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How to prevent foot diabetes, by experts

Persons living with diabetes need not develop diabetes related foot complications which can lead to amputation, some medical experts have said. They spoke at the third workshop on podiatry (foot care) and diabetes, organised by Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre in partnership with the World Diabetes Foundation and Podiatry Institute, United States (US). The theme was ‘Initiating, implementing and sustaining a national diabetes foot care policy’.

According to them, foot care for people with diabetes is one of the most overlooked aspects of diabetes management.

Many with diabetes, they said were unaware that they must take special care of their feet and visit a podiatrist if problems arise.

The workshop noted why podiatry is essential to people with diabetes. Diabetes causes nerve damage known as peripheral neuropathy and affects the blood circulation.

They said, poor blood circulation could affect how the body heals, adding that people with diabetes are more prone to infections.

Coordinator, Diabetes Podiatry Initiative, Nigeria Dr Rita Isiavwe said foot problems could arise signs and symptoms are not identified early. She listed some of the problems as damage to the foot, foot ulcers, foot infections, Charcot’s joints or amputation.

A resource person, Andrew Clarke, from Cape Town, South Africa, described podiatrists as one of the essential professionals within diabetes care.

He said: ”Podiatrists are on hand at every stage, be it prevention, concern about a foot problem, and dealing with genuine problems once they occur. Today’s podiatrists are uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the complex structure of the foot and ankle, based on their education, training, and experience. They can diagnose and treat injuries affecting the lower extremities, provide guidance on proper athletic footwear, prescribe custom orthotics, and evaluate biomechanics.”

Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) President Dr Mohammed Alkali said diabetes impairs the body’s ability to convert sugar, starch, and other foods into energy. The long-term effects of elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia), he said could damage the eyes, heart, kidney, nerves, and feet. About five million people are said to be diabetic in the country.

Alkali, the Chief Medical Director of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), said: “While there is no cure for diabetes, there is hope. With proper diet, exercise, medical care, and careful management at home, a person with diabetes can avoid the most serious complications and enjoy a full and active life. Today’s podiatrist plays a key role in helping patients manage diabetes successfully and avoid foot-related complications.

“Diabetes warning signs include: skin colour changes, swelling of the foot or ankle, numbness in the feet or toes, pain in the legs, open sores on the feet that are slow to heal, ingrown and fungal toenails, bleeding corns and calluses and dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel.”

“Because diabetes is a disease affecting many parts of the body, successful management requires a team approach. Today’s podiatrist is an integral part of the treatment team and has documented success in preventing amputations as over 65,000 lower limbs are amputated annually due to complications from diabetes, after an amputation, the chance of another amputation within three to five years is as high as 50 per cent. Including a podiatrist in a diabetes care can reduce the risk of lower limb amputation up to 85 per cent and lowers the risk of hospitalisation by 24 percent. The keys to amputation prevention are early recognition and regular foot screenings performed by a podiatrist, the foot and ankle expert.”

To avoid foot problems, Akali advised diabetic to examine ones feet every day and get a thorough foot examination from a podiatist at least, once a year. “See the podiatrist if you notice any cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails, corns or calluses, changes in colour or shape, or heightened or reduced sensitivity in your feet.

“Wash your feet every day and apply a moisturiser to the tops and bottoms of your feet to keep the skin smooth and soft. Protect your feet by wearing socks and shoes rather than going barefoot. Finally, taking good care of yourself overall will also help you keep your feet healthy. Don’t smoke, exercise regularly and try to keep your blood glucose levels under control. Talk to your caregiver about other ways to prevent foot problems when you have diabetes.”

August 18, 2016
Experts seek end to female genital mutilation
There was high euphoria across the country when former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill outlawing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) into law on May 5, last year.

In spite of the widespread optimism that the law will save millions of Nigerian girls and women from the myriad health implications of FGM, concerned observers insist that the age-long practice is still very much in existence.

