An Analysis by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Some cancer patients will have only one treatment, while others will have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, a procedure in which a surgeon removes the cancer from the body.

The different treatment options are Radiation Therapy, which involves the use of high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours, while chemotherapy is treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.

Immunotherapy is another type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system to fight cancer, while targeted therapy focuses on changes in cancer cells that help them to grow, divide, and spread.

Hormone therapy is another treatment option that slows or stops the growth of breast and prostate cancers that use hormones to grow, while stem cell transplant is a procedure that restores blood-forming stem cells in cancer patients who have had theirs destroyed by very high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

However, there is also precision medicine which helps doctors to select treatments that are most likely to help patients based on genetic understanding of the disease, including how genetic changes in a persons cancer are identified and used to select treatment option.

Even though there are different treatment options, the issue of decaying, obsolete, unserviceable and in some cases the lack of equipment and drugs in hospitals and clinics across the country, as well as the cost force many patients to seek for help from other sources or remain helpless.

The issue of availability, accessibility and cost of treatment are essential for the functioning of any health facility offering cancer treatment toward providing quality healthcare for patients

This is because to attend to any patient, a doctor requires basic equipment to diagnose the ailment before prescribing medication, or treatment option.

Dr Abdulrazzaq Oyesegun, an Oncologist and Clinical Consultant, Oncology, National Hospital, Abuja (NHA) told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said NHA has up-to-date equipment for cancer treatment and management, and advised anyone who noticed any unusual growth or lump to go to hospital for early detection and prompt treatment.

According to him, Federal Government is trying to provide up-to-date cancer facilities across the country.

He said we have up-to-date cancer equipment in Abuja and Lagos, the plan is for same thing to be extended to all zones in the country.

He explained that all cancer equipment in the hospital were functioning, noting thatthe availability made it possible for many people not to travel abroad for treatment.

According to him, some insurance companies are now supporting the treatment of cancer, and wants Nigerians to seize the opportunity.

He said that the only challenge was the lack of manpower, as many doctors leave the country in search of better opportunities elsewhere.

For five years now, we have been in partnership with the American and Chilean team of medical doctors from Moses Lake Foundation in America.

patients have started accessing it and are being treated successfully.

Isamotu told NAN that the state government recently receivedsome equipment from Germany and Canada, which he said had so far improved the health management system in the state.

NAN reports that there are three tertiary health institutions in the statethe Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti, the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti(FETHI) and the Afe Babalola University Multi- System Hospital, Aso Ekiti, (ABUADTH).

Some patients, who spoke to NAN in Ilorin, the Kwara capital, however lamented the dearth of medical equipment in hospitals across the state.One of the patients, Mrs Dupe Aina, said most times, the medical facilities were not enough to take care of sick patients.

It should be a referral health facility, which should be from private to teaching hospital because teaching hospital itself is a tertiary health facility, he said.

Ossai explained that the centres would be equipped with MRI machines, mammographic machines and other health facilities that would help in proper healthcare delivery services in the state.

The medical director said that the installation and test run of the equipment as well as training of personnel to man the facility were at their final stages.

Cancer, which is a debilitating disease, needs all efforts to tackle, as all hand must be on deck to stem its spread. (NANFeatures)

Source: NAN

By Ikenna Osuoha

Mr Abdulkadiri Ibrahim, President, Network of People living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) on Monday reiterated that HIV/AIDS had no known cure in sight.

Ibrahim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that it was wrong for some religious bodies, herbalists and spiritualists to deceive people with lies of cure.

He urged the people living with HIV/AIDS to disregard such claims which were utterly based on falsehood.

AIDS has no cure, anybody telling you to the contrary is just lie, Ibrahim said.

The president cautioned against carelessness and risky behaviors, adding that only regular intake of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) in compliance medical prescription was key to achieving viral load.

According to him, as long as one continues to take his or her drugs timely, there is tendency that he or she will live a healthy and longer life.

Ibrahim, however, called for more awareness creation and sensitization on facts and management of HIV/AIDS, which he said was the way forward.

He commended the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) over the campaign against the scourge, stressing that effective collaboration among stakeholders was imperative to achieve a HIV free society. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that eating garlic and regularly rinsing nose with saline solution will not guard against coronavirus infection (2019-nCoV).

Information obtained from WHOs website on Monday dispelled various myths and rumours surrounding the 2019-nCoV that could potentially harm the publics health.

