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WHO trains Health promotion officers on Infodemic

By
Cleopatra Okohai
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The World Health Organisation, in collaboration with Yobe Government has organised a two-day training for health promotion officers on infodemic.

The WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Nuhu Ningi, while addressing participants on Wednesday in Damaturu, said the training is necessary to empower health promotion officers across the 17 local government areas of the state.

 reports that infodemic is a rapid and far-reaching spread of both accurate and inaccurate information about something, such as a disease.

Infodemic also means an excessive amount of information, usually not trustworthy, which spreads fast, hindering reliable solutions.

Such information includes false or misleading stories in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak.

The WHO coordinator, therefore, said that the training of health promotion officers is apt, for the prevention and prompt response to the outbreak to curtail morbidity.

Read Also: Healthcare investment can solve Nigeria’s challenges – Expert 

Ningi explained that correct and sound information is vital in the transformation of how situations are approached, especially outbreaks in communities.

He added that “when we have distorted information, which is not grounded in science and reason, it will be difficult to curtail the outbreak of diseases in the community.

“So, your role as health promotion officers is to provide necessary correct information on how diseases occur, how to prevent the occurrence and how to remain safe during disasters or outbreak situations.”

The WHO official also advised participants to pay attention during the training to ensure successful deliberations.

Dr. Kundi Machina, the Executive Secretary, Yobe Primary Healthcare Management Board, commended WHO for its collaboration with the state government.

He said at the end of the training workshop, participants should be able to provide appropriate and adequate information

on risk communication and how best to curtail various forms of epidemic diseases across the state. 

Pharmaceutical Society Of Nigeria Holds 29th AGM, Scientific Conference

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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Pharmacists under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Anambra State Branch, converged in Awka, the state capital for their twenty-ninth annual general meeting and scientific conference.

The conference themed Broadening and Strengthening the Nigerian Pharmaceutical and Health Sector: The Anambra State Perspective, provided a platform for practitioners to discuss, proffer solutions and work out implementable strategies to solve different challenges facing the sector.

The keynote address, lectures and remarks made by industry experts and academics at the conference, highlighted the importance of pharmacists maximizing their potential, playing key roles in the health sector and increasing pharmaceutical based and health service research. These are expected to expand the horizon of the members of the profession and consequently improve general health care access and services.

Significantly, the keynote speaker and dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Festus Okoye identified areas where pharmacists must pay close attention to including community pharmacy, primary health sector, traditional medicine, taking up leadership roles in the health sector and also engaging in periodic and regular skills update.

Professor Okoye asked the professionals to take up slots in the new Coordinated Drug Wholesale Centre, Oba which Governor Chukwuma Soludo recently laid its foundation as a way to increase better control of drug distribution and supply value chain in the state.

Contributing, the Chairman of the Occasion and Commissioner for Housing, Honourable Paully Onyeka, encouraged pharmacists to get involved in politics and run for elective offices that will put them in a better place to influence policy making in the health sector and incentive research and other collaborations.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Anambra State Branch, Pharm. Josephat Obasi said the conference gives members of the profession the opportunity to identify ways to solve the collective problems facing the pharmaceutical sub-sector.

The scientific conference also had in attendance the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone and the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Medicals and Pharmaceuticals, Dr Godwin Nnadozie. It also featured exhibitions on recent academic and industry based researches and products.

House Of Rep Commitee Proposes Merging of Public Institutions

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee sitting to review the duplication of Government Agencies has proposed the merger of the Administrative State College of Nigeria (ASCON) and the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN).

The Committee, headed by Hon. Victor Danzaria, said this was due to the overlapping function of both agencies.

Danzaria said it was costing the government a lot of money to maintain agencies with similar responsibilities.

He said this when the Director General of ASCON, Cecilia Gayya, appeared before the committee, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The DG of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, (CBAAC) Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao, appeared before the Committee.

She said “Counter productivity of established agencies is a fact that a lot of agencies led to a lot of loans we always approve as a National Assembly to maintain the organizations. The Adhoc Committee is looking at the productivity and service delivery of these agencies.

“Another mandate of this committee is to ascertain root cause analysis of the regular bickering making established agencies the government keeps spending money on. There are agencies of government that don’t have enabling acts and yet the government still spends money on them. It is tough for this county to keep these agencies while we keep borrowing money to maintain them.

“Another mandate is to establish areas of mergers, synergies and justification of existence. The truth is even though you may have your enabling act, this Adhoc Committee would determine whether it should be repealed, amended or taken away. The justification of the existence of your agencies we have to hear from you. If the Service delivery is not there, if Nigeria is not gaining from the agency, why are they exist?. We cannot continue to keep borrowing money to maintain most of these agencies that we feel need to be merged or taken away.”

The Director General of ASCON, Cecilia Gayya, had earlier said the agency overlaps with PSIN in areas including training, consultancy and research.

She said while ASCON has an Act backing it, the PSIN did not.

She, however, said the two institutions could exist side by side. She said they overlap in practice but not in law. She called for a review of the ASCON Act to broaden its mandate.

American Actress, Gabrielle Union Collaborates With Nigerian Designer, Banke Kuku

By
Koko Lawrence
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American Actress Gabrielle Union is collaborating with Nigerian fashion designer, Banke Kuku and Nyandcompany for the distribution of the collection.

According to the caption posted by Gabrielle Union and Banke Kuku “A collection inspired by two women in love with all things fashion and African. Gabrielle has decided to launch something memorable in celebration of her 50th birthday and it’s such an honour to have worked with her on this.”

Gabriella is very excited to work with Banke Kuku, “I’ve been a fan for so long, and to get to collab on something that we can share with everyone is so huge, the materials are so luxe and beautiful. It’s the only way I should be bringing in my 50th draped in luxurious and beautiful prints.”

Banke’s fabrics are adire-print lookalike loungewear, where comfort is optimized. It’s an important collaboration in African fashion, and it places it on a global stage.

Prince Harry To Release Memoir In January

By
Koko Lawrence
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The Duke of Sussex’s memoir will be published on 10 January, his publisher Penguin Random House has said.

The book by Prince Harry – which will cover his own description of his decision to give up royal duties and move to the US – will be titled Spare.

Random House said: “As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling – and how their lives would play out…

“For Harry, this is his story at last.”

Some of the proceeds from the book will be used to support British charities, including Sentebale and WellChild. The publisher confirmed this was in the form of two donations of $1.5m and £300,000 respectively to the two named charities.

When the deal for Prince Harry to write his story was announced in 2021, the prince promised he would reflect “the highs and lows” and be “accurate and wholly truthful”.

That theme is picked up in the publicity statement for the book, which says: “With its raw, unflinching honesty, Spare is a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.”

The title Spare refers to the common refrain by royal commentators that the aim to preserve the monarchy is to produce “an heir and a spare”.

As the second child of King Charles, Prince Harry filled the role of “spare” – unlikely to ever come anywhere near to being on the throne.

Quebec Separatist Party Calls For Split With British Monarchy

By
Angel Gimalo
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With the upcoming coronation of King Charles III, the Canadian province of Quebec is resurfacing a debate on the country’s ties to the British monarchy.

On Wednesday, parliamentarians will vote on whether Canada should sever ties with the monarchy, after Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet tabled a motion that forced a conversation in House of Commons about the Crown.

His move follows the refusal of 14 recently-elected Quebec politicians to recite an oath of allegiance to the King during their swearing-in to the provincial legislature, as required by Canadian law.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Blanchet admitted that his motion is likely to fail, but he said the failure will show Quebecers that federal politicians “prefer to support the King than the people”.

In Canada, the monarch – now King Charles – is the head of state. The monarchy serves a mainly symbolic role, with the power to govern entrusted to the Canadian government.

Changing the current system would need approval from both the House of Commons and the Senate in parliament, as well as the unanimous consent of all 10 provinces

Members of Canada’s governing Liberal party have already said they will oppose the motion.

While Mr Blanchet’s motion may fail, the future of Quebec politicians who refused to swear the oath to the Crown remains uncertain.

Their refusal could lead to a bill that seeks to redefine the requirement to take the oath of allegiance in the province – if they are able to sit in Quebec’s legislature at all – and political watchers say they are eager to see how the dispute unfolds.

