Drug abuse: Monitor your children closely, NDLEA urges parents

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April 26, 2022

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Enugu State Command, has urged parents to closely monitor the activities of their children to stem the tide of illicit drug abuse in society.

The NDLEA’s Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction Department, Mr. Adjai Eyiuche, stated this on Sunday at St. Mulumba Catholic Church, Enugu.

Eyiuche, who addressed the worshippers during the advocacy visit, said the appeal followed the high incidence of drug abuse and production among young people in the state.

He said that the most abused illicit drug in the state was crystal meth, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’ in the Igbo language.

The NDLEA chief said that the state ranked second in illicit drug production and that it had major clandestine laboratories where crystal meth was produced in the South-East zone.

He said that three of such laboratories in Udi, Nkanu West, and Trans-Ekulu were recently busted and destroyed by operatives of the command.

“We are here to address you because of the ravaging effects of crystal meth which is destroying our youths and families,” he said.

Eyiuche said that the church had a special role to play in the war against drug abuse, adding that the vision of the agency was to have a drug-free society.

Also, the State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Anietie Bassey, said that the enormity of illegal drug and substance abuse in the state had made it necessary to expand their scope of sensitisation.

Bassey said that the command had, before now, concentrated its sensitisation and advocacy on urban areas of the state.

“It is now very important to take the sensitisation to rural areas and the suburbs because the manufacturing and abuse of illicit drugs are endemic there.

“These illicit drugs and substances are produced in clandestine laboratories and we are getting intelligence,” he said.

The state commander said that the command had been destroying such laboratories immediately after they were discovered.

Bassey called on residents of the state to volunteer useful information that would enable the command to track such clandestine laboratories with a view to destroying them and arresting the operators.

2021 Cholera outbreak Highest in recent times —WHO

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Cleopatra Okohai

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April 26, 2022

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The World Health Organisation has described the 2021 Cholera outbreak in Nigerian as the highest in recent times.

According to the Organisation, Nigeria recorded over 100,000 suspected cases of cholera in 2021.

Speaking at training on oral cholera vaccine request and campaign planning on Monday, WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, said there is the need to improve coordination of cholera control efforts and ensure clean and safe water as well as improved hygienic practices to contain the disease.

He said, “Nigeria has just recorded its biggest Cholera outbreak which commenced in 2021 with over 100,000 suspected cases reported.

“The need to address issues around WASH remains critical in the long term. This brings to bear the need to improve coordination of cholera control efforts and ensure that clean and safe water as well as improved hygienic practices as highlighted in the Cholera control plans are implemented in a sustainable manner to ensure we achieve the desired goal.”

He said the agency had proved to be effective in the development of National Control Plans, which included vaccination and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene activities.

“We are mindful of the support by different partners and donors through the WHO, for the response.

“These include reactive vaccination with more than 1.7 million persons vaccinated with two doses each of Oral Cholera Vaccination in Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, and Zamfara states.

“We believe that the recently approved GTFCC application for Nigeria will significantly mitigate the risk of and upsurge of cholera cases during this rainy season.

“The application covers approximately nine million doses of OCV to implement two campaigns in 14 local government areas in nine states and the FCT.”

Mulombo challenged Nigeria to seize all opportunities for vaccination in specific target areas with zero doses and ensure that often-missed children were offered OCV and all routine vaccinations, adding that this was necessary for the country to meet the global target of ending cholera by 2030.

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, lamented the recurrence of the disease in the country despite efforts to contain it.

He decried the unavailability of the vaccine, which he said could help prevent the spread of the disease.

AU Set To Meet Mandate As It Commemorates World Malaria Day

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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April 26, 2022

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The African Union Commission commemorates World Malaria Day 2022 with the mandate to meet the global goal to eradicate malaria by 2030.

The good news associated with this commemoration is the roll-out of the long-awaited malaria vaccine for children pilot programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

Malaria remains a primary cause of childhood illness and mortality in Africa.

The Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission, H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma says ” this innovation is a breakthrough for child health improvement and malaria control. I encourage further innovative establishments in African Union (AU) Member States to fulfil the AU Agenda 2063 and the AU Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024) anchored on building the Africa we want by harnessing the power of science and technology.”

The 2021 Africa Malaria Progress Report outlines an urgent need to accelerate action across all malaria response areas: prevention, diagnosis, treatment, elimination and surveillance to end malaria by 2030.

The AU shared imperative is to save the lives of African citizens by rising to the challenges and closing the service delivery gaps.

In ending malaria, the cross-border movement of mosquitoes and people presents a constant challenge, this must be addressed by member states in the conduct of equity analysis to assess and ensure that malaria prevention and treatment funding is distributed proportionately to the demand.

A vision of a malaria-free Africa can be realised by achieving and sustaining universal access to preventive measures and case management while accelerating the development of surveillance systems.

The AU Commissioner for Health, however encouraged the AU Member States to integrate Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), HIV/AIDS/STI and malaria services as premised on the African Union Maputo Plan of Action.

Association Urge Federal Govt To Deal With Rot In Medical Practice

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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April 26, 2022

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The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has appealed to the federal government to sanitise the country’s medical practice.

Making the call in a press statement jointly signed by the National Chairman Adewale Oladigbolu and National Secretary, Ambrose Ezeh the association described as hypocritical, a recent statement credited to the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, calling on regulatory bodies in Health to wake-up to their responsibility of regulating, monitoring, evaluating and punishing the behaviours of their erring members.

Citing Dr. Sanusi’s prescription of disciplinary actions against Medical Officers caught “toying with the lives of their patients by being negligent, corrupt and in some cases, showing gross incompetence while managing their patients,” they said the MDCN was guilty of ineptitude in enforcing discipline on its erring members.

Over 99 per cent of the private hospitals run unregistered pharmacies with no pharmacist to supervise dispensing and counselling of drug-related endeavours contrary to the Poison and Pharmacy Act. The exploitation of patients who sometimes pay over 500 per cent more than the baseline cost of drugs through trickster manoeuvres is one of the planks of survival by private Physicians in Nigeria.

Calling on the federal government to urgently address the anomalies, the duo added that private hospitals in Nigeria are the centres of unrestricted and unchecked creation of sub-professional cadres in healthcare “because this is where auxiliary nurses, drug dispensing assistants and diagnostic assistants are trained and sometimes certified while the various Private Hospital Registration Authorities and the MDCN look away to protect their Physician brothers.”

Uganda Gets Special Recognition At Venice Exhibition

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faith Jegede

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April 26, 2022

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The Venice Biennale exhibition opened this weekend in Italy giving special recognition to Ugandan art.

Uganda was represented at Venice for the first time, Its pavilion, showed the works of Acaye Kerunen, who collaborates with craftswomen from different parts of the country to create her pieces, and Collin Sekajugo, whose paintings manipulate stock images.

According to Ms Kerunen, the recognition was delighted to receive the recognition which came as a huge surprise.

“I’m still recovering,” she said.

“It’s a very historic moment…Uganda is again in the limelight for the right reasons.”

The jury said that the special mention of Uganda was “in acknowledgment of their vision, ambition and commitment to art and working in the country.”

“Acaye Kerunen on her choice of sculptural materials like bark-clothed Rafia illustrates sustainability as a practice and not just a policy or concept,” they added.

The biennial takes place in the Italian city until 27 November.

Why We Chose Ibadan For South-West Closed Scrabble Tourney -Egbele

By

Henry Williams

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April 26, 2022

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The South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Emmanuel Egbele has given reasons behind the choice of Ibadan, Oyo state as the venue for the maiden South-West Closed Scrabble championship.

Since the tournament was announced last week, plenty of excitement has been generated from players and enthusiasts alike.

Interestingly, a few observers assumed the commercial centre, Lagos would have been the venue ahead of Ibadan.

Making clarification on the reasons Ibadan became the preferred choice, Egbele explained that it was only normal for the first South-West Closed championships to be held in the biggest city in West Africa which incidentally is the Zonal headquarters of the NSF.

During a brief chat with the media, he assured that subsequent editions would be hosted by different cities across the states as Ibadan was selected during to certain parameters.

“The city of Ibadan is our Zonal Headquarters so it is home for us. It is therefore fitting to go start from there and move to other states in subsequent editions.”

He further cited the rich historical background of Ibadan city as an opportunity for participants to explore for tourism.

Furthermore, he highlighted how central the city is for participants coming from other states to access logistically.

“We also know Ibadan is central for most of the South-West States. It is also an historic city that will provide some of us the opportunity to admire the sights and sound.”
The South-West Closed Scrabble Championship is slated for Jogor Hall this Saturday.

How to diversify your crypto portfolio

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KarlaGod

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April 25, 2022

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Diversifying crypto portfolio can be understood as buying more than one coin or token at a particular point in time.

It can also be understood as having other investments apart from crypto investments.

To better understand how to diversify your crypto portfolio, you must understand how the financial market works.

The financial market is the overall market that deals with the movement of money between different sectors.

How does the financial market work?

In a real sense, everything that happens in the financial market is well-planned activities and not based on chances.

The financial market deals with the movement of money otherwise known as the money supply.

Money can exist in Savings, demand deposits, and time deposits.

There is usually a noticeable movement in a particular sector when large amounts of money are being moved to that sector.

For instance, money can be moved from the stock market and forex market into the crypto market.

At that point, there will be a significant move in the crypto market.

The movement of money is not limited to financial institutions alone. As individuals, we also contribute to the movements.

During the accumulation stage, individuals are moving their savings to cryptocurrency in anticipation of more gain.

So, the financial market is an interaction between individuals in different sectors.

How to diversify a crypto portfolio

The Crypto market is said to be a highly volatile market whereas it is not as high as other markets, especially the stock market.

To understand the diversification of crypto portfolio, the following should be acknowledged.

1. Timing

Don’t diversify your portfolio when the market is bullish ~ Karla

The best time to diversify your crypto portfolio is during the bearish market.

One of the mistakes made by newbies in cryptocurrency is that they think the market will continue to go up once it starts going up.

In contrast to that, experts take profits when the market is bullish.

At that point, when the market is bullish, what you should be thinking about is “when should I take profit”.

2. Research

As it stands today, bitcoin is the only cryptocurrency that is completely decentralized. It has no board of directors, no advisory board, no marketer, and no marketing plan. It is purely community-based.
Karla

Aside from bitcoin, all other cryptocurrencies have founders and teams that are behind them.

In diversifying your portfolio, you must do research.

What should I research?

Decentralized or not?

Truth be told, the cryptocurrencies that we have in the market today are not fully decentralized.

So in terms of decentralization, only bitcoin is fully decentralized.

Nevertheless, some cryptocurrencies are community-based with founders and teams that ensure that the protocol is safe and updated from time to time.

The use case

A partially decentralized project can be further weighed based on the use case.

Ethereum did not satisfy the concept of decentralization like bitcoin but its use case paved the way for it to become the second-largest cryptocurrency in terms of market cap.

What can this coin or token be used for? Should be a point of research before diversifying your crypto portfolio.

Trends

In 2016, what we had in the Crypto space was ICO. It was Defi in 2020 and NFT in 2021.

In 2022, what is trending is move2earn just like Everest, the first mobility-as-a-service that is built on the Algorand blockchain.

Another trend in Crypto is the Metaverse.

Before diversifying your portfolio, what is the current trend?

3. Risk Reward

Even if you are a newbie, you would have heard this countless times.

Risk-Reward is a terminology used to explain the proportion of your portfolio that you are bound to lose with respect to the amount you are targeting as profit.

You will have to consider the category of risk-reward in which the coins or tokens you’re buying fall into.

Types of risk-reward.

There are four basic types of risk-reward otherwise known as the risk-reward quadrant.

High risk-High reward

This is used to explain a type of investment that has high risk but also has high reward as well.

Trends in Cryptocurrency fall under this category because no one can say precisely when the hype will be over.

You can enjoy profits while the hype lasts.

Low risk-Low Reward

These are cryptocurrencies that are bound to increase in price though it might take a lot of time.

Bitcoin and Ethereum fall under this category.

Ask any trader and they will say with confidence that bitcoin will increase in price but they cannot predict when.

Even though it will increase in price does not mean it will give 50X or 10X but there is an assurance of profit in the long run.

This kind of investment is the best because you are sure of having your money back with profit but within that time, you must have a means of survival.

High risk-Low reward

These are the categories of investment where you are most likely to lose all your money with an expectation of little gain.

This should be avoided at all costs whether as an individual or as an institution.

Low risk-High reward

Meme coins and new projects fall under this category.

Their risk is considerably low compared to their potential reward.

These are coins that can easily give 10X within days if not hours. 100X, 1000X are possible with these kinds of coins or tokens but the best time to buy them is when they are yet to be fully known by the public.

Remember, timing is the first.

4. Personal finance

This is as important as your life. Being able to manage and diversify your crypto portfolio starts with managing your personal finance.

The poor man wants to have money while the rich man wants to control money.
Karla

Research has established that rich people invest to keep the value of money.

For easy understanding, have a regular source of income so that you won’t spend your capital before it yields profit.

5. Investment in physical businesses

This is most overlooked by Crypto traders.

All your investments should not be digital.

What if the bearish market takes longer than expected like the bearish run of 2018?

If you have a friend that you think is doing well in business but needs funds, you can both agree and you will be earning a certain amount monthly or yearly based on your agreement.

If you want to diversify your portfolio but don’t want to undergo all these procedures either as an individual or as a business, you can contact Crypto Smart to manage your assets for you.

You can also join the Crypto Smart Telegram group for free crypto classes.

This is an excerpt of our Let’s talk session with Karla, Founder of Crypto Smart.

Previous sessions

The past, present, and future of blockchain

The role of parachains in blockchain

Risk management in cryptocurrency trading and investment

Business development in blockchain

How to become a successful trader in the Crypto space?

How to spot Crypto Gems?

Understanding the Algorand blockchain

How to start with Cryptocurrency?

Understanding the Algorand blockchain nodes

NDLEA Arrests Drug Baron Behind N3billion Tramadol Linked To Abba Kyaris Team

By

faith Jegede

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April 25, 2022

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According to a social media post by the national drug law enforcement agency (NDLEA), the agency has arrested chief Afam Emmanuel Ukatu, a drug baron behind the N3billion worth of Tramadol linked to Abba Kyaris team.

Investigations reveal he’s been a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg, and 250mg, all of which are illicit. Ukatu owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria. This is in addition to operating 103 bank accounts, most of which are used to launder money.

Ukatu came under watch last year after five cartons of Tramadol 225mg were seized from his staff on 4th May 2021 when he unknowingly sent them to sell to undercover police officers from the then Kyari-led IRT of the Nigeria Police, Ikeja Lagos.

The price of a carton of Tramadol was negotiated at N17million each as against the then black market value that ranged between N18million and N20million a carton in Lagos.

After the arrest of Ukatu’s staff: Pius Enidom and Sunday Ibekwete, Kyari’s men were then led by the suspects to Mallinson’s warehouse at Ojota in Lagos where 197 additional Cartons of Tramadol 225mg were seized by the IRT Team. The monetary value of the 202 cartons of Tramadol seized from Mallinson in one day was over N3billion.

Three weeks after the seizure, the Kyari’s IRT team transferred only 12 Cartons of the Tramadol with one truck and a suspect to the Lagos Command of the NDLEA, leaving 190 cartons unaccounted for.

After over eight months of following the lead, anti-narcotic officers of the Agency eventually arrested Ukatu at the Lagos airport on 13th April 2022. Kyari and four top members of his team are already facing trial for a different but similar offense at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Nigerian Govt Partners Firm To Harness Innovation To End Malaria

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

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April 25, 2022

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To mark this year’s World Malaria Day today, Godrej Nigeria, makers of GoodKnight Power Shots Insecticide is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) Abuja, to intensify efforts geared towards the elimination of malaria in Nigeria by donating 10,000 Goodknight power shots to the Ministry.

The Company made the donation of 10, 0000 units of GoodKnight Power Shots to the Nigerian government when it paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, in Abuja as part of its activity to commemorate the 2022 World Malaria Day.

Speaking during the courtesy visit, Mamora noted that malaria has killed and continues to kill more people in Africa than HIV and COVID.

The malaria elimination efforts with the Nigerian government, according to the organisation, will be through community engagement, continued investment to dial-up awareness on Malaria prevention methods, and sustained collaboration with stakeholders.

He further stated that the greatest asset that any individual has is his health, reiterating the need to focus more attention on common issues like malaria. He also applauded Godrej Nigeria for the partnership.

Earlier, the Goodknight team explained that Goodknight remains committed to its essence to preserve precious family moments.

GoodKnight brand is poised to continually drive innovation towards its Anti-malaria quest while working hand in hand with the Ministry of Health and other relevant bodies through consumer education and engagement.

USAID-IHP, Others Offer Free Healthcare In Ebonyi Community

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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April 25, 2022

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In commemoration of the 2022 Health Workers Week, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Integrated Health Program (IHP) with other health-based-intervention partners has offered free medical outreach to the Enyibirichi Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The USAID – IHP carried out a health outreach in collaboration with the Health Workforce Management Activity (HWM), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMURT) and Ebonyi State Ministry of Health.

The free health outreach which was held at the Community Primary School, Obiegu Enyibirichi Alike Ikwo recorded over 300 people comprising men, women and children in attendance.

Speaking during the event, Dr Nneka Kene-Ibeagha one of the Integrated Primary Health Care IPHC Advisors for USAID – IHP stated that the activity was organized to support the State Ministry of Health SMOH, State Primary Health Care Development Agency SPHCDA, Local Government Areas, other stakeholders and various health organizations to commemorate the Health workers week with an outreach to bring an integrated package of health services closer to the people.

She expressed satisfaction with the turnout of the community people during the health outreach, saying that both women and men including the children came out in mass to receive the free medical care and treatment in the area.

Dr Ibeagha recommended that all those who attended the medical outreach should continue to follow up treatment in the nearby facilities, saying the health workers are always available and the facilities remain open 24 hours.

On her part, the State Coordinator of the USAID funded Health Workforce Management Activity, Pharmacist Uche Ebenezar, also noted that the programme was packaged to strengthen the Nigerian health system through a cost-effective well-trained and motivated health workforce.

She commended the state ministry of health and other partners with the USAID that funded the free medical care and treatment.

She noted that the free health outreach included treatment of childhood illness, child spacing counselling and methods, enrollment into BHCPF/SHIS, malaria testing and treatment for pregnant women and children, screening for hypertension and diabetes, childhood immunisation, antenatal and postnatal care services, nutrition services for mothers and children, gender-based volume services, HIV counselling and testing, among others.

The event was honoured by the community stakeholders including the Senior Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Legal Services and Conflict Resolution, Barrister Emeka Nwode, the Pioneer Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Chief Vitalis Nwode, among other people who described the medical outreach as a welcome development.