An Abuja-based medical practitioner, Dr Chioma Ofoekii, says it is normal for a girl to start menstruation as early as eight years.

Ofoekii told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that a girls body can begin to change into
that of an adult too soon, which is called precocious puberty.

Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a womans monthly circle.

Every month, the womans body prepares for pregnancy; if no pregnancy occurs, the uterus, or womb,
sheds its lining. The menstrual blood is partly blood and partly tissue from inside the uterus.

Ofoekii, who said that precocious puberty usually occurs before the age of eight in girls and before the
age of nine in boys,added that it refers to the onset of secondary sexual characteristics beforethe age of eight years.

rapid bone and muscle growth.

A girl who starts menstruation at a young age is usually because the hormones responsible for puberty are being produced earlier.

The symptoms in boys include enlarged testicles and penis, a deepening voice and facial hair, often on the upper lip.

She said that at the level of the brain, causes include hypothalamic lesions, hydrocephalus, brain tumours, infections and
trauma.

She said other causes include ovarian cysts, tumours of the adrenal gland, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and obesity.

According to her, it is important to note that it can also be genetic, in which case it is just based on family genes.

She said that family history may reveal similar early onset of puberty in the mother and other female siblings.

Ofoekii said that some complications are short height, low self esteem and psychological stress. (NAN)()

Source: NAN News

By Buchi Onyejiaka
Dr Vincent Okaa, an Abuja-based medical expert, has cautioned against self medication whenever someone feels ill, as he emphasised proper examination and diagnosis by qualified medical practitioner.

He gave the caution in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, saying that self-medication had become a major threat to peoples lives in rural areas.

The medical practitioner, who advised Nigerians to desist from consuming drugs without prescription by a medical expert, identified self medication as major cause of worsening illnesses.

Okaa said prompt access to certified medical facilities should be the norm, but most people in rural areas either patronise pharmacies or quacks for medical attention.

Some others resort to self medication and drug abuse, which can cause serious repercussions.

NAN reports that some commonly abused drugs in rural communities are analgesics and antibiotics.

A patent medicine dealer in Apo community, Abuja, who would not want to be identified, said pain killers and antibiotics are the most commonly patronised drugs in the area.

He said analgesics and antibiotics both for children and adults are in high demand here.

I sell it often, some do come and tell me what is wrong with them, fever, body pains or infections and I give them the drugs to relieve them.

Another patent medicine dealer in Kabusa community also in Abuja, who also would not want to be identified, said most people who patronise him buy analgesics and antibiotics.

He added that most people living here are artisans, market men and women. After the days work, some will develop headaches, fever and body pains.

They will come and buy drugs so that they can be relieved to go to work the next day. Some buy antibiotics for infection, either toilet infection or Sexually Transmitted Disease.

But a Community Pharmacist, Chidi Ezenduka, who also warned against persistent consumption of analgesics and antibiotics, advised that the act could damage vital organs and cause complications.

This is because interactions, drug-over dose, drug under-dose, adverse events, drug-abuse, drug-misuse and many more easily occur with the use of such cheap and common medications, he added. (NAN)(

Source: NAN News

Julius Toba-Jegede

A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun, Prince (Dr) Ayoade Adewopo, has unveiled a 4-point agenda for his ambition to occupy Ife Federal Constituency ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

The agenda is contained in his mission statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja, following his purchase of nomination and expression of interest forms to contest in the primary election of the 10th National Assembly.

He hinged the four development agendas to serve the people of the constituency on Health, Opportunities, Project and Education, which he termed as HOPE.

Adewopo described the HOPE slogan as the foundation to ensure a prosperous life for the people of Ife Federal Constituency.

I believe this is the real hope of our people and the foundation of a prosperous society especially for a constituency as endowed as ours that desperately needs dynamic representation at the federal level to unlock her hidden treasures.

I am prepared to roll up my sleeves and work to sponsor legislations that will directly and substantially impact our constituency, he said.

He added that he was also ready to promote qualitative education, empowerment programmes, technology and innovation hubs, healthcare, power, infrastructure and alleviation of poverty; if elected to office.

He said it was imperative for Ife people to elect someone like him as a representative, who will do their business and eloquently speak for them and champion their cause in the green chamber.

With great honour and a deep sense of humility, I solemnly declare my desire to serve my good people of Ife Federal Constituency as our Representative in the House of Representatives during the 10th National Assembly, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, late Saturday night emerged as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2022 National Convention of the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adamu emerged as the consensus candidate of the party after six other aspirants stepped down.

NAN observed that prior to the commencement of the convention on Saturday, former Gov. George Akume, had earlier on Saturday revealed that six of the APC Chairmanship aspirants had withdrawn from the race.

Akume, presently the Minister of Special Duties, was afrontrunner in the chairmanship race before the reported endorsement of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu by President Buhari.

Akume made the revelation in a letter addressed to the APC Election Sub-Committee, National Secretariat, Abuja.

Adamu was therefore declared winner at the convention after a voice vote in which the ayes had it.

