By Chimezie Anaso

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has advised Nigerians to ensure regular check of their health status in order to reduce the possibility of sudden death.

The NMA Chairman, Anambra branch, Dr Jide Onyekwelu, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Tuesday.

Onyekwelu expressed concern over what he called rising cases of sudden deaths, which he attributed to lack of attention to health.

According to him, it is worrisome that a seemingly healthy person will suddenly slump and die.

He said that studies had shown that the most common cause of this type of sudden death was cardiovascular, that is, the heart and blood vessels.

The commonest thing that can affect the workings of heart and blood vessels without any sign is hypertension. That is why high blood pressure is called a silent killer.

An individual may not know that he has hypertension. It rarely shows any symptom. You can see somebody moving around, thinking that he is healthy but he is not, because he has high blood pressure.

When blood vessel bursts in the brain, which is called cerebro-vascular accident or there is a similar burst in the heart, which is called heart attack, it is a sudden thing that does not give the patient enough time to get medical attention.

Before you know it, a seemingly healthy person would have died. So hypertension, with its cardiovascular complications, is the most common cause of sudden death, as the patient may not know that he has the problem, he said.

Onyekwelu also warned against the use of electronic blood pressure checking devices, saying that they could give misleading result, even as he urged people to always allow professionals to do the checks for them for accurate information.

The medical practitioner, who said that there was no known scientific link of the sudden death phenomenon with COVID-19, however, advised Nigerians to engage in physical exercise for, at least, 20 minutes per day or minimum of four days a week.

Although COVID-19 is infectious, it is not lethal. It may be a cause of morbidity but not of mortality. So I dont see its relationship with sudden death.

Let all adults ensure that they check their blood pressure; even those who are normotensive, that is, those who do not have hypertension.

Let nobody not relax that he/she is alright. It is advised that everyone checks his/her blood pressure, at least, twice a year, even when he/she is seemingly healthy, he said.

The NMA chairman advised those with hypertension to follow their doctors instructions, adding they should ensure that somebody else checks it for them and that it is not the electronic device, because it can be misleading.

He also stressed the need for regular physical exercise, saying that it could reduce blood pressure and obesity, and that it could keep individuals in good state of health. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nana Musa

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), says the signing of a seven-year 350 million dollars term loan facility will provide financing to OCP Group, the worlds largest phosphate mining and leading fertiliser company.

AfreximbanksHead of Corporate Communications, Amadou Sall, said in a statement that the facility would support OCP Groups expansion plans across Africa.

According to the statement, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, said that the bank was fulfilling its mandate through partnership with a major player in the fertiliser industry and with a strong presence across Africa,

Oramah said that the bank was also fulfilling its mandate of facilitating export development in the continent and promoting intra-African trade and investments.

This is an important transaction which supports the development of Africas agricultural capacity.

OCP Groups products which are tailored to the needs of African farmers will generate broad and deep improvements to the continents ability to compete in international agricultural markets.

This facility also has symbolic value, as it marks the beginning of a productive and close relationship between Afreximbank and OCP Group.

We are delighted to announce this facility as the first demonstration of the strong relationship the Bank enjoys with Morocco, Oramah said.

Sall said that the OCP Group numbers among the worlds largest phosphate producers, with a strong position across all five continents was exporting to more than 160 clients.

He said that over the last decade, the Group had consolidated its position in many African countries.

African player is committed to developing South-South cooperation, placing Africa at the heart of its growth plan to contribute to bolstering the entire African agricultural ecosystem, Sall said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ishaq Zaki

The Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, Mr Abutu Yaro, on Monday commissioned a police outstation at Anguwan Shado/Yandorayi community, in the Tudun Wada Police Division in Gusau Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outstation was built by an engine oil company, IPCONGlobal Resources.

Speaking at the commissioning, Yaro appreciated the management of the company for their support and concern towards security.

On behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), I am happy to commission this new police outstation in this area, built by IPCON Global Resources.

This is a good example of community policing.

This came at the right time when the Nigeria Police, under IGP Muhammad Adamu, have been emphasising on community policing as part of the strategy to fight security challenges facing the state.

As we all know, the issue of security is everybodys responsibility.

I, therefore, commend the company for its focus to partner with the police in the protection of lives and property, he said.

Yaro called on other companies and well-meaning individuals in the state to emulate the company and complement the efforts of government and security agencies in promoting peace and stability in the society.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Sani Mukhtar, said the gesture is part of the civic responsibilities of the company.

Mukhtar noted that the management of the company considered it necessary to complement the efforts of governmentand security agenciesat all levels in the fight against insecurity bedevilling the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abubakar Ahmed

The Zamfara Police Command has redeployed its Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kaura-Namoda, following allegations of fraternizing and conniving with bandits terrorizing the area.

The commands Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Shehu, stated this in a statement made available to journalists, in Gusau, on Monday.

Shehu said, the attention of the Zamfara State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video trending on social media platforms wherein the communities of Kungurki village, in Kaura Namoda LGA, accused the DPO of Kaura Namoda Division of conniving with recalcitrant armed bandits who were makinglife unbearable for the people.

Available records at the command revealed no formal complaint against the DPO in respect of the allegation.

However, the command enjoins members of the public, especially the aggrieved community, that any person or group with credible evidence against the DPO, should come to the Police Command Headquarters and assist in the ongoing investigation.

The DPO, as a custodian of peace and tranquility, has the mandate to interact and engage with the two warring Hausa and Fulani bandit communities to a dialogue so as to strengthen the ongoing peace process of the state government, he said.

He, however, stated that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abutu Yaro has immediately redeployed the DPO to the Police Command Headquarters as OC Provost, while ASP Umar Abdullahi has been appointed as acting DPO of the Division.

Shehu called on members of the public with credible evidence against the former DPO to contact the acting DPO through his phone number, 08162793939. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said that he felt no side effects three days after taking the COVID-19 vaccine injection.

Sanwo-Olu said this at Lagos House, Ikeja, while responding to questions from State House Correspondents on his experience after taking the vaccine on March 12.

The governor received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine alongside the deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso.

Also, health practitioners, frontline workers and some newsmen, among others, took the COVID-19 vaccines at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba,

Sanwo-Olu reassured Lagos residents that the vaccine is safe, hence, they should get vaccinated to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

It has been three days since I got the AstraZeneca vaccine. I can confirm to you that I felt no after effects at all. I didnt have any headache, any malaria or any symptoms whatsoever.

I have taken and Lagos has continued to vaccinate all of our frontline workers. There is nothing to worry about. We encourage others to continue to take the vaccine, he said.

Also, the Deputy Governor, Hamzat, said the he felt no after effects.

No symptoms at all, I didnt feel anything, he said.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Abayomi, however, said that he felt slight pains at the side of the injection a day after taking the vaccine, but was relieved after taking pain relief medicine.

I just took some Panadol, I went to sleep, I did a bit of exercise and then I went to sleep and I woke up yesterday morning and I felt fantastic, he said.

According to him, everybody is different, as some people wont feel anything at all, some people will have a bit of body pain, some may even have shivering, and those are all expected side effects.

He said that such effects were in the literature of the vaccine and had been mentioned to get people prepared, and such effects were just categorised as Adverse Effects of Special Interest and those are very rare.

So, the first type of getting pain at the site of the injection, feeling body pain or headache is normal. Most people will experience something like that if you take the vaccine.

But the one of Special Interest, they are serious, they cause people to collapse, they go into shock, they get severe complications and it can happen with any vaccination, it is not confined to COVID-19.

They are very rare, they happen; maybe one in five million people who will take it will experience anaphylactic reaction. In other words you react to something in the vaccine, you are allergic to one of the chemical carriers.

But we are ready for that. If you notice the kits that we have at the site, it contains steroids and all kinds of medications.

If anybody gets the vaccine and had anaphylactic reaction, the doctors at the site of vaccination are ready to deal with that, Abayomi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government says the National Theatre in Lagos will be run by a competent management team to be known as Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for a period of 21 years after renovation.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Monday in Lagos at a meeting with the management and union leaders of the national theatre.

Mohammed, however, assured the management and workers of the Federal Governments establishment that there would be no job loss within the 15-month renovation deadline, the 21 years under SPV and beyond.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Feb. 14, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria/Bankers Committee for the revamp and restoration of the National Theatre.

Also signed was a N22 billion contract awards for the revamping of the National Theatre as well as the creation of creative and fashion hubs within the premises which will be linked with Lagos Blue Rail line.

The minister said the bankers committee is funding the project, to be delivered in 15 months, under its statutory corporate social responsibility programme which is not for profit making.

The highlight of the MoU is that the CBN and the Bankers Committee will invest the initial sum of N22 billion to renovate and upgrade the national theatre and they will deliver it in 15 months.

Although, they are funding the project under corporate social responsibility, but they are also going to be responsible and accountable for the money.

Therefore, after renovation the National Theatre will be run by competent management team for a period of 21 years, he said.

The minister said the MoU is structured in such a way that the ministry and the bankers committee would provide two representatives each in the management team.

Mohammed said he had nominated the General Manager/CEO of the national theatre, Prof. Sunday Ododo, as a member of the team to protect the interest of the workers.

This development will not lead to any loss of job rather it will enhance the performance of the workers.

Salaries will be paid as and when due, your promotion, career progression, job security and entitlements are all guaranteed under the arrangement.

I see this as win-win situation because the Federal Government does not have the fund to maintain or renovate the edifice, he said.

The union leaders asked the minister if government would not renege on its promise and there will be no repeat of what happened to PHCN workers who were disengaged after privatisation of the power sector in 2013.

The minister said the scenario is completely different as government is not privatising the National Theatre as it was done to PHCN.

Under the CBN Act, every bank pays a percentage of its profit yearly in a pool and they decide what they will use the money for.

Sometimes, they build hospitals, roads, or go to orphanages, but this year they decided to invest in creative industry.

The project is under corporate social responsibility and not privatisation.

Besides, you are on the payroll of government not the SPV, so you will not be disengaged or owe salaries.

I seek for your cooperation to allow the contractors do their jobs, he said.

Earlier, the National Theatre boss thanked the minister for his vision to ensure the national monument regains its lost glory. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigerian music star Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, whose entry won the Best Global Music Album category in the 2021 Grammy awards.

The presidents congratulatory message is contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday.

He noted that Burna Boy had made notable contributions in the field of music which the world has come to recognise.

Congratulations to Burna Boy on being conferred the 2021 Grammy, the worlds most prestigious musical awards.

He has made notable contributions in the field of music which have brought glory to Nigerians at home and abroad. We are proud of his path-breaking achievements, he said.

The president also congratulated Wizkid who emerged as a joint winner of the Grammy Awards in a different category.

He acknowledged the efforts of forerunners like King Sunny Ade and Femi Kuti whose creative exertions earned them Grammy nominations, paved the way and brought Nigerian music to global reckoning.

According to the president, the record breaking musical achievements are recognition of the Nigerian creative talents and the awards will open doors to other aspiring citizens. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday hosted Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, newly selected Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), expressing Nigerias appreciation to the world over her selection.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents spokesman in a statement in Abuja, said that the president told the visiting WTO boss that in spite of the robust support Nigeria gave to her candidacy for the position, she also deserved the selection.

He said: We are happy you made it, but you earned it with your record of performance both at home and abroad.

I congratulate you, as well as the country. I know you will represent us so well.

The president said Okonjo-Iweala was putting Nigeria more on the world map.

He lauded Nigerian women once again, pointing to key positions they hold like Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and many others.

He said the same way, government would encourage the youth, so that they can be ready for the challenges of the future.

The new WTO D-G thanked President Buhari for the pulsating support she received from her own country in the race for the position.

You nominated me, you wrote hundreds of letters, called up hundreds of world leaders. Without your personal and direct intervention, it may not have worked.

The people of Nigeria also supported me massively. The youth were wonderful, always encouraging, backing me up on social media.

Mr President, the world recognises what you have done. Since its establishment, only men have led the WTO.

Now, a woman has emerged for the first time, and shes a Nigerian. We are so honoured, Dr Okonjo-Iweala said.

She apprised the president of the opportunities for Nigeria in the global organisation, as well as the challenges, stressing that WTO will do more to help Nigeria, but we need to add value to our products in order to trade more.

We should exploit all the opportunities in front of us.

She added that the support and leadership of President Buhari would help her a lot in her position as D-G.

Okonjo-Iweala later told State House correspondents that she visited the Presidential Villa to discuss with President Buhari on how best the WTO could work with Nigeria to uplift the quality of life of its citizens.

She said she had discussions in many areas with the president on what the WTO could do to improve the Nigerian economy.

According to her, there is a unique opportunity for the country to improve its standing in trade and add value to its products especially agriculture.

I have come here to also discuss with Mr President what the WTO can do to work with Nigeria to improve her economy and her economic situations and we talked about a number of issues, she said.