According to the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA), Osun State has the highest prevalence of FGM in the entire South-West geo-political zone.

Mrs Ratidzai Ndhlovu, UNFPA Country Representative in Nigeria, said this at a meeting organised by UNFPA, in collaboration with Shericare Foundation (SCARF), the pet project of the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola.

“The prevalence rate of female genital mutilation in Osun State stands at 76.6 per cent,’’ she said.

She stressed that all hands must be on deck to eradicate the age-long practice.

Speaking on the high prevalence of FGM, Mrs Aregbesola, who is an ambassador of the anti-FGM campaign, warned perpetrators of tradition to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.

She decried the prevalent rate of female circumcision, insisting that urgent efforts should be made to stamp out the practice.

She moaned that Osun State ranked number one on the list of the six states where FGM was most endemic in the country, adding that this compelled her to lead an intensive advocacy against FGM and sensitise the citizens to the dangers of the tradition.

Mrs. Aregbesola emphasised that the reasons adduced by those engaging in the removal of external female genitalia were not tenable, saying that the perpetrators were only inflicting unwarranted lifelong trauma on the circumcised females and denying them sexual pleasure.

“Investigations have revealed that none of the reasons adduced by perpetrators has any link to any medical objective, in which case the genitals of a female child or woman is just altered for a reason not aimed at saving her life.

“The UNFPA, through a study, has confirmed that the practice of FGM in the endemic states in Nigeria was only anchored on various traditional beliefs and social pressures to conform to culture.

“Documented studies have revealed that the health implications of FGM range from dangerous infections arising from unsanitary conditions, in which the practice is carried out to death through severe bleeding,’’ she said.

Mrs. Aregbesola, who described FGM as a violation of fundamental human rights, said she would ensure that the practice was completely eradicated.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Kayode Oguniyi, the Director of Primary Health care and Disease Control, said the government would henceforth ensure strict enforcement of the law against FGM.

He also said it was worrisome that Osun State still had the highest prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest.

Oguniyi said the law prohibiting FGM in Osun, which was signed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, stipulated two years imprisonment without an option of fine for anyone caught engaging in the practice.

“Let me agree that Osun is still one of the places where this old tradition is still being practised.

“As regards the prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest, Osun has the highest figure with about 76 per cent.

“We do not like it and we are working very hard to remove the tradition from our state,’’ he added.

Oguniyi said as part of the campaigns, the agency was also training some people as anti-female genital mutilation ambassadors.

He said the ambassadors carried out house-to-house campaigns to sensitise people to the ills of the harmful tradition.

Medical experts, nonetheless, insist that government at all levels ought to embark on a more aggressive public awareness campaign on the health implications of FGM, while strictly enforcing the law banning the practice.

Dr Banke Popoola, a gynaecologist, said since there was an extant law criminalising FGM, offenders should be punished accordingly, adding that such punishments should also be publicised to serve as deterrent to others.

She also said the cruel practice of cutting the clitoris of young females should be discouraged by everyone, particularly those in the rural communities.

Nevertheless, Dr Grace Adanri, the Research Director, Better Life Africa, called on the government to enforce all laws prohibiting violence against persons, as part of efforts to secure a better future for the Nigerian girl-child.

She said FGM, in some cases, could lead to the opening of passages between the vagina and bladder or anus, thereby triggering Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a condition more commonly associated with obstetrics complications such as obstructed labour in teenage pregnancy.

Besides, Adanri said there was a possibility of the failure of the wound to heal, leading to excessive growth of scar.

“This could also lead to hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, reproductive tract infections, infertility, obstructive labour, painful menstruation and painful sexual intercourse, among several other health issues,’’ she said.

Adanri also said FGM could, as well, lead to Recto-Vaginal Fistula (RVF) particularly when “the pelvis and birth canal of the pregnant woman are not fully developed’’.

She, however, underscored the need to stage intensive awareness campaigns on the ills of FGM.

Observers insist that since the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared FGM as a violation of human rights, government should enforce the extant laws on FGM to the letter.
- Victor Adeoti writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
August 17, 2016
Experts: douching dangerous

Experts have cautioned women on vaginal douching, saying that it is dangerous to their health. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA reports.

Women have been warned against douching. Experts say it is harmful.

Gynaecologists and oncologists gave the warning at the free screening for breast and cervical cancer for women journalists during the monthly programme of the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) tagged Meet Health Writers Forum.

Douching is the washing of the vagina with hot water, vinegar, antiseptic, herbal preparations, and alum or other materials.

Some women prefer to sit on a potty containing these materials. Douches sold in drugstores and supermarkets contain antiseptics and fragrances. They come in bottles or bags.

Douching is different from washing the outside of the vagina during a bath or shower. Rinsing the outside of it with warm water does not harm the vagina. But douching can lead to various health problems, the experts said.

Chief Executive Officer, Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Omolola Salako, and a Consultant Gynaecologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr Kehinde Okunade, said women should avoid douching because it could harm the vagina.

Changes in the composition of the bacteria in the vagina, Okunade said, could lead to infections, such as yeast infections.

Salako, a consultant oncologist, said douching could lead to the spread of harmful bacteria in the reproductive tract if the vagina is infected. Any strong odour or irritation means something is wrong, he said.

According to Okunade, a healthy vagina has good and harmful bacteria. Balanced bacteria helps maintain an acidic environment. This protects the vagina from infections or irritation. Douching can cause an overgrowth of the harmful bacteria. This could lead to yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. If a woman has vaginal infection, douching could push the bacteria causing it into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This could lead to a pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a serious problem. Another is vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina.

“Vaginitis can be caused by an infection with yeast, bacteria, or Trichomonas, but vaginitis also can be caused by non-infectious causes, for example, physical or chemical irritation, such as douches, soaps, or fragrances, spermicides or reduced estrogen levels around the time of menopause. Women, who douche more than once a week have more difficulty getting pregnant than those who do not. Douching may also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy by as much as 76 per cent. With an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo implants outside the uterus. The more a woman douches, the greater the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy,” Okunade said.

He said douching is a harmful cultural practice and women who practice it for any reason should stop. “These beliefs are false, and douching is not necessary to ‘clean’ the vagina. Douching also does not protect against pregnancy or against sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), women should simply not use soap at any time,” Okunade said.

Okunade said the best way to clean the vagina is to let it clean itself and it does so naturally by making mucous. The mucous washes away blood, semen, and vaginal discharge.

“If you are worried about vaginal odour, talk to your doctor or nurse. But you should know that even healthy, clean vaginas have a mild odour that changes throughout the day. Physical activity also can give your vagina a stronger, muskier scent, but this is still normal. Keep your vagina clean and healthy by: washing the outside of it with warm water when you bathe. Some women also use mild soaps. But, if you have sensitive skin or any infections, even mild soaps can cause dryness and irritation. Avoid scented tampons, pads, powders, and sprays. These products may increase your chances of getting an infection,” he explained.

He said more frightening is douching once weekly, adding that this could lead to cervical cancer, adding that cervical cancer is killing more people worldwide than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria put together.

“Over 14, 550 Nigerian women are inflicted with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) – the major cause of cancer of the cervix. In spite of these statistics, there is evidence that utilisation of screening for prevention of the disease is poor in Nigeria. I am calling on women of reproductive age to observe regular cervical cancer screening because any woman, who is sexually active, is at risk,” Okuade said.

Salako said early detection through screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions remained the best protection against cancer of the cervix, saying cervical cancer is the most common female cancer among women in Nigeria after breast cancer, which is caused by the HPV transmitted through sex, and it could cause an infection in the cervix (the neck of the womb).

“Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. More new cases are diagnosed each year in Nigeria. The unique fact about cervical cancer is that most cases are triggered by a type of virus. When found early, cervical cancer is highly curable,” he said.

