Kogi Governor Confident Reference Hospital Will End Medical Tourism In Nigeria

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July 13, 2022

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has assured Nigerians that the soon-to-be-inaugurated Reference Hospital, Okene, will end medical tourism in the state and Nigeria at large.

A statement issued in Lokoja by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Onogwu Muhammed, quoted Bello as stating this after inspecting the 300-bed space hospital in Okene on Tuesday.

According to the governor, the hospital is equipped with world-class facilities, like its counterparts across the globe.

“The ultra-modern hospital is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and several first-of-its-kind medical equipment that can render same services like other renowned hospitals across the world, where many Nigerians run to for medical care.

“What inspired the conception of such befitting, gigantic and well-equipped medical facility is the understudy of expenses Nigerians make on seeking medical attention outside the shores of Nigeria as a result of various medical conditions.

“Aside the fact that the hospital will stop medical tourism, it will also help safe the country millions of dollars spent abroad on medical bills.

“I am satisfied with the level and quality of work done in all the projects I have inspected,” he stated.

Bello also noted that while the government planned to help the hospital stand on its feet when it eventually commenced operations, it was already working out an all-encompassing model.

The encompassing model, the governor said, would be used to run the medical facilities, alongside other ultra-modern hospitals in a bid to guarantee their self- sustenance, while they remained affordable for the people of the state.

Muhammed also quoted medical experts as stating during the tour that the hospital could attend to any form of medical challenges.

The medical experts also stated that the oxygen plant installed in the hospital could provide oxygen for other hospitals across the country.

Some of the facilities inspected by the governor included: paediatric wards, operation theatres, conference rooms, laboratories, labour rooms, emergency wards and offices among others.

Nigeria’s Crude Oil Production Averaged 1.238m Bpd In June – OPEC

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Koko Lawrence

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July 13, 2022

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The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) says Nigeria’s crude oil production increased to an average of 1.238 million barrels per day (bpd) in June 2022.

OPEC made this known in its Oil Market Report for July 2022 which was obtained by newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.

The report said the figure showed an increase of 5,000 barrels per day when compared to the 1.233 million bpd produced averagely in the month of May 2022.

“According to secondary sources, averaged 28.72 mbpd in June 2022, higher by 234,000 barrels per day month-on-month.

“Crude oil output increased mainly in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Kuwait and Angola, while production in Libya and Venezuela declined,” the report said.

The report said despite the improvement in fossil fuel prices, the short-term economic outlook for Nigeria was clouded by high inflation, which had reduced private sector optimism and weakened consumer spending.

It said in May 2022, the composite Consumer Price Index rose to 17.7 per cent year-on-year from 16.8 per cent y-o-y in the previous month.

“In response to the elevated inflationary pressures, the Central Bank of Nigeria raised its policy rate by 150 basic points to 13 per cent bringing borrowing costs to the highest since April of 2020.

“It was the biggest rate hike since July of 2016 amid concerns that persistent inflationary pressures could weigh on the country’s fragile recovery.

“Meanwhile, the Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria Purchasing Manger’s Index fell to 50.9 in June of 2022 from 53.9 in the prior month, pointing to the weakest improvement in business conditions in Nigeria’s private sector since January of 2021.

“Overall, the above-average fossil fuel prices support a firmly positive outlook for the rest of the year, but concerns over soaring inflation would increase uncertainty next year,” the report added.

National Industrial Court To Begin Annual Vacation July 29

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Koko Lawrence

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July 13, 2022

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The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) will begin its annual vacation on July 29.

The president of NICN, Justice Benedict Kanyip, in a circular released on Wednesday in Abuja, said that full judicial activities would resume on Sept. 28.

The directive, he said, is pursuant to the provisions of Order 58, Rule 4 (2) of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Civil Procedure Rules, 2017.

He said during the annual vacation, there will not be court sittings, except for urgent applications.

Kanyip said that urgent applications would be handled by a vacation judge.

The president in addition stated that normal court sitting shall resume on Sept. 28.

Nollywood Actress Sola Sobowale Lands First Bollywood Role

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Koko Lawrence

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July 13, 2022

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Nollywood actress Sola Sobowale has landed her first Bollywood role.

The “Toyin Tomato” actress announced the big news in a post on her social media page, revealing that she would be traveling to India to work on director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja’s upcoming project.

he wrote, “I am so excited to announce that I will be working with record breaking Director/Exec Producer @HamishaDaryaniAhuja on her upcoming project! And… get this….we will be going to India to film! I will be playing a very dynamic role in this project and cannot wait for you to watch it. Are you as excited as I am ???”

Sola Sobowale got her big break in the premiere of Nigeria’s popular television drama, Super Story: “Oh Father, Oh Daughter.” More recently, the actress has received accolades for her role as Eniola Salami “Oba” in Kemi Adetiba’s “King of Boys.”

Ahuja, the project’s director, confirmed Sobowale’s role in her new project, also revealing that comedian Broda Shaggi will star in an untitled production as well.

Hamisha Daryani Ahuja is a Nigerian actress, producer, director, and businesswoman of Indian descent. She made her acting and directorial debut in the Nollywood-Bollywood cross-cultural film Namaste Wahala in 2021.

She wrote on Instagram, “New cast reveal! *drum roll* @solasobowale is a legend in the Nollywood Industry. When I decided to cast her, I wondered if she would share my vision for this project…and she did.”

Agency Warns Against Use Of YW Cosmetics Glycolic Acid

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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July 13, 2022

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The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned against the use a cosmetic product, YW Cosmetics Glycolic Acid containing 70 per cent content.

The warning is contained in a public alert with No. 032/2022, signed by the DG of the agency, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, on Tuesday ìn Abuja.

Adeyeye stated that the agency was equally informed of the product by

German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).

According to her, 70 per cent of glycolic acid is a strong acidic alpha hydroxyl-acid (AHA) and is the most popular used in skin care.

She said that the product was manufactured from sugar cane, and “is the smallest AHA, and the most effective at getting into the skin”.

“’It is a substance that chemically exfoliates the skin by dissolving dead skin cells and oils.

“Products containing AHAs are marketed for a variety of purposes, such as smoothing fine lines and surface wrinkles, improving skin texture and tone, unblocking and cleansing pores, and improving skin condition in general.

“Alpha hydroxy acids can also cause mild skin irritation, redness, swelling, itching, and skin discoloration.

“Facial peels left on the skin for periods longer than recommended can cause severe burns to the skin.

“The product comes in a 50ml bottle and is traded online without a batch and lot identification number,” Adeyeye said.

According to her, NAFDAC implores consumers to exercise caution in the use of Y the cosmetics.

“Healthcare professionals, consumers and patients are encouraged to report adverse events related to the use of this product to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC PRASCOR on (20543 TOLLS FREE from all networks).

“The public is also encouraged to report adverse effects via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or via the NAFDAC ADR e-Reporting platform

IGP Bans Use Of SPY Police License Plate Numbers

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Koko Lawrence

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July 13, 2022

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a total ban on all use of Police SPY vehicle number plates by vehicle owners across the states ‘without exceptions’.

“This is irrespective of whether it is authorized, or not, as all authorizations are hereby revoked indefinitely,” police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement on Wednesday.

Adejobi stated that the order is to forestall the continuous disregard for traffic rules and regulations and other extant laws guiding road use by individuals hiding under the privileges of SPY police number plates.

“The IGP has therefore directed that police officers and officers of other security agencies attached to VIPs who use the SPY number plates should ensure prompt compliance with this directive or risk being arrested for violation of the order,” he said.

“The IGP has directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), to give full effect to the directives as contained above.”

The police spokesman noted that the IGP has directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use are confiscated henceforth but the owners of such vehicles should not be arrested unless they are police officers or officers of other security agencies on escort duties.

Adejobi said the IGP has instructed officers on duty to ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.

Lufthansa Cancels Another 2,000 Summer Flights

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Koko Lawrence

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July 13, 2022

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German national carrier Lufthansa said Wednesday it was scrapping another 2,000 flights this summer because of staff shortages, adding to a chaotic travel season as the industry attempts to bounce back from the pandemic.

The cancellations between now and the end of August will affect Lufthansa’s hubs in Munich and Frankfurt, a company spokesman told newsmen.

The goal is to “ease the burden on the system”, he said.

Lufthansa, one of the world’s biggest airline groups, already announced more than 3,000 flight cancellations earlier this month.

Travel demand has roared back as coronavirus restrictions have eased, far outstripping capacity that had been pared back during the pandemic.

Other European airports and airlines are also struggling with bottlenecks and staff shortages, leading to long queues and travel disruptions during the peak summer period.

Former Nig. President Commends Foundation For Donations In Kaduna Community

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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July 13, 2022

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Jennifer Etuh Foundation (JEF) for donating a specialist hospital and skills acquisition centre to Mallagum Kagoro community in Kaduna State.

Jonathan gave the commendation the inauguration of the hospital, built by the foundation in memory of late Mrs Jennifer Ramatu Etuh, wife of the Chairman of JEF, Mr Thomas Etuh.

During the inauguration of the hospital, Jonathan who was represented by the former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, commended Etuh for keeping up with the dreams of his late wife.

LN247 gathered that Jonathan has been partnering with the foundation after its inauguration two years ago.

The hospital, with about 50-bed capacity, would be managed by Bingham University.

The establishment of the hospital is part of the vision of late Mrs Jennifer Etuh to provide available, accessible and affordable world class healthcare services to women and children in areas where they are sited.

The hospital is sited on a 12-hectare land mass with outpatient department, three consulting rooms, pharmacy, antenatal, special care baby unit, intensive care unit, labour/delivery room, cervical cancer screening room, mammogram and others.

The skill acquisition centre has beauty salon, art and craft as well as catering tutorials for vocational trainings to be administered.

Jonathan said: “By this project, you have touched the heart of humanity.”

He said that the philanthropic work of the foundation would benefit the entire people of Kaduna and beyond.

The former president urged the managers of the facility to ensure that the hospital was affordable for the people to use.

Chairman of the Foundation, Mr Thomas Etuh, said the project was to fulfill the aspirations of his wife’s legacies.

Etuh said it was the late wife’s intention to establish hospitals in the six geopolitical zones for healthcare of women and children.

He said JEF first assignment was the establishment of a Medical Centre in Odu Ogboyega, Dekina LGA, Kogi State which was commissioned on Jan. 26, 2022, while the one inaugurated in Kaduna was the second.

Etuh said additional four hospitals would be established soon in Imo, Gombe, Osun and Cross River states.

On his part, the Chief of Kagoro, Dr Ufuwai Bonel, commended the state government for permitting the construction of the hospital.

Lagos 2023: I’m Suspending Acting For Politics – Funke Akindele

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Koko Lawrence

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July 13, 2022

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Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has shed light on how she ventured into politics and what would become of her acting career.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Olajide Adediran, picked her as his running mate for the 2023 general election.

Adediran, popularly called Jandor, chose her among a list of five nominees, which include Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Kolawole Vaughan, Adenike Shobajo, and Rasheed Teslim-Balogun.

Akindele, popularly known as Jenifa, was officially unveiled in Ikorodu on Tuesday, her hometown.

Explaining her foray into politics, the movie star said she received a phone call from Adediran.

During her speech after she was unveiled, she said she “ran away” when Adediran called her.

She explained further while speaking with journalists at the end of the event that she gave politics some thoughts after she was called.

She said: “It’s new terrain for me. I don’t like to say I don’t like politics because dirty people or corrupt people have gone into politics.

“But if you do not go into politics and want to do it. Many young people hide behind their keypads to condemn different things the government is doing. Nobody’s willing to take the forefront to make a change.

“So when I got a call from Jandor, I thought of it. I’ve been doing this on a smaller scale. I’ve been in the business for over 14 years, churning out different content, and it’s been going on for the most extended season, like three seasons of a TV show for years, and I’ve done it very well.

The 44-year-old actress and trained lawyer became famous for her role in the comedy-drama series titled Jenifa’s Diary, which earned her the nickname Jenifa.

At the gathering, she revealed that she would suspend her acting career to focus more on politics.

She said: “I’m going to put aside my acting career now to give Lagosians the opportunity of a better life.”

Strike: Honour ASUU Agreement, Group Tells Nigerian Government

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 13, 2022

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A group, under the aegis of the Science for Impact Initiative, has called on stakeholders to pressure the Federal Government to heed the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities to put an end to recurrent strikes.

The group made this known in a statement titled, ‘Recurrent ASUU strike: A preventable disaster’, on Wednesday, where it noted that the recurrent strike by ASUU had stalled the development of education in Nigeria and had made life difficult for students and their parents.

The ASUU strike, which started as a warning exercise on February 12, 2022, has entered its fifth month, with the Union yet to shift its position on its demands to the government.

The statement was signed by Adeniji Adejimi, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa; Dr Taiwo Agidigbi, KyungHee University, South Korea; Joshua Babalola, Medical University of Graz, Austria; Dr Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, University of British Columbia, Canada; Dr Opeyemi Lawal, University of Guelph, Canada; Opeyemi Oludada, University of Heidelberg, Germany.

SCINT, which is an umbrella body for Voices in STEM-Nigeria, noted that the protracted strike had contributed to Nigeria lagging in scientific research hence the country is behind its global counterparts in innovation.

The statement reads in part, “There is absolutely no country in the world that can be productive while her universities or tertiary institutions are constantly locked. The incessant feuds between the Federal Government of Nigeria and ASUU over the years have had a huge impact on research outputs and degree completion time, and have also resulted in financial as well as emotional constraints on the part of students and parents. The question is for how long would this preventable trend linger?

“The recurrent ASUU strike will only setback by decades our nation’s scientific exploits that could translate to development and problem-solving discoveries.

“The effect of industrial actions in the last couple of years has always been felt greatly by the students. Take, for instance, students are constantly deprived of life-changing opportunities due to a lack of access to transcripts and other necessary documents needed to process scholarship and funding opportunities attributed to strike actions that constantly paralyse the entire academic and administrative processes.”

According to the statement, an immediate digitalisation of processes in public universities “would not only remove the artificial delays in processing documents but would also increase efficiency”.

SCINT noted that stakeholders must play their role in holding the government accountable to prevent a collapse of Nigeria’s educational system.

The group also urged private individuals to support the funding of public universities in the country noting that education was capital intensive.

“To save our educational system from imminent collapse, the stakeholders should put pressure on the government to honour the agreement they already had with ASUU dated back to 2009.

“Stakeholders should continue to check and balance government budgeting by ensuring that both the federal and state governments reserve a reasonable percentage of their annual budgetary allocation to education according to the recommendation of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

“Going forward, qualitative research can only thrive in a conducive and adequately funded ecosystem with accessible infrastructures. The present clamour for the adequate funding of the Nigerian educational system by ASUU is not only justifiable but also a norm in saner climes.

“However, all stakeholders including the industry must be encouraged to create an industry-academic partnership that could foster growth and innovative research in our universities. The sole reliance on the government for funding may be far from reality.

“Nevertheless, education is capital intensive; therefore, the federal and state government cannot handle it effectively alone. It is suggested that patriotic Nigerians should also support the funding of public universities,” the statement added.