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Artificial ripening: Be careful of fruits with green, yellow patches – Experts warn

By Ruth Oketunde/Ramatu Garba
Carbide
Abuja, Sept. 6, 2018 (NAN) Dr Grace Olasumbo, a Nutritionist, has advised Nigerians to be wary of fruits and vegetables that do not have uniform colours, especially when they appear with yellow and green patches.

Olasumbo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja against backdrop of Federal Government concern over the dangers in using carbide and other chemical substances to forcefully ripen fruits and vegetables.

She noted that fruits and vegetables that appear in such manner were an indication of artificial ripening, which is most prevalent at the beginning of a fruit season.

The nutritionist added that calcium carbide remained the most commonly used chemical for ripening these fruits.

She said that application of this chemical always put the fruits under severe pressure to become ripe prematurely.

“This is the same chemical that is used to manufacture fire-crackers; they are also used as pesticides.

“They contain phosphorous and releases acetylene gas, which hastens the ripening of fruits.

“When an individual takes in such poisonous substance, the chemical components would cause a fatal reaction which could affect the liver, kidney and throat.

“Intake of Calcium Carbide has also been found to be the leading cause of various health conditions such as diarrhoea, severe gastrointestinal upset, eye problems, ulcers and emotional trauma.

“Others are restlessness, seizures, tremors, irritation of the skin, mouth, throat, liver and cancer,” she said.

Olasumbo added that careful physical examination of the fruits before buying would save Nigerians from having these diseases.

She advised that people should pick their fruits wisely at the stores or markets.

“Fruits such as bananas, mangoes, apples, watermelons, orange, peers, among others, should be properly checked.

“Most times, the colour of the fruits will not be uniform; it may have yellow and green patches unlike when it naturally ripens.

“The texture will also be hard even when it appears yellow.
The fruits will also be low on flavour, less juicy and often will not be as sweet as they should,” she added.

Besides, the nutritionist advised Nigerians to ensure adequate washing of fruits and vegetables before consumption and once the taste is odd, they should discontinue its intake.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Association of Fruits Sellers, Kano State Chapter, has appealed to members across the country to fear God and stop artificial ripening of fruits and related commodities because of its inherent health dangers.
The Public Relations Officer II of the association at Yan’lemu Market, Malam Ado Shehu, made the call in an interview with NAN in Kano on Sunday.
“I am using this opportunity to call on our members nationwide to have the fear of Allah in mind so that they will not cause any harm to consumers as carbide is dangerous to human health,’’ he said.
Shehu said members of the association at ‘Yan Lemu Market’ in Kano had since stopped using chemicals such as carbide for artificial ripening of fruits following measures adopted by the state Ministry of Health in sensitising them on the dangers of the practice.
“The practice has stopped due to the health talks made by the Kano State Ministry of Health on the dangers of carbide and other chemicals on consumers’ health.
“It has been a long time ago we caught two sellers using carbide and they were punished by the association.
“We usually go round the market from time to time to make sure that fruits sellers abide by the law on the use of carbide and other chemicals,” he said.
The spokesman explained that the price of naturally ripe 20 bunches of banana is N15,000 while the green one is sold at N11,000.
According to him, the ripe fruits are being sold in town while the unripe fruits are being sold to buyers that come from neighbouring states to purchase the commodity.
“By the time they get to their various destinations, the fruits would have been naturally ripened,’’ Shehu said.
However, a plantain seller at Sabon Gari Market, Kano city, who told NAN on condition of anonymity that some of the plantain sellers still used artificial ripening substances like carbide to force the fruits to ripen especially during harmattan season.
“Carbide is popularly used to ripen fruits such as banana, plantain and mango inside a container like box,’’ the source said.
He said: “I normally buy green plantain from the market and put it inside a special leather in a box and store it for three to four days for it to be ripen.
“Sometimes if we need ripe plantain urgently, we apply carbide and it takes only one day for it to be ripened and ready to be sold out.
“Twelve bunches of green plantain is sold at between N15,000 and N12,000 depending on the size, while the naturally ripe plantain is sold at between N8,000 and N10,000 per bunch,” he said.
He further revealed that the naturally ripe plantain spends four days before it got spoilt while the artificially ripe ones got spoilt in two days. (NAN)
MRO/RG/MTM/MST
Edited by Muntari Tukur/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

T/Tennis

By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) The African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) Council Board has elected Nigeria’s Olabanji Oladapo as its Deputy President.

Oladapo, who was until his election the Vice-President, Administration, will replace Congo Brazzaville’s Minister, Henri Djombo, who resigned his position.

The President of ATTF, Khaled El-Salhy, said on Sunday that Oladapo’s contributions to the sport prompted the Council Board to elect him during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the body held in Mauritius.

Oladapo, a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), is also a member of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Board of Directors (ITTF BOD) and a member of the IOC Commission.

Also, Alfred Bagueka Assobo of Cameroon was elected as the Executive Vice-President, Administration, while Jean Marie Okouna (CGO) became the Regional Vice-President of Central African region.

The continental body said the Council Board would continue to empower the five regions due to the diversities of the continent and the vast landmark.

The ATTF president, commended the Mauritius Table Tennis Federation (MTTA) for the successful staging of the 2018 ITTF African Championships. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

LASG warns against use of asbestos in homes, says it is carcinogenic

Asbestos

By Grace Alegba
Lagos, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal has alerted the public against the use of asbestos as ceiling in homes, saying it could cause cancer.

“Few years ago, Lagos State Government stopped the use of asbestos for ceiling because of its carcinogenic effect; we now use PVCs (plastic) in our estates and buildings.

“Asbestos ceilings are carcinogenic, it causes cancer and if you have it in your house you should try and change it,’’ he  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

Lawal called for mass enlightenment on the use of asbestos in public and private buildings.

NAN reports that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an intergovernmental agency and a part of the World Health Organization with its headquarters in Lyon, France, classifies asbestos as “carcinogenic to humans,’’ based on its ability to cause mesothelioma and cancers of the lung, larynx (voice box) and ovaries.

Lawal said the state government was exploring other alternatives and innovations that would allow for the use of cheaper available local raw materials to bring down the cost of houses.

On the Green Building Initiative, the commissioner disclosed that the state was partnering with Echostone, an international eco-friendly construction firm, to develop its affordable homes initiative.

He explained that the method ensured that a 40 per cent of carbon footprints were reduced in line with global climatic change initiatives.

According to Lawal, the partnership also ensured adoption of the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) programme that helps developers reduce their buildings’ energy and water consumption by 20 per cent while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

The commissioner added that the state had also adopted eco-friendly water and sewage management system to improve the health and quality of lives of residents.

Lawal said carbon emissions would be reduced if building designs are targeted at proper ventilation and illumination as well as green areas for houses.

This, he noted, would reduce the use of generators and reliance on electricity to illuminate such houses during the day or hot weather.

“Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is also in partnership with a German government institute (GZI) as well as the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing on how to reduce water and energy consumption in our estates to achieve energy efficiency in the buildings.

“We are collaborating with all the regulatory agencies on green building because it is cheaper and it help to create more jobs,’’ he said. (NAN)

GA/DA

(Editing by Dele Akinsola)

Primary

By Harrison Arubu

Abuja, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) Oshimili North Arise, a political pressure group, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to provide level-playing ground for aspirants in its nationwide House of Assembly primary election on Saturday.

It particularly called on Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, to ensure that fairness prevailed in the exercise in the state, especially in Oshimili North constituency.

The group made the call in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by its National Chairman, Dr Ndu Ojejeh and National Secretary, Mr Carl Enumah.

It reminded the governor of decades-long political domination of major parts of Oshimili North Local Government Area by only one community, Ibusa, which had continued to alienate other communities in the area, politically.

The group revealed that in the forthcoming primary election, the community’s political leaders, in collaboration with the local government chairman, had deployed blackmail and intimidation tools against Mr Frank Esenwah, the only aspirant not from the community.

According to the group, Ibusa’s `political community’ headed by Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi, wants the community to continue to occupy the constituency’s seat in the House of Assembly as it has been since 1999.

It said that since 1991 when Delta was created, Ibusa had occupied all political offices at all levels, available to the entire local government area, oppressing and marginalizing other communities.

The group, therefore, urged Ibusa political leaders and the local government chairman to eschew blackmail and threats to delegates for the primary election “and allow them freedom to vote fairly”.

“Let there be a free and fair primary so that any contestant who emerges from it will be seen as the people’s choice.

“The clandestine movements to ensure than Ibusa occupies the local government’s seat in the assembly in 2019, and for their lackey in the local government’s council to pick the slot in 2023, should stop.

“It is unacceptable and will be resisted. Let the democratic process of selecting a candidate fairly at the polls run its course in Oshimili North – enough of impunity, blackmail and intimidation.”

The group reminded the public that “all commissionership slots for the area had always been taken by Ibusa since the creation of Delta, save for the current holder. The same applies for chairmanship of the local government.

“Between 1999 and 2007, Dr Felicia Nwaeze, from Ibusa, was in the House of Assembly, and from then to date, Mrs Pat Ajudua, wife of Fred Ajudua, also from Ibusa, has been in the saddle.

“Currently, Mr Peter Nwaoboshi, also from Ibusa, who was commissioner in the two terms of James Ibori as governor, and later became PDP Chairman in the state, is the Senator representing Delta North District at the Senate.

“In spite of these cases of marginalization and brazen insensitivity, Ibusa is currently pushing with every might, for Ajudua or another person from the community to be in the Assembly in 2019.

“Ibusa is only one community out of others, including Okpanam, Illah, Ebu, Akwukwu-Igbo (Headquarters), Ukala-Okpuno, Atuma, Aninwalo and Ukala-Okwute, in the local government area.”

Recalling its earlier statement on the issue, the group said, “We are saying that for equity and justice, the House of Assembly position should go to any of the other communities in the area in 2019.”

“Besides, the current position of Nwaoboshi as senator suffices as huge political gain for Ibusa people as it dwarfs the positions of commissioner, house of assembly member and local government chairman, put together.

“Rather than be the arrowhead for perpetuating political disequilibrium and disharmony in the area, Nwaoboshi should show gratitude, magnanimity and transparent leadership by letting other positions go outside Ibusa in 2019.

“The senator should not hold the grudge against Esenwah over allegation that he did not get enough votes in Illah community in 2015.

“This is particularly so when the senator is pushing hard to return to the Red Chamber and everybody in the local government area has endorsed it and is in the vanguard for actualizing it.”

The group added that Nwaoboshi, like the governor, should show good political leadership laced with tolerance, justice, accommodation, selflessness and inclusiveness. (NAN)

ARU/OPI

Cell phone addiction causes hearing loss, cancer, others – ENT Consultant
By Felicia Imohimi
Cell phones
Abuja, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Titus Ibekwe, Consultant Surgeon, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, has warned that cell phone addiction causes noise induced hearing loss.
Ibekwe gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sundday in Abuja.
Similarly, he warned that the spill of noise from cell phones could aggravate cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and stroke as well as cancer in later years.
He noted that this adverse effect was common especially among young persons.
Ibekwe, who is also the National Secretary of Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria, noted that often time youths use the gadget to play music using ear piece for a very prolong time.
Otorhinolaryngology is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with conditions of the ear, nose and throat, and related structures of the head and neck.
According to him, prolong use of ear piece to listen to music or any other sound from the phone completely obstruct the ear canal and do not allow escape of any of those sounds.
NAN reports that ear canal is a tube running from the outer ear to the middle ear.
The ENT expert who described the practice as very common and fashionable among the youth, emphasised that some even go to bed with ear piece for as long as six to seven hours, or while working.
He condemned such addiction, describing it as unhealthy.
“If you must listen to music or other sound you should use the ear phone within a short period which is safer than the smaller ones which pin into the eye canal,” Ibekwe advised.
“It is a common and fashionable practice among youths, we realised that some of them wear ear piece while sleeping or doing some work for as long as six to seven hours, even some wear it while crossing the express road.
“This can lead to noise induced hearing loss and the problem with this type of hearing loss is that rehabilitation and treatment is almost not available. It is very difficult to manage.
“There are lots of proven or established cases of noise induced hearing loss due to addiction of cell phones.
“Most at times we find out in the patient that hearing loss is the particular ear they often use in answering calls like the left side,” he noted.
The consultant lamented that many children and youths were so obsessed with cell phones thereby using it to play games, watch films or other entertainment for hours rather than utilising the recreational aspect embedded in it.
Ibekwe, who likened such addiction to any other addictions like drugs, smoking of cigarettes, Indian hemp or other substances, decried that a lot of adolescents were so addicted to the extent of dependency.
He added that each time they are unable to grab the phone to play game or access other entertainment package their entire system would be in crisis.
The ENT consultant surgeon further noted that some parents are so addicted to the extent that they save, curdle and care for it than they care for their children.
He advised that in as much as cell phone has been proven to be very necessary and useful to augment life in its entirety like shortening time of communication and enhances businesses, among others, everything should be in moderation.
Ibekwe called for concerted efforts of parents and government, among other stakeholders, to ensure moderation and proper usage of cell phones to forestall inherent dangers associated with prolong usage.
Besides, he underscored the need for parents to take up the responsibility of monitoring and discouraging their wards from getting addicted to cell phones.
According to him, parents must ensure a lot of regulations in their homes to prevent children access to cell phones to the extent of addiction.
He explained that exposure to prolong noise from cell phones could worsen hypertension and stroke.
According to him, those that are predisposed to hypertension and stroke should guard against such exposure.
“There is an established pathway in the system that noise has proven to aggravate toward what is called the neuroendocrine partway.
“Noise can stimulate the neuroendocrine system leading to excessive release of cortisol and cathecolamines which aggravates cardiovascular diseases.
“Cathecolamines are hormones that increase noise pressure. It aggravate it secretion in the body.
“So, those that are predisposed to hypertension and stroke are worst of over too exposure to noise,” Ibekwe said.
The expert also identified another adverse effect of cell phone addiction as possible formation of cancer at later years, but described this as unestablished.
According to him, there are speculations of radiation coming from cell phone possibly in later years as having some adverse effects on the users.
“Radiation can predispose the possible formation of cancer and malignancies.
“Though this is not established but very strong and seriously been looked into because the level of radiation that comes from these cell phones are very amazing if you assess and impact on it,’’ he said.
Furthermore, the consultant surgeon advised adults using cell phones to do it in moderation.
Ibekwe enjoined them to often time as possible put their phones on speaker when answering calls to prevent putting them closer to the head or ear.
According to him, such practice will prevent the risk of possible formation of cancer in future.
He also advised that the tool should be kept away from having contact with our body as much as possible and ensure they are switched off at night due to radiation emanating from it.
“We need to switch off our cell phones at night because of radiation that they generate by so doing at least eight hours in the night is completely off.
“We should also ensure we remove them from our beds,” the ENT consultant surgeon advised.
Meanwhile, Ibekwe has appealed to the Federal Government to ensure outright ban of smart phones usage among underage children to safeguard their future.
He noted that though it is impossible for government to ban adults from cell phones usage but have every right to protect children.
He noted that a lot of children that are exposed or addicted to cell phones were ignorant of the inherent dangers unlike adults.
Ibekwe specifically noted that young ones are found of taking risk, describing them as been driven by passion and emotions in whatever they do.
According to him, if proactive step is not taking considering the current trend by banning their usage of cell phones their future will be jeopardised as exposure to such tools could make or mar their lives.
He specifically noted that some primary school children often times carry smart phones given to them by parents to school, describing it as an avoidable distraction from their core purpose of schooling.
According to him, the concerned parents will often time claim that such tools are meant for communication in case of any emergency and eventualities, among other excuses, thereby risking the consequence of such usage.
He noted that such could expose the children to crime and other social vices.
The expert further urged concerned parents to desist from such practice in order to ensure a better future for their children and wards. (NAN)
FUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

2.5m housing deficit: LASG now to deliver bungalow in 48 hours, unveils new policy

Technology

By Grace Alegba
Lagos, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) In a bid to address its housing deficit of over two million, the Lagos State Government has introduced a new technology which ensures construction of a bungalow within 48 hours.

Mr Gbolahan Lawal, the Commissioner for Housing, said the technology was already being used in its housing estates at Idale in Badagry and Imota in Ikorodu to achieve the government’s target of delivering 2,000 houses.

“We want to see how to go into the manufacturing of homes, we make it seamless and produce about 100 units in a month.

“We have three companies, one is already at site; it is going to take 48 hours to put up a bungalow.

“They have the equipment and we have signed agreement with them. They are to produce 2,000 housing units and already they are in Idale in Badagry, from Idale they will move to Imota,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

Lawal explained that some workers were also being trained in the technology and process of the construction.

The commissioner said that the housing sector had the capacity to create several jobs and generate demands for products and accessories needed in homes and, therefore, should be given priority attention.

According to him, investment in the housing sector usually have a multiplier effect on the economy.

Lawal added that various gadgets and accessories like tiles, electronics, water and electricity meters, mattresses, TV subscription and even various jobs like that of artisans are tied to construction of houses.

