In order to forestall the outbreak of diseases in the country, the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has urged government at all levels to beef up veterinary extension services, surveillance and public health service delivery.

Dr Godwin Abonyi, President of the association, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing associations annual summit in Abuja on Friday.

He however, decried the rate of outbreak of zoonotic diseases such as Lassa Fever, Monkey Pox, brucellosis, rabies, and Avian Influenza, blaming it on poor surveillance system.

He noted that about 75 per cent of emerging and infectious diseases originated from animals, adding that beefing up surveillance and public health services delivery among others would assist in reducing the burden and associated deaths.

NAN reports that zoonotic diseases are transmitted from animals to humans through various means.

He identified some of the means to include through consumption of contaminated food and water, exposure to pathogens during preparation, processing or by direct contact with infected animals or humans.

The president, who described the menace as worrisome, urged members of the association to put in their best professionally to salvage the situation.

The recent increase in the number of outbreaks of some zoonotic disease such as Lassa Fever and Monkey Pox among others are becoming increasingly worrisome.

Government at all levels should beef up veterinary extension, surveillance and public health service delivery to forestall these menace from becoming endemic in Nigeria,Abonyi said.

Similarly, Abonyi urged government to facilitate the transition from nomadism to ranching, to improve animal husbandry and put an end to farmers/herdsmen clashes and associated death toll.

According to him, as a matter of urgency, federal and states governments should put necessary machinery and intervention in place in livestock industry.

These, he noted, would further safeguard lives and properties arising from herdsmen/farmers clashes and also improve food production and livestock yield.

Abonyi urged members to educate and enlighten stakeholders on the need for peaceful coexistence and the inherent benefits of ranching to livestock farmers.

Source: NAN

There has been an outpouring of rage in the social media after a neurosurgeon at Kenyas largest hospital performed brain surgery on the wrong patient.

The Kenyatta National Hospital, which admitted the horrific error has suspended the doctor, as well as two nurses and an anaesthetist, according to a statement on Friday.

Health Minister Sicily Kariuki also suspended the Chief operating officer of the hospital, Lily Koros, over the blunder. Lily Koros had suspended the four medics.

It was the latest scandal to hit the hospital in recent weeks, after allegations of staff sexually assaulting patients, and the theft of a baby.

An investigation by the Daily Nation newspaper revealed that two men had been taken to the hospital last Sunday.

The two men were wheeled into the hospital unconscious. One needed head surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain, while the other only required nursing and medication to heal a trauma swelling in his head, medically known as closed head injury.

Hours into the surgery doctors discovered there was no blood clot in the brain of their patient, and that they were in fact operating on the wrong man, the newspaper reported.

The hospitals chief operating officer, Lily Koros, issued a statement announcing the suspension of four medics who were at work on that night. The hospital also expressed regret over the incident.

The hospital deeply regrets this event and has done all it can to ensure the safety and well being of the patient in question, read the statement from the hospital, adding the patient was in recovery and progressing well, Koros said.

Kenyatta National Hospital is Kenyas oldest and largest hospital, and also serves as a teaching hospital.

AFP

Source: NAN

US President Donald Trump was warmly received by members of what he calls the fake news media on Saturday night at a light-hearted gala that is one of Washingtons longest-running traditions.

Trump was the guest of honour at the 133rd Gridiron dinner, where prominent Washington-based journalists traditionally make fun of the president and take jabs at the US political scene.

The event featured journalists in costumes satirizing US politics and the White House culture in raucous skits, songs and speeches.

About 600 people attended, including members of Congress, Trumps cabinet and several ambassadors and prominent politicians.

Trump said he had looked forward to attending the event and appeared to enjoy the show, clapping and laughing at the skits.

In his response Trump made fun of the leaders of the opposition Democratic party but didnt spare members of his own party, even Vice President Mike Pence, who also attended the dinner.

He called him one of the best straight men youll ever meet -a veiled reference to his anti-gay policies.

Trump largely stayed on script as he read from notes in a joking tone. He touched on international politics with regard to tensions on the Korean peninsula, saying that he would not rule out direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. But, he quipped that it was Kim who faced the risk of dealing with a madman.

He also said North Korea had called and asked to begin talks, but he said he responded that they would have to denuke first before talks could go forward.

Trump brought up his recent calls for tariffs on steel and aluminium, which have been criticized by US trading partners. He suggested they were good for dying industries whose executives have asked the White House for protection.

The president also referred to the numerous staff departures from the White House during his first year in office. He said he liked turnover and chaos because it was exciting and invigorating and brought in new thought.

In an awkward moment that invoked his marriage, Trump joked about who would be next to leave the White House, first lady Melania Trump or political adviser Steve Miller.

He then attempted to repair any inference that the first lady might leave him by praising her for the job shes done and by saying shes actually having a great time.

But, of course, Trump couldnt resist taking a swipe at Washingtons left-leaning press corps. He said spending the evening with them was the best time hed had since watching their faces on election night.

