Drugs

By Ifeoma Aka

An NGO, Bensther Development Foundation, has urged the Federal Government to review its policy on drug abuse to enable addicts seek voluntary help.

Mr Nonso Maduka, Executive Director of the foundation, gave the advice in Enugu at a forum on Effective Drug Control Approach.

Maduka said decriminalising drug use would help addicts come out voluntarily and seek help to overcome their drug dependency.

He noted that many drug users were willing to seek for help but were often afraid of being stigmatised by the society.

Maduka said that decriminalising drug addiction would also create a safer space that would protect people from human rights abuses by law enforcement operatives.

There is so much human right abuses among the law enforcement agencies under the pretence of waging war against drug abuse.

People are beaten, molested, extorted and sometimes raped by drug enforcement officers, he said.

According to him, the continued incarceration of drug addicts will not stop dependants but encourage their peers to indulge in the act.

He urged the Federal Government to change its approach toward controlling drugs in Nigeria, noting that the existing policy had not worked.

Maduka also called on state governments in the South East Zone to establish standard centres where drug addicts could be rehabilitated and reintegrated back to the society.

Mrs Ijeoma Nnaji, South East Zonal Coordinator of the Community Intervention Network on Drug, advised journalists to help change the narrative on drug abuse.

Nnaji said that collaborative efforts by everyone was needed to direct drug addicts on the right path.

She also urged the public to see drug addiction as an health issue.

One of the participants and General Manager of Coal City FM, Mrs Joy Obitimata, said that the workshop had further enlightened her on the management of drug addiction. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Maureen Ojinaka

The Enugu State Government has announced 37 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the state to 418.

The states Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ikechukwu Obi, made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday.

Obi said that the Ministry confirmed the nine new cases in the update by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

He said that the number of patients undergoing treatment was 186 while 221 had been discharged.

The number of cases on treatment 186, number of cases discharged is 221 and number of confirmed COVID-19 related deaths is 11, he said.

Obi called on residents to be responsible, adding that COVID-19 was real.

He urged the people to adhere to all the NCDC precautionary measures to stay safe.

If in spite of your efforts, you develop symptoms or know anyone who may have developed symptoms, please call the following numbers, 08182555550 or 09022333833 or the NCDC on 080097000010, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

who

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says 73 countries have warned that they are at risk of stock-outs of Antiretroviral (ARV) medicines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO in a statement posted on its website said countries should seek innovative ways to mitigate the impact of disruptions and keep services going.

It said the 73 countries warned about the risk of stock-outs of ARV, according to a new WHO survey conducted ahead of the International AIDS Societys biannual conference.

Twenty-four countries reported having either a critically low stock of ARVs or disruptions in the supply of these life-saving medicines.

The survey follows a modelling exercise convened by WHO and UNAIDS in May which forecasted that a six-month disruption in access to ARVs could lead to a doubling in AIDS-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020 alone.

In 2019, an estimated 8.3 million people were benefiting from ARVs in the 24 countries now experiencing supply shortages.

This represents about one third (33 per cent) of all people taking HIV treatment globally. While there is no cure for HIV, ARVs can control the virus and prevent onward sexual transmission to other people.

A failure of suppliers to deliver ARVs on time and a shut-down of land and air transport services, coupled with limited access to health services within countries as a result of the pandemic, were among the causes cited for the disruptions in the survey.

The statement quoted Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General as saying: The findings of this survey are deeply concerning.

Countries and their development partners must do all they can to ensure that people who need HIV treatment continue to access it.

We cannot let the COVID-19 pandemic undo the hard-won gains in the global response to this disease.

According to data released today from UNAIDS and WHO, new HIV infections fell by 39 per cent between 2000 and 2019.

HIV-related deaths fell by 51 per cent over the same time period, and some 15 million lives were saved through the use of antiretroviral therapy.

Over the last two years, the annual number of new HIV infections has plateaued at 1.7 million and there was only a modest reduction in HIV-related death, from 730,000 in 2018 to 690,000 in 2019.

Despite steady advances in scaling up treatment coverage with more than 25 million people in need of ARVs receiving them in 2019 key 2020 global targets will be missed.

HIV prevention and testing services are not reaching the groups that need them most. Improved targeting of proven prevention and testing services will be critical to reinvigorate the global response to HIV.

According to the statement, COVID-19 risks exacerbating the situation and WHO recently developed guidance for countries on how to safely maintain access to essential health services during the pandemic.

The guidance encourages countries to limit disruptions in access to HIV treatment through multi-month dispensing, a policy whereby medicines are prescribed for longer periods of time up to six months.

To date, 129 countries have adopted this policy.

Countries are also mitigating the impact of the disruptions by working to maintain flights and supply chains, engaging communities in the delivery of HIV medicines, and working with manufacturers to overcome logistics challenges.

In addition, it said at the IAS conference, WHO would highlight how global progress in reducing HIV-related deaths could be accelerated by stepping up support and services for populations disproportionately impacted by the epidemic, including young children.

