Chinas securities regulator on Friday approved the Initial Public Offering (IPO) applications of four companies.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), said in a statement that GRG Metrology/Test Ltd. Lihero Technology Ltd., Shandong Taihe Water Treatment Technologies Ltd. and Zhubo Design Group Ltd. would be listed on the A-share market.

However, the statement did not specify the total amount of funds to be raised.

The companies and their underwriters promised to confirm IPO dates and publish their prospectuses following discussions with the stock exchange.

Under the current IPO system, new shares are subject to approval from the CSRC.

China is gradually switching from an approval-based IPO system to one based on registration. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN

Food should be more than a substance that fills up the belly; eating a meal ought to be primarily about adding value to the body or boosting one’s well-being. In most cases however, we tend to put the cart before the horse - we just want to ingest anything edible. Notwithstanding, it pays that one gets educated or be in the know about the nutrients that a particular meal/food contains and what these nutrients can do in one’s body.

So, today in this article, I will like to shed some light on dietary fiber and its benefits to human body. Fiber is used to describe plant-based carbohydrates that cannot be broken down by the enzymes in the digestive system. Fiber can also be obtained from meat albeit in a relatively minute quantity.

Despite the fact that it is not usually broken down, it plays a significant role in the way other nutrients are absorbed in the digestive system. Fiber is basically categorized into two - soluble and insoluble fiber - based on its dissolution or non-dissolution in water. Examples of foods that are high in fiber include oats, oranges, whole grain, vegetable, apples, banana, tomato, nuts, etc.

• Improves gastrointestinal health: One of the major benefits of regularly taking a meal that are rich in fiber is that it improves the health of the gastrointestinal system, especially as fiber enhances bowel movement with ensuing increase in faecal mass. This is probably one of the ways fiber aids in the prevention of constipation. Furthermore, fiber supports the growth of probiotic bacteria which contribute to the overall health of the gut.

• Reduces cholesterol level: Fiber has also been found to reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream. More specifically, fiber sourced from edibles such as oats, beans and whole grain are particularly (more) valuable in this respect.

• Improves cardiovascular health: This can be viewed as an offshoot of the role fiber plays in lowering cholesterol level. Besides, fiber aids in the prevention of heart disease and also lowers blood pressure. Generally, it is good for maintaining a healthy heart.

• Minimizes the risk of diabetes: With the high prospect of controlling the level of blood sugar, fiber does help to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes occurring. Examples of high fiber foods that are useful here include cereals and vegetables.

• Protects against cancer: Fiber has also been reported to be effective in preventing certain types of cancer like colon cancer and stomach cancer. This is traceable to the bulky faecal mass that is achievable with the regular intake of dietary fiber.

• Aids in weight control: Fiber can also be highly beneficial for anyone that is going through a weight-loss/weight-control routine. This is due to the fact that fiber - especially one gotten from flaxseed, oats, broccoli, banana, beans, etc - tends to be more filling and gives you the energy needed to run your activities for a considerable amount of time. In essence, with fiber in your system, the craving for more (food) to munch is quenched.

Culled from WalkRigid
Source: https://walkrigid.com/2019/10/15/6-benefits-of-fiber/

The cliché that ‘anything goes‘ is one that we are quite familiar with in this part of the world; it is a saying that clearly highlights the poor state of the reverence for the rule of law and/or justice system. Time and again, we have seen and heard of how perpetrators of dastardly acts walk free and left off the hook as though nothing happened. This has often left those have been directly short-changed - with respect to having an unbiased judgement - as well as a number of concerned Nigerians frustrated about the unbalanced/ineffectual structure of the justice system.

While the voices of many persons might have been drowned by the prominence of the ‘high and lofty‘ subverters but there remains a few that would not be silenced and with these ones have found a great help in a ‘lousy and never-tiring‘ medium called the Internet.
As you read the topic of this particular discourse, you must have perceive or have an inkling of what inspired the write-up that is about to follow, and as the persons involved have no hiding place to save their shamed faces so has the hand-writing been made profound.

Long before I became a University undergraduate, the issue of sex-for-grade had pervaded the university community and while I traversed my university campus, the matter was never unheard of - then, with the news currently trending, it could be assuredly concluded that the last of the such incidences is yet to be seen or heard of.

The common thing about these events is that we kept hearing the stories of different students that have been alleged abused but never got to hear of concrete disciplinary action(s) being taken against the ‘high-handed‘, erring lecturers that were involved. This alone makes the whole issue look like a norm - a course that further highlights the rot that exists in the justice system firstly in the universities and then the country at large.

It is the lacunae that is noticeable in seeking justice for (female) students who have been picked on by lecturers with wanton desires that spurred Kiki Mordi - with the backing of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) - into action to unravel the faces of perpetrators as we now have on videos that have gone viral on the internet. And, the vastness of this ‘unforgiving‘ tool (that is, the internet), has now drawn huge attention with many persons now raising their voices to call for justice. But then how much of an elixir could this act of public shaming be in a system with long history of unresolved cases surrounding social justice?

It is quite obvious that the purpose of the one-year investigative journalism anchored by Kiki Mordi has achieved its aim - maybe in the interim though. However, in order to achieve a far-reaching outcome, it is incumbent that the authorities [in various universities and other tertiary institutions], as well as, the government take issues hovering around sex-for-grade to heart and work out an effective means of curtailing such incidences in the future. More so, avenues to have students safely report lecturers with illicit advances should be put in place, and such students should be given assurances that there will be no reprisal attack(s) to their life or academics. The ethics committee in these institutions has to be proactive in dealing with these cases to adequately protect the interest of the student body and the institution on the whole.

Beyond sex-for-grade
Without making any attempt to water down the magnitude of the infamy attached to sex-for-grade, it has to be emphasized that there are other forms of abuses that lecturers often subject students to without them (that is, lecturers) being call to order. In such circumstances, these lecturers play ‘god‘ over the students and end up putting students that dared to cross their path into some sort of academic misery. This kind of scenario has sometimes driven some students who could not handle the problem suicidal. All these abuses obviously show the lapses that exist in institutions of higher learning where you expect a high degree of sanctity.

In the meantime however, it is apparent that it is no longer business as usual and issues like we have in the sex-for-grade cases cannot be swept under the carpet. Even if there be any attempt to do so, those that are aiming to do so should be reminded that the internet never forgets.

It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen - John Wooden

Whenever discourse on insecurity arises, it is not out of place to see people pinpointing such things as the slack policing, high rate of unemployment and the straitened state of the Nigerian economy [in general] as the underlying reasons that the lives and properties of unsuspecting citizens are usually endangered. While these factors cannot be waved aside, permit me to spare some thoughts on aspect that has often been overlooked.

It has to do with the optimization of technology in taming the scourge of insecurity. As we already know technology is quite vast and in this article, I shall be narrowing the option to the very little things which could have aided in the fight against insecurity in no small measure. The ‘little things‘ here are closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and solar-powered street lights.
It is really alarming that in this age, government across different states and corporate organizations [with CSR initiatives] find it difficult to install these basic amenities within their areas of influence. They seem to have lost grasp of the little details that could have massively doused the menaces which further contribute to insecurity in the land. Moreover, security operatives ought not to have neglected these small things as they canvass for more comprehensive/sophisticated security frameworks.

The lack of these technological innovations is there for all to see; for one, the gross darkness that results from poor lighting is simply undeniable. At least, on my part, I have had to stare through the window of my apartment [at night and during the early hours of the morning] to be faced with this thick darkness that is capable of concealing the most grievous of evil. And come to think of it; we have got street lights installed - but they are not functional, and this is even in an area that is known for notorious activities like gang war and petty theft. Mine is just one of the many places with poor lighting within Lagos state and probably Nigeria as a whole.

So, what will it cost to have solar street lights installed to improve security in these communities? Inasmuch as these lights may not quell the danger entirely or dissuade maligned individuals from carrying out their heinous acts, it could prevent a host of prospective victims from falling prey. Hence, in essence, it is of utmost necessity that these lights be made available within every 100 - 200 meters and should be regularly monitored to ensure proper functioning.

