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Author: Aderogba George

  • Entrepreneur lauds Otti, Uzodinma over performance in office

    Entrepreneur lauds Otti, Uzodinma over performance in office

    Performance

    By Aderogba George
    Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Mr Ikenna Okoro, an Abuja-based Real Estate entrepreneur has commended governors of Imo, Abia, Cross River and FCT Minister for providing quality infrastructure and good governance for their people.

    Okoro made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday on his assessment of Nigeria’s democratic trajectory in the past one year.

    He described Mr Nyesom Wike as an exceptional Minister of FCT in comparison with his predecessors.

    “Wike is doing excellently well as far as infrastructure is concerned. Anybody living in Abuja will see the massive transformation he is doing within one year”, he said.

    The businessman also commended governors of Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Alex Otti of Abia and Cross River’s, Bassey Otu for their transformational leadership styles in their states.

    “Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma is doing exceptionally well. The massive infrastructure development he has embarked on in Imo is not something I need to tell you, it’s something you need to see.

    “It is everywhere, massive roads, quality roads. The next move he is making now is about uninterrupted power supply, I wish him well.

    “He is doing well because the areas of civil service and human empowerment he is not wasting the state fund on parties and friends’’, he told NAN.

    He described Otti as a blessing to the people of Abia.

    “I commend a couple of other governors who have a blueprint of good things on paper.

    “Some of them inherited a very bad state, may be they are in a hole, need to fill the hole, may be you need to give them time’’, Okoro said.

    Okoro also threw his weight behind the call for true local governments autonomy saying it would strengthen the nation’s democracy and deliver dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

    He said that autonomy for local governments would engender economic stability at the grassroots.

    He also supported the agitation for state police and community policing saying “it is one of the things that I believe that will move our economy forward.

    “Mr President said local government is the key of our security architecture because you might post Commissioner of Police from Sokoto to, say, Abia.

    “He may not perform optimally because he doesn’t know anybody, he doesn’t know the terrain and doesn’t know the culture

    “But if you bring in an Abia indigene and make him Commissioner of Police of Abia, he knows his kinsmen, he knows the bad boys and he will tell them don’t try that none sense here,” he said.

    Okoro urged governor to support the clamour and implementation of local government autonomy for a prosperous Nigeria.

    He also urged reforms in the country’s electoral process, saying it could lead to the recruitment of quality leaders.

    “Late President Yar’adua admitted that the process that brought him into office was flawed

    “I want this administration to look at the electoral process to ensure that credible people will be elected into office’’, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AG/KUA

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    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • Liverpool medical school, Foundation train NPMCN examiners on obstetrics skills

    Liverpool medical school, Foundation train NPMCN examiners on obstetrics skills
    A section of participants at the training

    Training

    By Aderogba George

    Abuja, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), an NGO, have commenced the second batch training of National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) faculty examiners.

    Mrs Adanna Maduka, Director of Policy, Partnerships and Grants, WBFA, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

    She said that the second batch training on Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS) training for NPMCN faculty examiners commenced on Monday June 3, with 24 participants.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organisers held the first batch of the training in May.

    The training is taking place the project’s Centre of Excellence at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    Maduka said that the training was aimed at supporting the NPMCN faculty examiners in training resident doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology (OBGYN), as well as ensuring quality assurance, and evaluating programmes.

    She quoted Dr Hauwa Mohammed, Country Director for LSTM Nigeria, as while encouraging participants to engage actively with the training assured them of an enriching training experience.

    Dr Helen Allott, the Course Director, said the project was aimed at enhancing maternal and child healthcare outcomes across Nigeria.

    Allott said that LSTM’s and WBFA’s were committed in strengthening the healthcare systems as well as to  support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in country.

    “This effort underscores the partnering organizations’ response to Nigeria’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates’’, he said.

    According to Allott, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that Nigeria has the second-highest maternal death rate globally and one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in Africa.

    She quoted the WHO as saying that Nigeria has 800 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 33 per 1,000 live births in 2019.

    She said that by advancing AOSS competency-based curriculum for resident doctors in OBGYN at NPMCN, the partners aimed to ensure high-quality healthcare for mothers and newborns.

    According to her, the course covers advanced techniques and best practices for managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies, directly contributing to improved healthcare delivery.

    The project, according to her, is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

    It is managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (@THETlinks) for the benefit of the UK and partner country health sectors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AG/KUA

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    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • Junkanoo festival: Country representative advocates peace to drive Nigerian culture

     

    From left: Nigeria Country Representative, World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture (WJFTC), Prince Felix Ihonre; National Coordinator, Isoko-Urhobo Cultural Group, Apostle Abraham Ezaza and Coordinator, Kingdom Orpanage Home, Olamide Judith, during the news conference in Abuja on Monday (3/6/24).On the forthcoming World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture in Canada.

    Culture

    By Aderogba George

    Abuja, June 4, 2024 (NAN) Amb. Felix Ihonre, Nigeria’s Country Representative for World Junkanoo Foundation and World Carnival Commission, has called for peace in order to drive Nigeria’s cultural heritage and harness its potential.

    Ihonre made the call in Abuja on Monday at a news conference on the upcoming World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture, scheduled to hold in Vaughan City, Canada, from July 4 to 8, 2024.

    The country representative, who said that the culture and tourism activities only thrived in a peaceful society, urged the government at all levels to intensify efforts in their fight against terrorism, kidnaping and other vices.

    “I will like to say that since the inception of President’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, there had been a promotional atmosphere of culture and tourism activities in all parts of the country.

    “And there is need to intensify the activities to make sure that culture thrives but I will tell you that culture and tourism activities cannot thrive in the mix of terrorism.”

    Ihonre added that the cultural activities
    could not thrive in the mix of violence atmosphere, hunger and poverty.

    “That is why today we are happy to say that this present administration has really come up to say we want to fight terrorism and kidnapping. We want to fight every thing that serves as detriment to our cultural heritage.

    “The first aspect of our cultural heritage is agriculture and farming. Food security becomes a problem in the country today because there is violence every where.

    “Where farmers are supposed to go to farm, they are deprived to farm. This is why we are calling on both federal and state governments to intensify efforts in their fight and approach to reduce or eradicate completely the act of terrorism and kidnapping.

    “Herdsmen/farmers crisis should be removed completely. I happen to come from Niger Delta and when there was crisis from Niger Delta, we stood by the then government and we embraced peace in NIger Delta.

    “That was why Nigeria started to get good proceeds from the oil that is sustaining the country today. If the Niger Delta youths that have oil are saying yes to peace, northern youths should also embrace peace.”

    He called on northern youths to end violence situation in the north, adding that they have capacity to do it.

    According to him, when the youths work with this present administration, peace will reign and we will have more foods.

    “I will tell you today that I happened to be somebody who grew up in Makurdi, Benue State. Yam happened to be one of our favourite foods, the so called ‘Opa’ happened to come from Benue, fruits and tomatoes that are feeding this country came from Benue State.

    “But today, there is violence in Benue State. There is violence in Edo, Maduguri and Bauchi and the rest. Why don’t we call it short and sheath the guns, machetes and fear situation in the area.

    “We are saying this because we want the next World Junkanoo festival to be hosted by Nigeria and we cannot host this programme, if there is no peace in this country.

    “The whole world will not want to come to Nigeria if there is no peace in this country.”

    The country representative said the upcoming Junkanoo festival would provide investment opportunities for Nigeria, saying that Nigeria’s cultural heritage would be showcased to attract people living abroad to invest in the country.

    “The festival will provide us opportunities to have our pavilion and showcase Nigerian cultural heritage. This will attract many investors to come and invest in culture, tourism, sports and other sectors of Nigerian economy.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AG/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

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  • NAFDAC warns Nigerians against use of Sniper, other chemical for food preservation

    NAFDAC warns Nigerians against use of Sniper, other chemical for food preservation
    Warning
    By Aderogba George
    Abuja, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has again issued a stern warning to Nigerians regarding the use of hazardous chemicals like Snipers and others to preserve food.
    The warning is contained in a statement signed by Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, and issued to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
    Adeyeye gave the warning while responding to a viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.
    She said that the agency had many times emphasized on the dangers associated with dichlorvos (Sniper), a chemical commonly utilized by traders to safeguard food from spoilage, saying such could cause cancer, liver problem and others.
    She said that the sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less), has been banned since 2019 while the sale of the large volume (one litre) was left to certify agrochemicals outlets.
    Adeyeye said that NAFDAC underscored the toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, while cautioning that its use can have fatal consequences.
    She therefore urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption, adding that the misuse of dichlorvos posed significant risks to human health.
    According to her, the risk in using chemical for food preservation could manifest in both short-term and long-term exposure.
    “Long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects.
    “These adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure,” she said.
    The D-G emphasized alternative methods for preserving food, while mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option compared to dichlorvos.
    She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period is an indication of pesticide contamination, rather than freshness, adding that unless such foods are stored in the refrigerator.
    She said that NAFDAC had implemented several initiatives such as stakeholders’ sensitization meetings on restricting the direct application of dichlorvos on grains and foodstuffs in addition to the banning of the 100 ml size bottle.
    Adeyeye said that the agency had initiated a thorough laboratory testing to ensure pesticide residues did not exceed maximum limits for both in-country consumption and for exports.
    She said that NAFDAC had initiated routine monitoring of stakeholder to ensure compliance, while highlighting continued global best practices, including the phase-out of certain pesticides that have been banned in other countries due to proven toxicity.
    She acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers due to bans on various chemicals and emphasized the importance of transitioning to safer alternatives.
    The D-G also addressed the misconceptions about banned chemicals being dumped in Nigeria, and clarified that comprehensive lists have been provided to the media to dispel such notions.
    The statement also quoted the Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products (VMAP), Dr. Rametu Momodu, reiterating that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils is not an approved practice.
    Adeyeye explained that there were approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label.
    She stressed that these products should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health, while elaborating that consuming food contaminated with dichlorvos could cause dizziness, vomiting, difficult breathing, tremors, and convulsions.
    According to her, in some cases, such could lead to coma and death, and that once a pesticides is used on food items, it remains or residual on such food, posing a significant health risks.
    She said that washing such food did not mitigate the risk, as the harmful substance would have already soaked into it.
    She stated that the agency could not recommend washing as a solution, as it gave a false sense of security.
    Momodu urged grain merchants, market vendors, and farmers to adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines and refrain from directly applying dichlorvos to beans and other foodstuffs, adding that it should be used as field crop treatment or a fumigant, to ensure food safety.
    She also advised consumers to avoid buying from vendors known to use such practices and to report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate sanctions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AG/MNA
    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
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