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NARD Strike: Lawmakers Committee to Fast Track Resolution of Demands

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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The tripartite meeting conveyed by the House of Representatives has constituted a sub-committee to fashion out ways to resolve the grey areas in the demands of the striking Residents Doctors in the country.

This was one of the resolutions of the meeting between the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services, Members of the Executive and the Residents Doctors Association of Nigeria, aimed at ending the strike that cripples health care services for Nigerians.

The committee comprised of the Head of Service of the Federation, Committee of Chief Medical Directors CMDs of Federal Health Institutions and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Special Duties to find lasting solutions to industrial action.

Stakeholders at the meeting called for a National Health Workforce Plan to reduce the recurring industrial action by the workers in the Health Sector.

Issues of casualization or locum arrangement in the health sector, difficulties in obtaining clearance and waivers to replace existing medical officers as well as meeting all agreements reached between the government and the striking doctors,

In a presentation to the stakeholders meeting with the striking doctors and lawmakers, President of NARD Dr. Okhupihesuyi Uyilawa said that the federal government should jettison the circular that prescribed a new scheme of service for doctors different from other government employees.

The NARD also insisted that the backlog arrears of salaries of its members totaling over N5.5 billion being held by the Ministry of Health must be paid to its members before the ongoing strike by the association can be put to hold.

The meeting however suggested easing off the replacement processes and other bureaucracy to ensure effective and efficient health services to Nigerians.

The Ministry of Health through the State Minister Dr. Olorunmimbe Mamora described as unfair blaming the Federal Government for an action or inaction of States, being one of the three tiers of government.

Chairman House Committee on Health Services, Dr. Tanko Sununu, pledged that though the Federal Government has no power over States Affairs, it will continue to ensure all grievances are resolved and Nigerians enjoyed stable and efficient Health Services.

The Director-General Budget Office, Mr. Ben Ekabueze justifies some of the administrative measures taken, which he said were to regulate excesses of the Managers of the Federal Health Institutions.

Mr. Akabueze said that there is a public wage advance in the Service Wide Vote of the 2020 budget that takes care of the Doctor’s salary arrears and that in the last two years there was budget approval for the recruitment of medical doctors for 70 health institutions.

The committee members had insisted at the meeting that the absence of services of doctors at the nation’s health institutions constitute great havoc to the healthcare needs of the entire citizenry.

The meeting which continues Tuesday also has in attendance the Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Nigerian National Medical Association, and Chief Medical Directors of the University Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres.

NSE President Admonishes Youths on The Importance Of Education

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Babagana Mohammed, on Monday during the opening ceremony of the 2021 NSE National Engineering Games holding at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. He Nigerian youths to focus on their education to have a better future.

Mohammed, said that criminal activities would reduce if Nigerian youths were gainfully employed.

“We want to encourage the youth to be serious and to focus on their chosen careers.

“They should work to earn a living for themselves; if the youths are kept busy, crimes such as kidnaping, rape, banditry and terrorism would reduce.

The games being featured at the competition include Ayo, Badminton, Chess, Cycling, Football, Golf, Marathon walk, Scrabble, Table Tennis and Volleyball.

The NSE president explained that participating in sporting activities would help to reduce work tension.

“We came here to calm ourselves from the rigorous tensions of work and to grow sport activities in Nigeria,’’ he said.

The Chairman, 2021 NSE National Engineering Games Committee, Olaolu Ogunduyile, said the essence of the event was to unite and help younger ones in engineering.

“We need to meet in events like this; there is strength in unity and we need to unite so that we can help the younger ones,“ he said

The games, which kicked off yesterday, will culminate in the society’s  Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled to hold between Nov. 22 and Nov. 26 in Enugu State, themed “Energy Mix Development for National Economic Growth’

The AGM will, among other things, feature technical sessions, industrial excursion, group dynamics competition, engineering exhibition, cultural night, fellowship symposium and elections

Women Filmmakers Denounce Spanish Cinema Prize For Depp

By
Koko Lawrence
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American actor Johnny Depp poses for the media as he arrives at the High Court in London, Monday, July 13, 2020. Depp is expected to wrap up his evidence at his libel trial against a tabloid newspaper that accused him of abusing ex-wife Amber Heard. The Hollywood star is suing News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, and the paper’s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an April 2018 article that called him a “wife-beater.” (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Spain’s leading group of women filmmakers on Tuesday condemned the San Sebastian film festival’s decision to award Johnny Depp its highest honor, saying it gave the international event a bad name after a British judge ruled last year that allegations of domestic violence against the actor were “substantially correct”.

Cristina Andreu, the President of Spain’s Association of Female Filmmakers and Audiovisual Media, said she was “very surprised” by the decision, announced Monday, to award Depp the Donostia Award at the festival’s 69th edition next month. The award is the event’s top prize and aims to honor lifetime achievement.

“This speaks very badly of the festival and its leadership, and transmits a terrible message to the public: ‘It doesn’t matter if you are an abuser as long as you are a good actor’,” Andreu said.

The association, which has close links to the San Sebastian festival, was “studying next steps,” she added.

The San Sebastian International Film Festival, held in northern Spain, takes place Sept. 17-25 this year. Depp is expected to receive the award in person on Sept. 22, in what will be his third appearance at the event.

Last year, Depp lost a libel case against a British newspaper that accused him of domestic violence, with a judge ruling the allegations were “substantially correct.” In March, a British court refused Depp permission to appeal the ruling that he assaulted his former wife, Amber Heard, saying his attempt to overturn the decision had “no real prospect of success.”

Depp also is suing Heard for $50 million in Virginia over a Washington Post op-ed essay that she wrote about domestic violence. The trial in that case was recently delayed until April 2022.

Temple Production Backs Africa’s First 2D Animated Film ‘The Passport Of Mallam Illia’

By
Koko Lawrence
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Temple Production has confirmed a new partnership with Magic Carpet Studios on the production of ‘The Passport of Mallam Illia’, Africa’s first indigenous 2D animated film.

The movie is an adaptation based upon the best-selling classic novel written by the late celebrated writer Cyprian Ekwensi in 1960.

Announcing the new partnership, Temple Production boss Nwakaego Boyo shared: “The chance to tell real African stories, animation a medium I have always been interested in, and the opportunity to share this valuable source of historical fiction with young audiences, as well as others who have had the opportunity to read this book was too good to pass up.

We at Temple Productions are excited to join the group of investors and talented team of @magiccarpet_studios to bring you this epic tale… “

Speaking on the huge budget production, Magic Carpet Studio CEO Ferdy Ladi Adimefe revealed:

“The book was chosen due to its significance in the African literary space; a short, easy-to-digest, young adult book, covering the pre-independence realities of what is now Northern Nigeria but was then the Northern emirate in a pre-colonial era…If you see the quality of the teaser we put out, you realize we don’t want to tell a domestic story, but a global story and this has the recipe.”

The first teaser for the animated film debuted in 2018 starring Sadiq Daba, Toyin Oshinaike, Dija among others.

Written in 1948 and published in 1960, ‘The Passport of Mallam Ilia’ follows a man, Ilia, who is seeking revenge for the death of his wife, Zarah, at the hands of a Mallam Usman.

Obama Labelled Hypocrite After Throwing Mask-less Party With 600 Guests

By
faith Jegede
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(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 31, 2017, former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive at the Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago, Illinois. - Michelle Obama says she can "never forgive" Donald Trump for questioning her husband's American citizenship, saying he and other "birthers" put her family at risk, in her hotly anticipated new memoir. Obama also says she was surprised that so many American women voted for the "misogynist" Trump over Hillary Clinton, "an exceptionally qualified female candidate," in the 2016 election. The book, "Becoming," hits stores on November 13, 2018. (Photo by Jim Young / AFP)

Despite trying to outlaw them, photos and videos of former President Barack Obama celebrating his 60th birthday in grand style over the weekend have surfaced, providing small glimpses into the apparent high-profile bash.

The party was held at the former presidents home on Martha’s vineyard in Massachusetts and had over 600 guests in attendance.

Obama began to draw heat from critics for being outside without a mask as seen in pictures despite being at the fore front of efforts pushing for the strict observance of Covid-19 rules and regulations.

Reports surfaced late last month that the former president was planning a large party for his birthday at his nearly 30-acre property on Martha’s Vineyard. At the time, sources said A-listers such as Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney were invited, an indication that this was well thought out and planned.

But as more reports began surfacing on the planned large-scale event, a spokeswoman for the Obama’s said that the former president decided to limit guests to family and close friends due to corona virus concerns. However, reports and videos from the event say that there were about 600 people in attendance.

Eryka Badu, Travis Beckham and H.E.R. were among those who attended the affair. A host of other A-list stars were spotted on the island over the weekend, including John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade.

Defiant Belarus Leader Shrugs Off Sanctions

By
Zoe Maven
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A defiant President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday a Belarusian sprinter defected at the Olympic Games only because she had been “manipulated” by outside forces.

At an hours-long news conference on the anniversary of an election which opponents said was rigged so that he could win, Lukashenko denied being a dictator and said he had defended Belarus against opponents plotting a coup.

As he spoke in his presidential palace in Minsk, Britain, Canada and the United States announced coordinated sanctions targeting the Belarusian economy and its financial sector, including exports of oil products and potash, which is used in fertilisers and is Belarus’ main foreign currency earner.

Lukashenko said Britain would “choke” on its measures and he was ready for talks with the West instead of a sanctions war.

Lukashenko said he had won the presidential election fairly on Aug. 9, 2020 and that some people had been “preparing for a fair election, while others were calling … for a coup d’état.”

Tens of thousands of people joined street protests in 2020 – Lukashenko’s biggest challenge since he became president in 1994. He responded with a crackdown in which many opponents have been arrested or gone into exile.

Dismissing accusations that he is a dictator, he said: “In order to dictate – I am a completely sane person – you need to have the appropriate resources. I have never dictated anything to anyone and I am not going to.”

Belarus has again been in the international spotlight since sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya fled to Warsaw last week following a dispute with her coaches in which she said an order came from “high up” to send her home from Tokyo.

Greek PM Approves 500 Mln Euro Budget For Wildfire Relief

By
Zoe Maven
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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has approved a supplemental budget of 500 million euros to fund relief and compensation for people who have lost homes and property in wildfires that have hit the country.

Speaking in a televised address Mitsotakis apologized for the losses saying the extent of the destruction was heart breaking and promised that his government would stand by all those hurt by the blazes.

Firefighters on the ground and from the air were still battling to halt wildfires on the island of Evia, Greece’s second largest near Athens, as they threatened to engulf the town of Istiaia in the north of the island.

Strong winds fueled flare-ups on the island after the fires appeared to ease earlier on Monday. Water-bombing aircraft struggled to operate because of the large plumes of smoke blanketing the area, authorities said.

Mitsotakis thanked countries that sent assistance and the many volunteers who helped firefighting efforts, adding government services had to deal with 586 wildfires “in all corners of Greece” amid a heatwave.

He said possible failings would be investigated. Angry Greeks are criticizing the government’s response to the devastation.

Myanmar Says Alleged Plot Against UN Envoy US Domestic Case

By
Zoe Maven
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Myanmar’s foreign ministry said on Monday that an alleged plot in New York against UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, an opponent of the ruling junta, had nothing to do with the country and was a U.S. domestic case.

The military government’s first statement since the arrest of two Myanmar citizens in connection with the alleged plot, rejected comments made in condemnation by the U.S. ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

U.S. authorities said on Friday, two Myanmar citizens have been arrested in New York state for plotting with an arms dealer in Thailand – who sells weapons to the Burmese military – to kill or injure Myanmar’s U.N. ambassador.

On Saturday, Thomas-Greenfield said the plot fitted a “disturbing pattern” of authoritarian leaders and their supporters seeking to persecute opponents around the world. She said the United States stood in solidarity with Kyaw Moe Tun and commended him for “remarkable courage and bravery”.

It added that Kyaw Moe Tun had been dismissed from his post as Myanmar’s U.N. ambassador and currently faced an arrest warrant for treason because he had voiced support for an underground National Unity Government.

Despite the junta’s protests, Kyaw Moe Tun has continued to serve at the United Nations, representing the elected civilian government which was overthrown by the military in February.

What you need to know about trichomoniasis

By
Cleopatra Okohai
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Trichomoniasis (also called trich) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a tiny parasite called trichomonas vaginalis.

It is easy to treat but most people don’t have any symptoms. If you’ve had unprotected sex, or you are worried about trichomoniasis or other STIs, it is important to get tested as soon as possible.

Trichomoniasis is easily passed on through unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who has the infection – even if they don’t have any symptoms. You also cannot pass on trichomoniasis through: kissing or hugging, sharing cups, plates or cutlery, toilet seats.

Many people with trichomoniasis don’t have any symptoms. If you do get symptoms, they normally appear within a month of infection.

The symptoms in women include yellow-green vaginal discharge which may have an unpleasant smell, soreness, swelling and itching in and around the vagina, pain when urinating (peeing) or having sex, pain in the lower stomach.

Trichomoniasis symptoms in men include thin, white discharge from the tip of the penis, pain or a burning sensation when urinating (peeing), soreness, swelling and redness around the head of the penis and foreskin.

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Get Tested

Getting tested for trichomoniasis is easy and doesn’t hurt. A health care professional will examine you and take a swab from the vagina or the penis. Sometimes men will also be asked to give a urine sample. If you find out that you have trichomoniasis, you should test for other STIs. Diagnosis is based upon identifying the parasite through microscopic examination of the vaginal or urethral discharge. This is the best test for Trichomonas infection.

Treatment

Trichomoniasis is easily treated with antibiotics. It is easily cured with one of two antibiotics: Metronidazole or Tinidazole. Its advisable to wait until you have finished your treatment before having sex again, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Remember that if you have been treated for trichomoniasis you are not immune and you can get infected again. Without treatment, the infection can last for months or even years.

Trichomoniasis and HIV

Having an STI, including trichomoniasis, increases your risk of getting HIV. If you are living with HIV and also have trichomoniasis, your viral load will likely increase. This will make you more likely to pass on HIV if you have sex without a condom, even if you are taking HIV drugs (antiretrovirals).

Trichomoniasis in Pregnancy

Pregnant women with trichomoniasis are at higher risk of premature birth (babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or a low-birth-weight baby (less than 2.5 Kg). Premature birth and a low birth weight raise the risk of health and developmental problems at birth and later in life.

Prevention

Regularly testing for trichomoniasis and other STIs will help to look after sexual health, especially if for those having sex with multiple partners. It’s really important to talk to your partner/s about your status and decide how to have safer sex together.

Using a new male or female condom every time you have sex will help prevent you from getting trichomoniasis.

However, some people have the infection in the area around the penis or vagina that is not covered by a condom. This means sometimes the infection can still spread even if you use a condom.

Use condoms: Condoms are the best way to prevent STIs when you have sex. Because a man does not need to ejaculate (come) to give or get trichomoniasis, make sure to put the condom on before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or anus.

Other methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from STIs. Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are tested for STIs. Talk to each other about the test results before you have sex.

Be monogamous: Having sex with just one partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That means that you have sex only with each other and no one else.

Limit your number of sex partners: Your risk of getting STIs goes up with the number of partners you have.

Do not douche. Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infection. This may increase your risk of getting STIs.

Do not abuse alcohol or drugs: Drinking too much alcohol or using drugs increases risky behavior and may put you at risk of sexual assault and possible exposure to STIs.

University Of Utah Helps Local Businesses Save Energy

By
Angel Gimalo
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The University of Utah’s Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center (IIAC) is expanding its scope of helping local businesses save energy.

Not only is its team of expert faculty and students advising Utah businesses big and small on how to save energy costs, but it is now analyzing how companies can cut down on pollution.

The IIAC center, which launched in 2016, consists of engineering faculty and students who look at a variety of manufacturing operations, such as the compressed air system and boilers, to find opportunities to reduce costs.

The team also examines heating and air conditioning units and production and electrical systems to see if they are functioning efficiently.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced this week the IIAC’s funding was renewed for another five years.

The team typically spends a day or two on-site, working with participants to identify cost-effective ways to save electricity, gas, and water.

With this consultation, the center can help companies achieve anywhere from 10% to 20% in energy and productivity savings.

They provide the company a report outlining areas where the facility can save, and it includes a detailed engineering and economic calculation of potential energy-saving ideas.

But now these expert consultants are also examining how businesses can cut down on harmful emissions, such as oxides of nitrogen that are released in the air during electricity generation and natural gas combustion.

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