NAN reports that the convention was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

,Others are: President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC governors, former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and other party members as well as delegates.

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on the party members to consolidate on the gains of president Muhammadu Buhari to win the 2023 General Elections.

They made the call at the APCs National Convention on Saturday in Abuja.

President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, said that the party proved that it was united by holding the convention which some people thought would never hold.

They said we will never be together as a party, but today we are together and holding the convention, this is a night of unity for us.

Our caretaker committee did well and achieved so much, I hope that at the end of the convention everyone will be happy.

This is seven years plus that we have been working as APC, President Buhari has done well ,although he may not be on the ballot in 2023, but you will remain the legacy of APC, he said.

Lawan commended the president for his effort in building infrastructure in every state especially the Second Niger Bridge.

The Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also congratulated the party for holding the convention, adding that the party had come a long way through many trials and tribulations but stood the test of time.

Building is a long term task and we all have a role to play .

We at the National Assembly have kept faith in Nigeria through laws and passed some strong laws like the PIB Law ,Police reform Act, among others.

All things being equal, we will revisit the issues of the women inclusion bills.

Governor of Kebbi ,Atiku Bagudu, said that the party did well in terms of its promises of security, economy, accountability and food security.

Bagudu said that in spite of the global crisis, the party kept Nigeria stable by supporting the 36 states which could not pay salaries and pensions to restore social contract with the governed.

The president directed empowerment of farmers, supported fishing communities among others for food security and development of relevant economy.

We were able to survive two recessions in spite of COVID-19, even during this global crisis of the Ukraine and Russian war when other countries are in food crisis we have food security.

Source: NAN News

By Bashir Rabe Mani

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will come out stronger and more united after Saturdays National Convention.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Bagudu spoke at the opening of the National Convention holding at Eagle Square, Abuja.

Bagudu, who spoke on behalf of the 22 APC governors said, that will successfully see us to the 2023 General Elections and beyond.

We will surmount all the challenges and the convention will be largely successful.

In readiness to the 2023 General Elections, there is just no party like the APC.

According to the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, APC governors are proud of their own achievements and that of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Kebbi governor added, In all the states there are success stories because of the inspiration of Buhari.

Bagudu also stated that Buhari had instilled transparency and exemplary leadership in the country as he delivered on all his campaign promises.

He has laid a solid foundation for resilient economy, leading to the exit of Nigeria from recession, as well as surmounting the COVID-19 induced challenges, among others.

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News

By Oluwaseun Fadugba

Simeon Akinsola of the Lagos State University (LASU) has emerged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the male badminton event at the ongoing Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) in University of Lagos.

Similarly, Damilola Oyedepo of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba (AAUA), emerged the MVP in the female category of the event.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both players were outstanding in their respective events.

Akinsola won three bronze medals in the Mens team, Mixed doubles and Mens singles, while Oyedepo also won a silver medal in Women double event.

Akinsola told NAN that his victory at the games was as a result of dedication and constant training for four months.

I am delighted to get this award.

Training has not been easy. I have been playing badminton since I was in secondary school.

I have practised well enough and also determined to give my 100 per cent commitment.

This is just a starting point of my career because I want to play at the highest level of badminton, he said.

For Oyedepo, who is a Kinetics and Physical Education student,said her wish was to take badminton as a career.

She noted that her first appearance in the NUGA helped her to develop more interest in the sport.

I am surprised because I did not expect it. I believe my single event got me this award because I played with all of my strength.

I want to take badminton game further, I have been playing right from my secondary school.

Thanks to my coach because the game took longer than we expected, but we were not tired because we had been trained for it.

We trained overnight and it did not come as a surprise when we played all night, she said.

NAN reports that Team Ahmadu Bello University led the medals table with three gold, one silver and two bronze medals, while University of Ilorin is second with three gold, one silver and one bronze medals.

The Federal University Dutsinma (FUD), Kastina, is in third place with one gold and one silver in the sport.

Source: NAN News

By Moses Omorogieva

The police have announced the recovery of a Toyota Highlander (SUV), suspected to belong to a gang of armed robbers, with arms and ammunition including a dog (American Eskimo breed).

This is confirmed by the Lagos State Police Command Twitter handle monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

The command said that one locally made double-barrel gun, three live cartridges, jewelry and the dog were found in the vehicle.

It noted that the vehicle, with Registration No. AGL 276 AQ, was abandoned by some suspected robbers, who fled after sighting operatives of the Rapid Response Squad in Alagbado area of the state.

Other items found in the vehicle were: two HP laptops, one NEC laptop, one LG TV, one iPhone 12 Pro Max, one Elepac generator, two kitchen knives.

The command said the suspected robbers were heading into Lagos around 2:20 a.m. from Abeokuta before they were accosted by RRS officials on patrol at Adura Bus Stop, Alagbado.

The four occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled in different directions, the command said.

It said the vehicle was brought to RRS Headquarters in Ikeja, where the Commander, CSP Yinka Egbeyemi, directed his team to commence investigation into the case, with a view to unravelling the owner of the vehicle and the suspects.

Source: NAN News