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  • Why varsities should adopt astronomy studies – NASRDA

    Why varsities should adopt astronomy studies – NASRDA

    Astronomy

    By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), on Friday called on universities across the country to consider including Astronomy studies in its curriculum for technological advancement.

    Dr Bonaventure Okere, Director, Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (CBSSA), an activity centre of NASRDA, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    According to Okere, very few universities offer Astronomy studies, while the students graduating from the course are left with no option but to seek employment outside the country.

    The director said that NASRDA was engaging with schools across the country to encourage them to include astronomy courses in their curriculum.

    “We are engaging Nigerian universities to see how they can include Astronomy in their curriculum, because now, we have a handful of schools offering astronomy course.

    “We need to invest in astronomy because investing in astronomy means investing in space science technology, and any nation that invests in astronomy is keying into technology development.

    “If we have universities that do astronomy, when our students graduate, they will have where to teach.

    “Some of them when they finish, they leave the country and cause brain drain in that area, but the moment universities introduce it, there will be jobs and economic development,’’ he said.

    According to Okere, space science technology is not only dependent on launching satellites into space, but comprises of the study of objects in space, hence, astronomy.

    “Every object in space has an address and some of these addresses are invisible to human eyes and where we cannot reach.

    ” To build equipment that can reach such objects that are billions of kilometers away, requires technological advancement and investment in astronomy.

    “In Nigeria, we assume space science technology is all about satellite launching, which is looking down, we are not looking up which is where you can develop your technology.

    “If our country has to key into technology advancement like in other climes, that is why we need to introduce astronomy course in our universities and it will create jobs,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    NIU/JPE

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    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • NIMR, partners to begin SARMAAN 2 to reduce infant mortality

    Infant
    By Kemi Akintokun

    Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) says its ongoing Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance Mass Administration of Azithromycin (SARMAAN) project is targeted at reducing infant mortality in the country.

    Prof. Babatunde Salako, the Director-General of NIMR, disclosed this at SARMAAN engagement meeting with the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa.

    Salako said the project was in partnership with Sight Saver, Malaria Consortium, eHealth Africa, Federal Ministry of Health, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Institute for Disease Modelling (IDM), among others.

    He explained that the first phase of SARMAAN was initiated two years ago following a recommendation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on mass administration of Azithromycin in countries with high infant mortality rate.

    He noted that the first phase of the project, which is SARMAAN 1, had been concluded in six pilot states – Kebbi, Kano, Sokoto, Abia, Jigawa, Akwa-Ibom and Sokoto.

    Salako said: “SARMAAN project is directed at reducing under five mortality and this came up from a study supported by some funders and monitored by WHO in countries where infant mortality were high.

    “Mass Administration of Azithromycin was used in the countries and it brought about 13.8 percent reduction in which was significant in those countries.

    “The SARMAAN 1 has been concluded in six pilot states that benefited from the mass Administration where infants between one month’s to 11 months were given Azithromycin with six months intervals.

    Speaking also, Prof. Oliver Ezechi, the Principal Investigating Officer of SARMAAN, said the phase two of the project would commenced in Kano in July.

    Ezechi, a Director of Research in NIMR, said the project, which captured no fewer than 1.3 million children from one month to 11 months of age, used 3.6 million quantity of Azithromycin over six months interval

    He added that SARMAAN 2 would focused on the number of reduction in infants mortality and evaluate the safety of the mass administration of the drugs among children one to 59 months in the next four years.

    ” SARMAAN 1 was a limited research we carried out that involved two six states and the project showed that Azithromycin was safe for children and only less that two per cent of the children reported side effects common among children.

    “Before we started, we measured the antimicrobial resistance level and obtain 4.1 per cent before introducing the drugs and ensured that we are not solving one problem and starting another one.

    ” The safety perimeters shows that the drug is very good and that is why SARMAAN will be extended to children from one months to 59 months to enable us know the number of reduction in infant mortality,” he said.

    He said the project would be taken to the government after its conclusion, to be considered as a policy, alongside other existing effort put in place by the government to reduce infant mortality.

    Speaking after the presentation of report on the SARMAAN 1 research, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, urged all participants in the project to ensure safety and imbibe good practice.

    Alausa said the President Bola Tinubu-led government would not relent in its effort to reduce the high infant mortality in the country. (NAN)
    KOA/VIV

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    Edited by Vivian Ihechu

     

     

  • Zverev trial ends without verdict in exchange for fine

    Zverev trial ends without verdict in exchange for fine

    Fine

    Berlin, June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Berlin trial against Alexander Zverev on assault charges ended without a verdict on Friday, just an hours ahead of his French Open semi-final match.

    The district court closed the trial after all parties agreed on a monetary fine of €200,000 ($218,000) for the Olympic tennis champion from Germany.

    The payment is no admission of guilt and the presumption of innocence remains.

    Zverev, 27, had appealed against a €450,000 penalty order on domestic abuse charges, which was issued without trial.

    According to the indictment, based on the statements of Zverev’s ex-girlfriend, the player allegedly assaulted her during an argument in May 2020 in a flat in Berlin.

    The trial started on May 31 and was originally to go over 10 days until July 19 2024.

    It now ended after three days as prosecutors and the defence teams of Zverev and of his ex-girlfriend as joint plaintiff reached an agreement.

    Zverev protested his innocence throughout the case and said at the French Open the legal proceedings was not affecting his game.

    He faces Norway’s Casper Ruud in the semi-finals at Roland Garros later on Friday. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    COO/HS

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Halima Sheji

     

  • Trader jailed 1 month for stealing clothes worth N32,000

    Trader jailed 1 month for stealing clothes worth N32,000

    Sentence

    By Zainab Oyekan

    Jos, June 7, 2024 ( NAN) A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Friday, sentenced a 19-year-old trader, Aliyu Ibrahim to one  month imprisonment for stealing clothes worth N32, 000..

    Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the defendant after he pleaded guilty to theft.

    The magistrate, however, gave the convict an option to pay N10, 000.

    Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Ijuptil Thawal told the court that the case was reported on May 4, at the Railway Police station Jos by one Garba Mohammed, the complaint.

    The prosecutor said the convict trespassed into the railway quarter and stole seven pieces of clothing before he was caught.

    The offence, according to him, is punishable under the Plateau  Penal Code Law. (NAN)

    OIZ/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Security guard jailed 4 years for domestic violence

    Security guard jailed 4 years for domestic violence

     

    Imprisonment
    By Uche Bibilari
    Gwagwalada (FCT), June 7, 2024 (NAN) A Senior Magistrates’ Court in Gwagwalada, FCT, has sentenced a 39-year-old security guard, Thiouma Kwawi to four years imprisonment for beating up his wife with cable wire and inflicting grievous injuries on her.

    Kwawi, who was convicted and sentenced for criminal force and assault and causing grievous hurt, had begged the court for mercy.

    Senior Magistrate, Munir Sani, sentenced Kwawi to two years imprisonment for the first charge or an option to pay a fine of N200,000.

    Sani, also sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment for the second charge without an option of fine.

    He ordered the convict to pay a compensation of N200,000 to the wife being money she spent for her medical treatment.

    He also, ordered that the convict be sent to Suleja Correctional Centre and should be punished with hard labour.

    Earlier, the Prosecuting counsel, Dabo Yakubu told the court that the convict’s wife, 19-year-old Kauna Jedi, of mopol barrack Kuje Junction, Abuja, reported the matter at Iddo police station on June 1.

    Yakubu said that the convict used stone and cable wire to beat his pregnant wife and in the process inflicted serious injuries on her.

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Sections 267 and 247 of the Penal Code.

    According to Section 247, Whoever, except in the case provided for by section 245 of the Penal Code, voluntarily causes grievous hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    UU/SH
    ======

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Farmer jailed 1 month for stealing cell phone

    Jail

    By Zainab Oyekan

    Jos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) A Plateau Magistrates’ Court sitting in Jos, on Friday, sentenced a 20-year old farmer, Mustapha Hamid to one month imprisonment for stealing a cell phone.

    The Magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, in a summary trial, sentenced the defendant after he pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing.

    The magistrate, however, gave the convict an option of fine of N10,000.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Ibrahim Gokwat told the court that the case was reported at the Larato Police Station, Jos by some market leaders on May 6.

    Gokwat said that the convict stole the phone from a shop in the market before he was caught.

    He said that the offence contravened the Plateau State Penal Code Law.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OIZ/FEO/AZU

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    Edited Francis Onyeukwu and Azubuike Okeh

  • Survey: 40% of Germans support recognition of Palestinian state

    Survey: 40% of Germans support recognition of Palestinian state

    Support

    Berlin, June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Two out of five Germans are in favour of recognising Palestinian statehood, according to the results of a representative survey conducted by the opinion research institute YouGov on Friday.

    According to the survey, 40 per cent of respondents said that Germany should recognise Palestine as a state, while 27 per cent were against and 33 per cent did not say.

    In recent weeks, Norway, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia decided to recognise Palestine as a state, which triggered fierce protests from Israel.

    Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared a fortnight ago that the German government was not currently planning to recognise Palestine as a separate state.

    Divisions are deepening over the war in Gaza. On May 24, the International Criminal Court the highest court of the United Nations (UN), ordered an immediate halt to Israel’s military offensive in the Palestinian city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

    Israel has however continued its offensive on the city where 1.4 million Palestinians from elsewhere in Gaza had previously sought shelter, leading almost 1 million of them to flee again.

    The European Union is now considering imposing economic sanctions against Israel.

    According to the survey, around half (51 per cent) of respondents would be in favour of the EU imposing economic sanctions on Israel, according to the survey.

    However, 26 per cent said they completely or somewhat disagreed with such sanctions.

    For the representative survey, YouGov interviewed 2,295 people eligible to vote in Germany. The survey took place between May 31 and June 5. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

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    Edited by Halima Sheji

  • UN steps up efforts to maintain peace in South Sudan’s state

    Peace

    Juba, June 7, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has stepped up efforts to maintain peace in Malakal town Upper Nile State, following violence that killed  several people last week.

    UNMISS said that it will continue to support efforts to protect civilians and maintain calm through intensive patrols and engagement with affected communities.

    Nicholas Haysom, special representative of the UN secretary-general and head of UNMISS, said in a statement issued in Juba on Friday, the capital of South Sudan, that the situation is currently calm but fragile.

    “We appreciate the coordination and close partnerships with national, state and local authorities who played an important role in ensuring that further escalations in violence do not take place and that people are able to resume their daily activities safely,” Haysom said.

    The clashes erupted on May 30 between the Dinka and Shilluk communities over the disputed Akoka area, with armed Dinka men attacking and killing four Shilluk fishermen who were under civilian protection.

    In retaliation, the Shilluk community moved out of the UN Protection of Civilians Site and killed a driver belonging to the Dinka community in Malakal town.

    The UN mission commended the swift and ongoing responses by state authorities and government security forces in reducing the tensions and keeping the communities safe.

    UNMISS said that it was working closely with government partners and has proactively deployed peacekeepers in and around the UN Protection of Civilians Site in Malakal to make sure displaced people were secured. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    COO/SH

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza

     

  • 3000 residents to benefit from NGO’s free surgery

    Surgery

    By Aderonke Ojediran

    Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 3000 residents of Ketu in Lagos State will benefit from free surgery put together by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) – Open Hands Amazing Charitable Organisation.

    This was made known on Friday in a statement by the founder of the NGO, Dr Magdalene Agada, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    The one-day outreach will take place June 29, in partnership with Michael Catholic Church Ketu, St. Vincent Dr Paul Society Ketu.

    “We will work with some churches, it’s easier that way, religions as they say is the opium of the masses, we know we will see those who are most vulnerable.

    “Our NGO for the past five years, has put together life changing health outreaches and interventions in different states of Nigeria, like Egede, Enugu State; Ibuzor and Akomazi in Delta State.

    ”There were also free cleft pallet surgery made possible by this charity

    “This in addition to hospital equipment donated to health institutions and hospitals across Nigeria, in Rivers, Taraba, Nassarawa ,” she said.

    The philanthropist further stated that the medical outreach is not just to run test on participants but also to give drugs and stipends.

    “This time, Open Hands Amazing Charitable Organisation is poised to take its hope train to the centre of excellence, Lagos, precisely we don’t just do medical checks or give drugs, we provide balance meals and stipends to those in need.

    “With the support of my friends dependable support of Dr Josephine Ewere, and Dr Aloysius Agada, who are the pillars and strong supporters of the charity.

    “We sincerely hope that our beneficiaries conduct themselves well, we have enough to go round and I implore them to heed the advice of the medical professionals and take your drugs according to prescription.

    “Also, don’t forget to pray for the continued strength and success of the donors,” she said.

    According to her, treatment will be given for Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Renal issues, Cancer, Eye screening among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OAF/DOE
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    Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

  • German rights group condemns Scholz’s plan to deport criminals

    Condemn

    Berlin, June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The German refugee advocacy group Pro Asyl has condemned German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s initiative to allow deportations of serious criminals to Afghanistan and Syria.

    “International law clearly prohibits any deportations to Afghanistan and Syria,” Pro Asyl’s managing director Karl Kopp told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper in remarks published on Friday.

    Kopp described Scholz’s proposed plans as unlawful, because both countries were known for their use of torture and inhuman punishments.

    Earlier on Thursday, Scholz proposed to allow the deportation of serious criminals to Afghanistan and Syria again, following the recent death of a police officer who was stabbed at an anti-Islamic rally in Mannheim.”

    “Such criminals should be deported even if they come from Syria and Afghanistan,” Scholz told the Bundestag or lower house of parliament. “Serious criminals and [people posing] terrorist threats have no place here.”

    The chancellor did not explain exactly how he intend to make this possible, but said the Interior Ministry was working on the practical implementation and was already in talks with Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries.

    An Afghan national stabbed several people last week in the south-western city of Mannheim during a rally by the anti-Islam movement Pax Europa, a policeman who tried to intervene later died of his injuries.

    “The attack in Mannheim has shocked us all, but the German government must not undermine international law. Instead, it must rely on the resources of the German constitutional state,” Kopp said.

    “The prohibition on torture applies to everyone including criminals. This important principle must not be undermined,” he added.

    Germany has not sent anyone back to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.

    Even before that, the agreement was that only men especially criminals and those deemed terrorist threats would be forcibly returned, due to the difficult security situation. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

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    Edited by Halima Sheji