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  • Gynecologist educates women on menopause coping mechanisms

    Gynecologist educates women on menopause coping mechanisms

    Menopause
    By Lilian U. Okoro
    Lagos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr Ademola Ayodele, has identified menopause as “universal” among women, saying every woman will eventually go through it at one time or the other.

    Ayodele, also the Medical Director of a Lagos-based private medical facility, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, that women should see menopause as a way of coming of age, rather than feeling dejected or deprived.

    He defined menopause as the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months, which occurs when a woman
    stops producing the hormones that cause menstrual period for 12 months in a row.

    The consultant said it is the time in a woman’s life when her periods (menstruation) stop, saying it is a natural, normal body change, accompanied by mood and emotional symptoms, irregular periods, sore breasts, dry vagina, among others.

    He said that the ages at which menopause occur vary with individuals, noting that the earliest age considered normal is 40 years.

    According to him, the actual age that most people enter menopause is after 45 years, but in Nigeria and most part of Africa, majority of women enter menopause between the ages of 49 and 51.

    He added that “menopause is universal among women – meaning that every woman will eventually go through it at one time or the other.

    “So, if we look at it that way, we will stop looking at it as a disease, the psychological attitude of the individual matters, and that is why some people call it `the golden-age experience’.

    “So, even if a woman is having menopause before the age of 50, she should see it as a way of coming of age, rather than feeling dejected or deprived.”

    Ayodele said that some factors could make menopause set in earlier than the normal time, identifying smoking and drug use as major risk factors for early menopause.

    He explained that “for women who smoke, their menopause comes earlier than average and some hormonal drug use also can affect menopause.”

    Ayodele also said that women experience menopausal symptoms at different levels, as some people’s symptoms could either be mild or moderate, while others experience severe symptoms.

    According to him, for those whose symptoms are severe – there exists some different medical preparations and modulations that can help them to feel better.

    He identified healthy lifestyles like maintaining healthy weight, exercises, sugar reduction and healthy diet as some of the approaches to effectively cope with menopause.

    He noted that “every symptom of menopause can be effectively managed, whether it is heat wave, dryness of the private part or reduction in size of the breast, among others.

    “There are drugs that people can use to minimise the symptoms and feel better.

    “In fact, because of the universality of menopause, there are alternative remedies that people have discovered that help. But medically, the drugs are straight forward.

    “They are either drugs that work directly on the body or hormonal,’’ he said.

    Ayodele, therefore, advised women who feel disturbed to see a gynecologist and the appropriate drug would be prescribed.

    He, however, said that most of the menopausal symptoms are self-limiting, saying that they last for few months to years and disappear afterward.

    According to him, except for those who want to have babies, there shouldn’t be any reason for an individual trying to withhold/prevent menopause from setting in.

    “Most symptoms are pre-menopausal signs that occur at the onset of menopause, which last for few months to years and disappear with time, leaving the woman to feel normal again.

    “That’s why old people would have forgotten how they felt during their menopausal stage.

    “If a woman is desirous of having babies, then she should get a gynecologist to manage that stage because menopause naturally signifies the end of reproductive age.

    “However, with the help of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and other types of assisted reproductive technology (ART), post-menopausal women can be made to get pregnant,” Ayodele added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    LUC/DE/HA
    ==========
    Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • Alleged culpable homicide: Absence of prosecution counsel stalls trial of 2 men


    Alleged culpable homicide: Absence of prosecution counsel stalls trial of 2 men

    Stall
    By Joy Kaka
    Abuja, June 25, 2024( NAN) The absence of a prosecution counsel, Adama Musa, on Tuesday stalled the trial of Joseph Samuel and Moses Ntayi in the FCT High Court, Zuba.
    The police charged the defendants with two counts bordering on culpable homicide.
    At the resumed  sitting, the defence counsel, Ugochukwu Ogara said that the matter was for continuation of trial but had been told that the prosecution was not feeling well.
    Ogara however asked the court for an adjournment.
    Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya adjourned the matter until Oct.21 for hearing.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired and struck one Peter Friday of Kuje, Abuja on the neck and cut other parts of his body with a cutlass on Oct.23, 2021.
    The prosecution said it caused Friday severe body injury and eventually led to his death.
    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 97 and 220 of the Penal Code.
    The defendants however pleaded not guilty.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    JK//SH
    ======
    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Traditional ruler urges Nigerians to support Tinubu’s administration 

    Traditional ruler urges Nigerians to support Tinubu’s administration

    Support

    By Edeki Igafe

    Warri(Delta), June 25, 2024 (NAN) King Monday Whiskey, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta,  has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    The traditional ruler made the appeal while addressing newsmen on Monday at his palace.