The famously thin-skinned Trump refused to attend last years show, opting to send Pence in his place.

That show poked fun at Trump and many people in his inner circle, including Steve Bannon, the presidents chief strategist at the time, by portraying him in a devils costume.

The show is produced by the Gridiron Club and Foundation, founded in 1885 by journalists from major US newspapers.

With the exception of president Grover Cleveland, every president since the club was founded has attended the Gridiron dinner at least once.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as he turns 81 on March 5.

The party, in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, said it remains proud of the former president.

It said Obasanjo had excelled as an international figure and made outstanding contributions toward global peace and development, particularly, in the African sub-region.

The party described the former president as an outstanding nationalist; a courageous and a dedicated leader, who has made immeasurable sacrifices towards the development, stability and growth of the nation.

Indeed, the PDP intensely celebrates former President Obasanjo who stands tall as one of the best performed Nigerian Presidents, chiefly
because his administration founded and anchored its policies and programmes on PDPs people-based manifesto and ideology.

The PDP also commends Chief Obasanjo for his continued engagement on national issues, particularly his disposition against poor governance, corruption, bloodletting and confusion that now pervade the nation in
the last three years.

While we value Chief Obasanjo for his concerns for the political future of our nation, we note that our repositioned and rebranded PDP remains the only credible political platform for the much desired broad-based
engagements among Nigerians and coalitions across board, the party said.

The PDP said it was more than prepared to salvage the nation in the all-important task of returning her to the path of good governance, national unity and prosperity for all, come 2019.

The party prayed God to grant Obansanjo good health, wisdom and strength as he continues to be of service to the nation.

Source: NAN

Fantastical romanceThe Shape of Water won best picture, U.S. Hollywood film industrys most prestigious honor, at Sundays Oscar ceremony.

The Fox Searchlight movies Mexican filmmaker, Guillermo del Toro, took home the best director Oscar, dashing the hopes of a rare win by a woman or a black filmmaker.

The movie about a mute cleaning woman who falls in love with a strange river creature had gone into the ceremony with a leading 13 nominations, and won a total of four Academy Awards.

As expected, Britains Gary Oldman was named best actor for playing World War Two leader Winston Churchill in Warner Bros.Darkest Hour, while Frances McDormands woman in a fury was a popular best actress winner for Fox Searchlights dark comedyThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

Elsewhere, awards were spread around, recognizing first-timers, LGBT movies and films inspired by other cultures.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel tackled Hollywoods sexual misconduct scandal with jokes on a night heavy with nods to activism on issues ranging from LGBT issues and school shootings to sexism and racism.

Gay romanceCall Me by Your Name won best adapted screenplay and racial satireGet Out won best original screenplay.

A Fantastic Woman, Chiles groundbreaking story about a transgender woman, played by transgender actress Daniela Vega, won best foreign language film, and Mexican-inspiredCoco was named best animated feature.

Sam Rockwell, and Allison Janney took home their first Oscars for their supporting rolesThree Billboards and independent ice-skating movieI, Tonya, respectively.

Reuters

Source: NAN

Bollywood actors and fans across India posted messages for a speedy recovery for Slumdog Millionaire actor Irrfan Khan after he announced on Twitter that he had a rare disease.

Khan, 51, has acted in several award-winning Bollywood films as well as British and Hollywood productions.

His English-language films include Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire and The Amazing Spider Man.

Sometimes you wake up with a jolt with life shaking you up. The last fifteen days, my life has been a suspense story, Khan said in a tweet.

He asked fans not to speculate as I will myself share with you my story within a week ten days, when further investigations come with a conclusive diagnosis.

I have never given up and have always fought for my choices and always will, Khan wrote.

Khan has acted in more than 100 films, mostly in Hindi.

He won Indias National Film Award in 2013 for his depiction of an athlete who becomes a bandit in the biographical movie Pan Tomar.

His sensitive portrayal of a lonely accountant who mistakenly receives a colleagues lunchbox in the film The Lunchbox won him the Viewers Choice Award at the 2013 Cannes film festival.

Several fellow actors and fans wished Khan a speedy recovery on Twitter.

You are a fighter! You will shoo off whatever that rare disease is Prayers, read a tweet from one fan.

I see you out-performing this one as well @irrfank Its gonna pass Good things happen to good people Power to You, Sir!! said another.

Source: NAN

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted a charge from the Football Association for wearing a political symbol, the English governing body announced on Monday.

Guardiola has said he wears a yellow ribbon to support imprisoned pro-independence politicians in his native Catalonia.

The FA ruled it breached their rules on kit and advertising regulations.

Guardiola said in November: If one day in prison was already too much, look how many days theyve been there now.

Like everybody knows, hopefully sooner or later I can stop wearing it.

The 47-year-old has been wearing the ribbon in support of the political leaders jailed following the Catalonia independence referendum last October, which was declared illegal by Spain.

An FA statement read: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted an FA charge for wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon, in breach of the FAs kit and advertising regulations. A paper hearing has been requested, with a date to be set in due course.