WHO refuted some of the myths and rumours, noting that garlic was a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties.

However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from 2019-nCoV, it said.

Also, it noted that there was no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline solution has protected people from the coronavirus infection.

Also, it said that eating or putting on sesame oil does not block the 2019-nC0V from entering the body, adding that sesame oil does not kill coronavirus.

There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the infection on surface. These include bleach, chlorine based disinfectants, solvents, 75 per cent ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform.

However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin, it said.

The organisation stressed that there was no evidence that gargling mouthwash can protect people from 2019-nCoV infection.

Some brands of mouthwash can eliminate certain microbes for a few minutes in the saliva in your mouth. However, this does not mean they protect you from 2019-nCoV infection, the world health body said.

WHO also noted that it was safe to receive packages from China, adding that such people were not at risk of contracting coronavirus through the package.

From previous analysis, we know that coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as objects or packages, it said.

Also, it said that vaccines against pneumonia such as Pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine,does not provide protection against the new virus.

The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV and WHO is supporting the efforts.

These vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV. Vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health, the health organisation said.

It advised countries to prepare to communicate rapidly, regularly and transparently with their citizens.

WHO also urged countries to prepare existing public health communication networks, media and community engagement staff to be ready for a possible case and for the appropriate response if it happens.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan City, China, on Dec. 31, 2019.

According to the WHO, as of Feb.2, 2019-nCoV has been confirmed in 23 other countries, with 14,557 cases globally, 14,411 of the confirmed cases were in China.

The 2019-nCoV has resulted in 305 deaths, 304 in China, and the first reported case outside China, was in the Philippines. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Anita Eboigbe

Film is an interesting business and like all other businesses, it has consumers to serve all year long. It is true that there are seasons where the sales skyrockets and also times when the sales ebb low. Still, good businesses stay profitable because they figure out what to serve, when and to whom.

This last part is a disentangling process that Nollywood is yet to get a hang of and it shows in the cold way it is approaching the February audience. Some brands make a lot out of the romance/love crowd at this time of the year and the industry can tap into this.

Traditionally, the month of February is called a dump month in Hollywood parlance because this is when the studios put little efforts into releasing films and most times release films that they either do not expect to do well or are not thrilled to be contractually bound to.

So, except for a few romantic comedies and not-so-serious films, the month is empty. Typically, films that spill over from the holiday periods are left in the box office. Consumers, over time, have mirrored this schedule and thus know not to show up except that one time for a valentine movie date.

Needless to say, apart from economic reasons, the only other reason why the cinemas rake in low funds during this periods is that fans know not to expect real, quality films. To further understand this, it is important to look at the times studios took advantage of dump months and the results.

The most recent and thrilling case is Black Panther. At first, critics were unsettled about the decision to release the iconic movie in the middle of a dump month. The marketing played to every important emotional nerve in the minds of the audience and broke several records.

The success of the film, especially the timing of its release, holds lessons for Nollywood. First, it showed that the Nigerian film audience could stretch in number. By March, a little over four weeks, the film had made over 600 million naira in revenue. There was an audience and they paid that much in dump months to see the movie.

That figure is more than Nollywood raked in during the 2019 festive screenings where film is expected to sell over the roof. True, Nollywood does not have Black Panthers marketing budget but it knows now not to hide under the cloak excuse that audiences will not show up.

In that same 2018, something interesting happened and this was more close to home. EbonyLife Films released Royal Hibiscus Hotel and despite the strong marketing competition from Black Panther, it made over 59 million naira. A bulk of these earnings came from the valentine audience as the film was released on Feb. 10, 2018 making a lot before Black Panther takeover on Feb. 18.

It is important to understand the context under which Royal Hibiscus Hotel made what some people now would call a meagre 50 million Naira.

It is interesting how in the chase for the 200 million naira mark, Nollywood forgets to curate its audience all year long with good small budget films. Hollywood understands this and the movie release schedule reflects this.

By 2019, there was no serious contender at the box office for this period and Nollywood failed to use the advantage. It was a pure advantage.

Foreign studios typically release the year-long movie schedule and marketing efforts are clear to see which the studios are taking serious or not. What happens if Nollywood works with this in mind and wins over the audience with great movies?

Doing this will inevitably increase the patronage in the high performing months and profit margins too. That is, the heavy marketing, for the industry and particular holiday films, would have been spread across months of great cinema releases that build trust for the big seasons.