In 2019, there were an estimated 95,000 HIV-related deaths and 150,000 new infections among children. Only about half (53 per cent) of children in need of antiretroviral therapy were receiving it.

A lack of optimal medicines with suitable paediatric formulations has been a longstanding barrier to improving health outcomes for children living with HIV.

Source: NAN News

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Comandant Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham reaffirmed the academys commitment to turn out the best officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The Academy Public Relations Officer,Major Abubakar Abdullahi said in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna has reaffirmed its commitment towards producing the finest quality officers to be commissioned into the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The NDA Commandant Gen Sarham revealed this on top of Shere Hills in Jos Plateau State on Tuesday as he inspected the progress being made by final year army cadets of 67 Regular Course and Short Service Course 46 conducting Exercise Camp Highland.

According to Sarham, who ascended the peak of the Hills in company of his Deputy and other NDA management staff was on inspection of the progress of Leadership and Adventure Phase of the exercise.

He expressed his satisfaction with the level of progress achieved so far in the three weeks exercise.

The Commandant explained that the exercise was aimed at ascertaining the level of preparedness of cadets towards their eventual commissioning into the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The aim of this exercise is to ascertain the level of preparation of the final year cadets of the NDA who are getting ready to be commissioned into the armed forces

It is to ascertain their military competencies, leadership, command and control. It also an avenue to test their ability to work as a team at all times, he said.

He added that the exercise would enable the cadets to be agile, adding that it would also strengthen their decision making capabilities in tough times

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that, during this phase of the exercise, the Cadets confidence to conquer height and water phobia would be built through Abseiling and rappelling of Shere Hills; rafting and obstacle crossing.

The cadets had earlier been tested on map reading and navigation in the general area of Heipang, Jos.

Source: NAN News

FMDQ

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FMDQ Securities Exchange has posted a turnover of N11.78 trillion in fixed income and currency (FIC) markets in May, 2020.

This is contained in a monthly FIC report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from FMDQ on Wednesday.

The report showed that the turnover represented a decrease of 29.46 per cent, when compared with N16.70 trillion in April.

FMDQ said that the turnover recorded in the FIC markets in May 2020, was the lowest turnover recorded since January 2018 (N11.71trillion).

It stated that money market comprising repurchase agreements and unsecured placements transactions and open market operations bills drove the total FIX market turnover in May, accounting for 61.26 pe cent.

According to the report, money market transactions replaced foreign exchange (FX) as the highest contributor to FIC markets turnover in May during the review period.

It noted that FX market turnover in May 2020 was 7.62 billion dollars (N2.94 trillon), representing decrease of 32.92 per cent or 3.74 billion dollars from 11.36 billion dollars or N4.38 trillion posted in April.

An analysis of FX market turnover indicated a general decrease in FX market activity by trade type, with Member-Client trades accounting for 55.61 per cent (.08 billion) of the total MoM decrease in FX turnover.

However, FX Derivatives accounted for 89.30 per cent (.34 billion) of the total MoM decrease in FX turnover by product type in May 2020.

It is noteworthy to mention that the turnover for Member-CBN FX Spot trades increased by 100 or cent MoM from 0.16 billion dollars in April to 0.32 billion dollars in May.

In May, the Naira depreciated against the United States dollar at the Investors and Exporters FX Window by N1.18 to close at an average of N386.17.

Also, in the parallel market, the naira depreciated against the U.S dollar by N22.37 to close at an average of N450 during the review period. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

farmers

By Blessing Odega

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has conducted a virtual training for 40 agricultural extension workers inPlateau, on rainfall prediction step down and its implications to farmers in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was conducted in collaboration with the Human Environmental Developmental Agenda (HEDA) and the Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN) on Wednesday in Jos.

A Director of NIMET, Prof. Mansur Matazau, in his welcome speech,said the essence of the training was to sensitise the extension workers on various predicted weather and rainfall patterns during the farming season to enhance theirfarming techniques.

Matazau said the Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) provided farmers with essential weather advisories and early warnings as the prediction helped to reduce the risk associated withweather and climate that farmers mightencounter.

Matazau revealed that the predicted annual rainfall expected for the state wasbetween 960mm to 1,200mm, with Jos North predicted to have the highest amount of rain on the Plateau.

He urged farmers to deliberate on what steps to take with the information provided.

Mr Harauna Zakari, one of the Resource Persons from NIMET, advised farmers to plant when the normal rainfall had been established.

NAN reports thatparticipants were also trained on Crop Weather Calendar for the state, as this would enable themto know when best to sow certain crops.

The Commissioner for Agriculture in Plateau, Dr Hosea Finangwai, who was represented by Mrs Helen Gumkat, urgedparticipants to pay keen attention to the training so that they couldapply what they learnt andretrain other farmers in their various Local Governments Areas.

Some participants who spoke with NAN, commended organisers of the training,saying it was apt but wished the training happened much earlier before the commencement of the rainy season.

A Participant, Mr Yohanna Kaze, said that the training wasvery key, and a step inthe right direction as farming was no longer done for leisure butnow as a business.

He, however, appealed that the training should be sustained but should occur before the commencement of the rainy season as it would help farmers plan well. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, on July 7, eliminated 17 Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in an ambush along Damboa- Maiduguri road.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Wednesday, said that two soldiers died, while four werewounded in the encounter.

Enenche said the success was recorded by the troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, deployed at Damboa in conjunction with elements of Sector 2 Special Forces, while on clearance operations along the route.

He said the troops outflanked and engaged the criminals with overwhelming volume of fire power forcing them to withdraw in disarray.

According to him, in the aftermath of the encounter, 17 Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals were neutralised, while several others were believed to have narrowly escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

He added that cache of arms and ammunitions were equally captured by the gallant troops.

Regrettably, two valiant soldiers paid the supreme price while four others were wounded in action.

However, the wounded in action soldiers have been evacuated to a military medical facility and currently responding positively to treatment.

Meanwhile the Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has been directed to immediately deploy a Special Forces Battalion to reinforce and dominate Damboa Bulabulin Maiduguri axis, to completely deny the terrorists any chance of escape during the final assault against the criminals.

Members of the general public particularly residents of the area are also requested to remain calm, law abiding and continue with their routine activities as all necessary measures have been put in place by the Theatre Command to ensure all routes are safe for commuting without fear of attack by the criminals.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai commends the troops for their resilience and patriotism in crushing the remnants of Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province criminals.

He also urges them to maintain the tempo against the criminals as we approach the end of insurgency in our country, he said. NAN

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

An indigenous quarry firm operating in Ishiagu, Ebonyi, Crushed Rock has dragged the state government to court over alleged unlawful sealing of its business premises and quarry for over five months now.

The suit, filed on behalf of the plaintiffs Company by Mr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, had the Federal Ministry of Mines

By Habibu Harisu

Alhaji Isa Muhammad, the District Head of Sabon Birni in Sokoto State commended the Nigerian military on their onslaughts against bandits in the area.

Muhammad gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Sokoto.

He noted that the interventions by Nigerian AirForce (NAF) and Nigerian Army had restored normalcy in the area, which recently witnessed killings and displacement of communities by bandits.

The district head assured the military of maximum support in order to achieve the desired results.

He also lauded NAF for conducting medical outreach where people in his community were given free treatment and food items, stressing that the gesture had enhanced peoples well-being.

Muhammad advised members of the community to shun all forms of restiveness and support law enforcement agencies in their task to restore permanent peace in the area.

He also called on the people to continue to live in harmony with the security agents.

The district head refuted claims that security personnel from Niger Republic were protecting Nigerians against the bandits in the area.

He said Nigerian troops have been rooted in the area and recording successes as residents were witnessing relief, as the hitherto daily attacks by bandits had stopped.

The monarch further commended Gov. Aminu Tambuwal for his commitment and concerns over the plights of the people across the state.

Source: NAN News

FRSC has begun nationwide enlightenment of road users and commuters in line with the presidential directives on COVID-19 prevention to ensure full compliance.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced nationwide education and enlightenment of road users and commuters in line with the presidential directives on COVID-19 prevention to ensure full compliance.

The Corp Marshal, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said this during the training of front desk officers and marshals on Wednesday in Abuja.

Oyeyemi noted that the corps had commenced full patrol enforcement, adding that the outcome of the resolution reached by the transport unions and FRSC birth the enlightenment and education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FRSC and road transports unions had on July 6 adopted resolutions to curtail the spread of Covid-19 pandemic following the lifts on interstate travel ban.

We started with the preventive and educative approach before enforcement. We will educate all the drivers to ensure they do not carry more than the 50 per cent the government said.

We have directed their various chairmen to meet with sector commanders in the states which they are doing already, he said.

In the same vein, Oyeyemi said that the training scheduled for the front desk officers and marshals was in line with Worlds effort to curb the menace of Covid-19 pandemic.

He said that it was a common knowledge that front desk officers of any organisation are always a mirror hence, the experiences of visitors at the front desk forms a lasting impression.

The training today is not only premised on the Corps desire to continually improve on its service delivery.

It also anchored on the corps strategic goal of improving personnel capacity and competence in road safety management.

And above all, the resolve of the corps to improve the way it interacts with its customers especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Also to ensure that our front desk officers adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocol and FRSC management directives while discharging their duties, he said.

Oyeyemi urged participants to internalise the messages contained in the series of lectures earmarked for the programme while working together to ensure that the corps remained COVID-19 free.

NAN reports that a total of 50 front desk staffs drawn from corps provost office, corps intelligence office and protocol unit were to be trained.

Participants were batched into two to ensure adherence to social distancing in accordance with the NCDC protocol.

Source: NAN News