TB killed 156,000, infected 452,000 Nigerians in 2020 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
In 2020, WHO estimates that 452,000 people in Nigeria developed TB. “The number of people dying in 2020 due to TB in Nigeria was 156,000. This, Ditiu said is because in the past, a small proportion of TB in Nigeria was diagnosed and treated. Out of an estimated 2.5 million TB cases in 2020 in Africa, only 1.4 million were detected and put on treatment. The End TB Strategy also includes a key target that seeks to reduce the catastrophic cost of tuberculosis treatment can have on families.
Source:The Guardian
March 31, 2022 10:41 UTC
World Bank suspends Nigerian firm, MD for bribery
THE World Bank has sanctioned SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd., a Nigerian information technology solutions company, and its Managing Director, Mr Isah Kantigi, for alleged corrupt practices. The firm, which was involved in the National Social Safety Nets Project, was sanctioned for 50 months while the managing director was sanctioned for 60 months. This was contained in a statement titled ‘World Bank Group debars SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd. and its managing director’, which was published on the bank’s website on Wednesday. “The debarments make SoftTech and Mr Isah Kantigi, a Nigerian national, ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by the World Bank Group.”The World Bank said the firm and the managing director were sanctioned for improper payments made to certain project officials. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Source:Punch
March 31, 2022 08:13 UTC
Tear gas fired as Nigeria fans riot over World Cup loss
Nigerian security forces fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of angry fans who stormed the pitch and went on a rampage after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup late Tuesday. Outraged supporters flooded the field of the sold-out 60,000 capacity stadium in the capital after Ghana upset the home team by forcing a 1-1 draw to win the African play-off on away goals and dash Nigeria’s hopes of appearing in the World Cup later this year. Some of fans smashed benches while others chanted “Pinnick must go! !”, referring to the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick. Tuesday’s match marked the first time since October 2011 that the Nigerian football team played in MKO Abiola stadium, which underwent about one-million-dollar renovation spearheaded by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote.
Source:The Guardian
March 31, 2022 06:17 UTC
Experts discover medicinal plants with potential to cure cervical cancer
CERVICAL cancer induced by the germ Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of death in women. Researchers have discovered an important substance present in some medicinal plants to cure cervical cancer. Among all the selected chemical substances in these medicinal plants, the researcher said stigmasterol and clicoemodin were the best inhibitor of HPV and therefore suggested that these be used as potential investigational drugs to cure HPV infections. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer. Types 16 and 18 of the virus cause up to 80% of cervical cancers in women and up to 90% of HPV-related cancers in men.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
March 31, 2022 04:07 UTC
Nigeria, Egypt join Ghana, Tanzania as WHO’s regulators of reference | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
•‘We are out of crisis, not out of COVID-19’•Women, newborns get global help for six-week postnatalNigeria and Egypt have joined Ghana and Tanzania as effective regulatory systems in Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO), yesterday, announced that the two new entrants’ medical products regulatory agencies had achieved Maturity Level 3. A WHO-lead team of international experts carried out the benchmarking of Egypt and Nigeria’s regulators. HOWEVER, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has stated that Nigeria has not yet overcome COVID-19, but only out of crisis. According to the global health body, more than one in every ten women and babies worldwide do not currently receive postnatal care in the first days after birth when majority of maternal and infant deaths occurs.
Source:The Guardian
March 31, 2022 03:43 UTC
JUST IN: Russian forces withdraw from Chernobyl nuclear site — Official
Russian forces have begun to pull out of the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power site after seizing control of the facility on February 24, a senior US defence official said Wednesday. “Chernobyl is (an) area where they are beginning to reposition some of their troops — leaving, walking away from the Chernobyl facility and moving into Belarus. “We think that they are leaving, I can’t tell you that they’re all gone,” the official said. Details later…
Source:Punch
March 30, 2022 20:32 UTC
PUNCH Announces Appointments of New Divisional Head, Editors, Others
Ademola Oni, the Editor of The PUNCH, was promoted Head of the newspaper’s Content Division, while Adedayo Oketola, the Editor, Weekend Titles (Saturday PUNCH and Sunday PUNCH), was appointed Editor, The PUNCH. A former Editor of Sunday PUNCH, he also served as the editor of the newspaper’s flagship online platform, Punchng.com. Sonowo has been a member of the award-winning PUNCH Editorial Board team since October 2009. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Editor, The PUNCH, Odebode was the Head of PUNCH’s Abuja Bureau, where he served for six years. Dada joined PUNCH Nigeria Limited as a real estate correspondent in 2002 and rose through the ranks over the years to become the Business Editor and Metro Editor.