Backtracking to 2019, the coast was free of serious contenders, save for Alita the Battle Angel which took the audience because it was more available to watch.

As at February 14, Nollywood had 11 movies in the cinema. Only one of the new movies was manageable to watch. Seven of them were like school film projects and the other three were holiday releases that were dying down.

The holiday films were Chief Daddy, King of Boys and Up North which were in their tenth, seventeenth and eighth week respectively. The manageable film was Let Karma which earned just over seven million naira in four weeks. It will round up to over eight million at the end of its box office run but that was the end.

Apart from the fact that the films released in that period were not up to standards, at least 90 percent of the audience did not know that they were being released. The marketing efforts were next to zero. Why bother then?

February and the spill over to March is a good window for Nollywood. Black Panther, Get Out and others have shown that the audiences will come out if they are given good reasons to.

This is not the time for the industry to follow the schedules of its foreign counterparts, rather it is a moment to analyse and create industry-based schedules that work.

To do this, it is important to note that the movie might or might not be big budget. At least, one moderately budgeted film should do. It should be given the same support holiday films are given.

At the base, a good story is important. This is followed by excellent production and topped off with quality marketing. It is foolhardy to release a film you are not ready to tell the world about or are not equipped to tell it to them the right way.

Worthy of mention is that Dear Affy will premiere on Feb. 14. It is a romantic comedy and this is otherwise a smart move. But there is a problem. The marketing is non-existent as even industry stakeholders have little to no idea about the film. It seems like another flop waiting to happen except something is done fast.

There is still a two weeks period for magic to be orchestrated somehow otherwise it will tank. Looking at the numbers, if Dear Affy has a great story and is done right, marketing could make the film rake in some of the biggest numbers in Nollywood box office history. Respect is reciprocal and the February audience is whispering this to Nollywood. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Liverpool extended their English Premier League (EPL) lead to 16 points with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to goals from Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino on Thursday.

Hendersons eighth minute goal, which came off his shoulder from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner-kick, quietened a raucous crowd inside a mist-shrouded Molineux.

But Wolves, under coach Nuno Espirito Santo, have built a reputation for upsetting more illustrious opponents.

They came roaring back in the 51st minute when Raul Jimenez steered home a powerful header from a cross by the lively Adama Traore.

Both sides then squandered chances before Firmino found space in the box to settle the outcome with an 84th minute strike that gave
Liverpool a 14th consecutive league win.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp punched the air and their fans sang We shall not be moved as the relentless Reds close in on their first top-flight title in three decades.

The win put Liverpool on 67 points and still with a game in hand over last seasons champions Manchester City who have 51.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

(Reuters/NAN) Serena Williams suffered her earliest exit from the Australian Open in 14 years on Friday, falling to Chinas Wang Qiang in a stunning third round reversal that left her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title in tatters once again.

Having conceded one game to Wang in a U.S. Open trouncing four months ago, Williams staggered to an error-strewn 6-4 6-7(2) 7-5 defeat at Rod Laver Arena that sent shock-waves through Melbourne Park and tore open the womens draw.

It was the Americans earliest exit from the years first Grand Slam since her 2006 title defence was ended by Daniela Hantuchova.

Doubts about her hopes of matching Margaret Courts Grand Slam haul have resurfaced.

Williams has recovered from her share of Grand Slam setbacks, but this one left an especially bitter taste.

It is all on my shoulders.

I just have to pretend like I dont want to punch the wall, but in reality I do, the 38-year-old said ruefully.

A day before Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year, 27th seed Wang played the match of her life, soaking up huge pressure to land the biggest scalp of her career.

She wavered at times and was broken when serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set.

Wang squandered two match points in the nerve-shredding finish, and ultimately was relieved when Williams surrendered by firing into the net, her 56th unforced error.

Last year, Chinas top-ranked player knocked world number one Ash Barty out of the U.S. Open fourth round, a few months after mourning the death of her longtime coach Peter McNamara.

I think he could see me playing today. He will be proud of me, the 28-year-old told reporters.

Wang said she would eschew traditional Chinese New Year celebrations before preparing for her fourth round clash against Tunisias Ons Jabeur, another giantkilling rival on a surprising run at Melbourne Park.

Jabeur knocked out Williams good friend and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, drawing the curtain on the retiring Danes career in tennis.

No matter what happens, Wang may savour her triumph against Williams for a life-time.

She stayed patient as the American dug in stubbornly in the decider and saved a string of break points with her formidable serve.

As Williams shrieking increased, Wang nosed ahead to 6-5 after firing a blistering backhand that clipped the line.

She thought she had blown her chance with unforced errors on two match points but it was Williams who was left bowing her head after failing to clear the net.

At 38, Williams Grand Slam window may be closing.

I am way too old to play like this at this stage of my career.

Im definitely going to be training tomorrow. Thats first and foremost, to make sure I dont do this again, she said of her match, before batting away the idea of not returning to Melbourne next year. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

.Minimum wage to be paid from January salary

An agreement has been reached between the Akwa Ibom state government and organised labour on payment of minimum wage.

This was revealed by the Commissioner for Labour and Man Power Planning, Professor Victor Inoka, during a telephone interview with select newsmen soon after signing of the agreement after days of tense negotiations.

According to him, the agreement was that we pay exactly the federal government negotiated and approved percentages increase and the consequential adjustments therein.

Federal government and organised labour had both agreed on 66.66% increase for workers between level 01 and 06, 23.2% increase for workers on 07, 20% increase for level 08 workers and 19% increase for level 09 workers
They also agreed that for level 10-14 workers, therell be a 16% salary increase, while for those on level 15 to 17, therell be a 14%, on the consolidated public service salary structure.

This agreement was signed between federal government and organised labour on Thursday, October 17, 2019 to effect the new N30,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

The Labour Commissioner revealed that as a fallout of the recent agreement an Akwa Ibom worker from the lowest cadre will go home with salary above national minimum wage.

What people dont realise is that we were not really paying N18, 000 before. Akwa Ibom was paying more than N18, 000. We were paying up to N19, 000 when N18, 000 was the national minimum wage.

The implication is that once we adopted the new minimum wage on top of the salary that was on ground the minimum wage earner in Akwa Ibom State will earn above the national minimum wage.

Government has exceeded expectation. Unlike most states, the governor accepted to pay worker one month arrears. Representatives of Labour, NLC

By Adenike Ayodele

An Ikeja Magistrates Court on Friday remanded one unemployed Charles Eze in the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, after he pleaded guilty to stealing 16 Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards and some Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

The police arraigned 33-year-old Eze together with Raphael Nwachukwu, 36, before Chief Magistrat T. A. Ojo.

The defendants, whose residential addresses were not given, are facing charges of conspiracy and stealing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Eze admitted guilt, Nwachukwu pleaded not guilty.

Ojo remanded Eze pending review of the facts of the case and sentencing, and admitted Nwachukwu to N100, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

She ruled that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The chief magistrate adjourned the case until Jan. 29 for Ezes sentencing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Kenrich Nomayo, told the court that the duo conspired and unlawfully interfered with some peoples SIM and ATM cards.

Nomayo said the defendants could not give a satisfactory explanation on the ownership of the items.

He said that they committed the offences on Jan. 10 at 11.00 p.m. on Akerele Street in Agege, a Lagos suburb.

The prosecutor told the court that the police on patrol arrested the defendants while lurking around for more victims.

The police searched them and recovered 16 different SIM cards and ATM cards which they could not give a satisfactory account of, he said.

The alleged offences violate sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State, 2015 (revised).

NAN reports that stealing attracts three years imprisonment while conspiracy is punishable with two years jail term. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Astronauts on the International Space Station have baked the first cookies in space, but they took far longer than on Earth.

The space stations Italian commander Luca Parmitano acted as baker aided by NASA astronaut Christina Koch for the chocolate-chip cookie experiment.

Cookies take around 15-20 minutes to bake on Earth but the astronauts discovered that their most successful efforts required at least two hours in the oven in space.

The first and second cookies were in the oven for 25 minutes and 75 minutes but were still under-baked.

The best results came from 120 and 130 minutes in the oven.

We made space cookies and milk for Santa this year, Koch tweeted.

The prototype oven which can be used in microgravity was designed and built by Nanoracks and Zero G Kitchen while the Double Tree by Hilton hotel chain supplied the raw cookie dough.

The ISS smelled like fresh chocolate chip cookies when @astro_luca opened the oven door! Just like home! Nanoracks tweeted.

While we have initial visual and scent feedback from the crew aboard the ISS, were excited to dive into fully understanding the baking results - including breaking down why the bake time and temperature in space varies from what we are used to seeing on Earth, Mary Murphy, a Nanoracks payloads manager, said in a statement from Hilton.

