World Cup Has Helped Qatar Strengthen Worker Rights

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October 14, 2022

Qatar acknowledges there are gaps in its labour system but the World Cup has allowed the country to make progress on issues related to worker rights, Mahmoud Qutub, a member of the tournament’s organising committee, said on Thursday.

Qatar, the first Middle Eastern country to stage soccer’s showpiece event, has come under severe scrutiny from human rights groups over its treatment of migrant workers in the run-up to the tournament, which kicks off on Nov. 20.

Despite Qatar’s efforts, the Council of Europe said more results need to be seen.

“The number of tragic accidents continues to run into the hundreds. And enforcement of new rules isn’t sufficiently effective. Workers don’t have the right of assembly,” said Lord George Foulkes, who chaired the hearing.

Qutub, the Supreme Committee’s executive director of workers’ welfare and labour rights, said that the labour landscape in Qatar had changed significantly since FIFA awarded the World Cup to the Gulf state in 2010.

“We embarked on this journey after we won the World Cup bid. There was an acknowledgment at the time that gaps existed. We have demonstrated through our various ecosystems that meaningful steps can be taken to fill those gaps,” he said.

Qutub was one of the speakers at a public parliamentary hearing on the protection of workers’ rights in Qatar, organised by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

A 2021 Amnesty International report noted that thousands of migrant workers were still being exploited, an allegation denied by Qatar, with Qutub adding that the Workers’ Welfare Standards introduced in 2014 had helped protect labour rights.

“We recognise there are shortcomings. This was, after all, the reason why we pursued the World Cup bid… awarding the World Cup has done a lot of service to Qatar, the region, the globe,” Qutub said.

Rights groups have also pointed to homosexuality being illegal in Qatar and how laws discriminate against women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, said: “We have yet to speak about some of the elephants in the room: ensuring independent investigation of unexplained deaths.

“We demand that safety, respect and rights for LGBTQ+ persons and fundamental respect for women’s football should be non-negotiable requirements for hosting the biggest sports tournament in the world.

“The positive changes need to reach more than the 2% of workers the Supreme Committee covers. And the changes need to be lasting before we can talk about any legacy.”

Nasser Al Khater, the chief executive of the 2022 World Cup, has said LGBTQ+ fans coming into the country would not have to worry about “persecution of any sort”, describing Qatar as a “tolerant country”.

However, Klaveness wants soccer’s governing body to take a stronger stance.

“There have been many discussions with FIFA about many things, and we have had many promises which have yet to be fulfilled. Dismissals, delays and hollow commitments just aren’t good enough on this issue. FIFA must now use all its leverage to get changes implemented,” she added.

Despite Uzoho’s Heroic, Man United Triumph

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Emenike Agu

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October 14, 2022

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Manchester United needed a stoppage time winner from Scott McTominay to secure a win over Omonia at Old Trafford in the Europa League, having been frustrated by their opponents for 90 minutes – and especially stand-in goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.

If Uzoho in the Nigerian match with Ghana had been as alert as he was against Manchester United on Thursday, perhaps Nigeria would have been World Cup-bound.

United unsurprisingly dominated possession from the off, but clear chances were initially few and far between in the opening stages of the game. When the hosts did get sight of goal, Marcus Rashford was twice denied by strong saves from Uzoho.

Midway through the first half, Bruno Fernandes flashed a long-range effort just wide of the goal that had Uzoho either rooted to the spot or extremely confident it was missing the target, before Rashford again saw the Nigerian stopper’s fingertips keep the scores level.

Uzoho may have even just got fingers to a Casemiro drive that whacked the crossbar.

In the closing stages of the first 45, Fred probably should have done better with a header from an Antony cross, getting the timing of his jump wrong and nodding over. But, actually, United were fortunate not go in at the break a goal down when Bruno Felipe raced away from Victor Lindelof and blasted off target rather than square it to Andronikos Kakoullis for a tap-in.

It remained goal-less but United turned up the pressure in the second half, with Cristiano Ronaldo drawing more saves out of Uzoho. In amongst that, Omonia were arguably fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men when Moreto Cassama was only cautioned for what appeared to be a dangerous tackle on Casemiro. The Cypriots also survived penalty shouts as United called for a handball.

Uzoho was called into action again in the final 10 minutes, beating away a low effort from substitute Scott McTominay to his left.

But it was the same player who eventually dragged a United side that had 33 total shots to victory in the 92nd minute, showing great composure as the ball fell to him around seven yards out. From that position, Uzoho stood no chance as the ball finally flew past him.

Global Diabetes cases to hit 643m by 2030 – Report

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Cleopatra Okohai

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October 14, 2022

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The number of people living with diabetes worldwide is expected to reach 643 million by 2030, and 783 million by 2045 with most of the cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, a new report has said.

It noted that the situation was worsened by poverty, conflict, and outbreaks of disease.

The report revealed that lack of access to insulin was a devastating problem for diabetes patients globally, stressing that the burden of treatment of the condition remains significantly high in Nigeria and other LMICs.

According to the report, huge numbers of people living with diabetes in LMICs still do not have access to the diabetes products, including insulin, that they need to stay alive and healthy.

The report was released by a Netherlands-based non-profit organisation, Access to Medicine Foundation which stimulates and guides pharmaceutical companies to do more for the people living in low- and middle-income countries without access to medicine.

The latest report which focused on access to treatment for diabetes also highlighted the cost and the disease burden in Nigeria and other LMICs.

The report indicated, “Daily access to insulin is essential for survival for patients with type 1 diabetes and many with type 2. Unfortunately, insulin products are often unavailable to those living in LMICs – and when they are available, they are often unaffordable.

“The stark reality is that without access to insulin, many more diabetic children and adults will suffer and die from this life-long, chronic disease.”

The report noted that the costs related to managing the condition represent a concerning global burden, as total health expenditure due to diabetes in adults amounted to $966 billion in 2021.

According to the report, only a few drug makers are dominating the insulin market, while gaps persist in access to all forms of insulin.

It further revealed that only 29 countries out of 108 studied have all the insulins classified as “essential medicines” by the World Health Organisation, and only one of those is a low-income country.

The report showed that in 24 countries no insulin was registered at all while urging drug companies to accelerate efforts to widen access to the treatment.

The report indicated that 35 per cent of patients in LMIC pay out-of-pocket for healthcare, compared to 13.6 per cent in high-income countries, where the public sector is more likely to be involved.

The ATMF report which examined the activities of three pharmaceutical manufacturers showed that Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi, produce 83 per cent of the insulin sold in LMICs, where they also hold around 95 per cent of the market share.

“Insulin supplied by these firms is sold at higher median prices in LMICs than in high-income countries.

“The reasons for this include the manufacturer’s selling price, wholesale and retail mark-ups, taxes, and other tariffs,” the report added.

Commenting on the report, the Chief Executive Officer of Access to Medicine Foundation, Dr. Jayasree Iyer, said the number of people living with diabetes is expected to grow over 100 percent in Africa by 2045.

Lyer also said that the current estimate of 3.5 million people living with diabetes in Nigeria is probably understated due to poor diagnosis in many African countries.

Adding that the prevalence of the disease in Nigeria is projected to rise to 8 million by 2045, she emphasized that the costs associated with the prevalence of the disease were not only social but economic.

“The health expenditure related to diabetes care in Africa is about $12.5 billion and this really reflects the fact that most people pay for relatively expensive and unaffordable insulin treatment.

“For example, the average diabetes-related health expenditure per person amounts to approximately $500 a year, which is a huge financial burden if the patient has to pay it all or partially out-of-pocket”, Iyer said.

She assured that these companies were however taking action to address the inequity in access to this essential medicine.

“In Nigeria, Novo Nordisk has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Ministry of Health, and that serves as a base for the rollout of a programme called I-Care.

“The idea of this programme is to provide affordable access to diabetes care, especially for children with type one diabetes.

“Sanofi another large insulin provider has pushed for the listing of insulin in the National Health Insurance Authority and the State Health Insurance Scheme for two of Nigeria’s 36 states.

“These actions will help to make insulin more affordable and accessible to more people. The company is planning to expand this strategy to two more states in 2022,” Iyer said.

Experts warns Diabetic Patients of Blindness risk

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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October 14, 2022

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In commemoration of World Sight Day, Experts have warned diabetic patients of a high risk of eventual blindness due to .

The warning was given at an event to commemorate World Sight Day, organised by the Lions International District 404B1 Nigeria in honour of the late Kola Sodipo, on Thursday in Lagos.

Themed “The Eye, Care, and Prevention of Eye Disease,” Chief Consultant Ophthalmologist, Lions Eye Centre State Hospital, Ota, Ogun State, Dr. Adebayo Sobanjo, said uncontrolled diabetes affects the back of the eyes, the retina, by spilling blood into it, which could eventually lead to blindness.

Sobanjo said, “Uncontrolled diabetes can affect the back of the eyes, called the retina. This could cause blood spillage to the back of the eyes, which could lead to blindness.”

He said early detection and treatment of diabetes are keys to preventing such occurrences.

He listed other causes of blindness as previous eye injury, malnutrition and deficiency of vitamin A, uncorrected refractive error, which he said accounts for between 50 and 55 per cent of blindness cases, cataracts, glaucoma, children born with a squint, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and others.

He advised against harmful traditional practices such as the use of early morning urine, breast milk, onion juice, unprescribed eye drops, sugar water, and steroids, among others, as capable of harming the eyes.

“Quit smoking, reduce alcohol intake, identify diabetes early and start treatment, and people working at places where eyes are exposed to dangerous substances should wear protective glasses,” he said.

Sobanjo stated that children with eye challenges should be identified early and taken for medical checkups.

In her opening remarks, the District Governor of the Club, Benedicta Tanimola, said the club had taken it upon itself to celebrate World Sight Day annually as a way of showing care to people, especially the blind.

According to her, the day was in honour of the late Sodipo, who, before his death, signed that his cornea should be donated after death.

He was later assassinated on August 18, 2010.

“The two corneas were given to two different beneficiaries, a male and a female,” she added.

Nollywood’s Finest, Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw, Celebrate Women In Stage Play, ‘Ada The Country’

By

Koko Lawrence

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October 14, 2022

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After several successful shows in the country’s theatres, the stage play, ‘Ada The Country’, is set to hit Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.

Directed by celebrated playwright, Kenneth Uphopho, the play will be staged at the Musa Yar’adua Centre, Wuse, Abuja, on the 21st of October at 6:00 p.m. and the 22nd of October at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p. m.

It features veterans and rising stars in the Nollywood industry who are expected to bring their talent in the different forms of the art to the stage ranging from music and acting to dancing to bear.

Among those expected to perform in the play are veteran actresses Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Chigul Omeruah, Tosin Adeyemi, and Bamike Adenibuyun.

Produced by Doyenne Circle, the acclaimed stage musical highlights the power of the Nigerian woman, her autonomy, resourcefulness and might.

Varsity Lecturers Suspends 8-month-Old Strike

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 14, 2022

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The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) has finally suspended the strike it embarked on since on February 14, 2022.

ASUU ended the strike following intense negotiations with the government and the House of Representatives.

LN247 gathered that the decision to suspend the strike was taken at the end of ASUU National Executive Council meeting which was held at the ASUU secretariat in Abuja.

“Yes, it has been called off,” a reliable source told news correspondent.

After the discussions with the government, ASUU president Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke had said the union could call off its strike in a few days.

“In a few days, we will put this strike to an end. Let all of us working together and the members of the House of Representatives working together, put a beautiful end to this thing we have started so that every Nigerian will be proud that we have the universities we can be proud of,” Osodeke said.

“We also extend our appreciation to the President for intervening in the ASUU strike. And I want to appeal that in future we should not allow strike to linger. Strike should not go beyond two days; if the way the National Assembly has intervened.

“If we had done that long ago, or those in charge of Labour and Education had done exactly this, we would not have stayed more than two or weeks on the strike.

“Strike is all over the world, UK, U.S. all over, but they don’t allow it to last. So, once again, thank you very much and we hope that working together, in the next few days, we can put an end to this particular imbroglio in the Nigerian educational system.”

ASUU president is expected to release an official circular to its member institutions for the resumption of academic activities in the universities.

ASUU: Nigerian Govt. To Release N50bn As Earned Allowances

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 14, 2022

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The governing council of Federal Universities will take over the payment of earned allowances of lecturers and other university workers in their respective institutions from 2024.

LN247 also gathered that the Federal Government will release the sum of N50 billion to take care of outstanding earned allowances before handing over the duty to governing council of varsities.

A source within the National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities made this known in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Also on the issue of earned allowances, 50 billion has been budgeted to cater for outstanding earned allowances while 170 billion has been fixed for salary increase. However, from 2024, it is the various governing councils that will be paying earned allowances while 300 billion will go for revitalization”.

Meanwhile, branches of ASUU across the country have begun to vote as regards the lingering strike by the union.

The branch chairpersons are expected to turn in their reports to enable a formal decision by the NEC on Thursday.

Appeal Court Discharges IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 13, 2022

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The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has discharged the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja for 15 count charges bordering on treasonable felony, terrorism, and offences he allegedly committed in the course of his separatist campaigns.

A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal however said the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try him in view of his abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in flagrant violation of the OAU convention and protocol on extradition.

The court held that the 15-count charge preferred against Kanu did not disclose the place, date, time and nature of the alleged offences before being unlawfully extradited to Nigeria in clear violation of international treaties.

The court further held that the Federal Government failed to disclose where Nnamdi Kanu was arrested despite the grave allegations against him.

The court noted that the act of abduction and extraordinary rendition of Kanu from Kenya without due process is a violation of his right.

It added that the manner in which Nnamdi Kanu was procured and brought before the court was not evaluated by the lower court, before assuming jurisdiction to try him.

The lower court having failed to address the preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction particularly the issue of abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria, the lower court failed to take cognizance of the fact that a warrant of arrest can only be executed anywhere within Nigeria, the appeal court judgement said.

The court further held that the trial judge was in grave error to have breached the right to fair hearing of Nnamdi Kanu

The African Charter on Human and People’s rights are part of the laws of Nigeria and courts must abide by the laws without pandering to the aim of the Executive, the appeal court said.

Kanu has repeatedly called for the breakaway of a significant chunk of southern Nigeria to form the Republic of Biafra.

On October 2015, he was arrested by Nigerian authorities on an 11-count charge bordering on “terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.”

He was granted bail on April 2017 for medical reasons.

However, Kanu fled the country in September 2017 after an invasion of his home by the military in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State.

He was then sighted in Israel and later continued to rally his supporters in Nigeria to employ violence in achieving secession.

“He has, upon jumping bail, been accused of engaging in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian State and institutions,” Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said after Kanu was rearrested and brought back to Nigeria in June 2021.

“Kanu was also accused of instigating violence especially in the Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities.”

Kanu has denied any wrongdoing.

Reacting to the Appeal Court’s decision on Thursday, the Attorney-General, Mr Malami, said the decision of the court only discharged Kanu and did not acquit him.

In a statement signed by spokesperson, Dr. Umar Jibril Gwandu, Malami said the Federal Government will explore all available options left to it.

“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement said. “For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.

“Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.

“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issues that borders on rendition.

“Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination.

“The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues.”

Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Mike Ozekhome has argued that Kanu should be released immediately after his discharge.

“What it (the ruling) means is that Nnamdi Kanu was discharged today,” Ozekhome said. “That means he is a free man.

“And he should be allowed to go home tomorrow by the time we get a certified true copy of the judgment, we serve it to the Office of the Attorney-General and the DSS to allow Nnamdi Kanu go. Let my people go.”

ITF- NECA Graduates 70 Trainees After 4 Months Training

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 13, 2022

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The Industrial Training Fund in conjunction with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association on the Technical Skills Development Project has held a graduation ceremony for 70 trainees who underwent four months of training in Technical Skills Development Project .

The Technical Skills Development Project started in 2010 and focused on training Nigerian Youths on employable technical and vocational skills to reduce unemployment.

The Training Manager, Industrial Skills Training Centre, Ikeja, James Fanope, while speaking at the event said that he was happy that out of the 80 students admitted four months ago, 70 were graduating and had been trained and groomed in their various chosen technical and vocational skills to fit into the industrial sector of the economy.

Fanapo said, “The students are ready to launch into the world to actualise their dreams through what they have learnt either by becoming self-employed or applying to organisations that are in line with their field.”

The Director of Research and Curriculum Development Department, Zaccaria Piwuna, who represented the Director General of ITF, Joseph Ari, also commended the efforts of the training manager and other technical officials that took the students through the last four months, saying they had contributed towards reducing unemployment in Nigeria.

NECA seeks reappraisal of economic policies
Thompson Akpabio who represented the Director-General of NECA, urged the graduating students on the need to build more on the skills they acquired at the institute to push them ahead.

He further stated that the partnership of ITF with NECA had brought about a great impact in reducing unemployment because since the inception of the scheme in 2010, it had succeeded in training thousands of young persons with vocational and technical skills.

The event ended on a high note with the presentation of the Certificate of Competence to the students and awards to the best students.

ITF offers programmes in Electrical/Electronics Maintenance, Mechanical Machining and Maintenance, Automobile Mechanic Works, Welding and Fabrication Works, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Instrumentation and Process Control, Information and Communication Technology, and Art of Culinary.