Source:Punch
March 30, 2022 17:31 UTC
Robbers attack The Guardian reporter, photo editor in Lagos
Dare-devil robbers on Monday night attacked The Guardian reporter, Eniola Daniel and photo editor, Femi Adebesin-Kuti with a cutlass on their way home after work. The duo was attacked around Apakun bridge, along Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) Road, Lagos, after the vehicle of the photo editor developed a fault. After the attack, Daniel managed to run back to the Rutam House office of The Guardian along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in a pool of his blood and was immediately taken to the hospital. “While the attack was going on, motorists on the Airport Road just sped past us. “Lagos State Government should restore streetlights on Airport Road,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
March 30, 2022 14:09 UTC
The complete 2022 Australian budget: choose what matters to you
The budget allocates an additional $2.4bn over four years for new medicines added to the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, including Trodelvy, used to treat a rare form of breast cancer, saving patients up to $80,000 for each treatment. “For the first time, this drug gives hope to many young women, extending their life expectancy and providing an opportunity to spend precious time with their loved ones,” Josh Frydenberg said, before relating the story of a woman called Alison, who against the odds was celebrating her child’s 12th birthday thanks to the drug. As part of the government’s package to reduce the cost of living the government will also reduce the PBS safety net thresholds so that about 2.4 million people will qualify more quickly for free or discounted prescription medicines. For general patients the threshold is reduced from $1,542.10 to $1,457.10 and for concession card holders from $326.40 to $244.80.
Source:The Guardian
March 30, 2022 06:24 UTC
Fintech sees transaction value surge in two years
A finicial technology (fintech) firm, CashBox said it has seen monthly transaction value grow from N16 million in 2019 to N200 million in 2021, representing a 1,150 per cent increase in the period. The number of users also rose from 10,000 to 200,000 within the same period, an indication of the growing adoption of digital savings in Nigeria. “Our digital marketing budget is very small compared to our competitors and that is because we have relied mostly on referrals to build the business,” Aigbogun said. However, the company continues to keep in touch with potential investors as it plans its fundraising.
Source:The Guardian
March 30, 2022 04:00 UTC
Troops dislodge IPOB, ESN from hideout in Anambra – Official
Troops of Nigerian Army have raided a suspected hideout of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, ESN in Orsumoghu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said gunmen have been terrorising residents of the area and security agencies from the hideout for a while. He said troops were met with “stiff resistance” from gunmen during a clearance operations in the border communities of Anambra and Imo States. “They (gunmen) were overwhelmed by troops’ superior firepower forcing them to abandon their hideout,” he said. “The suspect is currently on the run while troops have intensified operations to close in on him and his cohorts,” Mr Nwachukwu, a brigadier-general, said.
Source:The Guardian
March 29, 2022 03:47 UTC
Nigerians abroad harp on misinformation | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Europe chapter (NIDO-E), has advised Nigerians to be wary of information published online to ensure safety of citizens. Chairman, NIDO Europe chapter, Dr. Bashir Obasekola, made the appeal at a forum held in Moscow, Russia. The event was organised by the union’s Russia chapter with the theme, “Russia-Ukraine Situation: Impact on Nigerians in Russia/Europe and Bilateral Relations.”Obasekola said NIDO leverages its network across Europe to provide support to Nigerians fleeing Ukraine. He, however, noted that some Nigerians were still trapped in Ukraine, stating that they needed moral and psychological relief.
Source:The Guardian
March 29, 2022 03:41 UTC
Cities need to be redesigned for the climate crisis. Can they make us happy, too?
Urban Political Ecologies of Housing and Climate Change: The ‘Coolest Block’ Contest in Philadelphia. Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Urban Areas: Perspectives on Indicators, Knowledge Gaps, Barriers, and Opportunities for Action. Climate change is straining Philly’s 19th-century sewage system. What Can Philly Do about Climate Change? Working with Nature Is the Best Way to Tackle the Impacts of Climate Change.
Source:The Guardian
March 29, 2022 01:25 UTC
#Protecting22Dreams: Tangerine Africa is protecting female-owned business with free insurance cover | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
In honour of International Women’s Month, Tangerine Africa a leading financial institution in Nigeria has launched a campaign tagged #Protecting22Dreams to give hard-working female entrepreneurs free access to essential insurance plans for a year. Daily, these women rise above all odds to set sail to their dreams and achieve a better life for themselves and their families. With #Protecting22Dreams Tangerine is not only giving women the confidence and support they need to build successful businesses but the cover needed to thrive across all angles of their lives. With this campaign, Tangerine is also driving the urgent conversation for making insurance accessible to everyone irrespective of their social or economic background. You can nominate any female entrepreneur you think deserves the #Protecting22Dreams bundle, at http://www.tangerine.africa/iwd
Source:The Guardian
March 28, 2022 18:02 UTC
NASU, SSANU commence two-week warning strike
The branches of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) in universities and inter-universities centres across the country have served notice of two weeks warning strike to the Federal Government over what the unions described as a non-challant attitude of the government to their demands. It stated this in a joint press statement signed by both the National President of SSANU, Comrade H. Ibrahim and the General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday in Minna, Niger State capital. The statement reads: “Please refer to our letter with ref. Vol.11/192 dated 18th March 2022, addressed to the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment titled: the looming strike.”ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNEThe unions said, “Having waited for so long, this is to inform you that the government has not responded nor reacted to our demands as at this moment.”It however added that in view of the non-challant attitude of the government to their demands, “This is to direct our members in all universities and inter-universities centres throughout the country to commence a two-week warning strike by midnight of Sunday, 27th March, 2022 in the first instance as earlier conveyed to the Federal Government in our letter.”The statement thereby emphasized that the two-week warning strike should be comprehensive and total, adding that no concession should be given in any guise. “Your strict compliance and adherence to the directive is mandatory to all branches of NASU and SSANU in the Universities and Inter- Universities Centres throughout the country,” the statement concluded.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
March 28, 2022 06:12 UTC