Blog

Rivers Govt restates commitment to end polio

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Polio

By Azubuike Okeh

Port Harcourt, Oct. 21, 2016(NAN) Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers says his administration will sustain the campaign against polio.

Wike said this in Port Harcourt on Friday when some Rotarians from the United States of America, led by International Director of Rotary International, Mr Brad Howard, visited him.

The governor said the state government was willing to partner with Rotary International to ensure that polio was stamped out in the state and the country as a whole.

Wike said that the programmes of the Rotary International, especially in the fight against polio were laudable.

“As a government, we have invested in the eradication of polio and we shall continue to support Rotary International to achieve this worthy objective,’’ he said.

He further said that the visit of the international Rotarians from the U.S. was indicative of the growing confidence of the international community on the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

The governor said that the government would continue to engage in policies that would promote security in order to attract foreign investors and visitors.

Howard said the team was in the state to attend the Rotary International West Africa Project Fair and also interface with Nigerian communities on partnership for development.

He added that the team was also in the state to support the fight to eradicate polio through effective immunisation and healthcare support. (NAN)

AZU/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-HE-20
Smuggling

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Minna , Oct. 21,2016( NAN) The Niger Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) said on Friday that it had adopted a community-based approach in the fight against smuggling in the areas.

Alhaji Garba Kabir, the Area Comptroller of the zone comprising Niger, Kogi and Kwara, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna.

Kabir said that the approach would enable residents, especially those at the border areas, to offer intelligence reports that could aid the command apprehend those involved in the illegal businesses.

He explained that sensitive security measures had been put in place to frustrate the activities of smugglers.

He said identified smugglers’ routes had been placed on strict surveillance while community leaders would be used to provide information to ensure their arrest.

The area comptroller said officers in the border areas had been briefed on how the partnership would assist them in arresting smugglers.

“We have deployed various strategies to enable us to get vital information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of smugglers,” he said.

“My area of jurisdiction is a no-go area for smugglers as competent and dedicated officers are battle ready to carry out their constitutional responsibilities effectively,” he said.

He warned that the service would not spare any arrested smugglers and urged officers and men of the service to rededicate themselves to duty. (NAN)

AAG/EMO/IA

Edited by Ejike Obeta/Idris Abdulrahman

Agriculturist urges farmers to embrace CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme
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Farmers
By David Adeoye
Ikole (Ekiti), Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Farmers in Ekiti have been advised to embrace the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) to expand their farming activities and boost food production.
An Agriculture consultant, Dr Emmanuel Akosile, gave the counsel on Friday while addressing a group of arable crops farmers during their monthly meeting in Ikole, Ekiti.

The CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme aims at creating economic linkages between over 600,000 smallholder farmers and reputable large-scale processors.

This is with a view to increasing agricultural output and significantly improving capacity utilisation of integrated mills.

It also aims at closing the gap between the levels of local rice production and domestic consumption, as well as complements the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

The programme will graduate GES farmers from subsistence farming to commercial farming.
Akosile urged farmers that needed money to invest in genuine farming to take their ongoing registration for the scheme seriously.

He said the farmers should see the new scheme as real and should not be discouraged to key into it in spite of any unfavourable past experiences.

The consultant assured intending beneficiaries of quick disbursement of funds once they were able to fulfil the requirements.

“The current administration is committed to its economic diversification to agriculture and as such determined to assist farmers with funds and other incentives that will make the country to be food sufficient.

“The Federal Government has frowned on the nation’s dependence on food importation, especially those ones we can produce locally.

“So farmers and unemployed Nigerians should embrace all government’s agricultural schemes, which are aimed at lifting small scale farmers out of poverty and also providing employment opportunity for the unemployed.’’

Akosile, however, admonished the farmers who would benefit from the programme not to be tempted to divert the fund to other areas, apart from agriculture.

He said the present administration had zero tolerance for corruption and other forms of indiscipline.

The consultant warned that whoever wanted to use government funds for other purposes should not bother to apply. (NAN)
DAK/COF/AFA
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Felix Ajide
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2 men bag 1 month imprisonment each for theft, conspiracy

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Imprisonment
By Ugochi Ugochukwu
Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court in the FCT on Friday jailed  two men, Abubakar Sanusi and Musa Lawal, to one month or an option of six strokes of the cane for stealing security light.

