President Muhammadu Buhari has called on health workers to return to work, urging others contemplating strikes to opt for settlement of issues by negotiation, no matter how long it takes.
He made the call on Friday when he hosted the leadership of Nigeria Medical Association at the State House.
The lives of citizens that could be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough to be worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences,’’ the President noted.
President Buhari assured that all outstanding benefits owed medical doctors will be cleared, after verifications, noting that embarking on industrial action at a critical health period for the country and citizens was not a good option.
President Buhari said the outstanding issue of an Establishment circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House officers, NYSC Doctors from scheme of service had an addendum circular from National Salaries and Wages Commission to clarify that they will continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure.
To further improve the health sector, the President said budgetary allocations had been increased and a Health Sector Reform Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Vice President, had been commissioned to identify and address weaknesses in the Health System and align with global best practices that raise public confidence.
President Buhari noted that Nigeria’s source of revenue over many years was dwindling, with a rising population.
The President commended the positive role Nigeria Medical Association has been playing, as the apex professional medical association in Nigeria, especially with regard to the ongoing industrial action.
In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the NMA had been playing a critical role in development of the health sector, particularly in tackling pandemics, participating in policy formulation and population health.
President of the NMA, Prof. Innocent A. Ujah, thanked the President for appointment of members into strategic positions in government, assent to the Medical Residency Act and immunization coverage.
Ujah said the association was concerned with the industrial action embarked upon by doctors, and had been doing its best to alleviate the suffering of patients across the country, while appealing for urgent resolution.
The NMA president thanked President Buhari for takeoff grant for first Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State, Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State. Ujah suggested an appropriate funding module for the new institutions.
He assured the President of the continuous support of members of the association to improve health in the country.
Seventeen films are in competition next month for the top prize at the 2021 edition of FESPACO, Africa’s top cinema and TV festival, organizers said Thursday.
FESPACO 2021 – the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou or Festival panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou – is taking place in the Burkinabe capital from October 16-23, initially set for February 27-March 6 but was postponed.
Seventeen feature-length works have been chosen from among 1,132 entries for the festival’s main competition, vying for the Golden Stallion of Yennenga for best film.
This year’s event is a “challenge to show that despite the health situation the continent continues to create, to dream, to be able to confront the ills that sap our societies,” the festival’s director Alex Moussa Sawadogo said at a presentation ceremony.
The directors of the 17 films hail from 15 countries across Africa, although there is just one from the host nation, Burkina Faso. Egypt has two contenders, and there is one each from Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Tanzania and Tunisia.
A 17th is from Haiti — reflecting this year’s theme “Cinemas of Africa and the Diaspora.”
The short film category includes 29 entries, both fiction and documentaries, with five from Burkina Faso and four from Senegal. The television series category has 17 entrants.
An international jury headed by Mauritanian producer Abderrahmane Sissako, who won France’s coveted Cesar in 2015 for “Timbuktu”, will select the prizewinner on October 23.
Created in 1969, it was first called the Pan-African film and television festival of Ouagadougou. It has evolved into an internationally recognized and respected event, closely followed by the US and European film industries, which scout the event for new films, talent and ideas. Alimata Salambere, the cultural minister of Burkina Faso from 1987 to 1991, was one of the founders of the festival. At its third edition in 1972, the festival was named FESPACO for short, keeping its full title as Festival pan-Africain du cinema et de la television de Ouagadougou. FESPACO was recognized formally as an institution by governmental decree on January 7, 1972. Its award ceremony and base of operations is Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, where the annual awards ceremony is also held.
Under its rules, films chosen for competition have to be made by Africans and predominantly produced in Africa.
The government has promised to do everything possible to protect festivalgoers.
Burkina Faso has been battered for the past six years by jihadist attacks from neighbouring Mali — the epicentre of a brutal insurgency that began in 2012 and has also hit Niger.
In a recent survey more than 5,000 Americans conducted by Green Giant, consumers rated broccoli as their favorite vegetable
Not only is broccoli notorious for its nutrient-dense makeup and vibrant green color, but participants who picked broccoli as their favorite vegetable in the survey said that “taste” was a top factor in making their selection.
You already know that broccoli belongs in a healthful, plant-based diet, this cruciferous vegetable can provide an even bigger wellness boost if you prepare it a certain way such as steamed beats. Here’s everything you need to know about “America’s favorite veggie”, including health benefits, best cooking methods and storage tips.
The health benefits of broccoli:
Vegetables (like broccoli) belonging to the plant genus Brassica contain tons of health-promoting compounds and potentially powerful phytochemicals. These nutrients may:
Combat inflammation: “Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which is a compound that is converted into sulforaphane during digestion. Sulforaphane induces antioxidant activity,” says Alyssa Pike, R.D, Manager of Nutrition Communications for the International Food InformationCouncil. Phytochemicals like sulforaphane can help fight free radicals and inflammation in the body.
Support immunity: Did you know that a cup of broccoli contains more vitamin C than an orange? Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant and plays a major role in immune function (not to mention helping reduce risk of severalchronicdiseases). Plus, broccoli contains a slew of other vitamins and minerals linked to supporting a healthy immune system
Promote eye health: Broccoli contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are both antioxidants that can prevent oxidative stress and play a role in eye health.
Improve blood sugar: Broccoli contains a natural plant compound known as sulforaphane, which research suggests may improve glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Broccoli is also naturally low in carbohydrates and contains fiber, making it a low-glycemic addition to any meal. Try riced broccoli as a lower carb swap for rice at any meal.
Support a healthy heart: Broccoli is a source of several nutrients like folate, potassium and iron, all of which are vital in supporting a healthy heart.
Promote healthy skin: In addition to being an excellent source of vitamin C which supports collagen synthesis and skin health, prior research found that sulforaphane reduced skin redness and inflammation caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Potential side effects of eating broccoli:
Most people can safely enjoy the cruciferous vegetable, but certain individuals may need to be cautious. Broccoli contains vitamin K, and eating large amounts of broccoli could reduce the effects of the blood-thinner warfarin (also known as Coumadin).
People with gastrointestinal conditions may also find that too much broccoli causes gas or other irritations, but those individuals should work with their healthcare provider to figure out what works for them; it may be as simple as reducing portion size or changing preparation method.
Now that you know the basics, get the low-down on the best way to prepare and cook broccoli to get the most antioxidants and vitamins.
Broccoli: florets and stalks
All parts of broccoli are nutritious! Instead of being quick to discard the stalks and leaves, get creative; shred the stalks for broccoli slaw or riced veggies and use the leaves in omelettes or stir fry. When it comes to nutrition content, research shows that broccoli florets have higher concentrations of certain nutrients like amino acids whereas the leaves are higher in carotenoids and other antioxidants. The stalks contain essential nutrients too.
Broccoli: raw or cooked
Although both raw and cooked broccoli are nutritious, some cooking and preparation methods are ideal. “Raw broccoli is rich in vitamin C, and cooking broccoli will slightly reduce its vitamin C content. That’s because vitamin C and glucosinolates in broccoli are water-soluble, which makes them more susceptible to loss during the cooking process. Boiled Broccoli retains only 40% of the phenolic content of the raw vegetable.Steaming or microwaving helps broccoli retain more vitamin C than boiling it, so raw or steamed may be your best bet.
Tips for broccoli selection, storage and recipes:
Broccoli is best kept refrigerated and used within 3-5 days of purchase. Choose broccolis that are firm with deep green crowns of tightly-closed buds, Pike advises. “The stalks should be green and fresh, not brown or yellow.” She adds that some yellow flowering at the tips is fine, but you’ll want to avoid wilted-looking florets with a lot of yellow flowering. Plus, mushiness and a rotten smell is an indication that the broccoli is no longer fresh.
Since broccoli releases ethylene gas as it sits, Pike says it’s important to let the veggie breathe by keeping it loosely wrapped in an unsealed plastic bag. “Place broccoli in a cold part of the refrigerator like the crisper drawer but away from other fruits and vegetables that also produce ethylene gas.”
Broccoli works great on its own or paired in stir fry, shredded as part of a slaw, added to a morning omelet or even as a topping on baked potatoes. Looking for some healthy broccoli recipes? Below are some all time favorites:
Roasted Broccoli
Sausage and Broccoli Quinoa Bowl
Mahogany Chicken and Broccoli
Grilled Broccoli
Pan-Fried Chicken with Lemony Broccoli
Broccoli Parmesan Chicken Soup
Beef and Broccoli
Now you know all the goodness Broccoli has to offer, plus recipes and storage, dig in and enjoy!
The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) have expressed worry over dwindling patronage.
They lamented the fact that movies are being listed directly on movie streaming platforms, instead of cinemas where they could be watched by a wider public.
CEAN’s Chairman, Patrick Lee, told Newsmen in Lagos that the cinema experience is different from watching a movie on a mobile phone or computer.
Lee said the association was already discussing with the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and online streaming platforms, to arrive at a lasting solution.
The National Portrait Gallery is to send some of its best pieces of Tudor art out on loan together, for the first time, to exhibitions across England.
Well-known works from the London-based gallery will head to Sheffield later this year, then on to Bath, Liverpool and York in 2022.
Gallery bosses have called the tour “a once in a generation opportunity”.
It comes as the St Martin’s Place site is closed until spring 2023 due to a £35.5m redevelopment project.
The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics will open at The Holburne Museum in Bath in January 2022.
It will showcase 25 of the gallery’s most famous Tudor portraits, including the five monarchs, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, as well as other significant figures such as Sir Thomas More.
An expanded exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool will then take place the following May, featuring 68 works.
Before that, the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield will play host to Beyond Bloomsbury: Life, Love And Legacy in November this year, before moving to York Art Gallery in March 2022.
It will feature key figures from the Bloomsbury set – a group of prominent artists, writers and thinkers from the first half of the 20th Century – including Virginia Woolf and her sister, the painter Vanessa Bell.
“We are delighted to be partnering with our colleagues in Bath, Liverpool, Sheffield and York to create this once in a generation opportunity to see some of the nation’s best-loved portraits exhibited together outside of London,” said Dr Nicholas Cullinan, director of the National Portrait Gallery.
“Through all our projects and partnerships we hope to be able to share our collection with new and different audiences across the UK, some of whom may not have had the opportunity to visit the gallery in London.”
Other exhibitions and displays will open in the coming months in Coventry, Plymouth, Sudbury and beyond.
Sotheby’s announced the sale of a private modern and contemporary art collection featuring Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso pieces valued at more than $600 million, saying that was the highest estimate ever placed on any collection to come to auction.
The 65 works in the Macklowe Collection represent “an unrivalled ensemble that charts the high points of Western artistic achievement of the last 80 years,” Sotheby’s said in a press release.
“There can be no doubt that this sale will captivate top collectors from around the world and that it will make history as a defining moment in the art market,” said Charles Stewart, Sotheby’s chief executive officer, at a live streamed press conference on Thursday.
The announcement is a welcome piece of revitalizing news for the international art market as it rebounds from the pandemic, which drove down sales and caused layoffs at galleries and dealerships. Sales plummeted in value by 22% in the art market in 2020, according to a report by Art Basel and UBS.
Real estate mogul Harry Macklowe and his wife Linda acquired the pieces over the course of their decades-long marriage, but a New York judge ordered them to sell the collection and split the proceeds during their 2018 divorce trial.
Sotheby’s said on Thursday it would offer the Macklowe Collection at two sales in New York, one on Nov. 15 and the second in May 2022.
The first auction will feature iconic works such as Warhol’s silkscreen portraits of Marilyn Monroe, an enormous tritone painting by Mark Rothko, and a seascape by Gerhard Richter.
