Jannik Sinner

Italys Jannik Sinner became the youngest first-time winner on the ATP Tour in 12 years on Saturday after edging Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-4 3-6 7-6(3) to claim the Sofia Open.

Sinner, contesting his first ATP Tour final, served notice of his intentions early on when he forced Pospisil to save three break-points in his first service game.

He then went on to break the Canadians serve in the third game.

That was enough for the 19-year-old to claim the opening set and he looked set for victory when he broke Pospisil again early in the second.

But the Canadian fought back with two quick service breaks of his own to force a decider.

The match stayed on serve in the third set and headed to a tiebreak.

There, it was Sinner who kept his cool and sealed the victory when Pospisil sent a backhand beyond the baseline.

The Italian is the youngest winner on the mens tour since Japans Kei Nishikori won the Delray Beach Open at the age of 18 in 2008.

Sinner is the sixth first-time winner on the tour this year, joining Ugo Humbert, Casper Ruud, Thiago Seyboth Wild, Miomir Kecmanovic and John Millman. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ramos misses a penalty kick during a crucial match with Switzerland

Spain captain Sergio Ramos missed two penalty kicks as Switzerland drew 1-1 with them in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday.

Gerard Moreno came off the bench to grab a late equaliser for them to earn the draw.

The result relegated Switzerland and Spain lost top spot in Group A4 to Germany, who earned a 3-1 win over Ukraine and lead the standings with nine points.

Spain are second with eight points and must win Tuesdays showdown at home to Joachim Loews side in order to progress to the final four.

Ramos, who also became the most capped European player of all time, had scored all of his previous 25 penalty kicks.

But he was thwarted when Yann Sommer guessed the right way and repelled his penalty kick in the 58th minute to preserve Switzerlands lead.

The hosts had taken the lead in the 23rd minute through a brilliant strike on the half volley from Remo Frueler.

They could have doubled their advantage in the second half when Haris Seferovic rounded goalkeeper Unai Simon.

But Ramos came to his sides rescue and got back to clear the shot off the line.

Spain then earned a second penalty kick in the 79th minute which led to Swiss defender Nico Elvedi being sent off for a second booking.

However, Ramos was again outwitted by Sommer, who could not be fooled by the defenders chipped Panenka penalty kick and caught the ball.

It is the first time Spain have missed two penalty kicks in one match.

Substitute Moreno saved Ramos blushes in the 89th minute, lashing home a cross from Sergio Reguilon as Spain finally found a way past Sommer.

This was after firing 20 shots at goal to Switzerlands seven.

Football is like this, its a marvellous sport but sometimes its very unfair, said Spain coach Luis Enrique.

We were lacking a bit of freshness but I think we played well even though we couldnt do the most difficult thing, which is to score.

We deserved to win for our first half performance and for how we played in the second. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

NGolo Kante scores for France against Portugal

France handed defending UEFA Nations League champions Portugal a rare defeat on Saturday, winning 1-0 in Lisbon.

NGolo Kantes second half strike helped the world champions to reach the competitions final four at the expense of the holders.

Anthony Martial missed three clear-cut first half chances for France beforeKante scored only his second international goal in the 54th minute.

It was his first since 2016, and it helped to end Portugals run of five successive clean sheets.

World champions France went top of Group A3 with 13 points from five games, three ahead of Portugal and with the better head-to-head record to give them an unassailable lead.

It was only Portugals second defeat since the 2018 World Cup.

Given the quality of the opposition, its of course one of our best performances of recent times, France coach Didier Deschamps said of Portugal, who are the European champions.

We deserved the win and weve fulfilled our objective of finishing top. Im very proud of the players.They proved tonight that France are still a great team.

Antoine Griezmann set up Martials first chance in the 12th minute with a slide-rule pass but Portugals excellent goalkeeper Rui Patricio blocked it at point-blank range.

Martial then diverted Adrien Rabiots acrobatic effort onto the bar with his head and saw another effort brilliantly saved at close range by Patricio from Lucas Hernandezs cross.

At the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo forced a diving save from France captain Hugo Lloris and also wasted a free-kick which he drove straight into the wall.

France finally broke through just as Portugal appeared to be imposing themselves.

Griezmann slipped another ball through to Rabiot whose shot was parried by Patricio and Kante was on hand to score from the rebound.

Portugal had three chances go begging in the same attack, including a Jose Fonte header against the post.

Lloris made a one-handed save to parry a raking drive from Joao Moutinho, who then saw his cross evade three forwards as France held out.

I dont know what went wrong in the first half, it wasnt what I expected but it was my responsibility, said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.

We were better in the second half but then conceded the goal which settled the game we had three or four chances to equalise. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCDC Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) update

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 112 new infections of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria had so far tested 705,809 people since the first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported on Feb. 27 this year.

The health agency said that with the 112 new infections recorded in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) the total confirmed cases nationwide have jumped to 64,996.

According to the centre, of the 112 new cases FCT and Oyo State had 27 each, followed by Bayelsa and Rivers with nine infections each and Delta with seven infections.

Edo, Kaduna and Ogun have five each; Anambra, Katsina, Ondo, Osun and Plateau reported three each; Niger two and Kano had one.

On the sunny side the NCDC stated that 93 coronavirus patients who were treated in some of the isolation centres were discharged in the past 24 hours.

It also said that since the outbreak of the pandemic in Nigeria 61,029 of the 64,996 confirmed coronavirus patients have been treated and discharged in isolation centres while 1,163 patients had succumbed to the disease nationwide.

The centre said that it had activated a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre at Level III to coordinate the national response activities in the country.

Source: NAN News

Brigadier-General Ahmed Taiwo, testifying at the Lagos Panel for EndSARS protests

By Moji Eniola

The Nigerian Army has given a graphic narration of the alleged dire security situation in Lagos that warranted them being invited to restore order in the state.

Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, Commander of the 81 Division, Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos made the revelation on Saturday at the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Taiwo was testifying before the panel about the Armys alleged role in the shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters on Oct. 20 at the Lekki Tollgate.

He said that Lagos had descended into a state of total chaos before the army was invited.

Taiwo who testified before the panel using a projector had shown graphic images of policemen being lynched, police stations being looted and burnt, as well as citizens resorting to cannibalism by eating the burnt flesh of the corpses of lynched police officers.

Many of us have lived through the 70s to the 2000s, and one thing I have said is that once a peaceful protest goes beyond three days there are hoodlums waiting in the wings to hijack it and cause mayhem and this was no different.

This state of affairs continued until Oct. 20 and even I was caught up in one of such mobs. The hoodlums I met are not the #EndSARS protesters we have come to see.

It is the task of the armed forces to intervene when the security task overwhelms the police and other paramilitary services.

Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu asked the army to intervene which was the correct thing to do, he said.

Playing a video of the siege of the palace of the Oba of Lagos by hoodlums, Taiwo said that the monarch and his family had to be rescued from the chaos by the Nigerian Army.

Both the Oba and his family were ferried to safety by the Nigerian Army, Taiwo said as he played a video recording of the monarch and his family being rescued and taken into a military pickup truck.

The business district areas were looted and offices were ransacked and destroyed. The hoodlums attempted to invade the Government House, but it was repelled.

They attempted to break into the Ikoyi Prison and it was repelled. The 81 Division had to support the Correctional Services and the Police.

They also burnt down the Igbosere High Court. The inmates had burnt part of the Ikoyi Prison, they all did this at the same time because they had gotten information about what was happening on the outside.

They burnt Shoprite and Spar Lekki was looted. What was shocking and saddening to me was that mothers were taking their children to loot, he said.

The officer said that he had received a distress phone call from the Managing Director of Spar pleading for the militarys assistance.

The MD was pleading and saying that let them loot the place, but they should not burn it down.

When we arrived, these looters had the temerity to come up to soldiers while holding looted goods and say come collect sir!

A man we arrested had looted household items and when we went to his house to recover the items he had already installed them, he said.

Taiwo said that while trying to restore order at Spar Lekki, he had met looters looting Shoprite Lekki and that he had ordered soldiers under his command not to shoot at them, but into the air.

I wanted to catch them and I did not want any casualty. All the looters our men arrested were taken to the 65 Battalion and we have people of almost every tribe there that day.

There was a voice note on social media purportedly from Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) saying Igbos should cause mayhem in Lagos.

This could not be further from the truth because from my assertion, most of the businesses affected were owned by Igbos, Taiwo said.

NAN reports that the Nigerian Army told the panel that financial institutions were the most targeted the by looters during the #EndSARS unrest, and that the army had evacuated about N2billion in two days for banks during the chaos.

He said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. -Gen.Tukur Buratai, had ordered that the captured looters should be treated humanely by the military.

They were fed three times a day and were given what the soldiers were eating. Some of them did not even want to leave, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy

By Olasunkanmi Onifade
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, on Saturday advised the Nigerian youth to develop their skills in order to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the space sector.

Pantami gave the advice at the closing ceremony of Hackathon Actinspace Competition organised by NIGCOMSAT Limited in Abuja.

The minister, who was represented by the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Mohammed Abubakar, said the competitions focus was critical to the needs of the space industry and humanity.

It gives us great opportunity to become major participants in the growing global digital economy thereby making ICT not just an enabler but a catalyst for economic growth, he said.

Pantami said the competition targeted the creativity of the participants and also sharpened their entrepreneurial initiatives.

He said the various teams that took part in the competition where challenged to conceive and design innovative services and products derived from space technologies and space acquired data.

The minister advised the youth to develop specialised skills in order to empower themselves, saying it would enable them in building a workforce and establishing startups for the communication industry.

He advised the six teams and 25 participants to work hard as they have demonstrated capabilities in different projects.

The Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Dr Abimbola Alale, said the competition had made the participants to be more creative and to bring out the best in them.

Alale said the digital skills could drive the nations digital economy.

She said there was a need to expand and domesticate the satellite ecosystem in Nigeria.

Mrs Alma Okpelefa, Chairperson, Local Organising Committee, said although the space technology appeared a bit abstract, the competition was meant to make the participants to understand the benefits of the sector.

Okpelefa, who named the winning group as Team Astromania from Kaduna State, said it would represent the country in France next year at a global contest.

The leader of the winning team, Mr Lamba Emmanuel, a student of telecommunication engineering of the Federal University of Technology, Minna advised the youth to continue to learn new ideas.

He said the team sought to harness car and satellite data to create a sort of Automatic Identification System (ADS) consisting a space segment and a ground station segment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Actinspace is an international competition targeted at students of tertiary institutions, IT startups and entrepreneurs to utilise space technologies to create solutions that improve everyday life.

Source: NAN News

ICPC headquarters in Abuja

By Ikenna Osuoha

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has called for national unity in the fight against corruption and other sharp practices in the country.

Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, ICPC, made the call during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) led by its Managing Director, Mr Buki Ponle, to the commissions headquarters in Abuja.

Owasanoye, who condemned the widespread perception of the fight against corruption from tribal, religious or political perspectives, called for proper advocacy and sensitisation to correct the misconception.

When we arrest someone for stealing, it is either the people will see it from tribal or religious or political perspective.

Things cannot remain the same, this is where the collaboration with the media and the corruption agency comes in.

While our role is to prevent or block sharp practices while that of the media is to report accurately, we want the media to disabuse the minds of people about our operations, he said.

The anti-graft chief emphasised the critical role of the media in disseminating information as well as engaging people positively on the good intention of government.

Owasanoye gave an assurance of his willingness to work in partnership with the media in achieving the desired change and victory over corruption.

Earlier, Ponle had promised stronger collaboration with the ICPC in the fight against corruption, saying NAN would continue to mould public opinion positively using its various platforms.

Reiterating NANs vast reach with three foreign outstations, six zonal centres, 36 state offices and numerous district offices, Ponle said the agency is well positioned to partner ICPC in the campaign against corruption.

In the NAN delegation were Mr Obakhedo Idonije, Editor-in-Chief, Mr Mufutau Ojo, Special Assistant to the Managing Director and Mr Lawal Saleh, Chief Protocol Officer. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)

By Ikenna Osuoha

Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), says Nigeria is losing about 60 per cent of its financial income to illicit financial flows.

Owasanoye said this when a delegation of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) led by its Managing Director, Mr Buki Ponle, visited the commissions headquarters in Abuja.

NAN reports that illicit financial flow, which is illegally transferring money to another country, often occurs through trade overinvoicing.

It occurs when exporters or importers deliberately misreport the value, quantity or nature of goods and services in order to evade taxes, take advantage of tax incentives, avoid capital controls or launder money.

According to the ICPC Chairman, illicit financial flow is undermining Nigeriss economic development.

He blamed the corrupt practice on delinquent expatriates who engage in all forms of sharp practices to evade tax and compromise their host countrys internally generated revenue.

Sharp practice like over invoicing for example is when a commodity that is sold at one dollar out there is tagged here in Nigeria, he said.

Owasanoye, who affirmed the readiness of the agency to tackle such criminal acts, called for support from Nigerians.

The ICPC Chairman said focus had remained on corruption among holders of public offices while illicit financial flow is worse.

The anti graft chief reiterated the need to end the criminality by foreign companies, saying it remains a threat to the countrys financial stability.

Earlier, Ponle had described corruption as a cankerworm that must be eliminated in the country if it must witness growth and development.

The managing director, who commended the ICPC management for its sustained campaign against corruption in the country, pledged to partner the commission in its campaign.

Ponle said NAN had evolved from a text-only agency to a multimedia outfit offering a bouquet of services which include audio, video and pictures.

He urged the ICPC to embrace the diverse products and services on offer by NAN which includes SMS, NAN General News Service, NAN PR Wire as well as its flagship NAN Forum.

NAN Forum is a popular interview platform for ministers, heads of MDAs and diplomatic missions as well as other leading members of the society.

The highlight of the occasion was the exchange of souvenirs and publications by Owasanoye and Ponle. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

L-R: Nasiru Dano, the Chairman, Lubrik Construction Co. (LCC) Ltd., Representative of COAS; Maj. Gen. Haruna Momoh, the Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans/Director Staff duties and Mohammed Hayatu, Tournament Manager, Guards Polo Club, Abuja during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new ultramodern club house

By Victor Okoye

Nasiru Dano, the Chairman, Lubrik Construction Co. (LCC) Ltd. has said that the company will soon embark on the construction of a befitting N500 million ultramodern club house for the Guards Polo Club (GPC), Abuja, as part of its commitment to give back to the society.

The project, according to Dano, who also doubles as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Army Polo Association (NAPA) said the gesture was part of LCCs Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and commitment to continue to support the Nigerian Army.

Beyond the Guards Polo Club in Abuja, we have also supported almost six or seven different polo clubs in the country.

So, we are looking at between 8 -12 months to complete the building and finishing of a world class club house here at the Guards polo club, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ground breaking ceremony for the proposed club house was held on the side lines of the ongoing Nigeria National Carnival Polo tournament at the club on Sunday.

Maj. Gen. Haruna Momoh, the Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans/Director Staff duties at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, who represented the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai and performed the ceremony, described the project as a legacy that will stand the test of time.

Momoh expressed gratitude to LCC for their support and commitment, saying, On behalf of the COAS, officers and men of the Nigerian Army, I want to thank LCC most graciously for choosing to embark on this great project.

This indeed is a legacy that will remain in our memory for a long time to come. We look forward to the manifestation of greater things and partnerships in the years ahead, he said.

Chairman of Guards Polo Club, Amb. Sani Bala expressed gratitude to the company, saying that it was a great milestone for the club.

We are very delighted that the appeals we have been making to well-meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies alike to support the game of polo are yielding fantastic results.

LCC is coming with a lot of groups, companies and banks to build this wonderful club house. It is indeed going to be one of its kind in the country and we are really very happy, Bala said.

The chairman also revealed that plans were underway to bring about more developments in the club within the shortest possible time.

There are a lot of developments coming through. In addition to the new club house, we intend to have at least one or two more polo pitches so as not to put too much pressure on the existing one.

This is something that is going to happen with the collaboration and assistance of the NAPA.

We are very grateful to Gen. M.S. Aliyu who has been giving the push for the Nigerian Army to really participate fully in the game of polo, he said.

According to the chairman, there would be other recreational and sporting facilities in the club, such as squash and tennis courts, as well as a playing area for kids and a polo school to teach young players and organise a lot of other grassroots programmes.

The game of polo requires skill and horsemanship and, therefore, one must have drive and passion to learn the basic rules and rudiments of the sport, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gunmen

By Mohammed Tijjani

Gunmen have abducted a lecturer and two children of a member of staff of the Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic Zaria, Kaduna State.

The Secretary, Information and Protocol Unit of the polytechnic, Mr Abdullahi Shehu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview on Sunday that the incedent happened on Saturday.

Shehu said the victims were abducted from their homes located within the institution.

He said that the father of the two abducted children was injured by the gunmen and was presently receiving treatment at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Shehu said the kidnapped lecturer teaches at the School of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics of the polytechnic.

Spokesman of Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident and said police operatives had been deployed to secure the area, track the perpetrators and rescue the victims. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Kyrgyzstan Flag

Sixty-three people have submitted documents to the Central Election Commission (CEC), of Kyrgyzstan to participate in early presidential elections, the press service said on Sunday.

The deadline for submitting the documents to the CEC was Nov. 14.

The commission had received documents from 65 people, while two of them withdrew the application. Among the applicants, were eight women and 55 men, the CEC said.

To be approved as candidates, the applicants were expected to collect 30,000 signatures of voters in their support and pay electoral deposit of about 12,000 U.S. dollars to the account of the CEC.

They must also pass the test of the Kyrgyz language.

Candidates can drop their bids for the presidency until Jan. 7.

The election campaign is expected to begin on Dec. 15, 2020 and end Jan. 9, 2021, while voting will begin on Jan. 10, 2021.

Kyrgyzstan will hold early elections due to the fact that ex-President Sooronbai Jeenbekov resigned amid protests to annul the results of the Oct. 4 parliamentary elections. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Images of ancestral shrine

By Ariwodola Idowu

The Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu, on Sunday condemned the practice of some of his subjects who go about placing fetish objects on economic projects embarked upon by well-meaning indigenes to scare them away from the town.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the Oba spoke in Ikere Ekiti at the close of this years awards of the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and the inauguration of the Wole Olanipekun Foundation to empower youths and the downtrodden.

This year, 143 students of secondary and tertiary institutions of Ekiti State extraction benefitted from the scholarship scheme, the 24th in the series.

The Oba warned that those who go about placing fetish objects on peoples projects might compel him to invoke the wrought of Ekiti ancestors on them if they did not desist as their activities were capable of driving would-be investors away and slow down economic development of the town.

He also condemned the attempt by some unidentified persons to raze the personal residence of Chief Olanipekun and his radio station, Cruse FM, during the #EndSARS protest simply because the legal luminary is President Muhammadu Buharis personal attorney.

Speaking at the event, Chief Olanipekun, former President of Nigerian Bar Association, said the EndSARS protest which nearly engulfed the entire nation was a microcosm of the danger that would consume the nation if the country is not restructured.

He expressed regret that police stations were razed in Ikere Ekiti during the #EndSARS protest, an action that made the police to withdraw their services from the town.

Chief Olanipekun called on individuals to partner with governments to resolve youth unemployment and the attendant restiveness.

He said that his Foundation planned to spend N15 million to empower 300 youths and another N9 million on the aged and widows resident in Ekiti.

Whatever might have been the outcome of the #EndSARS protest, the bitter take away there is that we must honestly, sincerely, dispassionately, unpretentiously take steps to reawaken Nigeria; to rethink Nigeria; to rebuild Nigeria; to rehabilitate Nigeria; to rekindle Nigeria; to readjust Nigeria and to revitalise Nigeria.

The bitterness among ethnic nationalities isso deep, and we need genuine reconciliation and restructuring of the polity. That small sore has become cancerous and we need a radical surgery to extract it, he said.

Giving a breakdown of the categories of beneficiaries of this years scholarship scheme, Chief Olanipekun said 67 of them are in secondary schools, 73 are university undergraduates, three are Law School students and one is a PhD candidate.

Chief Olanipekun added that the Foundation would kick off with the empowerment of 100 youths and 100 widows and the aged who would get betweenN30,000 and N50,000 each to begin small scale businesses.

Under the Wole Olanipekun Foundation Youth Empowerment Programme, 100 youths will have a grant of N50,000 each in 2020, another set of 100 youths will be entitled to same amount in 2021 and also in 2022 translating to 300 youth, while each of them will be entitled to non-interest yielding loans from the middle of 2021.

For the widows and the aged people from 75 years of age, 100 of them will be empowered with N30,000 each under my foundation as part of poverty alleviation programme, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

A Physician, Dr Harazumi Bello, has advised Nigerians to adopt healthy lifestyle and good diet to avoid diabetes and its complications.

Bello, a Physician at the National Hospital, Abuja (NHA), gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day (WDD), which has The Nurse and Diabetes as the theme for 2020.

Annually celebrated on Nov. 14 to raise global awareness and promote the importance of taking coordinated actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue, WDD is also aimed at prevention, complications and care for people living with the condition.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in two people with diabetes in Africa do not know their status and nearly one in five COVID-19 deaths in Africa is linked to diabetes.

The world body added in a statement to mark the WDD that this is particularly important in the African Region, where more than half of the people living with diabetes dont know they have it, and many of those diagnosed are not well controlled.

The NHA physician, therefore, advised people to cut down sugar and refined carbohydrates intake and engage in regular exercise, saying people should do 30 minutes of brisk walk per day at least five times in a week.

Bello also advised smokers to try and drop the habit as it could increase the risk of having diabetes, as well as avoid sedentary lifestyle, stressing that walk at least 3,000 steps daily.

Drink water as primary and main beverage; lose weight if youre overweight or obese, follow a low-carb diet, avoid large portion sizes whether or not you decide to follow a low-carb diet and eat high fiber diet.

Minimise your intake of processed foods and check your blood sugar regularly.

According to him, the risk or complications associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are more or less the same, apart from a few, the details of which mainly concern the health professionals.

Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which one immune system destroys insulin-making cells in the pancreas.

These are called beta cells. The condition is usually diagnosed in children and young people, so it used to be called juvenile diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects the body from using insulin the way it should. People with type 2 diabetes are said to have insulin resistance.

People who are middle-aged or older are most likely to get this kind of diabetes, so it used to be called adult-onset diabetes.

Bello said some of the complications from type 1 and 2 diabetes included Cardiovascular diseases such as angina, heart attack and stroke and nerve damage.

He said nerve damage could be tingling sensation, numbness, burning sensation or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads.

He added that complication can result to kidney damage, which can lead to kidney failure, eye damage which can lead to blindness, foot damage (injuries, blisters and infections) which can lead to amputation.

Also, skin conditions recurrent skin infections, very high blood sugar which can lead to coma or death and dementia, as well as depression.

Bello said that the best way to manage diabetes was by constantly educating the patient on the condition and the need for drug adherence and regular follow up visits to the hospital.

Also, adherence to other lifestyle modifications, including strict foot care to prevent injuries which can lead to amputation; in management of diabetes the patient has a role as significant as that of the health professionals.

Diabetic patients can live good lives devoid of major complications if they adhere to the advice of their health providers, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike has disrupted activities of cattle rustlers in Kwiambana Forest area in Kaduna State, killing several bandits.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, that the operation was conducted on Nov. 12.

Enenche said the operation was sequel to reports indicating that close to 100 bandits carrying high calibre weapons, mounted on motorcycles, had rustled a large number of cattle and other livestock from Dankolo and Machitta villages.

He disclosed that the bandits and the rustled livestock were subsequently spotted by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft on reconnaissance mission at Kaboru village heading towards Kwiambana Forest.

According to him, the Air Component, therefore, dispatched a NAF attack helicopter to the location which engaged the target area, leading to the neutralisation of several of the bandits. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Moji Eniola

The Nigerian Army has said that they have not received any formal petition over the alleged shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate on Oct. 20.

The counsel for the Nigerian Army, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), made the assertion on Saturday before the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses ad Other Matters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Taiwo was called to give evidence on behalf of the Nigerian Army on the events of Oct. 20.

I must submit today that there is no allegation whatsoever against the Nigerian Army before this panel.

I urge your lordship to discountenance any proposal that the testimony of the Nigerian Army should not be allowed because of a proposed petition.

Unfortunately for reasons known to most of us, the Nigerian Army could not give their testimony when they were summoned on the last adjourned date. It is a very respectable organisation.

The Nigerian Army is here again ready to testify, and they have set up their projector and is ready to discharge the summons.

I repeat, as at six minutes to 11am today, no petition has been served against the Nigerian Army, if any petition has been served, we will respond, he said.

Earlier, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), the counsel representing seven #EndSARS protesters had said that he had been unable to make a formal claim on behalf of his clients before the panel.

Olumide-Fusika said that the panels Terms of Reference only covered matters relating to the Nigerian Police and the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and that his complaint is against the Nigerian Army.

He also noted that the panel must be set up by a legal instrument and apart from the tweets from the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stating that a panel will be established.

We applied for the copy of the instrument establishing the panel by the governor, but we were refused on the ground that freedom of information Act does not apply to Lagos State.

We applied here this morning and the secretary said there is no authority that states that it should be granted to us, Olumide-Fusika said.

He sought the panels directive as to whether the Nigerian Army should give evidence during proceedings because according to him, their presence here today is not mature.

Meanwhile, the head of the nine-man panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd) in a ruling stated that the alleged shootings at Lekki covered the panels Terms of Reference.

The Lekki incident was not covered by the original instrument of the panel and it was amended on Oct. 21 to include the Lekki incident.

The amended instrument is a public document which should not be shrouded in mystery, I have a copy here with me if Mr Olumide-Fusika pleases,Okuwobi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ayinde Olaide

Dr Okafor Emefesi, President of a Bauchi-based non-governmental Organisation, Couples Network International, has advocated for the establishment of Ministry of Marriage and Family Affairs.

Emefesi made the call in Bauchi on Saturday while delivering a speech on behalf of his Organisation during a seminar tagged Womens Health Improvement Seminar on Osteoporosis and Arthritis- Natural ways to maintain and sustain strong bones.

He explained that the establishment of such ministry would help in addressing the myriad of challenges bedeviling marriages and the family institution, resulting in their failure to play the stabilising roles expected.

According to him, enduring marriages are paramount for the survival of the family institution, and the two are vital in checking social vices that have been threatening the survival of the country as a nation.

Concerning the stability and progress of Nigerian families, the Federal Government should establish a Ministry of Family and Marriage Affairs.

This will bring a lasting solution to the crises facing Nigerian families. The survival of the Nigerian families is crucial to the survival of the nation at large, he said.

Emefesi further called on government to establish Women Development Banks in order to empower women to be economically self-reliant, saying women are the drivers of the economy who are also actively involved in family production.

He also noted that the major problem facing Nigeria was not religious bigotry or ethnicity, but poverty.

He said poverty was the number one cause of most of the social ills in the country which had given birth to terrorism, kidnapping, corruption, marital breakdown, ethnic and religious crises, unemployment, as well as youth restiveness.

Speaking on health, Emefesi called on the Federal Government to introduce national policy on calcium supplement for women and children in the country.

Also speaking, Mrs Aishatu Kilishi, President Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Bauchi state chapter, said most of the issues that affected women, were calcium related problems and bone issues.

She said bone problems were rampant among the women folk than in men, adding that women were taunted by bone issues because they engaged in domestic and farming activities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar was organized by FOMWAN, Bauchi state chapter, in collaboration with Couples Network International. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, on Friday strongly advocated for the greater participation of women and youth in Malis ongoing transition towards a durable peace, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She spoke in Bamako in continuation of her solidarity visit to West Africa and the Sahel.

Ms. Mohammeds visit comes as the Central Sahel region is struggling to cope with a burgeoning humanitarian and security crisis: the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Mali increased from 4.3 to 6.8 million between January and August 2020.

A UN statement noted that in October, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the countries in the border area between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are caught in a downward spiral, amid rising violence, insecurity and now the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mali, hit by a military coup in August, has established a new civilian-led transitional authority but remains highly volatile.

Extremist groups have reportedly disregarded calls for peace and urged followers to take advantage of the power vacuum exacerbated by COVID-19, including by spreading disinformation in distressed communities.

Attacks in October killed 12 civilians and at least 11 Malian soldiers in separate attacks in the centre of the country. Just three days later, one peacekeeper was killed and another injured in two more incidents.

Last year, 81 aid workers were wounded, kidnapped or killed in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, according to the Aid Worker Security Database.

The statement said Ms. Mohammed discussed three critical areas for building a better future for Africa and Mali during her visit: financing for sustainable development, the socio-economic response and recovery plans, and ways to improve social cohesion and community resilience, whilst protecting civilians and fighting terrorism.

The continuous use of masks by the deputy UN chief, her team, and other UN personnel in Mali, underlines the ongoing threat posed by the COVID-10 pandemic, the statement noted.

To date, the UN has committed some US.5 million worth of support to the country, which includes helping the Government to put its response plan into place, and proposing and supporting mitigation and recovery measures capable of reducing the impacts of the crisis.

The Mali leg of the deputy UN chiefs trip to the region followed stops in Nigeria and Niger.

During her time in Niger, Ms. Mohammed visited the Gamou region, some 15 kilometres north of the capital, Niamey, to see the devastation caused by flooding and torrential rains, the worst in eight years, which killed more than 70 people and displaced some 632,000 others.

There, she met with the heads of villages affected by the floods, and visited a shelter for displaced persons.

The next leg for Ms. Mohammed is a two-day trip to Sierra Leone, where she will look at progress towards strengthening existing peace and stability, and addressing issues of gender-based violence.

She is also scheduled to take part in a community dialogue on womens role in environmental sustainability. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Egypt has announced the unearthing of a cache of ancient coffins at a major necropolis near Cairo, the second such find in the same area this year.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani said Egyptian archaeologists had found over 100 sealed, intact human coffins and 40 funerary masks and statues in three shafts at the Saqqara necropolis near the famed pyramid of King Djoser.The coffins have been closed for over 2,500 years.

In October, Egypt announced the discovery of 59 well-preserved and colourfully decorated ancient coffins in the same area.

Saqqara has shown only 1 per cent of what it has.

If we continue our excavations, various human and animal tombs are expected to be found in it. Its a very rich area.

The artefacts announced Saturday date back to ancient Egypts Late Period and the Ptolemaic era, al-Anani said at a televised news conference at the site.

According to al-Anani, the collection would be put on show at Egypts three main museums, including the Grand Egyptian Museum being built next to the Giza pyramids.

Egypt has in recent years announced a string of archaeological discoveries in several parts of the nation in an attempt to revive its battered tourism industry, which is a main source of national income.

Tourism has been hard hit since the 2011 uprising against long-time dictator Hosny Mubarak and the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Isaiah Eka

Mr Orman Esin, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Akwa Ibom, has said that N2.5 billion was generated in 2019 by kiosk owners and other businesses at Christmas village within 30 days of the jamboree.

Esin said this at a news conference to mark the beginning of the 2020 Christmas jamboree in Uyo on Saturday.

The commissioner said that 2019 festival provided jobs for no fewer than 2,450 people at the Christmas village.

He said that those engaged had the ample opportunity to make money for themselves and boost the local economy.

The Christmas festival added to the economic strength of the state within the period.

By January people were able to pay school fees, pay house rent and do all manner of things.

I know of three persons who showed to me what they were able to achieve from the Christmas village.

I believe that the activities at the Christmas village are not just about entertainment and popularity but also to ensure that people are gainfully employed within the period to enable them to live well, Esin said.

He said that the state government had approved that the 2020 Christmas festival activities would be done with strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols.

According to him, in order to avoid overcrowding and maintain social distancing, government has allocated 11 hectares of land for the construction of the 2020 Christmas village as against 4.5 hectares in 2019.

So the State Executive Council has approved that the 2020 Christmas festival should hold, but with strict observance of the COVID-19 safety protocols.

For the 31 days we will have every one who comes to the Christmas village fully masked.

In line with NCDC guidelines facemask will be compulsory; the kiosks, stages and stalls will be spaced and hand sanitisers provided at various places.

Strict hygiene will be the order of the day, he said.

Esin said that other COVID-19 safety measures had been put in place such as less activities, spacing of stages, hand washing and aggressive testing of visitors to the Christmas village.

The commissioner said that the event was open to partnership with the private sector and multinational oil companies, adding that there would be advertising and branding opportunities.

He said that the state was passionate about improving on its tourism potential hence would use the 2020 Christmas festival to consolidate on the economic and commercial gains of the 2019 edition which was adjudged the biggest in the country.

Esin assured the people that adequate security arrangements would be put in place within the Christmas village and its surroundings to ensure protection of life and property. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian Army officer testifying before Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry over #EndSARS shooting at Lekki tollgate

By Moji Eniola

The Nigerian Army on Saturday denied using live ammunition on unarmed #EndSARS protesters, during the alleged Oct. 20 shooting at the Lekki Tollgate before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Army made the denial before the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters.

Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, Commander of the 81 Division, Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, Lagos, who testified on behalf of the Nigerian Army said that the military had fired blank ammunition into the air to disperse protesters on the night of the alleged shooting.

Taiwo, who gave a presentation to the panel with the use of a projector, played a footage which showed soldiers standing in front of singing protesters and firing their weapons into the air.

He said there would have been a lot of fatalities if the 600m live ammunition normally used by the military were used to disperse the #EndSARS protesters.

I have been in the army since 1986 and you cannot be under fire and be singing.

The entry hole for the 600m is thin while the exit is wide, if it hits you in the chest or the bowels, the intestines comes down.

I am an expert in ammunition having spent so long in the army. Blank ammunition is slower and can do no damage to the flesh and you have nothing to fear except you take a rifle, put it against your eye and fire.

Even if you put it against your skin and fire you will only have burn marks, he said.

Taiwo said that troops had managed to disperse most of the #EndSARS protesters, and had even shared drinks from protesters who had remained at the Lekki Tollgate.

He said he was monitoring the situation on the internet, and that it was after the departure of the soldiers that hoodlums set the tollgate on fire.

He said that non-kinetic (non violent) means was used in the Armys rules of engagement during the protests.

Following his revelation, Taiwo through the counsel of the Nigerian Army, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), presented four spent blank ammunition to the panel as evidence.

NAN reports that Taiwo told also the panel that there was a lapse in communication between the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Army regarding the imposing and lifting of the curfew.

Due to the urgency of the security situation in the state, the governor declared a 24-hour curfew which was supposed to start at 4pm.

They wanted everyone off the streets to deal with the hoodlums, but after some observations the timing was shifted to 21:00 hours, but this timing was not communicated to the Nigerian Army.

Be that as it may, we the Nigerian Army had already immediately deployed the 65 Battalion under the 81 Division Garrison to forestal all further violence and loss of lives.

It is important to note that this deployment of troops contrary to reports, was done throughout Lagos to activate Phase 4 of the Internal Security Operations, Taiwo said.

The officer told the panel that the Army had entered the Stabilisation Phase of the Internal Security Operations, and had started recovering looted items when the Lagos State Government lifted the curfew without informing them.

We were still recovering a lot of looted items which were given back to the owners on production of receipt or proof of ownership.

If the curfew was not lifted we would have recovered a 100 times more than the items we recovered, Taiwo said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News