Beautiful Nigeria: Royal Palace Of Oba Of Benin

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September 15, 2022

The Royal Palace of Oba of Benin is notable as the home of the Oba of Benin and other royals.

The palace, built by Oba Ewedo (1255AD – 1280AD), is located at the heart of ancient City of Benin. It was rebuilt by Oba Eweka II (1914–1932) after the original building was destroyed during the 1897 war with the British.

The palace was declared a UNESCO Listed Heritage Site in 1999.

The Royal Palace of Oba of Benin is a celebration and preservation of the rich Benin culture.

Most of the visitors to the palace are curators, archaeologists or historians.

As an emblem of Bini culture, the palace main building should manifest elements that are representative of the proud indigenes of the Great Benin Kingdom and give expression to the values of Edo people in manners that are substantive and able to adequately capture the spirit of the proud ancestral Benin Kingdom – embodying the creative, artistic, literary, musical, linguistic, culinary, and political prowess of the Edo people.

Exploring Apra Harbor, Guam

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Angel Gimalo

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September 15, 2022

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Apra Harbor is a deep water port located on the west coast of the United States territory of Guam.

It is home to both the commercial Port of Guam and Naval Station Guam. Formed by the Orote Peninsula in the south and Cabras Island in the north, Apra Harbour narrows to the south and then widens again to form an inner harbour.

The name of the harbour derives from the Chamorro word “apapa” which means low. Later, when the Spanish arrived the name was the same, nevertheless, a saint’s name was added and known as San Luis de Apra.

There are several streams that flow into the harbor from the hills of the villages of Piti and Santa Rita. The harbor is divided into several smaller bodies of water. The Commercial Port of Guam is located in the northeastern part of the harbor on Cabras Island and adjacent to the Piti Channel.

South of the port is Sasa Bay, a recreational area and marine preserve. Naval Station Guam is located further south at the Inner Harbor. The larger body of water to the east is called Outer Apra Harbor. In the past, the harbour was not used to its full potential because of its many reefs and coral heads.

Apra Harbor did, however, become a preferred site for foreigners who wanted to avoid Spanish authorities. In response to pirates or privateers that threatened Spain’s profitable galleon-trade and missionary efforts, several fortifications were built not only to protect from enemy attack, but also as a harbor that provided protection from inclement weather.

From 1737 to 1801, the Spanish government ordered the construction of three fortifications to defend the harbor. But Arpa Harbour became more important in the 19th century, when the whaling industry was reaching its peak.

By the end of the century, the whaling era was coming to an end and the island’s economy was in decline. When U.S. Naval Captain Henry Glass came into Apra Harbor on June 20, 1898 to claim the island for the United States he soon learned that forts Santiago and Santa Cruz had long been abandoned.

So, the Americans settled in. Since then, throughout the WWII, the harbour has a major role in the American Naval history, and serves today as an important port and a popular recreation area.

Apra Harbor is also home to several shipwrecks that are popular with scuba divers. The two most well known wrecks are the World War I-era German merchant ship, SMS Cormoran, and the World War II-era Japanese freighter, Tokai Maru which lie side by side on the ocean floor.

Event Highlights Potentials Of Transport System In Nigerian Economy

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Angel Gimalo

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September 15, 2022

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Green Achievers Award is a prestigious event organized yearly with a motivation to provide an excellent international platform for the Industry professionals, CEOs, Directors, Policy makers, Scholars in the field of Management, Logistics, Aviation Industry, Rail, Maritime Sector, and many more to share their knowledge and foster solutions in the recent trends in the field of Transport and Logistics globally.

Environment Correspondent, Gimalo-Angel Olowogoke reports that his year’s event held at Welcome Center, Lagos, South-West Nigeria.

Among the dignitaries that attended was CP. Selem Amachree

Commissioner Of Police, Airport Command who highlighted the importance of harnessing the potentials in the Transport Sector.

CP Amachree said there was no gainsaying in the fact that despite the potentials of transport sub-sector to act as a super catalyst to the development of the Nigerians economy, the sector still faces challenges ranging from insecurity across unpredictable cum operating environment because of operation and general maintenance.

Also speaking at the event, the convener and MD/CEO XSS Logistics Ltd, Amb. Dr. Samuel Eluka said the road transport sector declined 21.88 percent in the first quarter of 2022, from 10.44 percent contraction in the same period of 2021.

He also said the theme of this year’s conference, “Unlocking Potentials In The Transport Sector Of The Nigerian Economy” has been designed to embrace all in-progress matters related to unfavourable, but also challenging consequences of the global tasks, rendition of partner relationships, implementation of viable transportation to drive competitive advantage and also deliver ROI (RETURN ON INVESTMENT) initiatives towards greener transportation models, distribution channels and visioning future lines of the upcoming era and much more.

A Healthcare Technology Company., Emergency Response Africa highlighted the need for drivers and commuters to know what to do when there’s an emergency on a trip.

Speaking with LN247, Country Business Development Manager of Emergency Response Africa, Patrick Asuama, said the organization had emergency lines for people to get them.

The event ended with presentation of Awards to recipients with the highest going to Senator representing Abia Central district, Senator T.A. Orji.

Health Insurance now mandatory for Nigerians –NHIA

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Cleopatra Okohai

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September 15, 2022

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The Nigeria Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act 2022, now makes health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians, according to the Osun Coordinator of the NHIA, Mrs. Nafisat Adekunle.

Adekunle stated this during an interactive forum with representatives of the Federal Ministries, Department and Agencies, health care facilities and Health Maintenance Organisation, on Thursday in Osogbo.

She explained that unlike under the old National Health Insurance Scheme, which made health insurance optional, the NHIA Act, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, now makes health insurance mandatory for all.

”The aim of the act is to enable Nigerians to have access to affordable and quality health care.

”Under the NHIA act, all Nigerians, irrespective of whether they are self-employed, government workers, private workers, vulnerable groups, retirees, corps members, are adequately covered,” she said.

Adekunle said that the agency has embarked on continuous community mobilisation and sensitisation of people at the grassroots on the need for them to key into the health insurance.

She appealed to service providers and health management organisations to always treat the beneficiaries of the health scheme with respect and dignity.

Adekunle said the interactive forum was organised to intimate stakeholders with the NHIA Act.

She said the NHIA act’s objective is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Also in his presentation, Mr. Abiodun Adeyemo, the NHIA head of programmes, who spoke on the rights of enrollees of the NHIA, said beneficiaries of the health insurance have the right to easy access to quality healthcare without hindrance.

Adeyemo said that the beneficiaries also have the right to know the cost of drugs component for their treatment to ascertain the 10 per cent co-payment, among others.

According to him, under the act, there is a package called GIFSHIP- for Group, Family, or Individual social health insurance programme.

Adeyemo said the GIFSHIP was to ensure that all Nigerians, whether in the formal or informal sector, individual or family, as well as the private firms have access to quality and affordable health care.

Also, Dr. Saheed Adeyemo, NHIA head of Standard and Quality Assurance, said that Osun had to be chosen as one of the pilot states for the NHIA medicine supply initiative.

Adeyemo said that the agency would continue to ensure that quality drugs were supplied and given to beneficiaries of NHIA by the service providers.

Once Upon A Time – Sept. 15 – 1928 – Scottish Bacteriologist Alexander Fleming Discovers Penicillin While Studying Influenza

By

Angel Gimalo

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September 15, 2022

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1616 First non-aristocratic, free public school in Europe is opened in Frascati, Italy

1821 Act of Independence of Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua declare their independence from the Spanish Empire

1835 HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin on board reaches the Galapagos Islands

1916 first use of tanks in warfare, “Little Willies” at Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Battle of the Somme

1928 Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin while studying influenza

1940 Battle of Britain Day: climax of the Battle of Britain, tide begins to turn as the Royal Air Force repulses a major Luftwaffe attack, losing 29 aircraft to the Germans’ 57-61

1992 George Soros’ Quantum Fund begins selling large amounts of pound sterling, labelled “the man who broke the Bank of England” when pound crashes out of the ERM next day

HISTORICAL EVENTS TODAY

TODAY IN FILM & TV

1949 “Lone Ranger” premieres on ABC-TV. Hi-yo, Silver! Away!

TODAY IN MUSIC

2005 “Be Without You” single released by Mary J. Blige (Billboard Song of the Year 2006, Grammy Award Best R&B Song, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance 2005)

TODAY IN SPORT

1960 Maurice Richard announces his retirement. He finishes his career with 544 goals, an NHL record at the time.

1981 The John Bull becomes the oldest operable steam locomotive in the world when the Smithsonian Institution operates it under its own power outside Washington, D.C.

MORE FACTS….

1997 Google.com is registered as a domain name

FAMOUS WEDDINGS

1794 4th US President James Madison (43) weds Dolley Madison (26) in Jefferson County, West Virginia

1949 Figure skater and actress Sonja Henie (36) weds Winthrop Gardner Jr.

1951 Actor Peter Sellers (26) weds actress Anne Howe in London, England

Back Pains could be sign of Spinal Tuberculosis – Neurosurgeon

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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September 15, 2022

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A Consultant neurosurgeon at the Federal Medical Center Abuja, Dr. Douglas Okor has warned Nigerians experiencing back pains against ignoring it, noting that it could be a sign of tuberculosis.

