Anthony Joshua Poses With Cristiano Ronaldo Ahead Of Friday’s Boxing Bout With Ngannou

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March 6, 2024

Two-time boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua met fellow Briton, Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia ahead of his bout with Francis Ngannou on Friday.

The three boxers later took a picture together with football star, Cristiano Ronaldo whose presence in Saudi Arabia has sparked football stars influx into the kingdom.

Joshua, Fury and Ngannou took a picture together, alongside footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh.

Later, Anthony Joshua showed off his muscle as he met Ronaldo in Dubai where both are currently enjoying breaks away in the Gulf Region where Ronaldo was crowned Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards in United Arab Emirates.

LUTH Successful Performs First Minimal Surgery On 13-Day-Old Baby

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Cleopatra Okohai

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March 6, 2024

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The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) says it has recorded a milestone with its first successful minimal surgery carried out on a 13-day-old baby girl at the hospital.

This was made known by the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof Wasiu Adeyemo while briefing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday,

According to him, the surgery, which is the thoracoscopic primary repair of the Esophageal Atresia and Tracheosophageal fistula, carried out on the baby by a team of experts, was the first of its kind in any public hospital in the country.

According to research carried out, esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula are rare conditions that develop before birth and are life-threatening conditions that occur together, affecting the development of the oesophagus (food pipe).

Medically, it is advised to be treated shortly after birth.

Adeyemo explained that the surgery was made possible due to the increased funding by the Federal Government, the Health Ministry and public, and private partnerships.

He said, “This minimal access surgery has further showcased the effort of the Federal Government through LUTH to ensure Nigerians have access to affordable and quality healthcare.

“This surgery is the first of its kind in any tertiary institution in Nigeria with the use of thoracoscopic equipment.

“We have the expertise here in Luth and surgeries like this are highly subsided by the Federal Government for Nigerians to benefit and get the healthcare they need in the country without travelling abroad.

“I want to also commend Dr Igwe of Evercare Specialist Hospital for his willingness to share his expertise and experience with our surgeons.”

The lead surgeon, a Paediatric Consultant, Dr Felix Alakaloko, who led the surgery and said the infant was doing great and would be discharged on March 6 (today) described the success as a major feat for the facility.

Alakaloko revealed that such surgeries cost between N6m and N15m in private hospitals or outside the country, but were done at the cost of N300,000 at LUTH.

He added, “This baby was brought to LUTH when she was nine days old with a blocked Esophagus, (that is the pipe that carries food to the stomach) and needed urgent surgery.

“The baby was choking on feeding and bringing out mucus from the nose and mouth which indicated that there was a blockage in the tube that connects food to the stomach.

“So, we reconnected the tube through a minimal access surgery instead of doing an open surgery that could endanger the life of the child,” he said.

While still speaking on the procedure, he advised parents to observe their newborns to detect any abnormalities and present them on time.

The mother of the baby, Mrs Adeyinka Shola, thanked LUTH for the life-saving surgery on her baby, whom she revealed turned 24 days old on Tuesday.

She confirmed that her infant was doing fine and ready to go home, adding, “I’m indebted and grateful to LUTH for saving the life of my baby girl, I noticed she was not doing fine four hours after I gave birth to her.

“We were referred to LUTH for further investigation on her health, and I am happy that she has improved tremendously after the surgery.”

Sachet Alcohol Sale Booms Months After NAFDAC Ban

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Cleopatra Okohai

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March 6, 2024

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Despite the ban on the sale and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles below 200ml by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the products are still being sold in stores and parks across the country.

NAFDAC commenced the enforcement of the ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below on February 1, 2024.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, at a press briefing in Abuja on February 5, said as of January 31, 2024, there was no alcoholic beverage in those categories that were registered by the agency.

She explained that the decision was based on the recommendation of a high-powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and the industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, in December 2018.

However, the move to enforce the ban has generated repeated protests by distillers and labour unions, who said the ban would cost 500,000 workers their jobs, and ruin N800bn investments.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria countered claims by the NAFDAC that the recent implementation of the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks was a collective decision.

