Blog

90 per cent of medical laboratories in Plateau not equipped – expert

NAN-HG-13
Laboratories

Jos, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) An expert, Mr Solomon Chollom, has disclosed that 90 per cent of the medical laboratories in Plateau were not equipped to play their role in the healthcare delivery chain.

Chollom, Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria (AMLSN), National Veterinary Research Institute, Jos chapter, who spoke on Thursday in Jos, regretted that the development was “a major drawback to quality healthcare”.

His position was contained in a paper entitled: “Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease in Nigeria,’’ delivered at a public lecture organised in honour of late Raphael Shonekan, the first medical laboratory scientist of the institute.

He said that “only 10 per cent” of laboratories were well endowed while the rest, especially medical laboratories in local government health centres and cottage hospitals were “very under-equipped”.

Chollom described a medical laboratory as “the loud voice that speaks on health”.

“The laboratory remains the voice that speaks; without that voice, the medical laboratory scientist is handicapped and cannot determine what is wrong to help the physician to decide.

“The good laboratory must have the equipment that indicates what pathogen, parasites, virus or bacteria is responsible for an ailment and how such ailment can be tackled.

“The quality of a medical laboratory’s output depends on its input. The inputs are the samples, reagents and equipment. This greatly affects the quality of the lab’s result.

“If you bring samples to a lab that lacks the right equipment to work with, most often we do manual investigation and it delays the treatment hour.

“This affects the turnaround time for each procedure; in the course of that delay, so many things could happen to the sample.

“There are samples that need to be treated within 30 minutes while some require five minutes, depending on the pathogen one is looking for.

“If at the point of reception, some of the samples are already getting deteriorated, the integrity of the outcome of such investigation could be compromised,” he explained.

Chollom said that some equipment were particularly crucial to the 21st century medical laboratories, but lamented that such equipment were not available in most laboratories in the Plateau.

He called on governments and concerned stakeholders to equip medical laboratories in its primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions to boost the quality of healthcare facilities and personnel handling them.

“ With good laboratories and good handlers, we shall minimise medical tourism,” he said.

Chollom particularly stressed the need to upgrade medical laboratories in veterinary centres to help biosafety and contain highly contagious organisms. (NAN)

UBO/FAT/ETS

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Edited Fatima Sule and Ephraims Sheyin

NAN-AE-7
Project
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Foundation for Economic Empowerment and Educational Development (FEED), an NGO says the organisation has spent more than N8 billion in executing projects in various communities across the country.

Mr Kelvin Dzeremo, the Executive Director of the organisation disclosed this on Thursday to the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) in Abuja.

Dzeremo said that the aim of the organisation was to assist in reducing poverty by working with donor organisations in potentially inflammatory communities and situations.

He said that the organiation was executing a project in Zaki biam, Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State which aimed at creating awareness on the importance of good education.

According to him, a lot of children and youths were out of school because of crises that turned some women to widows and children fatherless.

“Our organisation took it upon ourselves to ensure that such children remained in schools.

“We try to let them know the importance of education; we care for their welfare as well as encouraging them to live a better life.

“For the women and youths we encouraged and empowered them with skill acquisition which is helping to fight poverty holistically in the area.

“With these our contributions, the beneficiaries will be encouraged to take charge of their destiny and show also that they are relevant in the society.

“Our efforts I believe will eliminate the possibility of these children becoming a threat to our society and to avoid turning the nation to a restless and violence society,’’ he said.

He said that the fund was used in executing projects in Chukuku community, Kuje Area Council, FCT as well as some communities in Benue State.

He said that with the support of Global Environmental Facility, (GEF/SGP) the organisation was implementing a project tagged: “Mobilising Community Actions towards Climate Change Mitigation’’ in the community.

He said that the community was experiencing the effect of climate change with major manifestation in the decline of their farm produce.

He said that the project was aimed at mobilising community actions to building and increasing the resilience of the people to respond to the impacts of climate change.

The executive director said that the project had achieved in creating strong awareness to the community on climate change and it impacts.

He said that the project had offered a lasting solution to the declining farming outputs, promote climate smart agricultural practices, provide alternative livelihood activities and support fuel wood efficiency.

He said that the organisation was also concerned about the welfare of children, youths and family by ensuring that the children were given good education. (NAN)
VOE/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

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Synergy
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr Rufus Ebegba, says synergy among Nigerians and Biosafety stakeholders is key to the proper analysis and release of safe Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).

Ebegba, who made this known at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Thursday, said the agency was collaborating with relevant stakeholders to strengthen biosafety system and ensure that GMOs in the country were safe for the citizens and its environment.

“We do not work alone; we are collaborating with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), National Biotechnology Development Agency (NBDA), the Nigerian Customs, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“Scientists, line government institutions and stakeholders, within and outside the country, to suggest ideas that will assist in the strengthening of our National biosafety system.

“And some international agencies like the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), International Service for the Acquisition of Agric-Biotech Application (ISAAA) among others. “

Ebegba said that in the areas of analysing the risks and safety measures of GMOs, the agency had the capacity and personnel to handle genetically modified foods effectively.

“The interest of Nigerians is paramount and the agency is there to protect it; so the agency is working round the clock and with relevant agencies to keep Nigeria safe,’’ he said.

He stated that the activities of GMOs generally require prior regulatory approvals, which must be done by highly trained personnel on Risk Assessments of the products.

“We must see how we can work together to tackle the risks posed by GMOs and other organisms that may be a biological threat to the health of the people and its environment, ’’ he said.

He, therefore, advised Nigerians to seek for information from the proper agency concerning the issues of GMOs.

“We are looking at science here, as at today, there is no any known or proven negative side effect of Genetically Modified Organisms. This is why I advice the public to get information from the right source, ’’ he said. (NAN)
EPA/MOL/IS
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Ismail Abdulaziz

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NAN-H-48
Sleeping
By Mohammed Mamman
Damaturu, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe on Thursday directed a sleeping commissioner  at the  presentation of the 2017 budget to the State House of Assembly to go home for more sleep.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had barely commenced reading the budget speech when the cabinet member started snoring.

Gaidam warned that any public officer henceforth caught sleeping stood sacked.

“As from today, any commissioner or special adviser caught sleeping stands sacked and will immediately be replaced.

“We will borrow a leaf from the North Korea experience to make government affairs a serious business,” he said.

Gaidam while reviewing the budget performance of the outgoing year paused and directed the sleeping commissioner to go home.

“I am referring to the commissioner who is sleeping, you can go back home to sleep since you cannot endure the session,” he said.

Although the governor did not mention the name of the sleeping commissioner, he pointed to the row of the commissioners to issue the directive.

NAN reports that the  bewildered commissioners looked at each other in embarrassment and sat up to avoid dozing and being victims of the governor’s sledge hammer.

Alhaji Adamu Dala-Dogo, speaker of the assembly, however, advised public officers to take beverages that would keep them awake during public functions. (NAN)
MM/AMY/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

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Inauguration
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan and its partners, on Thursday launched a bio-control product “aflasafe’’ to reduce “aflatoxin’’ poison in maize and groundnuts.

The Project Managing-Director, IITA, Mr Matieyedou Konlambigue said the Aflasafe Technology Transfer Commercialisation Project (ATTC), was designed in partnership with both private and government entities.

He said the partnership was to ensure that aflasafe products reached millions of farmers throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.

The main fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world

Konlambigue noted that the project would contribute to improved food safety and increased income of smallholder African farmers.

“It is slated to cover 500,000 hectares in 11 countries where aflasafe will soon be registered.

“The project will work with national partners to register aflasafe products in nine additional countries.

“Our target countries are Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda and Zambia.

“The project which would last from 2016 to 2020 was funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” he said.

He emphasized that aflasafe is a natural, safe and cost-effective bio-control product that significantly reduces aflatoxin content in maize and groundnut.

“Aflasafe is applied two to three weeks before flowering at a rate of 10kg per hectare.

“Consumption of aflasafe-treated crops creates healthier farm families and communities,” he said.

Earlier, the IITA Deputy Director-General, Dr Kenton Dashiell said for over a decade, IITA and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) worked closely with several partners to develop aflasafe.

“A manufacturing plant capable of producing five tons aflasafe per hour is operational at IITA, Ibadan; another is under construction in Kenya, and a third is on the way in Senegal.

“Following years of painstaking scientific work to develop products tailored for different African nations and firmly establish their efficacy, aflasafe products are ready to be manufactured and distributed to farmers at large scale,” he said.

In addition, Dr Amare Ayelaw, from the AU pointed out that aflatoxin is a poison produced by the fungus, aspergillus flavus, which resides in soil and infects crops in the field.

“Aflatoxin contaminates up to 65 per cent of maize and groundnut crops, in some countries over 95 per cent of children younger than five years have aflatoxin in their body signifying high exposure. It causes liver cancer, sometimes death; suppresses the immune system and stunts child growth.

“It contaminates feeds, kills chickens, decreases productivity and profitability of livestock. Crops with higher than permissible aflatoxin levels are either forced into low-value markets or destroyed,” Ayelaw said. (NAN)

CC/LAB/IS

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Edited by Lydia Beshel/Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-DS-1
Terrorism
By Adekunle Williams and Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) An American aviation security expert, Mr Gary Pleus, on Thursday advised the Federal Government to intensify counter-terrorism measures across airports in the country.

Pleus, Transport Security Administration (TSA) Attaché, US Embassy, West Africa, gave the advice while speaking at the fourth quarterly Breakfast meeting of the Aviation Round Table (ART) in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pleus spoke on the topic “Aviation Security In The Midst of Home Grown Terrorism.’’

Pleus said that terrorism had become a global problem and the airport environment remained one of the choice targets of terrorists.

He said the attacks at the Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey and the Brussels Airports in Belgium had necessitated the need to strengthen airport security.

According to him, the terrorists were devising new ways to beat security checks at the airport in order to carry out their nefarious activities.

Pleus said the terrorists had resorted to various tactics such as concealing weapons and improvised explosives devices to perpetrate these acts thus requiring due diligence by security operatives.

“Aviation is still a target; an attack on part of the system will have a rippling effect across the system.

“Counter-terrorism measures are needed to detect, deter and prevent an attack; deployment of effective counter measures is critical to mitigating,’’ he said.

Pleus said the US would continue to collaborate with Nigeria and other African countries to prevent acts of terrorism, especially at the airports.

Also speaking, Mr Ifeanyi Ogochukwu, a cyber security specialist, said Nigeria aviation authorities should brace up for the challenges posed by cyber criminals.

He said: “we need to be alert not only to the physical threat but also cyber threats.

“Nigeria does not have any agency that is in charge of any cyber security at the airport and there is urgent need for such an agency in light of global realities.’’

On his part, the Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Mukhtar Usman, said Nigeria was taking the challenges of aviation security seriously.

Usman, who was represented by Mr Olumide Oshineye, NCAA Head of Evaluation and Approval, said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), had specified basic security measures to be implemented by member states.

According to him, there are 82 standards in ICAO Annex 17 and Nigeria has addressed all the 82 standards in its National Civil Aviation Security Act.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Gbenga Olowo, President, ART, said without security, Nigeria’s aviation industry would not be able to achieve its potential.

Olowo said the recent stowaway incidence involving an Arik Air which took off from Lagos to Johannesburg, once again showed the porous nature of our airports.

He said there was the need for proper coordination and collaboration between the various security organisations such as the Police, Immigration, the Customs and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC). (NAN)

WAC/ASO/FF/IS

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-H-41

Dogs
By Sylvester Thompson

Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The police on Thursday arraigned two men in a Gudu Upper Area Court, FCT, for allegedly stealing three dogs.

Suleiman Shehu, 28, and Bashir Abubakar, 20, both of Kabusa village, Apo, are standing trial on a three-count charge of joint act, criminal trespass and theft.

The prosecutor, Mr Joshua Ayanna, told the court that one Solomon Olajide, Zacharia Ibrahim and Ibrahim Aminu reported the matter at Apo police station on Nov. 26.

