The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Adamu on Tuesday formally resigned from the Senate.
Senator Abubakar Kyari representing Borno North also resigned from the Upper Chamber.
Adamu late March was elected APC chairman during the party’s National Convention in Abuja by consensus.
The former two-term governor of Nasarawa State, emerged as the party’s consensus candidate after six other aspirants reluctantly withdrew from the race hours into the convention.
Adamu officially assumed office by receiving instruments of office from the immediate-past interim chairman of the party and Governor of Yobe State, Mala Buni, at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
In his address at the ceremony, attended by one of his predecessors, John Oyegun, and other elected National Working Committee (NWC) executives, the new APC chairman said he never thought he would be the party chairman 30 days to the convention.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s bid to expand its maritime territory, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is fully on course.
Buhari, who stated this when he received a progress report from the High-Powered Presidential Committee on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project, on Tuesday in Abuja, said this would be achieved without ‘‘war, litigation, or purchase.’’
“I am looking forward to the day that I can announce to Nigerians that additional maritime territory has been approved for Nigeria by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf,’’ the president said.
The president assured the Committee, chaired by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, of his full support on Nigeria’s submission to the United Nations for the additional maritime area, under the recognised international convention.
He commended the Committee on the progress made so far, and the dedication invested on the work within a short time, assuring them of all the support to conclude the project in good time.
While underscoring his special interest on the project, the President told the Malami-led committee:
“I have always had a special interest in this project right from the first day I heard of it, because this type of project where Nigeria will gain additional territory without conflict has never happened before in her lifetime.
“It is my intention to support the submission to the United Nations for the additional maritime area, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to claim for Nigeria every bit of space that she deserves under UNCLOS.
“It is pleasing to know that most wars that have taken place in the world since time immemorial, including present times, have always been territorial, and Nigeria has this one and only chance to gain territory without war, litigation, or purchase.
“More so when this territory lies within the area dubbed as ‘the Golden Triangle’ in the Gulf of Guinea, which contains unquantifiable resources, some of which have not even been discovered.’’
In his remarks, Malami thanked the President for his support to the project, noting that it was dormant for more than 30 months before the president rescued it.
“I thank you for making this project your pet project, because when it was virtually dead after being dormant for more than thirty months, and the Nigerian experts had almost given up on it, you rescued it, and it is where it is today because of you,’’ he said.
The minister told Buhari that; “by the grace of God, the Committee is delivering and gaining more grounds for Nigeria on the project.’’
The president, at the event, listened to administrative presentation on the project by Aliyu Omar, the Secretary of the Committee, while the technical part was presented by Prof. Lawrence Awosika, a marine geophysicist and former Director with the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research.
The second pitch competition for the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) opened in Abuja, yesterday, with 30 universities and polytechnics vying for the top five positions.
The five best among the competitors would receive a total of N900 million.
The first position would attract N250 million; the second N200 million; while the third, fourth and fifth would receive N180 million, N150 million and 120 million, respectively.
CBN introduced the TIES as part of its policies of creating a paradigm shift among undergraduates and graduates of Nigerian universities and polytechnics from seeking white-collar jobs to entrepreneurship development.
The scheme comprised three components: Term Loan, Equity Investment and Development (grant).
The CBN, under the developmental component, called for proposals from Nigerian universities and polytechnics to compete for development grants.
The grant has been designed to promote the development of innovations that are commercially viable and have the potential for high economic impact.
Sectors of focus include agribusiness, the creative industry, science and technology, as well as, Information and Communications Technology.
The CBN, in a factsheet, indicated that 145 proposals were submitted, out of which 30 were selected by a Body of Experts (BoE), using a set criteria.
The apex bank said that the best top five proposals were selected from each geopolitical zone of the country. A total of 21 universities and nine polytechnics from both public and private institutions are participating.
The c has raised the alarm over the rising deaths from non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular ailments and diabetes in Africa.
The WHO noted that non-communicable diseases are increasingly becoming the main cause of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
The global health body revealed that in the African continent, the diseases were responsible for 24 per cent of deaths recorded in 2000 and 37 per cent of those recorded in 2019.
it noted that this was largely due to weaknesses in the implementation of critical control measures that include prevention, diagnosis and care.
This comes on the eve of a high-level, heads of state and health leaders meeting in Ghana, meant to find ways to accelerate progress against NCDs.
In Africa, according to the 2022 WHO Non-communicable Disease Progress Monitor report, between 50 per cent and 88 per cent of deaths in seven countries, mostly small island nations, are due to non-communicable diseases.
The report also finds that in seven other countries – majority of them being Africa’s most populous – the diseases claimed between 100, 000 and 450, 000 lives annually.
“The rising burden of non-communicable diseases will exert pressure on treatment and care services. In the African region, the number of people living with diabetes, for example, is expected to reach 47 million by 2045, up from 19 million in 2019”, the report added.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said the growing burden of non-communicable diseases poses a great threat to the health and lives of millions of people in Africa.
She noted that over a third of deaths in the region were due to these illnesses, adding that what is particularly concerning, is that that premature deaths from non-communicable diseases are rising among people younger than 70 years.
Dr. Moeti said, “Decisive action is needed to address the risk factors for non-communicable diseases for these preventable diseases.
“The heads of state and health leaders meeting for the inaugural International Strategic Dialogue on Non-communicable Disease and the Strategic Development Goals on 12 April are expected to agree on an initiative to boost progress towards the key Sustainable Development Goals of reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases by 30 per cent by 2030.
“The meeting will also agree on ways to speed up the efforts to achieving the key targets of universal health coverage that include access to quality, safe, effective and affordable health care.”
The WHO official pointed out that progress against non-communicable diseases has also suffered setbacks due to disruptions by the COVID-19 pandemic on essential health services.
She added, “About 80 per cent of countries in the African region reported disruption to at least one health service against non-communicable disease between May and September 2021.
“Countries are striving to restore services, although many have not yet been fully re-established”, she said.
On the way forward, Dr. Moeti said one of the crucial ways of controlling non-communicable diseases is to reduce the risk factors which include tobacco consumption, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.
“Improved investment in detection, screening and treatment contributes – notably by ensuring access to health services at the primary level to boost early detection – are the other significant measures to lower the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
“WHO is providing technical expertise to countries to devise and implement strategies to reduce the preventable and avoidable burden of morbidity, mortality and disability due to non-communicable diseases and to track progress,” she said.
Michael Tetteh, Ghana’s only professional glassblower, clenched his teeth as he gripped a red-hot ball of molten glass, his burned and blistered hands bare against the steaming stack of wet newspaper he used to protect them.
The 44-year-old toiled in the heat of scrap-metal kilns burning at nearly 1,500 Celsius (2,700 Fahrenheit), pregnant with melted windowpanes, TV screens and soda bottles he would soon transform into elaborate vases swirling with psychedelic colour. Some become red vases with streaks of black, other green pitchers and some clear, everyday bottles.
“Glass… is my passion, my heart,” he said. “It’s like life. It takes you on a journey from one (stage) to another.”
Tetteh’s strict use of recycled materials, which he collects from scrap yards and landfills in the capital Accra, is part of a stated mission to reduce Ghana’s glass waste and what he considers wasteful imports.
He envisions a Ghana free of foreign glass, having channelled its glass bead-making tradition into a modern, multi-faceted industry.
Ghana imports around $300 million in glass and ceramic products each year, according to the Observatory for Economic Complexity. More than 80% of that comes from China, the world’s top glass exporter.
While some private companies recycle their glass, Tetteh says the majority of the Ghana’s glass waste ends up either in landfills or scattered throughout the nation’s streets, posing a safety hazard.
“We don’t have a (glass waste) collection process, and we don’t want broken glass flowing around like that,” he said. “If we use recycled (materials), we can make money.”
Hailing from the town of Odumase-Krobo, the epicentre of Ghana’s traditional glass bead culture, Tetteh discovered glassblowing in 2012 after spending several months in France and the Netherlands learning the craft with other Ghanaian bead-makers.
He was alone in his desire to continue upon returning home, and set a goal to establish a proper hot shop in Odumase-Krobo.
Undeterred by lack of finance, he built furnaces from scrap-metal and clay using online tutorials. He fine-tuned his abilities watching YouTube videos of famous glass artists like America’s Dale Chihuly.
He has since hired several young assistants from Odumase-Krobo, who he is training and hopes will one day run their own workshops. Their work can be found in boutique shops in Ghana and Ivory Coast, and has appeared in European and American art galleries. “My heart (wants) to train young Ghanaians, both men and women, so they can learn this job,” he said. “We will not have to go to other countries like China to buy what we want for Ghana.”
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina State, currently under construction, will be ready by September 2022.
Amaechi, speaking after an inspection of the site of construction in Daura Monday, disclosed that the construction of the school had reached an advanced stage.
He noted that: “They (contractor) have said it is only seven buildings remaining and that those buildings will be completed by September.
“I will talk with the Permanent Secretary; i think activities can start in the school by September.”
Earlier, the minister visited the Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano to ascertain the readiness of the project to kick-start commercial activities.
Concerning Dala Port, Amaechi said the buildings were ready, that only finishing touches are currently holding the project.
Amaechi, who however was not satisfied with the landscaping, urged the contractors to increase the pace of work as he could not bring President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the project without it being completed.
“It is hoped that the Dala Inland Port will be ready for inauguration anything soon,” he concluded.
The World Health Organisation says it has recorded a total of 108 attacks on health care in Ukraine since the war started on February 24.
The WHO revealed that the attacks have claimed 73 lives, injured 51 persons and negatively impacted health facilities, transport and ambulances.
This was disclosed by the WHO Europe Spokesperson, Bhanu Bhatnagar, at the United Nations Geneva bi-weekly press briefing.
He said the global health body strongly condemned all attacks on healthcare, noting that it not only deprived people of vital health services but are also a violation of international humanitarian law
According to Bhatnagar, “As of yesterday, April 11, WHO has verified 108 incidents of attacks on health care in Ukraine. This could be attacks on health facilities, personnel, transport, supplies, and warehouses.
“At least 73 people have died and 51 have been injured in the attacks. We continue to condemn in the strongest possible terms all attacks on healthcare, which not only deprive people of vital health services, but are also a violation of international humanitarian law.
“Roughly 300 health facilities are in conflict areas and 1,000 health facilities are in changed areas of control, which leaves the health system vulnerable to infrastructural damage and severe disruptions in critical services.
“This means there is limited or no access to medicines, health facilities, and health-care workers in some areas.”
He further noted that the healthcare system in the country has become vulnerable to infrastructural damages due to the attacks.
In spite of the attacks, WHO said it has pledged to provide 15 generators and 20 ambulances to the country to reach victims of attacks in various areas within Ukraine.
They are also assisting Ukraine’s Ministry of Health to set up field hospitals.
Bhatnagar said, “We are helping the Ministry of Health – through our Emergency Medical Teams – set up field hospitals where health infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed and are delivering a concept paper to provide guidance on how best to do this in a conflict setting.
“We are also working with national and international partners to establish mobile clinics that can provide basic primary healthcare services. We are working to figure out where exactly these mobile clinics will operate.”
The WHO further revealed that it had delivered 216 metric tonnes of emergency and medical supplies and equipment to Ukraine since the start of the war.
Rafael Nadal has not yet been able to resume training with a racket, one of his team members said on Tuesday, adding that the world No. 4 will “logically” miss the Barcelona tournament next week.
“He is still suffering from his ribs and as expected when his injury was announced, he needs four to six weeks. We are at three, so logically he will not be able to play again in Barcelona,” a person close to Nadal told newsmen.
“He does the gym, but nothing that hurts him and therefore obviously not with the racket.”
After Nadal went down to his first loss of the year to Taylor Fritz in the Indian Wells final, the 35-year-old Spaniard said he had suffered a stress fracture of a rib in the semi-final against 18-year-old compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
He has already missed the Miami Masters on hard court and Monte Carlo, which opens the European clay court season.
The next Masters events are Madrid starting on May 1 and then Rome beginning on May 8. The French Open begins on May 22. Nadal has won the title at Roland Garros 13 times.
Keystone Bank Limited has trained over 1600 students across Nigeria as part of its activities to commemorate the 2022 Financial Literacy Day and Global Money Week themed “Build your Future, Be Smart About Money”.
The Financial Literacy Day program is an annual awareness program set aside by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and aimed at enhancing financial literacy and inclusion amongst children.
To mark this year’s event, employees of Keystone Bank visited 37 schools across the states in Nigeria, creating financial literacy awareness amongst 1600 students . The students were imparted with knowledge and skills to improve and manage their finances at an early stage. They were also taught the importance of earning money and also the guidelines to adopt a saving culture.
Commenting on the importance of financial literacy at an early stage, the Divisional Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Izore Bamawo, expressed that the initiative will help children imbibe a saving culture while making responsible financial choices and decisions thereby affecting their future positively.
“Keystone Bank’s participation in the 2022 Financial Literacy Day program has helped to further promote the savings culture amongst children and teenagers.”
“The CBN created this important initiative to encourage financial institutions to educate the younger generation on the basics of financial education and to also contribute to the improvement of financial literacy across the Nation.”
“Keystone Bank has remained committed to the continuous development of financial literacy and inclusion initiatives amongst children as it would help enhance their financial decisions thereby producing individuals who are financially responsible,” She said.
A nutritionist at the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr. Ariyo Oluwaseun, says consumption protein-rich foods can help in wound healing.
He noted that consuming protein-rich foods are important as they also supply other essential nutrients that are important for wound of healing such as Vitamins A, C and E. Others highlighted by the nutritionist include zinc, selenium and magnesium.
Speaking to Newsmen, Dr. Oluwaseun explained that those with wounds from cuts, gunshots and stabs should deliberately focus on eating high-quality protein foods such as milk, meat, soy milk, fish, eggs and beans.
He pointed out that those having challenges with daily protein intake could adopt several nutritional support strategies to improve dietary intakes, such as food fortification and oral nutritional supplements where necessary.
“Wounds from cuts, gunshots and stabs, often result in blood loss. Adequate protein intake is required for the replacement of these losses and is also important to promote tissue repair and avoid prolonged inflammatory phases.
“A minimum protein intake of 1–1.5 g/kg/day is recommended for people with chronic wounds, this means victims weighing 60kg may need protein intake between 60 and 90 grammes per day.
“Protein-deficient meals fail to deliver the amino acids necessary for the synthesis of more complex proteins. To ensure the achievement of this protein requirement, deliberate focus on high-quality protein foods such as milk, meat, soy milk, fish, eggs and beans is important.
“These foods are important because of the advantage of supplying other essential nutrients that are important for wound healing such as Vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, selenium and magnesium.
“These micronutrients are essential in the prevention and attenuation of peroxidative damage and can potentially enhance wound healing,” he said.
Dr. Oluwaseun said poor nutrition during wound healing process could lead to inadequate energy and nutrients to maintain and repair tissues.
He said, “All the nutrients are important but the focus should be on selected nutrients such as energy, protein, vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium.
“Collagen synthesis is an energy-intensive process associated with wound healing, thus inadequate intake of energy from carbohydrate could lead to breakdown of the body’s protein stores to support this process.
“Energy intake in Nigeria is traditionally obtained from staples like cereals, roots and tubers.”
The nutritionist advised those with chronic wounds to spread dietary supply of nutrients across a large number of food groups (dietary diversity).
He explained that fruits and vegetables are reputable sources of vitamins and minerals, adding, “Vitamin Bs enhance wound healing and these are largely spread in vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, and various animal source foods.
“Vitamin C also helps to stabilise collagen and support tensile strength. Good sources of this vitamin in Nigeria include lime fruit, orange, grapefruit and other citrus fruits.
“Vitamin K is helpful for blood clotting. Zinc supports protein synthesis, immune functions, and promotes cell growth and proliferation. Iron helps in delivering oxygen to tissues.”
According to him, all the highlighted nutrients are readily obtainable from various dietary sources in Nigeria including animal and plant foods.
Dr. Oluwaseun advised those with chronic wounds to ensure adequate intake of water, suggesting that six to eight sachets of water should be consumed daily.
A 2022 study titled, “The Effect of a Compound Protein on Wound Healing and Nutritional Status”, published in the peer-reviewed, open access journal, Hindawi, revealed that proteins provide the main building blocks for tissue growth, cell renewal and repair during wound healing.
The authors affirmed that rapid wound healing is characterised by accelerated protein, glycogen and fat catabolism.
“Proteins provide the main building blocks for tissue growth, cell renewal, and repair throughout the wound healing process. Proteins significantly affect the entire process of wound healing through their roles in RNA and DNA synthesis, collagen and elastic tissue formation, immune system function, epidermal growth and keratinization. Therefore, it is vital to provide proteins for wound healing”, the authors stated.
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