Salako said it could take between 10 and 15 years for the cells of the cervix to grow abnormal and become cancerous, “this window period is when screening is done to detect any abnormality in the cervix and prevent cervical cancer. A woman can reduce the risk of cervical cancer by delaying age of first sexual experience; avoid multiple sexual partners, alcohol and smoking.

“The girl-child should be vaccinated with the HPV vaccine nine and women should go for regular screening. Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent and the death rate is unacceptable,” she said.

Salako said there was the need to improve the awareness and treatment of this silent killer among women.

August 12, 2016
How to save education, by experts

The quality of graduates from the nation’s universities is said to be poor. This is why many companies consider them unemployable. Where does the problem lie? To experts, it lies in poor policy implementation and lack of investment, among other factors. OLUWATOYIN ADELEYE reports

With 18,000 private and 1,600 public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State alone, there is no doubt that the education sector is so sensitive that it requires careful management. But the sector’s challenges seem unending – from issues of budgetary allocation, quality of teachers and curriculum content to delivery, technology, and morality. experts have identified loopholes that government and society must fix to raise the system to global standard.

Quality

Founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Prof Pat Utomi, is so bothered by the problem of quality in the education system that he focused on it at the 34th colloquium of the centre held at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, last month.

Describing it as Nigeria’s biggest education problem, he said: “We still have a problem in Nigeria today about the quality of education. Critical to this problem is that we have not educated our people enough to produce basic needs.”

A lecturer at the University of Abuja, Prof Gidado Tahir, said the problem of quality is pervasive affecting the students, teachers, and resources available for learning.

He said: “We have a serious problem with the quality of students we get; their background; quality of teachers who are expected to be pillars of learning; quality of resources that are available for the learners to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes. so many of these quality issues abound in the educational system.

“So our main question really is what can we do to enhance the quality of what we provide to the learners as education in skills, attitudes and values?”

To enhance teacher quality, Mrs Abolaji Osime, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global International College, advised that the entry requirements of colleges of education be revised to attract the best brains to the profession.

She said: “How would you put the worst in your class to produce the best out of children? The entry requirement for colleges of education is three credits. From the onset, we do not recognise that profession and they are the ones to teach our children. In Finland, you cannot go into the classroom unless you have a Masters degree.

Professor of educational management, University of Ibadan (UI), Joel Babalola, suggested incentives for trainee teachers.

“It is time for us to think about how to attract the intelligent people into the teaching profession. To do this might mean encouraging them. When I got into the teaching profession, I got bursary and scholarships. Will it not be right if the country can look into subsidizing teachers’ education?” he asked.

Babalola added that quality training could make trainee-teachers the best.

“If you get people who are not A-candidates, you can transform them to become As. For instance, when the public universities reject some candidates, they go to the private universities and you see that the universities would do everything in their power to bring out the best in them. I don’t believe anybody is totally poor. The key word is transformation. We need that model again. Even if you cannot get the brightest, you make sure you transform them to be the best,” he said.

Leadership

Without the right leaders, experts agree that no amount of funding and excellent policies can improve the education system. They believe that political will, commitment and the leaders’ belief in the power of education can transform the sector.

For Mrs Osime, political will is the solution to Nigeria’s educational woes. She said the government needs to learn leadership from the private sector.

“My challenge is that we lack the political will to change education in Nigeria. We talk a lot, but we do not really understand the connection between educating the populace and changing the nation. Our leaders are not paying attention. Successful nations ensure that they invest. It is not about money. The problem is that the money leaks and goes to different places. It ends up in England, in the US, etc.

“I have run a private school for 17 years and my students are getting A-star in the same Nigeria. We are able to teach with the same teachers coming out of the same colleges of education. We have to ask ourselves, what is the difference? What are we doing in the private sector that the public sector is not doing? I see that the political will is not there.”