The neurosurgeon said it is not all the time tuberculosis presents with cough, adding that it may present with back pains.

He stressed that if spinal tuberculosis is undiagnosed and left untreated, it can cause irreversible damage to the spine which could eventually require surgery for treatment.

Dr. Okor spoke in an interview, on a TV programme monitored by LN247.

According to the National Library of Medicine, back pain is the most frequent symptom of spinal tuberculosis. The intensity of pain varies from constant mild, dull aching, to severely disabling, adding that it is typically localised to the site of involvement, most commonly in the thoracic region.

“Spinal tuberculosis is a destructive form of tuberculosis and is more common in children and young adults, ”NLM said.

Speaking further, Dr. Okor stated that tuberculosis and bacterial infections are the two common infections that can affect the spine.

The expert said spinal tuberculosis is common in this part of the world, adding that certain factors like HIV, reduced immunity, etc., could predispose an individual to tuberculosis.

Dr. Okor said, “When we are talking about two common infections that will affect the spine, we are talking about tuberculosis and bacterial infections.

“Sometimes tuberculosis may not just presume with cough, it may presume with back pain and it is TB. Spine tuberculosis is generally prevalent in our part of the world compared to the developed economies and usually, in terms of the presentation of the symptoms, it is the pain.

In addition, he said, “There are things that can actually predispose one to tuberculosis like reduced immunity, things like HIV, and people who have not controlled diabetes. The tuberculosis infection affects the disc in the spine and spreads to involve the bone and also spreads to involve the soft tissue in it as well.

“You can have infections affecting the blocks that make up the spine itself or the soft tissue in between the blocks called the disc and it can spread to the bone.

“The major problem is that when it is affecting all those things, remember the spinal cord is just in there and it will start putting pressure on the spine.”

“If the TB has affected all these areas and is now putting pressure on the spinal cord, there is a good chance you might need to do surgery and the tuberculosis treatment is also extremely important,” the neurologist said.

Dr. Okor further stressed that anytime a patient is seen with back pain with a high index of suspicion of some sort of infection, there is a need to check it out for tuberculosis.

He urged Nigerians to ensure they quickly visit the hospital when they are experiencing back pains, noting that once there is damage to the spine, it would be difficult to reverse.

Speaking also on the need for healthy lifestyles with regards to the spine and to prevent spinal issues, especially the wear and tear in the spine, the neurosurgeon urged Nigerians to pay better attention to their spine.

“So there are a couple of things like posture, the way you walk, and the way you sit.

“Sitting for long periods can kill you, even if you are in a big conference where you need to sit for three to four hours straight, you can get up after like 45 minutes to one hour, stroll around and come back again to sit.

“When you are slouching forward or backward you are putting too much pressure on your spine so it is better to sit erect.”

Dr. Okor further noted that while everyone will eventually experience wear and tear in the bones from the age of 25, he stressed that participating in exercises to strengthen muscles is important as it reduces wear and tears in the bones.

“Exercises that strengthen your back muscle like swimming are very good and really important.

“Strengthening your back muscles keeps your spine in check and helps to reduce the progression of wear and tear. A good physiotherapist will be able to give you an idea of the kinds of exercises to do to strengthen your back muscles.”

“All of us will have wear and tear; from age 25 everyone starts to get old so we pray we age with Grace and we do some of all these things that can prevent significant wear and tear or reduce the speed of the wear and tear in bones,” he said.

“One of the key things is that the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves are permanent tissues. Once they are damaged it is difficult to reverse them, that is why we have this adage that time is crucial. Brain, time is the spinal cord, time is nerve.”

Super Eagles To Open Camp For Algeria Friendly On September 19

By

Emenike Agu

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September 15, 2022

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The Super Eagles will begin preparation for the international friendly against the Desert Foxes of Algeria in Abuja on September 19.

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, is expected to announce his squad for the friendly this week.

The game is billed for the Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran, on Tuesday, September 27.

The Super Eagles will have almost a week to prepare for the game.

The two teams failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The Super Eagles have another friendly lined up against Portugal next month.

Coby Ebere Pens New Everton Deal

By

Emenike Agu

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September 15, 2022

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Coby Ebere has signed a new contract at Everton.

The 17 year-old attacker has penned a deal to 2025 today.

Ebere has been with Everton since he was 11 years of age.

The 17-year-old can play on both wings as well as in a central position. In the current season, he’s played all three U18 league games and scored one goal.

WHO gives new Guidance to prevent misuse of Life Sciences

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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September 15, 2022

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The World Health Organisation has issued a global guidance framework for the responsible use of the life sciences.

According to the WHO, the new guidance is the first global, technical and normative framework for informing the development of national frameworks and approaches for reducing bio risks. It also governs dual-use research.

The guideline aims to ‘safely’ unlock the great promise for new and improved ways to improve global health offered by life sciences and related technologies, WHO said.

WHO said the new framework will help to address the decades-long challenges of preventing the accidental and deliberate misuse of biology and other life sciences, as well as how to manage governance and oversight to both accelerate and spread innovation while mitigating negative impacts.

It noted that life sciences are increasingly crossing over with other fields like chemistry, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology, which changes the landscape of risks.

Speaking about the new guidelines, the WHO Chief Scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan noted that although life sciences and technologies offer many opportunities to improve health, societies, and the environment, “developments and advances in life sciences and associated technologies could pose risks caused by accidents during experiments, inadvertent and deliberate misuse.”

The press release from WHO reads in part, “Looking at how to manage the increasing pace of advances in the life sciences, the Framework outlines the need for anticipatory and responsive governance mechanisms, including foresight approaches, which are participatory and multi-disciplinary ways of exploring trends, emerging changes, systemic impacts, and alternative futures.

“To help manage risks, it covers issues such as preventing misinformation and disinformation, as well as managing large health data sets.

“Other topics include: increasing awareness and capacities for bio risk management, navigating the particular challenges around the research on infectious diseases, and preventing the misuse of research and technologies through collaboration among different actors and sectors.

“The Framework is intended as the go-to starting point for the development and strengthening of bio risk management, which relies on three core pillars: biosafety, laboratory biosecurity, and the oversight of dual-use research.

“Accounting for different contexts, resources, and priorities, the Framework is designed to be adapted by Member States and other stakeholders, depending on their needs and perspectives.

“Ministries of health are called upon to work with other ministries, including science and technology, education, agriculture, environment, and defence, along with other key stakeholders, to assess the risks posed by life sciences locally and nationally, and identify appropriate risk mitigation measures to strengthen governance for bio risks and dual-use research.

“The document aims to raise awareness about the importance of bio risk management in the context of the One Health approach to optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems; provide a set of values and principles to guide decision-making, and identify tools and mechanisms for bio risk management.

“Practically focused, it also sets out a six-step approach for implementation; checklists for various stakeholders; and scenarios and case studies to illustrate issues and options in the governance of bio risks and dual-use research.

“Recognising that awareness and resources will be limited in low- and middle-income countries, the Framework calls for providing these countries with technical and financial support and empowering their scientists through opportunities to pursue and govern life sciences.

“It also highlights the importance of developing more context-specific materials for awareness raising, education, capacity-building, and training.

“The life sciences include all sciences that deal with living organisms, including humans, nonhuman animals, plants and agriculture, and the environment, or products of living organisms or that incorporate components derived directly or synthetically from living organisms; the life sciences include but are not limited to biology, biotechnology, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical, and biomedical research and technologies

“WHO activities to support the Framework’s worldwide implementation include:

“Leveraging existing efforts and initiatives, including those on laboratory biosafety, biosecurity, and ethics.

“Maintaining different stakeholders and local champions to monitor and evaluate the measures developed and implemented at local, national, regional, and global levels.

“Conducting awareness-raising activities, including regional and global dialogues, to support the sharing of experiences, lessons learned and best practices.

“Developing training and tools to evaluate progress.”

Nigeria’s Walking Football Team Set For Rwanda Tour

By

Emenike Agu

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September 15, 2022

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Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam

The Nigeria Walking Football Soccer Team would on Friday depart for Kigali for a two-match international friendly matches against their Rwandan counterparts as part of their preparations for next year’s Walking Football Nations Cup to be held in Manchester, England.

Walking Football is reportedly a slower paced version of the beautiful game and it was originally designed to help get over 50’s back into football and increase physical activity through rekindling players’ love for the game.

Now in its formative years in Nigeria, the Walking Football Team would be accompanied to the tour of Kigali by the interim Chairman of Waka Football In Nigeria, Godson Uti , while Chairman of Imo State Football Association and Presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2022 NFF Elections, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, is expected to captain the team for the international friendlies .

“ Nigeria and Rwanda are two of African countries that will feature at next Walking Football Nations Cup to be held in Manchester in the summer of 2023,” Uchegbulam said. “ Of course, the team is made up of old football enthusiasts and former players but we are not taking anything to chance as we are preparing well for the Nations Cup and going to Rwanda would show our readiness for the assignment.”

Under the auspices of the Federation of International Walking Football Associations (FIWFA), there will be a maximum of 32 teams across two age groups of over 50s and over 60s for the delayed Walking Football World Nations Cup in Manchester which was to be held in 2020 but shifted to the summer of 2023.

Apart from Nigeria and Rwanda, five other African national teams including Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Morocco have also confirmed their participation at the Manchester’s Walking Football World Nations Cup.