Ayanna said that the three men alleged that the two defendants “on different occasions, criminally conspired together, trespassed into their various houses and stole three dogs.

“One of the dogs belonging to one of the complainants, one Mr Solomon, is valued at N20, 000, the rest belonging to the other two are valued at N75,000 and N55,000.’’

“The prosecutor also said that during police investigation, the defendants confessed to have committed the crime.

The two defendants, however, denied the allegation that they stole three dogs but admitted stealing only one.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Umar Kagarko admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N50, 000 each with a reliable surety each.

Kagarko, who ordered that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, adjourned the case till Jan, 17, 2017 for hearing.. (NAN)

SET/DOR/DUA
Dore Nyisom/Dada Ahmed
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Edited by Nyisom Dore

Truck pusher gets 2-year jail term for selling cannabis sativa

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Sentence
Lagos, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced 22-year-old Adeniyi Adelakun to two years imprisonment for dealing on cannabis sativa.

Adelakun, a truck pusher, was first arraigned on July 26 by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He had pleaded guilty to the offence.

In his judgment on Thursday, Justice Babs Kuewumi found Adelakun guilty of the offence and convicted him accordingly.

“Based on the evidence before this honourable court, the accused is found guilty and convicted as charged.

“The convict is hereby sentenced to a term of two years imprisonment beginning from the date of his arrest,” he said.

The judge also ordered the drug exhibit to be disposed by the NDLEA, if no appeal subsists against the judgment.

Shortly before sentence, the convict had begged the court to show mercy on him for being a first offender.

He had prayed the court to be lenient, adding that he was sorry for the offence and would never repeat same if given a second chance.

The prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan had told the court that the accused was arrested on June 19, at Majaro Street Sabo Ikorodu.

According to him, 200 grammes  of cannabis sativa (Indian Hemp) was seized from the convict who traded in same.

He said that the convict was then arrested and detained.

Aernan had also reviewed the facts of the case before the court and tendered several exhibits to establish his case.

The offence contravened the provisions of Sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation 2004. (NAN)
UNS/LAB/OU
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Edited by Lydia Beshel/Obike UKoh

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NAN-H-39

Election

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Minna, Dec. 1, 2016 ( NAN) A Minna based legal practitioner, Mr Taidi Jonathan, on Thursday lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for conducting a transparent governorship election in Ondo state.

Jonathan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that the commission has succeeded in conducting free, fair and credible elections.

He said that the prompt arrival of electoral materials during the exercise added value to the nation’s electoral process.

The legal practitioner commended the commission for demonstrating professionalism by adhering to the rules and regulations guiding the electoral processes.

“I urge well meaning Nigerians to commend INEC for this attainment and encourage the electoral umpire to sustain the tempo,’’ he said.

The legal practitioner also commended the effort of the security agencies for providing peaceful environment that lead to the peaceful conduct of the election. (NAN)
AAG/DEB/IS

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Edited by Debo Oshundun/Ismail Abdulaziz

FTAN, others, seek uniform standard for hospitality, tourism nationwide

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Stabdard
Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Federation of Tourism Association (FTAN) and other relevant stakeholders have recommended the adoption of uniform standards for hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria.

The organisations made the recommendation in a communique issued at the end of a two-day Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition, 2016, held in Abuja.

The communique, which was read by a Toursim Officer with NTDC, Mr Osalusi Afolabi, said that the classification and grading of hotels and tourism in the country should be based on uniform standards that would be applicable nationwide.

“The communique also recommended further discussion with relevant stakeholders in the tourism industry.

“It noted that it will be unethical to engage in multiple standardisation contrary to the best practice in other nations of the world.

“It will also negates compliance with the UN World Tourism Organisation and ECOWAS Standards,’’ the communique added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the forum is an annual event organised by the FTAN, NTDC and Nigerian Institute for Hospitality and Tourism.

The theme for this year’s forum and exhibition was “Tourism: Tool for Economic Recovery and Development.”

NAN also reports that the exhibition drew artists and SMEs operators from across the nation, who displayed their wares. (NAN)

JAD/LAB/MZA
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Edited by Lydia Beshel and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed