Category: Uncategorized

Moses Emorinken, Abuja

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that if left unchecked, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which already leads to 700,000 deaths globally each year, could potentially cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, who disclosed this on Wednesday at a press conference for the World Antibiotic Awareness Week, said that: “AMR endangers health security and our progress towards universal health coverage, by threatening to reverse medical advances of the twentieth century. It reduces our ability to treat diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea and cancer. AMR also threatens our ability to conduct surgeries and to care for premature babies.”

This year’s theme – ‘handle antibiotics with care’, emphasizes the need to use antibiotics safely and responsibly across sectors, from agricultural and livestock production to public health, and also stresses the need to mitigate the impacts of antimicrobial pollution contaminating water and soil.

Dr. Moeti further added: “We are seeing high resistance to common pathogens such as 98 per cent fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli, meaning there are limited treatment options for people that get this infection.

“Key challenges in combating AMR include: weak regulatory systems facilitating proliferation of substandard and falsified medicines; limited implementation of standards for clean water, sanitation and hygiene, and to prevent and control infections; and a lack of reliable data.

“WHO and partners are working with countries to address these challenges by implementing ‘One Health’ national action plans. These plans bring together different sectors and disciplines to build stronger regulatory systems, to improve surveillance, and to develop policies to promote appropriate antibiotic use among humans, and in livestock and agriculture.

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“In the African Region, nine of 47 countries now have functioning multisectoral working groups on AMR and 19 countries have enrolled in the Global AMR Surveillance System (GLASS).

“Twenty-four countries have legislation on the prescription and sale of antimicrobials for human use and six have national monitoring systems for consumption and rational use of antimicrobials in human health. Together, we need to accelerate action to reduce the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant infections”.

According to the Officer-in-Charge, WHO Nigeria, Dr. Clement Peter, “Patients should only use antibiotics prescribed by a certified health professional. The government has regulation in terms of dispensing and prescription of the medicines, however, they need to be enforced.

“We need to promote standards, especially among health workers in terms of prescribing and dispensing antibiotics to patients, especially when they are needed. We also need to make sure that the services are available at the Primary Health Care (PHC), our community insurance scheme is working, and we need to make sure that patients have access to medicines.

“70 per cent of health challenges in Africa is as a result of our behaviours and attitudes. Once we can modify our behaviour, we can reduce exposure to disease by 70 per cent. We need to have a healthier population to drive our economy”.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has accredited two additional programmes for Millennium College of Health Technology, Aaye, Akure with effect from 2019/2020 academic session.

The programmes are Higher National Diploma (HND) in Environmental Health Technology and HND in Health Information Management.

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The accreditation followed the resources inspection carried out by the NBTE team in September r.

With this, HND graduates of the institution will now take part in the one year mandatory NYSC programme.

Governing Council Chairman, Mrs. Ogunbadenusi Caroline, described the new accreditation and the inclusion of HND graduates of the institution into the NYSC programme as another laudable feat by the college in recent times.

She said: ‘’Millennium College of Health Technology, Aaye, Akure, is  making appreciable progress day by day in the area of training proficient health professionals. “

By Jane Chijioke

About 30 entrepreneurs pitched their businesses to Nigerian and Canadian investors at the first Transnational Ventures Acceleration Programme (TVAP), organised by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The programme which is in partnership with Carleton University, Canada featured a two-day intensive training for participants who were both students and non- students of the school.

Initiated to scale up small businesses that have the potential of solving  problems, it also allowed  participants who are still at the business ideation phase to pitch their ideas.

According to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof Folashade  Ogunsola, the pitching would determine if their businesses  have potential in attracting investors.

“If you have a product that people believe in, they would invest.  The question is, do they find a product or service that people need or was it something they liked.

“So the pitching would determine who gets funding or not.  It may also mean that it is a good idea but has not developed to a certain level, so we are getting them there.

So at the end of the day, many of them would know for a fact whether they are ready, whether they need to do more work and whether they have a fundable and scalable project.”

She noted that next year, only those who are already into business would be allowed to participate.

Ogunsola said the programme would help improve the youth and make them job creators, increase the university’s global visibility and also add to the knowledge  in the  faculty.

The Director, Entrepreneurship and Skill Development  Centre  UNILAG,  Sunday Adebisi said the programme would provide transnational opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprise(SMEs)  to connect with their counterparts  in Canada and also enable investments in businesses in the country.

The  Associate Prof, Carleton University, Canada, Prof Tony Bailetti  said he was impressed by the diversity of talents and creativity the students exhibited, stating  that the  country’s high human capital creates  opportunities for entrepreneurship development that would impact on the economy.

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“The diverse opportunities here are incredible. But one challenge here is infrastructure. They do not have the infrastructure to support them but still we need to build their capacity and that is why we are here to give successful local businesses the opportunities to compete in the global market. We brought in nine companies and they are interested in working with Nigeria,” he said.

A participant, Williams Anaka of Brain Logistics, said the programme had equipped him with more business knowledge. He hoped to get partnership to boost his business.

Noting that the programme would be held annually, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe said the university was already in talks with the Bank of Industry and the Central Bank of Nigeria to support entrepreneurs running their programmes in the school with the necessary funds.

He added that the school had already earmaked start up grants for students.

Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

I am sure many of us have seen the video of the Queen’s College pupil who had the effrontery to wear fake eyelashes and paint her nails to school.  The video has been shared on the social media – with people calling the girl and her mother unprintable names.

Well, I think differently.  The matter could have been better handled.  First, let me talk about the video.  It saddens me that someone, or people, who are likely teachers or non-academic members of staff or even parents of pupils of the school – core stakeholders; the internal publics – could deem it okay to shoot a video of such disgrace on their phones and post it on the social media.  If the video was done to help with investigation afterwards, then it would have been good.  But that would not have been noble enough for the mobile videographers.  They had to, in the spirit of generosity that rules the social media share it to all their contacts on all their platforms for – clout?

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Unfortunately, there is no video that shows us the first scene in the drama.  We only joined the movie when the slay teenager’s momager (as my class mates called her) was fighting a security man attached to the school for allegedly sending her daughter out for the offense.   All that needed to have been done was for the young lady to be disciplined according to the school’s rules and regulations.  In this case where the Momager resorted to assault, deal with it according to the law.  The school could have decided to call the police.  But for videographers to focus on publicising the matter – not minding that a minor was involved – was so inappropriate.

In investigating this matter, I hope the Queen’s College authorities would seek to find out who among the school’s workers shared the videos on the social media.  A source at the scene noted that the incident generated such interest that even outsiders gathered to watch – invariably compromising security.  It may have been an outsider.  But if the school has CCTV coverage, it is time to look into it to determine what happened.  (If it does not, it is time to get security camera).

The school also needs to establish a crisis management policy to avoid issues like this.  This should serve as a platform for re-training of workers on how to manage such problems should they arise.  If workers know how to better manage the crisis, the school would be better protected.

By Omotayo Omitola

Forensic science has come of age and will soon become an indispensable apparatus to the  crime investigation and detective intelligence gathering, Prof. Kalu Ogbureke of the University of Texas Health Science Centre, has said.

He spoke at the first forensic conference last Wednesday at the Julius Berger Hall, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The conference was organised by the Society for Forensic and Analytical Scientists Nigeria(SFASN) and Nabraska Institute of Forensic Science, Lincoln USA in conjunction with the department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science of the University.

Ogbureke highlighted that forensic science covers various fields such as Criminality, Forensic anthropology, Pathology, Biology Toxicology among others which security agents can use in curbing criminal activities.

He added that forensic science will set the pace for a new, emerging society and national progress, praising President Muhammadu Buhari for signing Forensic Evidence Bill into law.

Associate Professor, Idowu Taiwo said criminals were taking advantage of the fact that forensic analysis had not been implemented in crime investigations.

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“Forensic analytical investigations have come a long way in proffering solutions to problems encountered in various categories of events from the past till now with a view that forensic analysis had created fora for crime and investigations.”

Taiwo said forensic science analysis would help investigators unravel crimes,  adding that forensic genetics was crucial in crime detection.

Dr. Matthias Okoye of Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences, Lincoln, USA also proffered solutions on crime scene investigations and how documentations should be done, as well as types of samples to be collected and critical issues of DNA samplings.

Dr. Azeezat Alaafia, spoke about Forensic Entomology as an enabling property for  the identification of victims and unrecognisable casualties in crucial matters.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin  Ogundipe, praised  the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics of the university for making the epoch-making  occasion a reality.

From Damisi Ojo,Akure

Old Students Association of Acquinas College,Akure (ACAOSA) has spent about N100m on the development of the college.

ACAOSA President  Justice Adesuyi-Olagbegi (retd) disclosed this while presenting some sports equipment to the school.

The items were 20 pairs of ruuning vest and pants, 10 pairs of tights, 15 track suits, 15 pairs of soccer boots, 10 pairs of spike shoes and 15 pairs of hose.

Olateru-Olagbegi noted that the philanthropic gesture of the association was borne out of its readiness to sustain and uplift the known standard of the college for qualitative  education.

He added that it was obvious that the state government alone was incapable  of  funding and maintaining the set standard  considering the high wage bill of the government.

According to him, the association has built 1,000-seater capacity hall, refurbished the school’s laboratories and renovated some dilapidated buildings of the school.

The president, who stated that  the sport equipment cost N500,000, said that the equipment would boost  students’ morale to sport activities in the college.

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Olateru-Olagbegi, therefore, urged the state government to return the college to its original owner,the Catholic Mission,so that the school would not rest on its oars of success.

He said the association during its visit discovered that the school’s situation was disturbing, troublesome and unacceptable.

The Chairman of ACAOSA Sports Committee, Prof Babatunde Asagba, said  Aquinas college had made a unique landmark in sports and academics nationwide.

Asagba frowned at the present state of sports in the college , adding that it should return to the golden years of the past.

He said: “One of the reasons for this fall is the taking over of the school by the government.

“We know it can be nursed to stardom again and to encourage this comeback to limelight in sports, the ACAOSA has decided to start supplying these sporting equipment for the use of students.

“More shall come as plans are on the way to help surpass previous records of our alma mater,” he said.

The state Commissioner for Education, Femi Agagu who was represented by Mr, Olabanji Ogundele, thanked the association for the intervention, saying  the gesture was highly commendable.

The school’s principal, Babasola Ayibiowu, noted that it was a rare privilege to be a student of the college, saying  the school was doing well in national competitions both in academics and sports.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

It is now possible for candidates to request for their West African Senior School Certificate online.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Head of National Office, Mr. Olu Adenipekun, said candidates for the 2019 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) Second series held August/September would be the first to access the portal which would soon be unveiled.

He said: “I wish to inform you that the Council in Nigeria has perfected its Electronic Certificate Management System, an online portal being deployed to enable private candidates request for their certificates online. Therefore, beginning with the WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2019-Second Series, the collection of certificates would be based on requests by candidates online via the Electronic Certificate Management System platform. Details of the simple procedures will be made available to the public shortly.”

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Announcing the release of the WASSCE for private candidates 2019 Second Series, Adenipekun said only 35.10 per cent of the 94,884 candidates who took the Examination made credits in at least five subjects, including English and Mathematics.

He said: “33,304 candidates representing 35.10 per cent obtained credits and above in minimum of five subjects including English Language and Mathematics; Out of which 16, 431 were male and 16, 873 were females representing 49.34% and 50.66% respectively.”

The HNO also said 9,457 candidates ( 9.74%) caught  perpetrating examination malpractice were being investigated by the council; while  3,659 candidates (3.86%) whose results had errors were still being processed.

Elo Edremoda, Warri

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has reiterated its commitment to improving the quality of education in Nigeria.

Its Chairman/Managing Director, Mr. Jeffrey Ewing, stated this at the 2019 Awokoya Memorial Chemistry Competition award held at the PTI Conference Centre in Effurun, Delta State on Saturday.

Ewing, special guest of honour at the occasion,noted  that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Chevron Joint Venture had through the annual contest, paved the way for students to excel in the sciences.

Represented by the Warri Area Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs,Sam Daibo, an engineer, he pointed out the essence of education to societal growth and development.

“Over the years, the NNPC/CNL JV has shown commitment to supporting quality education through investments in education infrastructure, sponsorship of manpower development programmes and provision of scholarships. We are committed to improving the quality of education in Nigeria.

“Our corporate belief is that education remains a veritable tool for personal and societal growth and sustainable development. We are also pleased that our contributions to education are helping to improve the ability of Nigeria to develop quality manpower in different fields including, but not limited to the oil and gas industry,” Ewing said.

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Chairman on the occasion and national president of CSN, Prof. Sunday Okeniyi, who was represented by CSN Fellows Committee chairman,Prince Jay Oghifo,  said that the competition is a form of welfare that “serves as a propeller” for the study of Chemistry.

He said:”Involving our children early in life is a healthy innovation. Active participation keeps children moving and is good for their self- esteem. Lessons learnt during the competition are lessons for life”.

The first prize winner of this year’s competition was 14-year-old Trust Akpeti, an SSS 3 student of Delta Careers College, Ugboroke.

Others include the second prize winner, Ifeanyi Dumkelechi of Peniel Academy, Agbor, and Victory Oboh of Lord’s and King’s Academy, Warri, who clinched the third prize.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

AS part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Brilliant Footsteps International Academy, Sokoto has renovated a block of two nursery classes and staff room at Luggu Primary School in Wamakko Local Government Area.

The private school also donated 80 sets of desks and chairs as well as books to the school last weekend.

Its proprietor, Dr. Shadi Sabeh, said the need to support public schools was imperative to enable them be at par in quality and standards with private schools.

He said it served as a window to avail children of the less-privileged opportunity to enjoy knowledge.

“We want to build a generation of pupils in public schools with equal educational background that can also compete favourably with private schools.

“This jinx needs to be broken and we have set the ball rolling. We have to promote quality in public schools in tune with the private settings through technical partnership and robust synergy with development partners”, he said.

“We initiated this project  because of the state of emergency declared on the sector by the state government,” he said.

While noting that the academy donated 150 Islamic books to Islamiyya,Shabeh however urged the state government to demonstrate its readiness by supporting the project with learning and teaching aids in public schools.

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The State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Abubakar Bello Guiwa represented by the Permanent Secretary, Muhammad Mainasara Ahmad and accompanied by SUBEB Permanent SecretaryAlhaji  Farouk, described as brilliant the giant steps taken by the academy in supporting the state government emergency project on education.

Also, the Local Government Education Secretary, Muhammad Dan Umar who expressed delight, described the gesture as unprecedented.

” Dr. Shabeh has  the  passion for the education of the less privileged. We are proud to have his kind in our community and we will ensure that the project is taken care of.”

Head Mistress of the school, Malama Safiya Adamu Isah expressed  gratitude to the proprietor and management of the academy for choosing the school for its project.

“This will  elevate our standard and promote the school”, she observed.

From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

A Non-governmental Organisation, Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), has donated modern libraries to five primary and two secondary schools in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The secondary schools were Anglican Girls Secondary School, Ogidi and Nkpor Technical College, Nkpor.

While the primary schools were Central Nursery and Primary School, Nkpo; Akpakogwe Nursery and Primary School, Ogidi; Nsukwu Nursery and Primary School, Abatete; Uruaneke Nursery and Primary School, Umuoji and Union Nursery and Primary School, Eziowele.

Speaking during the inauguration of the libraries, Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Ego Mbagwu, said the libraries were aimed at promoting education which served as a store house for the impartation of knowledge.

She also promised delivery of computers to schools in the state next year.

She said: “Library plays an important role in students’ academic achievement because it facilitates the work of teachers and ensures that students have access to other materials outside the recommended text to make them independent readers.

“Part of our aim is to establish libraries in public schools to make materials available to pupils and students who cannot afford them.

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“So far, we have established 19 Oasis libraries serving 38 schools and 6,765 pupils in Lagos State. We extended our services to Anambra State where we set up 10 Oasis libraries, serving 16 schools and 2,040 pupils.

“We have also established four DEAR Time libraries in Lagos State with 73 book boxes serving 1,025 pupils.”

On her part, the Education Secretary, Idemili North Local Government Area, Lady Angela Orakwue said pupils in the area had longed for a library to improve their reading culture as there was no such facility in the area.

She said:The pupils  and I are overwhelmed with joy.

“We don’t even have a library not to talk of standard one.  Since January, we heard about this, we have trained over 77 teachers per school to man the libraries for effective service.”

Orakwue thanked the organisation for its magnanimity, expressing optimism that it would further improve the reading habits of the students.

Praising the initiative, Principal, Anglican Girls Secondary School Ogidi, Dr Lizzy Okeke and her Nkpor Technical College counterpart, Mr Gabriel Nwosu, promised to supervise the maximum utilisation of the library, as it would improve the reading standard of the students.