While the astronauts said they looked and smelled like cookies, no one has tasted them.

Three of the cookies returned to Earth on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on January 7 and will undergo testing by food scientists to determine if they are edible.

Currently on the International Space Station theres really a limited ability to prepare foods in ways that were used to, Zero G Kitchen founder Ian Fichtenbaum said in a video posted by Hilton.

And now as longer duration space flight is more common you want to focus on making space more comfortable, added co-founder Jordana Fichtenbaum.

Source: NAN

A couple in China has left their two young children behind at the Nanjing Lukou International Airport, China, after their son who had a fever was banned from flying amid an outbreak of coronavirus.

It is said the parents deserted their son and daughter by the departure gate andboarded the flight on their own in the eastern city of Nanjing, leaving airline workers and other passengers in shock.

The news comes as the country is ravaged by a new strain of coronavirus, which has killed at least 26 people. Its symptoms are typically a fever, cough and trouble breathing.Cities across China have tightened health checks at transport hubs.

The children were eventually allowed to board the domestic plane, reported local newspaper Yangzi Evening News.

The incident came to light when a blogger posted pictures of the children on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter.

The blogger claimed that a couple were causing a scenein Nanjing Lukou International Airport after one of their children were prevented from flying due to a fever.

One of the pictures posted by the web user shows two children sitting on seats in a boarding lounge unattended.

Another two images show passengers waiting by the departure gate.

According to Nanjing-basedYangzi Evening News, the incident happened on Wednesday nightin Nanjing Lukou International Airport, which serves the provincial capital of Jiangsu.

Cities across China have tightened health screening at transport hubs in a bid to curb the deadly outbreak.

At least 10 cities in China, home to around 33million people, have gone into some form of lockdown in the past couple of days after number of confirmed cases surged.

The new form of coronavirus has killed 26, but experts predict the true number of people with the disease could be over 10,000 as they warn it may kill as many as two in 100 cases.

The family were trying to fly from Nanjing to Changsha with flight MF8040 operated byXiamen Airlines.

It seems the boys body temperature was 38.5 degrees Celsius, one passenger who witnessed the event told Yangzi Evening News.

The airline company did not allow [the boy] to board the plane, but the childrens parents would not agree, the passenger added.

It was alleged that the couple blocked the departure gate, insisting that workers let their children through.

The chaos lasted for nearly two hours and police officers arrived to mediate between the protesting parents and the airline.

At last, workers let the adults onto the plane, claimed the passenger, who added that the children were simply left to sit in the airport by themselves.

Source: NAN

By Ebere Agozie

Mr Ngulkham Gangte, the Indian High Commissioner to Zambia has warned that any country that ignores the effects of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) does so at its own peril.

AMR is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarial) from working against it.

Gangte gave the warning at a three-day Pan-Africa Workshop on Effective Implementation of National Action Plans on AMR, holding in Zambia.

The workshop, which has in attendance experts from 11 countries, is organised by the Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Zambia.

It was organised in conjunction with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the India-based think tank.

Journalists from five African countries, who shared their experiences from the ground and got to know what is being done to contain this crisis of AMR are also attending the workshop.

According to Gangte, the ability of organisms to resist antimicrobial treatment, especially antibiotics has direct impact on human and animal health.
This carries a heavy economic burden due to high cost of treatment and reduced productivity caused by prolonged sickness.

AMR also impact food safety, nutrition security, livelihoods and consequently, attainment of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Therefore, we all must work together to prevent the menace of AMR in our countries, Gangte advised.

Dr Chitalu Chilufya, the Zambia Minister of Health, also called on African countries to urgently act on the development and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) for AMR.

Chilufya said the objective of the workshop is to discuss the threat of AMR to humans, animals and the environment, its spread and impact in Africa as well as to understand the implementation of the NAPs on AMR.

AMR is the consequence of the abuse and misuse of antibiotics, which poses greater threat to public health security that robs countries of their aspirations for universal health coverage.

There is the need for African countries to invest in resilient public health systems, which will gear towards reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics among the public, Chilufya said.

He, therefore, called on the media to partner with their respective governments in educating the public on the need to stop the abuse and misuse of antibiotics.

Also, Mr Amit Khurana, Director, Food Safety and Toxins Programme, CSE, India, set the context for the workshop.