“Government at all levels should pay more attention to housing. The consumption aspect of housing is very important as it contributes greatly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation.’’

On the use of cheaper building materials, the commissioner said the ministry had experimented with the use of materials like clay some years back but that availability and speed of delivery was the reason it dropped the initiative.

He explained that the state government was at the moment not exploring the use of bamboo, clay and wood to deliver cheap houses because the materials are not available in commercial quantities.

Lawal disclosed that a new housing policy aimed at tackling the state’s housing deficit had been drafted.

“It is taking us more than 14 months to design the housing policy.

“That policy will be like a framework, like what we are going to be following and it is not going to be like a knee jack response,’’ he told NAN, describing the policy as a template or roadmap that will regulate the operations of the ministry.

The commissioner said Lagos State was the first to create a full-fledged ministry of housing in 1999 during the administration of ex-Gov. Bola Tinubu because of the importance it accorded shelter for the people, adding that Abia recently followed suit. (NAN)

GA/DA

(Editing by Dele Akinsola)

Birnin Kebbi agog as Osinbajo graces AGF daughter’s wedding

Wedding

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Birnin Kebbi, Sept.8, 2018(NAN) The capital city of Kebbi State, Birnin Kebbi, was a beehive on Saturday as Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, attended the wedding fatiha of the daughter of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The wedding fatiha, held at the palace of the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, was between Malami’s daughter, Zakiyya and Saifullahi Gishiri, the groom.

The wedding was also attended by governors of Kaduna, Kastina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto as well as the host governor, Atiku Bagudu.

Excited Birnin Kebbi residents and guests thronged the Emir’s Palace venue of the wedding and lined up on the roads leading to the palace.

After the fatiha, Osinbajo proceeded to the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi, where he was treated to a delicacy.

Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Comptroller- General of Immigration, Ministers of Defence, Transport and Education, as well as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources(NAN).

CJ/IA

Don canvasses capacity development for youths
By Aisha Cole
Youths
Ijebu-Ode (Ogun), Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Kayode Oyesiku, a lecturer in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun, has called on the Federal Government to enhance capacity development of youths.
He made the call on Saturday during a Commemorative Lecture delivered at “Acme Career Ascendancy and 50th Birthday celebration” of Prof. Adebambo Somuyiwa of the Department of Transport Management Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Osun.
Oyesiku of the Department of Geography, spoke on “Human Capacity Development: The Nigerian Youth Challenges and National Development”.
He said that transformation should start from the family level.
“Collectively, we must be able to enhance the capacity of youths by impressing it on those that are in power to ensure they provide infrastructure, industries and opportunities for the youths.
“Infrastructure must be enhanced and if the government is not doing it, we must work together and take decisions that will enhance the development of the society.
“Development should focus on well-being of individuals and the society as well as focusing on poverty reduction and enhancement of the capacity of individuals,” Oyesiku said.
According to him, development should also focus on infrastructure under-employment and unemployment trends.
The don said that development should not be seen as a prerequisite for few elites.
He said that there was need for development to be seen as a collective responsibility to enable an average Nigerian to participate and avoid inequality.
Oyesiku said that there must be a spread in national development to close the gap of those that have and those who do not have.
The don said that there was need to focus more on youth development to stop the high rate of crime among youths as a result of unemployment.
Oyesiku said that Nigerian leaders should allow youths to be part of the decision-making process, noting that failure to bring the youth onboard had made them to be violent and agitated.
Besides, he advised leaders and parents to stop dependency syndrome in order to make the youths independent.
In a goodwill message, Mr Segun Ogunsole, a nephew of Somuyiwa, described him as an epitome of humility, who had the love of God.
He said that Somuyiwa had promised to encourage his family members to be educated to any level of academic career.
Dr Victor Dosumu of the Department of Transport Management Science, LAUTECH, also described Somuyiwa as a mentor, a honest and courageous senior colleague.
One of the children of Somuyiwa, Mr Daniel Somuyiwa, described him as a generous father, disciplinarian and religious “who takes serious issues affecting his families”.
On his part, the celebrant said that he appreciated the Almighty God for sparing his life after a terrible accident on Aug. 21, 2006.
Somuyiwa said that in spite of all the challenges, complications and distractions, he was able to attain the height of a professor in the area of Transport Management and Logistics.
He promised to support the government in training Nigerian youths on importance and benefits of transportation to the nation’s economy.
The don appreciated all well wishers, his wife and family as well as Chief Segun Ogunsole for paying his first school fees at the university, which enabled him to obtain his PhD degree. (NAN)
AIC/FF/MST
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Breastfeeding can save 100,000 Nigerian lives yearly – Official
By Talatu Maiwada
Breastfeeding
Abuja, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Chimay Thompson, the Assistant Director, Nutrition Division, Family Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health, has said improving the nation’s breastfeeding practices could save 100,000 lives in Nigeria yearly.
Thompson made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.
The assistant director said the findings were contained in the current Lancet Breastfeeding Series publication on the implications of breastfeeding for health, social and economic development in Nigeria.
She explained that the leading medical journal reviewed and analysed extensive scientific data on breastfeeding which confirmed that breastfeeding could offer life-saving benefits to women and children in any country.
“The Lancet breastfeeding series found measurable impact of breastfeeding on maternal and child survival, health, nutritional status, educational outcomes and economic productivity.
“Other findings indicate that increase in breastfeeding rate could add 150 dollars to Nigeria’s economy each year as a result of increased productivity.
“Breastfeeding could also help prepare Nigerian children for a prosperous future, as breastfeeding is associated with higher intelligence to improve performance in school and increase long term earning potential,’’ she said.
Thompson added that breastfeeding has implications, not only for the health of children, but also for the country’s economy.
She emphasised that low breastfeeding rates are associated with poor brain development at the individual level, which further reduces learning ability, productivity and lifetime earnings.
She said at the societal level, low breastfeeding rates could lead to a loss of Gross National Income (GNI), estimated at 0.06 per cent or 150 million dollars annually.
Thompson stated that benefits of breastfeeding include greater protection against infections and chronic diseases which could also translate to significant cost savings for families and the healthcare system.
She said globally, breastfeeding could prevent 72 per cent of hospital admissions for diarrhoea and 57 per cent of respiratory infections, hence taking action to protect, promote and support breastfeeding directly connects to Nigeria’s economic growth.
According to Thompson, actions recommended by the Lancet Breastfeeding Series to improve breastfeeding in Nigeria to include, but not limited to: “Disseminating accurate information to the general public and health providers on breastfeeding as a powerful intervention for health and development.
“Fostering a positive social attitude towards breastfeeding through community leaders and role models, demonstrating political will to support breastfeeding by making adequate programme investment and penalising regulatory violations.
“Enacting policy interventions to ensure that maternity protection and workplace interventions are implemented.
“As well as regulating the breast milk substitute industry by implementing, monitoring and enforcing the WHO international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes.’’ (NAN)
TIM/MOL/MST
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

University

Daura (Katsina) Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Nasir Yahaya, a member of the Katsina House of Assembly, on Saturday commended the federal government for citing the nation’s first transportation university in Daura, his constituency.

Transportation minister Rotimi Amaechi, who announced the citing of the university in Daura, last month, said that 50 million dollars (about N18 billion) would be sunk into the project.

He said that work would soon begin at the site, adding that the construction would be handled by

the China Civil and Construction Company (CCECC).

He had announced that the project was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to develop qualified manpower that would manage the many railways facilities across the country and other transportation facilities.

The minister, who spoke in Abuja, said that another Transportation University might be built in Rivers State to meet the growing demand of manpower in the transportation sector.

According to Amaechi, construction work would have commenced if the government of Katsina State had provided land for the institution much earlier.

He said that young Nigerians being trained on scholarship in China on Railway engineering would be deployed to teach in the universities.

“If we get the land, the fencing will start this year. The CCECC has written to ask for land from the state government,” he said.

Yahaya, who lauded the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Daura on Saturday, said that the university would open up academic and economic activities in the area and provide jobs to its youths.

“The Daura community is highly excited over this development. We are happy that our area will host the first transportation in the country.

“As a community, we shall support the institution and cooperate with its management when it is eventually established,” he said.

The legislator also commended the federal government’s efforts toward providing infrastructure, especially the construction of rail lines, the rehabilitation of roads and the mass improvement in the power  sector.

Yahaya said that a delegation from Katsina and Daura would soon pay a thank you visit to the Federal Ministry of Transportation to register the people’s appreciation over the citing of the university in the area. (NAN)

BKD/ETS

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin