By Segun Omolayo

 

More and more expressions of Nigerian provenance, as reported, have found their ways into the Oxford English Dictionary. Someone has warned, however, that their admittance has not made them English standard expressions, stressing that we should not use them anyhow just because they are now entries in the dictionary.

In other words, it may not be acceptable for a permanent secretary to now write words like chop-chop, buka and tokunbo to the governor just because they are in the dictionary.

The message is that writers should still beware of standard usage, even as we expect more Nigerian expressions such as “thank you for yesterday,” “go and open the door,” “come and eat” to get admittance into the English dictionary someday.

After all, more than 60 languages across the world have contributed words and phrases to the language. Even then, depending on the formality or informality, content or context of each writing, writers must beware of their diction in all situations, the entries in the dictionary notwithstanding.

Meanwhile, however, let literary geniuses like Sam Omatseye continue exercising their prerogative of creative liberty as they position words like fura and amala for global reckoning.

Now then, back to idioms:

In like manner

This is another simple-looking idiom that is prone to easy distortion, especially as such distortions can be very imperceptible. See how imperceptibly they tend to come in the statement below:

Mrs. Hillary Clinton also spoke in the like manner about the country.

It is incorrect to write in the like manner. The correct expression is in like manner. “It is normally used adverbially to mean any of the following, as the case may be: additionally, again, as well, besides, furthermore, likewise, moreover, in the same way etc.” (www.likenrich.com, as cited in “Pop” Errors).

In the context of the sentence, the most appropriate possible meanings of in like manner is: in the same way. To grasp this meaning sharply, apply it to the idiom as used correctly below:

Mrs. Hillary Clinton also spoke in like manner about the country.

Bring somebody to book/Bring somebody to justice

A little alteration here or there in an idiom changes it and creates confusion, even for those who have known and mastered it for a long time.

Read Also: IDIOMS IV

If you are such a person, you are likely to ask yourself, as you come across the kind of misuse below, whether you have always mistaken what is wrong for what is right or vice versa. The concern here is that errors are infectious, especially with so many vectors around.

The president should bring the fuel subsidy culprits to books.

According to “Pop” Errors, ‘Bring to book is it. It comes from the English idiom bring somebody to book, but the addition of letter s  to the word book has completely altered the idiom; it cannot stand as used, therefore. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary says it means “punish somebody for doing something wrong and make them explain their behavior.”

As closely related as bring to book and bring to justice are, we need to mind the fine difference between them. While the former is to punish, the latter is “to arrest somebody for a crime and put them on trial in court” (ibid:). The highly nuanced difference suggests that you are brought to justice first and then brought to book.

Staring in the face

Again, only a little tweak has spoilt the broth in the specimen sentence below – if we may adapt a popular saying in reverse: 

The roots of the multi-dimensional problems staring the country on the face are traceable mostly to the corridors of government.

The point is, “Staring in the face is the idiom, adapted from be staring somebody in the face. When something stares you in the face, it means the thing is glaringly apparent or obvious. Note that this is different from another idiom, namely: be staring something in the face.

When you are starring something in the face that means you cannot avoid that thing. The dictionary illustrates thus: “They were staring defeat in the face” (“Pop” Errors).

There is something important to take away from the closeness and near-sameness of the two idioms involved here: be staring somebody in the face; and be staring something in the face.

The important take-away is that you must master each idiom in detail, lest you keep mistaking one for another, betraying inexcusable ignorance.

Retrace his steps

As in all cases of alteration, the issue with this idiom is the dropping of one little element, which act is considered an unwarranted invention. In most of such cases, the neologists end up creating an expression that is alien to the English language. A good example of such lexical waywardness is:

It is not too late to retrace his step.

Let us note that retrace his step is not the same thing as retrace his steps, which is the appropriate way to use the idiom in the construction in consideration.

The difference between right and wrong lies in steps and step. As remarked earlier, the dropping of the letter s from the word steps makes the difference between sure-footed diction and uncertain, trial-and-error choice of words and expressions.

The repercussion spreads beyond the writer to infect innocent readers. The writer should inform and educate accurately, not confuse and mislead. To make ourselves clear, we re-write, thus:

It is not too late to retrace his STEPS.

 

Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Ogun state government on Wednesday disclosed that approximately three million people in the state, including 1.4 million children of school age, were at the risk of being hit by Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTDs).

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, who disclosed this in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said several thousands of people were already battling with complications arising from NTDs.

Coker identified Leprosy, Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, Soil transmitted Helminthes and Buruli Ulcer(Skin ulcer) as the endemic NTDs in 18 of the 20 Local Government Areas in Ogun state.

Speaking at a press briefing preparatory to the commemoration of this year edition of World NTDs Day which is globally slated for every January 30, the Health Commissioner said NTDs are a group of infectious diseases associated with poverty.

She said that about 1.5 billion individuals across 149 countries were affected by NTDs with 40% of them found in sub – Saharan Africa and a quarter of that figure being found in Nigeria.

Read Also: We’re on top of Lassa fever in Kano – Commissioner

According to her, these diseases present a huge burden on the sufferers, with many of them developing disabilities with the attendant negative socioeconomic consequences.

Coker said there would be sensitization in schools and communities as well as awareness walk across the state to mark the 2020 World NTDs Day themed, “Beat NTDs: For Good For All.”

Highlighting the achievements recorded by the state government in combating the diseases, she said that the State NTDs programme had treated 780, 657 school – age children in 6000 schools in 2019 and trained 8,500 teachers on NTDs within the same period.

She also disclosed that 2,874,380 people across the state’s 18 endemic LGAs, were treated in 2018 with support from UNICEF while 5000 community directed distributors were also trained on NTDs within the period in focus.

Our Reporter

 

After years of stigmatization, abuse and oppression black men have risen above the storm. And one way they have done so, brilliantly, is by proving they are mentally sound as any other race on the face of the planet. And an organization, or a network that is committed to those ideals is Reseau Docteur, a

French phrase for ‘Doctors Network’. It was founded in 2015 by US-based Nigerian, Dr. Alexander Oladele. Although it was originally founded as a network that featured just health professionals, but it has since blossomed to encompass professionals in law, engineering and a variety of other disciplines.

In a recent interview, the founder unveils why the network was formed and the real vision behind.

He said: “The goal of forming Reseau Docteur was to reverse the psychological impact that was affecting many African Americans at a point where a lot of black men were getting killed. Sadly, many of these images and interactions with police were televised. You can only imagine what happens to a people’s mental health after watching their own people become the victims of police brutality over and over again. We started Reseau Docteur with the intention of displaying positive images of black men and women in a variety of careers including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law etc. With time the organization began to grow and today we have much more than just a social media page. We have  built a community of minority professionals where we can continue to share our visions.”

Reseau Docteur started through a social media page but has become a society of black professionals who impact their society through knowledge and mentorship. And they have real good news to share about their activities.

“There have been so many amazing moments. One of our most proudest is our yearly mentorship program where we provide mentorship to students all over the country by way of online webinar based discussions. It’s a 8-10 week program and each topic is presented by a Doctor or a professional student within our network.

“This program is for students who are interested in professional careers such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and to date we have awarded over 200+ students with certificates of completion.

“Another highlight is when, through the help of our social media community I was able to raise over 6000 USD within 3 days for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, one of the most deadliest hurricanes to hit US mainlands. Members of our team then flew to Texas following the aftermath to provide money to the victims as well as aid during their time of difficulty,” Oladele stated.

Adding, “America needs more black doctors and there is a wealth of data that shows that African Americans are more likely to trust a healthcare system when the health provider actually looks like them. There is a huge gap within the healthcare community and it’s due to a lack of diversity.

“To date, Reseau Docteur has been an incredible resource to many professionals. We have provided referrals for employment opportunities, provided scholarships to students matriculating into college and also partnered with various organizations to amplify the importance of mentorship.While the organization began in 2015 simply as a network that featured just health professionals, we changed our strategy to include those in law, engineering and a variety of other disciplines to be more inclusive.”

The founder and CEO of Omoshola’s Empire, Deborah Erioluwapo, has emphasised the needs to develop healthy sexual lifestyles.

He said they need to enjoy total sexual wellness through massage therapy that will improve the quality of their lives.

Erioluwapo, in a statement, explained: “Couples these days take their sexual wellness as seriously as they take their physical appearance too.

“Every couple wants a relationship that will thrive in all aspects both outside the bedroom and inside it too.”

She said most men and women are no longer content with just sex as a relationship or marital duty that isn’t meant to be enjoyed or savoured.

READ ALSO: ‘You can regain your sexuality as you age’

As a result, she stated they are looking for ways to spice up the intimacy between them and heighten the pleasure they derive from being sexually active.

She assured Omoshola’s Empire offers all- round wellness services that clients find restful.

According to her: “Omoshola’s Empire is to help customers experience and enjoy the benefits of total sexual wellness and massage therapy which includes but is not limited to improved libido and circulation, increased immune efficiency, heightened intimacy pleasure and more.

“Appointments for consultations and treatments can be scheduled online on the website or by calling the dedicated customer lines or contacting them via direct messaging on any of their social media pages. Walk in customers are also welcome at their offline offices.”

The Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu on Tuesday, advised residents of the state not to panic as there was no confirmed case of lassa fever in its health facilities.

Edu, who made the call at a stakeholders meeting on emergency preparedness held in Calabar, said the public should observe strict preventive measures to forestall an outbreak of the disease in the state.

She said that in response to the increasing number of lassa fever cases in neighbouring states, the Cross River government had activated an Emergency Response and Surveillance Team to coordinate response activities across the state.

According to her, the team would be a collaborative effort of all stakeholders, which included the Federal and State Ministries of Health, as well as the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

Others were the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, United Nations Agencies and other partners.

“We will be receiving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other consumables on Jan. 29, which would be distributed across all the health facilities in the state.

“Also, we would be receiving ribavirin and other supportive drugs and intravenous fluids for treatment of cases to prevent mortality.

Read Also; One dies over Lassa Fever in Kaduna, four results awaited

“In the case of any suspected case, I will advise our people to urgently reach out to the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer at the Local Government Areas, while ambulance services will urgently be dispatched to move clients to the isolation centre for immediate attention,” she said.

In her remarks, the State Epidemiologist, Mrs Inyang Ekpenyong, said that lassa fever was triggered by the dry season which started in November.

Ekpenyong said that between December 2019 and January 2020, the state had recorded four suspected cases of the disease, in which three were confirmed to be negative.

“The last suspected case was discovered in UCTH this month, we are still waiting for the result of the samples we sent to the laboratory in Irrua, Edo State.

“We have sent out messages to all our sister agencies and health care providers to intensify surveillance and work with the media to create more awareness, anyone who sees something should say something,”she said.

The Chairman, Medical Advisory Council (CMAC) of UCTH, Prof. Ogbu Ngim, said that the hospital is better prepared and ready to tackle any outbreak with the presence of an Isolation Centre in the facility.

He, however, called on the State Government to have an open line of communication so that there would be a seamless operation among all agencies should the need arise.

The Cross River Coordinator of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Rilwan Raji, who was represented by the agency’s Surveillance Focal Person, Mr Bernard Ntui, assured the state of their readiness.

Raji said that they were present in the 18 Local government areas of the state with surveillance focal persons in all the health facilities in case of any outbreaks.

(NAN)

Dr Solomon Chollom, a Virologist with Virology Research Division of National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau, says “the new researched cancer treatment called T-cell is a viable option for the treatment of all cancers.”

Chollom told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, while reacting to the novel cancer treatment option by researchers at Cardiff University, Wales, UK.

The virologist said the discovery is a form of immunotherapy where T-Cells are programmed to attack cancer cells and spare normal cells.

According to him, T-cell therapies for cancer – when T-cells are removed, modified and returned to the patient’s blood to seek and destroy cancer cells – are the latest paradigm in cancer treatment.

He added that the most widely-used therapy known as CAR-T, was a personalised to each patient but targets only a few types of cancers.

He, however, explained that the CAR-T therapy had not been successful for solid tumours, which made up the vast majority of cancers.

He said that the Cardiff researchers had now discovered T-cells, equipped with new type of T-Cell Receptor (TCR) which recognises and kills most human cancer types, while ignoring healthy cells.

Chollom said that the TCR recognised a molecule present on the surface of a wide range of cancer cells as in many of the body’s normal cells, noting that “remarkably, it is able to distinguish between healthy cells and cancerous ones, killing only the latter.”

The expert said that Immunotherapy refers to the treatment of diseases by either activating or suppressing the immune system.

He added that “it is essential to note that when the approach is designed to elicit or amplify an immune response, it is called activation immunotherapy.

“However, when the approach is designed to reduce or suppress activities of the immune system, it is called suppression immunotherapy.”

He said that the recent announcement by the Cardiff researchers over the discovery of a category of T-cells with potential to be used as universal cancer treatment option was novel.

He said that “it falls under the category of activation immunotherapy.

“The new discovery is about some clonally selected T-cells which come with different T-cell receptor (TCR) which upon activation, recognises and kills almost all forms of cancer cells while avoiding healthy cells in the body.

“Broadly referred to as `Holy Grail’ treatment, the immune product is an upgrade of the hitherto most widely used T-cell therapy called CAR-T, which is patient specific and cancer specific.”

According to him, CAR-T is personal to a patient at a time and one or two cancer types at a time. This is its limitation which the newly discovered “Holy Grail” has advantage over. Thus it’s being branded ‘universal’ cancer therapy.

“In the new treatment, the TCR recognises many types of cancers through a single HLA-like molecule called MR1. MR1.

READ ALSO: World HIV Day: CBD Oil as new level option?

“Unlike typical HLA molecules that vary from one person to another CAR-T is very stable and present in all humans hence its successful used in this designed.

“In view of the above, the new cancer treatment option will likely serve as broad spectrum therapy or a one model fit-for-all cancers plaguing man.”

He said that as an immunotherapy, it would offer safer treatment option than virotherapy for fear of reversion to wild form in virotherapy .

He said: “it should naturally be safer than radiotherapy in view of the possibility of long term cumulative effect of radiation in the body when radiotherapy is employed.

“Similarly, it should be better than chemotherapy for its lack of adverse effects on other organs of the body as it is always the case with most chemotherapies.”

Chollom said it was left to be seen if this would offer cheaper treatment option as most cancer therapies were expensive.

Prof. Oliver Ottmann, the Head of Haematology, Division of Cancer and Genetics at Cardiff University, Wales, UK, recently delivered the CAR-T therapy, a new type of T-cell therapy with enormous potential to overcome current limitations of the CAR-T treatment for cancer.

(NAN)

By Tony Akowe, Abuja

Member Representing Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide has paid N75m for students in his constituency to pay for 2020 Senior Secondary School Certificate examination conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

Abejide, who spoke while presenting the cheque to beneficiaries in his constituency, said the gesture will cover students in public and private secondary schools across the three Local Government areas that make up the constituency.

He added it will be extended to all JSS 3 students in all the local government and technical schools.

According to him: “In no distance future we should begin to see medical doctors, engineers, administrators and even governors among these our children, your dream of reaching out to the sky should begin from today”.

He urged parents in the area to key into the project by allowing their children to register as there is no political undertone attached.

READ ALSO: Lawmakers differ on Amotekun as Ohanaeze youths, others back outfit

Abejide appealed to the people to continue to remain peaceful and allow peace to reign in the country as there is no meaningful development that can take place in a chaotic situation.

He assured them that the National Assembly was doing every thing possible to collaborate with the Executive arm of government to bring good dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Mrs. Folashade Yinusa, commended Abejide’s gesture for bringing hope for hopeless parents and students in the area and promised to continue to support in his political career for bringing their Children to the limelight.

The lawmaker also sunk 8 motorised boreholes in the constituency located at ALU, Ponyan, Amuro, Mopa,Ogbe and Egbe respectively as parts of his constituency projects in the Federal Constituency.

He also graded roads as a palliative measures to the constituency from Iyamoye to Igbegun, to Ife- Olukotun, Ponyan , Ejuku to Ijowa Isanlu.

Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has sentenced Mariam Sanda, the mother of two to death by hanging for the murder of her husband, Biliaminu Bello Haliru in their Abuja home on November 19, 2017.

Justice Yusuf Haliru, in a judgment on Monday, said having been convicted for killing her husband, she should be hanged until she dies.

Justice Haliru said, the defendant, who wailed all through the sentencing part of the proceedings, be remanded in Suleja prisons pending when the court’s judgment is executed.

The judge held that the prosecution proved that the defendant killed her husband by stabbing him and tried to conceal her action by claiming he fell on a broken bottle.

Justice Haliru noted that, from evidence led, it became obvious that disagreement broke out between husband and wife when the defendant said she saw a nude picture of a female in her husband’s phone when she wanted to use it.

At the pronouncement of the judge, the proceedings of the court was disrupted when the defendant’s mother and siblings, who were in court reacted by shouting.

The defendant attempted to flee the courtroom through an exit door close to the dock, but was held back by security agents.

The judge, after making his final pronouncement, rose briefly to allow the court to be cleared.

The convict, who is wailing uncontrollably, is being held by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), who are waiting for the judge to endorse her remand warrant before taking her to prison.

Details shortly…

Our Reporter

 

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration will in February meet with stakeholders drawn from different sectors of the state to unveil a new policy on education.

The governor said this during a courtesy visit by leaders and members of the Baptist School of Theology, at Government House in Benin City.

Obaseki explained that the new policy would be reeled out during a roundtable on the education sector scheduled for February, noting, “We are convening a roundtable on the education sector within the next one month to reel out our new education policy and get as much input as possible from many partners.”

He said the investment the state government was making in the education sector would build a solid foundation for children at the basic education level, which emphasises learning than schooling.

“We need to rebuild the standard of our education at the basic level. Our institutions should be a reference point. We are aware of resource constraints and know that government alone cannot do achieve the kind of progress we desire. But we have decided to invest more in basic education,” he noted.

Read Also: Plots to unseat Obaseki will fail – Umahi

Obaseki said his administration shares same vision with the Baptist School of Theology for a society driven by strong education and moral standing, assuring them of his administration’s support in their programmes.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Board for the Baptist School of Theology, Mr Edwin Erhimwin, said they were on the visit to thank the governor for his solidarity with them on the occasion of the death of their former Chairman, late Arch. Eddy Eguavon.

He appealed to the governor to assist the school as they embark on a project to build a permanent site for the institution.

The chairman commended the governor, noting, “We encourage you on your education policies as you equip our children with education for service and development.”

 

By Adeniyi Adewoyin

 

Rotarian, Mr. Jide Ajayi has urged schools to encourage sporting activities as it helps to develop skills and assist in discovering talents.

Speaking at the second inter-house sports competition of Grenville School, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, Ajayi, who was the chairman of the day, urged schools to encourage sporting activities, because it helps to discover the talented ones at tender age.  “This event will help them develop their skills, talents will be discovered along the line and they would know that when you’re in a competition, if you lose today and you plan well you can win next time”.

The chairman of the school, Mr Jide Babalola noted that the school takes sports seriously stating that it helps to build mental the health. “Sports education not only teaches students to maintain their physical well being but also teaches the habit of discipline, resilience, competitiveness, and also a time of fun for the students and parents present.  Sport is very important in education that is why we don’t compromise the space of sport in our curriculum,” he said.