The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • Toxic Benylin Cough Syrup: Need for strengthening regulatory functions, oversight by NAFDAC

    Toxic Benylin Cough Syrup: Need for strengthening regulatory functions, oversight by NAFDAC

    By Emmanuel Afunwa

     For a long time, Africa has been known as the destination for imported pharmaceutical products and due to the fragile regulatory frameworks across the continent, it is touted as a destination for fake and adulterated medicines. This often puts patients’ safety at risk, presents with questionable efficacy and leads to poor treatment outcomes.

     With over 70% of the pharmaceutical products used on the continent imported from overseas, the drug regulatory functions need to be topnotch if the continent is to enjoy any form of medicines security which for now is still a far cry with the high levels falsified and adulterated medicines being reported by regulatory agencies in Africa.

     Just recently the African Medicines Agency was formed to strengthen the regulatory functions and oversight of pharmaceutical products with the sole aim of ridding the continent of falsified and adulterated medicines.

     The World Health Organisation defines falsified medicines as those which deliberately misrepresent their identity, composition or source. Four types of falsification can be distinguished: counterfeiting, tampering, illegal diversion and theft. Falsified medicinal products often contain harmful substances, no active ingredients, undeclared ingredients or excipients and the wrong dosage of the correct active ingredients.

     The problem has a global dimension and the health risks are enormous, especially for patients who usually cannot distinguish between authentic and fake ones. These usually harmful products may not only cause an adverse reaction in patients, but they also fail to treat the disease conditions for which they are intended and lead to therapeutic failures or even death.

    Problem with Toxic Cough Syrups

    In the wake of April 2024, NAFDAC the body in charge of regulating Pharmaceuticals and foods in Nigeria released a notice which placed a particular batch of Benylin paediatric cough preparation on red alert. The regulatory body had alerted the public of its intent to recall a batch of cough syrup which was suspected to have unacceptably high levels of toxic substances which are injurious to the health of children.

    This is a big kudos to NAFDAC and a welcome idea to have put the public on red alert against a drug product with doubtful efficacy and that may put patient safety at risk.

     There have been reports of deaths among children who took toxic cough syrups in Africa and Asia not long ago. In 2022, over 70 children died of Kidney failure in Gambia due to the presence of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, two harmful substances in batches of cough preparations imported from India. Cases of mortality among children have also been reported in Cameroon and Uzbekistan and reports have it that the same substances were fingered just like those in Gambia. These high waves of deaths from these countries are the highest levels of casualties recorded from poisoning from oral medication. In 2022, the Pharmaceutical Security Institute announced a 10% increase in pharmaceutical crime incidents globally, the highest reported in a singular year in recent times.

    Role of NAFDAC in Upping the Regulatory Functions

     The Nigerian drug regulator had recently been elevated to a Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status as a regulatory body which puts it on a higher pedestal with huge responsibilities in terms of regulatory functions and oversight in Sub-saharan Africa

     Nigeria being the highest importer of pharmaceutical products from overseas into Africa plays a major role in terms of drug issues on the continent and cannot afford to relent in its role as a regional watchdog for Pharmaceutical regulations. The reports of falsified and adulterated medicines are still huge on the continent and this hydra-headed monster needs to be battled with all available resources regardless of what it takes.

    In playing its leading role, immediately NAFDAC made its release alerting the public of the toxic paediatric preparations in circulation, it was followed by both Kenya and South Africa and these expectedly must have sent signals to all parties involved that it’s no longer business as usual. They must have gotten the signals that the regulatory bodies are up at work.

    Challenges and Gaps in Regulatory Functions

     A major problem which had bedevilled Africa in terms of pharmaceutical regulations has not been a lack of regulatory laws but inadequate monitoring and enforcement. Going through the Acts which set up the regional regulatory bodies one can capture robust laws that are water-tight enough to put checks to the nefarious activities when fully implemented but the problem is that there are always loopholes or gaps which arise during inspection, enforcement and monitoring activities.

    For example, the ports which are major entries of drugs into the continent have been found to have officials who sabotage the regulatory functions by collecting bribes and allowing falsified and adulterated medicines into the continent. Likewise, during drug registration processes, regulatory officers allow substandard medicines which do not contain what they have on their dossiers to be registered thereby posing risks to patients and society.

    Strategy for Strengthening Regulatory Oversight

     With the creation of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) the strengthening of regulatory functions and oversight in Africa is becoming a centralised thing and may tighten the borders and increase the tempo of the goal to rid Africa of falsified and adulterated medicines. With NAFDAC’s status as a regional leader in terms of drug regulation and oversight function and Nigeria being the biggest drug importer of pharmaceutical products it is important that Nigeria takes the lead in the fight against fake and adulterated medicines and the action it is taking with the recent discovery of the toxic batches of the Benylin paediatric cough syrup and the steps it had taken it shows it is not relenting in the battle of eliminating falsified and adulterated medicines in Nigeria and by extension Africa.

     Conclusion

    The consequences of risk patients face when toxic or substandard products are released into the market. With this in mind, a body like NAFDAC with a mandate to establish safety standards cannot relent in its battle to eliminate falsified and adulterated products from the market. With the alert published already and with the current role NAFDAC has played in the recent past it is obvious it is to play its function as a regional champion for medicines regulation in Africa.

    Afunwa, a pharmacist and pharmaceutical policy analyst, writes via emmafunwa1@gmail.com

  • Tomato or tomatoes at four for N1,000: ‘potatoes’ have no ‘toes’

    Tomato or tomatoes at four for N1,000: ‘potatoes’ have no ‘toes’

    Whenever I hear Nigerian women complain nowadays about tomatoes selling for four for about #1000, and pepper almost that expensive, I remember some of my octogenarian acquaintances who are reluctant to go to bed earlier than 3 am every day. They believe that many old people die between midnight and that time due to heart attacks, strokes or  related system crashes. They remind me also of VIDA MAXX, a proprietary plant medicine made from a water-soluble tomato extract. The product literature of Vida Maxx promises that one 50mg capsule can resolve blood vessel and heart challenges for no fewer than 24 hours in one straight run.

    From these, you may appreciate why, when they were cheaper, I substituted four tomatoes for fish or beef at dinner, eating two raw for their Vitamin C and other vitamins and two parboiled for lycopene, from their heat-broken cell walls, for the health of my prostate gland. And POTATOES? The juice neutralises acidosis, eases the pain of peptic acid and other ulcers, strengthens the heart, and checks elevated blood pressure (hypertension), apart from helping to prevent unnecessary growth, tumours, and cancers. Thanks to Dr. Max Gerson, the German who taught our generation of doctors and caregivers that potassium deficiency in cells causes these abnormalities. Isn’t this worth trying by Nigerian women who, in their hundreds of thousands or millions, are today down with either breast challenges or uterine fibroids?

    DAN QUAYLE

    On a lighter note, before I proceed, my generation of septuagenarians who were media conscious in their prime time should easily remember Mr. QUAYLE. He was the United States Vice President in the administration of George H.W. Bush (1989-1993). In 1992, Dan Quayle generated a storm when he couldn’t spell TOMATO or POTATOE correctly. Dan Quayle had something to do with the American classroom.

    According to a report: “Dan Quayle, the former US Vice President, inadvertently taught Americans that “potato” has no “e” at the end, after his infamous gaffe during a spelling bee at an elementary school in New Jersey in 1992. He corrected a student, William Figueroa, who had correctly spelled “potato”, and told him to add an “e” at the end, making it “potatoe”. This mistake led to widespread mockery and ridicule, and ultimately taught Americans that “potato” indeed has no “e” at the end!

    “The school children involved in Dan Quayle’s spelling scandal were led by a 12-year-old boy named William Figueroa ¹ ² ³. During a routine campaign stop at a middle school in Trenton, New Jersey, on June 15, 1992,  Dan Quayle called upon William to spell “potato” in front of a room full of reporters. After William correctly spelled “potato,” Quayle urged him to add an “e” to the end of the word (which now made it pota-toe).  William complied, and the room erupted in applause”.

    School boy Williams Figueroa then wrote on the blackboard the spelling of TOMATOE as TOMATO. The Vice President said he blundered and proceeded to correct the spelling as TOMATO. To worsen matters, Vice President Dan Quayle said POTATOES was the correct spelling of POTATO. The United States erupted in disbelief, if not dismay. It became clear that American leaders were not the perfectionists or angels that society thought they were. Secondly, it became apparent that many Americans were as bad with spellings as Dan Quayle.

    Someone came up with a spelling formula that helped many persons. POTATO has no TOES, and so the “O” of POTATO is not followed by an “E”. The plural is POTATOS, not POTATOES, the last four letters standing for “TOES” in the formula. However, TOMATOE is the correct spelling of TOMATOE, and not TOMATO as Dan Quayle taught those school children, and the plural is TOMATOES.

    We are informed in the following report about the  possibly origin of  POTATO HAVE NO TOES:

    “The character who said potato has no toe is the “Pobble Who Has No Toes,” a fictional character in a poem by Edward Lear. The poem is about a Pobble who loses his toes and is comforted by his Aunt Jobiska, who tells him that Pobbles are happier without toes.”.

    I do not remember who caused the next earthquake in the United States corridors of power. He had been asked to name the capital of Ghana. Why he failed to know the answer, ACCRA, surprised even Africans. Guess what he gave as an answer? NIGERIA! This goof showed that American leaders thought less of Africa and knew less about Africa than they did about other peoples on Earth.

    VIDA MAXX

    With tomatoes now selling for four for 1,000 or thereabout, and thereby going out of reach of many octogenarians who eat them to prevent heart and related problems, VIDA Maxx offers a helping hand. The origin of this proprietary name from Alliance Global still eludes me. Nevertheless, I swallow one capsule at about 10 p.m., believing I would have protection for the next 24 hours, as the product literature promises. Vida Maxx is a high load of vitamins, especially Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Alliance Global says that, from 11 clinical trial results, it can sustain “normal blood circulation and help maintain healthy platelet function important to cardiovascular health”. LOSARTAN would appear to be a major factor in all of these. It is said to be good for hypertension, heart failure, and prevention of heart attack and stroke. Beyond use for high blood pressure, Vida Maxx “also protects kidney function in high blood pressure patients having diabetes and impaired kidney function (diabetic nephropathy)”. Like other prices, that of Vida Maxx has gone out of the window, beyond the reach of many persons.

    Thus, like many septuagenarians and octogenarians who love tomatoes and eat them for health purposes, I am eagerly looking forward to the end of the tomatoe blight in northern farms.

    TOMATO BLIGHT

    In Northern Nigeria, TUTA ABSOLUTA, a fungus, is wiping out tomatoes on farms, causing a shortage of tomatoes nationwide for which the government is taking several knocks every day. The government is going to ask agriculture experts for a solution. What will their solution be outside of pesticides? These pesticides will kill TUTA ABSOLUTA in the soil so we can have more tomatoes. However, the roots of the tomatoe plant will suck in some of the pesticide molecules and give them to the tomatoe leaves and fruits. That is where we lovers of tomatoes may have health challenges from. Our farmers need money. They will not care much about our health. Afterall, they sprayed pesticides on the fungi that kill such plant vegetables and fruit as  carrots, cucumbers, e.t.c and we still eat them.

    Gone are those days, it would appear, when our farmers chased away the enemies of their crops and farms using natural farming methods. For everything in Nature, there is a counterpole or antagonist. Thus, in the female human body, progesterone checks the excessiveness of estrogen, the main hormone capable of that. Similarly, magnesium puts calcium in check. Then, for example, too much calcium in the intestine causes constipation, magnesium addresses the lock down, as is observed with the intake of Phillips Milk of Magnesia (a magnesium drink) by persons of my father’s generation. Potassium checks sodium. Zinc and copper work together. For healthy vision, Vitamin A would appear ineffective in the eye, no matter how much is taken or present in the eye, where there is not enough zinc. Premature ejaculation may arise when there is to much calcium and too little magnesium in the ejaculatory nerves.

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    On the farms, plants behave somewhat like humans. Friendly humans help one another towards self-fulfillment, while antagonistic humans inhibit one another. There are, also, friendly plants and antagonistic plants. Millie Uyldert tells us about this and more in her book “PSYCHIC GARDEN….plants and their esoteric relationship with man”. Millie Uyldert gives us several examples in this book.

    She says: “It appears that woody shrubs like LAVENDER cause CUCUMBER, for example, to dry up…on the other hand, cool plants seem to find the proximity of hot plants such as the HORSE RADISH, SAGE, and the CHINESE  SPANISH RADISH very beneficial. What, afterall, goes on in the plant world, a society in itself? By watching Nature, man must discover what plants seek each other out and which avoid each other, so that we do not hinder the plant by making wrong combinations and somewhere disturb the great harmony. Mother Nature knows which plants it must combine, but man makes many mistakes through his ignorance. Man thinks he is saving work in weeding and picking by putting down rows and beds of the same crop, but this is not right. Just like man, a plant also likes to have its friends around it, which complement, and not enemies, which secret something that does them harm. Furthermore, when a crop has been harvested, a different plant must be put on the same ground, taking different substances from the soil and, from the soil, and possibly, itself putting back what was taken from the soil by its predecessor. Furthermore, it is good to know that Mother Nature has already begun to prepare the soil. We need not pull up the herbs which she has allowed to grow on it, for that would be an unnecessary duplication of work.

    Millie UYLDERT adds, in respect of TOMATO and POTATO: Tomatoes and asparagus help each other. Tomatoes benefit from stingy nettle and should not be planted near kohlrabi, fennel, potatoes, or apricot trees. The heavy scent of the tomato plant keeps many undesired insects at a distance, particularly the cabbage white caterpillar. Plant your potatoes with BROAD BEAN between them. This keeps the insects away. Border this plot with FRESH MARIGOLD, and you will never have trouble with EEL WORM, which they frighten off. HORSE RADISH at each corner of the plot keeps the POTATOES healthy. … particularly friends of the Potato, giving mutual aid, are the sunflower, which is not only a fine sight but whose seeds you can eat, dead nettle, sainfoi (a fodder clover), nasturtium, cabbage, sweet corn, and peas.

    French beans alternating with rows of potato plants seem to keep the Colorado Beetle away. These like AUBERGINE even more, planted around the potato, therefore, they draw the beetle off, and their concentration on the aubergines makes them easy to catch. Orach grows well close to potatoes, but the latter does not. They seem to thrive, orach and goosefoot growing abundantly on the potato plot, are one of Nature’s means of replenishing the soil, which the potatoes have in certain respects exhausted.

