Exploring Fakaofo Village, Tokelau

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November 9, 2022

Fakaofo Village is a very small settlement that is located on the Fenua Fala, which is part of the Fakaofo Atoll of the island country and dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean, Tokelau.

To relieve the overcrowded smaller islet of Fale, which is to the south of Fenua Fala, the Fakaofo Village was established in 1960, where today the school, hospital, telephone company headquarters are located.

Interestingly enough, when there are low tides, it is possible to walk between the small islets, however, more interesting would be to swim in between them.

With the three churches which cater to its two practicing religions, Catholic and Protestants, the population is more than 400 citizens, among who some 30% are below the age of 20.

All in all, even though Tokelau is not well know touristic place, the people are living a life that is mainly dependent on fishing, quietly and heavenly in a very remote place on our planet.

Once Upon A Time – November 9 – 1799 – Napoleon Bonaparte Pulls Off Coup, Becomes Dictator Of France Under Title Of First Consul

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Angel Gimalo

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November 9, 2022

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1494 Piero the Unfortunate of the de’ Medici family, ruler of Florence, loses his power and flees the state

1799 Napoleon Bonaparte pulls off a coup and becomes the dictator of France under the title of First Consul

1980 Iraqi President Saddam Hussein declares holy war against Iran

1994 Darmstadtium, Chemical element 110, discovered at GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research near Darmstadt, Germany

1998 Brokerage houses are ordered to pay 1.03 billion USD to NASDAQ investors to compensate for price-fixing – largest civil settlement in US history

Historical Events Today

Today In Film & Tv

1984 Wes Craven’s horror film “A Nightmare on Elm Street” premieres in the US

Today In Music

1858 1st performance of NY Symphony Orchestra

Today In Sport

1985 Russia’s Garry Kasparov (22) becomes the youngest ever world chess champion, with a 13-11 win over fellow countryman Anatoly Karpov

1888 Jack Ripper’s 5th and probably last victim, Mary Jane Kelly, found on her bed

1842 The first U.S. design patent for typefaces and borders was issued to George Bruce of New York City

Famous Weddings

1866 Tsarevich Alexander of Russia (later Alexander III) marries Princess Dagmar of Denmark at the Grand Church of the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg

1887 Anna Mary Robertson (27), later to become painter known as Grandma Moses, weds Thomas Salmon Moses in New York

1899 US Admiral of the Navy George Dewey (61) weds Mildred McLean Hazen at the rectory St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.

Former Health Minister Calls For Partnership To Advance Health Research, Innovations

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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November 9, 2022

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Former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has called for collaboration that will provide sustainable investment and resources to advance health research and innovations in Nigeria.

Adewole, who was the Chairman at the 2022 Annual International Conference on Health Advances, Innovation and Research (ICHAIR), organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR)

He said: “One of my core messages today is the need to transcend, to adding value and high quality homegrown research innovation to address our national health needs.

“Nigerians and Africans are known for their resilient, creativity and determination to succeed, when given an enabling environment to thrive.

He commended the NIMR for its immense contribution through various researches to proffer solutions to health issues peculiar to Nigeria and Africa at large.

Adewole, also a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, urged young participants at the conference to utilised knowledge acquired at the event to expand their scope in their various scientific field.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, who was a special guest at the conference said government must enable NIMR to consentualise research ideas and translate them into innovations that would help advance health delivery.

Prof. Abayomi also noted that NIMR was endowed with both physical and human resources needed to carryout it’s mandate as the quaternary research institute in the country.

Speaking earlier, the Director-General of NIMR, Prof. Babtunde Salako, said the conference which was initiated in 2011 and reposition in 2021 had become a meeting for bio-medical professionals and stakeholders within the country and beyond.

The DG commended the Federal Government for improved funding to the Institute, while appealing to the government for more funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

Nigeria, Morocco To Strengthen Football Ties With Partnership Agreements

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Emenike Agu

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November 9, 2022

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PHOTO: Gusau (second left) with His Excellency Tagma (third left), Anyansi-Agwu (third right), Icheen (second right); Inuwa (left) and Kadiri (right)

Efforts to make more robust the cordial relationship between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco in the game of football has commenced apace with a positive and purposeful meeting in Abuja between the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the Ambassador of Morocco to Nigeria, His Excellency Moha Ou Ali Tagma.

Gusau, in company with NFF 1^st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Board Members Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen and Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, informed His Excellency Tagma that the visit was both in appreciation of the co-operation that the NFF and Nigeria Football teams have received from the embassy in the past and in recognition of the great role that Morocco is playing in African football at the moment.

“We have just come in as new Board of the NFF, and having served on the previous Board and fully aware of the co-operation that Your Excellency and Mission Staff have afforded the NFF and Nigeria Football over the years, and the need to foster stronger ties with Morocco, we have decided to come and explore the possibility of excellent partnership agreements that could benefit both countries in the long run.

“The accomplishments of Morocco in the area of infrastructure and organizational capacity cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone fully involved in African Football will appreciate the role that Morocco is playing at the present. As we speak, our Bayelsa Queens are playing in the CAF Women Champions League ongoing in Morocco. Our Super Falcons played in the Women AFCON there a few months ago and the Super Eagles played an AFCON qualifier there in June.”

“The FA President, Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa is a friend and brother, and very passionate about the African game. The NFF will seek ties with Morocco that will ultimately benefit Nigeria Football in the area of development.”

His Excellency Tagma congratulated Gusau and the new NFF Board, while underscoring the existing excellent relationship between the two countries, particularly in football. “Nigeria has a strong pedigree in football in Africa and the world. Names like (Jay Jay) Okocha ring bells everywhere. They have placed Nigeria’s name on a high pedestal globally.

“It is a pity Nigeria did not qualify for Qatar 2022, but you are up there among the strongest and most revered. We are inviting you to visit Morocco to talk to the Football Federation on how our two countries can have an even stronger relationship.

“Someone once told me that only two things can draw a crowd of 100,000 and above: religion and football.”

Also present at the occasion were Mr. E. C. Kadiri (NFF’s Director of Finance and Administration); Mr. Ademola Olajire (Director of Media and Communications); Mr. Barnabas Joro (Head of Protocol) and; Mr. Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Chief Protocol Officer).

Governors’ Forum Seeks Urgent Action To Tackle Brain Drain

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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November 9, 2022

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The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), has expressed worry over the preponderance of medical doctors seeking greener pastures abroad, to the detriment of the country.

Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, expressed this concern when he paid the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, a courtesy visit in Abuja.

In a statement signed by Muhammad Bello, Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the governor therefore, called for urgent measures to tackle the menace.

“We are witnessing brain drain over the years. It is alarming. And, I believe it has something to do with the welfare of the medical personnel. I urge the Federal Government to do something about this urgently,” he said.

The NGF chairman also urged the Federal Government to ramp up drive for the realisation of the 25 per cent needed to ensure universal healthcare coverage for all Nigerians, under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).

According to him, the governors are desirous of building a resilient healthcare platform, committed to routine immunisation and total eradication of polio, in collaboration with global and local partners.

He, however, said their efforts would come to naught if the alarming trend continued unchecked.

While commending the Federal Government for the initiative of setting up the BHCPF, Tambuwal emphasised that the momentum of making the fund realistic, should not be slowed down.

He assured the government and the FMOH of transparency and accountability in the management of the fund by states, pointing out however, that disbursement by the forum would be based on performance of the recipient states.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, in his remarks, corroborated the governor on the issue of brain drain, noting that 3000 medical doctors graduated annually in the country.

According to the minister however, out of the number, 1000 leave the country every year.

He said this was in spite of the Federal Government’s efforts at creating more space to employ these personnel in the face of growing demands for higher remuneration.

The minister urged other state governors to emulate Sokoto State Government, which according to him dedicate a lot of resources to training medical doctors, who are subsequently employed by the government.

Rica Vs Nigeria: Salisu Yusuf Assures Of Good Outing, Drills Super Eagles

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Emenike Agu

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November 9, 2022

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Coach Salisu Yusuf has assured that his wards would get the needed result in the international friendly against Qatar 2022 World Cup-bound Costa Rica after the Super Eagles had their second training session on Tuesday.

The delegation of Super Eagles arrived in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica on Sunday evening ahead of Thursday’s tune-up game.

Salisu and Suleiman Shuaibu (Goalkeeper Trainer) took charge of the team’s training as they had a light session on Monday.

The players were put to their pace as they had a second warm-up session on Tuesday, at 8 pm Costa Rican time, which is 3 am Nigerian time.

They are expected to observe Wednesday as a rest day and will have their last training on Thursday morning before the game against Los Ticos at 8 pm Costa Rican local time, and 3 am Nigerian time, at the National Stadium in San Jose.

According to Salisu: “The players have responded well in the two warm-up sessions we have had since arriving San Jose. I have confidence in the lads to give their best in the game on Thursday.”

The contingent made up of a playing squad of 18 players, two coaches and other team officials were led by NFF Executive Committee Member, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi.

Super Eagles In San Jose Ahead Of Friendly With Costa Rica

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Emenike Agu

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November 9, 2022

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The Eagles on arrival in San Jose on Monday

The delegation of Super Eagles of Nigeria arrived San Jose, capital of Costa Rica on Sunday evening ahead of Thursday’s international friendly match between both countries.

The contingent led by NFF Executive Committee Member, Sunday Dele-Ajayi touched down at Juan Santamaria International Airport aboard Copa Airlines via Panama City at 10:30pm Local time (5:30am on Monday in Nigeria).

A playing squad of 18 players, two coaches and other team officials travelled with the team for the friendly game lined up for the Super Eagles by Nigeria Football Federation. The Nigerian delegation was received by an official of the Costa Rica Football Federation.

The Super Eagles are lodged at Real Intercontinental Hotel, San Jose as they prepared for their first training session ahead of the big match, to which they were invited as part of major activities to send forth the Los Ticos to the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.

The game, scheduled for the National Stadium in San Jose, will kick off at 8pm Costa Rica time on Wednesday, 9^th November (which is 3am, 10^th November in Nigeria).

Agency Urges The Public To Buy Drugs from Only Reputable Outlets

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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November 9, 2022

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged the public to buy medicine from only reputable outlets to avoid fake and substandard drugs.

The NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye, also cautioned Nigerians against patronizing drugs hawkers.

She said that drugs on the street have a high probability of being substandard falsified medicines.

Adeyeye expressed delight that the agency has reduced the percentage of substandard falsified medicine from 17 per cent to 12 per cent.

The DG disclosed that the agency needs increased manpower to be able to discharge it responsibilities effectively, especially for post marketing surveillance.

“We need a lot of staff. We need twice the number of staff we have right now especially for post marketing. Nigeria is very peculiar, surrounded by five countries that are not as strong in their regulatory activities as us.

“And we have to also help the younger ones so that they have a strong regulatory system because if one is weak all is weak.

“So we are doing a lot of interaction among ourselves. We formed a forum of Heads of agencies in West Africa we meet every other month to discuss our challenges and help each other so that everybody will become stronger with time.”

Cancer: Pfizer urges early detection, prevention

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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November 9, 2022

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Pfizer has advised members of society to pay attention to early detection of cancer and help friends and families by encouraging regular self-examination and conversations with doctors.

This was disclosed at Pfizer’s virtual Media Roundtable to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

At the Media Roundtable, healthcare practitioners were also encouraged to employ technologies in their respective approvals to have open conversations and support patients.

A Medical Director, East and Anglo West Africa, Kodjo Soroh, said, “Oncology remains a key therapeutic field for Pfizer in which we are working to deliver medical breakthroughs that have the potential to change patients’ lives across the region significantly and we are proud of these achievements, and we thank our media members, colleagues, HCPs and everyone for this event.”

A Consultant Clinical and Radiation Oncologist, NSIA-LUTH Cancer Center, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, Dr. Adewumi Alabi, stated that there was a high importance of clinical research in breast cancer care.

He said, “The importance of clinical research in breast cancer care cannot be overemphasised. These forums are critical as they allow us to share our best insights and findings that can support patients in winning the battle against cancer.

“Breast cancer itself is one of the deadliest diseases with a high prevalence in the area. On a positive note, we now have evidence-based updates and real-world data showing the efficacy of prescriptions in the management of HR+ HER2- mBC patients.”

The Director, National Centre for Radiotherapy Oncology & Nuclear Medicine, Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, Dr. Joel Yarney, noted that the transformative impact of science on breast cancer was evident within the breast cancer community.

“While we’ve made a meaningful change for those living with this disease, our work is far from finished. It is crucial for patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or even metastatic breast cancer to have the right information and expectations.

“It is our duty to encourage patients to have open conversations with their healthcare teams to understand how they can be supported and how they can participate in their own caretaking an active role in their treatment can help them feel empowered in making the best decisions for themselves,” he added.

NAFDAC Pushes For Stiffer Punishment For Substandard Drug Importation

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

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November 9, 2022

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has emphasized the need for enactment of legislation that would ensure stiffer penalties for importers of inferior medicine into the country.

The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Adeyeye said that the agency would not spare any company and manufacturers that bring in bad medicine into the country.

She disclosed that the agency had scale up its Pre Shipment Testing, adding that more than 100 shipment of bad medicine were stopped.

She stated that NAFDAC, with W.H.O collaboration, conducted a survey and discovered that few companies were trying to cut corners, adding that the agency shut the lines down for months which was going for billions of Naira.

She vowed that NAFDAC would not spare anybody that intend to kill people with bad medicines, adding that the agency was adopting many strategies and intelligence to tackle the menace.