NIMR discovers new Malaria vector in Northern Nigeria

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July 26, 2022

The Director General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research Prof. Babatunde Salako, on Monday, said the institute has discovered a new malaria vector called anopheles stephensi in northern Nigeria.

Salako who spoke with newsmen in Lagos during a birthday ceremony organised by his members of staff said that it was the most recent research discovery.

He said that it was a rugged vector, very difficult to eradicate, adding that it had not been found anywhere near West Africa.

He said that this was a discovery by NIMR researchers and that had implications for malaria control in Nigeria.

Salako said that NIMR currently was looking at vaccines.

“We have done a lot of studies on vaccines and we are looking at vaccine development.

“We are working with five groups in a consortium to develop world local vaccines in Nigeria which was different from production,” he said.

Salako said that the idea was to ensure that Nigerian researchers were able to take it from the beginning to the end in the development of vaccines.

He said that “if tomorrow, we had a new epidemic or disease, known or unknown, it would be possible for Nigeria to develop its own vaccine”.

He said that NIMR was also looking at the effectiveness, side effects, and responsiveness of the human body to COVID-19 vaccines.

He said that the institute was looking at three COVID vaccines, disclosing that 2,000 people in Nigeria would be tested to know whether the vaccines evoked response among Nigerians.

Group decries non-availability of Liver transplant Centres in Nigeria

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Cleopatra Okohai

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July 26, 2022

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The Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria has expressed concern over the non-availability of liver transplantation services in Nigeria.

This was contained in a communique made available to the Newsmen on Sunday at the end of the 14th SOGHIN’s Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held from July 18 to July 22 in Kano.

SOGHIN’s President and Secretary-General, Professors Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo and Olusegun Alatishe called for urgent intervention of the Federal Government to curb the worrisome trend.

The association also called on the Federal Government to halt the exodus of highly skilled health professionals, including Gastroenterologists and Endoscopy Nurses, as well as trainees in the field of hepatology.

“The society observed with dismay the dwindling state of priority given to the funding for the diagnosis, treatment, and research on viral hepatitis in the country by respective governments.

“With the theme of the five-day scientific conference: ‘Burden and Challenges of Managing Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder’, it also resolved that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and all public health authorities should continue to monitor the trend of COVID-19 cases in the country.

“It calls on the government to expedite action in the production of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, the society expressed worry over the worsening state of insecurity manifested by insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of armed attacks in the country,” the communique said.

Tala Safwan: Egyptian TikToker held in Saudi over ‘immoral’ video

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Henry Williams

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July 26, 2022

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A popular Egyptian social media influencer has been arrested in Saudi Arabia, accused of posting sexually suggestive content.

Tala Safwan, who has five million followers on TikTok and some 800,000 on YouTube, drew ire online amid claims a recent video had lesbian undertones.

But Ms Safwan said that had not been her intention.

Police in the strictly conservative kingdom however said the video could harm public morality.

With her short dark hair and expressive face, the young vlogger’s frothy, upbeat style is aimed at teenagers.

Her videos have catchy, tabloid-like headlines as she discusses TV shows and issues sent in by her followers – mostly about relationships and embarrassing situations.

DR Congo protests: Ten die in fresh anti-UN demonstrations

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Henry Williams

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July 26, 2022

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At least 10 people have died during protests against a UN peacekeeping force in Butembo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, police say.

Seven of the dead were civilians while the others were UN personnel.

Local media said the protesters in the eastern city were shot by peacekeepers. But the UN mission, Monusco, has not responded to these reports.

There has been a recent upsurge in violence in the area, as locals accuse the UN of being ineffective.

The east of DR Congo remains volatile with more than 100 active rebel groups.

This was the second day of protests with people calling for the UN to withdraw its peacekeepers from the area.

Voter Registration: Govt Declares Three-Day Holiday

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Henry Williams

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July 26, 2022

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This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, on Tuesday, saying the holiday is from July 27 to 29th.

He said the move is necessary so that more Kaduna electorates will be able to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the 2023 general elections.

While urging all eligible residents of the state to seize this window to register to vote and to therefore be in a position to exercise their right to vote, Adekeye disclosed that the government requests all employers to actively support their staff to register before INEC closes voter registration on July 31.

See the full statement issued by the state government below:

Voter Registration: KDSG declares public holiday 27-29 July 2022

The Kaduna State Government has appealed to residents of the state to register to vote before 31st July 2022.

The state government has also declared 27th – 29th July 2022 as public holiday to enable more citizens to complete their voter registration.

A statement from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House urged all eligible residents of the State to seize this window to register to vote, and to therefore be in a position to exercise their right to vote.

The statement disclosed that the government requests all employers to actively support their staff to register before INEC closes voter registration on 31st July 2022.

Signed

Muyiwa Adekeye

Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication)

26th July 2022

Reps Deny Alleged Plot To Impeach Speaker Gbajabiamila

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Henry Williams

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July 26, 2022

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The lawmakers made the disclaimer during Tuesday’s plenary amid reports that the Northern Caucus of the House was planning to impeach the speaker to ensure that the controversial Water Resources Bill was passed.

According to them, it is ridiculous that such a publication will be made and insist that they are solidly behind the speaker.

The matter was later referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for further investigation.

The controversial Water Resources Bill, which seeks to bring all water resources (surface and underground) and the banks of the water sources under the control of the Federal Government, was first introduced in the 8th Assembly but was rejected by the lawmakers.

It was then reintroduced in the 9th Assembly but received backlash from a broad section of Nigerians and legislators who feared that it could endanger the unity of the country.

The bill was again reintroduced in the House of Representatives chamber on June 29.

Sada Soli, who sponsored the bill, said wide consultations have been made for a better version of the bill.

He gave an assurance that if at any point, indications suggest that it would negatively affect any section of the country, he would voluntarily withdraw the bill.

The bill was then read for the first time and would be debated when scheduled for the second reading.

Bill To Amend CBN Act Passes Second Reading

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Henry Williams

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July 26, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the name of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to the Senate for confirmation of his appointment.

His request for the confirmation of the appointment of Justice Ariwoola as CJN was contained in a letter that was read on the floor of the Senate during Tuesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly in Abuja.

According to the executive communication, the President is asking the lawmakers in the upper chamber to speedily confirm the appointment.

Similarly, the President forwarded the names of five nominees to the Senate for confirmation of appointment as non-executive directors of the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He also sent to the Senate a list of 19 nominees for confirmation as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Five of the REC nominees are for renewal of appointments while 14 are for fresh appointments.

Justice Ariwoola took the judicial oath of office on June 27 following the resignation of former CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

Solar Car To Enter Production In 2023

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Angel Gimalo

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July 26, 2022

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The Sion, a five-person family car covered completely in solar panels, should enter into serial production in the second half of 2023, the German start-up developing the vehicle said Monday.

Following years of development, Sono Motors is now building a fleet of test vehicles before confiding mass production to Valmet Automotive, a Finnish company which produces vehicles under contract.

The large black Sion hatchbacks are covered with 456 solar cells which allow it to generate on average enough electricity over a week to power the car 112 kilometres (70 miles).

The car, which boasts a battery range of 305 kilometres, is aimed at families as well as car sharing services.

Sono Motors already has 19,000 reservations for the Sion, with the average advance of 2,225 euros ($2,225) helping finance development.

The company plans to produce more than 250,000 of the vehicles over the next seven years at a price of just over 25,000 euros.

Both startups and established carmakers have begun to integrate solar panels on electric vehicles to extend the range.

The Lightyear 0 is supposed to begin shipping to clients later this year, but only a thousand or so are to be produced at a price tag of 250,000 euros.

The Spain-based firm plans to roll out a mass market vehicle in 2024-2025.

The California start-up Aptera hopes to deliver a two-seat three-wheel vehicle next year and has 25,000 orders.

One version of the vehicle with a range of 400 kilometres costs $26,000, while another with 1,600 kilometres in range costs $46,000.

Osimhen Shuns Arsenal, Man U, Remains At Napoli

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Emenike Agu

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July 26, 2022

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Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen has stressed that he is not interested in rumours of a possible transfer to the Premier League this summer.

The 23-year-old bagged 14 goals in 27 Serie A games last season, earning a reputation as one of the more intriguing young strikers around, and a number of sides across Europe have been keeping a close eye on Osimhen.

This summer, Osimhen has found himself linked to the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United, while Manchester United and Chelsea have also been credited with interest in the Nigerian in the past.

However, he has always stressed his desire to stay at Napoli and made it clear during a recent interview with Corriere dello Sport that nothing has changed from his perspective.

“I’m at Napoli and I have great respect for my club. These are just market rumours, I’m happy here and I’ve never had such close relations with everyone as I do right now.

“I spoke with President De Laurentiis, he is the one who decides, and he reassured me by explaining the club’s plans.

More Evacuations As Forest Fire Hits East Germany

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Angel Gimalo

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July 26, 2022

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Local officials in Germany were planning more evacuations on Tuesday as forest fires tore through the east of the country in the wake of punishing heatwave.

Authorities in the eastern region of Saxony triggered a “disaster alert” in the Bad Schandau area, as wildfires spread through the Saxon Switzerland National Park.

The alarm was due to the “continuing terrible forest fire situation” in the park, which is close to the border with the Czech Republic, officials said.

The fire broke out on the Czech side of the border in the twin Bohemian Switzerland National Park. Czech authorities evacuated dozens of people from the area on Monday.

The cross-border park is home to rare species such as the Eurasian lynx and the peregrine falcon.

Forest fires were also raging in the neighboring region of Brandenburg, to the north of Saxony. Officials declared a “disaster situation” there on Monday afternoon.

Authorities in the Elbe-Elstar area said they were planning further evacuations on Tuesday as the blaze spread. They have already removed around 700 people from the surrounding zone.

Officials said it was “not clear yet when the fire will be under control” but warned it could take several days.

Around 350 people were involved in fighting the blaze, which had spread to cover 850 hectares (2,100 acres), the officials said.