By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to invest more in health facilities and services to build a fairer and healthier post-COVID-19 world.

WHO made the call in a statement issued from its headquarters in Geneva to commemorate the World Health Day (WHD), globally celebrated on April 7.

WHD is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on April 7, under the sponsorship of the WHO, as well as other related organisations.

According to the statement, COVID-19 has unfairly impacted some people more harshly than others, exacerbating existing inequities in health and welfare within and between countries.

For WHD, WHO is therefore issuing five calls for urgent action to improve health for all people.

The UN health agency stated that within countries, illness and death from the COVID-19 pandemic had been higher among groups who face discrimination, poverty, social exclusion, and adverse daily living and working conditions including humanitarian crises.

The pandemic is estimated to have driven between 119 and 124 million more people into extreme poverty last year.

And there is convincing evidence that it has widened gender gaps in employment, with women exiting the labour force in greater numbers than men over the past 12 months.

These inequities in peoples living conditions, health services, and access to power, money and resources are long-standing.

The result: under-five mortality rates among children from the poorest households are double than that of children from the richest households.

Life expectancy for people in low-income countries is 16 years lower than for people in high-income countries. For example, nine out of 10 deaths globally from cervical cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries.

But as countries continue to fight the pandemic, a unique opportunity emerges to build back better for a fairer, healthier world by implementing existing commitments, resolutions, and agreements while also making new and bold commitments.

The statement, however, quoted Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, as saying, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrived amid the inequalities in our societies and the gaps in our health systems.

It is vital for all governments to invest in strengthening their health services and to remove the barriers that prevent so many people from using them, so more people have the chance to live healthy lives.

According to the statement, WHO is issuing five calls for actions on accelerating equitable access to the COVID-19 technologies between and within countries and investing in primary health care.

The world health agency also would issue actions on building safe, healthy and inclusive neighbourhoods; strengthen data and health information systems as well as prioritising health and social protection.

In addition, the statement quoted Ghebreyesus as saying, now is the time to invest in health as a motor of development.

We do not need to choose between improving public health, building sustainable societies, ensuring food security and adequate nutrition, tacking climate change and having thriving local economies.

All these vital outcomes go hand in hand. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr scored twice as they punished a sloppy Liverpool side to win 3-1 at home in Tuesdays UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match.

The 20-year-old Brazilian fired the 13-times European champions into the lead in the 27th minute at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium.

This was after controlling a long diagonal pass from Toni Kroos from his own half which flummoxed the Liverpool defence.

Marco Asensio put the hosts further at ease by scoring in the 35th minute after a Kroos pass again caused havoc among the visiting backline.

But Liverpool looked more settled after the interval and a scrappy Mohamed Salah strike pulled them back into contention early in the second half.

But they failed to build on their momentum and Vinicius struck again in the 63rd minute to repeat the scoreline of the 2018 Champions League final match.

The result thus puts Zinedine Zidanes side in pole position for next weeks second leg at Anfield.

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo missed the official opening of the 20th National Sports Festival in Benin due to the storm at the citys airport, Edos Gov. Godwin Obaseki said on Tuesday.

Obaseki, in his address at Tuesdays opening ceremony of the festival tagged Edo 2020, said the vice-president tried to be at the venue of the event.

But his plane had to be diverted due to the bad weather, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an afternoon downpour delayed the commencement of the ceremony, which was later held amidst colourful cultural presentations by several artistes and troupes.

Obaseki, however, commended Osinbajo for finding time out of his busy schedule, even though, he could not finally make it.

NAN reports that Osinbajo was due to stand in for President Muhammadu Buhari at the event which marked the opening of the April 2 to April 14 competition.

We are grateful, for he has taken time out his busy schedule to be here with us this evening even though he could not finally make it.

He is a friend of Edo and we appreciate this gesture, Obaseki said.

However, in the absence of Vice-President Osinbajo, Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, stood in to deliver President Buharis message to the festival.

He described the festival as an avenue toshowcases Nigerias best talents in over 32 different sports events.

The NSF is the biggest sports fiesta in the country, where both professionals and home-based athletes converge to display their prowess.

Although the 20th National Sports Festival is supposed to have taken place one year ago, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it suffered several postponements.

However, the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that youths were engaged productively through sports, is notable.

So also are the doggedness of the Edo Government to host the festival and the unwavering commitment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Now, we are glad today that we finally are having the festival. It is indeed a befitting festival, the president said.

He commended the young athletes who have converged in Benin for the competition, saying the festival remained one of the veritable tools for uniting the country.

The NSF is also a tool to bring our young men and women to interact, to make friends, to compete and it also provides an avenue to discover talents in various sports who will represent the country in the global sports arena.

I therefore thank the government and people of Edo for keeping their promise of hosting the festival in spite of the numerous challenges brought about by the postponement which occurred almost a year ago.

The investment made in sports infrastructure and allied structures by the Edo government signposts the direction our sports development must take in Nigeria.

No doubt, an investment in both our both men and women and sports infrastructure is most desired.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Manchester Citys Phil Foden grabbed a last-minute winner as they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in their 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match on Tuesday.

Fodens goal was a saving grace after Marco Reus had netted a late equaliser for the German visitors.

Manchester City took a 19th minute lead with a classic counter-attacking move finished off by Kevin De Bruyne.

This was after Borussia Dortmunds former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can had given the ball away on the halfway line.

Pep Guardiolas Manchester City side then had a penalty kick awarded but correctly overturned by Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

This had come after a challenge by Can on Rodri.

Borussia Dortmund, buoyed by the reprieve, found some attacking verve.

Romanian referee, Ovidiu Hategan, was at the centre of things again when Manchester Citys goalkeeper Ederson hesitated and Borussia Dortmunds Jude Bellingham nipped in.

He slotted the ball into the net, but the 17-year-old was harshly ruled to have fouled the Brazilian.

Ederson came to Manchester Citys rescue early in the second half, saving from Erling Haaland with an outstretched foot as the German side continued to cause them problems.

Manchester City had several chances to extend their lead, and they soon paid the price for their uncharacteristic lack of precision in front of goal.

Borussia Dortmund struck six minutes before the end, after Haalands clever pass on the half-turn found Marco Reus, who had timed his run perfectly.

He simply beat Ederson with a composed finish.

But then Foden, who had been wasteful twice in the second half, made amends with a clinical finish from close range after being set up by Ilkay Gundogan.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has urged all athletes at the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Edo 2020 not to forget to exhibit the spirit of good sportsmanship.

Obaseki gave the charge on Tuesday while speaking during theGov. Obaseki urges 20th NSF athletes to be good sportsmen opening ceremony of the festival at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

I urge you to put in your best, be good sportsmen and acknowledge when you have been beaten by your peers.

Please compete fairly in the games and show us all the products of the many hours you spent practising to be the best in what you do.

On this ground, you will reap the reward of hardwork and perseverance and determination through your performance and conduct so that you can be the real models for other youths in Nigeria.

For what else is the purpose of this games if its not to test and produce the best among us.

The National Sports Festival has a very unique history which is deeply rooted in the sad experiences of the Nigerian Civil War of the late 60s.

The first edition was held to bring our different peoples together to compete and find purpose in a bond that hold us together as brothers and sisters.

Today, our country is in dire need of peace, tolerance and brotherhood. That is why we felt the necessity to hold this games in spite of the challenges.

So that we can rekindle the vision of our past leaders in the quest for excellence, friendship and respect, particularly among the youths of our nation.

We have completely rebuilt this edifice (Ogbemudia Stadium) in line with our vision of reenacting Edo as the epicentre of sports activities in Nigeria.

It has a main bowl, a state-of-the-art pitch and tartan tracks and one of the best gymnasiums in Africa and the only one with a suspended gym and warm-up floor.

It has five lawn tennis courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment, among others.

The governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his faith in Edo and keeping to his promise to ensure that the games was held in spite of the initial hiccups it suffered.

Earlier, the Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, had welcomed all athletes to the state, and charged them to enjoy the hospitality of the state.

The people of Edo are good people and law-abiding citizens, Shaibu, who is Chairman of the festivals Local Organising Committee (LOC), said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

World football ruling body FIFA has suspended the national federations of Pakistan and Chad with immediate effect.

FIFA said on Wednesday the decision to suspend the Chadian football association (FTFA) was taken because of interference by the countrys government authorities in the federations affairs.

The suspension will be lifted once the relevant government decisions have been repealed and the FTFA and its management have confirmed to FIFA that the FTFA premises are again under its control, FIFA said.

Chad had already been excluded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers because of the situation.

The Pakistan football federation (PFF) has been suspended by FIFA due to third-party interference, which, in the view of the international ruling body, constitutes a violation of the FIFA statutes.

This situation has been triggered by the recent illegal occupation of the PFF headquarters in Lahore by a group of protestors and an alleged decision by certain individuals to remove the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee of the PFF.

As the situation remains unchanged, the Bureau of the Council has decided to suspend the PFF, FIFA said.

The PFF suspension will be lifted once FIFA has received confirmation that the PFFs premises, accounts, administration and communication channels are again under its full control and it can continue to carry out its mandate without further hindrance. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Germanys public sector deficit reached 189.2 billion euros (225 billion dollars) in 2020, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the first deficit since 2013 and the highest budget shortfall since German reunification three decades ago.

The statement was issued by the Statistics Office on Wednesday.

The pandemic, which has so far claimed more than 77,000 lives in Germany, has devastated Europes largest economy, even though it has proven more resilient than many expected, partly because of continuing strong export demand from China.

Public spending rose 12.1 per cent to 1.7 trillion euros in 2020 as the government pulled out all the stops to offset the impact of months of lockdown, while tax take fell 3.5 per cent to 1.5 trillion euros.

The spending spree was set to continue, when German Finance Minister, Olaf Scholz, last month promised to do whatever was needed to enable Germany to spend its way out of a coronavirus-induced economic slump.

Germany was struggling to control a third wave of the pandemic and was set to keep many businesses, like bars and cinemas, closed until at least later this month.

However, the number of people on shortened working hours declined last month, driven by the industrial sector, which was benefiting from robust exports, the Ifo Institute, Leibnizfor Economic Research, University of Munich, said.

Companies can shorten workers hours under a government scheme designed to avoid mass layoffs during the downturn by offering companies subsidies to keep workers on the payroll.

In March, 2.7 million employees were on shortened hours, down from 2.9 million, Ifo estimated.

The number of people on the scheme peaked at about 6 million a year ago but had been rising steadily since Germany entered its second lockdown late last year. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Myanmar troops fired at anti-coup protesters on Wednesday killing at least five people and wounding several as activists defied a bloody crackdown and internet blockade by the ruling junta, media said.

More than 580 people have been killed in the turmoil in Myanmar since a Feb. 1, coup that ended a brief period of civilian-led democracy, according to an activist group, .

Nationwide protests and strikes have persisted since then in spite of the ruling militarys use of lethal force to quell the opposition.

Security forces opened fire on protesters in the northwestern town of Kale as they demanded the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, a resident told Reuters.

News outlets cited witnesses saying there were casualties and repeated gunfire.

The Mizzima and Irrawaddy news outlets said five people were killed and several wounded.

The Kale resident said the information was provided to him by witnesses, who took pictures of five bodies.

Reuters could not independently verify the toll.

The mostly youth-led anti-coup movements ability to organise campaigns and share information via social media and instant messaging has been severely hamstrung by curbs on broadband wireless internet and mobile data services.

Fixed-line services, which few in Myanmar have access to, are available.

Myanmar has been subject to a step wise collapse into the information abyss since February, Alp Toker, founder of internet blockage observatory, NetBlocks, told Reuters.

Communications are now severely limited and available only to the few.

With print media also halted, protesters have sought workarounds to get their message across, producing their own A4-sized daily news pamphlets that are shared digitally and printed for distribution among the public.

On Tuesday, Dr Sasa, who leads a parallel government of the remnants of Suu Kyis administration, said in a statement that its legal counsel would be submitting evidence of military atrocities to different UN human rights bodies.

Sasa, a medical doctor who uses one name, said lawyers for his Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), had received 180,000 items of evidence and would meet on Wednesday with representatives of an independent investigative mechanism for Myanmar.

According to the Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) advocacy group, 581 people, including dozens of children, have been shot dead by troops and police in almost daily unrest since the coup, and security forces have arrested close to 3,500 people, with 2,750 still detained.

Arrest warrants have been issued for hundreds of people, with the junta this week going after scores of influencers, entertainers, artists and musicians.

The countrys most famous comedian, Zarganar, was arrested on Tuesday, media reported.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed how Britain and the international community could support a Southeast Asian effort to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, Indonesias Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, after meeting her British counterpart in Jakarta.

Indonesia was among several Southeast Asian countries leading a push for high-level talks on Myanmar.

Western countries including the U.S., Britain and Australia have imposed or tightened sanctions on the generals and the militarys huge network of business monopolies in response to the coup, detentions and use of lethal force against demonstrators.

The European Union is expected to follow suit.

Russia, which has shown support for Myanmars ruling military council, on Tuesday said the West risked triggering civil war in the country by imposing sanctions on the junta.

Fitch Solutions said in a report issued on Wednesday that targeted Western sanctions alone were unlikely to succeed in restoring democracy.

It predicted in the medium-term a violent revolution between the military on one side and an armed opposition comprised of members of the anti-coup movement and ethic militias.

Some ethnic minority forces, which control large swathes of border regions, have said they could not stand by as the junta kills people and already engaged the military in skirmishes.

Fitch said Myanmar was heading towards being a failed state.

The escalating violence on civilians and ethnic militias show that the Tatmadaw (military) is increasingly losing control of the country, it said, adding that the vast majority of people backed the parallel government. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Hungary allowed people who provide close contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians to re-open their businesses on Wednesday.

Several other coronavirus measures were relaxed after the Central European country made progress in stemming new infections and getting vaccine doses in residents.

Stores selling non-essential goods were also allowed to open their doors but are required to cap the number of customers to prevent crowding.

Hungarys night-time curfew now begins at 10 pm instead of 8 pm and continues until 5 am.

However, restaurants remain closed for in-person dining and hotels can only welcome business travellers.

Interior Minister Sandor Pinter issued a decree outlining the new rules.

The decree refers to an earlier order by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which said the opening steps were to take effect once 2.5 million people had received at least a first vaccination against COVID-19.

Hungary hit that mark on Tuesday, meaning more than 25 per cent of people have received at least one dose.

The EU country administers vaccines from Russia and China that have not yet been approved by the European Unions medicines watchdog.

Under EU rules a national government can issue a vaccine license in emergency situations.

Source: NAN News

Life expectancy across the European Union dropped last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, interrupting a decades-long trend upward, official figures show.

The starkest drop was recorded in Spain: the life expectancy at birth decreased by 1.6 years from 2019 to 2020, the European Unions statistical office Eurostat said on Wednesday.

This was followed by Bulgaria, which saw a loss of 1.5 years, and Lithuania, Poland and Romania, for which Eurostat noted a drop of 1.4 years.

Eurostat attributed the losses to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw deaths spike across the bloc.

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, life expectancy at birth fell in the vast majority of the EU Member States with available 2020 data, Eurostat said in a press release.

An overall EU average is not available, as member state Ireland has not indicated its data for 2020.

In 2019, the EU average stood at 81.3 years.

On average, the EU life expectancy had increased by more than two years since the 1960s. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News