Nigeria’s CBN Increases Interest Rate To 15.5%

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September 27, 2022

The Central Bank of Nigeria has raised the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), which measures interest rate, to 15.5 percent from 14 percent to tame rising inflation.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, made this known on Tuesday after a Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja.

Emefiele said, “The committee voted unanimously to raise the MPR to 15.5, retain the asymmetric corridor at +100 -700 basis points around the MPR. Increase the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to a minimum of 32.5% and retain liquidity ratio at 30%.”

Giving an explainer earlier, the apex bank’s governor said, “Members deliberated the impact of the widening margin between the current policy rate of 14 percent and the inflation rate of 20.52 percent.

“At this meeting, the option of reducing the policy rate was not considered as this would be gravely detrimental to reigning in inflation. The committee thus agreed unanimously to raise the policy rate to narrow the interest rate gap and rein in inflation. The committee thus voted unanimously to raise the MPR.

“10 members voted to raise the MPR by 150 basis points, one (voted to raise it) by 100 basis points and one by 50 basis points. 10 members voted to increase CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) by 500 basis points, while two members voted to increase it by 750 basis points.”

Nigeria’s 62nd Independence: All God Has Spoken, Will Come To Pass – V.P. Osinbajo

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Angel Gimalo

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September 27, 2022

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Christians In Nigeria Have Held An Interdenominational Church Service At The National Ecumenical Centre In Abuja, To Mark The 62nd Independence Anniversary Of The Nation.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary To The Government Of The Federation, Boss Mustapha, Head Of The Civil Service Of The Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, Service Chiefs, Ministers And The Diplomatic Community Were Also In Attendance.

Prof. Osinbajo Said A Prayer For The Peace And Progress Of The Nation Taking His Reference From The Book Of The Bible, Deuteronomy 33:25, “As Your Days, So Shall Your Strength Be”.

The congregation was ushered into a series of special prayers for 2023 general elections, political aspirants and Nigerians in general.

Representatives of the United Nations, the United States of America, Iraq and several other countries were in attendance.

Board Members Of Toronto Museum Resign En Masse In Dispute Over Management Issues

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Koko Lawrence

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September 27, 2022

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The Power Plant, a leading contemporary art space on Toronto’s waterfront, has lost nearly its entire board of directors, with 24 out of 27 of its members resigning en masse. The members who resigned did so due to objections to the institution’s management by an affiliated nonprofit organization, the Harbourfront Centre, and have called for the institution to be held “accountable.”

The news, which was first reported by the Art Newspaper, comes less than a month after the Power Plant’s director and artistic director, Gaëtane Verna, departed to lead the Wexner Center for the Arts at the Ohio State University. Verna had been director at the Power Plant for ten years.

In a resignation letter that has circulated on social media, 15 board members, including the Indigenous artist Maria Hupfield (Anishinaabe-kwe of Wasauksing First Nation) and actor Richard Lee, detailed their claims, specifically against the Harbourfront Centre, a separate nonprofit that appoints around half of the Power Plant’s board and manages the site of the contemporary art space’s current location.

The letter reads, “Due to Harbourfront’s actions and our current impasse, we have concluded we can no longer fulfill our commitments and duties owed to the Power Plant’s stakeholders, including government stakeholders, funders, artists, the arts community at large and individual supporters of the Power Plant. The independent directors of the Power Plant have no choice but to resign because of the actions taken by Harbourfront.”

According to the letter by the resigning board members, on June 2, shortly after the Power Plant hosted its 35th-anniversary gala, the Harbourfront Centre sought to terminate 12 of the Power Plant’s board members “and replace them with its own slate of directors from its own board or staff. This decision was made without consulting the Power Plant, nor was any compelling rationale provided.”

Those 12 board members included six women and five people who identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color, according to the letter. The letter adds that the Harbourfront Centre subsequently took legal action against the Power Plant, which had a budget of around CAD$3.3 million in 2021, according to its most recent annual report.

Just In: Court Strikes out NANS’ Suit Against ASUU, FG

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 27, 2022

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The National Industrial Court, NIC, sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, struck out a suit the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, filed to compel the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the Federal Government to call off the ongoing strike action.

Justice Polycarp Hamman terminated further proceedings in the matter, after it was withdrawn by factional President of NANS, Umar Faruk Lawal.

Lawal had told the court that he filed the suit marked NICN/ABJ/273/2022, for himself and on behalf of NANS.

Aside from ASUU which was cited as the 1st Respondent, the Minister of Education and the Attorney-General of the Federation were listed as 2nd and 3rd Respondents, respectively.

When the matter came up on Tuesday, Lawal, notified the court that he filed a motion for discontinuance.

He premised his decision to withdraw the suit on account of the challenge by the student body which contested his standing and denied that he is the President of NANS as he had deposed to.

Though the other two Respondents were not represented, however, counsel to ASUU, Marshal Abubakar, informed the court that he was not opposed to Lawal’s application to withdraw the suit.

Consequently, Justice Hamman struck out the matter.

It will be recalled that two NANS presidential candidates had claimed victory at an election the students’ body conducted recently.

While Lawal who is of the Department of Library and Information Science of the Bayero University, Kano, insisted that he won the election, the NANs Convention Planning Committee declared Usman Barambu as the President-elect of the association.

ASUU had since gone before the Court of Appeal in Abuja to set aside the NIC judgment that ordered it to call off its over seven-month old strike action.

The union, in a 14-ground of appeal, also applied for a stay of execution of the judgement.

The NIC had in the judgement that was delivered on September 21, ordered the striking varsity lecturers to return to the classroom, pending the determination of a suit the Federal Government filed to query the legality of their strike action.

The interim injunction directing ASUU members to resume work followed an application FG filed through its lawyer, James Igwe.

Justice Hamman held that the order was both in national interest and for the sake of undergraduates in the country that have been at home since February 14.

He held that the strike action was detrimental to public university students that cannot afford to attend private tertiary institutions.

“The balance of convenience tilts in favour of the applicant.

“I hold that this application is meritorious and this application is granted”, Justice Hamman ruled.

However, ASUU, in its appeal, maintained that Justice Hamman “erred in law and occasioned a miscarriage of justice when he decided to hear and determine the Respondents’ motion for interlocutory injunction when he knew or ought to have known that the substantive suit was not initiated by due process of law”.

It argued that the mandatory steps and procedure stipulated in Part 1 of the Trade Dispute Act, TDA, was not followed by FG.

More so, ASUU averred that the trial judge acted utra vires and misdirected himself when he unlawfully assumed jurisdiction to entertain the matter, adding that what was granted as an interlocutory order was the same relief FG sought in its substantive suit.

Nigerian Govt Makes U-turn on Order Directing VCs to Reopen Universities

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 27, 2022

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The Federal Government (FG) on Monday withdrew its earlier directive asking the management of Vice-Chancellors in universities “to ensure that the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resume and commence lectures immediately.”

This was contained in a letter signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of National Universities Commission (NUC), Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Abubakar Rasheed, in Abuja.

Recall that the Federal Government had earlier ordered Vice-Chancellors in universities to re-open schools and to allow students to resume lectures.

The FG had asked the pro chancellors and vice-chancellors to ensure that the striking lecturers resume and commence lectures immediately.

The FG’s directive had caused confusion for the university management as the vice-chancellors were unsure of how to go about the decision.

But the new letter by the National Universities Commission (NUC), which was addressed to the pro-chancellors and vice-chancellors of the federal universities is titled; “Withdrawal of Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 Dated 23rd September 2022.”

The new letter referenced NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136 and dated 26 September, partly read; “I have been directed to withdraw the National Universities Commission (NUC) circular Ref, NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 and dated 23rd September 2022 on the above subject. Consequently, the said Circular stands withdrawn.

“All Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of Governing Councils, as well as Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities, are to please note. Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.”

The letter, however, did not give reasons for the withdrawal.

Intensify awareness, preventive measures on Rabies, WHO urges FG

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Cleopatra Okohai

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September 26, 2022

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The World Health Organisation has called on the Federal Government to intensify public awareness and education on rabies, which it says is 99.9 per cent fatal but 100 per cent preventable.

The WHO’s Country representative, Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, made the call at the launch of the National Strategic Plan for the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies, in Abuja on Monday.

Mulombo, who was represented by Dr. Alex Chimbaru, said there was also a need for joint surveillance and information sharing, capacity building of health workers, improved resources for diagnosis, vaccination/treatment, and risk communication in the country.

He said the WHO would like to reiterate its commitment to supporting the implementation of this National Strategic Plan (NPS), which addressed the gaps and issues highlighted.

He said the collaborative spirit would continue throughout the implementation of the strategic plan and beyond, as the country worked towards achieving the goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.

He said rabies, a highly infectious disease, remained one of the most important zoonotic and Neglected Tropical Diseases in Nigeria.

“In 2018, the World Animal Health Information System database had ranked the disease as the number one zoonotic infection in Nigeria.

“And in 2022, during the just concluded One Health Zoonotic disease re-prioritisation in Nigeria – which WHO supported – rabies was listed among the top 10 prioritised zoonotic diseases,” he said.

He said the fight against rabies in the country had been a long and tedious one since it was first reported in 1912.

“The disease has been reported in a variety of animals including dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and wildlife.

“However, unvaccinated dogs remain the main source of infection affecting several suspected and confirmed human cases, especially in school children and women. And most of these cases have resulted in fatalities.

“Now, experts report that rabies is on the increase and there is a need for urgent One Health action to curb its spread and eliminate the disease,” he said.

He said the WHO Country Office had continued to play an important role in supporting Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to work towards the eradication of the disease.

He added that the occurrence of rabies in the country represented the larger issue of the continued prevalence of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) that had caused high mortalities, with even more morbidities and poor livelihoods.

Mulombo said the core drivers of NTD prevalence – particularly poor health systems and inadequate policy frameworks – limited efforts to combat these diseases effectively.

“In light of this, there is a need for Nigeria to position and align itself with global guidelines such as the newly established 2021-2030 roadmap for all Neglected Tropical Diseases (rabies inclusive), which sets global targets and milestones to prevent, control, eliminate or eradicate 20 NTDs by 2030.

“We hereby use this opportunity to make an urgent call for concerted advocacy efforts and investments from the government and private sector to address these NTDs.

“In the One Health spirit, we are also committed to working with other UN Agencies (FAO, OIE, UNICEF etc.) to implement the One Health approach to address these NTDs, including rabies.

“And we look forward to tripartite MDAs and partners leveraging on each other’s strengths, expertise, and resources to collaborate effectively to doing the same,” he explained.

Mr. Nse Akpan, National Coordinator of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Federal Ministry of Health, said the country was still confronted by the challenges posed by 15 out of the 20 NTDs listed by the WHO.

Akpan said rabies infection, caused by a Rhabdovirus, was often transmitted to humans through the bites of infected animals (especially dogs).

“Without timely and effective post-exposure prophylaxis, the disease can kill 100 per cent of its infected victims,” he said.

According to him, this is the highest case-fatality rate of all infectious diseases in humans.

Fortunately, he said despite the high case fatality of the disease, rabies was 100 per cent preventable through the vaccination of animals and humans at risk.

Also speaking, Dr. Joseph Edor, Senior Programme Officer II TB &RCCE. Breakthrough ACTION, Nigeria, said BA-N supported the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other One Health stakeholders in the development of the National Strategic Plan.

Edit said the organisation provided technical assistance and contributions during planning meetings before and during the validation workshop from Sept. 12-16, 2022.

“As a social behavioural change organisation, BA-N has supported the development of communication materials about rabies prevention and control to increase awareness and education about rabies.

“Increasing public awareness and education about rabies was identified as a key strategy in the effort to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030,” he said.

