Chelsea Make €150m Osimhen Top Target With Swap Deal On Agenda

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February 10, 2023

Chelsea have reportedly made Napoli striker Victor Osimhen their ‘top striker target’ ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Blues have spent over £600m on new signings since the start of this season but they still need to strengthen up front.

Kai Havertz has often been used as a makeshift striker this term with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favour and Armando Broja out of action through injury.

One of Chelsea’s main issues this term has been their lack of goals. They are ninth in the Premier League having only scored 22 goals in 21 league games this season.

They have lacked a prolific goalscorer in recent years, but Osimhen has been in stunning form for Serie A leaders Napoli this season. He has netted 16 goals in 17 outings for the Italian outfit.

Man Utd are also being linked with the Nigeria international as it is known that they are also in the market for a new forward ahead of the summer.

But 90min are reporting that ‘Chelsea have identified Napoli striker Osimhen as their primary striker target for the 2023 summer window’.

The Blues are said to be ‘desperate to win the race’ to sign the Serie A standout. He still has two years remaining on his contract at Napoli, who reportedly value him at around €150m.

This asking price has ‘not scared’ Chelsea but they are ‘expected to try and reduce that fee by offering a number of players in exchange’. Romelu Lukaku is a ‘possibility’ in that regard if he ‘does not return to Inter’

Kenya Launches Digital Literacy for Parents On Child Protection Skills

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 10, 2023

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A state agency in charge of regulating films in Kenya has launched a digital literacy programme to help parents and guardians improve skills on how to protect children in their care.

The Kenya Films and Classification Board (KFCB) said that its surveys had found “an information gap” that needed to be addressed, local news site.

The initiative reportedly target teachers too.

“We realise that children themselves know more than the parents when it comes to digital literacy and being tech savvy,” Emmah Irungu from the KFCB is quoted as saying.

“So what we’ve done is we’ve built not only safety features and products and tools into our products, we’ve also built educational tools for parents about how to create a safe environment in the home.”

It was launched on Tuesday to coincide with Safer Internet Day.

Pres. Buhari Appoints Rectors for three Federal Poly

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the appointments of rectors and some principal officers for three federal polytechnics in the country.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the rectors and their institutions are Dr Paul-Darlington Ndubuisi for the Federal Polytechnic Isuochi, Abia State; Professor Mohammed Magaji for the Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State; and Dr Duke Okoro for the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State.

The statement said, “The appointments of the three Rectors are for a single term of five years each, with effect from January 17, 2023, and are in line with the Federal Polytechnic (Amendment) Act 2019.”

In a related development, the Director of Press and Publicity of the ministry, Ben Goong, said the President had also approved the appointments of Umar Dumbulum, Christine Aluyi and Ezenuruihe Olachi as registrars for Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State; Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State; and Federal Polytechnic, Isuochi, Abia State respectively.

The three appointments have a single term of five years each, with effect from January 17, 2023.

The President also approved the appointment of Atabatele Solomon and Nkpado Pamela as bursars for Kabo Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic, Orogun respectively.

“Finally, Government has also approved the appointments of Librarians for two Federal Polytechnics, namely: Dr. Iroroeavwo Edwin Achugbue – Librarian, Federal Polytechnic, Orogun; Kabiru Ubale – Librarian, Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State,” the statement said.

Stakeholders urge execution of Mental Health Law

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Cleopatra Okohai

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February 9, 2023

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Director of The Vale College Ibadan, Mrs. Funso Adegbola, has called for joint efforts to ensure implementation of the Mental Health Act, to improve mental health services and funding among others in the country.

Adegbola made the call at the third Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Award ceremony organised by Asido Foundation held at the International Conference Centre Ibadan.

Adegbola in her keynote address, while commending Asido for contributing immensely to mental health advocacy in Nigeria, said mental health must be a priority for all individuals and society at large.

She alluded to the World Health Organisation sayings that “There is no health without mental health!”, noting that for the mental health act to be successful, “we as individuals must champion the advocacy and awareness creation that the Asido Foundation and many others are doing, around the law.

“Other challenges facing mental health include low levels of government priority for mental health, policies and legislation that are obsolete or poorly implemented, as well as widespread ignorance, shame, and stigma associated with a mental health diagnosis.

“Superimposed on these is the paucity of mental health professionals available across the country.”

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Adebayo Lawal extolled the virtues of the late Jemila Abubakar and enjoined everyone present to emulate her.

Lawal, the Chairman of the occasion, represented by his wife, Mrs. Ajibike Lawal, urged everyone, the youth in particular to develop their passion to impact their world positively.

Also, the Co-chairman at the event, a professor of medicine and Neurology, Adesola Ogunniyi stressed the importance of unravelling the myths and misconceptions about medicine, particularly mental health.

He commended Asido for its advocacy work in demystifying all the stigmas associated with mental illness.

“I feel we should embrace the idea of making mental health something we should not be ashamed of for individuals that we need to help,” Ogunniyi said.

Also, Prof. Oye Gureje, in an interview, speaking on the mental health act said, “the signing of the bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari as good as it is, it is only calling for more advocacy by everyone.

“We need to try and get the government to implement the law. This particular law commits the government to not just provide human resources but also financial resources, in terms of implementation.

“And you know anything that does that usually in Nigeria, gets relegated to the background. I really have my concerns that this is not what the government will implement quickly unless we continue with the pressure that has been going on for years. A lot of work still needs to be done,” Gureje said.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Founder of Asido Foundation, Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, said there was an 80 per cent treatment gap in persons with mental health, adding that misconception and stigmatisation of the illness had not helped in proper medical treatment of the illness.

He identified human rights abuses of affected persons such as shame, stigma, and discrimination. “Stigma is a broad term, encompassing problems of Knowledge, that is ignorance. The attitude which comes with prejudice, and behaviour is discrimination.

“We are usually afraid of things which we do not understand. The societal impact of Mental ill-Health includes human rights abuses, Stigma, and discrimination, beliefs in supernatural disease causation, drug abuse, and insecurity, few mental health professionals as well as reduced access to care, which is the treatment gap.”

Abdulmalik further said the JAME award of excellence was to celebrate the legacy of its pioneer program manager who served selflessly.

He said the qualities she possesses are values we love young people to emulate. “This is why we chose to immortalise her by establishing the Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition: To continue to hold her memory alive and encourage other youth to emulate her life of sacrifice and dedication to humanity.

“To promote mental health awareness among young students across the country and to enroll the top fifteen winners in a leadership and mental health fellowship to become mental health advocates.”

WHO urges Vigilance but no alarm over Bird Flu

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Cleopatra Okohai

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February 9, 2023

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The World Health Organisation has called for vigilance after the recent detection of bird flu in mammals but tried to calm fears that large-scale human outbreaks could be looming.

“The recent spillover to mammals needs to be monitored closely,” the UN health agency’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, stressing that “for the moment, WHO assesses the risk to humans as low”.

Since late 2021, Europe has been gripped by its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu, with North and South America also experiencing severe outbreaks.

This has led to the culling of tens of millions of domestic poultry worldwide, many with the H5N1 strain of the virus. The global outbreak is also responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of wild birds.

The recent detection of the disease in a number of mammals, including foxes, otters, minks, sea lions, and even grizzly bears, has sparked growing concern that humans could be more at risk.

Tedros noted that since the virus first emerged in 1996, “We have only seen rare and non-sustained transmission of H5N1 to and between humans.”

But, he cautioned, “We cannot assume that will remain the case, and we must prepare for any change in the status quo.”

Tedros called on countries to “strengthen surveillance in settings where humans, farmed or wild animals interact.”

“WHO is also continuing to engage with manufacturers to make sure that if needed, supplies of vaccines and antivirals would be available for global use,” he said.

– ‘Stay one step ahead’ –

Over the last two decades, there have been 868 confirmed H5N1 cases in humans with 457 deaths, according to the WHO. There were four confirmed human cases and one death last year.

Last month, Ecuador reported South America’s first case of the A(H5) bird flu virus in a human — a nine-year-old girl who was in contact with backyard poultry.

The girl’s condition was “improving,” WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters, adding that so far, there was no indication that other people had been infected.

That reflects the usual pattern when people are infected, explained Sylvie Briand, WHO epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director.

“The transmission from animals to humans is rare, and when it infects humans, further transmission between humans is not easy, because the virus is not well-adapted to the human population,” she said.

But, she warned, “We need to be vigilant to make sure that spread in animals is contained.”

“The more the virus circulates in animals, the higher is the risk for humans as well,” she said, adding that this was “because the virus circulating in animals can evolve to forms that are more transmissible.”

Ryan agreed that intense spread among small mammals “creates the chance that this virus can evolve”.

But, he stressed, “Our job is to stay one step ahead.

“Protecting humans isn’t only about managing viruses in humans. It’s about managing viruses in the animal kingdom and especially at that animal-human interface,” he said, urging concerted action.

“Risks can be reduced,” he said. “People should not be alarmed.”

9-year-old Nigerian Makes History As One of The Youngest High School Graduates

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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A Nigerian boy has made history in the US..

David Balogun from Pennsylvania’s Bucks County has graduated from high school at the age of 9.

The young boy is now attending college as he becomes one of a few young kids to reach the milestone.

David became the youngest student to graduate from Reach Cyber Charter School, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and is now taking classes at Bucks County Community College.

“I would say that you should know what you’re good at and what you’re not good at, because if you’re not good at a subject, you shouldn’t be put down that you didn’t get an A-plus in that subject,” David Balogun told “Good Morning America.”

“If you’re not that good at that subject but if you’re good at, let’s say, all your other subjects or most of your other subjects, you can still excel and graduate at a young age.”

David embarked on an accelerated program and studied year round, embracing a variety of subjects.

“As my mom puts it, my favorite subject is learning new things,” David said. “Whether it’s art, math, science, English, social studies, I’ll be happy to learn something new.”

He said he especially enjoys math and science, especially nuclear chemistry, and he hopes to one day go into astronomy, engineering or software development.

When he’s not studying, David said he also enjoys building robots and watching online videos about everything from astronomy to physiology.

David’s mom Ronya Balogun told “GMA” their family is “exceedingly proud” of the 9-year-old’s achievements so far.

David’s dad, Henry Balogun said, “It has always been my joy to see my son in this position today.”

“This is fantastic and we are deeply grateful to God that he was able to achieve his goal,” he added. “He’s still on his way. He has not reached the end yet and now he is in college.”

Ronya Balogun said her message to other parents is to support your child whenever possible. “It’s very rewarding but you have to kind of get yourself outside of the box and be able to see things outside of the system and advocate and speak up and not give up,” she said.

“Be their own cheerleader, believe in them, even when they sometimes doubt themselves. Just believe in them and that’s what I tell my son, ‘As far as you want to go, go. There is no limits to where you want to go. There is no limit to your dreams.’”

NAFDAC declares state of Emergency on Bleaching among Nigerians

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Cleopatra Okohai

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February 9, 2023

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The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control on Thursday declared a state of emergency on bleaching after establishing that Nigeria has been ranked first in cases of bleaching.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, raised the alarm on the menace of bleaching creams in Nigeria, saying the problem has become a national emergency that calls for serious attention.

She made the remarks while flagging off a media sensitisation workshop on Dangers of Bleaching Creams and Regulatory Control organised by the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists in Kano on Thursday.

She said that 77 per cent of those engaged in bleaching in Nigeria are women, saying this calls for a multifaceted approach in fighting the menace of bleaching creams, which she warned have fatal health hazards.

“The World Health Organisation study in 2018 revealed that the use of skin bleaching cream is prevalent amongst 77 per cent of Nigerian women, which is the highest in Africa compared to 59 per cent in Togo, 35 per cent in South Africa and 27 per cent in Senegal.

“These scary statistics have shown that the menace of bleaching creams in Nigeria has become a national health emergency that requires a multi-faceted regulatory approach,” Prof. Adeyeye said.

She said that in response to these statistics, the Federal Government, through the office of the Secretary to the Government, Boss Mustapha, wrote to NAFDAC last year seeking stringent measures to be implemented against the menace.

According to her, the sensitization workshops in the six geo-political zones were part of the measures being taken.

“This sensitization workshop is a training of trainers program with the great expectation that participants will assume roles of champions in the vanguard of the campaign against the use of bleaching creams.

“I wish to assure you that NAFDAC will henceforth constantly engage the mass media as we strive to bring down to the grass levels the positive impact of our regulatory activities.

“Even though I have assigned some of my competent officers to carry out this training, it has become imperative for me to warn that some of the harmful effects of bleaching creams include cancer, damage to vital organs in the body, skin irritation and allergy, skin burn and rashes, wrinkles, premature ageing and prolonged healing of wounds,” she stated.

Also speaking, the former National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ahmad Yakasai warned that the cases of bleaching among women folks and men, if not arrested, would create serious health cases in Nigeria.

The Director of Public Affairs of NAFDAC, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh said the agency had only 3000 staff covering the entire federation of over 200 million people.

WASH Chief seeks Subsidies for Toilets

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Cleopatra Okohai

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February 9, 2023

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UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Nigeria, Ms. Jane Bevan said the introduction of subsidies would encourage vulnerable persons in communities to build and use their toilets.

Bevan told the Newsmen that this would improve their well-being and contribute towards meeting the National Open Defecation Free Roadmap in the country before 2025.

According to her, this can be introduced during the triggering stages of Community-Led Total Sanitation processes, which are aimed at encouraging communities to take ownership of their hygiene.

The WASH specialist said for intervention areas, communities decided on those who were less privileged and chose who got the subsidy, saying this had already commenced in two states.

Bevan said with many communities still suffering from a lack of toilets, this brought negative consequences such as outbreaks of diseases, including cholera and other diseases.

“Children suffer mostly during an outbreak of disease. This is the reason we must stop open defecation.

“We are thinking about introducing subsidies to encourage vulnerable people to build their toilets, we are working to do this through the introduction of loans in Bauchi and Oyo states,” she said.

Bevan said open defecation remained a challenge, with data from the Water Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping 2021 survey showing that 48 million Nigerians practise open defecation.

“This data represents 23 per cent of the population, in spite of the efforts by government and partners at ending open defecation, the rapidly growing population is dwarfing the gains made so far,’’ she said.

The WASHNORM reveals that only 10 per cent of Nigeria’s population had access to integrated basic WASH services while an estimated 48 million people were still practising open defecation.

This has serious negative health and security implications on the populace as well as in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals Six.

In addition, access to WASH services in institutions and public places were generally low, with 11 per cent, 6 per cent and 4 per cent recorded for access to WASH in schools, health facilities and markets/motor parks, respectively.

This suggests huge neglect of WASH programming in Nigerian institutions, thereby impacting educational attainment, health costs, livelihoods, and ultimately, the country’s economic development.

Just In: NUC Orders Closure of Varsities For Elections

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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The regulatory agency for universities in Nigeria, the National Universities Commission has ordered a closure of universities across the country to enable students to participate in the 2023 general elections.

In a letter addressed to vice-chancellors of all universities and directors of inter-university centres, the NUC noted that the directive was based on the directive of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

“As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday March 11, 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.

“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of the our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Adama Adamu has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22 February and 14th March, 2023.

“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors and chief executives of inter -university centres, are by this Circular requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday 22nd February 2023 to Tuesday 14th March 2023.

“Please, accept the renewed assurances of the Executive Secretary ‘s highest regards for your understanding and unwavering cooperation”, the letter from the NUC read.

There have been calls from the public for closure of tertiary institutions to enable students to vote during the 2023 elections.

The data from the Independent National Electoral Commission reveals that over 26 million students are currently registered in it’s register.

Students In Turkey Recount Horror From Quake

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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A rescue operation is under way across much of southern Turkey and northern Syria following a huge earthquake that has killed more than 2,300 people.

The BBC’S Focus on Africa radio has spoken to several Ghanaian students who are living in nearby cities which were affected by the earthquake.

Ibrahim, a Ghanaian student living in Konya, together with his partner and one-week old baby, says that he is thankful to be alive after the earthquake struck.

“It was in the dawn when we heard the shaking of the land. We tried to gather the family and take them out of the house. I feel very sad and very sorry.”

Focus on Africa also spoke to Ghanaian student Nasser Abdallah, who is studying in Adana, 150 miles (241km) from Gazientep – the city closest to the epicentre.

“Early in the morning I was working on my laptop and all of a sudden I saw my laptop started to shake. It started from a mild shake to a very heavy shake.”

“We have been told that no one should enter their house until further notice.”