Okonjo-Iweala allayed fears that embracing the free trade policy of the WTO would harm Nigerias economic diversification drive.

According to her, special and differential treatment can be applied to prevent vulnerable countries from collapsing under trade competition.

The WTO boss, who assumed office on March 1, 2021 as its first female D-G, however, added that the special treatment would not be forever as such countries would have to eventually open up for competition.

She further maintained that duties could be applied on imports to prevent the country from being a dumping ground.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the General Council of WTO on Feb. 15, agreed by consensus to select Okonjo-Iweala as the seventh Director-General of the global trade club.

Okonjo-Iweala became the first woman and the first African to lead the Organisation from March 1, and her term, renewable, will expire on Aug. 31, 2025.

She had emerged the consensus candidate following the Feb. 5, withdrawal of Yoo Myung-hee, from Republic of Korea, from the race.

The Korean was initially backed by the erstwhile Donald Trump U.S. administration which refused to join the consensus around the Nigerian former Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister.

The U.S. Trade Representative extended strong support to Okonjo-Iwealas candidacy after President Joe Biden defeated the incumbent, Trump, in his re-run for the countrys Presidency on Nov. 3, 2020. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The governors of the 36 states in Nigeria, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) will meet on Wednesday to discuss issues related to petrol subsidy and COVID-19 vaccines.

The governors made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the Head, Media and Public Affairs of NGF Secretariat.

The forums spokesperson said the emergency meeting would be held virtually.

Bello-Barkindo said that Gov. Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State, who is the Chairman of NGF Committee on Subsidy on petrol, would brief his colleagues before any decisions on the supply and or retailing of the product was taken.

He added that various issues revolving around the COVID-19 vaccines rolled out would feature prominently in the 28th teleconference meeting.

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Chairman NGF Committee said that the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 would brief his colleagues on the situation with the vaccines rolled out and their attendant encumbrances.

On his part, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi, will update his colleagues on the outcome of his meeting with the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities.

The educationists met the forums chairman last week and presented a number of requests which they believed would improve education at the subnational level.

Bello-Barkindo added that the governors would also listen to the activities of the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum.

He said that the meeting, which would commence by 2p.m. would also play host to three external presentations.

He said one of the presentations would be made by the new National Drug Law Enforcement Boss, General Buba Marwa, on Managing the Drug Crisis.

The Department for International Development (DFID) will be making a presentation on the NNPC Audit reports and what the states should know.

Bello-Barkindo added that the last presentation, would be speaking to trade facilitation in Nigeria through e-customs and a Public Private Partnership (PPP) structure in partnership with the British High Commission. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ramatu Garba

The Kano State Government has arrested 200 street beggars and Almajiri children for allegedly violating the Law banning street begging in the state.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Zahrau Muhammad-Umar, made the disclosure in Kano on Monday.

The word Almajiri refers to the children of the non formal Quranic schools commonly found in northern Nigeria.

Muhammad-Umar said that following the ban on street begging in the state, the ministry arrested the beggars and almajiri children in Kano metropolis with 60 per cent being women, children and men, and 30 per cent almajiri.

Some of those arrested sleep under bridge while some on the streets.

Most of the beggars and almajiri children are from Kaduna, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe, among others while only few are from Kano State, the commissioner said.

Muhammad-Umar noted that the decision to arrest the street beggars was to safeguard their future and make Kano State and Nigeria a better place for all.

We noticed that because Kano is peaceful, that is why they came. It is very dangerous to leave them on the streets without knowing their parents, adding that bad behaviour is mostly found among the beggars.

We will continue to arrest them to ensure sanity and rid the streets of all forms of crimes, she said.

She explained that those arrested from other states would be transported to their states on March 16, and handed over to their parents.

The commissioner said the state would render some assistance so that the almajiri children could go back to school.

Meanwhile, the commissioner said the ministry also re-arrested a woman that was given N10,000 empowerment to enable her to be self reliant but continued begging.

I personally gave her N10,000 from my hard earned money and she promised to stop street begging. I will make sure she is prosecuted.

While calling for closer collaboration with the government to curb street begging and urged the people of the state, especially women, to take care of their children to be good citizens.

Muhammad-Umar also advocated for legislation on prosecution of street beggars.

NAN recalls that the Kano State Government on Feb. 5, arrested 500 beggars and transported them to their various communities and also empowered 60 beggars with different entrepreneurial skills. (NAN)

Source: NAN News