the virus, the Network coordinator said.

He said except everyone collaborates and unite to kick AIDS out of the various communities, the current targets geared toward ending the scourge, as a public health threat by 2030, might be an illusion.

According to him, COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the global HIV/AIDS programmes in the last few months, saying that achieving the 90:90:90 HIV target by 2020 is no longer not feasible.

The 90-90-90 is a set of goals introduced by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in 2013.

The goal is that by the end of 2020, 90 per cent of people who are HIV infected would be diagnosed.

Ninety per cent of people who were diagnosed would be on anti-retroviral treatment, and 90 per cent of those who receive anti-retroviral would be virally suppressed.

Viral suppression is when a persons viral load or the amount of virus in an HIV-positive persons blood is reduced to an undetectable level.

Akpan said the Lagos State Government, through its HIV Consortium, ensured that people living with HIV/AIDS got three to six months medications before the lockdown.

According to him, this is to forestall the COVID-19 pandemic impact on viral load of people living with HIV/AIDS in Lagos.

We know that severe disruption in HIV treatment could result in additional AIDS-related deaths.

But, this proactive approach by the government ensured that we all have enough anti-retroviral medicines.

The state government and the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA) also extended palliatives to us to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS do not abandon their HIV treatment due to lack of food, he said.

Akpan said that strong collaboration would strengthen past achievements recorded in HIV/AIDS response, unify commitment and investment, which would fast track the attainment of 2030 target.

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Troops of Operation Fire Ball have eliminated five Boko Haram (BHT)/ISWAP terrorists and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition as well as bags of assorted grains in recent attacks on their hideouts in Borno.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this in statement on Sunday.

Onyeuko said that Operation Fire Ball, a subsidiary of Operation Lafiya Dole, had continued to clear terrorists from their identified enclaves in the North East.

He said the troops of Army Super Camp 11 Gamboru-Ngala, on Nov. 27, overran the terrorists hideout at Garal and Bulankesa Villages.

He said that the troops eliminated two terrorists in the encounter while others fled in disarray with fatal injuries.

Onyeuko said that troops deployed in Pulka also raided a terrorists logistics base at Ashigashiya on Friday, killing two terrorists while others escaped with debilitating gunshot wounds.

According to him, bags of assorted grains and other food items were recovered and the logistics warehouse was destroyed.

Similarly, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade also laid in wait for some suspected BHT/ISWAP criminals around Doksa general area same day.

Troops engaged the criminals with superior gun fire, forcing the terrorists to flee into the Bush in disarray.

In the aftermath of the encounter, one terrorist was neutralised while items such as one AK 47 rifle, two mobile phones, one bow and arrow and Boko Haram Terrorists pass slip were recovered.

The recovered items are in custody for profiling, he said.

The military Spokesperson said the military high command had commended the troops for their dedication and determination to flush the remnants of the terrorists from their hideouts.

He also encouraged the troops not to relent but build on the successes recorded so far.

He also assured that the high command was determined to rout the remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals from their enclaves. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian Navy

By Kemi Akintokun

The Navy Sailing Club, Ojo, Lagos, on Sunday said one of its sailors, Popti Emmanuel Dennis, died in an accident at the Clubs waterfront.

The Club, in a statement, said the unfortunate demise of Dennis, who was a former national athlete, occured on Nov. 28, when he was test running his Laser boat at the clubs waterfront.

The statement said that his boat capsised, but other sailors thought it was the usual drill of going underwater to bring his boat up, but sadly, he didnt come up again.

It said divers on ground were immediately sent in for a search and rescue operation, but they returned several hours later without him after combing underwater.

Tunde Giwa-Daramola, the Clubs Commodore, while reacting to the incident, said the deceased was committed to the sport and had contributed to the development of water sports in Nigeria by encouraging other athletes and officers.

Giwa-Daramola noted that the Club was known for its high safety standards.

Our heart goes out to his family for this irreparable loss. Popti was one of our best athletes in sailing.

He had represented Nigeria at the All Africa Games and the Navy in several regattas internationally.

He will be missed greatly by the club and young sailors that he has introduced to the sport.

As a club, we are deeply saddened by this incident. All swimming and water activities are suspended until further notice, he said.

Giwa-Daramola said that the Nigerian Navy Command had been notified of the incident and the Club had also set up a board of inquiry to determine the cause of the incident and how to avoid future occurrence.

The Commodore said the clubs flag would be flown at half mast for three days in honour of the athlete who just returned from a tour of duty. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Burial of farmers killed by insurgents in Borno State

By Yakubu Uba

Some 43 rice farmers killed on Saturday by insurgents at Koshebe village in the Jere Local Government Area of Borno were buried on Sunday amid wailing and tears by residents of the community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the farmers were killed at about 11 a.m. as they harvested rice on their farms.

The incident is the latest in the unrelenting killing of farmers in the North-East by Boko Haram insurgents, who have been campaigning for a strict Islamic code since 2009.

The insurgency has taken hundreds of lives and displaced thousands of residents, although the Federal Governments has been fighting back to defeat the insurgents.

Speaking at the burial of the farmers, Gov. Babagana Zulumof Borno, said that residents informed him that the death toll could be as high 70 because some of the farmers were still missing.

Zulum advised that Nigeria and some of its neighbouring should forge closer cooperation to defeat the insurgency, which has wracked Nigeria for over a decade.

He pleaded with the Federal Government to recruit more indigenes of the state into the military and other security agencies to combat the insurgency.

Zulum said that his administration would recruit more hunters and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), to complement the efforts of the military and other security agencies.

We will restrategise and ensure total domination of the Zabarmari, Gonglong, Koshebe axis of the state.

We will recruit more CJTF and hunters so that our people can take the fight to all nooks and crannies of this area.

We appeal to the Nigerian Army and Air Force to strengthen their support with a view to defeating the insurgents.

We have six million people in Borno State and we need to farm if we must survive, Zulum said.

He observed that the insurgents who killed the farmers were from Wuda-Taya Game Reserve in the area.

The governor said that there was need to raid the area to save the farming community known for mass production of rice.

The out-going Chairman of rice sellers in the area, Malam Hassan Zabarmari, called for more security presence to protect farmers.

We are expecting bumper harvest but with this incident, we are afraid to go to our farm in Koshebe village which has been vacated.

The insurgents have even started burning our farms. We need help, he pleaded. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NiMet predicts sunny weather

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and cloudiness across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

NiMets weather outlook released on Sunday predicted sunny and dry conditions over northern region throughout forecast period.

According to it, North central region is expected to be in sunny and dry
conditions, while patches of clouds with sunshine intervals are expected over parts of Benue, Kwara and Kogi states throughout forecast period.

NiMet anticipated inland and coastal cities of South to be in cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine during the morning hours.

It forecasts few thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom state during the afternoon and evening hours.

For Tuesday, sunny and dry conditions are expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period.

Sunny and dry condition is to prevail over the North central throughout the forecast period.

The southern region is expected to have patches of clouds with sunshine intervals in the morning hours.

There are prospects of few thunderstorms over parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Cross River states during the afternoon and evening hours, it said.

The agency envisaged sunny and dry hazy conditions over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.

it predicted the North central cities to be in sunny and hazy conditions throughout the forecast period.

The inland and coastal cities of the South are expected to have patches of clouds with intervals of sunshine during the morning hours.

Later in the day, few thunderstorms are expected over the coastal cities, it said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

NYSC-D-G-Brig-Gen-Ibrahim

By Franca ofili

A group, AA Chiroma and Associates, has conferred an Award of Excellence on the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, for his forthrightness and quality leadership.

Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, Director, Press and Public Relations of the scheme, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, that the award came just hours after Ibrahim bagged another award from the Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities in Kaduna.

She said that other personalities honoured at the ceremony, held at the Kaduna State University, included Professor of Political Economy and Defence Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna (NDA) and Moses Tedheke, Professor of History, Osun State University, Osogbo.

Others are Prof. Ogen Olukoya, and Prof. Nachanaa Alahira-Tarfa, of the Department of Political Science and Defence Studies, NDA, Kaduna.

Adeyemi said that the Special Guest of Honour, retired Maj.-Gen. Paul Chabri Tarfa, congratulated the awardees for their outstanding contributions to humanity.

According to her, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Adam Ahmed, a Professor of History in NDA, commended the organisers for recognizing the awardees, who had added values to the society through their respective callings.

Adeyemi urged them to continue the good works for which they were honoured.

According to her, speakers at the event remarked glowingly on Ibrahims outstanding qualities with particular reference to his achievements as the NYSC helmsman. (NAN)

Source: NAN News