    He expressed displeasure at the manner Nigerians criticised Tinubu’s government on social media.

    “Leaders need support and encouragement; I therefore remind Nigerians that we do not have another country than Nigeria.

    “The manner people use social media to condemn leaders is appalling. This government is just one year in office, we should pray and support it,” he said.

    He urged the Federal Government to ensure that farm inputs were evenly distributed across the six geo-political zones of the country.

    Whiskey urged the federal government to holistically address the farmer-herders clashes, and improve the nation’s security architecture to encourage people to go into farming.

    The traditional ruler frowned at ethnic profiling of the crisis, saying that all Nigerians have roles to play in the sustenance of peace and security in the country.

    “Nobody ascends a position without the hand of God. We cannot take the blame and heap it at the door step of the government, we all have our roles to play,” he said.

    He lauded the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), for effectively protecting the oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that TSSNL is a private pipeline surveillance outfit engaged by the federal government to secure oil facilities in the region.

    The traditional ruler appealed to Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to expand the scope of the TSSNL’s coverage.

    “If we must move forward, there is a need for more government encouragement to expand the scope of coverage of the oil facilities by the security outfit.

    “For more than one year, we are seeing clean water. The environment is regenerating. Sea piracy has reduced; crude oil production has increased tremendously.

    “By expanding the scope of coverage, there will be more jobs created; many youths will be taken off the streets.

    He called for a specific and concerted development-driven agenda in the Niger Delta.

    Whiskey said that the more the federal government opened up the Niger Delta to modern ways of doing things, the better for the security of national assets in the region. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

    EDI/KOO/JPE

    ==========

    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Joseph Edeh

     

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  • PCC received 1,500 complaints in Plateau in 3 years – Commissioner

    Complaints
    By Polycarp Auta
    Jos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Public Complaint Commission (PCC) says it received 1,500 complaints from 2021 till date in Plateau.
    The Federal Commissioner of PCC in charge of the state, Mr Abbas Garba, disclosed this at a town hall on Tuesday in Jos.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Garba spoke on the theme: ”Systematic and Proactive Investigation into the Victimisation of Students in Tertiary Institutions in Plateau.”
    He said that while a total of 881 of the complaints had been resolved, 619 were still pending.
    Garba said that the commission was established as machinery for the control of administrative excesses, particularly non-adherence to procedure and abuse of rule of law.
    ”It is an organ of government set up to redress complaints lodged by aggrieved citizens or residents of Nigeria against administrative injustices.
    ”It was established to strengthen and advocate for good administration that would lead to good governance, justice, fair play, tranquility and peace for national growth and development.
    ”The commission has received a total of 1,500 cases in Plateau between 2021 to date. 881 of the complaints were resolved while 619 are still pending,” he said.
    Also speaking, the PCC Director of Investigation, Mrs Florence Oguchi, said that the commission had recorded 500 cases of victimisation in tertiary institutions across the country.
    Oguchi stated that the high rate of various forms of victimisation in higher institutions informed the decision to organise the town hall.
    According to her, the commission has put modalities in place to establish units in high institutions where victims can easily reports cases.
    On her part, the Commissioner for Higher Education in Plateau, Dr Kachollom Gang, decried the culture of silence among victims.
    ”Because victims don’t speak out, we hardly get to know if these things happen. Unfortunately, the cases are on the rise.
    ”So, we call on victims to speak out; that will enable government or appropriate authority to take necessary action,” Gang said.
    NAN reports that heads of tertiary institutions, students, media practitioners and government agencies, among others, attended the town hall. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AZA/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Saudi Arabia warns against misuse of visas for Hajj pilgrimage

    Pilgrimage

    Riyadh, June 25, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Saudi Arabia has accused tourism companies from other countries of misleading visit visa holders into participating in the Hajj pilgrimage.

    The Security Spokesperson of the Saudi Interior Ministry, Talal Shalhoub, said that those companies issued visas not intended for Hajj, and encouraged them to violate regulations by staying in Mecca two months before the Hajj season, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

    The spokesperson emphasised that a Hajj permit is not merely a transit card but a crucial tool that facilitates access to pilgrims and identifies their locations to provide necessary care and services.

