Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai

By Sani Idris

The Kaduna State government has urged residents of the state to turn out en masse and participate in the coronation of the new Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Bamalli.

Bamalli is to be installed as the 19th emir of Zazzau on Nov. 9, at the Muhammadu Aminu Square, Race Course, GRA Zaria.

Alhaji Jaafaru Sani, Chairman of the Central Working Committee for the installation ceremony, made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.

Sani, who is also the states Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said that arrangements had been concluded to facilitate smooth conduct of the installation ceremony.

He said the new emir would host a special durbar as part of activities lined up to celebrate the installation.

The Commissioner enjoined the people of the state to pray for peace, unity and prosperity of Zazzau Emirate and the state at large.

Sani also urged the people to line up along the street starting from Tudun Wada to Kofar Doka areas of Zaria metropolis, to catch a glimpse of the new Emir and pay him homage. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

ASUU Strike

By Joan Nwagwu

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) urged the Federal Government to leave the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as condition to call off its ongoing strike in the country.

Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President said this in a statement made available on Sunday in Abuja that the ongoing strike may still linger if government failed to meets its demand.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ASUU had embarked a nationwide strike on March 23 to press on its demands which include revitalisation, Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, Visitation Panels, among others.

According to Ogunyemi, Nigerians should bear with us. ASUU is doing their battle.

Our Union is struggling to ensure that the children of the poor, who cannot afford the prohibitive cost paid in private universities or do not have opportunities to study outside Nigeria, get quality education which is not priced beyond their reach.

This will only happen when government adequately funds public universities and addresses the rot and decay in them.

ASUU has shifted positions in some respects.

For instance, our members have reduced their demand of one tranche N220bn of the outstanding revitalization fund by 50 per cent.

The Union has also agreed that N30bn out of the so far verified arrears of N40bn of the earned academic allowances (EAA) be paid to our members while the balance of N10bn could be spread over the next two tranches,

We were equally making steady progress on other issues,he said.

ASUU president, therefore, noted that what had stalled meaningful dialogue was governments insistence that payment of the withheld salaries and other entitlements of its members would only be effected through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

He added that government was punishing university teachers because they rejected IPPIS, which was imposed on the universities against the provisions of the law on autonomy and universal practices.

He however, said that ASUU was at the final stage of the integrity test of the Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

UTAS was developed locally by ASUU members, unlike IPPIS which was engineered by the World Bank.

Ogunyemi said UTAS had been presented to the Minister of Education and senior management staff, the President and leadership of Senate, and the Office of the Accountant-General where NITDA and Office of the National Security Adviser and other MDAs were fully represented.

Last Thursday, 5th November, 2020, the National Universities Commission (NUC) facilitated the presentation of UTAS to Vice-Chancellors and Bursars of federal universities.

All questions raised at the four levels of presentation of UTAS were satisfactorily answered.

With the full cooperation of the concerned agencies, the final test with NITDA could be completed as a matter of days and UTAS adopted in place of IPPIS in our universities.

ASUU disagrees with government on the use of IPPIS during the so-called transition period.

In practical terms, there is no transition period if government is sincere,Ogunyemi said.

The ASUU president said it would take a longer period to capture more than three-quarters of its members who were not yet on IPPIS than the time required to run through the last stage of the integrity test for UTAS.

He added that the claim by government that the platform used in paying its members salaries before the imposition of IPPIS had been dismantled was not true.

He noted that some of its members who had not enrolled in IPPIS were paid part of their withheld salaries last week.

But, in furtherance of the attack on ASUU, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) has illegally seized all the deducted union check-off dues of our members in the last nine months.

So, government should release all what is due ASUU members and the union without the conditionality of IPPIS.

That would enable us conclude on the outstanding five demands including revitalisation, EAA, renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, inauguration of the Visitation Panels.

Others are proliferation of state universities and governance issues in them of the Union to pave way for the quick resolution of the lingering crisis.

It is government that is prolonging the matter, not ASUU, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Short Gun

Ariwodola Idowu

One time Nigerias most wanted criminal, Shina Rambo, has resurfaced in the Ekiti capital professing that he is now a changed man working for God as a preacher of the gospel of Christ.

He spoke on Sunday night on a weekend Yorubaprogramme monitored on Fresh FM Radio, Ado Ekiti, and anchored personally by prominent ace gospel musician and owner of the radio station, Yinka Ayefele.

Rambo, who gave his real name as Oluwasina Oluwagbemiga, confessed to be the same person whose gang terrorised some parts of the country for years and tormented innocent citizens with attacks, killings and maiming.

He said so many people, especially the police, would be surprised to hear that the same man they claimed to havekilled on a number of occasions was still alive today.

Claiming that he was now a complete child of God preaching the gospel in prisons and other reform centres, Rambo, who gave 1958 as his year of birth, said he was born as a native of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, but was raised in Benin city.

My father was a prominent person, and a soldier moving from one part of the country to the other. In my attempt to acquire black power then, I went to a total of 21 places, prominent among which were Minna, Niger state, and later Oro, in present day Kwara.

I was in one of those places for 91 days in Idanre, Ondo state, where we were mandated to be sucking the milk of a possessed womans breast, as our only food and water, so occult powers can transmit to our body.

At the end of the whole exercise, I possessed a total of 901 power images that can be used to cajole or disappear at a scene of crimeand project the image of another person. So, if I was killed at a particular point, I had the powers to resurface in another place in another form, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Rambo expressed regret over his roles in a series deadly crimes that held the country spellbound for years, claiming that he was misguided by evil spirits.

He said the moment he accepted Christ, he realized he had no more occult powers as the spirit of God suddenly descended on him directing him to drop all his bad habits and start preaching about God.

Quoting the holy bible copiously throughout the radio programme, Rambo said he had won many souls through his preaching, while a number of churches had also been established.

Rambo stated that the death of his wife and three children on a single day in the hands of those who came to arrest him, but did not meet him, was his worst regret of his former life in crime

I was to be arrested on the fateful day but those that came could not find me, so they killed them, he said.

He urged the criminally minded to turn over a new leave in record time and have a change of heart so as to receive divine salvation as well as avoid incurring the Gods wrath. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Meeting of South-West governors and traditional rulers

By Florence Onuegbu

South-West governors and traditional rulers have called for the review of reports of constitutional conferences, including the 2014 National Conference.

They made the call in a communique issued on Sunday in Lagos after a meeting of governors, ministers and traditional rulers of South-West states following the EndSARS protest mayhem.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-day meeting was also attended by a Presidential delegation, led by the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

The communique was signed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and the Governor of Ondo State/Chairman South-West Governors Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu.

The communique also called for the implementation of some of the recommendations of the conferences, especially with reference to security, economy and equal treatment for citizens all over the country.

The meeting commended the Federal Government for its responsiveness to the initial demands of the EndSARS demonstrators and the firm handling of the aftermaths of the protest.

It called for an adjustment of the security architecture to adequately address the threats and realities of insecurity in the country.

There is need to undertake preventive actions aimed at prevention of repeat of what happened in the country following the EndSARS demonstrators. Security needs to be strengthened in all states.

We wish to encourage the Nigeria Police by responding to their needs and appeal to them to do more to protect lives and properties and enhance security all over the country.

We call for specific measures and proposals to repair damage done to the physical infrastructure and economic assets of the South-West, the communique said.

The South-West governors and monarchs said that the prolonged closure of the border had caused economic difficulties for the people of the region.

The border closure should be re-examined to alleviate problems of the people in the border communities and prices of some essential commodities.

There is need to review the closure and permit resumption of economic and trading activities, the communique said.

The meeting said that a comprehensive programme that would address youth employment and empowerment should be prioritised and ensure closer coordination and complementarity between the states and the federal government.

In this regard, the curricular of tertiary institutions should be reviewed, with emphasis placed on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

We urge that every effort should be made to resolve the impasse between ASUU and the federal government so that students can return to school in earnest, they said.

On the destructive and dangerous potency of fake news, the communique urged federal government to fully utilize the 2015 Cyber Act.

We call on federal government to use the instrumentality of existing laws and those regulations bench-marked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news.

Federal government should ensure that technology is used effectively for the advancement of the Nigerian Security and not its destruction, by working with the technology cum social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. The regime of checks and gate keeping should be fully employed, the communique said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Inside the new A350-900 Airbus

While many airlines are down-sizing their operations due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ethiopian Airlines is adding new aircraft and expanding businesses, according to officials of the state-owned enterprise.

This shows that Ethiopian Airlines is founded on a strong vision, capacity to execute its vision even though it has similar challenges to other airlines, said Chief Operating Officer Mesfin Tasew.

The company on Saturday took delivery of two of the 10 new Airbuses A350-900 it ordered in 2017, bringing the total number of its Airbus fleet to 16.

According to Tasew, the airline has been operating A350-900 planes for the last four years.

Ethiopian is taking delivery of these aircraft at a time when the entire air transport industry is under a big challenge caused by COVID-19, he said.

He pointed out that Ethiopian had transported around five tons of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and IT equipment from France to Addis Ababa in partnership with Airbus Foundation and other European donors.

The humanitarian aid, medical supplies and equipment, were delivered to Ethiopias Ministry of Health and a humanitarian organisation which runs a childrens hospital in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Health State Minister Seharela Abdullahi, said this kind of support is crucial in countries with poor infrastructure such as Ethiopia.

Citing the critical role played by Ethiopian Airlines since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, she added, I would like to thank Ethiopian Airlines for their tremendous support in the fight against COVID-19. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

onchocerciasis

By Franca Ofili

Mr Michael Igbe, the Programme Manager, National Onchocerciasis Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, says about 50 million Nigerians are at risk of getting infected with onchocerciasis, also called River Blindness.

Igbe said this in Ibadan during a media dialogueorganised by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

The manager, who spoke on Overview on Onchocerciasis Elimination in Nigeria, said treatment with ivermectin started in 1989, and in 1997, the Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) strategy was adopted as the main strategy of programme implementation.

At inception, Nigeria had interventions covering 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Now, 27 states and the FCT, with about 50 million persons in Nigeria are at risk of onchocerciasis.

Igbe explained that the disease was caused by the nematodewhich is the second leading cause of preventable blindness.

According to him, onchocerciasis is transmitted by the bite of an infected black fly:and other species, breeding in fast-flowing streams and rivers.

He noted that people become blind early in life as from 20-30 years.

He added that the major challenge faced in addressing the disease was insecurity in some local government areas.

Others, he said, were poor funding by government and inadequate logistics for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) programme.

He noted that NTDs are v(NAN)

Source: NAN News

#ENDSARS protesters

By Moji Eniola

Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), Lagos State Attorney-General (A-G), has ordered the release of 253 persons arrested by police over their alleged roles in the unrest following the #EndSARS protests.

The A-G said the in a statement that his office had determined that there was a nondisclosure of a prima-facie case against the 253 persons by the police.

The statement, signed by Mr Kayode Oyekanmi, Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, said 92 persons would, however, be prosecuted.

The A-G said the police had, between Nov. 4 and Nov. 5, forwarded 40 case files to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in respect of the 361 persons arrested in respect of crimes that occurred in connection with the protests.

Legal advice has been issued in respect of all the 40 case files received.

As at Nov. 6, the Directorate has been able to despatch legal advice in respect of 81 persons that are being charged to the various courts.
The others will be despatched to court on Monday Nov. 9 .

Out of the 361 persons, the DPP shall be prosecuting 92 persons for different offences ranging from arson, stealing, breaking into buildings, armed robbery and murder.

The office has advised that 253 persons be released forthwith for non-disclosure of a prima facie case.

In the meantime, two case files in respect of 16 persons have been advised for further investigation by the police, the statement said.

The A-G in the statement assured members of the public that his office would ensure that those arrested by the police are treated in accordance with the due process of the law.

Onigbanjo also noted that his office remained committed to maintaining the rule of law and ensuring peace and order in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Okonjo-Iweala

By Emmanuella Anokam

A Trade Expert, Dr Sand Mba-Kalu, has said that electing Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO) would address critical pending issues and bring a comprehensive reform in the organisation.

Mba-Kalu, Executive Director, Africa International Trade and Commerce Research, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He noted that critical among the issues to be addressed was the negotiation concerning Doha Development Agenda (DDA).

The U.S. opposes her selection by almost all the member countries of WTO but there is a strong possibility that the outcome of the U. S. election will favour her emergence as the first female and African D-G of WTO.

The African group in WTO would want her to address issues regarding the Doha round negotiation on agriculture package.

In spite of several efforts by the U.S. and other developed countries to undermine the DDA, the African Group stood its ground that it is paramount that the aspect of the negotiation has to be concluded.

Because it has to do with food security, subsidy on agriculture which distorts trade, employment, et cetera, he said.

The expert disclosed that the African Group was demanding a special safeguard mechanism for developing countries, adding that it was one thing she must find a way to address.

Another thing she has to address, according to him, is Chinas status as a developing nation, we all know China is a developed nation and should not keep the trade preferential treatment of a developing nation.

He added that Okonjo-Iweala would need the political, economic and diplomatic skills to carry out these reforms.

Coming back home to Nigeria and Africa, he said Okonjo-Iweala, as the D-G of WTO should support in strengthening the domestic and continental trade regime.

He further said that Nigeria and Africa should not continue to be left out of the multilateral trading system and global value chain.

We should develop the capacity to add value to raw material from Nigeria and Africa. We should have a seamless trade facilitation regime, by having an effective national single window.

With her position as the D-G of WTO, there should be tangible benefits for Nigeria and Africa

Okonjo-Iweala is an outstanding development economist with a track record of carrying out comprehensive reforms at institutional level and I do not have any doubt in her ability to finally secure the position of the D-G of WTO, he said.

The U.S. has opposed the recommendation by the Nomination Committee of the WTO, for the 164-member countries to appoint the former Nigerian Finance and Economy Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as Director-General of the global organisation.

The WTO General Assembly election is scheduled to hold in Geneva on Nov. 9. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian youth

By Remi Koleoso

Oba Adeniyi Ajakaiye, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti state, has urged youths to be tolerant and co-exist peacefully for Nigerias development.

Ajakaiye spoke on Sunday while playing host to members of the Special Six Form College (SSFC) Ikare-Akoko Alumni Association, who were on a visit to the traditional ruler at his palace in Iyin-Ekiti.

He said the call became imperative considering the importance of peace to societal development and need to end youth restiveness in the town, state and country at large.

Ajakaiye said that peace was priceless and non-negotiable, hence the need to embrace one another and engage in different skill acquisition programmes in order to become self reliant.

I want to call on you and other youths to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another for development to thrive, he said.

The traditional ruler noted that members of the alumni, who were youths 43 years ago when they were together in the college, have turned out successful in their various fields of discipline.

Peace is priceless and non negotiable and it is a necessary requirement for the development of any society, I invite you not because I want to celebrate myself, but for you to see and learn what life is all about and what it means to be good, focused and take education as the basics.

I therefore want to appeal to you, the youths to as much as possible do away with vices that are detrimental to the development of our town, state and country in general, but uphold the positives, as far as SSFC is concerned, they shall continue to be relevant as far as I remain in this palace, he said.

He also urged the youths to be law abiding, respect constituted authority and not to engage in acts capable of destroying the existing peace in the area.

Earlier, President of the association, Mr Olusola Adojutelegan, said that the visit was to celebrate the traditional ruler on his assumption as the new Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti.

He assured the royal father of the associations readiness to continue to initiate good programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of its members and for the overall development of the society.

I appeal to youths, especially sons and daughters of Iyin-Ekiti, to forget their ego, bury their hatchet and work for the progress of the town and the country at large.

Everybody must be prepared to contribute his or her quota to the development and for the betterment of their people.

We are to develop it by ourselves, so let us come together to achieve greatness before others can come in to expand it.

Until you develop yourself, nobody will come and develop you, I therefore enjoined you to be good ambassadors of the community, abstain from crime, and not be used to foment trouble.

At all times, think of what you can do to develop yourself and your town, which will afterwards extend to the state and finally spread across the country.

I also want the youths to be steadfast in all they do. They have to cooperate with us in this enterprise so that by the time we are no longer there, they can take over from us, he said.

Also speaking, a member of the association, Chief Abiola Osho, eulogised Ajakaiye and went back memory lane as he attested to the monarchs humility.

He traced the history of the school to 1977, with the monarch as one of the pioneer students, before it metamorphosed into Ondo State College of Arts and Science (OSCAS) in 1980.

The highlight of the event was the zoom conference where other members of the association called and felicitate with Ajakaiye from their respective countries of abode.

Gifts like Royal stool, Holy Bible and other Royal items were presented to the royal father and his Olori.

The programme was attended by all the Oluyin-in-council, the youth representatives, friends of the monarch from far and near, among other prominent sons and daughters of the town. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

India: 7 killed in Kashmir gun battle

Four Indian soldiers and three militants were killed in an exchange of fire in India-administered Kashmir on Sunday.

The gun battle began after a Border Security Force (BSF) patrol team noticed suspicious movement about 3.5 km into India-controlled territory along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district, Defence Ministry spokesman Rajesh Kalia said.

The heavily militarized LoC is a de facto border that divides the disputed territory of Kashmir in two. One part is administered by India, the other by Pakistan.

A BSF trooper and a militant were killed in the initial exchange of fire which took place around 1 a.m. (0730 GMT), after which reinforcements were rushed to the site.

Heavy firing followed, in which three Indian Army personnel and two rebels were killed, Kalia said.

At least two soldiers were injured and have been evacuated. Operations, meanwhile, are continuing.

Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan both claim the Kashmir region in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.

India routinely accuses Pakistan of aiding militants and helping them cross the border to carry out attacks in India-administered Kashmir.

Islamabad denies the charges and describes the militants as freedom fighters.

India-administered Kashmir has seen a deadly secessionist movement since the 1980s in which more than 45,000 people civilians, security personnel and militants have been killed.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

Irans Health Ministry reported on Sunday that the country recorded 459 deaths due to COVID-19 in a day, as the daily infection rate also reached new heights.

There were more than 9,200 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the countrys total since the pandemic began to more than 682,000.

Irans death roll has reached 38,291, ministry spokesperson Sima Lari told a state broadcaster.

There could be twice as many cases in the country, however, given the shortage of testing facilities, according to experts.

Presently, 25,000 people are tested each day in Iran, and there are plans to raise testing capacity to 40,000.

However, experts say at least 200,000 tests would need to be carried out daily to obtain accurate case numbers for the populace of more than 82 million. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prof. Umar Danbatta NCC Boss

By Jessica Dogo

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has underscored the centrality of economic diversification and ethical leadership in tackling Nigerias economic crisis.

Danbatta made the statement in a paper he delivered at a two-day hybrid online and onsite Annual Directors Conference, organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD).

The paper was entitled: Ethical Leadership as an Instrument for National Sustainability in the Post-Oil Nigerian Economy: A Public Sector Perspective.

The Director of Public Affairs of the NCC, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, released the paper to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

Danbatta stressed that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) or digital age promises greater revenue-earning potential to the nation.

The NCC chief also discussed Nigerias economic shift to oil revenue, following the discovery of oil, leading to the relegation of agriculture, which was hitherto, the source of Nigerias foreign exchange earnings.

He said the Federal Government had since realised that Nigeria could not depend solely on oil revenue anymore, prompting its decision to explore ways of diversifying the economy.

According to him, economic diversification is the process of shifting an economy from a single income source toward multiple sources from a growing range of sectors and markets.

This is with a view to increasing productivity, creating jobs and providing the basis for sustained economic growth.

Danbatta said that although, the government had made several attempts at economic diversification, such attempts had little impact as majority of them had folded up.

He said that the situation had been compounded by the recent economic recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, which adversely affected the global economy, including the Nigerian economy.

Danbatta stated that countries and societies had evolved by finding new ways of doing things to ensure economic sustainability, which he said, had led to the first, second and third industrial revolutions.

Currently, countries are exploiting the 4IR in order to diversify their economies.

The fourth industrial revolution, which has also been referred to as 4IR or Industry 4.0, describes the age of intelligence and encompasses technologies like high-speed mobile internet, artificial intelligence, automation, use of big data analytics and cloud computing, he said.

Danbatta, while highlighting the major constraints facing Nigeria with regard to the fourth industrial revolution said it included inadequacy of digital skills, infrastructure deficit and the enabling environment.

He described 4IR as the information and digital economy age, which if properly enhanced and exploited, can unleash a new phase of massive revenue generation and wealth creation for Nigeria in the post-oil era.

This is because while natural resources such as oil, gas, and so on are finite, data and information are infinite.

The possibilities provided by 4IR are limitless and can generate employment for Nigerias teeming youth population.

Therefore, in order to achieve economic growth using the 4IR, there is need for ethical leadership.

Zeroing on the centrality of ethical leadership in the public sector, Danbatta said that in order to achieve national sustainability in the post-oil Nigerian economy, the highest standard of ethical leadership was required of all leaders, especially in the public sector.

Ethical leadership is essential for sustainable development of a country.

Nurturing an ethical leadership culture is essential and this will determine the transformation and overall development of the country.

Nigeria stands at the threshold of history and would definitely need ethical leaders to ensure sustainability in the post-oil era as government takes positive steps to diversify the economy, he added.

The IoD Nigeria Annual Directors Conference is the institutes flagship event and it is usually attended by captains of industry and directors in both private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy.

It is a forum where contemporary issues affecting leadership and corporate governance of Nigerias businesses are x-rayed and global best practice solutions provided by professionals and practitioners in corporate administrations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCDC Boss

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it is supporting Delta and Enugu States in their battle against a suspected outbreak of yellow fever.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja, its Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the support became expedient following the reports of a sudden spike in cases and deaths in some communities in the two states.

