SAD: Ebola Outbreak Kills 19 in DR Congo

The health ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo said that the fresh deadly Ebola outbreak had claimed another 19 lives in just five days.

The outbreak, which began on August 1, 2018 has ravaged the eastern part of the country.

Ebola has in the meantime killed 241 people, the ministry said in a statement late last Tuesday being 27th November 2018.

“There have been 241 deaths,” the ministry said in an update correct to November 26, indicating there had been a total of 421 cases — 374 of them confirmed, and another 47 probable.

Another 74 suspected cases are under investigation.

Rostrum365 health crew gathered that The outbreak is the tenth in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected there in 1976.

The crisis is centred around the restive eastern city of Beni in North Kivu, a region which has been blighted by armed conflict that has hampered efforts to curb the outbreak.

Ebola is a serious infectious disease that can spread rapidly through small amounts of bodily fluid, causing internal bleeding and potentially death.

DR Congo is at the peak of a major campaign ahead of a December 23 election to choose a successor to President Joseph Kabila, who has ruled the vast central African country since 2001.

It's noteworthy that since gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, the poverty-stricken nation has never known a peaceful transition of power.

OSUN: Aregbesola Out, Oyetola In

Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola was on Tuesday, 27th November 2018 graciously sworn in as the governor of Osun State of Nigeria in the West African region.

Mr. Oyetola, who won the September 22 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took the oath of office at the Osogbo City Stadium in the state capital.

The Chief Judge of the State, Oyobola Adepele-Ojo, administered the oath of office on Mr. Oyetola at about 1:02 pm.

It's noteworthy that his deputy, Benedict Alabi equally took the oath of office at about 12:55 pm.

Mr. Oyetola took over from Mr. Rauf Aregbesola who came into power on November 27, 2010.

Mr. Aregbesola came to power after the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan sacked his predecessor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola who had spent three and a half years of his second term in office.



In his goodwill message, President Muhammadu Buhari urged Mr. Oyetola to rule with a human face and with the fear of God.

The president represented by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) also enjoined the new governor to be a governor for all.

Mr. Buhari said the peaceful transition from one government to another was a demonstration that Nigeria democracy had matured.

The president commended the people of the state for conducting themselves peacefully during the governorship election in spite of the hitches, adding that the victory was for the people.

Mr. Buhari also commended Mr. Aregbesola for steering the ship of the state in the right direction in the last eight years and for handing over power to another APC governor.

The president went further to disclose that the Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria was committed to the completion of various infrastructure projects in the state.

He said the FG had supported the state in the area of health, housing, water, economy and education.

Also speaking, Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the ruling APC, commended the outgone governor Mr. Aregbesola for his achievements while in office.

He said “Aregbesola earned a progressive mandate for eight years, developed progressive programmes and handed over to another progressive governor.

“This is not a mere achievement, and we pledge our total support, both of us in office or out of office for the continuity of the progressive government established by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“And we are not going back to greed, selfishness, and corruption that held back our progress.”

Mr. Tinubu, however, urged Mr. Oyetola to embark on the same path that gave him the honour to become the governor, adding that the party was solidly behind him.

In his speech, the new governor said his administration marked a new beginning in the state. He said he would ensure that the people of the state felt positive effects of the progressive government in the state.

He also said that his administration would ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

Mr. Oyetola also disclosed that he would increase the revenue base, job creation, boost agriculture and food security as well as accessible education and health.

While thanking President Buhari for his support for the state and the party, Mr. Oyetola stated that Osun State was ready for the “next level”.

He further promised to deliver Osun for the president in 2019.

“My administration will promote growth, job creation, social protection and upgrade the standard of living of the people,’’ Oyetola said.

Mr Oyetola, a former Chief of Staff to Mr Aregbesola for eight years, is a native of Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area of the state.

Born on September 29, 1954, Mr Oyetola bagged Bachelor of Science degree in Insurance in 1978 from the University of Lagos, and a Master of Business Administration in 1999 at the same University.

Rostrum365 political crew gathered that Mr. Oyetola, a native of Iragbiji, defeated the candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke during the governorship election.

It further learnt that Mr Oyetola scored 255,505 votes to defeat Mr Adeleke, who polled 255, 023 votes. Mr Adeleke is currently in court to challenge the polls which were marred by widespread irregularities.

The journey of Mr Oyetola to the governorship seat started on July 20, 2018 when he won the party’s governorship ticket.

He scored 127,017 votes to defeat other 16 aspirants in the APC who participated in the direct primary held in Osogbo.

Rostrum365 equally gathered that the APC governors at the event were Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, and Yayaha Bello of Kogi.

Also present were Adams Oshiomole, the APC National Chairman of the APC; Bola Tinubu, a National Leader of the party, and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu; Olusegun Osoba, a former Ogun State governor; Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi; among many others.

Congratulations, Mr. Oyetola!

SPORT: Super Falcons Defeat Indomitable Lionesses 4-0, Qualify For Final

The Nigeria's Super Falcons on Tuesday, 27th November 2018 defeated the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 4-2 during penalties in the semifinals of the ongoing 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON).
Nigeria vs Cameroon

Nigeria finished second in group B after two wins and a loss, while Cameroon were top of group A with two wins and a draw.

Super Falcons head coach Thomas Dennerby made no changes to the starting line up for their previous two games that ended on victory.


The Super Falcons were however bullied to creating very few chances in the first half as the Indomitable Lionesses controlled possession and set the tone of the game.

The Cameroonians aimed to revenge previous defeats by the Nigerian side as the game at the Accra Sports Stadium ended in a goalless draw at halftime, with neither team creating any clear cut chances.


The second half followed in the same pattern as the first with both sides unable to get the breakthrough.

Thomas Dennerby tried to change the game by introducing Falconets stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Anam Imo but the game ended goalless at 90 minutes full time.

The first half of extra time ended goalless with the Super Falcons in the ascendancy before the whistle. The second half ended goalless also as both side proceeded to penalty shoot out.

Captain Onome Ebi, Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala and Ngozi Ebere all converted their spot kicks to give Nigeria a 4-2 victory.

Rostrum365 Sport crew gathered that Cameroon star Ajara Nchout was voted Woman of the Match as she played a crucial role as the Indomitable Lionesses pressed the Super Falcons.

By winning the semifinal game the Super Falcons have qualified for the forthcoming 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup to be hosted in France and will face the Bayana Bayana of South Africa in the final match of the ongoing 2018 AWCON billed for Saturday, 1st december 2018.

It would be recalled that the Falcons were in their first match during the group stage defeated by the South-Africa side by 1-0.

SPORT: Super Falcons Tackle Indomitable Lionessses Today Over AWCON

The Nigeria's Super Falcons will today being Tuesday, 27th November 2018 slug it out with the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the ongoing African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON)being hosted in Ghana.

The Falcons on Saturday, 24th November 2018 graciously entered the semi-final phase of the tournament having humiliated the Equatorial Guinea side by 6-0, hence finishing second in their group.

Rostrum365 gathered that the Swede coach, Thomas Dennerby has warned the Indomitable Lionesses to be wary of his ever-ready Super Falcons.

Dennerby says his Super Falcons side are in good shape to take on Cameroon in Tuesday's semi-final clash in the ongoing AWCON.

The Super Falcons will rekindle their rivalry with Indomitable Lionesses when they go toe-to-toe at the Accra Sports Stadium in the quest to clinch a spot in the final of the competition.

With both sides set to meet for the ninth time in the tournament's history, the holders' gaffer believes his ladies will fight hard with everything in them to claim a win over Joseph Brain's side.

The match is expected to commence by 5:00pm Nigerian time.

BREAKING: Macron Agrees to Return 26 Cultural Artefacts to Benin Republic

The French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron on Friday, 23rd November 2018 graciously approved to return 26 cultural artifacts to Benin Republic “without delay”.

It would be recalled that the West African nation was a colony of France from 1872 till 1st August 1960 when they got their independence.

The move could put pressure on other former colonial powers to return looted African artworks to their countries of origin.

The decision — which Macron said should not be seen as an isolated or symbolic case — came as the president received the findings of a study he commissioned on repatriating African treasures held by French museums.

Macron agreed to return the 26 works, mainly royal statues from the Palaces of Abomey — formerly the capital of the kingdom of Dahomey — taken by the French army during a war in 1892 and now in Paris’ Quai Branly museum.

In addition, he proposed gathering African and European partners in Paris next year to define a framework for an “exchange policy” for African artworks.

The president “hopes that all possible circulation of these works are considered: returns but also exhibitions, loans, further cooperation”, the Elysee palace said.

Ousmane Aledji, director of the Benin cultural centre Artisttik Africa, said he was pleased to see “a new form of cultural exchange” with France.

Britain has also faced calls to return artefacts, including the Elgin Marbles to Greece and the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, while museums in Belgium and Austria house tens of thousands of African pieces.

Calls have been growing in Africa for restitution of artworks, but French law strictly forbids the government from ceding state property, even in well-documented cases of pillaging.

In 2016 Benin demanded France return items including statues, artworks, carvings, sceptres and sacred doors.

While that request was initially denied, in November 2016 Macron raised hopes in a speech in Burkina Faso, pledging to “return African heritage to Africa”.

Following his speech, Macron asked French art historian Benedicte Savoy and Senegalese writer Felwine Sarr to study the matter.

Their report, a copy of which has been seen by AFP, has been welcomed by advocates of the restitution of works which were bought, bartered, or in some cases simply stolen.

It proposes legislation be developed to return thousands of African artefacts taken during the colonial period to nations that request them.

There are conditions, however, including a request from the relevant country, precise information about the works’ origins, and the existence of proper facilities such as museums to house the works back in their home country.

Macron’s office said that museums will be invited to “identify African partners and organise possible returns” and should quickly establish “an online inventory of their African collections”.

The president also called for “in-depth work with other European states that retain collections of the same nature acquired in comparable circumstances”.

A UNESCO convention against the export of illicit cultural goods adopted in 1970 called for the return of cultural property taken from a country but it did not address historic cases, including from the colonial era.

With museums fearing they could be forced to return artefacts, former colonial powers have been slow to ratify the convention: France only did so 1997, Britain in 2002, Germany in 2007 and Belgium in 2009.

On Tuesday, the governor of Easter Island in the Pacific tearfully begged the British Museum to return one of its famous statues.

The London museum has held the Hoa Hakananai’a, one of the most spiritually important of the Chilean island’s stone monoliths, for 150 years.

Of the estimated 90,000 African artworks in French museums, around 70,000 are at the Quai Branly museum, created by ex-president Jacques Chirac, a keen admirer of African and Asian art.

Elsewhere in Europe, 37,000 objects from Sub-Saharan Africa were at Vienna’s Weltmuseum and 180,000 were at Belgium’s Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren.

The report commissioned by Macron said such collections were effectively depriving Africans of their artistic and cultural heritage.

“On a continent where 60 percent of the population is under the age of 20 years old, what is first and foremost of a great importance is for young people to have access to their own culture, creativity, and spirituality from other eras,” it said

BREAKING: Interpol Elects Jong-yang as President

The International police (Interpol) has elected Kim Jong-yang of South-Korea as its new president, according to the Interpol body.

Mr. Jong-yang, who had been serving as acting president, was elected for a two-year term at the body's annual congress in Dubai on Wednesday, 21st November 2018 finishing the four-year term of his predecessor who was arrested in China this year.

"Our world is now facing unprecedented changes which present huge challenges to public security and safety," Jong-yang told Interpol's general assembly, according to the agency's Twitter handle.

"To overcome them, we need a clear vision: we need to build a bridge to the future."

It's noteworthy that Mr. Jong-yang, 57, worked in the South Korean police for more than 20 years before retiring in 2015.

South Korea's President, Mr. Moon Jae-in congratulated Mr. Jong-yang on becoming the first South Korean to head the revered global organisation.

"We're very proud. I, together with our people, am sending congratulations," Jae-in wrote on his Twitter handle.

The South Korean's election is a blow to Moscow's efforts to reserve the position for a Russian candidate, Mr. Alexander Prokopchuk.

The United States, Britain and other European nations rejected Prokopchuk's candidature saying his election would lead to further Russian abuses of Interpol's red notice system to go after political opponents and fugitive dissidents.

Following the vote on Wednesday, the Kremlin said that clear outside pressure had been exerted on the election, though it did not see any factors that would render the process illegitimate; the Russia's Interfax news agency reported.

SPORT: Eagles Play Goalless with Cranes @Asaba

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have ended their international friendly match with the Cranes of Uganda on a goalless draw.

The game, which commenced at about 4:30pm Nigerian time, on Tuesday 30th November 2018 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, was not unlike a real battle as the two teams seemed really prepared for the epochal outing.

The draw in the Asaba friendly was the second in eight games for the three-time African champions against the Uganda Cranes.

It was also the Super Eagles’ second draw in five games since losing 2-1 to Argentina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The RostrumSport crew gathered that the stadium was full to stupor.

SPORT: Nigeria Plays Friendly with Uganda Today

After qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Super Eagles of Nigeria will slug it out with the Cranes of Uganda in a friendly game billed for today being Tuesday, November 20, 2018.

The game comes after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw away at South Africa which guaranteed them a top-two finish in Group E of the AFCON 2019 qualifiers.

The game will be played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and would be played at 4:00pm Nigerian time.

It's noteworthy that the two teams have qualified for the 2019 AFCON to be hosted in Cameroon.

Rostrum Sport crew gathered that the city of Asaba is already filled to the brim as at the time of filing this report.

Stay tuned to Rostrum for further news on this.

POLITICS: Buhari Launches Re-election Campaign As INEC Lifts Ban

President Muhammadu Buhari on 18th November 2018 graciously launched his reelection bid campaign, following the Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC's) lifting of ban on campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) polls.

The Nigeria's number one citizen whose running mate remains the country's Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo appealed to politicians to go about their 2019 election campaigns peacefully.

The event which took place at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja on Sunday. witnessed the launching of the re-election “campaign manual/next level document”.

“I am not unmindful of the fact that the National Assembly and the presidential campaign starts today, I will implore candidates to go about the campaigns peacefully and decently,” the president said.

 

“We have no other country than Nigeria , let us not set it ablaze because of politics,” he added.

It's noteworthy  that based on the official time table of the electoral commission, INEC, campaigns for the presidential and national assembly elections started on Sunday, November 18, 2018 across Nigeria ahead of the scheduled February 16, 2019 elections.

Stay tuned to Rostrum for more on 'Buhari Launches Re-election Campaign ..."

POLITICS: INEC Opens Window for Political Campaigns on Presidential, NASS Polls

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria has lifted ban on campaign for 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections slated for February 16, 2019, hence directed all contesting political parties to begin their campaigns from Sunday, 18th November 2018.

This is in line with the Electoral Act stipulation that mandates all political campaigns to commence 90 days before the slated date for the election.

A statement by Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC director of Voter Education and Publicity, on Saturday in Abuja said that political parties who fielded candidates for both elections would commence campaigns across the country.

Mr. Osaze-Uzzi said that the commencement of campaigns was in line with the Timetable and Schedule of Activities issued by the INEC.

He added that it was also in accordance with Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which provides that “the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day”.

“Political Parties are expected to conduct their activities in an organized and peaceful manner, devoid of rancor, hate and/or inflammatory speeches.”

He further reminded political parties and their candidates that campaigns for governorship and state houses of assembly would commence on December 1, 2018.

CRIME: Appeal Court Upholds Convictions of Nyame, Dariye, Reduces Jail Terms

Nyame

Dariye

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on 16th November 2018 reviewed downwards the jail sentences of two erstwhile governors, Senator Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and his Taraba counterpart, Reverend Jolly Nyame.

The two former governors were earlier handed down 14 years imprisonment each after an Abuja High Court found them guilty of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds.

The trial judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, had in her judgment handed down the maximum 14 years imprisonment to the duo after finding them guilty of criminal breach of trust. The court in addition handed them the maximum sentence of two years each for criminal misappropriation of funds.

However, the appellate court while delivering judgments on Friday on the two separate appeals filed by Dariye and Nyame against the order of the High Court, reduced the sentence of Dariye to 10 years while that of Nyame was brought to 12 years. The Court in addition awarded a fine of N495m on Reverend Nyame.

The three- man panel of the Court of Appeal in the judgment, which upheld the decision of the trial court however, held that the trial court erred in applying the maximum punishment on the governors on the grounds that they were first offenders.

The appellate court in Dariye’s appeal, held that the initial 14 years jail term was “excessive and therefore cannot be sustained” because the defendant was found to be a first offender.

According to Justice Stephen Adah, who delivered the lead judgment, while the issue of sentencing is discretionary, such discretion must be governed by law and must not be fanciful, arbitrary or excessive.

Also Justice Adah held that the trial judge ran contrary to section 416 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, when it sentenced Dariye to two years imprisonment under count 12, without conviction. He consequently quashed the sentence and set it aside.

The court further noted that there was no basis for the conviction of Dariye in count 23, because the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant diverted over N1billion ecological fund meant for Plateau State into buying a house in London.

Therefore, the court held that conviction of Dariye based on count 23 was “wrong and therefore liable to be quashed.

However, Justice Adah agreed with Justice Banjoko on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17, 21 and 22. He consequently reduced the jail terms from 14 to 10 years.

Delivering judgment in Reverend Nyame’s appeal also yesterday, Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the judgment of the appellate court, said Nyame’s appeal against the verdict of Justice Banjoko failed in its entirety.

Similarly, while the court reduced the jail term from 14 to 12 being that Nyame was a first offender, the Court of Appeal held that taking into consideration section 315 of the Criminal Code Act, the trial court failed to impose a fine as stipulated by law in view of the gravity of the offence leveled against Nyame to serve as deterrence.

Justice Agim berated Nyame for abusing his office as governor by converting public funds into private usage, adding that the former Taraba governor exhibited a “callous criminal mind and the impact of his criminal act was devastating to the entire people of Taraba state”.

Agim noted that “public office corruption” is in the class of crime against humanity, terrorism etc and that the offender must face the full wrath of the law.

He insisted that the trial court was right to have convicted the former governor, adding that “security vote is a public fund and its usage must be properly accounted for.”

Consequently, having reduced the custodian sentence from 14 to the 12 years, the appellate court ordered Nyame to pay the total fine of N495 million. The breakdown is: counts 1, 2 and 6, N100 million each; in counts 8, N50 million; counts 10, 12, and 14, N20 million each and counts 16, 18, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32, N10 million each, while count 36 is N5 million.

BREAKING: Buhari Approves #60bn for Rice Subsidy

The sum of N60bn has been approved by the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari as a subsidy for rice production in the country, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, revealed on Friday, 16th November 2018.

He spoke with State House correspondents after the National Food Security Council ended its meeting at the Presidential Villa, which was presided over by President Buhari.

The minister explained that the subsidy was meant to cut down prices of rice, particularly during the Yuletide season .

Ogbe, who was flanked by the Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, explained that the purpose of the subsidy was to help bring down the price of the commodity in the country.

He said, “There is a subsidy programme coming up. The government has approved some money, N60bn, to support the rice industry to bring down prices. But, we are going to handle it differently.

“We don’t want to get into petroleum subsidy problem. So, a committee is looking at it with the Ministry of Finance.

“We think that it is better for us to loan money to the millers, farmers and distributors at a very low-interest-rate so that the capital doesn’t disappear and they have cheaper credit to do their business that should impact on the price of rice in the market. When we are ready, we will let you know.”

On the use of NPK 15.15.15, a brand of fertilizer, by farmers, Ogbeh stated that government’s intention to place a ban on it was real.

He said the reason was that the fertilizer brand did not add much value to crop production by the farmers.

The minister added,  “We call for the ban of fertilizer NPK 15.15.15, which has been used in the country for many years but recent research has revealed that it is not useful for any crop or any soil.

He stated “Soils differ and so do crops. To believe there is one uniform fertilizer you can spread for every crop is a fallacy.   And it is because we have done soil tests and change the formulation of fertilizers, local blenders, that some of the yields we are getting now are rising from two tonnes per hectare to five and six.

“So, the President is looking into that and how we can deal with it.”

Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, who also addressed journalists, recalled a recent report by the United States Department of Agriculture, indicating that Nigeria was still a major importer of rice.

“We drew the attention of the Council to a report, which suggested that Nigeria had been importing rice to the tune of about three million tonnes.

 “We informed the council that contact has been made with the US agency to tell us the basis for the report because it is not consistent with the report available to us.

 “The only official importation in Nigeria is about 4,000 metric tonnes of rice.

Secondly, the biggest exporter of rice, Thailand, exported 1.1 million metric tonnes of rice to West Africa between January and October this year and India exported 402, 000 metric tonnes of rice to West Africa between January and the end of July this year. That is a total of 1.5 million metric tonnes.

“Even if all was smuggled into Nigeria, that was the total amount of importation one could attribute to Nigeria.

SPORT: Super Eagles Draw with South Africa, Qualify for 2019 AFCON

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday, 17th November 2018 played a 1-1 draw with the Bafana Bafana of South African over the ongoing 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Super Eagles travelled for the game as group leaders with nine points, with the Bafana Bafana second with eight.

The Gernot Rohr’s men went ahead through Samuel Kalu, in what appeared like an own goal before the hosts levelled the score line. There were no goals in the second half.

It would be recalled that the the Bafana Bafana had earlier won the Super Eagles 2-0 at the Godswin Akpabio Stadium, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State.

In the other game of the group that was played same day, Libya mauled Seychelles 8-1.

Nigeria hosts Seychelles in their last fixture of the qualifying series and the former equally humiliated the latter.

Meanwhile,  by the latest development, the Super Eagles have qualified for the 2019 AFCON with ten points aggregate.

BREAKING: Nigeria Declares Tuesday Public Holiday

The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria has declared Tuesday, 20th November 2018 as public holiday to mark the Eid-El Maulud commemoration usually observed by the Islamic community glabally.

This was announced by the country's Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) in a statement signed by the permanent secretary, Dr. M.B Umar.

He urged all Muslim faithful to align themselves with the prophet’s teachings which border on piety, charity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence, among others.

Dambazau equally called on all Nigerians to uphold these virtues, with a view to overcoming the current national challenges facing the country.

He assured that “the Federal Government remains committed to the unity of the country and as such, will put adequate structures on ground towards ensuring that the forthcoming general elections are credible, free and fair.”

Analysis I Fellow Nigerians, Let's End Diabetes Now!

By Fred Doc Nwaozor

         

On November 14, the world over commemorated the 2018 World Diabetes Day. The day, which is an annual and international commemoration, was instituted in the year 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to help in raising public awareness on the dangers and control of diabetes.

          

The day became an official United Nations (UN) Day in 2007 through the passage of the UN resolution. The day was chosen in honour of the birthday of Frederick Banting who along with Charles Best first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1921. The theme of this year’s anniversary is ‘The family and Diabetes’.

