LIVE
Home Blog Page 1658

Nigeria reviews guidelines to tackle NTDs

Olasunbo Okoromi
-
1
Nigeria reviews guidelines to tackle NTDs

Ahead of the 2022 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, the Federal Government says it is reviewing existing studies, campaigns, WASH and NTDs analysis in the country.

The Minister of State for Health, Sen. Adeleke Mamorah, spoke with newsmen at a programme in commemoration of the 2022 World NTDs Day on Friday in Abuja.

The World NTDs Day is marked annually on Jan. 30. It is an opportunity to re-energise the drive to end the suffering from the 20 NTDs that are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NTDs are widespread in the world’s poorest regions, where water safety, sanitation and access to health care are substandard.

According to Mamorah, the control and elimination of the NTDs in the country will contribute significantly toward the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3) especially Goal 3.

The minister confirmed that NTDs are a group of diseases associated with poverty and prevalent in areas that have poor sanitation, poor safe water supply and substandard housing conditions.

“The diseases are `neglected’ because they are almost absent from the global health agenda, enjoy little funding, and are associated with stigma and social exclusion. NTDs include diseases such as Lymphatic Filariasis, Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, Soil Transmitted Helminthes, Buruli Ulcers, Leisnmaniasis, Dengue, Guinea Worm Disease, Trachoma, Leprosy, Rabies, Noma, Yaws and Macetoma.  In June 2017, Snakebite was included among NTDs by the World Health Organization (WHO). Most of these diseases are of public health importance in Nigeria and impact negatively on socio-economic development,’’ he said.

Mamora also said that the burden of NTDs was enormous, affecting no fewer than one billion people globally across 149 countries, with Africa bearing about half of the global burden.

Nigeria contributes substantially to the Africa NTDs’ burden with no fewer than  120 million of its people living at risk of one Neglected Tropical Disease or the other.

He said, ” Aside from Nigeria, NTDs are found in several countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

“They are especially common in tropical areas where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.

“Consequently, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is an essential strategy of NTDs control and elimination globally which must be promoted in Nigeria.

The purpose of the World NTDs Day is to create global and national awareness to mobilise resources to address the magnitude of NTDs concerns, provide opportunities for stakeholders to highlight the progress made, challenges encountered and advocate for support for the prevention, control and elimination effort in the fight against NTDs in Nigeria.

Earlier, the World Health Organization Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, said that Nigeria remains important in the global NTDs eradication road map.

Mulombo said that in Nigeria, more than one million new cases of Neglected Tropical Diseases are still being detected yearly while around 50 million persons are at risk of infection yearly

According to him, the W.H.O in collaboration with other key partners, can step-up action to support the Federal Ministry of Health.

This is to mobilise the needed domestic and international resources required for the control, elimination and eradication of NTDs in the country.

Meanwhile, the National Programme Coordinator of Health Care and Empowerment Foundation, Mrs Osagie Omoregie, said that Nigeria is endemic as 14 out of the 20 existing NTDs are recorded in the country. Omoregie  said that  Nigeria needs more funding to tackle the menace.

Consumption of indigenous foods promotes Healthy Living – Culture Advocate

Olasunbo Okoromi
-
0
Consumption of indigenous foods promotes Healthy Living – Culture Advocate

Ms May Ikokwu, a Culture Advocate and Chief Executive Officer of Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), says eating local foods and fruits indigenous to Nigeria will enhance healthy living and preserve local culture.

She made the call in an interview with correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ikokwu said the consumption of indigenous foods and fruits would also promote national integration, apart from their nutritional values.

She added that “indigenous foods are mostly natural, with capacity to renew lives; unlike processed and foreign foods.”

Ikokwu stressed the need to eat more breadfruit, especially for older adults, and listed some of the advantages which include lowering of cholesterol, fighting infections, promoting youthful skin and healthy hair.

She noted that “breadfruit also contains a good amount of fiber that reduces the rate of glucose absorption; it is also a heart-friendly food with nutrients like potassium that regulates blood pressure and heart rate.”

African Star Apple

The culture advocate also called on government to devise policies with private participation in planting it, noting that climate change, competition for farm lands with real estate and population increase were factors responsible for the scarcity of breadfruit and other crops.

She urged state and non-state actors to support mass planting of breadfruit.

Ikokwu also identified indigenous vegetables such as bitter leaf and ukazi as nutritional and rich in calcium.

She said “bitter leaf is good in reduction of sugar level, while ukazi is essential in calcium, especially for older persons.

“Also, eating African walnuts may improve brain health and prevent heart disease and cancer.

“African walnuts also reduces inflammation and high in Omega 3 and 6 fats.”

Similarly, Ikokwu called for the consumption of African Star Apple called Udara in Igbo Language and Agbalumo in Yoruba Language, saying that “the fruit is not only rich in vitamins but prevents anaemia.

“African star apple has the potential to reduce diabetes, with low calories and capable of improving weight loss.

“African star apple is sweeter when eaten with another natural sweetener, Stevia.

Stevia

“Stevia is an intensely sweet-tasting plant that has been used to sweeten beverages and make tea since the 16th century.

Kenya Dejected Over IMF Demand to Drop Stalled Projects

Elizabeth Williams
-
0
Kenya Dejected Over IMF Demand to Drop Stalled Projects

The Kenyan government has expressed reluctance to drop stalled projects estimated to have already cost the taxpayer Sh390 billion in a new raft of conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi expressed dissatisfaction on the proposal when he hosted the World Bank Country Representative for talks at his office in Parliament Buildings on Friday.

“Muturi expressed concern that the bank’s sister institution — the International Monetary Fund — has recommended that they be abandoned yet public funds have been sunk into them,” the Speaker office said in a dispatch following the meeting.

World Bank Country Director, Keith Hansen who made no direct reference to Muturi’s concerns however said the institution will seek to develop Kenya’s capacity support in favour of proper public investment.

“We’re here to help Kenya Institute reforms and change of paradigm to realize private sector driven growth,” he said.

Kenya has benefitted from IMF support with recent funding having been approved in December 2021 when the IMF Executive Board approved the immediate disbursement of Sh29.2 billion under the Extended Credit Facility, in a move meant to support Kenya’s program to address debt vulnerabilities and aid in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The board agreed on the disbursement of the money on December 17 bringing the total amount disbursed to the country for budget support to Sh100 billion.

“The Executive Board completed the 2021 Article IV Consultation and the Second reviews of the 38-month Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and 38-month arrangement under Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Kenya. The board has agreed to the immediate disbursement of USD258.1mn (Sh.29.2Bn) to Kenya,” IMF said in a statement published on December 18.

F.G Disburses N10.8M Loan To 108 Unemployed Imo Youths

Elizabeth Williams
-
0
F.G Disburses N10.8M Loan To 108 Unemployed Imo Youths

The Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Abubakar Nuhu-Fikpo, says the Federal Government has released N10.8million as an empowerment loan to 108 unemployed persons in Imo State.

The Director-General of the agency, said this on Friday at an orientation ceremony organised for the beneficiaries of the facility in Owerri the state capital.

Nuhu-Fikpo, represented by the NDE Coordinator in Imo, Ngozi Iheanacho, said the loans were to help the beneficiaries start-up agro projects, improve their socio-economic status, reduce poverty, create wealth and boost their leadership skills.

He said the programme, organised by the NDE’s Rural Employment Promotion (REP) Department, was aimed at educating the beneficiaries on how to make effective and efficient use of the fund.

The NDE boss further said the loan was being disbursed under the Sustainable Agricultural Development Employment Scheme and the Community Based Agricultural Employment Scheme.

He also said the facility was being disbursed through the Agricultural Enhancement Scheme and Graduate Agricultural Empowerment Scheme.

He said: “108 beneficiaries from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have each received N100,000.

“The loan is repayable in three years, with a nine per cent interest rate.

This is part of the government’s commitment to job creation and poverty reduction.

“We expect the beneficiaries to invest wisely in order to be able to pay back in 36 months.”

Also, REP’s Deputy Director, Duke Edem, advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loan.

According to him, healthy investments would make the beneficiaries self-reliant and in the long run, transform them into employers of labour.

Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Contender, Ghana Still In Turmoil Over Ayew Brothers

Emenike Agu
-
0
Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Contender, Ghana Still In Turmoil Over Ayew Brothers

Just as it appears the Super Ealges have put behind them the dissappointment of early elimination from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and now focus on picking a valuable World Cup ticket, their contenders, Ghana Black Stars are still in tumoil

Nigeria and Ghana are due to go head to head in a two legged World Cup playoff in two months time.

Apart from the sack of ther coach, there had been speculations that their insipartional players, the Ayew brothers – Andre and Jordan may have voluntarily resigned from the Black Stars.

But a family spokesman, according to information Sports Village Square gathered from some Ghanaian sources, denied the stories.

According to Ghanaweb, a former Black Stars midfielder who is related to the Ayew brothers has waded into the issue.

Sola Ayew an uncle to Andre and Jordan has dared management of the Black Stars to drop his nephews if they are unfit for the senior national team.

The Ayew brothers in recent times have come under huge criticisms from a section of Ghanaians for their performance in the national team especially Jordan Ayew who has not scored for the Black Stars in a long while.

The brothers were part of the Black Stars squad that finished bottom of Group C with just a point from three matches in a group featuring Morocco, Gabon, and debutantes Comoros at the AFCON 2021.

Ghana recorded their worst performance in history as they went in search of their fifth African title.

Following Ghana’s exit from the AFCON 2021, a section of Ghanaians have called for the expulsion of the Ayews from the national team.

But speaking in an interview, Sola Ayew called on management of the Black Stars to exclude the Ayew brothers from the national team if they don’t merit a call-up.

“If you ask me whether the national team is not a reserve of the Ayews, then drop them [from the national team]. It’s not me or Abedi Pele or the boys who pushed for their invitation Adikanfo FM.

He added, “you can’t say the Ayews are like this, the Ayews are like that. The Ayews we know eat football, drink football, sleep football and we want to be there. So if we cannot do it then you drop us, period.”

According to him if there are better players than the Ayews, they deserve to be given the opportunity. He explained also that being tagged as ‘owning the Black Stars as a family property’ is not a bother.

“We hear those rumours but it does not disturb us because it’s part of football. If those who criticize the Ayews do not exist, football will not be complete. When we are not doing well and there are players who are better, drop them,” Sola Ayew added.

Sola [Kwame] Ayew who is a former Ghanaian footballer played as a striker and spent most of his time in Portugal where he appeared for four teams in the 90s, amassing 131 appearances with 51 goals for six seasons

AFCON Match Facts – Burkina Faso v Tunisia

Emenike Agu
-
0
AFCON Match Facts – Burkina Faso v Tunisia

For the account of  Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021 quarterfinals, Burkina Faso and Tunisia lock horns in Garoua on Saturday.

Match Card

Date: 29 January 2022

Time: 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT)

Venue: Roumde Adjia Stadium, Garoua

Quarterfinals

Match: Burkina Faso v Tunisia

Following are the Match Facts from Opta:



  • This will be the third Africa Cup of Nations match between Burkina Faso and Tunisia, with Burkina Faso progressing from the previous two – both quarter-final encounters (8-7 on penalties in 1998 and 2-0 in 2017).
  • Tunisia will play in their 11th quarter-final match at the Africa Cup of Nations, no team have made more appearances in this round since it was introduced in 1992. Although, the Eagles of Carthage have been eliminated in five of their last six such games at the tournament (W1).
  • Burkina Faso have progressed from all three of their previous quarter-final matches at the Africa Cup of Nations – only Mali have played more matches in this round of the competition while progressing to the semi-finals on each occasion (5).
  • Tunisia have won two of their last three Africa Cup of Nations matches (L1), keeping two clean sheets, they’ve only ever kept three shutouts in a single AFCON edition once before – in 2000 (3).
  • Following his winner against Nigeria, Youssef Msakni is the first Tunisian to score in five different Africa Cup of Nations editions, while only four players have scored in six different AFCON’s – Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia), Asamoah Gyan and André Ayew (both Ghana).

NAFDAC urges more funding into herbal medicine research

Olasunbo Okoromi
-
0
NAFDAC urges more funding into herbal medicine research

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has called for more funding into research and development of herbal medicines to support universal health coverage in the country.

Adeyeye made the call on Wednesday at the Inaugural Symposium and Launching of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS), University of Lagos.

The theme of the event is “Drug Development from African Medicinal Plants: Opportunities, Challenges and Regulatory Approach.

The DG. who delivered the keynote speech at the event. said that investment in herbal medicine research and development would positively impact the economy of the pharmaceutical traditional medicine industry.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

She said: “Herbal medicines are very important to healthcare delivery and can contribute significantly to universal health coverage in Nigeria.

Despite the widespread use, traditional medicines have not yet been integrated into the national healthcare system of Nigeria.

“The increasing use of herbal medicine despite general lack of research on some of this product is a call for concern. Investment in herbal medicine research and development is needed from all stakeholders including the government , so we can benefit from what God has given to us freely” she stated.

Prof. Adeyeye also said ACEDHARS is very important to Nigeria because of the focus which is the development of herbal medicine for the use of the people.

“This centre will function to ensure that adequate research is conducted and clinical trials are done on herbal products before usage. As it were, some herbal medicine get to the market without adequate research and clinical trials to confirm their safety and efficacy” she said.

The DG advised herbal practitioners to take advantage of the centre to increase their knowledge in the practice.

Speaking earlier, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, represented by Prof. Obinna Chukwu, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, said that there was need to tap into the indigenous knowledge of herbal practitioners.

Ogundipe described the symposium as timely in examining the challenges, opportunities as well as the regulatory approach for drug development for Africa medicinal plants.

Speaking also, Omobolanle Ade-Ademilua, Director/Centre Leader, said ACEDHARS, which is a World Bank approved centre of excellence, is established to train skilled manpower.

Ade-Ademilua said the training includes quality assurance, standardisation of dosages, re-productivity of herbal preparations and safety monitoring of drugs in West and Central African region.

A Clash Of Nigerian League Front Runners, Remo Stars And Rivers United…Who Blinks First?

Emenike Agu
-
0
A Clash Of Nigerian League Front Runners, Remo Stars And Rivers United…Who Blinks First?

This could be the clash that will decide where the Nigerian league title will swing at the end of the current season. Remo Stars, the suprise team of the current Nigerian football season, have been unrelenting in making bold statement on the league title.

For the greater part of the season, they have been the team to beat as they held on tenaciously to the top position which following a day delay in their matchday 5 tie, they temporarily relinquished to established powerhouse, Rivers United.

Now the two top contenders go head-to-head in Ikenne on Sunday.

This is a highly anticipated clash as both sides are the only unbeaten teams on the NPFL this season.The Gbenga Ogunbote’s boys currently sit second on the log having same points with Rivers United who are currently on top of the league, with the Sky Blue Stars behind on goal difference.

The Sky Blue Stars held former champions, Rangers International to a goalless draw at the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Anambra on Wednesday, while the Pride of Rivers defeated Heartland 3-1 in Porthacourt.

Sunday’s encounter will be the fifth meeting for both sides in the NPFL, with Rivers United having edged out the Sky Blue Stars in all previous four meetings.

Bernard Ovoke gave the Pride of Rivers all three points in the 21st minute back in 2017 when both sides met at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Porthacourt.

Remo Stars were defeated 3-1 back at the Gateway Stadium in Sagamu with goals from Bernard Ovoke, Emeka Ogbuh and Esosa Igbinoba with Oche Salefu scoring the consolation goal two minutes to the end of the game for Remo Stars.

When both side met in January 2019, Wasiu Jimoh gave Rivers United the maximum victory at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Portharcourt.

Three months later, Justice Charles won the game for the Pride of Rivers at the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu to win all four matches against the Sky Blue Stars.

The Sky Blue Stars will be looking to continue their unbeaten run in the ongoing season with Dayo Ojo, Junior Nduka, Andy Okpe, Samuel Anakwe, Sunday Williams, Ifegwu Ojukwu and Kayode Bankole all available for this match.

The backline of Remo Stars will be wary of their former player, Rafiu Isahq who is currently the highest goalscorer in the NPFL with 7 goals, former MFM player, Akuneto Chijioke who has 3 goals, Nyima Nwangua, Chidiebude Duru, Uche Onwuansanya and Maurice Chukwu.

Former Remo Stars Head Coach, Fatai Osho will also make his way back to Ikenne as he leads the Pride of Rivers to the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State for the crunchy tie.

The Sky Blue Stars have kept 6 clean sheets, one ahead of the Pride of Rivers as both sides biggest win this season was a 3-0 victory against Heartland for Remo Stars and 3-0 victory against Katsina United for Rivers United.

Cameroon Wary Of Giant Killing Gambia And Another Cup Of Nations Shock

Emenike Agu
-
0
Cameroon Wary Of Giant Killing Gambia And Another Cup Of Nations Shock

Round of 16 – Guinea v Gambia – Stade de Kouekong, Bafoussam, Cameroon – January 24, 2022 Gambia’s Musa Barrow celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates

Hosts Cameroon will go into the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals wary of an ignominious exit as they take on giant killers Gambia in the first of the weekend’s matches.

Cameroon have been far from convincing as they have advanced through the group stages and one round of knockout matches while lowly ranked Gambia have thrilled with their attacking approach and improbable run to the last eight of the tournament.

Burkina Faso and Tunisia meet in Garoua in Saturday’s second quarter-final clash while Egypt play Morocco and Senegal take on another upstart in Equatorial Guinea in Sunday’s two quarter-finals in Yaounde.

Gambia are making their Nations Cup debut and are ranked 150 in world football – the lowest of all 24 teams at the Cup of Nations finals – but have yet proven able to win two out of three group matches, and then upset Guinea in the last-16, conceding only one goal, which was from the penalty spot, in four matches in Cameroon.

Cameroon, in contrast, have turned in largely mediocre performances and, although they had all the odds heavily staked in their favour in their last game against the other tournament debutants, Comoros Islands, they laboured through to the quarter-finals in a controversial 2-1 victory.

“We have seen teams ranked as underdogs stand up to high calibre countries and my players have been warned,” said Cameroon coach Toni Conceiçao.

Elimination of the hosts at this stage would come as a blow to tournament already hard hit by the death of eight spectators in a stampede ahead of Cameroon’s last game on Monday.

As a result, Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium, where the final is scheduled to be played on Feb. 6, is not being used this weekend.

Cameroon take on Gambia in Douala where the condition of the pitch at the Japoma Stadium been declared poor and where there will be no further games, the Confederation of African Football decided this week.

On Sunday, both matches are being played at Yaounde’s older Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.

Egypt’s clash with Morocco will be keenly anticipated and could reveal the identity of the eventual winner although Senegal remain strong favourites, even if they, too, have not delivered any strong evidence of their potential.

Senegal have scored only three goals in four outings at the tournament but have not conceded a goal and will be heavily fancied to end the run of Equatorial Guinea, although Sadio Mane’s participation is unsure after he suffered concussion in their last game on Tuesday.

The quarter-final winners advance to the semi-finals, both to be played in Yaounde, on Wednesday and Thursday.

Ahead Of World Cup Clash Wth Nigeria, Ghana May Settle For Chris Hughton

Emenike Agu
-
0
Ahead Of World Cup Clash Wth Nigeria, Ghana May Settle For Chris Hughton

With the clock ticking down to a World Cup qualifier with Nigeria, Ghana may have settled for former Norwich City and Brighton & Hove Albion manager, Chris Hughton.

According to numerous sources in Ghana, the Irish trainer is currently in Ghana  and there are strong indications that he could be named to assume the  vacant Black Stars coaching job.

He is among a number of coaches listed as possible candidates to take over the managerial job following the sacking of Milovan Rajevac on Wednesday, January 26.

Hughton, 63, is of Ghanaian heritage through his father and is expected to have a meeting with the executive council of the Ghana Football Association during his time in the country.

It is understood that a high ranking member of the government is pushing for the appointment of the former Norwich City manager as the next head coach of the senior national team.

Meanwhile, the GFA’s executive council have a different option for the job. Other persons being linked to the job include Borussia Dortmund assistant coach Otto Addo, Aston Villa youth coach George Boateng and former Cameroon assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko.

1...1,6571,6581,659...2,557Page 1,658 of 2,557
Kingschat

© 2025 LN247. All Rights Reserved