Category: Uncategorized

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

No fewer than 500 women have been screened for free Breast Cancer in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital as part of efforts to curbing the prevalence of the disease in the state.

The medical outreach took place at the Lifefount Hospital, an Ilorin based medical facility in collaboration with African Research Group for Oncology.

Also included in the three days medical mission, which ended on Saturday, were free mammography and ultra sound for the beneficiaries.

Speaking to Journalists on the exercise, the Medical Director, Lifefount Hospital, Dr (Mrs) Yemisi Adeyeye, said there was need for women, who are mostly victims, to be breast aware in order to have cancer free society.

Dr (Mrs) Adeyeye urged them to embark on self breast examination through frequent check of their breasts.

“All women should be aware of their breasts, they should be doing self breast examination by checking their breasts. And for those who are still menstrating, they should check their breasts. When they start their menses the first day, they should count till seventh day. They should check their breasts between the seventh day and tenth day. Because that time, the breasts will not be as bulky as they used to be at other days of the month.

“And for women who are already in their menopausal years, they can choose a particular day of the month, to always check their breasts. Apart from checking one’s breasts by oneself, they should find time to come to the hospital, may be once in a year or six months for doctors to conduct clinical breast examination for them, which is very good.

“My advice also is that women, aged 40 years and above can do mammography at least once a year while people who are lower in age than 40 can do breast ultra sound”, Dr (Mrs) Adeyeye said.

She said the medial outreach conducted free of charge, would have cost the beneficiaries between N50,000 to N60,000.

She added, “We can not say this is particular cause for breast cancer but there are risk factors, and that is one of the things we are also paying attention to, for this particular medical outreach that Lifefount Hospital is having with African Research Group for Oncology.

“The attention was paid to people who have first degree relatives, like people whose mother, parents, sibling or child has had breast cancer before, because they are also at risk. Because they share same genetic being.

“We are also doing this for people, who have breast complaints; breast lump, breast pain, nipple discharge. Those are the things we are focusing on”.

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

As part of humanitarian services, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), today, concluded its 3-day medical outreach in Wauru Jabbe Community in Yola South Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State.

The Nigerian Air Force said that the humanitarian effort was aimed at assuaging the plight of victims of the recent flood disasters that ravaged some parts of Adamawa State.

The outreach, which took place at the Wauru Jabbe Primary School was coordinated by the NAF Medical Services Branch, in compliance with the directives of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for the Branch to provide medical assistance and relief materials to the affected communities.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola in a statement said that the outreach catered for the medical needs of over 59,000 persons, including women, children and the aged, in order to avert outbreak of diseases as well as provide needed healthcare services.

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, thanked the NAF for the proactive step taken to support the state government’s efforts at providing succour for the flood victims.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Adamawa State, Mr Kennedy Barthimaus, the Governor noted that, apart from its significant contributions to security, NAF’s humanitarian efforts in the state have always been exceptional.

While, observing that the gesture would further bolster the existing cordial relationship between the State and the NAF, urging the people to take advantage of the NAF intervention to access quality healthcare services to ameliorate their medical challenges.

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

The federal Government does not have comprehensive records on the treaties and protocols it signs into.

The Chairman of the House committee on treaties and protocols, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai disclosed this on Monday.

He lamented that as at today; “the nation does not have a comprehensive and up to date record of published treaties to which it is a signatory, pointing that the federal government has ratified only 11 out of the 400 treaties and protocols it has entered into with other nations and multilateral organizations.

“There are about 400 Treaties Nigeria has signed and ratified but it’s about 11 that have been domesticated. And today, we have treaties that have financial implication in line with the law but not yet domesticated”, he disclosed.

According to the chairman, the National Assembly would not be able to fund these counterparts funding because it has not been domesticated and have no force of law in Nigeria.

“It is only when it is domesticated that it is enforceable and has a force of law in Nigeria and you can be able to apply in terms of funding in those key areas.

“There are so many Treaties we are going to review in the coming days. Look at the Aviation agreement we are talking about with China, the recent agreement on transportation ministry in terms of roads and others. Those have not been domesticated and yet want counterpart funding, does it make sense,” he revealed .

By Danzumi Ishaku, Jalingo

Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba state, has sworn in new Secretary to the Taraba State Government Mr Anthony Jellason.

The event took place on monday at the Exco Chambers, Government House Jalingo.

Others also sworn in include the Chief of Staff Government House Administration, Barrister Haruna Istifanus Gbana, Special adviser on political matters Abubakar Bawa, Chairman House of Assembly Service Commission Shehu Mohammed and other members of the Commission.

Speaking during the swearing in Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku tasked the new appointees to devote their time,energy and be committed to the service of the state.

The Governor appealed to Tarabans not to distract the appointees by placing pecuniary demands because of what is ahead of them.

He called on politicians irrespective of their party to emulate the doggedness of former Minister of Women Affairs Aisha Jumai Alhassan who has since join his rescue team for the sake of developing the state.

Governor Ishaku advised those fanning the embers of disunity to deceased forthwith for the sake of peace and development and congratulated the appointees.

In his acceptance Speech Secretary to the State Government Anthony Jellason promised the resolve of the appointees not to betray the confidence reposed in them.

They promised to redouble their efforts to the service of the state.

State Chief Judge Philibus Bitrus Andetur administered the oath of office and allegiance to the appointees.

Our correspondent gathered that the SSG and the two appointees served in Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku first term in two thousand and five before their reappointment.

Anthony Jellason was born in Nineteen fourty nine, he was educated at the Staff training center Potiskum, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria ASCON.

He was Sole Administrator Zing Local Government Area in Nineteen eighty three, General Manager Baissa Timba Company in Nineteen eighty seven,One time Commissioner Local Government Service Commission, Chairman Taraba State Civil Service Commission and others.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other stakeholders at a security forum on Monday stressed the need for Africa to carefully study global trends with a view to learning and positioning the region at an enviable height.

They spoke in Abeokuta at the Second Intellectual Fiesta on Africa’s Development.

The theme of the programme, which was organised by the Centre for Human Security and Dialogue, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), was “Emerging Developments in Europe and North America: Lessons for Human Security in Africa.”

Obasanjo, who was a special guest at the event, noted in his opening remarks that the world had become a global village with interdependence consequences.

While urging African countries to take keen interest in developments in Europe and North- America, the former president warned that the region must not copy or sheepishly follow the process in such socio-economic, political and cultural trends.

” We have to study the trends to take the things that could be beneficial to us and discard things that are inimical to our development, ” he said.

A communique issued at the end of the dialogue noted that recent developments in Europe and North- America, particularly in education, health, politics, economy and culture had ongoing and potential impact on Africa’s development.

It particularly noted in Europe and North-America the growing self-centrism, America-first, Brexut, growth of rightist movements, protectionism and dissolution of trade deals.

The communique said Africa must take a cue from Europe and North- America where huge investment was being committed to education considered as a potent pathway of improving human security.

“Such investment, among other benefits, will ultimately contribute to reducing terrorism and violent extremism in Africa,” it said.

It recommended that Africa should stop paying lip service to the concept of self reliance but should take practical steps to ensuring self reliance in food and nutrition by engaging and encouraging interested citizens in agribusiness.

The communique, which noted that Africa was not paying due attention to “the Trumpian phenomenon” called for an observatory committee to monitor its impact on the world order and develop a coping strategy.

It recommended that Africa should initiate and improve on policies which place emphasis on youth development and employment.

The communique also stressed the need for human security policy at the national and regional level while harmonising efforts of agencies involved in human security that currently operate in silos.

“Although we should feel concerned about issues relating to market economy and liberal democracy, Africa should define the form of governance that is contextually relevant to the African setting and not assume that what is working in Europe and North America will work for us.

“Africa should stop putting the responsibilities of its challenges on the colonialists.

“The international community does not owe Africa respect but Africa has to earn the respect through defining for itself the type of development that is contextually beneficial to individual countries and the continent,” it added (NAN)

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

President Muhammadu Buhari has constituted an Economic Advisory Council (EAC) on Monday, September 16.

The president’s special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, made this known in a mail sent to the media.

See the list below:
1. Prof Doyin Salami (chairman)
2. Dr Mohammed Sagagi (vice chairman)
3. Prof Ode Ojowu (member)
4. Dr Shehu Yahaya (member)
5. Dr Iyabo Masha (member)
6. Prof Chukwuma Soludo (member)
7. Bismark Rewane (member)
8. Dr Mohammed Adaya Salisu (secretary)

According to the mail, the advisory council will replace the current Economic Management Team (EMT) and will be reporting directly to the president.

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has visited Katsina State to access the level of insecurity with a view to finding lasting solutions.

Gbajabiamila disclosed this on Monday when he visited Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari.

“We are here to see what is happening on the ground, discuss with the governor and proffer possible solutions to the problems.

“Nigeria is one country, a state alone cannot deal with this, there must be something which we can do to assist.

He said that no one can assist the state by just seeing reports in the media.

“We have been to Zamfara and Borno States, the situation is almost the same everywhere we go.

“The issue of kidnappers is the major problem here, though things have now subsided because the governor has done so much,’’ he said.

Responding, Masari said that the porosity nature of the nation’s borders also contribute to the level of insecurity challenges in the country.

He said that drug abuse and trafficking was mostly accompanied by arms trafficking.

“Our legislators need to do some legislation to address the situation otherwise criminals will continue to move from one country to another,’’ he said.

He said that the government identified that the bandits were neglected for several years.

“It is a signal for us to do the necessary, and what is necessary is education.

“We will give the people living at the grassroots good education that will afford them to earn a living by way of learning some trades.

“I believe, you cannot be a good cattle rearer without good education,’’ Masari said. (NAN)

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, September 16, met the special envoy of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the State House, Abuja.

The meeting came about after the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.

The special adviser of the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement issued on the evening of Monday, September 16, said that Buhari reminded the envoy of the roles played by Nigerian government in engendering majority rule in South Africa, and ending the apartheid segregationist policy.

He said: “Going back to historical antecedents, we made great sacrifices for South Africa to become a free state. I was a junior officer to General Murtala Muhammad, and General Olusegun Obasanjo. They were not operating in a democracy, but they got Nigerians to support them in the bid to see a free South Africa.

“Our leadership was quite committed to the cause. We made sacrifices, which younger people of today may not know. During my last visit to South Africa with the late President Robert Mugabe, it was very emotional, as Mugabe spoke about Nigeria’s contribution to free South Africa.”

The president extended appreciation to President Ramaphosa, through the special envoy, “for coming to explain to us what happened in South Africa recently, leading to killing and displacement of foreigners.”

In his remarks, Radebe apologised on behalf of his president for what he called “acts of criminality and violence” that recently occurred, adding that

“such do not represent our value system, nor those of the larger number of South Africans.” He said South Africa was an integral part of Africa, and is fully committed to peace and integration of the continent.