          

Diabetes is a lifelong medical condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. It’s often caused by the insufficiency or lack of the hormone known as insulin, which is produced by the pancreas – a gland found behind the stomach. The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by the aforementioned hormone.

         

When food is digested and enters the bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells where it’s broken down to produce the required energy. So, if one is diagnosed with diabetes, it implies that his/her body is unable to break down glucose into energy, because there’s either not enough insulin to move the glucose or the insulin being produced doesn’t work properly.

         

There are two main types of diabetes namely: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The former is usually more delicate than the latter which is far more common. In Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. As no insulin is produced, the victim’s glucose level increases, which can seriously damage his body’s organs.

         

Type 1 diabetes is often regarded as Insulin-dependent diabetes. It’s equally sometimes recognized as Juvenile diabetes or Early-onset diabetes, because it mostly develops before the age of forty or usually during the teenage years. If one is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he would need insulin injections for the rest of his life. He would also need to pay very close attention to certain aspects of his lifestyle and health, to ensure that his blood glucose levels stay balanced at all times.

        

Type 2 diabetes takes place when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it cells don’t react to insulin. This type of diabetes is generally known as Insulin-resistant diabetes. Since Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, the patient may eventually need medication mainly in the form of tablets. Type 2 diabetes is in most cases associated with obesity. Obesity-related diabetes is sometimes referred to as ‘maturity-onset’ diabetes owing to the fact that it is more common in older people.

         

During pregnancy, some women possess high levels of blood glucose, which makes their body unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. Such condition is known as gestational diabetes, and it affects up to 18 in 100 women during pregnancy. Pregnancy can as well make existing Type 1 diabetes worse.

          

Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of health problems developing in an unborn baby, therefore it’s very necessary for a pregnant woman to keep her blood glucose levels under control. It often develops during the second trimester of pregnancy and disappears after the baby is born. Women who suffer from gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

          

The general symptoms of diabetes, which usually take place simultaneously, include: feeling very thirsty; urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night; feeling very tired; weight loss and loss of muscle bulk; cuts or wounds that heal slowly; blurred vision, caused by the lens of the eye becoming dry; and, itching around the private parts or frequent episodes of thrush.

          

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days, whilst many people may have Type 2 diabetes for years without realizing it because the early symptoms tend to be friendly.

         

Survey shows that about 347 million people worldwide are presently suffering from diabetes. Worse still, almost half of the carriers do not know they have the disease. Many more people globally have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is referred to as pre-diabetes.

           

If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased. Thus, it’s absolutely very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it would get progressively worse if left untreated.

          

In general, diabetes carriers are advised to eat healthily, drink enough water, participate in constant exercise, consistently take their routine drugs as well as carry out regular blood tests, in order to ensure that their blood glucose levels remain balanced. Among all, they are advised to maintain a very cordial relationship with their health experts.

         

As the global community marks the 27^th edition of the World Diabetes Day, let’s endeavour to live a life that would exonerate us from contracting this dreaded disease that has claimed millions of souls.

         

We can achieve this by ensuring that we consume balance diets, or by staying away from constant intake of starchy or sugary foods without supplementing them with other required classes of foods.

         

It has no cure but it can be prevented, or duly controlled if contracted. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a policy analyst & rights activist, 

writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

TechDeck I How Feasible is Executive Order 5?

 By Fred Doc Nwaozor

       

President Muhammadu Buhari recently signed an executive order, prohibiting issuance of visa to foreign workers or experts whose skills are readily available in Nigeria.

         

The proclamation tagged Executive Order 5, which was endorsed on 5^th February 2018, is targeted to improve local content in public procurement in regard to science, engineering and technology in general.

         

It is expected to promote the application of science and technology with a view to achieving the country’s development and innovation goals across all sectors of the economy.

         

The president, pursuant to the authority vested in him by the 1999 Constitution, as amended, ordered that all procuring agencies shall give preference to Nigerian companies in the award of contracts in accordance with the Public Procurement Act 2007.

         

The order, however, stipulates that a situation where the required expertise is lacking within the country, procuring entities shall grant preference to foreign firms with a “demonstrable and verifiable plan for indigenous development prior to the award of such contracts”.

         

The document entitled ‘Presidential Executive Order 5 for planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian content in contracts concerning science, engineering and technology components’ further directs ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) to engage indigenous professionals in the onward planning, design and execution of national security projects.

          

It’s always wholesome and ideal to consider the feasibility study of any newly introduced policies or whatever policy that’s being awaited, hence that of Executive Order 5 wouldn’t be exceptional if the government is really prepared to achieve its goals.

          

So, as Nigerians as a people celebrate the emergence of this order, as a tech expert and policy analyst, I wouldn’t shy away from dissecting some key parameters that are likely to pose as limitations on the lofty policy.

        

We need to take into cognizance that the Executive Order 5 is silent regarding the foreign skills already domiciled in the country. An order of this kind requires additional clauses to make it more elaborate and understandable for thorough effective implementation.

        

Since the order is reportedly meant to promote local content, I’m keenly interested in knowing what becomes the fate of the foreign firms established anywhere across the federation. We need to be intimated on how the new tech policy would affect foreign experts – either individuals or entities – that are already here.

        

Are they going to be segregated whenever any procurement process is ongoing or ought to be treated as equal to the indigenous professionals? If the former is to be the case, then it simply means the order is equally asking them to henceforth vacate their stay in Nigeria.

         

If the government is truly keen in improving as well as promoting the country’s local content, some clauses must be stated clearly in the Executive Order 5. I’m not in anywhere advocating for outright sack of foreign content domiciled herein but it’s pertinent to make any policy self-explanatory and transparent.

        

Another amazing part that caught my attention in the order was where it’s stipulated there must be a plan for indigenous development in a situation where the needed skills aren’t available “prior to the award of such contracts”.

        

That means, before any contract would be awarded to a foreign contractor as a result of lapse, there must be tangible plan put in place towards addressing such lapses or loopholes. How possible could this be actualized if the required mechanisms are not introduced?

          

I won’t hesitate to enquire the authority that’s expected to remedy the system when the aforementioned situation arises. We need to be told the entity that would be saddled with the responsibility of developing the lacking indigenous skills. I’m, therefore, asserting that if the government fails to set up a special agency strictly in this regard, such an order would be dead on arrival.

        

We have overtime witnessed circumstances where a sitting government preferred to merely tender a certain policy without consequently coming up with the needed mechanism toward adequately implementing the document as well as actualizing every clause enshrined in it. Hence, I pray this wouldn’t be one of them.

         

The fact remains that the Nigeria’s tech sector is severely bleeding, hence seriously in need of an overhaul. It’s noteworthy that for such total turnaround to be realized, the leaders must wear the required political will like clothe.

         

This is the reason as much as I invariably pick interest in such technologically-oriented policies like the newly introduced Executive Order 5, I don’t find it difficult to analyze the prospects and encumbrances surrounding them.     

          

I want to state categorically that the order in question is a welcome development and a step in the right direction considering how far and how well the country’s technology at large has fared thus far. But there’s a compelling need for its feasibility study to be drastically considered if it’s born out of genuine intention.

         

In view of this, I urge the Buhari-led administration to involve reliable and competent hands and also consult the cognoscenti with a view to ensuring apt implementation of the said order.

         

It’s not anymore news that those who are well imbued with technology-related knowledge have for decades now been sidelined, hence leading to brain drain which is currently affecting our economy negatively. This aspect needs to be holistically addressed headlong.

          

So, as I commend Mr. President for introducing this lofty order, it’s inconsequential to enjoin him to ensure that the needful is done towards making the policy effective as well as sustaining it. Think about it!   

           

Comrade Nwaozor, a tech expert, writes
via frednwaozor@gmail.com