    ADA MBAMARA

    This young woman deserves recognition in this column. Her father, Joseph Mbamara, is a follower of Mother Nature and, accordingly, dispenses herbal medicines. He is from Imo State. Once in a while, Ada literally disappears to Benue State, homeland of her mother, where she learns a lot about the healing arts from those simple folks. She brings some rare seeds and plants from there, either sourced by herself or as gifts from her mother. She came over as I was writing this column last week (13 June, 2024). Millie UYLDERT’s “PSYCHIC GARDEN” excited her. Incidentally, she saw in them the gardening methods of her mother and aunt. Gladly, I do share her experiences. Her father and mother live in Orlu Umuakah Amiyi, Imo State. Mrs. Tabita Mbamara has no idea what she does on her farm. Nevertheless, she has the best yields around, for which reason she is nicknamed “The woman who works less but harvests more.” She used no fertiliser. After planting, she removed only the first growth of weeds. The next time she comes around is at harvest time. Her co-farmers, who go on weeding from time to time, discovered that Mrs. Mbamara’s crops grow better than theirs.

    Ada Mbamara’s second story is centred on OJO MILITARY CANTONMENT in Lagos. One day, a friend of her aunt noticed that pineapples and maize were growing together in her home garden, and the maize was dying at three months. This woman said maize and pineapple are not to be grown together. The leaves of the maize were turning yellow and spotting black spots. Coincidentally, maize planted in front of the house with no pineapple around it were growing better and well.

    TUTA ABSOLUTA

    At this time, many people who cannot do without the taste of tomato in their food will eat infected tomatoes, especially in outdoor cooking and bear a heavy load of toxins from fungi and many others. There will be as many others who would bear as well a heavy load of pesticides. Both groups will need to constantly detoxify their system. Happily, there are many formula for systemic detoxification in Nigeria today. Some of them include Burdock Root, Club Moss, Carqueja, Dandelion, Pure Cleanse, Intestinal Cleanse and Weight Control, Milk Thistle e.t.c. They are in the band A price category. Coming up and not less effective, though much cheaper is Detox Plus. Many persons who can hardly do without tomato taste in their food are evolving wonderful formulas, one of which is the combination of the residues of filtered juices of cucumber  and beetroot. As for pepper for its heat, digestive and circulation support as well as a soup thickener the fellowing substitute may be tried.

    Good substitutes for tomatoes and peppers depend on the recipe and desired flavour. Here are some options:

    Tomato substitutes:

    1. Cucumbers (raw or cooked)

    2. Eggplant

    3. Roasted red onions (sweet and savoury)

    4. Fresh pineapple

    5. Mango (in salsas or salads)

    6. Pawpaw grind Pawpaw seeds (Papaya)

    Pepper substitutes:

    1. Cucumbers (raw or cooked)

    2. Eggplant

    3. Carrots (raw or cooked)

    4. Radishes (raw or cooked)

    5. Okra (as thickner)

    Remember, each substitute has a unique flavor and texture, so adjust the recipe accordingly.Happy cooking!

    A nutrition report once:

     “ Eating rotten tomatoes in food can have several health consequences, including:

    1. Food poisoning: Rotten tomatoes can harbour harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can cause food poisoning.

    2. Gastrointestinal issues: Consuming rotten tomatoes can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and bloating.

    3. Infections: In severe cases, the bacteria from rotten tomatoes can cause infections like sep-ticemia (blood poisoning) or meningitis.

    4. Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to mold or bacteria in rotten tomatoes, which can trigger allergic reactions like hives, itching, or swelling.

    5. Digestive problems: Rotten tomatoes can irritate the digestive system, leading to long-term issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

    6. Liver damage: In rare cases, consuming rotten tomatoes contaminated with certain toxins can cause liver damage or failure.

    7. Kidney damage: Prolonged consumption of rotten tomatoes can lead to kidney damage or exacerbate existing kidney issues.

    8. Cancer risk: Some molds in rotten tomatoes can produce carcinogenic toxins, which may increase the risk of cancer with prolonged consumption.

    It is essential to handle and store tomatoes properly to prevent spoilage and foodborne illnesses. Always inspect tomatoes for signs of spoilage before consumption and cook them properly to kill harmful bacteria”.

    DAN QUAYLE

    I do not know where former U.S. Vice-President Quayle is today. I must thank him for the opportunity of the formula we now all have to know if the spelling of TOMATO is TOMATO or TOMATOE, or if a POTATO has a TOE or not.

  • Revitalising routine immunisations to prevent wild poliovirus resurgence

    Revitalising routine immunisations to prevent wild poliovirus resurgence

    In Nigeria, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina are critical battlegrounds in the fight to prevent wild poliovirus resurgence. Revitalising routine immunisation in these states and countrywide isn’t just a health necessity—it’s a moral mandate to protect future generations. Recently, UNICEF and other development partners launched a robust campaign to bolster immunisation in these states, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF

    As the world grapples with various health crises, one issue remains a persistent challenge in several regions: the resurgence of wild poliovirus. In Nigeria, the states of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina stand on the frontlines of this battle. The need to revitalise routine immunisation in these areas is not just a health imperative but a moral one, pivotal to safeguarding the health of future generations.

    Nigeria was once a global epicentre for polio, accounting for over half of all global cases less than a decade ago. The country celebrated a significant victory when it was declared polio-free in August 2020, following four consecutive years without a case of wild poliovirus. However, this triumph was hard-won and remains fragile. Recent indications of poliovirus in environmental samples have raised alarms about potential outbreaks, emphasising the urgency of maintaining robust immunisation programmes.

    Determined to leave nothing to chance, a significant milestone in global health was reached this April. UNICEF, in collaboration with other development partners, collaborated with Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states to launch a robust campaign to revitalise routine immunisation in the three Nigerian states. This initiative aimed to prevent the resurgence of the wild poliovirus, a debilitating disease the world has been striving to eradicate for decades. The importance of these efforts cannot be overstated, as the fight against polio is not just about disease prevention; it is about safeguarding future generations, strengthening health systems, and enhancing global health security.

    In the bustling city of Kano, under the scorching sun of April, Michael Banda, the Officer-in-Charge of the UNICEF Field Office, stood before a gathered crowd of media professionals at the Tahir Guest Palace. It was a solemn occasion, a Polio Media Dialogue, where the stakes were high, and the mission clear: to safeguard the health of Nigeria’s children. “Thank you everyone for your time and attendance at this media orientation,” Mr. Banda began, his voice carrying the weight of urgency. “Our key objective today is to share information on polio vaccination and the campaign in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states.”

    He delved into the history, reminding his audience of Nigeria’s triumph in 2020 when it was declared Wild Polio Free by the WHO. But this victory, he stressed, was not the end but a new beginning—a call to redouble efforts, to fortify routine immunisation and keep the scourge of polio at bay. The gravity of the situation became apparent as Mr. Banda revealed the sobering statistics: over 556,750 children in the supported states had not received a single dose of vaccination. These zero dose children, he emphasised, were vulnerable, their lives hanging in the balance against preventable diseases.

    With unwavering determination, he rallied the audience. “Not only is polio vaccination crucial, but all routine vaccinations are critical to children’s survival,” he declared. “We must all work together to strengthen routine immunisation services.” The room buzzed with a sense of purpose as Mr. Banda outlined the path forward. “If all children receive the vaccines they need, they will be protected from not just polio but all other vaccine-preventable diseases,” he proclaimed. “Immunisation is the most cost-effective protection we can offer,” he stressed, with all medical experts at the gathering echoing a similar line.

    Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud, the Director-General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, revealed that last year, Kano accounted for 80 per cent of the 240 cases of polio myelitis recorded nationwide. “But this year, only seven cases have been reported from Kano,” he stated. Dr. Mahmoud emphasised that significant efforts are being made across various states to combat the current outbreak. In Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf administration has conducted thorough analyses to identify the factors driving the outbreak, he said. Additionally, funds have been disbursed to equip health facilities and revitalise routine immunisation services across the state’s 44 local government areas.

    According to Mahmoud, polio is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, which can lead to severe and debilitating outcomes. While it predominantly targets children under five years old, it can infect individuals of any age who are unvaccinated. The virus invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within a few hours of infection. Transmission of the poliovirus primarily occurs through person-to-person contact via the fecal-oral route. This means that the virus is often spread when an individual ingests food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Less frequently, transmission can occur through a common vehicle, such as contaminated water or food. Once inside the body, the virus multiplies in the intestines and can spread to the nervous system.

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    He explained further that the initial symptoms of polio can resemble those of many other viral infections and include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, and pain in the limbs. These early signs are often followed by more severe symptoms, particularly if the virus reaches the nervous system. Among those who become paralyzed, 5–10% will die when their breathing muscles become immobilised, highlighting the disease’s severity. Currently, there is no cure for polio; it can only be prevented through vaccination. The polio vaccine is highly effective and is administered multiple times to ensure lifelong immunity. Two types of vaccines are available: the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Both vaccines are safe and effective, and they are used in different combinations worldwide to optimize protection against the virus.

    The oral polio vaccine (OPV) is administered orally and contains a weakened form of the virus, which helps to build immunity in the gut – the primary site of poliovirus multiplication. The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), given by injection, contains an inactivated virus that stimulates a strong immune response without the risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus. These vaccines have been instrumental in reducing polio cases globally, bringing the world closer to the goal of complete eradication. Through continued immunisation efforts, particularly in regions where the virus is still endemic, experts believe Nigeria can protect future generations from this crippling disease.

    The stakes are high in Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states. The three are populous states with unique challenges that make them particularly vulnerable to polio resurgence. High population density, mobility and pockets of resistance to vaccination contribute to the complexity of immunisation efforts. Moreover, these states have faced disruptions due to various socio-political issues, including security concerns and logistical hurdles, further complicating the delivery of health services. The implications of polio resurgence in these states would be devastating. Beyond the immediate health impact, a single case of wild poliovirus can have far-reaching consequences, potentially leading to widespread outbreaks that would undo years of progress. The ripple effects would also strain already burdened health systems, diverting resources from other critical health interventions.

    But amid the mission to prevent polio resurgence lay a formidable foe: misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Mr. Banda stressed the pivotal role of the media in dispelling falsehoods and instilling confidence in immunisation. As the dialogue concluded, a renewed sense of unity permeated the air. The battle against polio and vaccine-preventable diseases would not be won overnight, but with collective effort, it was a battle that could be won. Outside the palace, the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the city. But within the hearts of those who had gathered, a beacon of hope burned bright—a testament to the power of unity, determination and the unwavering resolve to protect the health and future of Nigeria’s children.

    While stressing that Nigeria is not experiencing resurgence of polio, the UNICEF Communications Officer for the Kano D-Field Office, Samuel Kaalu, urged journalists to highlight the benefits of the polio vaccine and the risks associated with refusing vaccination. “The essence of this workshop is to educate the community on the importance of immunisation and to frame polio as a serious public health challenge,” he noted. He illustrated the broader impact of polio by stating, “If a child is allowed to be paralysed, another child has to be assigned to care for the paralysed one, effectively paralysing two children.” He further warned that “one infected child can potentially infect about 200 others.”

    The UNICEF Communications Officer clarified that the current outbreak is not caused by the Wild Polio Virus (WPV) but by remnants, similar to how a snake’s eggs can hatch after the snake has been killed. “After celebrating our polio-free status, we are now embarking on this vaccination campaign to prevent the ‘hatching of the snake’s eggs,’” he explained. The concerted efforts of the state government, health agencies, and media are crucial in maintaining the momentum against polio and ensuring the health and safety of future generations, Kaalu said.

    It was time for journalists to know how to ethically engage with affected communities and remain accountable to them. Dr. Ogu Enemaku, a seasoned SBC specialist at UNICEF, stood before a room filled with eager faces, ready to absorb his wisdom on a matter of great urgency. The topic at hand was no trivial affair—it concerned the relentless battle against outbreaks of variant forms of the polio virus that had been ravaging communities across the country. In his characteristic composed demeanour, Dr. Enemaku began his discourse, emphasising the gravity of the situation. “Disease outbreaks are unfortunately a common occurrence in our part of the globe,” he explained, his voice carrying the weight of experience. “But in the face of such adversities, it is imperative that we, as media persons, engage with communities with the utmost accountability and responsibility.”

    He paused, allowing his words to sink in, before delving into the heart of his presentation. With meticulous detail, he outlined a series of guidelines on how to navigate the delicate terrain of reporting on health crises ethically and professionally. “As media representatives,” he continued, his voice unwavering, “we wield a powerful tool—the ability to inform and educate. But with that power comes great responsibility.” He stressed the importance of accurate reporting, avoiding sensationalism, and respecting the dignity and privacy of those affected by the outbreaks.

    As he spoke, anecdotes from his own experiences peppered his discourse, adding a human touch to the technicalities of his guidance. Stories of communities rallying together in the face of adversity, of individuals overcoming daunting challenges, served to underscore the resilience of the human spirit in times of crisis. By the time Dr. Enemaku concluded his presentation, there was a palpable sense of determination in the room. His words had resonated deeply with his audience, instilling in them a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to their roles as disseminators of information. As they filed out of the room, each individual carried with them not only a set of guidelines but a newfound commitment to uphold the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in their reporting—a commitment forged in the crucible of Dr. Enemaku’s impassioned plea for accountability and responsibility in the face of adversity.

  • One health lifesavers partners LASUTH, LSBTS, LASUMSA for blood donation

    One health lifesavers partners LASUTH, LSBTS, LASUMSA for blood donation

    One Health Lifesavers, in collaboration with the Lagos State University Medical Student Association (LASUMSA), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and Lagos State Blood Transfusions Service (LSBTS) secured donation of 57 pints of blood during the World Blood Donors Day Awareness Walk and Donor Drive on June 14. 

    The event, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of blood donation and recruiting new donors, attracted  77 participants who donated 57 pints of blood.

    The awareness walk commenced in the morning with participants gathering at the LASUTH premises. 

    The walk spanned key locations around the hospital, spreading the message of the vital need for blood donations to save lives. 

    Participants, including students, medical professionals and community members, walked in solidarity, holding banners and distributing informative pamphlets to passersby.

    Following the walk, a donor drive was held in LASUTH. Volunteers from One Health Lifesavers, LASUMSA, awith professionals from LASUTH and LSBTS, assisted in the smooth operation of the donation process. 

    The drive received overwhelming support, resulting in the collection of 57 pints of blood. Each pint collected can potential save three lives, highlighting the profound impact of this event.

    Participants were encouraged to become regular donors, thereby contributing to a reliable and sustainable blood supply for the region.

    The success of this year’s World Blood Donors Day event has set a promising precedent for future initiatives.

  • Experts hail Nigeria’s groundbreaking use of HIFU technology for Fibroid care

    Experts hail Nigeria’s groundbreaking use of HIFU technology for Fibroid care

    Medical professionals have described the introduction of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology for treating fibroids in Nigeria as a significant feat.

    The deployment of the technology by Nordica Fertility Centre which pioneered the use of the technology in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, has revolutionized the healthcare delivery system and positioned the country as a prime destination for quality healthcare services, the experts said.

    The cutting-edge procedure offers women a non-invasive and pain-free solution for managing fibroids, a prevalent gynecological condition characterized by severe pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility.

    Following its successful deployment in Lagos in 2021, the clinic is set to launch the technology in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) it emerged on Wednesday, during the Fibroid Forum in Abuja, organized by Nordica Fibroid Care Centre.

    The Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the clinic, Abayomi Ajayi, highlighted the necessity of deploying the HIFU technology in Nigeria as it addresses the risks associated with traditional fibroid removal procedures and reduces them.

    He also noted that the deployment of HIFU technology has not only reduced the need for overseas medical tourism for fibroid treatment but has also created a new medical tourism market for Nigeria, thereby boosting the country’s economy.

    By offering a cutting-edge and minimally invasive treatment option, Nigeria is now positioned to attract international patients seeking quality care, generating revenue and enhancing the nation’s reputation as a hub for medical excellence, he added.

    According to him, since its introduction in China in 2020 and Lagos in July 2021, HIFU technology has gained popularity globally for the management of fibroids and other conditions.

    Explained that Fibroids of any size can be treated with the technology, Abayomi said, “HIFU offers a non-invasive treatment option for fibroids, focusing on symptom relief without the need for surgery.

    “Unlike traditional methods, HIFU targets and destroys fibroid tissue without removing it, reducing the risk of complications,” he said.

    He however said the misconception should be addressed before embarking on the procedure that the primary goal of fibroid removal should be symptom relief, not infertility treatment.

    “Fibroid removal is mainly for alleviating symptoms. The assumption that it will automatically restore fertility is misleading,” he noted.

    Medical expert, Evans Onyeakele, a former Registrar of the FCT chapter of the Private Health Establishment Registration and Monitoring Committee and retired Director of Medical and Diagnostics, emphasized the need to embrace HIFU technology.

    According to him, its appealing features, particularly the elimination of open surgery, which involves significant blood loss, make HIFU a more attractive option for individuals with fibroid issues.

    He said: “This technology is, if I can say, super. Anyone that has this problem should embrace this technology because it’s non-invasive.

    “It is a fact that for those that had to deal with the normal invasive procedure, the line of scar is always there, even, with the minimally invasive procedure, the marks are also very visible, but with the HIFU technology with its non-invasive procedure, the patient will come out at the same abdomen, there will be no mark or no scar.

    “I will encourage people to embrace it considering the inherent health dangers Fibroid poses to the patient because it could be life-threatening when it gets to a stage.

    “I say this because just two weeks ago, I lost someone, a friend’s wife, who died because of fibroid complications. Fibroids are common and should not be summarily dismissed.

    “Being an expert, I’ve seen it all, and I have been lucky with a very complicated case once with two big fibroids that locked the opening to the passage.

    “What I’m trying to say is that fibroid has created a lot of problems for many childbearing families, with the women more affected because it obstructs and disturbs pregnancy, especially the one that’s growing intramural.

    “So, any technology that can manage fibroid without cutting through should be embraced because once a fibroid surgery is on, whether its myelotomy or hysterectomy, it has to do with a lot of blood transfusion.

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    “But with this, you don’t need that. So I recommend it. In fact, I highly recommend this procedure. It’s one of the best that can happen to mankind.

    “And coming to Abuja is a great deal while blazing the trail in the West African region is even a bigger feat for Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system”.

    Other experts echoed similar sentiments, and several patients who have undergone the procedure shared testimonies, highlighting why the technology comes highly recommended.

    The patients expressed their astonishment, stating that it was a complete shock to them that, without any pain or discomfort, they were able to return to work within minutes of the procedure, with no scarring or marks left on their bodies.

    They were thrilled to have undergone a procedure that was virtually painless and left no visible traces.

    The MD, however, pointed out that the popularity of HIFU technology is unsurprising, given its exceptional outcomes: a global success rate exceeding 90% and a remarkable 100% success rate in treating 475 patients at Nordica, serving as a testament to its efficacy and reliability in fibroid treatment.

  • NCDC warns as cholera spreads, claims 30 lives

    NCDC warns as cholera spreads, claims 30 lives

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has alerted the public to the increasing trend of cholera cases across the country as the rainy season intensifies and the need to be health conscious.

    According to the agency, between January and the 11th of June 2024, 1,141 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded while 65 have been confirmed.

    The director general of the agency, Jide Idris, in a public health advisory on Thursday, June 13, confirmed that 30 deaths have been reported from 96 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 States.

    He said 10 states—Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos contributed 90% to the burden of the disease.

    An outbreak in Lagos State has recently been reported.

    Cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by the ingestion of the organism Vibrio cholerae in contaminated water and food.

    As water is usually contaminated by the feces of infected individuals, contamination of drinking water can occur at the source, during transportation, or storage at home while food may be contaminated by soiled hands, either during preparation or while eating.

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    The agency advised that, in order not to be caught unawares, the public should ensure that water is boiled and stored in a clean and covered container before drinking; practice good personal hand hygiene by washing their hands frequently with soap under clean running water; use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and clean water are not available; and ensure that food is well-cooked before consumption.

    The advisory also emphasized that people should only consume raw food such as fruits and vegetables after washing thoroughly with safe water, adding that, “After cooking food or boiling water, protect against contamination by flies and unsanitary handling.

    “Leftover foods should be thoroughly reheated before ingestion.”

    “Persons with diarrhea should not prepare or serve food or haul water for others.”

    “Avoid open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping, ensure proper disposal of waste and frequent clearing of sewage.”

    “If you or anyone you know experiences sudden watery diarrhea, please do not self-medicate; visit a healthcare facility immediately.”

    The DG, however, assured that the agency is not relenting it’s effects to combat the disease, saying that the multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group, led by NCDC, comprising the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other partners, has been providing support to the affected states.

    “This support includes risk communication, active case search, laboratory diagnosis, case management, provision of response commodities, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, and dissemination of cholera awareness jingles in both English and local languages,” he said.

  • Nigerian chemist pushes frontiers of cancer research in the U.S.

    Nigerian chemist pushes frontiers of cancer research in the U.S.

    Victor Jonathan, a fast-rising Nigerian chemist and biochemist based in the United States, is advancing a project that could help reimagine global cancer treatment. His research focuses on synthesizing Hamigeromycin B, a rare biologically active natural product with potential against cancer, malaria, and microbial infections.

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, claiming nearly 10 million lives every year. With cases projected to rise by 47% by 2040, researchers like Jonathan are racing to uncover new therapeutic breakthroughs. He stated that “Nature has given us answers to enduring health challenges—we just need to uncover them.”

    Raised in Nigeria by a pharmacist father and an agriculturist mother, Jonathan grew up surrounded by science. His interest in natural products was born early. At Obafemi Awolowo University, where he graduated top of his class in Biochemistry, Jonathan researched chili pepper compounds and their influence on neurodegenerative conditions. That work emphasized a fast-emerging reality in medicine: nutraceuticals—natural, food-derived compounds—hold promise far beyond nutrition.

    Now at Tennessee Technological University for his Master’s in Chemistry, Jonathan has turned to advanced synthetic biochemistry. His project develops an enantioselective synthetic pathway to Hamigeromycin B, enabling scalable production and structural modifications. His focus is clear: cancer’s survival proteins. 

    Studies show that over 60% of cancers rely on the protein HSP90, making it one of the most attractive drug targets in oncology. By inhibiting HSP90, Jonathan’s analogs could simultaneously disrupt multiple tumor growth pathways. 

    “By synthesizing Hamigeromycin B, I am turning a fungal metabolite into a lab-accessible contender with anticancer, antimalarial, and antibiotic potential.” It is believed that about tens of millions of people die from cancer annually (WHO). And cancer cases expected to rise 47% by 2040. Also, over 50% of FDA-approved cancer drugs are derived from natural products. It is estimated that 60%+ of cancers depend on HSP90 for tumor survival.

    “Nature has long been a goldmine for drug discovery,” Jonathan explained. “Over half of all modern oncology drugs are derived from natural compounds.” Hamigeromycin B belongs to the Resorcylic Acid Lactones (RALs), a class of compounds with well-documented biological activity, including antimicrobial and anti-malarial effects. Radicicol, a cousin of Hamigeromycin B, is already known for its anticancer potential.

    Jonathan’s innovation lies in making Hamigeromycin B accessible in the lab, bypassing the limitations of extraction. This allows for post-synthetic tweaks—improving potency, reducing side effects, and tailoring analogs for different therapeutic needs.

    Jonathan plans to advance to doctoral studies and deepen his focus on natural products in cancer therapy. His immediate goal: run in vitro enzyme assays to test the potency of his synthetic compounds against cancer targets. 

    “The ultimate aim,” he said, “is to ensure that natural products are not just promising in theory, but actually translated into improved health and brighter futures.”

    With cancer still remaining an enduring health challenge claiming millions of people every year, Jonathan’s work embodies the urgency of medical innovation. By bridging Nigeria’s academic excellence with U.S. research resources, he joins a new wave of African scientists shaping the future of global health.

  • NIMR partners to curb infant mortality

    NIMR partners to curb infant mortality

    By Omolara Akintoye 

    The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has announced a significant achievement in its Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin, (SARMAAN) project, saying about 1.4 million children under the age of five have been administered with Azithromycin.

    Azithromycin is a safe and effective medication recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to combat high childhood mortality rates.

    The programme targets areas with under-five mortality exceeding 80 per 1,000 births and infant mortality surpassing 60 per 1,000 births.

    Speaking during an engagement meeting with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Director-General of NIMR, Prof Babatunde Salako, also announced that the first phase of the project has ended in six pilot states while the second one has begun.

    He said the Federal Government believes that such studies should be tested and if it gives the same result, it should be adopted.

    Salako said NIMR, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with the Federal Ministry of Health, among other stakeholders have concluded the study in six pilot states where infant mortality is more than 60 per cent, in quite several states in the north and a few down south.

    “The first phase looked at antimicrobial resistance that may follow the use of basic azithromycin because if we can drop mortality but increase antimicrobial resistance, that will not be good for the country.” said Prof. Salako.

    He said there was also the need to find out how the antimicrobial resistance behaves while mass administration of Azithromycin is on-going.

    “We found out that there was not an increase as expected, rather a little reduction and then it remained flat. Now seeing that, we thought we should now try to answer the mortality issue.” He said the second phase of the study would focus on mortality reduction in the country.

    Salako revealed that the Minister of State for health because the Federal Ministry of Health is expected to use the study as a policy to reduce infant mortality in Nigeria.

    Giving insight into the SARMAAN project, the Principal Investigator of the project, Professor Oliver Ezechi confirmed that early results in the pilot states suggest Azithromycin is reducing infant mortality.

    Ezechi, who is also the Head of Research at NIMR, said the project was part of the global efforts to prevent childhood mortality alongside other existing child survival interventions.

    He said the mass administration of the drugs showed an 18 per cent reduction in child mortality in studies conducted in Niger, Tanzania, and the Benin Republic.

    According to Ezechi, the study by NIMR was to show that what those studies supported in the other countries were true through the SARMAAN project in Abia, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, Sokoto, Akwa Ibom states.

    “We did that in the last two years. We covered over 3.4 million children and the total of those given for this purpose was over 4 million doses. We’re able to show that this drug is safe in children”

    He said out of the 1.4 million children who took the drug, only less than 2 per cent actually reported side effect.

    “What are the side effects they reported? It is common for children who report the refusal of food because of the taste of the drug, some stewed, that’s just general. We are also able to show that because when you introduce antibiotics to your population, you can generate what we call antimicrobial resistance. We want to show that you are not trying to do something and creating another problem.”

    “Every six months, we will measure the antimicrobial resistance. We are sure that instead of going up, it was going down. So that means in the two safety parameters we measure, this drug is very good.

     “We also calculated what they call cost-effectiveness. We realised that it was cost-effective. Again, we interviewed parents in those communities, health workers, and government workers, who also admitted that the drug is good.”

    He announced that they have rolled out SARMAAN 11 which covers under five children. “We will enrol 600 to 700 people offering direct service. They will be paid, apart from the policy aspect of the result, we’re also generating employment, building capacity. also going to train them.

    He said the SARMAAN 11 project was an expansion of the project. “We are giving the drugs to only children less than one. We are now expanding to children less than five years old. Because we demonstrated that it’s safe, we’re expanding that so that we’re able to cover up and prevent death.”

    According to Prof. Ezechi, SARMAAN 1 reported about 99 per cent coverage.

  • Cross-border disease: Nigeria, Niger Republic review surveillance to combat spread

    Cross-border disease: Nigeria, Niger Republic review surveillance to combat spread

    Nigeria and the Republic of the Niger have kick-started the process of bolstering public health in the two countries to curb cross-border disease outbreaks with a review of their border surveillance strategies.

    The countries declared that the outbreak of cross-border unknown diseases in some parts of the two countries has made the enhancement of disease surveillance and intervention strategies inevitable, to protect the over 236 million inhabitants of the two countries.

    According to them, their shared porous borders have created a mutual vulnerability to infectious diseases like Ebola, Lassa fever, and COVID-19, underscoring the need for robust cooperation to address the health security risks, especially infectious diseases like Ebola, Lassa fever, and COVID-19.

    A recent outbreak of an unknown disease in Sokoto State, Nigeria, in March 2024, suspected to be heavy metal poisoning, affected 455 lives, primarily children and young adults, with 29 reported deaths, highlighting the urgency of such collaboration.

    Additionally, increasing cases of meningitis and diphtheria have been reported between the two countries.

    Key objectives of the meeting included assessing the epidemiological situation of priority diseases from March 2023 to March 2024, sharing experiences in managing heavy metal poisoning, and formulating a joint action plan.

    By pooling resources and expertise, the countries aim to strengthen their epidemiological surveillance and response systems, in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Health Regulations.

    Nigeria’s Health and Social Welfare Coordinating Minister, Prof. Ali Pate, emphasized the importance of interconnectedness of the two nations, saying that managing infectious diseases requires collaborative efforts, particularly due to the high movement across their shared borders.

    Pate spoke on Wednesday at the three-day cross-border meeting organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC), where he underscored the critical need for cross-border cooperation in tackling public health threats.

    The Minister, who was represented by Akpan Nseobong, stressed that the cross-border surveillance meeting was very important, considering that since Nigeria and Niger Republic share borders, anything that happens to any of the two countries affects the other.