The House of Representatives also mandated its committee on NAFDAC to probe the circumstances surrounding the ban.

This was a sequel to a motion moved on the floor of the Green Chamber by members; Paschal Agbodike and Philip Agbese during one of its plenary sessions in February.

But NAFDAC insisted on the ban, saying it was meant to safeguard the health of Nigerians, pointing out that alcohol in sachets and pet bottles was easily accessible to underage persons, including schoolchildren.

However, despite NAFDAC’s insistence, reports reaching LN247 is that the products are still sold without restriction at major parks in cities, including Lagos and Abuja.

At major motor parks like Lugbe, Area 1, Jabi, Airport junction, Wuse, Nyanya, and Mararaba in the Federal Capital Territory, the sale of the products continues unfettered.

In Lagos, places like Obalende Marina, and Eko traders continued to display sachet and pet bottle alcohol without care.

Asked on Tuesday if NAFDAC had stepped down the ban, its DG, Adeyeye said, “It has not been stepped down. We are waiting for the ministerial directive for the next step.”

She had told news correspondents that NAFDAC would collaborate with the National Union of Road Transport Workers to ensure the enforcement of the ban on the products.

Adeyeye added, “We intend to work with the NURTW to ensure the enforcement of the banned products. We surely will work on that, and ensure that they are stopped and phased out.

The World Health Organisation said no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health.

It described alcohol as a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago – this is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation and tobacco.

WHO stated, “Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer, including the most common cancer types, such as bowel cancer and female breast cancer. Ethanol (alcohol) causes cancer through biological mechanisms as the compound breaks down in the body, which means that any beverage containing alcohol, regardless of its price and quality, poses a risk of developing cancer.

“The risk of developing cancer increases substantially the more alcohol is consumed. However, the latest available data indicate that half of all alcohol-attributable cancers in the WHO European Region are caused by “light” and “moderate” alcohol consumption – less than 1.5 litres of wine or less than 3.5 litres of beer or less than 450 millilitres of spirits per week.

“This drinking pattern is responsible for the majority of alcohol-attributable breast cancers in women, with the highest burden observed in countries of the European Union. In the EU, cancer is the leading cause of death – with a steadily increasing incidence rate – and the majority of all alcohol-attributable deaths are due to different types of cancers.”

Kane scores brace as Bayern beat Lazio

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Emenike Agu

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March 6, 2024

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Harry Kane scored two to help Bayern Munich overturn a first-leg deficit against Lazio and advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Rome, Bayern looked set for a frustrating night until Kane’s header levelled the scores on aggregate.

Long-serving Thomas Muller doubled the lead on the night with another header.

Kane made it 3-1 on aggregate from close range after Leroy Sane’s shot was parried into his path.

It was an impressive turnaround by Bayern and Kane is hoping the result can help change Bayern’s fortunes after a bitterly disappointing domestic campaign

“It’s a perfect evening for us. It was a big game,” he said.

“Of course we know we have to improve, but nights like this can really change the season. I’m really proud of the boys and we just have to keep this momentum going.

“It was a really important moment in our season. Everyone was looking at us, looking at how we were going to respond after the first leg.

“Hopefully we can use this as a turning point for the rest of the season.”

Thomas Tuchel’s side were facing a first season without a major trophy since 2011-12.

However, this win keeps alive Tuchel’s hopes of delivering Bayern a seventh European title before the former Chelsea boss leaves at the end of the season.

The quarter-final draw takes place on 15 March.

Nwaneri Set to sign Professional Arsenal Contract after City offer

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Emenike Agu

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March 6, 2024

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According to reports, Arsenal sensation Ethan Nwaneri is set to sign a record-breaking deal after Man City tabled a “substantial” offer.

The 16-year-old will sign pro terms with the Londoners as soon he turns 17 on 21 March.

Nwaneri’s current scholarship agreement will be converted into a professional deal in a fortnight’s time following fierce competition from Premier League sides for his services.

It is believed that Man City have made a “substantial” offer, for the attacking midfielder while Chelsea also held strong interest.

The 2007-born star has already been given the highest-ever wages for an academy player in Arsenal’s history in what is a record-breaking deal for the club.

He is highly regarded by manager Mikel Arteta and the club’s hierarchy for his development since joining the academy in 2016.

The Englishman of Nigerian descent made his first senior appearance for the Gunners last season as a late substitute in their 3-0 away win against Brentford to become the youngest-ever Premier League player at 15 years and 181 days old.

This season, he has made the senior matchday squad on six occasions in all competitions and was used as a second-half substitute in Arsenal’s 6-0 win against West Ham United last month (February 11).

School Absence Fines For Parents To Rise In England

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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March 5, 2024

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Fines for parents taking children out of school without permission will rise across England from September.

The minimum fine will increase from £60 to £80 per parent as part of a government drive to return attendance to pre-pandemic levels.

A school reportsed that one out of every three of its pupils absent without permission had been on a family holiday during term time.

A head teachers’ union said fines were needed to avoid chaos in schools.

Local authorities currently have their own policies on when to issue fines, so the likelihood of parents being fined depends on their school’s location.

In a 2022 investigation, some local authorities said no penalties has been issued, while others handed out thousands in one year.

But in an attempt to create a more consistent approach across England, new guidelines tell schools to consider a fine after a child has missed five days’ school without the head teacher’s permission.

If parents fail to pay their fine within 21 days, it doubles.

The £60 fine was introduced in 2013 and has not been increased in the 11 years since.

Head teachers will retain some discretion over which cases to send to the council for potential fines and where support is needed.

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said most fines were for unauthorized term-time holidays.

She said said Families with absent children should first be offered support but fines were an important option.

Keegan said if it is a deliberate decision to take your child out of school for unauthorized absence, then that’s something the union do not want to encourage.

FUTIA ready To Compete With MIT In Aerospace Engineering, Others — VC

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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March 5, 2024

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The Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (FUTIA) has expressed readiness to produce graduates who would beat the age-long records of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States in Aerospace Engineering and other fields of technology.

The Vice Chancellor of the new University of Technology, Prof Leo Daniel, who made the promise when members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State, paid him a courtesy visit at the temporary campus in Ikot Abasi disclosed that the institution has two facilities: Wine Tunnel and Aerodrome that will put students of Aerospace engineering at vantage position to have practical knowledge and embark on research in their chosen career.

Daniel, a professor of aerospace engineering from Russian University and MIT in the United States, disclosed that the facilities are not even available in some Airports in Nigeria, adding that the students are fortunate to have them for their practical studies.

Prof. Daniel said the institution has acquired wind tunnel and Aerodrome for research and training of students in the department of Aerospace engineering to produce graduates in such fields that would compete favourably with their counterparts in Western Universities.

The Vice Chancellor said the National Universities Commission (NUC) has so far approved three schools of Engineering Technology, Applied Science and Computing Information Technology with 12 departments including other programmes such as Cyber Security and Naval Architecture, among others.

He said NUC has approved three schools with 12 programmes and the schools are expecting accreditation within the next three years and approval of more schools.

He said that the institution depends on funds from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) and Akwa Ibom state government who donated land in Ikot Okpo Inua and Ette community for the takeoff of the institution.

Daniel, who said that FUTIA remains the best in the South-South region, explained that the institution within the short time has benefitted from TETFund through some intervention projects such as supply of furniture, other equipment and grants.

He added that more are expected to develop infrastructure in the new university.

He categorized TETFund interventions in the institution to include take-off grants, high impact grants, zonal intervention and normal interventions.

He however appreciated Akwa Ibom state government for the land and other logistics and requested for construction of an internal road network within the campus to curb complications associated with coastal terrain of the area.

The Vice Chancellor mentioned that 90 Academic staff with excellent academic background have been recruited so far, while 120 non-academic staff have been employed to start the university, assuring that more will be engaged as the institution expands.

Chef Naira Victor Breaks New Guinness World Cook-a-Thon Record

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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March 5, 2024

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30 year old Benue Chef Victor Tartenger, owner of Naira Victor Kitchen, who embarked on a 135 hour Cook-a-Thon on Tuesday 27th February surpassed the record of Alan Fisher the current Guinness World Record holder.

Victor’s cook-a-thon which started on Tuesday was successfully completed on Sunday 3rd March 2024 and awaiting to gain recognition in the Guinness world Book of Records

Apart from the free food eaten by hundreds of supporters and well-wishers at Tiger Bar, venue of the cook-a-thon opposite B Police Division, foods were sent to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Makurdi and environs to also have a taste.

Managing Allergies and Its Complications

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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March 5, 2024

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Allergy occurs when a person reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless to most people. These substances are known as allergens and are found in dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, mold, foods and some medications. Allergy symptoms range from mild to life-threatening

An allergic reaction begins when an allergen enters the body, triggering an antibody response

Histamine is said to be released by the immune system in response to substances that it believe to pose a threat, which causes allergy symptoms including sneezing, itching, red eyes, coughing, a runny nose, shortness of breath, or swelling.

Understanding these triggers and seeking medical advice can help manage and improve the quality of life for individuals with allergies.

A steady increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases globally has occurred with about 30-40% of the world population now being affected by one or more allergic conditions.

Australia is known to be the allergy capital in the world, with the UK following as a close second. In Australia, food allergies are seen in 10% of infants, 4-8% of children and around 2% of adults

In Nigeria, according to Accuweather, dust from inside your home and the outdoors can contain pet hair and dander, mold spores, and dust mites, which can all trigger allergy symptoms. As a result, you may suffer from a runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing.

Symptoms of allergies may include, sneezing, wheezing, sinus pain, runny nose, coughing, nettle rash / hives, swelling, itchy eyes, ears, lips throat and mouth, shortness of breath, sickness, vomiting & diarrhea, increase in nasal and airway secretions

The most common causes of allergies are, pollen from trees and grasses, proteins secreted from house dust mites, pets, such as cats and dogs, and other furry or hairy animals (guinea pigs, horses etc.), insects like bees and wasps, mold. Foods such as peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nut as well as medicines

‘Oppenheimer’ Wins Top Screen Actors Guild Prize

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Emenike Agu

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March 5, 2024

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Oppenheimer took top honors at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, as Hollywood stars partied at their union’s first prize-giving gala since staging its longest-ever strike last year.

The prestigious prize for best performance by a cast at the SAG Awards is historically a strong predictor for the Oscars and makes Oppenheimer a formidable frontrunner for best picture.

Christopher Nolan’s epic drama about the father of the atomic bomb also took the awards for best actor for Cillian Murphy, who plays the titular scientist, and best-supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr, portraying his bitter rival.

Oppenheimer has been relentlessly scooping up awards all season.

The movie has already won top prizes at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards, and Britain’s BAFTAs.

It now adds the top SAG-AFTRA award for best cast, which has led to recent best picture Oscar wins for movies such as Parasite, CODA and Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Many of the same actors who vote for the SAG Awards also make up the largest voting bloc for the Academy Awards, which will be held this year on March 10.

Oppenheimer saw off Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon, American Fiction and The Color Purple for top honors.

In the best actress category, Lily Gladstone (“Killers”) bested her main rival Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) in a closely watched result that throws the Oscars race wide open.

The Indigenous actress, who portrays an Osage woman being exploited by nefarious white neighbours in Martin Scorsese’s 1920s-set epic, began and ended her acceptance speech in her native Blackfeet language.

Supporting actress prizes have been going consistently this season to Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”), and Saturday’s gala was no different.

And Barbra Streisand received a lifetime achievement award, earning a rapturous standing ovation in a rare public appearance for the 81-year-old.

The mood at the gala was celebratory all around, as members of SAG-AFTRA — the union that represents some 120,000 performers, including A-list stars — congregated in numbers for the first time since the strike ended in November.

Kenneth Branagh who picked up the award on behalf of everyone on Oppenheimer recalled how the film’s cast had walked out of their London premiere last July as the work stoppage was about to begin.

“We went from the red carpet and we didn’t see the film that night. We happily went in the direction of solidarity with your good selves.

“So this, this is a full circle moment for us,” he said, to loud applause.

The guild ultimately extracted hard-fought gains including better pay and protections against artificial intelligence (AI) from studios including Disney and Netflix.