    The spokesperson underscored that individuals without a Hajj permit face challenges in accessing essential services and healthcare during the pilgrimage.

    According to Shalhoub, 83 per cent of the total mortalities during the Hajj season this year, amounting to 1,079 out of 1,301, were those without Hajj permits.(Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

    ===

    Edited by Halima Sheji

     

  • Man, 50, docked for alleged impersonation in Ibadan

    Man, 50, docked for alleged impersonation in Ibadan

    Impersonation

    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

    Ibadan, June 25, 2024 (NAN) A 50-year-old man, Tayo Ayoola, on Tuesday, appeared  before  an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly falsely posing as a landlord to sell a house.

    Ayoola, whose address was not provided, is charged with conspiracy and impersonation, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, ASP Anthony Igori, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between April 2023 and June 2024, on Alabidun Street, Alakia, Airport, Ibadan.

    Igori alleged that the defendant pretended be a property owner and attempted to  sell a building at the aforementioned area to one Prophet Emmanuel Olajide.

    He alleged that the property belonged to one late Mr Bilinminu Ayoola.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 516 and 484 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

    The Magistrate, Mr Olaolu Olanipekun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until July 23 for hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    CC/IGO

    =======
    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

  • Nasarawa residents seek improved services at community health centre

     

    Nasarawa residents seek improved services at community health centre

    Health

    By Anita Uzoagba

    Karu (Nasarawa state), June 25, 2024 (NAN) Some residents in Ado, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state have sought improved services from the government at the community health centre.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, while some of the residents commended the health care workers at the health centre for their continued efforts, others implored them to do better.

    One of the residents, Miss Ngozi Ndukwe, a lawyer in the community, said that basic amenities were needed in the health centre and should be provided by the government to ensure effective service delivery.

    “Government should provide at least basic amenities in the hospital, like electricity or solar power. Good hospital equipment should be put in place.

    “The government should engineer policies that will be captivating in order to attract health care workers abroad, who are willing to come back to Nigeria.

    “More doctors should be on duty to limit long waiting time, ‘’ Ndukwe said.

    Also, Mr Albert Udoukpong, a resident, described the health centre as a place that needed urgent attention from the Federal Government.

    Udoukpong, a youth corper, said more funding should be put in place for healthcare services.

    “The hospital has qualified medical doctors but they are not enough.  In the case of emergency, they will not be able to cope with the pressure.

    “If you are really sick and you come here, you will have to wait for a long time to see a doctor.

    “The health care centre has impacted on the community but it can be better. I do not spend much money whenever I come here unlike in the big hospitals,” he said.

    Another resident, Mr Abdulhafeez Ibrahim, an electrician, noted that although the health centre was lagging behind in some areas but there are also improvements.

    “I think we should exercise patience as we will witness enormous improvements soon.

    “The health centre services have been impactful with the little they have.

    “The government should bring more capable medical staff in order to reduce the work load and also help the community,” he said.

    According to Ibrahim, helping the community means funding the health centre with quality medical equipment and amenities.

    “If the government considers all these, it will help us all,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AU/DE/AMM

    ==========

    Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Abiemwense Moru

     

  • Surety faces N200,000 bail bond forfeiture charge

    Surety
    By Olaitan Idris
    Lagos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) A 39-year-old man, Dike Chinedu, who stood surety for a friend, but failed to produce him in court as required, on Tuesday, appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
    Chinedu, whose house address was not given, entered a ‘not-guilty’ plea to a charge of perversion of justice.
    The Prosecutor, Insp Courage Ekhueorohan, told the court that Chinedu committed the offence on Aug. 11, 2023 at Itire Divisional Police Headquarters in the Lagos magisterial district.
    Ekhueorohan said that the defendant conspired with one other person to obstruct and pervert the course of justice.
    “The defendant stood as a surety for one Henry Ajih, a friend who was involved in a case of obtaining by false pretences reported at the station.
    “Ajih was granted bail and released to the defendant who promised to produce him at the station on Aug. 13, 2023 and other subsequent days until the case is finally disposed of.
    “The accused is hereby called upon to show cause why the sum of N200,000 bond executed by him should not be forfeited,” the prosecutor said.
    According to him, the offence contravenes Section 97(3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 97 provides seven years imprisonment for perversion of justice, while sub-section three provides for two years imprisonment.
    The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Otitoju, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum.
    Otitoju adjourned the case till Aug. 15 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    IOI/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Cholera: FCT schools take precautionary measures

    Cholera: FCT schools take precautionary measures

    A pupil at LEA Kontangora Estate Nursery and primary school, Gwagwalada.

    Cholera
    By Uche Bibilari
    Gwagwalada (FCT), June 25, 2024 (NAN) Some primary schools in the FCT say they have evolved
    precautionary measures to avoid the outbreak of cholera in the schools.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited some of the schools on Tuesday in Gwagwalada, observed that most schools have water drums and soap at designated places for pupils and teachers to wash their hands.

    The schools said that the move is to ensure constant availability of potable water for the pupils and others.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a total of 1,141 suspected cases of cholera, with 65 confirmed cases.

    The centre also reported 30 deaths across 96 local government areas in 30 states from Jan. 1 to June 11.

    The NCDC listed 10 states that account for 90 per cent of the cholera burden in the country to include: Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos.

    The centre explained that cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by vibrio cholerae, ingested through contaminated water and food.

    It said that water contamination usually result from the faeces of infected individuals, during water collection, transportation, or storage at home, as food can also be contaminated by unclean hands during preparation or consumption.

    The Assistant Headmaster, Administration at Pilot Science Primary School, Mr Ismaila Gishe, told NAN that the Local Education Authority (LEA) recently provided plastic water drum and purifier to purify the water before the pupils could drink it.

    Gishe said the school management has also instructed teachers to sensitise pupils about the importance of personal hygiene.

    He added that “the pupils were taught how to wash their hands before and after eating and after using the rest room.

    “They were also sensitised on the need to cover their food and water to avoid flies, and to wash fruits
    properly with clean water before consumption.

    “We also sensitised them on the dangers of open defecation, and its negative impact to healthy wellbeing.”

    He said that the school has followed all these instructions with action to ensure strict compliance, adding that it has been a huge success.

    On the issue of food vendors in the school, he said the school has a committee that checks the food before it will be sold to the pupils.

    According to him, any food that is not well prepared or noticed to be unhygienic, the committee will send such vendor away.

    He urged parents to ensure maximum safety of their children or wards while at home to avoid any case of cholera in school.

    Ms Amina Ibrahim, the Personal Assistant to the Headmaster, LEA Kontagora Estate Nursery and Primary School in Gwagwalada, Mr Moses Gbemileke, said the school has evolved some precautionary measures to ensure the safety of pupils.

    She said that the school was supplied water drums and tablets to purify the water, adding that the school instructed the pupils to come with their own cups or containers from home for their personal use.

    She added that “we instructed the pupils to bring their containers and cups from home so they could use it personally.

    “These children are young and cannot understand the dangers of poor hygiene but the school has continued to teach and guide them on what to do.

    “The school does not allow any random person to sell food and we ensure that
    teachers taste the food before it is sold.

    “Even the zobo (hibiscus leaves) drink that is sold in the school is prepared by a staff and consumed not only by the pupils, but teachers as well.

    “If it is not safe, we will not encourage it and the teachers will not consume it too”, she said.

    Ibrahim also said that pupils have been taught on the health implications of not washing their hands always, especially after using the toilet or playing.

    She said the school would continue to do its best to ensure proper safety of both pupils and teachers.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UU/DE/HA
    =========
    Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • Court remands 2 teenagers in juvenile home over alleged rape

    Rape

    By Moronke Boboye

    Ikeja, June 25, 2024(NAN) An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, remanded two teenage boys at the Oregun Juvenile Remand Home, Lagos, for allegedly gang-raping a 14-year old girl.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, refused to take the defendants’ plea.

    Osunsanmi ordered them to be remanded in the remand home until July 3, for the Director of Public Prosecution’s advice.

    The defendants are both students of 17 years old, still residing with their parents in Isheri, Lagos.

    They are being charged with conspiracy and sexual assault.

    The Prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem, told the court that the teenagers committed the   offences on May 3, at 13B, Adeola Bashiru Street, Isheri-Oshun, Lagos.

    “The victim went to the house of one of the defendants, who is also her classmate to collect a notebook.

    “The classmate invited his friend while the victim was in his house, and they both raped her,” he said.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 137 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)

    MTO/KTO/AZU

    ===========

    Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Azubuike Okeh