Gov Oyetola Approves Gratuity Payment Of 1,887 Retired Teachers

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has approved the release of the sum of N377,120,472.20, for the payment of the fourth round of gratuity to pensioners of primary school extraction.

This was disclosed in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday and signed by the state Head of Service, Dr. Festus Oyebade.

The statement also said payment of the beneficiaries would commence on Thursday.

It further read in parts, “the total no of beneficiaries is 1,887 at a gross amount of N377,120,472.20.

“The list will be posted on the notice boards of the Local Government Pensions Bureau and the Ministry of Information and Civic Engagement today Wednesday 26th October 2022.

“Payment starts tomorrow, Thursday 27th October 2022. The Governor assures workers of the State of giving their welfare the pride of place in his administration.”

Nigeria’s Apex Bank Redesigns Some Naira Notes, To Be Effective December 2022

By
Angel Gimalo
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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has redesigned some new naira notes.

Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, said this at a press conference.

Emefiele said the new design and issues will be effective from December 2022.

He advised Nigerians to take old notes to banks for the new notes.

According to Emefiele, the new notes include N200, N500 and N1000.

German Carmaker Set To Leave Russian Market

By
Angel Gimalo
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Mercedes-Benz has announced it is leaving the Russian market over the Russia-Ukraine war.

The German carmaker is expected to sell its Russian assets to a local investor, the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry said Wednesday, October 26, becoming the latest automaker to exit since Moscow sent troops to Ukraine.

“Mercedes-Benz intends to sell its shares in Russian subsidiaries to a local investor,” Avtodom, the ministry said in a Telegram statement.

“The new owner of the Russian divisions of Mercedes-Benz, Avtodom, will be able to attract other companies as partners for joint productions,” the ministry added.

Mercedes-Benz confirmed its intention to sell in a separate statement.

“The fulfillment of obligations to customers in Russia… as well as the preservation of jobs for employees of the Russian divisions of the company” were the priority in concluding the deal with Avtodom, general director of Mercedes-Benz-RUS Natalya Koroleva said.

“The completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of all relevant authorities,” Mercedes-Benz said in the statement.

Many Western companies left Russia for ethical or logistical reasons since Moscow launched what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine on Feb. 24.

No financial details of the transaction were provided by either side on Wednesday.

Western sanctions imposed on Russia since the beginning of the Ukraine offensive have heavily disrupted supply chains affecting mostly technology and car manufacturing sectors.

Lagos Safety: Governor Sanwoolu Commissions New Fire Stations, Alausa Fire Dept. Upgraded

By
Angel Gimalo
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Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, has commissioned the new fire station in Ebute Elefun, Lagos Island, while he virtually commissioned the Omogbolahan Lawal Fire Station, Oniru and the Ajegunle Fire Station.

He also commissioned the upgraded Fire Department headquarters in Alausa.

With the three additional assets, Lagos now has 21 fully equipped fire stations across the State.

The facility expansion programme was part of the recommendations that followed the 2020 comprehensive assessment carried out by the Lagos State Government in the emergency response department aimed at enhancing performance.

The Governor said that before the end of the second quarter of next year, his administration would add another three fire stations in Ijede, Kosofe and Ijegun.

He said the upgrade and rehabilitation of existing fire stations had been done to further consolidate the position of the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service Agency as a leading fire fighting outfit in the country.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Bolaji Ogunlende, said the Stations were designed to have their dedicated sources of power and water supply, with modern facilities for the convenience of firefighters deployed to the stations.

Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said the new assets would raise the capacity of the agency in emergency operations, adding that Ebute Elefun station would serve more than 20,000 population on Lagos Island dotted by high-rise buildings.

GM of Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency, Nike Adekanbi, described the newly upgraded Fire Department headquarters in Alausa as “an edifice built to last”, noting that the building expanded to strengthen the administrative capacity of the agency.

The new administrative building of the Lagos Fire Service, HQ now has 60 offices, with an expanded appliance bay, landscaping, perimeter fence and developed road network which was constructed by the Lagos State Public Works.

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