Sanusi, 20, and Lawal, 20, both of Tipper Garage, Gwarinpa, Abuja, pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing and begged for leniency.

The Area Court judge, Abubakar Sadiq, however, gave the convicts six strokes of the cane as an option and warned them to desist from committing crime.

Prosecutor Dalhatu Zannah had told the court that Francisca Onovo of Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja, reported the matter at the Gwarinpa Police Station.

Zannah said that the convicts dishonestly entered into the complainant’s compound and stole security lights valued N72,000.

He also said that during police interrogation and investigation, 12 securities light was recovered from the convicts.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
UGO/HAS/OFN
Edited By Hajia Sani//Felix Nwadioha

Depression, anxiety, risk factors for suicide in sickle cell disorder – Expert

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Sickle-cell
By Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Maureen Osuji, an Abuja based Clinical Psychologist, says depression and anxiety are major risk factors for suicide among sickle cell patients.

Osuji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abujathat Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) was a global health problem with psycho-social implications.

She therefore advised patients to seek specialised medical intervention.

According to her, studies in Nigeria had shown that SCD had a prevalence rate of depression, greater than those of cancer patients but less than persons with HIV and AIDS.

Osuji said the rate of depression was also similar to those found in chronic medical disorder ranging from 18 per cent to 44 per cent.

The expert explained that such prevalence was a major risk factor for suicide.

“The despair and hopelessness that goes along with depression can make suicide feel like the only way a sickle cell patient can escape pain.

“Suicide talks and behaviour should be taken seriously, such as an unusual preoccupation with death or dying, expressing feeling of being trapped or hopelessness and acting recklessly,’’ she said.

She said that studies of depression in children with SCD had shown mixed results including high rate of fatigue, frequent hospitalisation, impaired self-esteem and inability to experience a normal childhood.

Osuji listed signs of depression to include loss of interest in daily activities, social activities, sex as well as loss to feel joy and pleasure.

Others, she said, include changes in sleep, anger or irritability, feeling agitated, restless or violent, loss of energy, sluggish and being physically drained.

She said that early intervention was very crucial in managing sickle cell patients as well as adequate psychological support to improve an individual’s life.

The clinical psychologist identified psycho-educational intervention as therapy focused on improving the knowledge and understanding of patients regarding their illness.

“This approach emphasise that the information provided can lead to improved knowledge and better coping with the condition.

“Secondly, patients who feel isolated could benefit from the support and motivation of others through shared experiences,’’ she added.

Other intervention include cognitive behavioural therapy which aims at challenging and changing inappropriate self-defeating thoughts to enable the patient lead a productive and satisfying life. (NAN)
TIM/BOLA/MST
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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Summit
Yola, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Berlin-based Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) is to hold its first edition of African Cultural Diplomacy Summit in Abuja early 2017.

Mr Dickson Omoregie, Country Representative
of the institute, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the summit would hold from March 6 to March 9.

He said that the summit would have the theme: “ The Strength for Cultural Unity in the Midst of Security Challenges’’.

Omoregie said that the ongoing conflicts in the South-South Geopolitical Zone by the Niger Delta Avengers was threatening Nigeria’s peace.

He also identified insecurity in the North-East over the years as a threat to the country’s peaceful co-existence.

The country representative said that cooperation between Nigeria and other African countries was underlined by political, economic and cultural initiatives contributing to both sides.

“ Over the decade, the world has witnessed major positive developments in Africa that will continue to influence and speed up the modernisation process in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.

“It is with this important opportunity in mind that the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy has initiated the Abuja Cultural Diplomacy Summit 2017.

“This is in order to strengthen the economic and cultural bridges between all the different ethno-religious groups in Nigeria with the ultimate goal of fostering further cultural and business investment,’’ he said.

The country representative said that a number of important political, historic and cultural locations in Abuja would be visited by delegates to the summit.

“Speakers and delegates, during the conference, will include leading politicians, chief diplomats, leading governmental officials, senior academics, renowned authors, journalists, and celebrated artists.

“Participation for the conference is open to governmental and diplomatic officials, academics, artists, journalists, civil society practitioners among many others.’’

Omoregie said that the summit would also witness award presentation to personalities who contributed to the peaceful coexistence and unity of Nigeria as well as Nigerian cultural icons.

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is a non-profit and non-political organisation that promotes peace and cultural advocacy globally. (NAN)
MK/BOLA/IGO
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(Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Ijeoma Popoola)

U.S. agency donates mosquito nets, logistics, worth $18m to Oyo State

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Donation
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on Friday donated 4.5 million bed nets worth 18 million dollars to the Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi.

The equipment was handed over to the governor in Ibadan by the USAID Mission Director Representative, Dr Rick Niska, a statement from the Information Unit if U.S. Embassy, Abuja said.

According to the statement, the agency also provided additional 4.5 million dollars to support the logistics for the state’s anti-malaria campaign.

Niska stated that the bed nets valued at 13.5 million dollars would be distributed through a mass campaign scheduled to take place on Saturday within the 33 local government areas of the state.

“U.S. also provided an additional 4.5 million dollars to support the logistics of the campaign, including transportation of the bed nets, community mobilization, training, and household mobilisation.

“These nets and the support for distribution are a gift from the people of the U.S. to the people of Oyo State.

“We congratulate you on the ambition, initiative, and dedication it takes to plan, coordinate, and launch a statewide mass distribution of bed nets,” ,” Niska stated.

He explained that malaria was one of the leading killers of children and a leading cause of illness in Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season when the mosquito population increases.

The envoy stated that nightly use of an insecticide-treated bed net is the best way to prevent malaria.

“Bed nets put a vital barrier between people and the mosquitoes that carry malaria, particularly during the hours from dusk to dawn.

“Use of insecticide-treated bed nets prevents infections, which in turn prevents the spread of malaria. Bed nets help to interrupt that cycle.

“A bed net not only protects an individual –when bed nets are used by everyone,   particularly those who are already sick with malaria – bed nets also prevent others from becoming infected,” he said.

According him the U.S. has provided $419 million to control malaria in Nigeria.

He said that more than 50 per cent of U.S. funding for malaria had gone into procuring and distributing insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria diagnostic kits and malaria medicines.

“ U.S. also supports advocacy and community mobilization to sleep under the bed nets every night, training of health workers, and test for malaria before treatment,” he said.

A cross-section of traditional rulers, and Federal and State government officials attended the event, showing their support for overcoming malaria in Oyo State.(NAN)
IAA/DCU
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(Edited by Donald Ugwu)

Kwara releases October Allocation figures

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Allocation

By Olayinka Owolewa

Ilorin, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Kwara Government said it got a total of N2,249,897,424.21 as allocation from the Federation Account for the month of October.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, disclosed this on Friday in Ilorin.

He stated that the October allocation dropped by N525,482,347.85,  representing 18.93 per cent reduction from the N2,775,379,772.06 it received in September.

A breakdown of the reipts shows the government got a statutory allocation of N1,063,391,064.68; VAT of N608,299,172.27; Exchange Difference of N232,315,908.61 and excess Petroleum Profit Tax of N345,891,278.65, totaling N2,249,897,424.21.

Details of the federal allocation received by the 16 local governments in the state showed that the they got a total of N1,732,002,167.51 as against the N2,009,635, 529.23 received in September.

The October federal allocation for the councils reduced by N277,633,361.72,reflecting a 13.81 per cent decrease from the September allocation.

According to the figures released by the Finance Commissioner, the councils got a statutory allocation of N945, 126, 470.10; VAT of N345, 508, 863.85; Exchange Difference of N153, 228, 089.18 and excess Petroleum Profit Tax of N288,138,744.38.

The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja shared N420 billion among the three tiers of government as revenue for September as against N510.3 billion shared in August.

The amount declined by 90.2 billion due to the loss of 45.5 million dollars in federation export sales, despite the increase in average price of crude oil from 46.06 dollars per barrel in May to 48.4 dollars in June.

(NAN)
OOH/HAS/IA
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Idris Abdulrahman

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Stroke
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Nigerians should make healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of stroke and other heart-related diseases, Dr Biodun Ogungbo, the Director, Stroke Action Group, has advised.

Ogungbo gave the advice on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja ahead of the 2016 World Stroke Day slated for Oct. 29.

NAN reports that theme of the day is: “Stroke is Treatable’’.

World Stroke Day 2016 recognises that though stroke is a complex medical issue, there are ways to significantly reduce its impacts.

Ogungbo said that the Day was designated as “a time to raise awareness for the devastating impact, causes and symptoms of stroke’’.

The expert said there was need to increase the recognition, awareness, advocacy and access to stroke care, adding that it would help in decreasing the burden of stroke.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Health, as part of the activities to mark the day, would collaborate with the group to educate Nigerians about stroke symptoms, prevention and treatment.

Ogungbo urged Nigerians to understand that stroke was treatable and preventable as long as there were proper diagnostic tools and health information.

He, however, called for awareness about the illness, saying that the main causes of stroke were high blood pressure and diabetes.

“High blood pressure or hypertension is the biggest underlying cause of stroke in Nigeria.

“Many people do not know they have high blood pressure because they have not checked.

“Common stroke symptoms include: sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg; sudden confusion; trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble walking or seeing; loss of balance; and sudden and severe headache.

“The ability to recognise these symptoms and seek medical attention immediately is critical to surviving a stroke and minimising long-term disability,’’ Ogungbo said.

He said that stroke affects people of all ages, and that several underlying factors, which put individuals at higher risk, include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, obesity, tobacco use and physical inactivity.

“Stroke is happening at an increasing rate in young people.

“We are now seeing increasing numbers of stroke victims in their early 20s. Children also suffer from stroke, but mostly those with sickle cell disease.

“There are issues surrounding obesity and sedentary lifestyles which you need to be aware of,’’ the expert said. (NAN)
OEO/EAL/GOK
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Olagoke Olatoye

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Food
Kokona (Nasarawa State) Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Dele Tologbonse, a lecturer from the Department of Agricultural Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, on Friday urged Nigerians to allow farmers access their unused land to boost food production.

Tologbonse, who is also the National Coordinator, Support to Agriculture for Strategies Crops (SARD-SC), gave the advice in Kokona, Nasarawa state at a symposium with the theme: “Nasarawa State Innovation Platform.”

The programme was organised by Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP) in conjunction with the Support to Agriculture for Strategies Crops (SARD-SC) project.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised for some selected farmers in Nasarawa and Kaduna states to boost food production in the country.

Tologbonse urged politicians and wealthy Nigerians, who purchased and abandoned hectares of farm land, to lease them to farmers, who did not have enough to boost food production.

“God has endowed the country with abundant fertile land and agile human capital that are capable of producing food in abundant to meet the nation’s food requirement.’’

According to the don, no society can live comfortably without agriculture because agriculture is the major source of live hood of every family and nation.

He explained that agriculture will assist in fighting poverty, unemployment, youth restiveness and other social vices.

He said it would also boost food production and would as well enhance socio-economic development of the country.

The coordinator advised members of the public not to sell their land indiscriminately to well to do individuals. 

The don frowned at a situation where some extended families sold their farm lands and shared the moneys within themselves for selfish interest, advising them to have a rethink in the interest of the future.

Prof. David Kolawale-Ojo of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture advised Nigerians to use their land for agricultural production to ensure food security in the country.

Kolawale-Ojo, who is a Soya beans scientist, called on prospective buyers of farm lands for unused purposes to lease such lands to willing farmers to ensure food security

Earlier, Isaiah Alokoson, the coordinator of the Nasarawa State of SARD-S project said the symposium was organised to proffer solutions to problems affecting agricultural production in the country.

According to him, the cardinal objective of the project is to build capacities of farmers, Extended Agricultural Staff (EAS), inputs dealers, manufacturers, processors, marketers among others in order to improve productivity and food security in Nigeria. (NAN)
AKW/ADA/AFA
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab/Felix Ajide
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