He stated that this was made possible by USAID, through its

global health security support in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that dog-mediated rabies kills tens of thousands of people each year in India, representing one-third of the estimated global rabies burden.

Whilst the WHO, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have set a target for global dog-mediated human rabies elimination by 2030, examples of large-scale dog vaccination programmes show that elimination remains limited in Africa and Asia.

World Pharmacists Day: PSN solicits Pharmacists support on SDGs

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Cleopatra Okohai

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September 26, 2022

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has urged its members to intensify efforts toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The society also urged its members to stay united in line of action.

Mr. Adejuwon Otelaja, the PSN Kwara Chairman, made the call in a statement made available to the Newsmen in Ilorin.

He said the theme of this year’s World Pharmacists Day is: “Pharmacy United in Action for a Healthier World,” noting that the theme aims to commemorate and recognise the role of pharmacists in improving global health.

According to him, the day is also meant to encourage and support actions that promote healthcare worldwide.

He explained that in 2015, the SDGs were established and adopted by all United Nations Member States as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“The SDGs consist of 17 main goals, each with multiple specified targets, were developed based on decades of previous global health work by individual countries and the UN, including the Millennium Development Goals,” he said.

Otelaja pointed out that it serves as a blueprint for global health while recognising that tackling problems in climate change, education, inequality, and economic growth are important and go hand-in-hand with directly tackling problems in improving health.

He explained further that pharmacists are known to assist patients in getting the most out of their medications and also guide patients on how to take their medications so that they can get well soon.

He pointed out that celebrating the day is also a step in acknowledging the efforts of these workers and demanding better working conditions and amenities for them.

The PSN chairman explained that as part of the activities to mark the day, the society would launch customised e-FB frame.

According to him, the society will visit School for Special Needs to donate some medicines, food items, hygiene essentials, and educational materials, among others.

Lassa Fever: Ondo, Edo, Bauchi account for 6 new Cases –NCDC

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Cleopatra Okohai

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September 26, 2022

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states accounted for six new additional Lassa fever cases reported in the country.

The NCDC via its official website said that Ondo accounted for 32 per cent, Edo 26 per cent and Bauchi 13 per cent of the recorded cases between September 12 and September 18, 2022.

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever transmitted by rats. It is found predominantly in West Africa and has the potential to cause tens of thousands of deaths.

Individuals usually become infected with the Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected rats. Lassa fever virus could also be spread through infected bodily fluids.

The agency disclosed that the three states account for 71 per cent of the burden of infections in the country.

In addition, it stated that this brings the total number of confirmed cases in 2022 to 923, with 171 deaths with a case fatality rate of 18.5 per cent.

The NCDC said that in 2022, about 25 states of the federation had reported at least one confirmed case across 102 local government areas.

According to the agency, in week 37, the number of new confirmed cases reduced from eight in week 36, 2022 to six cases.

The situation report partly reads, “Cumulatively from week 1 to week 37, 2022, 171 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.5% which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (23.2%).

“In total for 2022, 25 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 102 Local Government Areas.

“Of all confirmed cases, 71% are from Ondo (32%), Edo (26%), and Bauchi (13%) States.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 0 to 90 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

“The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.

The agency noted that no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 37.

“National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels,” it said.

NAFDAC Warns On Dangers Of Skin Bleaching Products

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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September 26, 2022

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National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has raised concerns about the increasing interest on Nigerians on some skin care products some of which are extremely harmful to the skin and the body generally.

Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement, highlighted the dangers of using some of the bleaching chemicals on the skin to enhance their beauty, and advised that people desist from using some of the unauthorized cosmetics and dangerous chemicals for bleaching of the skin.

She accused majority of Spa outlets in the nation’s cosmopolitan cities of being culpable of the unhealthy practice of mixing chemicals and natural products like pawpaw, carrot, etc, to make creams, for clients use.

She lamented that Spa owners have gone further to influence some clinics with medical doctors joining to carry out these nefarious activities which has advanced to include injected substances such as vitamin C infusion and glutathione on clients, while some of the products are thereafter packaged, labeled, and sold online to clients.

The NAFDAC boss further disclosed that, “Most of the products used in these mixtures are smuggled into the country and are unregistered, citing formulations containing Kojic Acid, and Hydroquinone that are above their permissible limits in the formulations and therefore at risk of causing harm.”

She pointed out that it was for the same safety reason that the use of mercury was banned in cosmetics.

“We don’t just ban products because they are bleaching agents but are prohibited because of safety issues surrounding a particular ingredients in the products as they could cause skin cancer as well as damage the liver and kidney. Lightening of skin today could be cancer tomorrow.”

She confirmed that NAFDAC is on the heels of some people who engaged in online sales of dangerous unauthorized cosmetics and other products, adding that the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC has been directed to apprehend merchants of these dangerous products and bring them to book.

“However, the challenge in the enforcement of these safety regulations on bleaching agents at Spas and other beauty parlors is that the products are prepared extemporaneously and covertly for individual clients. Rarely can you see the offending products on the shelves of these facilities.”

Notwithstanding, she warned that this practice must stop as anyone apprehended by the Agency would be prosecuted and jailed if convicted.

She emphasized the point that NAFDAC is not against the use of cosmetics insisting, however, that they must be regulated and confirmed.

Unhealthy Lifestyle causing Heart Diseases – Expert

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Cleopatra Okohai

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September 26, 2022

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The President, Nigerian Cardiac Society, Dr. Okechukwu Ogah, says about 15 to 20 per cent of heart disease cases in Nigeria are a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices.

He said this recently in Abuja, at a media conference held ahead of the society’s 51st Annual General and Scientific Conference.

The conference has “Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases to Surgical Care: Progress, Gaps and Prospects” as its theme.

According to Ogah, excessive intake of alcohol can cause damage to the heart and liver, which will then result in one heart disease or the other.

He also identified high blood pressure, rheumatic heart disease, heart muscle disease which develops after a woman had become pregnant, and coronary artery disease as some of the heart-related diseases.

“Now, in Nigeria, we know that for the adult population, 33 per cent of them have high blood pressure and this is one of the causes of heart disease in the country and this is just the average.”

Ogah said that many people with high blood pressure were not aware that they have the disease and so were not even treating it, a situation which could lead to cardiac arrest or even death.

He also said that living in poor housing conditions with no windows or overcrowded rooms could lead to infections that if not properly treated could degenerate into heart disease later in life.

According to him, coronary heart disease is becoming rampant in Nigeria and killing a lot of people in their prime.

“Obesity, and high blood pressure is becoming more common, there is diabetes, and our cholesterol level is very abnormal.

“People are not eating right anymore and lifestyle is changing from our old system to the system abroad and people are having coronary heart diseases.

“Poverty can also cause cardiovascular disease and there are many ways it can affect you, if you live in a poor environment or a place that is overcrowded, you are at risk of developing one cardiovascular disease.

“That is where you have a lot of tuberculosis and if it affects the lungs, it can also destroy the covering of the heart.

“Also poor people will not have money to eat good food but will depend on foods that are not good for the body and will not even be able to buy drugs.”

He added that people who snore while sleeping are also at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Ogah said that preventing and reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease depended solely on lowering blood pressure and diagnosing and treating hypertension.

He also urged Nigerians to avoid cigarette smoking, maintain a lean weight, diet and exercise.

“Also check the cholesterol level, treat diabetes, and then try to manage stress.

“So in general, preventing heart disease requires identifying and modifying the risk factors.

“Another thing is to get regular checkups so that if you have any symptoms, you can diagnose the condition early and ensure you are treated.”

He, however, said that symptoms to watch out for were breathlessness, unusual awareness of heartbeat (palpitations), chest pain, and difficulty in doing certain things.

The cardiologist said that with the increasing number of cardiovascular disease cases in Nigeria, the ratio of one cardiologist to 10,000 patients is insufficient.

According to Ogah, the situation may get worse with the migration of health workers from the country.

The conference which began on Tuesday is expected to end on Friday.