Now unto CCTV camera; have you ever imagined how the installation of CCTV cameras will be beneficial on our roads? The issue of highway robbery has been on for awhile now - particularly on roads with high traffic congestion. Motorists on these roads have been left to their fate as the men of underworld strike time and again. It is understandable that the Nigerian Police Force may be short-staffed if it embarks on posting its officers to designated spots - not just the ones that are known for nefarious activities - on our highways. But with CCTV cameras installed around, events within various road networks will be closely monitored. More so, even though the perpetrators may carry out their operations at a certain instance, the chances of apprehending them will be higher upon reviewing the video captured by the cameras.

While complaints keep rending the air over the increasing rate of insecurity in the land, we cannot shy away from the fact that the continued neglect, exhibited by those in authority, in incorporating and optimising technological innovations - especially at the basic level - has further emboldened the security challenges that the citizens are faced with.

By Kelechi Ogunleye

A Federal High Court on Monday in Abuja ordered the temporary freezing of 45 bank accounts belonging to three companies allegedly involved in smuggling of rice into Nigeria.

The companies whose accounts were domiciled with ten commercial banks in Nigeria are Sun Sam A1 International Limited, Sun Sam International Limited and Sunchrist O. Trans Nigeria Limited.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed directed the Head offices of First Bank Nigeria PLC, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Union Bank PLC, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank PLC, Sterling Bank, Access Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Polaris Bank and Eco Bank Nigeria to freeze forthwith all transactions from those accounts for 45 days.

Justice Mohammed said that this was pending the outcome of the investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Ruling on an ex-parte application on behalf of the apex bank by its counsel, Nosike Nicholas, to freeze the accounts for 90 days, the Judge granted the apex bank permission to freeze the accounts for only 45 days.

He said that the order of freezing for 45 days was subject to renewal for further days upon an application by the CBN, in the event that its investigation could not be concluded within the first 45 days.

Nosike anchored the application on section 60, Paragraph (B) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 1991 as amended.

He told the court that there was an ongoing investigation against the defendants who are customers of the commercial banks.

According to him, transactions under the accounts can cause significant financial loss to the rice industries in particular and the Nigeria economy in general.

The case was adjourned to Dec. 12 for further hearing.

Source: NAN

By Ummul Idris

Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on Monday urged Federal Government to give more attention to patients who found themselves in an unconscious state from traumatic cause.

The NMA Chairman in FCT, Dr Ekpe Phillips, made the call at the 2019 Physicians week in Abuja with the theme Care of the Unknown Patient: An Overview.

The Physicians Week is an annual event to celebrate physicians all over the world.

Phillips said that issues affecting Nigerians who found themselves in unconscious state from traumatic cause needed urgent attention from Federal Government.

He noted that the theme for the 2019 physicians week was chosen to bring to fore, issues affecting Nigerians who suddenly found themselves in traumatic situations.

He added that majorly, road traffic accident or medical conditions like cardiovascular diseases or simply from whatever that significantly impairs the consciousness of the patient with attendant difficulty in proper identification is traumatic.

He, therefore, urged government to implement the National Health Act (Enacted in 2014) which provided for the care of patients in emergency situations, including those with identity challenge.

According to him, there is no enduring policy to cater for victims of Road Traffic Accident (a major cause of morbidity and mortality) which accounts for large number of unknown patients.

He said another good example is the care of victims of gunshot injury with
broad provision in the NHA 2014 and again, there is no policy statement that clearly addresses the various components of the emergency care services for this set of patients.

Phillips said it was pertinent to emphasise that though there was
provision of fund for emergency care within the framework of NHA 2014, the disbursement procedure was ambiguous.

He then listed poor emolument, irregular payment of salaries with
arrears running to 12 months or more in some states as some of the problems doctor face in the country.

Phillips stated that in spite of the challenges, Nigerian physicians
continued to render desirable healthcare services to citizens and would continue to do so to improve the health of the people.

He commended physicians who had been working assiduously at
ensuring that Nigerians are healthy. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has re-ordered the 2019 Budget of the state with a letter to the State Assembly seeking a loan of N250 Billion.

According to the letter by Sanwo-Olu, the 2019 Budget proposed by ex-Gov. Akinwumi Ambode could no longer be funded hence the need for its re-ordering and sourcing for more funds.

The governors letter was read on the floor of the House during plenary on Tuesday by the Clerk to the Assembly, Mr Sani Azeez.

According to the letter, the loan was broken down as: a fixed rate bond of N100 billion from the capital market and an internal loan of N150 billion.

The governor explained that the budgetary provisions of recurrent and capital budget of ministries, departments and agencies were not likely to be utilized before the end of the year, saying that N34.050 billion could be re-ordered.

In the letter, the governor stated that his administration was constrained by the lack of revenue for the remaining months of the year and that it would not be in a position to propose a supplementary budget, which informed the recourse to re-ordering 2019 budget.

He said the budget as at 31st August, 2019 had a 71 per cent overall performance, which was below the set target of 100 per cent.

Further analysis shows that the recurrent expenditure stood at 80 per cent while capital expenditure was at 64 per cent performance, portending a 49:51 capital/recurrent ratio against the target of 55:45.

It should be noted that some of the major MDAs that are supposed to implement the capital expenditure are performing below expectation, while others have almost exhausted their budgetary provisions, Sanwo-Olu explained in the letter.

According to the governor, all other arms of government should cooperate with him by ensuring that they improve on spending in priority areas, adding that the administration was desirous of keeping its electoral promises to the citizens and had resolved to take advantage of clement weather condition in the latter part of the year to complete various projects.

The projects, he said would benefit from the re-ordering were: completion of Lagos-Badagry express road; Agege Pen cinema overhead bridge; Agric-Isawo road; Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Igbogbo road; rehabilitation of schools; initiate and complete smart city project and zero tolerance for portholes, among others.

Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa subsequently committed the governors request to the joint committees on Finance and Budget and Economic Planning.

They are to report back to the House on Monday.

Source: NAN

..Inaugurates 42-member advisory board

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has approved the appointment of 11 Permanent Secretaries (PS) in the state.

The approval was contained in a statement by the state Head of Service (HoS), Mr Reginald Bayoko on Tuesday in Asaba.

Bayoko stated that those appointed are- Dr Francis Onojeta, Mr Paul Osahor, Mr Joseph Uwalogho, Mrs Ngozi Nwanze, Mr Cletus Obieaba, Mrs Charity Ehimen-Babigha and Mrs Oghenekeve Agas among others.

He said the appointees would be sworn in by Gov. Okowa at a later date.

Meanwhile, a 42-member Advisory and Peace-Building Council has been inaugurated by Gov. Okowa with a charge to members to avail his administration with adequate guide that would engender effective governance in the state.

He said at the ceremony in Asaba that the council was expected to support the government regularly with expert advice and services without prompting.

The governor said that the main responsibilities for the council included the power to study the general socio-economic and political situations in the state and offer advice to the government.

According to him, the council will advise on issues that can lead to a healthy relationship between the three arms of government Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

This objective shall also be adopted with regards to the local government councils as it will also render advice on issues, which can strengthen the harmonious relationships with the Federal Government and states.

It will also study the causes of conflicts among various communities in the State and advise on measures to effectively mitigate them, and further advise on appropriate peace-building mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of various peace programmes of government.

The council is also expected to deliberate and advise on any matter referred to it by government and bring up new initiatives for the administrations sustained efforts at maintaining the peaceful co-existence of our people, including residents in the State.

The state government is at all times, seeking for ways to strengthen the base for the peace and unity of the different ethnic nationalities, in addition to inter and intra-community relations in the State.

This is, because no meaningful development can take place in the absence of peace. By the special grace of God, in the last four years, we have had a largely peaceful state; that is one major reason we were able to achieve the much we did, he said.

Okowa stated that some of the credit for the achievements would go to the Advisory and Peace Building Council.

He congratulated the 42-member Council, and urged the members to always work for harmonious, peaceful co-existence in every part of the state.

He appealed that to the citizens to continue to cooperate and partner his administration to ensure sustainable development in every part of the state, adding that the government would continue to tap from the wealth of experience of elders.

The council has Prof. Sam Oyovbaire as Chairman, while members are Chief Benjamin Elue, Prof. Amos Utuama, Prince Sam Obi, Chief Chris Agbobu, Chief Brodrick Bozimo, Brig.-Gen. B. Demeyeibo (retd), Chief Mike Adiotomre and Chief Ignatius Agidi.

Others are Chief Patrick Egone, Mr John Nwagimeje, Senator Stella Omu, Chief Paul Enebeli, Senator Patrick Osakwe, Dr. (Mrs) Felicia Nwaeze, Prof. E.C. Nwanze, Dr. Pius Sinebe, Chief Joseph Ejigba, Chief Eddie Sorhue, Chief (Mrs) Esther Uduehi and Chief E.O. Oborfukoro.

Also inaugurated as members are Chief Robert Ejifoma, Pa. John Edah, Dr. Roland Oritsejafor, Chief E. E. Ebimani, Chief Judith Enamuotor, Rev. Gideon Oyibo, Mr Joseph Ikhena, Chief Denis Etaluku, Prof. Sam Ukala, Chief Jonathan Uyeri and Chief Samuel Okoro.

Mrs Felicia Ajagu, Chief Theodora Giwa-Amu, Chief (Mrs) Felicia Sani, Rev. Oke Akokotu, Mr Ayo Odonmeta, Chief Emmanuel Okumagba, Rear Admiral Mike Onah (retd), Chief Margaret Unukegwo, Chief (Mrs) Grace Boyo and Rt. Rev. Justus Mogekwu are among the members.

Responding on behalf of the members, Oyovbaire thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them, and said we know that you listen and that you are focused.

We will work with you and do our best to make our state better, because you are a peace builder.

Source: NAN

By Mustapha Yauri

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is partnering with Uganda to immunise more than 18 million children against measles, rubella and polio.

A statement made available by WHO Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja said of the 18 million, 8.2 million children who are younger than nine months would receive the oral polio vaccine.

It said that the five-day mass immunisation campaign was funded by the Government of Uganda; GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance; the United Nations Childrens Fund; and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The statement added that the campaign would be conducted in schools for the first three days and in communities for the last two days.

It added that the campaign also targets all children younger than 15 years, whether previously immunised or not, in order to interrupt circulation of these diseases.

The statement quoted Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, as saying that this is an extremely important exercise.

Moeti said the campaign represents an impressive level of commitment to healthcare that we need more than ever across the Africa to prevent diseases, deaths and to avoid unnecessary expenditure when caring for people who are sick.

She noted that the Government of Uganda acknowledges the importance of immunisation against various diseases to attain Sustainable Development Goal 3, which underlines the need for good health and well-being.

Similarly, the Dr Jane Aceng, the Uganda Minister of Health, said the campaign would be a launch pad to introduce the measles-rubella vaccine into the countrys routine immunisation schedule.

This campaign does NOT replace the routine immunisation schedule. Parents, caregivers and all concerned must ensure that all children receive and complete all the vaccines specified on our immunisation schedule after the campaign, she said.

Aceng said that the mass campaign provides opportunity to intensify sensitisation of communities on measles, rubella and polio as well as disease surveillance and to investigate any unreported but suspected cases of these diseases.

She added the campaign was particularly important because of the declining trend in routine immunisation coverage in the country.

Dr Yonas TegegnWoldermariam, the WHO Representative in Uganda, appealed to parents, caregivers and guardians to take their children younger than 15 years for immunisation against measles, rubella and polio during this mass exercise. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ibironke Ariyo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday warned the public against fraudsters and scammers claiming to have shortlisted candidates for the recruitment exercise on behalf of the agency.

Mr Jonah Achema, Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, gave the warning in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Achema said that the agency would not shortlist secretly, noting that many innocent people had been victims of such fraudsters.

Fraudsters have started sending NDLEA employment letters and messages to people.

This was a message received by an applicant, Dear X, Congratulations for Joining NDLEA. Your service number is 00721/REC08/A22. Please keep it safe.

Another one stated from Dear X, NDLEA training kits to get are: 3 Set of uniforms, both short and long sleeves and overall, 2 ceremonial suits, 2 cardigans, 12 Pieces of white T-shirt and shorts respectively.

2 belts, 2 face caps, 2 barrette, 2 pairs of boot, 2 pairs of cover shoe, 2 pairs of canvas 1 88 mattress, 1 bed sheet, 1 pillow and its case. Total cost= N105,350 only.

This is not from NDLEA. The agency still maintains that the collation of applications is very much ongoing after which successful applicants will proceed to the next stage before final screening.

It is still a relatively long way to go, contrary to claims by scammers that the process has been completed, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN