NAFDAC declares state of Emergency on Bleaching among Nigerians

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February 9, 2023

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

By

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.”

Kenya School Shaves Off New Female Students’ Long Hair

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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Some new first-year students reporting to a school in western Kenya have had their hair shaved off to comply with a strict dress code.

Escorted by their parents and guardians, the new learners queued at various desks to go through the admission process, those found to have long hair were directed to a group of barbers.

local media reported an announcer saying “Welcome Kereri Girls, to the girls who are here for the admission process and you have long hair, it is the school’s policy that you get shaved.”

“To my left, there is a barber please proceed there to get assistance. Thank you,” the announcer said.

Local NTV station shared a video of a student having her hair shaved off.

Some people commenting on the story have criticised the Kisii County boarding school, saying it should focus on more-important issues.

“Another problem with our Kenyan schools, instead of focusing on the mental health and welfare of students they focus on the physical issues – a head that is perfectly shaved but with poor mental health is like a 2023 model ranger over without an engine,” one tweeter posted.

Politician Robert Alai tweeted: “Students shouldn’t be shaved bald with the hot sun. The hair protects the skin. Sad that we still encourage this nonsense.”

Strict dress code rules are common in Kenyan education institutions, including some universities.

Printing Errors Found in Mozambique School Books, Govt Recalls

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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Mozambique’s Ministry of Education and a private publisher have apologised after printing errors were found in a Portuguese language text book used in primary schools.

The page numbers in Ouvir e Falar, Ler e Escrever (Listen and Speak, Read and Write) do not follow a chronological order.

For example, what should be the first page is instead page 16 with the wrong content. Other pages are also upside down.

“We apologise to all those affected,” said publisher Textos Editores in a statement, adding that not the whole print run was affected by the error.

The education ministry has ordered a recall of the affected books.

Critics accuse the government of not taking children’s education seriously and want higher standards to be adhered to.

Last year, scientific errors were reported in a natural science book used by grade six pupils.

Despite an outcry from parents the authorities did not comment at the time.

U.S Indicts Man of Stealing Varsity’s $1.4m

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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A Federal Bureau of Investigation’s agent, Ayotunde Solademi, on Tuesday told an Ikeja Special Offences Court how one Kolawole Erinle involved in a cybercrime allegedly defrauded Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in the United States of $1.4m.

The witness, a Foreign Service national investigator for the FBI, Office of the Legal Attaché in the US Consulate in Nigeria, said the university became a victim of spoofing, a form of cybercrime attack that targets businesses using forged sender addresses.

Erinle is standing trial alongside his firm, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited, on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and obtaining money under false pretence preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Solademi, the first prosecution witness, led in examination in chief by the EFCC counsel, Temitope Banjo, told the court that KCUMB underwent a major construction project with a construction company called J.E.Dunn in Kansas City sometime in 2019 and the university made a wired transfer of approximately $1.41m to an account that it believed belonged to J. E. Dunn.

He said, “On March 27, 2019, J.E. Dunn contacted KCUMB asking about the payment for the pending invoices and KCUMB replied that the payment has been made.

“On March 28, 2019, Dunn confirmed that they did not receive payment.

“It was later found out by both parties that somebody changed the wire transfer details for Dunn using a fake email domain jedunn.org whereas the real domain name for the construction company is jedunn.com.

“After this, the case was reported to the FBI and an investigation carried out showed that the email account of Dunn’s Chief Financial Officer was spoofed.”

He said the wire transfer of $1.41m made by KCUMB entered into a Bank of America account with an account number ending with 6843 on March 5 2019.

He added, “On that same day, somebody accessed that account and wired $850,000 to a Diamond Bank account (now Access Bank) ending with 4471.

“The next day which was March 6, 2019, somebody still accessed the same Bank of America account and wired $560,000 to the same Diamond Bank account in Nigeria.”

The witness told Justice Ramon Oshodi that the investigation showed that the BoA account had an account named Edada Autoparts and Machinary Spareparts Inc with an address in Texas.

He said the Nigerian end of the investigation traced the Diamond Bank account that the money was wired into to Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited, which belonged to the first defendant.

“It was also discovered that the name of the person who opened the Bank of America account is Edward Dada, who is still at large.

“Further investigation also revealed that the address that was listed in the account opening package of the Bank of America’s account was fake, and there is nobody with the name Edward Dada as a resident in the United States.

“Investigations in Nigeria also revealed that the owner of Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited was the first defendant and it was discovered that the only transaction that took place in the Bank of America account was this particular transaction,” he stated.

He added that after all the findings, the FBI sent a petition to the EFCC for further investigation.

The petition which was written by the FBI to EFCC was admitted as exhibit following no objections from the defence counsel, Lawal Pedro (SAN).

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, the witness maintained that he carried out part of the investigation.

However, the judge adjourned the case until Friday for continuation of the trial.

Over 817 UTME Registrations Cancelled- JAMB

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board said it cancelled the registrations of no fewer than 817 candidates that registered to sit the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations and Direct Entry examinations.

The examination body said it made the decision owing to the discovery of certain infractions such as use of strange biometrics during the registration process.

The registrar of the examination body, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who cited some of the affected cases in a statement made available to our correspondent on Wednesday morning, stated that some registration officers in the affected 178 Computer-Based Test centres added their fingerprints to complete the registration process for the candidates.

Oloyede however, mentioned that the 817 affected students would be given another opportunity to re-register for the exam with the centres bearing the cost.

He said: “For the students who allowed other people to add their fingers to their registration procedure, we found that some of them were only naive, because you will hear them saying my finger was hot, and the man added his own. And you allowed him to add his own?

“Some of them did it deliberately for impersonation, but we can’t identify those who are genuine from those who are not genuine. We will cancel all of them, all the registrations, and we will ask them to re-register.

“The centres involved, we have just met with them, and they all confessed, nobody is disputing it, even students that were telling lies, they know we have the technology that won’t allow any lie to be accommodated.

“On their own (the CBT centres owners), they suggested the solution. We will cancel the registrations of those people concerned and we will send a message to them to go back to the very centres where they were registered and the CBT centres will pay to the board the cost of registration of the candidates.”

The JAMB boss revealed that allowing a registration officer or any other person to add his or her finger during capturing of a candidate’s biometric data could bring about impersonation in the exam as well as give such “strange” persons access to change vital details including exam centre.

“By adding his or her finger to your registration, it means he or her can change all your particulars when you are not there. You know your finger is what is used to identify you. The person can change your examination centre like say from Lagos to Ibadan, and on the exam day you won’t be able to write the exam.

“That is why we put in place a device that will throw up any strange finger that is not yours and that is why we were able to identify them.”

Speaking on the recent suspension of five CBT centres for selling UTME registration pins above the stipulated price, the JAMB boss said four of the five have been let off the hook.

He, however, said the excess payment would be refunded by the affected CBT centres to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for necessary action.

“Those who sold our pins to candidates beyond the approved limit, we have decided to lift the ban on four of the five after they have explained, and they have given us an apology and they have explained what happened.

“One did not come so we are not lifting the suspension. The four of them, one of them that came, we are still doing investigation (on the centre).

“As for those who overcharged, all the candidates who overpaid we are compiling the list. The overpayment will be paid by those vendors and those institutions to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

“They will pay the money to them and the law will determine what to do because I don’t believe the money should go back to the candidates because if you can pay N3,000, N5,000, N6,000 above the cost, you do not deserve any sympathy. I believe the money should not go back to them because we told them not to pay but now that they have paid we will recover the money and pay it to the appropriate government agency because if we retain it, they will say JAMB is looking for money. We are not looking for dirty money, we will therefore return the money to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, so as decided by the law,
they can even take it to a charity home and give it to those in need.”

Earlier during a virtual meeting with the candidates who had others donating their fingers (fingerprints) to them during their registration process, many of the students admitted to the act while others claimed ignorance.

Lagos Moves To Tackle Negligence Among School Officials

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 8, 2023

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The Lagos State Government on Tuesday vowed to step up its monitoring of schools in order to ensure that officials put in proper measures to ensure the protection of children.

Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi spoke at a Stakeholders’ Meeting for the 2022 Intervention Report on Safeguarding and Child Protection in Schools in Lagos State.

According to Vivour-Adeniyi, while in school, some children had been physically and sexual abused, saying that the state government really frowned at such.

She said: ”We had a couple of sexual abuse allegations made against teachers, school bus drivers, janitors. We had physical abuse, sexual abuse.”

The Executive Secretary stated that majority of the cases could had been avoided if relevant safeguarding measures were put in place in the schools.

Vivour-Adeniyi revealed how two children were killed in 2022 as a result of negligence from school officials.

She disclosed that the first death was a case of drowning at the school pool, while the second was a case of the child being ran down by a vehicle, after crossing the school gate, without vigilance from the school officials.

She said the Joint Task Force on Safeguarding and Child Protection, in the past one year, visited several schools where it received child protection and safeguarding concerns, saying that as a result of these visitations, the Task Force came up with the end of year report.

According to her, the agency deemed it expedient to have this roundtable meeting, which is a two-day programme, to conduct a postpartum assessment of these different cases, understand the trends, understand lessons that could learn and forge a way forward from a more preventive lens.

”So that it is not until these cases happen, that we have to respond and it is important that we learn from our mistakes or errors, or from history, from the past, with a view to knowing the way forward in issues that pertain to safeguarding and child protection in schools,” she said.

She said that findings during the visitations revealed that there was no level of awareness about the existence of the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy in schools.

Vivour-Adeniyi said there was a low level of awareness about support services that schools could take advantage of, with the unfortunate instance, that disclosure of safeguarding and child protection is made.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Toyin Oke- Osanyintolu, said that many school children were vulnerable to abuses, hence, they required protection.

Oke-Osanyintolu, who was represented by the Director, Social Welfare, of the ministry, Toyin Jaiyeola said that there was the need to review existing policies and fashion out new strategies to help protect children of school age, among others.

Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, stated that ensuring implementation of the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy in schools should be a joint effort, of different ministries and agencies.

According to her, the “truth of the matter is children are dying, the truth of the matter is children are not safe.”

Nigeria’s Head Coach, Peseiro Tips Golden Eaglets For Glory

By

Emenike Agu

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February 7, 2023

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Peseiro in a pose with Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach Nduka Ugbade and his players.

Nigeria’s head coach, José Santos Peseiro has expressed his admration of the country’s U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets after attending their training session at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project pitch, Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The Portuguese tactician admitted he was very impressed with the performance of the players, and charged them to keep improving their game as preparations for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria hot up.

He also admonished players that would eventually be dropped not to be dejected as that would not be the end of their football career.

“I am impressed with what I have seen with the performance of the players here. Nigeria is known for having very talented players, so I am therefore not surprised with the performance of these players,” Peseiro said.

“You have to keep working hard and keep improving your game. Unfortunately, not all the players here will be selected. You should not give up if you fail to make the final team,” he added.

The Golden Eaglets have been drawn in Group B of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria, where the team will trade tackles with Zambia, Morocco and South Africa in the city of Constantine.