Ihekweazu said Delta notified the NCDC about cases presenting with symptoms of Yellow Fever) on Nov. 2, while Enugu State followed suit on Nov. 3.

Most of the cases presented with fever, headache, fatigue, jaundice and vomiting (with or without blood) among others.

As of Nov. 6, three samples from Delta and one sample from Enugu State tested positive for Yellow Fever at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Laboratory in Edo and at the NCDCs National Reference Laboratory in Abuja.

He said more samples were being tested from both states to confirm the causative organism of the outbreak.

The director-general said that epidemiology teams from both state were leading the investigation with support from the NCDC, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the WHO.

He said that the NCDC had activated an incident management system to coordinate response activities and that it had sent Rapid Response Teams (RRT) to the two states.

They are carrying out active case searches, risk communications and community engagement as well as ensuring prompt management of cases, while our sister agency, the NPHCDA is planning a vaccination campaign.

Yellow fever is a vaccine-preventable disease. A single vaccination provides immunity for life. Symptoms of the disease include yellowness of the eyes, sudden fever, headache and body pain.

The yellow fever vaccine is available for free in primary health care centres in Nigeria as part of the national childhood routine immunisation schedule, Ihekweazu said.

He advised Nigerians keep their environments clean and free of stagnant water to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, which cause fevers. He also advised the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Ihekweazu also advised parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated against yellow fever as part of the national childhood routine immunisation schedule. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By David Adeoye

The Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force has threatened to shut down any school, religious centre or workplace that violates the protocols on the use of closed space.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Ibadan by Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde on behalf of the Task Force, managements of schools, workplaces and religious centres were enjoined to ensure strict compliance with the established COVID-19 protocols.

The advice became necessary following the discovery of a COVID-19 case in a tertiary institution in the state.

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) of the Task Force has immediately ordered a lock-in of the affected tertiary institution to keep staff, students and the general public safe.

The EOC has also kick-started contact tracing while subjecting every possible contact to necessary surveillance, the statement added.

The Taskforce urged the public not to panic as all necessary protocols needed for effective management and psychosocial support had been instituted.
It called on the public to remain vigilant.

The Taskforce essentially wishes to implore considerable restraint at closed gatherings and environments, especially in closed educational, religious and social environment.

It is important to note that these measures are not in any way punitive but are essentially aimed at protecting the lives of all and sundry from the menace of the virus, as well as prevent the spread of the virus within our communities.

All hygienic practices associated with the preventive protocols are to be properly adhered to, while the utilisation of safety devices as well as social distancing should also be upheld.

In Oyo State, the slogan has been Own Your Action (OYA).

The task force urged the residents to take responsibility for their actions as such actions would have a collective impact on all. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Federal Government on Saturday solicited the support of South-East governors and leaders in the zone on social media regulation to check fake news and misinformation of Nigerians..

The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, made the appeal while speaking at a presidential delegation interaction with South-East governors and other leaders of the zone in Enugu.

Mohammed said that the #EndSARS protest and agitation that turned violent and destructive in the country were brought about by fake news emanating from the negative use of the social media.

According to him, the purported massacre leading to the EndSARS protest only happened in the social media.

He said some Nigerians were misled by fake news on social media which turned out as hatred for the police as well as public and private property.

It is time we must regulate the social media; regulation in this term does not mean stopping or gagging the social media but making its users more responsible.

It is in ensuring that the social media and its content are used for positive deeds and to promote peace and oneness of the country, he said.

According to him, making social media more responsible will check the sad experience of what a hate speech emanating from a fake news did to Rwanda where over 800,000 people were massacred.

The minister also enumerated various social intervention programmes targeted at the youths to engage them and create financial opportunities for them and other Nigerians.

He cited the initiatives to include the N75billion Youth Intervention Fund; the N75billion MSME fund, N-Power Scheme, Artisan Financial Credit Scheme, Trader Money and Farm Money.

He said that no administration in the history of the country had put in place lots of intervention programmes to cushion poverty and create employment as the current one.

Earlier, the leader of the presidential delegation, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, said that the delegation wanted to interact with leaders of the zone sincerely to understand the needs of the zone as well as assure them the unflinching support of the Federal Government.

Gambari, who is the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, said that the delegation needs more information on the unemployment level and its socio-economic consequence on the people.

The issue of insecurity in all forms within the zone will be sorted out as no nation or people progress in the atmosphere of massive destruction of both public and private property.

Our diversity is our strength as a nation and we want to hear from all zones, he said.

Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammad Adamu, decried the number of police personnel killed as well as the massive level of destruction of police stations and operational vehicles during the hijacked EndSARS protests across the country.

Adamu, however, urged leaders of the zone to speak out against wanton destruction as well as henceforth discourage youths from destroying what was built with public money.

The police and its amenities are put in place to serve the people.

We cannot perform optimally if we do not get the support and backing of the civil populace, especially the leaders here, he said.

Others in the presidential delegation included Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Productivity; Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr Uchenna Ogah, Minister of State for Trade and Investment. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Decaying tooth

By Justina Auta

Some dental therapists on Saturday said high consumption of sugary foods, poor oral hygiene and the lack of adequate nutrition could affect the teeth.

The experts made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a two-day conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Dental Therapists Association (NDTA).

The conference had Repositioning Dental Therapy Practice in Nigeria as its theme.

Dr Simon Audu, the Secretary General of NDTA, FCT zone, said that cavity, otherwise known as tooth decay was caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth.

Audu identified our causes to include frequent consumption of snacks and beverages, drinks that contain sugar, irregular and improper care of the teeth and the tongue.

He said the mouth is the only gateway to the body, if a person has bad oral health, it will affect the general health and well being of the body.

According to him, regular dental visit, adequate nutrition and adherence to oral health hygiene will aid in the prevention of oral disease.

Mr Nwosu Chijioke, a lecturer at the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, said that the NDTA conference was meant to discuss how to reposition Nigerias dental therapy.

Chijioke advised the public to go for dental check-up twice a year, imbibe good oral hygiene and eat balanced diet that would promote general health.

People should go for regular dental check-up at least twice a year, change toothbrushes often and eat right foods, especially those rich in fibre like mango, oranges and watermelon, because they penetrate mouth spaces your toothbrush cannot reach, he said.

He added that the association had embarked on advocacy visits to schools, Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDPs), hospitals and communities.

He noted that the advocacy visits were to sensitise the public on good oral health, how to prevent dental diseases and appropriate treatments, where necessary.

He called on the media to continue to educate the public on measures that would encourage healthy living. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Manchester United players celebrate win over Everton

Manchester United eased the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 3-1 win at Everton in the English Premier League (EPL) on Saturday.

Bruno Fernandes scored twice and Edinson Cavani grabbed his first for the club.

Manchester United have failed to win at home in the league this season and there were questions over Solskjaers future after the midweek defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in the UEFA Champions League.

But Manchester United, who move up to 13th and 10 points, responded with a display which, while far from smooth, was full of character.

This was epitomised by captain Harry Maguires determined display at the back.

We knew we had to get three points today. Its early in the season and we dont look at the table, but the points we have accumulated isnt good enough for this club, said Maguire.

Its important to bounce back from setbacks. Weve been questioned but we know we dont answer them in 90 minutes, we answer them day in, day out.

The lads are working tirelessly for this club. Everyone wants to improve and do better. The manager has to pull the lads off the training ground.

The pressure on Solskjaer intensified when Everton took the lead in the 19th minute with Brazilian winger Bernards low drive squeezing through Aaron Wan-Bissakas legs into the bottom corner.

Six minutes later though, Manchester United drew level when Fernandes met a Luke Shaw cross from the left with a perfectly angled and firm header.

Everton left-back Lucas Digne then struck the post from a promising position.

But Manchester United were growing into the game and it was no surprise when they took the lead.

Fernandes floated in a cross from the left which Marcus Rashford rose to head into the bottom corner.

Although the striker failed to connect, the ball went in off the post.

Substitute Cavani added the third in stoppage time, finishing off a counter-attack led by Fernandes for his first goal since joining the club on deadline day last month.

The loss was the third straight defeat for Carlo Ancelottis side who, after being the early season pace-setters, have now slipped to fifth in the standings.

The problem was that after we scored we were not able to defend well, and they took advantage. They were able to score easily.

We said before the game we had to defend better and we did not defend good enough. We were slow at the back, we have to improve, said the Italian.

I know how to manage difficulties, every year you have them. We can start again after the international break, added Ancelotti. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Powerful Zverev humbles Nadal

Top seed Rafael Nadals bid for a maiden Paris Masters title was halted on Saturday when the Spaniard was beaten 6-4 7-5 in the semi-finals by German fourth seed Alexander Zverev.

Nadal, who reached the final at Bercy once in 2007, was only briefly in the mix, conceding serve three times.

The 20-times Grand Slam champion broke back after falling 4-2 behind in the second set.

But it was a brief comeback as the 23-year-old Zverev stole his serve again in the 11th game.

He then served it out, prevailing on his second match-point when Nadals forehand flew wide.

Zverev will look to claim his fourth Masters title against Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev, who qualified with a commanding 6-4 7-6(4) victory against Canadian Milos Raonic.

Medvedev hit 31 winners to 12 unforced errors in a muffled atmosphere at the Bercy arena, where the tournament is being played without spectators.

This is amid government restrictions to contain the rise of COVID-19 cases in France.

The 24-year-old, who arrived in Paris having lost five of his eight previous matches, broke for 3-2 as Raonic made yet another forehand unforced error.

Both then stayed strong on serve and Medvedev, who saved six of seven break-points throughout, bagged the opening set with a timely serve and volley on his first opportunity.

Raonic dropped serve in the 11th game of the second set but he broke straight back to force a tiebreak, in which he was out of sorts.

But Medvedev wrapped it up with a smash to reach his fourth Masters final.

When you play against Milos, you are always at risk because (if) one time he breaks you, it is very tough to break him back, said Medvedev.

It was shaky here and there, but I am really happy to be through to the final. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi responded to being benched by scoring twice as a substitute and leading FC Barcelona to a 5-2 home victory over Real Betis on Saturday.

The win helped snapped a four-game winless streak in La Liga for the Catalans.

The Barca captain was surprisingly left out of the starting line-up by coach Ronald Koeman and they found themselves drawing 1-1.

That was when Antonio Sanabria cancelled out Ousmane Dembeles superb opening strike on the stroke of half-time.

Messi was brought on at the start of the second period.

He promptly produced a sublime dummy to allow Antoine Griezmann tap into an unguarded net and put Barca back in front in the 49th minute.

The Frenchman was finally making amends for missing four chances before the break, including squandering a penalty kick.

Barcas all-time top goalscorer Messi then further stretched their lead in the 61st minute by emphatically dispatching a penalty kick.

That was after Aissa Mandi was shown a straight red card, following a VAR review, for using his arm to block a shot from Dembele.

Real Betis did manage to pull a goal back with 10 men when striker Loren Moron netted at the far post to make it 3-2 after a marauding run down the left wing by Alex Moreno.

But Messi soon put the game beyond doubt, smashing the ball into the top corner after receiving a wonderful backheel from team mate Sergi Roberto.

Then, 17-year-old Pedri struck the fifth after another fine pass from Sergi Roberto. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mosquitoes cause malaria

by Abiodun Azi

Dr Adeniyi Adelodun, a Medical Parasitologist, says malaria can be a death factor for pregnant women if not properly treated.

Adelodun spoke at the Estate Youth Parliament (EYP) Health Talk in Lagos on Saturday.

Malaria infection during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both mother and fetus.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease and typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquitoe.

Infected mosquitoes carry the plasmodium parasite and when this mosquito bites one, the parasite is released into the bloodstream.

Once the parasites are inside the body, they travel to the liver, where they mature. After several days, the mature parasites enter the bloodstream and begin to infect red blood cells.

Within 48 to 72 hours, the parasites inside the red blood cells multiply, causing the infected cells to burst open.

The parasites continue to infect red blood cells, resulting in symptoms that occur in cycles that last for two to three days at a time, he said.

On some of the effects of malaria during pregnancy, he said they include maternal anemia, fetal loss, premature delivery, intrauterine growth reeffects of malaria o tardation, and delivery of low birth-weight infants (<2500 g or <5.5 pounds).

Malaria can occur if a mosquito infected with the plasmodium parasite bites one. There are four kinds of malaria parasites that can infect humans: Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. falciparum.

P. falciparum causes a more severe form of the disease and those who contract this form of malaria have a higher risk of death.

An infected mother can also pass the disease to her baby at birth, which is known as congenital malaria.

On the management of malaria during pregnancy, he said: For pregnant women, it includes the use of chloroquine, quinine, atovaquone-proguanil, clindamycin, mefloquine (avoid in first trimester), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (avoid in first trimester) and the artemisinins.

Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) now recommends that all women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy who have uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria should be treated with artemisinin-based combination therapy.

According to Adelodun, the symptoms of malaria typically develop within 10 days to four weeks following the infection.

While in some cases, symptoms might not develop for several months and some malarial parasites could enter the body but will be dormant for long periods of time.

Common symptoms of malaria include shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe high fever, profuse sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia, muscle pain, convulsions, coma and bloody stools, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News