By Abujah Racheal

A team of researchers at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) in Nigeria have discovered over three million variations of gene types providing new insights into gene-causing diseases and migration tracking.

Prof. Clement Adebamowo, who led the study, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

Adebamowo, a Principal Investigator of the African Collaborative Centre for Microbiome and Genetic Research (ACCME) at the Institute, said that the research sought to characterise variations in multiple African populations in much more detailed way.

He said that the study identified 3.4 million new variations in the genome that would help in new discoveries of genes that cause diseases and those that determine how we interact with drugs.

This is necessary because the African population is the oldest human population, so we need to know the type of variations that are present therein to better understand variations that we see in other human populations he added.

The study, which focused on the Berom ethnic group in Plateau, sought to explore the detailed genetic variation in African populations so as to better understand the populations that constitute our countries in Africa.

He said that in this particular study for the Nigerian population, the researchers found dramatic differences in the genome of the Berom people in Plateau State.

What we found was that the Berom people came to the current location in modern Nigeria by migrating from East Africa about 1,500 to 2,000 years ago.

That is interesting because they are genomically different from their surrounding tribes and cultural groups.

Its always helpful to have these kinds of information because the distribution of genomic variants in that population may be different in a systematic way from that of the groups around them.

That may explain the distribution of diseases and distribution of drug reactions that we see in that population, he said.

Adebamowo said that the study was also carried out in order to better understand the distribution of diseases and health outcomes in populations, as well as determine, to a large extent, many characteristics.

Genes are responsible for how tall you are, whether you are fat or thin and also what types of common diseases and rare diseases you can get.

We may see certain genes common in, say, a population in the Middle East but that gene is not common in a population in West Africa.

If that gene causes a specific disease then that disease will be more common in Middle Eastern population than in the West African population, he said.

He added that the knowledge that certain genetic variations were common in a population and are associated with a specific disease would help the authorities plan testing programmes and identify people who may have that variation.

That would make it easier to intervene and prevent them from having diseases associated with that variation.

It is also good to know the pattern of variations that are threatening, as that would enable one to choose a treatment and predict the impact that the treatment would have on the patient.

For example, by looking at the variations of genome, you can decide which anti-hypertensive drug will work best for this person versus the other person, or which type of side effects different persons would have.

When people take drugs, they want to have maximal effect and they want to be able to have as low a number of side effects as possible. So, determining that at the genomic level is highly beneficial, Adebamowo explained.

He noted that the use of genomics to trace ancestry and ethno linguistic groups was also beneficial because it helps Nigerians to understand the distribution of population.

Why do we have this population in this location, what is their relation at the genomic and anthropological level with their surrounding population? Those are usually very good things to know, he said.

Adebamowo disclosed that the variations that were observed by the study had been stored in a public data base so as to enable researchers in Nigeria and other parts of the world have access to the data and use it for their own research and explore research questions.

There are tonnes of research questions that this data alone can be used to answer. We have data and genomic information on at least 400 other ethno-linguistic groups in Nigeria so we are currently analysing that data.

We will be publishing on the relationship, the migration and distribution of disease-causing genes in at least 200 to 250 different tribes.

That is something that we are very excited about and we are looking forward to doing very shortly, He said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

CAF Logo

President of Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Augustin Senghor, has joined the race for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

This was disclosed in Dakar, Senegal, on Friday by the newspaper, Sud Quotidien, according to reliable sources.

Senghor submitted his candidacy just before the deadline of Nov. 12, and becomes the fifth candidate to contest for the position of head of African soccer which election takes place on March 12, 2021, in Rabat, Morocco.

The incumbent, Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar, who dethroned Issa Hayatou of Cameroon in 2017, was the first to declare his interest in the post.

Other contestants are former president of the Ivorian Football Federation, Jacques Anouma, the wealthy president of the Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Patrice Motsepe, and the president of the Mauritanian Football Federation, Ahmed Yahya, a member of the Executive Committee of the CAF. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

UN-Secretary-General-Antnio-Guterres

By Cecilia Ologunagba

UN has urged countries around the world to strengthen health system as the number of people with diabetes surges while many are at increased risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.

UN Secretary-General AntnioGuterres made the call on Saturday in his message to commemorate the World Diabetes Day, globally celebrated on Nov. 14.

Many efforts have been made to prevent and treat diabetes, but the disease continues to rise rapidly in low and middle income countries, those least well-equipped with the diagnostics, medicines, and knowledge to provide life-saving treatment.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.

The UN Chief quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO) latest figures said some 422 million adults were living with diabetes compared to around 108 million in 1980 rising from 4.7 to 8.5 per cent in the adult population.

This reflects an increase in associated risk factors, such as being overweight or obese.

Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation.

COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional pain to those requiring regular care and treatment who struggle to access therapies for their condition.

A healthy diet, physical activity and not smoking can prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes, formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes, he said.

However, he said the disease could be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and treatment for complications.

Next year, WHO is launching the Global Diabetes Compact, a new initiative that will bring structure and coherence to our complementary efforts to reduce the burden of diabetes.

Let us work together to make sure that, through this ambitious and much-needed collaboration, we will soon be talking about the decline in diabetes as a public health problem, Guterres said.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2020 is The Nurse and Diabetes, is aimed at raising awareness around the crucial role of these health care professionals in supporting people living with diabetes.

According to him, Nurses, who currently account for over half of the global health workforce, also help people living with a wide range of health concerns.
People living with diabetes face a number of challenges, and education is vital to equip nurses with the skills to support them.
As we strive to overcome the pandemic, let us do our utmost to ensure Universal Health Coverage, strengthen health systems and advance good health and resilience for all.

Source: NAN News

Nigerias Senate under Ahmed Lawan

By Kingsley Okoye

The Senate has noted with satisfaction the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020 (BOFIA) following the passage of the bill by the senate.

Sen. Ajibola Basiru (APC Osun), Chairman, Senate Committee on Media in a statement on Saturday, said the enactment of the BOFIA followed many other bills passed by the senate on critical areas of the economy.

According to him, the bills passed are relevant to the nations development.

Basiru stressed that assent to the BOFIA has effectively repealed the 1991 edition and expected to rejuvenate the financial system and enhance the overall development of the nations economy.

The work which has gone into the passage of this bill, like some previously assented to by Mr President, underscores the determination of the 9th Assembly to focus on the path of economic growth and development of our country.

By this law, banks and financial institutions will be able to offer productive sectors of the economy, quality banking and financial services as well as ensure recovery of non-performing loans, he said.

He listed some of the bills which have been passed by senate that are of direct relevance to the resuscitation of the national economy to include, the Petroleum Profit Tax Act, Company and Allied Matters Act and Finance Act.

Other bills are Police Act, Deep Offshore and Profit Sharing Contract Act, among others.

Basiru, however, noted that the senate under the leadership of Sen. President, Ahmed Lawan was bent on working tirelessly for the good of Nigerians.

He said the senate was carrying out a systemic turn around of moribund acts in the statutes books into vibrant laws, in consonance with modern day economic reality. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NAPTIP boss Julie Okah-Donli

By Aderogba George

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it will begin to monitor the usage of the UN Voluntary Trust Fund meant for the protection of trafficking victims in Nigeria.

The NAPTIP Director-General, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

She said that funds meant for the protection of victims of trafficking were not being put to proper use by some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who were the major beneficiaries of the fund in the country.

Okah-Donli, who was recently appointed as member of the UN Office on Drug and Crimes (UNODC), further noted that most NGOs involved in human trafficking activities were not utilising funds allocated to them appropriately.

She, therefore, pledged to use her position as a member of the UNODC board to monitor activities of such NGOs and possibly change the narrative.

She explained that we were recently informed that Nigeria had been a beneficiary of this very important trust fund for a long time, the UN work directly with these NGOs who are into activities concerning human trafficking.

Now that I am in the board, I will use my position to monitor the use of the fund to ensure that it is used for the right purpose.

The director general said it was regrettable that some of the NGOs were not even registered with the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), the body in charge of such NGOs.

Okah-Donli pleaded with NGOs who were confused about the use of the fund to come to NAPTIP and enquire.

She added that a committee on victims trust fund would soon be inaugurated by the agency to assist and make the evacuation of stranded victims abroad easy.

According to her, NAPTIP will take the drivers seat to oversee the activities of partner agencies.

The UN Secretary General recently announced Okah-Donlis appointment as member of the UNODC.

She was appointed alongside four others from Philippines, Armenia, Belgium and Panama to manage the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for the protection of victims of trafficking, with full respect to their human rights. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Coronavirus

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the African continent has reached 1,930,981 with a death toll of 46,505 as of Friday.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

A total of 1,634,235 people infected with COVID-19 have recovered across the continent so far, according to the continental disease control and prevention agency.

The most COVID-19 affected African countries in terms of the number of positive cases include South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, and Ethiopia, figures from the Africa CDC show.

The southern Africa region is the most COVID-19 affected region both in terms of the number of confirmed positive cases as well as the number of deaths, it was noted.

The northern Africa region is the second most COVID-19-affected African region, according to the Africa CDC. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian Stock Exchange building

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday announced that it had retained its ISO 27001:2013 certification for Information Security Management System (ISMS) in the 2020 surveillance audit by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the bourse said it was first certified in 2015 to be in full compliance with the applicable controls developed to meet the control objectives of the ISMS standard and that it had been re-certified now for five consecutive years.

Mr Rasaq Ozemede, Chief Risk Officer, NSE, said in the statement that the Exchange was particularly delighted, especially as it relied on digital infrastructure.

We are delighted to retain this International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification from the British Standards Institution, especially at this time of heavy reliance on our digital infrastructure as we operate remotely.

This is indeed a testament to our continued commitment to deploying robust and secure information processing systems, policies and procedures across our value chain to ensure that stakeholders information is fully protected.

In acknowledgment of ISO 27001:2013 as the most stringent certification for information security management, we will keep improving and deepening our information security initiatives to ensure we remain safe and secure in the light of emerging business needs and the challenging security landscape, he said.

The statement read in part: ISO 27001:2013, ISMS certification by the BSI is the international standard of best practice for managing confidentiality, integrity and availability of information assets.

It is a framework which helps organizations manage and protect their information assets so that they maintain the highest levels of safety and security.

While the International Organization for Standardization is an independent, standard-setting body which promotes worldwide proprietary, industrial and commercial standards, the British Standards Institution is reputed for providing assessment and certification to management system standards across 150 economies globally, it explained.

According to the statement, BSI validated that the ISMS at the Exchange meets the requirements of the ISO and that the practice within the Exchange is effective and efficient, and has continued to meet its intended objectives. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday restated its commitment to providing quality market data to help investors make informed and healthy investment decisions.

Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, made the assertion during the Market Data Workshop held by the exchange in partnership with Infoware Limited on Friday in Lagos.

The workshop, themed: Handling Shocks in the Capital Market: A Quantitative Approach to risk management using Market Data, was held virtually.

Onyema, in his address of welcome, spoke on the usefulness of quality market data provided by the Exchange via deployment of innovative technologies.

He said it gave up to date pricing data to investors locally and internationally.

Given the importance of market data in investment decisions, the exchange has strengthened its position in creating innovative products and platforms for engaging stakeholders, Onyema said.

He said that the NSE delivered real time data using innovative technology to provide up to date pricing data to traders and risk managers who are active in many different markets to fill their application for real time monitoring of their investments.

Portfolio managers rely on NSE real time data for their investment portfolio applications, which helps determine their exposure to their portfolio using this scenario analysis and portfolio evaluation.

Due to the ease of access, traders are able to focus more on recalibration of their stock positions, he said.

Onyema noted that COVID-19 pandemic affected global economies and financial markets and specifically had a negative impact on the Nigerian capital market.

This, he said, necessitated use of new technologies.

The ongoing pandemic has sent shock waves to global economies and financial markets with far reaching and uncertain ramifications.

In Nigeria, equities market recorded negative performance in the Q1 of the year with the All Share Index (ASI) posting a quarterly return of negative 20.65 per cent in Q1 of 2020.

This was a steep decline from -1.24 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

However, the market saw an upswing since April 2020, and has so far gained 31.67% year to date to the current level of 35,342.46.

This surprising feat particularly during the pandemic in addition to favourable policy environment can be attributed to smart investors bargain hunting and the release of positive year financial results of several listed companies coupled with improved dividend declarations.

It demonstrates the opportunities that abounds in the market for discerning investors even in the time of crisis and underscores the importance of quality market data for investment decision making.

The shift to digital was necessitated by the current global corona virus pandemic and it is one of the numerous innovations of change at the NSE since the onset in March, he said.

Onyema said that this years workshop was more critical, to examine how investors and key market players were using predictive analysis and quantitative strategies to mitigate risks.

He said it was also to examine how they were unlocking emerging opportunities and high value returns during the pandemic, empowered by NSEs market data.

Ms Anita Gopaldas, Market Data Sales, Market Services of the NSE, said that market data was an integral ingredient in price formation processes vital to efficiency of the capital market.

Gopaldas said: We have seen major advancements in technology, market structure and scope of services offered in terms of the increase in trading activities across most if not all, asset classes.

Market data is an integral ingredient in the price formation process which is vital for efficient functioning of the capital market.

The NSE market services provides professional and non professionals with quality real time and historical data report for analysis, research and reporting purposes.

We have leveraged strategic partnerships with some of the worlds leading data providers which further ensures that our investors across the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa and other parts of the world are able to make right and informed investment decisions in the capital market, she said.

Olufemi Balogun, Head of Department, Market Services of the NSE, said that calibration enables an investor shape his model to adapt to changes in the market.

Balogun spoke on the theme of the workshop: Handling Shocks in the Capital Market: A Quantitative Approach to risk management using Market Data.

Mr Uwa Agbonile, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Architect, Indicate Limited said that investors should manage their risks properly.

Agbonile said that there were certain problems that market data would solve if properly harnessed.

The challenges inherent in the capital market included market size fragmentation, technology, lack of retail investor participation and intra-Africa investment, he said.

According to him, if market data is not visible enough, investors will not know what to do and most likely will be driving blind.

Infoware intends to solve that problem with series of its activities, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says delegates attending the virtual session of the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) have adopted two resolutions on meningitis and epilepsy control.

The organisation disclosed this in a statement posted on its website on Friday

The WHA is the decision-making body of the WHO, and it is being attended by delegations from all member states.

The world body stated that member states recommended the adoption of the two resolutions on meningitis control and epilepsy at the 73rd World Health Assembly.

It added that Committee A, which focuses on programme and budget matters, decided to recommend the adoption of the first-ever resolution on meningitis, which will approve a global roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030.

Meningitis is a disease that kills 300,000 people annually and leaves one in five of those affected with devastating long-term consequences.

The Committee also recommended the adoption of a resolution calling for scaled-up and integrated action on epilepsy and other neurological disorders such as stroke, migraine and dementia.

Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide.

In addition, the statement stated, the Committee further decided to recommend the adoption of a decision endorsing the new roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

The roadmap, which targets year 2030, aims to reduce the number of people requiring treatment for NTDs by 90 per cent.

It also hopes to eliminate at least one NTD in 100 countries, eradicate two diseases (dracunculiasis and yaws), and reduce by 75 per cent, the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) related to NTDs.

The WHO statement noted that the Committee A noted the Operational Framework for Primary Health Care, which aligned with the Declaration of Astana and resolution WHA72.2 (2019).

It noted that WHO established a Special Programme on Primary Health Care to roll out the Operational Framework supporting Member States to build people-centred, resilient and sustainable primary health care-based health systems.

It pointed out that Committee B which deals predominantly with administrative, financial and legal matters reviewed the Director-Generals report on Health Conditions in Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.

The Committee also decided, by vote, to recommend the adoption of a decision requesting the Director-General, among others, to report on progress in the implementation of its recommendations to the next World Health Assembly.

All resolutions and decisions recommended by the Committees for adoption by the 73rd World Health Assembly will be included in the Committees reports to be considered by the Assembly, it added.

The main functions of the WHA are to determine the policies of the organisation, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, as well as review and approve proposed programme budget.

The WHA usually takes place in May, but this year, given the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduced (de minimis) WHA took place on May 18 and May 19.

The resumed WHA73, which started on Nov. 9, ended on Friday.

Source: NAN News

Amb. Mariam Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Federal Government on Thursday launched three unique digital products designed and developed for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to improve their sales, update skills and enhance knowledge.

Amb. Mariam Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, said while launching the products virtually that plans were underway to use Nigerian local languages in training programmes at the MSMEs Digital Academy.

The three digital products namely, MARKETHUB APP, MSMEs Digital Academy and MSMEs Equipment Exhibition Portal were developed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the products, developed in partnership with credible private institutions and international organisations, are technology-based marketing and sales channels to update skills, boost operations and turnover.

Katagum said the initiative was aimed at supporting the MSMEs in Nigeria to attain excellence in their operations, toward creating job opportunities, wealth and poverty alleviation.

She commended SMEDAN and her partners on their efforts to spur economic growth by spearheading the development and diversification of MSMEs in Nigeria through robust technological deployments.

In fact, the progressive development and growth of most successful MSMEs is relying more and more on continued use of technology.

The Federal Government, in its effort to make MSMEs more effective in the economy and to ensure balanced industrial development, has decided to promote development in domestic industrial activities, Katagum said.

To this end, she said the productivity of the MSMEs could be further enhanced through technological innovation and engaging in Research and Development (R