Other distinctive pieces that will be sold in November include Alberto Giacometti’s “Le Nez” sculpture of a long-nosed figure in a cage, a painting from Cy Twombly’s “A Scattering of Blossoms” series, and a Picasso sculpture dedicated to his friend, the French poet Guillaume Apollinaire.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja Nigeria’s capital has temporarily halted the Rivers State government from collecting Value Added Taxes VAT until all legal disputes relating to the matter are resolved.
The court ordered that the judgment of the State high court from which the Rivers State drew authorities to collect the tax must not be implemented.
Justice Haruna Simon Tsanami who issued the order in Abuja on Friday also directed that the law passed by Rivers State House of Assembly and assented to by governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike must not be implemented.
The appellate court held that since parties have submitted themselves to the authorities of the court for adjudication of the matter, they must not do anything that Will destroy the subject matter of the appeal.
In a specific term, Justice Tsanami said the party should maintain status quo antebellum favour of the Federal Inland Revenue Services FIRS and against the respondents.
The matter has been slated for September 16 for hearing of motion for joinder by Lagos State.
FIRS, in an appeal marked CA/PH/282/2021, is praying the court to set aside the judgment of a Rivers State High Court which granted power to the state to collect Value Added Tax, VAT.
The tax collection agency is also asking the appellate court to stay the execution of Rivers’ judgment.
The United States Justice Department is suing Texas over a new state law that bans most abortions, arguing that it was enacted “in open defiance of the Constitution.”
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in Texas, asks a federal judge to declare that the law is invalid, “to enjoin its enforcement, and to protect the rights that Texas has violated.”
The Texas law, known as SB8, prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity — usually around six weeks, before some women know they’re pregnant.
Courts have blocked other states from imposing similar restrictions, but Texas’ law differs significantly because it leaves enforcement to private citizens through civil lawsuits instead of criminal prosecutors.
Pressure had been mounting on the Justice Department not only from the White House — US President Joe Biden has said the law is “almost un-American” — but also from Democrats in Congress, who wanted US Attorney General Merrick Garland to take action.
Earlier this week, Garland vowed the Justice Department would step in to enforce a federal law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
The law that takes effect in September it was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott; a measure that would prohibit in Texas abortions as early as six weeks — before some women know they are pregnant — and open the door for almost any private citizen to sue abortion providers and others.
The signing of the bill opens a new frontier in the battle over abortion restrictions as first-of-its-kind legal provisions — intended to make the law harder to block — are poised to be tested in the courts.
“Our creator endowed us with the right to life and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion,” Abbott said in the bill signing ceremony.
The governor’s signature comes just after the U.S. Supreme Court said it would hear a case concerning a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks, and which could lead to new limits on abortion rights.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, center, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, fourth left, and Israeli and American delegations pose for a photo before their departure to Abu Dhabi, at Ben-Gurion Airport, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (Heidi Levine/Pool via AP).
U.S Senior officials from the Biden and Trump administrations will make a rare joint appearance at an event marking the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords next week in Washington, the confab’s organizers told The Times of Israel on Thursday.
The Tuesday event at the Four Seasons Hotel is being organized by the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, which was launched by Jared Kushner, former president Donald Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, and one of the main brokers of the normalization agreements Israel signed last year with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.
Kushner will be in attendance and offer opening remarks, said AAPI executive director Robert Greenway, who was senior director for Middle Eastern affairs on Trump’s National Security Council when the Abraham Accords were signed.
After Kushner’s address, Greenway will moderate a panel featuring the ambassadors of some of the countries represented in the accords — Israeli Ambassador to the US Gilad Erdan, UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef al-Otaiba and Bahrain Ambassador to the US Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid al-Khalifa. The panel will be followed by a private luncheon for those in attendance.
Also in attendance will be members of Congress, senior representatives from the US State Department along with representatives from Egypt and Jordan, which “laid the foundation for the Abraham Accords” by being the first Arab countries to sign peace deals with Israel in 1979 and 1994 respectively, Greenway said.
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