PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL INAUGURATES WOMEN CHAPTER OF GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE

SHINA J.O

27/4/23

The Country Director, Pathfinder International Nigeria, Amina Aminu-Dorai says culture and patriarchy remain some of the impediments to women’s from leadership quests in Nigeria.

Aminu-Dorai who said this during the inauguration of the Nigeria chapter of Women in Global Health Initiative on Thursday in Abuja, noted that it was important for women to be included in the decision making process, especially in the Health sector.

Some major gender equality advocates speak on the importance of the health sector and why women must be part of the leadership structure.

The Women in Global Health Initiative is an international movement with over forty chapters across the world with the sole aim of contributing to the overall development of the health sector globally.

FLOOD ALERT NIGERIANS CAUTIONED AGAINST DUMPING OF REFUSE IN DRAINAGES

27/04/23

ELIZABET D.O

The Ogun State commissioner for environment, ola oresanya says residents whose actions violate the environmental laws of the state will be sanctioned accordingly.

The commissioner speaking during a press briefing where the state government released the 2023 flood alert, advising against indiscriminate dumping of refuse .

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya disclosed that two major seasons of rainfall for 2023 is between April and July and September and November.
He cautioued on indiscriminate dumping of refuse, advicing communities in flooding area not to drink unclean water to avoid communicable deceases.

The commissioner hinted that the state government will alert residents when water will be released from the Oyan Dam by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.

He also advised Farmers in the state to complete their harvest in August to avoid farm Products being swept away by flood.

MORE KILLINGS IN BENUE

27/04/23

BENEDICTA T.D

Two soldiers and 15 villagers have been reportedly killed in an attack by armed invaders on three communities of Apa Local Government Area in Benue State.

Locals said that the attacks happened simultaneously at about 6pm on Tuesday in Opaha, Odogbo and Edikwu communities in Apa LGA.

A local identified as Kole, said 17 bodies including two soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) were recovered from nearby bushes early hours of after security operatives combed the area.

He said that one of the deceased soldiers was the commander of the unit which confronted the armed invaders in their bid to repel the attackers from the communities while under seige.

Chairman of Apa Development Association, Eche Akpoko, confirmed that there was an attack in the area on Tuesday night.

Akpoko said, at the time of his contact with the community, 10 dead bodies including two soldiers were already recovered but that he was yet to get an update as at 10:30am.

State Commissioner of Finance, David Olofu, who hails from Opaha, one of the villages attacked confirmed,that the bodies of 15 villagers and two soldiers were recovered this morning.

The Nigeria Police Force Benue State Command confirmed the unfortunate attack by armed men suspected to be herdsmen on Opaha Community in Edikwu council ward of Apa Local Government Area in Benue State however saying that
an army officer and more than 10 people were killed with several persons reported missing as the whole village was said to have been sacked.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine
Anene said the attack took place on Tuesday evening while details of the attack were been awaited.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: NIGER DELTANS DEMAND IMMEDIATE AUDIT OF ENTIRE REGION

27/04/23

Elizabeth O. D

As Civil Society Organizations set Agenda for The President Elect, Some people of the Niger Delta have demanded for the immediate audit of the entire Niger Delta region covering health, livelihood, socio economic impacts of crude oil and gas extraction.

A renown environmental rights activist made this demand during the second Niger Delta alternatives convergence in port Harcourt with the theme “Restoring the Environment and Reclaiming the dignity of the people”.


In the over sixty five years of oil exploration in the Niger Delta region,the people have suffered severe environmental pollution and degradation.

Despite the wealth created by oil during this period, the Niger Delta region has suffered from worse unemployment indicators, unusually low life expectancy, livelihood losses among others.

This second Niger Delta alternatives convergence is an opportunity for stakeholders, civil society organizations to come together with a common front to demand for justice, fairness and equity.

The rapid plans by the major oil companies to divest from their onshore Niger Delta assets with out any plans to remedy their vast ecological damage and health impacts does not go down well with the people.

They also advocate the need for a review of the petroleum industry act PIA .

With all these demands,it is hoped that the incoming president elect will take proactive steps in addressing all the issues raised .

SUDAN EVACUATION UPDATE

Shina J.O

Nigeria’s minister of foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, says the 72-hour ceasefire window declared by the warring factions in Sudan will not in any way affect the safe and continuous evacuation of Nigerian Nationals in that country.

Onyeama who briefed state House correspondents after the weekly meeting of the executive council of the federation assured Nigerians that the evacuation process was still in progress.

The Nigeria foreign affairs minister told state house correspondents that the initial delay in the evacuation process was due to the difficulty in securing authorization from the Sudanese government and some security support for the convoy of about forty buses earmarked for the travel through the Egyptian border.

He added that officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, are still on ground in Egypt to oversee the safe return of Nigerians trapped in Sudan.

Also at the weekly meeting of the executive council of the federation, the ministry of Aviation got approval for the award of the contract for the supply and installation of additional five units of liquid explosive detector machines for five airports in the country.

The attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubarka Malami, noted that Council has given approval for the design and formulation of a National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of human rights in Nigeria 2022 to 2026.

ISWAP ABDUCT HUMANITARIAN WORKERS

21/04/23

PRESS RELEASE

The Islamic State of the West African Province ISWAP has abducted three humanitarian staff working with the Family Health International FHI360 , and two other security guards in the North East of Ngala, Borno State

report by A Counter insurgency Expert and Security Analyst zagazola Makama says
FHI 360 is a non-profit human development organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people of the North East.

It was gathered that Unconfirmed numbers of the terrorists stormed into the Guess house of the Non Governmental Organisation in a silent Operation at about 4a.m on Wednesday April 26, 2023 and whisked them away to an unknown destination.

The report noted that There is no official statement from the organization since the news of the abduction broke out.

IMPROVING NATIONAL SECURITY , NIGERIA PLUGS INTO GLOBAL EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

27/04/23

Daniels G.O

The chief of Defence Staff General Leo Irabor Early Warning Systems Centre was officially launched at the Nigeria institute of international affairs in Lagos Tuesday as parts of efforts to timely monitor developments across the world.

The centre which is an initiative of the General Leo irabor according to speakers at the event will not only help the Country monitor activities globally in real time, but also help build capacity for adequate responses when the need arises.

Early Warning Systems are essential tools for risk management and Preparedness that helps to save lives and minimize the potential impact of disasters.

At a time Nigeria is faced with intense security challenges,a centre like the one just commissioned at the premises of the Nigerian Institute Of International Affairs according speakers will help make the difference.

The speakers also urged Nigerians to make the business of securing the nation everyone ‘s concern by speaking up when necessary.

For the early warning systems to be effective, four elements are said to be involved,Risk knowledge, Monitoring, Response Capacity and warning communication packaged into actionable messages.

ANOTHER KILLER COUGH MEDICINE IN TOWN

27/04/23

PRESS RELEASE

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians about a killer cough syrup, NATURCOLD.

This was made known on Wednesday by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who stated that the cough syrup already caused the death of six children in Cameroon.

Adeyeye said that the cough syrup was not in NAFDAC’s database, and advised importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain.

Fake drugs smuggled into Nigeria through neighbouring countries

The NAFDAC boss called on importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and consumption of the substandard syrup.

She said, “All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

“NAFDAC implores members of the public to desist from buying medicinal products from unauthorised sources such as roadside vendors and street hawkers.’’

Adeyeye added that fake drugs were mostly smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries and distributed through inappropriate channels.

She enjoined anyone in possession of NATURCOLD to discontinue its sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

She said, “If you know anyone who have used these product, or suffered any adverse reaction after use, such person is advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.’’

Adeyeye also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of sale and use of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office.

She explained that Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health already issued an alert regarding the suspected substandard cough syrup.

She added that the death of the six victims of the cough syrup was recorded at a health facility in the district of Fundong, North-West region of Cameroon.

She quoted the delegate for Public Health in the region as saying that children who took the syrup showed a decrease in kidney function.

The syrup was not authorised for marketing in Cameroon and was bought from unauthorised sources, the delegate also said.

Adeyeye encouraged healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse side effects of medicinal products to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through e-reporting.

NAFDAC’s e-reporting platforms include: www.nafdac.gov.ng and pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng

In a similar circumstance, NAFDAC had in October 2022 warned Nigerians against the use of four substandard cough syrups.

The products were listed as “Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup”.

NAFDAC had said all batches of the syrups should be considered unsafe, adding that the products are not registered by agency and should, therefore, not be in circulation

Recall that NAFDAC had in October 2022 warned Nigerians against the use of four substandard cough syrups.

The products were listed as “Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup”.

NAFDAC had said all batches of the syrups should be considered unsafe, adding that the products are not registered by agency and should, therefore, not be in circulation.

NIGERIA & MALARIA CRISIS

26/04/23

DANIEL G O

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark 2023 world malaria Day, public health experts have called for a collaborative approach in the fight against malaria in Nigeria .

The call is coming amidst concerns over the increasing number of persons dying annually from malaria diseases in Nigeria at a time when some African countries have been declared malaria free by the world health organization.

Malaria, a mosquito born disease that has continued to ravage Nigerians, with children under five years of Age and pregnant women more vulnerable.

Despite efforts by the federal government and private individuals over The years, the battle against the disease seem far from being won,a situation some people have blamed on lack of sincerity and politicization in some quarters.

Health experts also applauded the newly approved malaria vaccine by the national agency for foods , Drugs Administration And Control NAFDAC as a right step in the right direction

World malaria Day is celebrated 25th of April every year to highlight the need for continued investment as well as sustained commitment to the prevention of malaria and it’s control.
The theme for the 2023 celebration is
” TIME TO DELIVER ZERO MALARIA: INVEST,INNOVATE AND IMPLEMENT”

KENYA STARVATION CULT DEATH TOLL RISES TO 83

26/04/23

Shina J.O

Kenyan investigators on Tuesday exhumed 10 more bodies from mass graves linked to a starvation cult, bringing the total number of victims to 83, an AFP journalist at the scene said, as fears grow of the toll spiking even further.

Police have spent days scouring the Shakahola forest near the coastal town of Malindi after receiving a tip-off about a cult led by Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, who urged his followers to starve to death in order to find God.

The 10 bodies recovered on Tuesday included three children, as emergency workers clad in white jumpsuits exhumed their remains from shallow graves and also found two emaciated survivors.

The grim discovery has sent shockwaves through the country, prompting President William Ruto to pledge a crackdown on “unacceptable” religious movements.

As the fatalities mounted, authorities at the state-run Malindi Sub-County Hospital warned Tuesday that the morgue was running out of space to store the bodies and already operating well over capacity.

“The hospital mortuary has a capacity of 40 bodies,” said the hospital’s administrator, Said Ali, adding that officials had reached out to the Kenya Red Cross for refrigerated containers.

It is believed that some followers of the Good News International Church could still be hiding in the bush around Shakahola and at risk of death if not quickly found.

Executive director rights group Haki Africa, Hussein Khalid, tipped off the police, and he urged the authorities to send more rescuers to scour the 325-hectare (800-acre) area of woodland for survivors.