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    Recognizing the importance of continued collaboration to address the issue, Pate acknowledged the supportive partnership of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), the RCSDC, WHO, United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) towards tackling the growing public health challenges.

    “We will continue to appeal to our partners for more support because given the size of our country, once Nigeria is able to contain these diseases, the whole of West Africa and indeed Africa will be safe,” he said.

    The Republic of the Niger’s side, Ibrahim Tasiu, also highlighted the significance of the meeting, saying, “Any problem in Nigeria affects Niger due to our shared borders. This meeting allows us to address public health challenges collaboratively.”

    According to Yusuf Abubakar, Director of Public Health Services in Zamfara State, the meeting’s importance cannot be overemphasized given the shared health issues between the two nations, considering a recent outbreak of heavy metal poisoning in Sokoto and Zamfara states, which he noted also affected some regions in Niger.

    “This meeting ensures both countries can effectively manage disease outbreaks with the goal to develop a coordinated action plan for sharing information and managing outbreaks,” he said.

    In her remarks, Aisha Usman, ECOWAS Technical Advisor on Cross-Border Surveillance, explained that this initiative is part of WAHO’s mandate to strengthen regional collaboration, saying, “By monitoring, preventing, and sharing information on priority diseases, we aim to develop a joint action plan to manage outbreaks effectively.”

    According to Usman, the need for strong surveillance systems, effective risk communication, and community engagement is inevitable, “Educating border communities about the signs and symptoms of poisoning is critical,” she added.

  • Ajaero’s rabble rousing and Obasanjo’s plain truth

    Ajaero’s rabble rousing and Obasanjo’s plain truth

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and many persons, including myself, are rarely on the same page. The trouble is  his penchant to assume that all governments, except his, are inept – that is, they have small grey matter or none. Last week, however, we became jolly good fellows when he told Nigerians  the plain truth about why the economy is wracked and  they are poor in the midst of plenty. That plain truth is that Nature has blessed us with plenty of fertile, arable land, but we are too lazy to cultivate it, are therefore hungry, dependent on less- blessed people in other parts of the earth to feed us, needlessly throwing valuable money away, distressing our economy and currency, the Naira, and creating jobs in other nations.

    On the other side of the coin, Joe Ajaero, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, and Festus Osifo, his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), were busy rabble-rousing the rustic population for a #400,000 plus minimum wage for messengers (office assistants, cleaners, and other low-grade workers). They would not settle for less, such as the #62,000 the Federal Government has already considered or the #70,000 outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has promised to pay. Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo have said nothing about what happened when the national minimum wage shifted from #18,000 to #30,000 about five years ago. They have not said that, up till now, some state governments, especially in the North, have been unable to pay #30,000. This has left these state governments open to the harassment of local and national labour leaders, formenting  work stoppages,and crippling local

    economies, which will inevitably impact the national.

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    In this design, Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo have failed to recognise or deliberately declined to remember that Nigeria began its journey as a federal country, was degraded into unitary federalism by frivolous soldiers who truncated the “dreams of our heroes past,” and is struggling under the incumbent Administration to return to true Federalism.  In TRUE FEDERALISM, there would be no uniformity of minimum NATIONAL WAGES. Each state would pay only what it can afford. If it wished to pay more because its workers are demanding bigger wages, the government and the workers would have to work harder to earn more money. Nigeria’s 50 million households are like that. No government can force me by law how much I should give my wife for housekeeping, how many times a day we should eat beans or bread, or if I must provide money for beef or original titus fish, all of which I can hardly afford these days. Were the Nigerian population not largely rustic, Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo could have been asked: From your calculations, how much more money does the NLC and the TUC intend to earn from a super bumper harvest of bumper check-off dues from workers’ salaries?

    FRANKLY…

    To be frank, Nigeria is not broke and should be able to pay reasonable living wages,”All things being equal” as economist say. We are not broke, but there is no money on the table. So, blind spending may upset several apple carts. We may disagree with this and ask: How are their Lordships at the Supreme Court going to earn about #5 million every month when  the poorest man or woman  on the pay ladder cannot  earn #615,000 or #450,000 or #100,000 every month? The bottom line is the value of the worker. Can the minimum wage earner, (the messenger or office assistant, cleaner, tea boy or driver)perform the tasks of any of any Supreme Court Justice? Are their jobs not  dispensable, as they have become in many private businesses? If matters came to a head, can the Chief Justice not clean his office or toilet? Do we not all do it at  homes? Do I not wash my dishes and clothes? There is a mistake many persons keep making about MINIMUM WAGE. It is the salary for the least qualified person in the system, the SSCE school leaver who is under 20 and just hanging on a job to take him out of home before he or she goes on to the niversity or polytechnic. When Labour speaks of a man or woman with three children, this must be a 30-something-year-old person who must have wasted about 10 years doing nothing with his or her life beyond being a messenger or cleaner, in disobedience of the LAW OF MOTION. This natural law compels us to keep moving like the rotating and revolving Earth, the flowing air and clouds, and the waves of the sea, among other examples. A person who cannot add value to his or her life as he or she goes is a parasitic danger to the economy. It is the life of this fellow  British Prime Minister Margret Thatcher refused to subsidise. FRANKLY, when I say there is no money on the table for exorbitant minimum wage for fresh school leavers who ideally should be on this wage, the story-line is this:

    •Nigeria is the sixth-largest producer of crude oil on Earth and the largest in Africa.

    •A mafia still controls the crude oil industry and market, despite the removal of pump price subsidies.

    • The Buharia Administration took huge loans speculated to be more than  $4 billion  to be settled with crude oil deliveries over several years ahead.

    • With much of the crude oil traded off,  little is left for export.

    • About half of the little left for export is stolen every day.

    • The government thought of beating the Mafia by making the refineries work. It counted on Dangote Refinery, Africa’s biggest, which has a larger production capacity than all of Nigeria’s refineries combined. Dangote Refinery had been ready for work for six months but cannot get crude oil from Nigeria to refine and bring pump prices down. Even when other Nigerian refineries (Warri, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna) restart production, they would have to buy crude oil from abroad, and this will change nothing in the pump price, making fuel subsidy still necessary. Couldn’t this be what we are experiencing now?

    • On the sidelines, several licensed modular refineries say no bank would release money to them to start work since they cannot get crude oil to buy from home.

    • The way things stand, it would appear that international oil companies lifting crude oil cannot be forced but only persuaded to give Nigerian refineries crude oil to refine.

    • In other words, there is an old song and a new song upstream and mid stream in the oil industry. The old song says we have to import refined oil from abroad because the refineries are not working. The new song says the refineries are now working, but there is no home grown crude to give them. Thus, they have to shut down or import crude. That means pump prices will remain high at present levels, and an underground subsidy racket will protect against excruciating prices caused by global economic disorders.

    Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo know this story. Why does Labour not think it is better for it and the nation to force disclosures on what is going on, even go to court if need be? Then, it would be a really fighting Labour, one cleaning up the country and the economy for everyone and not just rabble-rousing for the benefit of a few government workers.

    SCALA MOTION

    In high school Physics in the late 1970s, we learned that SCALA MOTION was movement without movement. What progress have  labour  leaders achieved for workers since, say, 1944 under Pa  Michael IMOUDU, other than waging war on employers of labour for bigger salaries to better cope with the economic vicissitudes of a society down sliding year after year? Pa IMOUDU led what was then the biggest nation-wide strike for cost of LIVING AWARDS (COLS). From COLS, labour moved on to other humongous general pay rises, including the UDOJI AWARDS, which were meant to be instalmentally released but were unleashed in one go  by the Yakubu Gowon military administration with disastrous Inflamatory impact. From then on, other general pay rises pushed prices up. Pepper and tomatoes sellers, like other dispensers of goods and services, being no fools, collected their own “award” from the awardees. Soon, the workers came back crying for more. Each time they got more, prices either rose alone or were accompanied by several job cuts. Is that where Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo are leading them again? If you doubt it, remember that today we have 1.9 million POINT OF SALE (POS) operators nation-wide. There are banking hall jobs outside the banking halls. In banking halls, they would be university graduates. Outside the banking halls, they may be SSCE drop outs or even okro sellers or cow sellers. The banks discovered their salary bills were too high and decided to shed monstrous weight. Before they did that, the banks brought in machines, which swept recharge card sellers nation-wide out of jobs.

    Beyond their fortified POS, the banks now employ university graduates as contract staff who can be dismissed at will. Machines are replacing human labour, and there is nothing labour has been able to do other than push up the wage bill and invite more machines. Recently, a confused NLC and TUC have been fighting electricity companies for pushing up tariffs and asking them at the same time to increase wages. Does it not matter that electricity companies buy raw materials to produce electricity  and that when producers of those raw materials pay bigger wages, they would  transfer the extra bill? The staff of these electricity companies were the first to hammer down the economy. They were like children who did not know what they were doing. They were increasing the cost of production in their company with their demands and pressing for tariff freeze. If electricity tariffs go up, will they not pay more for frozen foods and factory products? Will they not pay their doctors and pharmacies more? Will the school fees not rise? Who will freeze  transport fares? How much will they now be paying for gari, tomatoes, pepper, yam, okro, rice, and beans, for example?

    NATURE’S EXAMPLE

    In contrast to mankind, Nature does not go on strike. It harnesses all the forces animating the FOUR ELEMENTS, namely Earth, water, Air, and Fire. They give back to us what we give to them to cast our environment from. They don’t echo to us what we did not speak to them. Thus, the Earth forever brings food for us. The Air never ceases to flow, purifying itself of our pollutants. Are the rivers not forever productive? Crayfish, periwinkles, Titus, Salmon, oysters, etc have not gone out of circulation despite the immensely growing human population worldwide and their increasing demands on marshland, streams, rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans, and all other water bodies. This should be a serious matter the work stoppages happy worker should contemplate. And FIRE? It is in the bowels of the Earth and erupts occasionally as volcanoes or earthquakes. If it cools off, the Earth would become unable to support human existence. Fire is in the sun and in the stars. If we move too near them, we would roast to ash. If the earth moved too far away from them, we would all freeze to death. An intelligence higher and more noble than selfish human intelligence is  behind this Natural order.

    Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo are Christians,. I guess in  church every Sunday, they say the LORD’S PRAYER, making the following solemn promises thereby… “OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOW BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN…”. Unfaithful beings we all are. We pledge our lives for the coming of THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH and vow that we are dedicated to HIS WILL being fulfilled on earth as it is done in HEAVEN. Funny enough, THE FOUR ELEMENTS are showing us evidence of this WILL in the unfailing provision of services to human beings on earth, and we humans are not  taking a cue from them.

    OIL REFINERIES

    There was distressing news last week. About 20 potential foreign investors in the small petroleum refineries sector the government has been wooing re-considered their agreements whem  the national grid, heart beat of any nation  was switched off. Who will be the loser if they ultimately stay away? Capital inflow from other sectors may be hacked likewise. That would mean more jobs cannot be created in the Eldorado Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo wish to create for a  few government workers. If the private sector succumbs to the Eldorado, prices will go up. If prices are maintained to encourage sales, jobs would go.

    REAL MOTION

    Scientists tell us the universe is expanding. Labour should follow the footsteps of Nature and join those forces seeking to expand the economy. Can Labour not bid for modular petroleum refineries in each geopolitical zone and build its own filling stations nationwide? Can Labour not set up model large-scale town or city farms in the forests to create new towns and cities and reduce unemployment? Can Labour not establish model universities and polytechnics which address all its present complaints about higher education? Labour burned its fingers and failed in the Transportation sector. Where are the Labour Mass Transit Buses launched with fanfare?

    OBASANJO’S SUGGESTIONS

    In his intuitive moments when his intellect vacates the throne for his Spirit, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in the view of many persons, sees right and acts so. All of us are like that when we do not allow our brains to show us the way in any matter. We are not meant to be thinking but intuitive or knowing persons whose thoughts merely implement wishes of the Spirit. This, the former President would say last week that the major problem of Nigeria is that the food import bill is too high. In other words, he was knocking the heads of advocates of free or open borders and saying we are poor and hungry because we are too lazy to feed ourselves despite an abundance of arable land and one of the finest weather on earth. I agree with him. I salute also the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who last week promised that Nigeria would grow 25 million trees just about anywhere by 2030 and that schools must be involved.

    Since the inauguration of the Tinubu Presidency, I have been publishing suggestions on this page and posting on FACEBOOK at JOHN OLUFEMI KUSA on how Nigeria can produce trillions of pawpaw fruits and farm also trillions of rabbits every year to replace cow meat. Before I return to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, I wish to say President Tinubu should not limit the 25 million trees to ornamentals otherwise, they would not address the food question, reduce the food import bill, and make money available for important activities in the economy. In those FACEBOOK posts, I mentioned plantain and bananas as well. We are told yam and potatoes should be cheaper next year because many households are growing yam in empty and cleaned cement or rice sacks. Thanks to Udeme James, the front and back of my house are now like a mini-forest. We have yam, cocoayam, plantain, banana, vegetables. We are working on snails and rabbits.  If Nigerians can see the Minister of Agriculture and his family working on their home garden, the revolution would roar. That was what former Head of State Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo attempted to achieve in the 1970s with OPERATION FEED THE NATION, which later grew into the GREEN REVOLUTION. We were not all hungry then. Today, the population has grown from 55 million in 1963 to about 220 million, while lands for land tenure and subsistence farming have given way to housing, and banditry, kidnapping and  killing on farms have significantly silenced farming.

    Back to former President…

    Check the natural blessings of Nigeria and Ukraine, one of the countries which feeds Nigeria

    • POPULATION (Nigeria – 229 million, Ukraine – 41 million)

    • ARABLE LAND (Nigeria – 34 million hectares, Ukraine – 32 million hectares)

    • IN PEACE or AT WAR (Nigeria battles internally with kidnappers, Jihadists, and bandits, while Ukraine has been in full-scale war with neighbouring Russia, a super power, for more than two years). The picture is clear. Nigeria is a lazy country. Consider also the following:

    • Lagos State alone consumes more than 100,000 cows daily, most of them imported at an average cost of #300,000 per cow. This amounts to #30,000,000,000 daily, #900,000,000,000 monthly,  or #10,800,000,000,000 yearly. This is homongus money exiting the borders. Can we not farm trillions of rabbits and millions of goats nationwide every year to cut the import budget, as former President Obasanjo suggests? The recipes are in the FACEBOOK posts at JOHN OLUFEMI KUSA. They come from the review of the work of an NGO I was involved with in the early 2000s. Former Bendel State military governor  Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia was the chairman, and former President Shehu Shagari  the life patron. Can the NLC and TUC not present a budget on this to the nation to force down meat price, rather than rabble-rousing  for inflation?