He called for innovative ways to manage the issue of access and excess of antibiotics usage.

Khurana said that the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in food-animal production is a key driver of AMR in humans who ultimately consume the animals and animal products.

The global success to contain AMR will hugely depend on how we handle it, so we must use greater discretion in our approaches and implementations.

The threat of AMR is real and globally reaching crisis levels.

Therefore, there must be caution in the production of food and management of waste.

We cannot afford to allow misuse of antibiotics and chemicals first in our system and then after spend a lot to clean it up from their food and environment, Khurana said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that part of the highlights of the workshop was the launch of five key reports including the Down To Earths (DTE) From Cure to Killers.

Also launched is the road map to phase out non-therapeutic antibiotic use and critically important antibiotics in food-animals and baseline information for integrated AMR surveillance in Zambia.

The Zambias Multi-Sectoral National Action Plan on AMR and Zambias integrated AMR Surveillance Framework was another report that was launched. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Friday in Abuja, signed into law the states N215 billion Appropriation bill christened: Budget of Accelerated Growth and Development.

Ishaku said that the budget represented an increase of N2.1billion over the N213.6 billion presented to the state House of Assembly on Dec. 19, 2019.

He, therefore, expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for the accelerated hearing given the budget, leading to its timely passage.

He also assured the lawmakers of the cooperation of the executive in moving the state forward.

According to him, leadership is measured by the strides made on behalf of the people, so I appeal to us to do more than we have been doing for our people.

There are many things I packaged into the budget, especially contracts, so that we can continue to have funds to develop the state to an enviable height.

In the past, many people criticised me for some projects I initiated, but I thank God that today they are becoming superfluous with gratitude. Together, we will continue working for a better Taraba, he said.

Earlier, Speaker of the house, Dr Joseph Kunini, said that the Christmas and New Year celebrations did not deter the lawmakers from carrying out their responsibilities.

Kunini said that the lawmakers painstakingly scrutinised the budget and approved same for the governor to kick start the accelerated development of the state.

The unprecedented support and cooperation received from the governor and others is largely responsible for the timely legislative action on the bill.

The support of the governor is a clear manifestation of the cordial and harmonious relationship between all the arms of government in the state, he said.

He appreciated his colleagues for assiduously carrying out their Constitutional responsibilities in the overall interest of the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Command, on Friday, decorated 34 newly-promoted officers in the state with new ranks, urging them to rededicate themselves to service of their fatherland.

The Sector Commander, Mr Andrew Kumapayi,gave the charge during the ceremony held at the commands headquarters in Awka,

Kumapayi explained that 34 officers who were senior officers, middle cadre officers and marshals were decorated.

He called on the officers to work harder to ensure sanity on the states roads.

We thank God for the recognition of your hard work and I urge you to brace up to the challenges of making our roads safe for users, Kumapayi said.

Also speaking, the Anambra state Commissioner of Police, Mr John Abang urged the officers not to be carried away with the new ranks but to see it as a demand for more responsibility.

Abang said that the promotion was an opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the nation through safety on roads.

For every rank you are wearing, you are making your families, communities and country proud. So continue to walk the talk and discharge your duties without fear, Abang said.

Mr Gabriel Adaji, one of the newly-promoted officers, promised to be more dedicated to duties, saying that the promotion had not been easy.

I will continue to promote the image of the FRSC and do my job diligently. I thank the command for the opportunity, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Harrison Arubu

A group of U.S-based Imo indigenes, the Mbano National Assembly (MNA), has reacted to Tuesdays Supreme Court verdict that effected a change of government in its home state.

The judgment replaced Mr Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party with Sen. Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress as governor, almost eight months after the former assumed the office.

The MNAs reaction came through its President, Mr Basil Njoku, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York on Friday.

Njoku decried the negative impact of premature change in government on development, a situation he blamed on disregard for the rule of law by actors in the electoral process.

He also decried the delay in adjudication of election petition cases in the country, noting that it distracts the government of the day and scares investors.

Njoku said: It is important that cases are resolved expediently so that it creates room for those in government to begin immediately and institute policies that would last.

For example, contracts already signed by the government of Ihedioha will now be subject to the whims of the new government.

No investor is willing to do business with a government battling with election cases in court with no assurance of being there tomorrow.

In every society, there are bound to be litigations, but the speed with which those cases are dealt with is essential to creating an enabling environment for people to move on.

When cases keep languishing in courts, the government in power is not sure of tomorrow, so they are edgy and unwilling to take certain bold actions to improve the lives of the people.

He noted that the interest of MNA, a politically neutral nongovernmental and charity organisation, was the development of Imo and not the party or people in power.

To this end, he said the association was ready to work with any government to improve the living condition of the people.

Our take is let the peoples business be taken care of, the business of infrastructure, security, light, healthcare and rural development.

At the end of the day, people dont really care which party is in power, so long as government is responsive to their needs.

I am heartened by what the immediate past governor said. With humility, he handed over the case to God and asked the people to work with his successor.

So, any reasonable society must work with whoever is in power to deliver for the people, he added.

Njoku said the goal of MNA was to work with government to deliver its various charity projects and programmes in the state, including an ultra-modern surgical theatre at the Mbano Joint Hospital. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Dorcas Jonah

Team Nigeria at the ongoing African Track Cycling Championship in Cairo, Egypt, have won one gold, one silver and a bronze medals.

The championship organised by the African Cycling Confederation (CAC) began on Thursday and will end on Sunday.

According to the competitions website, Grace Ayuba won gold in the junior category from the scratch 7.5-kilometre event.

Former world number five on track cycling in the junior category, Mary Samuel, led the Nigeria team to win silver in team pursuit women elite.

Others in the team are Tawakalt Yekeem, Ese Ukpesersye and Rita Oven.

Team Nigeria also won a bronze in the team sprint women elite as the championship continues.(NAN)

Source: NAN

Sri Lankas Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Friday said it lifted a ban imposed on drones within the island country, local media reports said.

The CAA, in a statement, said drones can now be operated in conformity with civil aviation regulations.

The CAA suspended the operation of all pilotless aircraft, including drones last May, soon after the Easter Sunday terror attacks in April, which killed over 250 people.

The CAA had said the ban was imposed, considering the volatile situation in the country after the blasts. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has departed Abuja for London to participate in the inaugural UK-Africa Investment Summit holding on Jan. 20.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president had earlier performed some official assignments, including his meeting with security chiefs, before leaving the presidential villa for the London trip.

The president also joined hundreds of Muslims faithful at the Aso Rock Mosque where he observed the two rakaat Jumaat prayer.

An earlier statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, on Thursday, said the London Investment Summit would be hosted by the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

According to the organisers, the event is expected to bring together African leaders, international business chief executives and heads of international organisations to create new partnerships that will deliver more investments and jobs to the benefit of people and businesses in African countries and the United Kingdom.

Apart from highlighting new perspectives on UK-Africa Partnership for Prosperity, issues of Sustainable Finance and Infrastructure; Trade and Investment; Future African Growth Sectors and Clean Energy and Climate, are expected to dominate presentations and discussions during the Summit.

With the expected take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in mid-2020, the London investment summit will provide Nigeria with the opportunity to project itself as a leading investment destination for new industries.

In addition, the summit will deepen Nigeria-United Kingdom investment ties post-Brexit given that Africa currently represents just two per cent of British trade activity, with Nigeria accounting for only 10 per cent of that total, Adesina stated.

He further disclosed that the Nigerian delegation to the investment meeting will showcase what the Federal Government had done through policies and legislations to improve the investment and business climate in the country.

The president is expected back in Abuja on Thursday.(NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Government has taken delivery of two fighter helicopters to boost the ongoing fight against insurgency and banditry in the country.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of Security Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Abubakar also announced that additional fighter helicopters and other military hardware would be supplied to the nations armed forces to enhance their capacity in the battle fields.

He said: In terms of procurement of platforms, substantial number of these equipment are expected by the end of February, some of the equipment we are acquiring have started arriving.

For the Nigerian Air Force, two helicopter gunships arrived on the Jan. 15 and we are now in the process of putting them together to add to whatever we have already.

I am sure you are also familiar with the equipment acquisition by the Nigeria Police Force; I am sure you are also familiar with the policy on community policing that was approved by the President.

It is going to be funded and the whole idea is to ensure that Nigeria is secured and citizens can go about pursuing their legitimate aspirations without any hindrance.

According to Abubakar, Nigeria is collaborating with its neighbours to completely end the Boko Haram insurgency.

We are doing everything with other sister countries in the Lake Chad basin, working together to ensure that Boko Haram terrorism is brought substantially to an end as much and as quickly as possible, he said.

He, however, appealed to all Nigerians to contribute their quota towards addressing security challenges troubling some parts of the country.

He said: Our appeal is for all Nigerians and other stakeholders, local and state governments, to join hands with the Armed Forces of Nigeria to ensure that our country is secured rather than looking at other methods that are likely going to negate the national community policing policy that the federal government has approved.

He assured that the nation security agencies were ready to contain all cases of insurgency or banditry in any part of the country.

He added that the agencies would secure the lives and property of all citizens as well as the territorial integrity of the nation at all times.

What we want to do is to reassure Nigerians that the Armed Forces and indeed other intelligence and security agencies in Nigeria are going to continue to work round the clock to ensure that our country is secured.

We will ensure that nobody undermines the territorial and national sovereignty of Nigeria.

We are going to keep a very close watch on what is going on and with the equipment that we are getting.

Definitely the challenges that we are facing in some of the theatres of operation particularly the North-East will be addressed adequately.

He added that the meeting appraised the security situation across the country and was satisfied with the progress being made.

This meeting was called to critically evaluate what the Armed Force of Nigeria as well as other security and intelligence agencies are doing with regard to ensuring that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is not undermined by any individual or group of individuals.

The appraisal also looked at the emerging situation in some of our areas particularly acts of banditry in some of the North-Western States and other parts of the country.

We have critically looked at everything and we are satisfied with the progress we are making and we are satisfied with the support that the federal government is giving the armed forces and other security agencies, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Victor Adeoti

Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court in Ikirun on Friday sentenced two men to death by hanging for murder.

Falola in his judgment, said the prosecution counsel proved his case against the convicts, Orisakunle Abiodun, 21; and Opadokun Olayinka, 29, beyond reasonable doubt for the murder of one Matthew Adeoye in Ikirun.

The judge sentenced the convicts to five years imprisonment for conspiracy and death by hanging for murder.

Falola, however, discharged and acquitted the third accused, Femi Aroyehun for lack of evidence against him.

The convicts, who were first arraigned on Jan. 22, 2018, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy to commit murder and murder, preferred against them.

The State Counsel, Mr Philips Afolayan, had earlier told the court that the three defendants murdered one Matthew Adeoye on March 9, 2017 in Ikirun.

Afolayan said the offences were contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 34, Vol. 2, Laws of Osun State and Section 316 (1) and punishable under Section 319 (1) of the same Criminal Code Law of Osun State.

Afolayan told the court that on that fateful day, one of the convicts, Abiodun, used his motorcycle to hit the deceased while returning from work with his friend.

The prosecution counsel said that this resulted in an argument between the deceased and the three convicts.

Afolayan said the convicts and some of their supporters descended on the deceased, who later ran for his life.

He said the deceased was beaten to coma with grievous injury inflicted on him.

Afolayan said the deceased was later rushed to a nearby hospital by the police, where he eventually died on the same day.

The Defence Counsel, Mr L.S. Bello, however, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Liverpool have officially announced their kit manufacturer deal with Nike, after a High Court case ruled against current supplier New Balance.

The club confirmed the news on Tuesday on their website, with their partnership with the global sports brand beginning ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

Nike will supply kits for the first team, academy and womens sides, along with the coaching staff and the Liverpool FC Foundation, and is effective from June 1.

This, of course, means the Reds will be unable to wear their new kit on the final day of the 2019/20 campaign, as is tradition.

Liverpools chief commercial officer Billy Hogan described Nike as a brand that reflects our ambitions for growth, which was a key factor behind their success in the case in October.

The deal is believed to be worth 30 million a year, plus 20 percent of royaltiesreduced to five percent for footwearwith a pledge of 6,000 doors worldwide selling Liverpool merchandise.

Celebrities such as Drake, Lebron Jamesa Reds stakeholderand Serena Williams are lined up to promote the club, which could prove a major boost to their worldwide appeal.

Nike and Liverpool have already agreed on designs for the kits for next season, with a deep red similar to Portugals shirts at the 2018 World Cup favoured for the home kit.

Hyper turquoise and dark grey are rumoured as colours for the away and third kits respectively.

Our iconic kit is a key part of our history and identity, Hogan explained.

We welcome Nike into the LFC family as our new official kit supplier and expect them to be an incredible partner for the club, both at home and globally as we continue to expand our fanbase.

As a brand, Nike reflects our ambitions for growth, and we look forward to working with them to bring fans new and exciting products.

Source: NAN