By Ebere Agozie

Mr Ngulkham Gangte, the Indian High Commissioner to Zambia has warned that any country that ignores the effects of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) does so at its own peril.

AMR is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarial) from working against it.

Gangte gave the warning at a three-day Pan-Africa Workshop on Effective Implementation of National Action Plans on AMR, holding in Zambia.

The workshop, which has in attendance experts from 11 countries, is organised by the Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Zambia.

It was organised in conjunction with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the India-based think tank.

Journalists from five African countries, who shared their experiences from the ground and got to know what is being done to contain this crisis of AMR are also attending the workshop.

According to Gangte, the ability of organisms to resist antimicrobial treatment, especially antibiotics has direct impact on human and animal health.
This carries a heavy economic burden due to high cost of treatment and reduced productivity caused by prolonged sickness.

AMR also impact food safety, nutrition security, livelihoods and consequently, attainment of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Therefore, we all must work together to prevent the menace of AMR in our countries, Gangte advised.

Dr Chitalu Chilufya, the Zambia Minister of Health, also called on African countries to urgently act on the development and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) for AMR.

Chilufya said the objective of the workshop is to discuss the threat of AMR to humans, animals and the environment, its spread and impact in Africa as well as to understand the implementation of the NAPs on AMR.

AMR is the consequence of the abuse and misuse of antibiotics, which poses greater threat to public health security that robs countries of their aspirations for universal health coverage.

There is the need for African countries to invest in resilient public health systems, which will gear towards reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics among the public, Chilufya said.

He, therefore, called on the media to partner with their respective governments in educating the public on the need to stop the abuse and misuse of antibiotics.

Also, Mr Amit Khurana, Director, Food Safety and Toxins Programme, CSE, India, set the context for the workshop.

He called for innovative ways to manage the issue of access and excess of antibiotics usage.

Khurana said that the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in food-animal production is a key driver of AMR in humans who ultimately consume the animals and animal products.

The global success to contain AMR will hugely depend on how we handle it, so we must use greater discretion in our approaches and implementations.

The threat of AMR is real and globally reaching crisis levels.

Therefore, there must be caution in the production of food and management of waste.

We cannot afford to allow misuse of antibiotics and chemicals first in our system and then after spend a lot to clean it up from their food and environment, Khurana said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that part of the highlights of the workshop was the launch of five key reports including the Down To Earths (DTE) From Cure to Killers.

Also launched is the road map to phase out non-therapeutic antibiotic use and critically important antibiotics in food-animals and baseline information for integrated AMR surveillance in Zambia.

The Zambias Multi-Sectoral National Action Plan on AMR and Zambias integrated AMR Surveillance Framework was another report that was launched. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Friday in Abuja, signed into law the states N215 billion Appropriation bill christened: Budget of Accelerated Growth and Development.

Ishaku said that the budget represented an increase of N2.1billion over the N213.6 billion presented to the state House of Assembly on Dec. 19, 2019.

He, therefore, expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for the accelerated hearing given the budget, leading to its timely passage.

He also assured the lawmakers of the cooperation of the executive in moving the state forward.

According to him, leadership is measured by the strides made on behalf of the people, so I appeal to us to do more than we have been doing for our people.

There are many things I packaged into the budget, especially contracts, so that we can continue to have funds to develop the state to an enviable height.

In the past, many people criticised me for some projects I initiated, but I thank God that today they are becoming superfluous with gratitude. Together, we will continue working for a better Taraba, he said.

Earlier, Speaker of the house, Dr Joseph Kunini, said that the Christmas and New Year celebrations did not deter the lawmakers from carrying out their responsibilities.

Kunini said that the lawmakers painstakingly scrutinised the budget and approved same for the governor to kick start the accelerated development of the state.

The unprecedented support and cooperation received from the governor and others is largely responsible for the timely legislative action on the bill.

The support of the governor is a clear manifestation of the cordial and harmonious relationship between all the arms of government in the state, he said.

He appreciated his colleagues for assiduously carrying out their Constitutional responsibilities in the overall interest of the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Command, on Friday, decorated 34 newly-promoted officers in the state with new ranks, urging them to rededicate themselves to service of their fatherland.

The Sector Commander, Mr Andrew Kumapayi,gave the charge during the ceremony held at the commands headquarters in Awka,

Kumapayi explained that 34 officers who were senior officers, middle cadre officers and marshals were decorated.

He called on the officers to work harder to ensure sanity on the states roads.

We thank God for the recognition of your hard work and I urge you to brace up to the challenges of making our roads safe for users, Kumapayi said.

Also speaking, the Anambra state Commissioner of Police, Mr John Abang urged the officers not to be carried away with the new ranks but to see it as a demand for more responsibility.

Abang said that the promotion was an opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the nation through safety on roads.

For every rank you are wearing, you are making your families, communities and country proud. So continue to walk the talk and discharge your duties without fear, Abang said.

Mr Gabriel Adaji, one of the newly-promoted officers, promised to be more dedicated to duties, saying that the promotion had not been easy.

I will continue to promote the image of the FRSC and do my job diligently. I thank the command for the opportunity, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Harrison Arubu

A group of U.S-based Imo indigenes, the Mbano National Assembly (MNA), has reacted to Tuesdays Supreme Court verdict that effected a change of government in its home state.

The judgment replaced Mr Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party with Sen. Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress as governor, almost eight months after the former assumed the office.

The MNAs reaction came through its President, Mr Basil Njoku, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York on Friday.

Njoku decried the negative impact of premature change in government on development, a situation he blamed on disregard for the rule of law by actors in the electoral process.

He also decried the delay in adjudication of election petition cases in the country, noting that it distracts the government of the day and scares investors.

Njoku said: It is important that cases are resolved expediently so that it creates room for those in government to begin immediately and institute policies that would last.

For example, contracts already signed by the government of Ihedioha will now be subject to the whims of the new government.

No investor is willing to do business with a government battling with election cases in court with no assurance of being there tomorrow.

In every society, there are bound to be litigations, but the speed with which those cases are dealt with is essential to creating an enabling environment for people to move on.

When cases keep languishing in courts, the government in power is not sure of tomorrow, so they are edgy and unwilling to take certain bold actions to improve the lives of the people.

He noted that the interest of MNA, a politically neutral nongovernmental and charity organisation, was the development of Imo and not the party or people in power.

To this end, he said the association was ready to work with any government to improve the living condition of the people.

Our take is let the peoples business be taken care of, the business of infrastructure, security, light, healthcare and rural development.

At the end of the day, people dont really care which party is in power, so long as government is responsive to their needs.

I am heartened by what the immediate past governor said. With humility, he handed over the case to God and asked the people to work with his successor.

So, any reasonable society must work with whoever is in power to deliver for the people, he added.

Njoku said the goal of MNA was to work with government to deliver its various charity projects and programmes in the state, including an ultra-modern surgical theatre at the Mbano Joint Hospital. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Dorcas Jonah

Team Nigeria at the ongoing African Track Cycling Championship in Cairo, Egypt, have won one gold, one silver and a bronze medals.

The championship organised by the African Cycling Confederation (CAC) began on Thursday and will end on Sunday.

According to the competitions website, Grace Ayuba won gold in the junior category from the scratch 7.5-kilometre event.

Former world number five on track cycling in the junior category, Mary Samuel, led the Nigeria team to win silver in team pursuit women elite.

Others in the team are Tawakalt Yekeem, Ese Ukpesersye and Rita Oven.

Team Nigeria also won a bronze in the team sprint women elite as the championship continues.(NAN)

Source: NAN

Sri Lankas Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Friday said it lifted a ban imposed on drones within the island country, local media reports said.

The CAA, in a statement, said drones can now be operated in conformity with civil aviation regulations.

The CAA suspended the operation of all pilotless aircraft, including drones last May, soon after the Easter Sunday terror attacks in April, which killed over 250 people.

The CAA had said the ban was imposed, considering the volatile situation in the country after the blasts. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has departed Abuja for London to participate in the inaugural UK-Africa Investment Summit holding on Jan. 20.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president had earlier performed some official assignments, including his meeting with security chiefs, before leaving the presidential villa for the London trip.

The president also joined hundreds of Muslims faithful at the Aso Rock Mosque where he observed the two rakaat Jumaat prayer.

An earlier statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, on Thursday, said the London Investment Summit would be hosted by the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

According to the organisers, the event is expected to bring together African leaders, international business chief executives and heads of international organisations to create new partnerships that will deliver more investments and jobs to the benefit of people and businesses in African countries and the United Kingdom.

Apart from highlighting new perspectives on UK-Africa Partnership for Prosperity, issues of Sustainable Finance and Infrastructure; Trade and Investment; Future African Growth Sectors and Clean Energy and Climate, are expected to dominate presentations and discussions during the Summit.

With the expected take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in mid-2020, the London investment summit will provide Nigeria with the opportunity to project itself as a leading investment destination for new industries.

In addition, the summit will deepen Nigeria-United Kingdom investment ties post-Brexit given that Africa currently represents just two per cent of British trade activity, with Nigeria accounting for only 10 per cent of that total, Adesina stated.

He further disclosed that the Nigerian delegation to the investment meeting will showcase what the Federal Government had done through policies and legislations to improve the investment and business climate in the country.

The president is expected back in Abuja on Thursday.(NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Government has taken delivery of two fighter helicopters to boost the ongoing fight against insurgency and banditry in the country.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of Security Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Abubakar also announced that additional fighter helicopters and other military hardware would be supplied to the nations armed forces to enhance their capacity in the battle fields.

He said: In terms of procurement of platforms, substantial number of these equipment are expected by the end of February, some of the equipment we are acquiring have started arriving.

For the Nigerian Air Force, two helicopter gunships arrived on the Jan. 15 and we are now in the process of putting them together to add to whatever we have already.

I am sure you are also familiar with the equipment acquisition by the Nigeria Police Force; I am sure you are also familiar with the policy on community policing that was approved by the President.

It is going to be funded and the whole idea is to ensure that Nigeria is secured and citizens can go about pursuing their legitimate aspirations without any hindrance.

According to Abubakar, Nigeria is collaborating with its neighbours to completely end the Boko Haram insurgency.

We are doing everything with other sister countries in the Lake Chad basin, working together to ensure that Boko Haram terrorism is brought substantially to an end as much and as quickly as possible, he said.

He, however, appealed to all Nigerians to contribute their quota towards addressing security challenges troubling some parts of the country.

He said: Our appeal is for all Nigerians and other stakeholders, local and state governments, to join hands with the Armed Forces of Nigeria to ensure that our country is secured rather than looking at other methods that are likely going to negate the national community policing policy that the federal government has approved.

He assured that the nation security agencies were ready to contain all cases of insurgency or banditry in any part of the country.

He added that the agencies would secure the lives and property of all citizens as well as the territorial integrity of the nation at all times.

What we want to do is to reassure Nigerians that the Armed Forces and indeed other intelligence and security agencies in Nigeria are going to continue to work round the clock to ensure that our country is secured.

We will ensure that nobody undermines the territorial and national sovereignty of Nigeria.

We are going to keep a very close watch on what is going on and with the equipment that we are getting.

Definitely the challenges that we are facing in some of the theatres of operation particularly the North-East will be addressed adequately.

He added that the meeting appraised the security situation across the country and was satisfied with the progress being made.

This meeting was called to critically evaluate what the Armed Force of Nigeria as well as other security and intelligence agencies are doing with regard to ensuring that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is not undermined by any individual or group of individuals.

The appraisal also looked at the emerging situation in some of our areas particularly acts of banditry in some of the North-Western States and other parts of the country.

We have critically looked at everything and we are satisfied with the progress we are making and we are satisfied with the support that the federal government is giving the armed forces and other security agencies, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Victor Adeoti

Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court in Ikirun on Friday sentenced two men to death by hanging for murder.

Falola in his judgment, said the prosecution counsel proved his case against the convicts, Orisakunle Abiodun, 21; and Opadokun Olayinka, 29, beyond reasonable doubt for the murder of one Matthew Adeoye in Ikirun.

The judge sentenced the convicts to five years imprisonment for conspiracy and death by hanging for murder.

Falola, however, discharged and acquitted the third accused, Femi Aroyehun for lack of evidence against him.

The convicts, who were first arraigned on Jan. 22, 2018, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy to commit murder and murder, preferred against them.

The State Counsel, Mr Philips Afolayan, had earlier told the court that the three defendants murdered one Matthew Adeoye on March 9, 2017 in Ikirun.

Afolayan said the offences were contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 34, Vol. 2, Laws of Osun State and Section 316 (1) and punishable under Section 319 (1) of the same Criminal Code Law of Osun State.

Afolayan told the court that on that fateful day, one of the convicts, Abiodun, used his motorcycle to hit the deceased while returning from work with his friend.

The prosecution counsel said that this resulted in an argument between the deceased and the three convicts.

Afolayan said the convicts and some of their supporters descended on the deceased, who later ran for his life.

He said the deceased was beaten to coma with grievous injury inflicted on him.

Afolayan said the deceased was later rushed to a nearby hospital by the police, where he eventually died on the same day.

The Defence Counsel, Mr L.S. Bello, however, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Liverpool have officially announced their kit manufacturer deal with Nike, after a High Court case ruled against current supplier New Balance.

The club confirmed the news on Tuesday on their website, with their partnership with the global sports brand beginning ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

Nike will supply kits for the first team, academy and womens sides, along with the coaching staff and the Liverpool FC Foundation, and is effective from June 1.

This, of course, means the Reds will be unable to wear their new kit on the final day of the 2019/20 campaign, as is tradition.

Liverpools chief commercial officer Billy Hogan described Nike as a brand that reflects our ambitions for growth, which was a key factor behind their success in the case in October.

The deal is believed to be worth 30 million a year, plus 20 percent of royaltiesreduced to five percent for footwearwith a pledge of 6,000 doors worldwide selling Liverpool merchandise.

Celebrities such as Drake, Lebron Jamesa Reds stakeholderand Serena Williams are lined up to promote the club, which could prove a major boost to their worldwide appeal.

Nike and Liverpool have already agreed on designs for the kits for next season, with a deep red similar to Portugals shirts at the 2018 World Cup favoured for the home kit.

Hyper turquoise and dark grey are rumoured as colours for the away and third kits respectively.

Our iconic kit is a key part of our history and identity, Hogan explained.

We welcome Nike into the LFC family as our new official kit supplier and expect them to be an incredible partner for the club, both at home and globally as we continue to expand our fanbase.

As a brand, Nike reflects our ambitions for growth, and we look forward to working with them to bring fans new and exciting products.

Source: NAN