Blood Pressure (BP) test

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Rotary Club of Abuja Cosmopolitan, District 9125, on Saturday held sensitisation and free test on Blood Pressure (BP) for traders in Garki International Market, Abuja.

The President of the club, Ms Chinwe Ogbuka, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), shortly after the exercise, said it was to help the traders know their blood pressure status.

Ogbuka said that the target was to test at least 200 market women, but getting to the market the gesture was extended to every interested person.

She said that the club knew that many traders did not have time to check their blood pressure or visit the hospital except when they were sick.

We are here to check the blood pressure of women and men, because we know that it is one of the causes of sudden death of people these days.

So many people will wake up feeling weak, having headache, and other symptoms.

Some do not even know if their BP is high, low or normal. They just continue with their daily activities. That is why we hear of sudden death.

So, we decided to carry out this check by doctors for people to know if their blood pressure is normal, if there is problem or such tendency. The doctors check and advise them based on their status, she said.

Ogbuka said that the exercise was limited to sensitisation, checking of status, advice from medical doctors and entertainments, while those with challenges were advised to go to hospital for appropriate drugs to manage the pressure.

She expressed optimism that with the exercise, many traders would start going for regular check of their blood pressure.

The incoming President of the club, Simeon Ajuedu, said the spate of sudden death in the country informed the decision for the exercise.

You see somebody, a young man lively, they said he just went to work today, he came back and went to bed, he did not wake up in the morning.

You even hear that some went into the bathroom and died or suddenly developed stroke or whatever.

So we felt that we should intervene because we know that blood pressure is one of the major causes of sudden death, he said.

Ajuedu also listed other recent health interventions by the organisation to include free eye test and free eye glasses.

He said that Rotary Club also played major role in the recent certification of Nigeria as polio free country.

We are still campaigning against polio because as long as there is still one person in the world with polio, it is still possible that it can be exported.

So, we are not letting down our guards. we are making sure that every child gets immunised against polio, Ajuedu said.

Former president of the club and wife of former Minister of Health, Mrs Osinachi Buchi-Chukwu, said the programme was brought to the market because of the busy schedule of the traders.

According to her, when people are well-informed, they will be able to take care of themselves.

Buchi-Chukwu said there was need for more people to embrace health insurance and take good care of their lives.

Dr Koli Chinedu, one of the medical doctors that attended to the beneficiaries, said about five per cent of people attended to had blood pressure related challenges.

Chinedu categorised factors responsible for high blood pressures into primary and secondary factors.

The primary, according to him, include peoples lifestyles and hereditary, while secondary include peoples health conditions.

For persons that have a family history of hypertension, Chinedu advised them to go to the hospital once in a while to do basic tests to check if they have high blood pressure.

I also recommend common lifestyle modification, exercise, eating of good food and then avoiding certain lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol, he said.

Some of the beneficiaries commended Rotary Club for the gesture, urging other organisations, corporate bodies to emulate the club in helping humanity, especially the less privilege.

One of the beneficiaries, MrUwaegbulem, a driver, said he was happy to know his blood pressure level.

I did not know my blood level before, but when they checked me and said that my BP was okay, they gave me advice on how to maintain it.

I am happy, I will go and tell my other colleagues to come and check theirs, he said (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Tug of war between Female soldiers and barrack women at the WASA2020 of the 7 Brigade Battalion at Lungi Barracks Abuja on 28/11/2020

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), has urged officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army to maintain high level of discipline and loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and the constitution.

Sarham made the call at the 7 Brigade Battalion West African Social Activities (WASA) 2020, at Lungi Barracks, Abuja on Saturday.

The military officer said that the Guards Brigade had remained the hub of regimentation, while 7 Guards Battalion had always set the pace.

He also implored the personnel to demonstrate high level of regimentation in the discharge of their duties.

Sarham commended the brigade for the conduct of the WASA celebration, adding that the quality of the event gave credence to the high standard the battalion was known for.

According to him, the ceremony has achieved its purpose of creating a relaxed atmosphere for both officers and soldiers as well as their families, given the fact that the year had been tough with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

To the officers and soldiers of 7 Battalion, I hereby congratulate you for seeing the end of another demanding, but yet successful, year.

Let me use this opportunity to implore you all to remain peaceful and continue to abide by all existing regulations as well as instructions that may be passed to you from time to time, he said.

The Commanding Officer, 7 Brigade Battalion, Lt.-Col. Muktar Daroda, in a remark, said that WASA was a military regimental event aimed at creating conducive atmosphere for officers, soldiers and their families at the end of a rigorous training year.

Daroda said the event was also aimed at promoting cultural integration among members of the barracks community.

He said that WASAs origin dated back to World War 2 period when the indigenous Nigerian army frontier celebrated their cultural heritage at the end of every year.

The Commanding Officer said that the colonial authorities instituted the event, adding that the Nigerian army had sustained and made it a recurring feature annually.

He said the battalion was marking the social activities for the first time in 2020.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the activity featured cultural dances by different ethnic groups, lighting of camp fire as well as raffle draws.

Part of the activities was a tug of war between female soldiers and barrack women. The barrack women won. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Hissein Brahim Taha

Chadian career diplomat, Hissein Brahim Taha, has been appointed by consensus as the Secretary General of the Organisation for the Islamic Conference (OIC).

His appointment was made on Saturday at the 47th session of the Committee of OIC Foreign Ministers that opened Friday in Niamey, Niger.

Taha, who succeeds Yousef bin Ahmed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Othaimeen of Saudi Arabia, was born in 1951 in Abch, a town in Eastern Chad.

He held several positions, including that of first adviser at the Chadian embassy in Saudi Arabia; ambassador in Taipeh (Taiwan) and France, before becoming minister of Foreign Affairs, then Deputy Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic of Chad since January 2019.

Congratulations to our compatriot, Ambassador Hissein Brahim Taha on his appointment as head of the OIC General Secretariat.

A huge pride for the country, I wish him every success in carrying out this exhilarating mission, Chadian Head of State Idriss Deby Itno tweeted.

The OIC, the second largest organisation after the United Nations with 57 member states in four continents, is the voice of the Muslim world created by decision at the summit in Rabat, Morocco, on September 25, 1969. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara

By Ibrahim G. Ahmad

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed optimism that it would win Bakura State House of Assembly by-election.

Governor Bello Matawalle declared this on Saturday in Bakura town at the inauguration of PDP campaign for Bakura constituency by-election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduled to conduct the by-election for Bakura constituency on Dec. 5, following the death of the former lawmaker, Tukur Jekada.

Matawalle represented by the Deputy Governor, Mahadi Aliyu-Gusau commended people of the area for supporting the PDP.

He said PDP was optimistic to winning the election considering the strong grassroots support of the party in the area.

He urged the constituents to come out in their large numbers and vote for the partys candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur.

He also urged people of Bakura local government area to remain calm and law abiding.

I urged you to avoid violence and political thuggery.

The State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, commended the PDP leaders and supporters in Bakura local government area for supporting the party.

Danfulani described the PDP candidate as responsible and someone with vital experience.

Also speaking the Sole Administrator of Bakura local government, Alhaji Abubakar Dammri, assured that people of the area would demonstrate their loyalty to PDP and the candidate on the day of election.

The PDP candidate for the by-election, Ibrahim Tukur, assured good representation if voted for the state assembly seat. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mrs Hannah Olugbodi showing her leg allegedly damaged by SARS stray bullet

By Moji Eniola

A 35-year-old hairstylist, Mrs Hannah Olugbodi, has narrated before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the activities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), how her left leg was allegedly shattered by a SARS stray bullet.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while being led in evidence by her counsel, Mr Hakeem Fadun, she told the panel that her left leg was hit by the stray bullet on June 6, 2018, at a market near her home in Ijesha, Lagos.

She said that the stray bullet was from some SARS officers attempting to arrest a suspected internet fraudster allegedly resisting arrest at the nearby Oguncity Hotel.

She said that due to the alleged resistance, members of the disbanded police unit fired weapons at the hotel which was close to the market.

The mother of two said that at 8.00p.m., she had come back from work and gone to the market to buy some food stuffs.

My house is close to Ijesha Market, I was hit where I stood, by a stray bullet.

In the commotion, some market people asked where I lived and my husbands name. I told them and they went to get him; then I fainted, she testified.

The witness said that when she opened her eyes, she was in a car being rushed by her husband, Oluwaseun, and some family members to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

She said that there was no bed space at LUTH and she was treated inside a bus.

She told the panel that she was later taken into a ward.

The doctor asked if I had money. He said the chances of saving my leg was 50 per cent.

He said if my husband had money, it could be managed but if not, it would be amputated and that he would need to perform four surgeries.

The first surgery involved the use of iron on the leg. The bullet affected my bone, the doctor said the second surgery would involve cutting off my bone because the bone did not survive.

The leg did not heal because we did not have money and my doctor, Dr Alabi, said we needed skin graft.

After getting money, we did the third surgery and they cut my thigh open; since then I have not been able to work, she said.

The alleged victim said that since the incident, life had been difficult for her and her family, adding that she had been rendered jobless.

Sometimes, the leg will be paining me and I will be crying. The doctor said the after two years, I should come back for a plastic surgery.

For two years, I have been unable to work.

We wrote to the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Justice but got no response, she said.

She said that her husband made some enquiries about the SARS officers from the divisional police officer in Ijesha, who informed him that the SARS officers came from Gbagada.

While being cross-examined by police counsel, Mr Joseph Eboseremem, she insisted that though she did not have a ballistics report, the stray bullet that hit her was from SARS.

Her husband, Oluwaseun, a taxi driver, who was also cross-examined by Eboseremem, was told by the police counsel that contrary to the claims of his wife, there was no SARS Unit at Gbagada, Lagos.

Do you have anything to show this panel that there was a shooting? I put it to you that you came to this panel to speculate, the police counsel said.

Responding, Oluwaseun said, I know them, they are SARS, they usually come regularly to our area.

They were the ones who were shooting. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ekiti monarchs in a meeting

By Ariwodola Idowu

The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, on Saturday lamented the killing of a first-class Oba in Ondo State by unidentified gunmen, describing it as worrisome and against the Yoruba tradition and custom.

The council, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado Ekiti by its Chairman and the Alaawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, described the manner of the death of the Oba as most unfortunate and regrettable.

According to the council, the sudden death of the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Adegoke Adeusi, on Nov. 26, 2020, is shocking and calls for concern.

Oba Alabi said that it was embarrassing and painful that the Olufon was killed by unknown gunmen while on his way to his domain after an official engagement. He prayed that God will grant his soul eternal rest.

The Chairman of the Council said the ugly development and the rude manner of the death of Oba Adeusi had further buttressed the point that the issue of insecurity in the country should be handled with the utmost seriousness it deserved.

He called on the Federal and state governments to further increase adequate air and land surveillance to be able to identify the hideouts of the criminals for appropriate action.

He also called on all Nigerians to be security conscious and be ready to support government in the onerous task of ensuring security in the different communities.

He commiserated with Ondo State Council of Traditional rulers, the Government and people of the state on the killing of the first-class traditional ruler.

The Chairman also consoled with members of the immediate family of the late Oba Olufon, praying God to grant them the fortitude to bear the great loss.

He said that this is the time for Amotekun to commence its operations across the South West geopolitical zone as a panacea for insecurity in the zone, especially during the yuletide season. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State

Alaba-Olusola Oke

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Friday presented a budget of N159 billion for the 2021 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

The budget, tagged Budget of Hope, is slightly higher than the 2020 budget, which was initially N187 billion before it was reviewed downward to N151 billion in September, due to the economic realities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Represented by Mr Emmanuel Igbasan, the states Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Akeredolu stated that recurrent expenditure was N103. 022 billion, while the capital expenditure estimates amounted to N56.267 billion.

The governor disclosed that the projected spending was made up of expectations of N34.413 billion from Statutory Allocation, N11.584 billion from Mineral Derivation, N12.926 billion from Value Added Tax, N28.581 billion from Internal Revenue, N12.501 billion from Grants, N42.072 billion from other capital receipts and N18.719 billion.

Giving a breakdown of the capital expenditure estimates on sectoral basis , the governor said the economic sector would account for N32,448,473,194.07 or 57.15 per cent of the budget, while the Social sector will gulp 28.85 per cent of the budget equivalent to N16,379,604.348.52.

The Administration Sector accounts N6,727,054,724.80 billion or 11.85 per cent of the budget, followed by the Law and Justice Sector at N1,219,000,000.00 billion or 2.15 per cent of the budget.

According to him, the financial projection is predicated on some of the assumptions contained in the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework document of the state, and the major objective of the 2021 estimates remained the consolidation of the modest gains of the last three and half years.

The governor noted that the current economic reality had necessitated that the government must consciously and pragmatically rearrange its fiscal priorities to target the growth drivers of its economy, as such it had structured its priorities in the most practical terms to generate the highest mileage from every naira spent.

He, however, lamented that the government was not in a position to reduce its recurrent commitment because of personnel related costs.

We cannot reduce recurrent expenditure beyond certain level because of personal costs, taking cognisance of newly recruited medical personnel and the almost concluded primary school teachers recruitment in the state, he said.

Reacting to the budget, Mr Bamidele Oloyelogun, the Speaker of the assembly, thanked the governor for successfully transmitting the budget and for the attention given to sectors in the state.

Oloyelogun described the governor as a hallmark of good leadership that was committed to the development of the state, pledging that the assembly would do justice to the content of the budget. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

High-ranking Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has been assassinated, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday.

Fakhrizadeh was shot and injured by terrorists in his vehicle in Ab-Sard, a suburb in eastern Tehran, and later succumbed to his injuries in what amounted to a martyrs death, the ministry said.

Local authorities had confirmed Fakhrizadehs death several hours earlier and also said that several attackers were killed.

Fakhrizade, 63, had been a member of Irans Revolutionary Guard and was an expert in missile production.

Fars news agency said this was why Israeli secret services had long sought to eliminate him.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said there was evidence pointing to the involvement of Israel in the assassination, but it was unclear who exactly conducted the hit.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had specifically mentioned Fakhrizadeh by name in a 2018 presentation about Irans nuclear programme.

Irans ambassador to the United Nations (UN) in New York, Majid Takht Ravanchi, wrote in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council on Friday that several top Iranian scientists had been killed in terrorist attacks over the past decade, and said certain foreign quarters were responsible.

He called the cowardly assassination of Fakhrizadeh an attempt to wreak havoc on the region and disrupt Irans development in the fields of science and technology.

Confirmation of the killing comes amid fresh concern about the amount of enriched uranium the country is producing.

Enriched uranium is a key component for both nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons.

In 2015, a deal with world powers placed limits on the production of enriched uranium, but U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned the deal three years later, prompting Tehran to incrementally renege on its terms.

Earlier on Friday, Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation (AEOI) spokesman Behrus Kamalwandi caused confusion by denying reports of the death, saying, our nuclear scientists are all well.

The confusion arose because Fakhrizadeh had left the AEOI and had been working at the research and technological development department of the Foreign Ministry.

UN chief Guterres called for restraint after the killing.

We have noted the reports that an Iranian nuclear scientist has been assassinated near Tehran today, UN spokesman Farhan Haq told dpa on Friday.

We urge restraint and the need to avoid any actions that could lead to an escalation of tensions in the region, Haq added. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

U.S. President Donald Trump

A federal appeals court in Pennsylvania has rejected an appeal by U.S. President Donald Trump in a lawsuit alleging massive voter fraud, saying that his campaigns fraud claims have no merit.

Calling an election unfair does not make it so.

Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here, Judge Stephanos Bibas wrote.

Bibas, appointed to the court by Trump in 2017, also called free and fair elections the lifeblood of the countrys democracy.

The Trump teams attorney, Jenna Ellis, was not cowed by the decision.

The activist judicial machinery in Pennsylvania continues to cover up the allegations of massive fraud, she claimed on Twitter.

Ellis also pledged to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington: On to SCOTUS! Ellis tweeted.

A week ago, the lower court had rejected an injunction by the Trump team to prevent Pennsylvania from certifying the election results.

Trumps lawsuit had also aimed to potentially invalidate millions of absentee ballots.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann rejected the suit, saying that Trumps lawyers had presented only strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations and these had been unsupported by evidence.

The arguments and evidence presented would not even have been enough to declare invalid the vote of a single voter, the judge wrote.

Our people, our laws and institutions demand more, the judge wrote further.

Trump has steadfastly refused to admit defeat, claiming massive electoral fraud in the Nov. 3 election.

However, he has not provided any solid evidence for this.

For this reason, judges in several states have already dismissed several of his lawsuits. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCDC Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) update

reports that Nigeria had tested 756,237 persons since the first confirmed case was announced on Feb. 27.

The agency, however, said that there were two confirmed deaths within the last 24 hours, with 101 patients discharged from isolation centers across the country.

Source: NAN News