His much-publicised stance over the controversy in Catalonia has become a major issue in his homeland where, according to reports in Spain, the City managers private plane was searched at Barcelonas El Prat airport two weeks ago by police looking for exiled Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.

Since the charge was issued Guardiola has either covered up the ribbon during games or not worn it.

However, Guardiola insists that, even though his protest aims to highlight the fates of a jailed group that includes Catalan politicians Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart, it is not a political issue.

When men and women put on a pink ribbon its because of the support for the breast cancer initiative, he said.

The same when I wear the the prostate cancer badge, its the same, the idea is the same, there are a lot of ribbons.

Im pretty sure there are people all around the world in Spain and Catalunya who do not want to be independent, but they are not agreeing with putting people in prevention jail.

The FAs stance on the matter differs from European governing body UEFA, who allow the ribbon to be worn. City also believe the symbol is not generally considered offensive

The yellow emblem worn by Guardiola during Sundays Premier League win over Chelsea was the daffodil of the Marie Curie cancer charity.

Source: NAN

Jose Mourinho admitted Manchester United rode their luck as Nemanja Matics late thunderbolt capped a dramatic 3-2 win at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Mourinhos side trailed to Andros Townsends early opener and Patrick van Aanholts second half effort at Selhurst Park.

But Chris Smalling got one back for United and Romelu Lukaku equalised with 14 minutes remaining.

That set the stage for Serbia midfielder Matic to score for the first time since his move from Chelsea last year with a blistering blast from the edge of the area in stoppage-time.

It was an escape act that seemed unlikely when United fell 2-0 behind after being out-fought and out-played by a Palace team fighting gamely to avoid relegation.

But Mourinho took heart from the way his players shrugged off their limp opening to move back above Liverpool into second place in the Premier League and within 16 points of runaway leaders Manchester City.

You always need that little bit of luck to win a match in the last few minutes, Mourinho said.

We played very good quality football in the second half but we made so many defensive mistakes.

That disgraceful, childish second goal changed everything. But the players kept an amazing attitude.

I cannot tell you half of the things I told my team at half-time because there would be lots of bleeping on television.

To come back from 2-0 away from home against a team that is desperate for points, it gives us a great feeling.

Third bottom Palace deserved better, but they remain one point from safety after a heartbreaking loss.

United paid the price for their lethargic start in the 11th minute.

Christian Benteke was allowed to jink into the United penalty area unchecked by Smalling and when his pass picked out Townsend 18 yards from goal, the Palace winger unleashed a shot that took a wicked deflection off Lindelof as it looped past David De Gea.

With Matic and Paul Pogba rattled by Palaces relentless pressing, United were unable to match their opponents intensity.

The out of form Pogba, dropped several times by Mourinho recently, was a major cause of the visitors woes as the France midfielder wasted possession and was caught out of position time and again.

Stole the points

He was playing so badly that United legend Gary Neville, working for Sky Sports, was moved to say: Its like everything he does is like a YouTube or Instagram video.

Source: NAN

The United Nigeria Group (TUNG), has called for the introduction of election debates at the level of primary elections so as to get the right candidates.

With particular reference to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the group said that primary election debate will further improve democracy in the country.

The TUNG which said it is interested in fostering peace, unity and community sensitisation on political issues, gave the advice in Abuja on Monday.

Speaking in an interview, the spokesman of the group, Dr Bright Emenena, said that with election debates at level of primary election, the PDP could take democracy to new height even as an opposition party.

We want to use this opportunity to put pressure on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make more impact even as an opposition party by taking democracy to the next level in Nigeria.

They must ensure that the process of choosing a candidate at the primaries is fair; they should go further by ensuring the contestants engage in public debate at the level of the primaries.

In this country, there have never been a time when a sitting president had made himself available for public debate but PDP can start something.

They can take democracy to another level by introducing debate at the primaries level so that contestants can make public their vision to enable the delegates and general public make informed decision, he said.

Emenena said TUNG believes in the unity of the nation and engages only in activities that fosters the peace and security of the country.

Source: NAN

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Immediate past President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark has showered encomiums on the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo on his 81stbirthday.

Sen. Mark in a goodwill message to former President Obasanjo described him as an uncommon patriot who put the interest of the nation first in all he does.

Mark said that Obasanjo is the father of modern day Nigeria who has stood firm against all odds to keep the nation one.

According to him, No one is in doubt that Chief Obasanjo has demonstrated steadfastness, uncommon commitment and faith in the Nigerian project. All of us owe him that respect and honour.

Mark added that Obasanjo even after leaving office has continued to champion the cause of a united Nigeria saying that it takes a good conscience and love for fatherland to do so.

He prayed that God in His infinite mercies continue to grant Obasanjo good health, wisdom and courage in the years ahead.

He however urged Obasanjo to continue to make his wealth of experience and knowledge especially in leadership available for the younger generation of leaders to tap from.

He urged Nigerians to emulate the indomitable spirit of Obasanjo in order to faithfully serve the nation, for the good of all.

Source: NAN