Tahir also said Nigeria needs leaders that appreciate the role of education in development.

“Let us have a leader who has the foresight and belief that education can be a transforming instrument in our communities. Look at the states in this country; it is obvious that some of the leaders have not even appreciated that education is key to the transformation of their various communities. So, obviously, when you are doing some investments, you will be doing it in other sectors that you consider important and the standard of facilities that ought to be in schools are not there.

“We are also confronted with the issue of numbers to the extent that we are unable to manage. The leaders that we have are not very sensitive to the yearnings of the people as far as the issues of education are concerned. We have a number of policies that are churned out every now and then but without financial backing. So we have so many laws, regulations, commissions, agencies that are out there doing nothing simply because you cannot provide fund for them,” he said.

Curriculum upgrade and government policy

The educationists have suggested a new curriculum and a more inclusive approach to implementing it.

Lecturer at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr Chris Ogbechie, thinks that an upgrade of the curriculum would lift the quality of education and raise the nation to a level of global competitiveness.

“What we learn is not necessarily what we are going to use when we get to the workplace because the rate of change is so fast. People say that even the job of the future has not been created. Education is not a static thing because things have changed and keep changing. So when we look at being competitive as a nation, we also have to think of the present generation who will be the ones that will lead us going forward. So are we judging quality of education and its standards, using the standard of our own generation?” he said.

Ogbechie stressed the need for character formation and employability in the curriculum.

He said: “We don’t have to re-invent the wheel. Countries have become competitive because they have invested in education, but education for the future, not for today. Are we conscious of what is happening in the environment? Many of the youths don’t even watch television. It is their parents’ toy. But try social media.”

The lecturer gave an illustration of Ireland: “30 to 40 years ago, the Irish were the laughing stock of the world. Within a decade, Ireland became one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and for them, the secret was education at all levels. As a country, they invested massively in education, not just tertiary, but from the lowest to the highest level, and by doing so, they could boast of a country that had quality manpower, which was able to attract investors and all the leading Information Technology (IT) companies in America decided to move their European bases to Ireland and that completely changed the economy, the people of Ireland, and the respect accorded them. It took government policy to make that happen.”

Mrs Osime said even teacher training curriculum have to be reviewed.

“In the colleges of education, we have been using a curriculum that is of the 17th century, so how can the teachers keep up? We need to upgrade the curriculum in-service and pre-service. We need to teach what is local, even though we are training them to be competitive internationally,” she said.

Prof Babalola underscored the need to ensure textbooks used in schools reflect the Nigerian society, not foreign ones, while the teachers are trained in the use of appropriate technology like e-books, interactive boards, among others.

Industry Partnerships

Public-Private partnership is necessary for the growth of the education sector. Experts said government and schools must strengthen such partnerships .

For instance, Prof Utomi advised government to make it mandatory for teachers to be involved in the industry they are teaching to enable them keep up with industry trends.

“We made a decision in LBS that we would compute your income assuming that 70 per cent of your income would come from your consultation work, because you have to have a relationship with the industry. One of the sad things about policy with public institutions is that people have to hide and dodge to have a side job with their teaching profession but it should not only be encouraged but mandatory. You are not as active as you can be in teaching, unless you are being engaged in the sector you are teaching,” he said.

Ogbechie called for private sector involvement in curriculum review. He also said the partnership between employers and schools must be enhanced to solve the problem of employability.

“We must remember that not every person who goes to school wants to be an employee. We don’t have enough spaces in our universities for all the people who want to go into the university, or polytechnics. But we have enough natural resources to convert as many people as possible to become entrepreneurs. We are not self sufficient in any of the basic needs. We don’t produce enough eggs, chickens, vegetables, yet we have arable land. How can we train them to see themselves as entrepreneurs and self reliant to become employers of labour?” he added.

The Parish Priest of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Lekki, Very Rev Monsignor Gabriel Osu, said part of the solution is in returning schools seized by government years ago to their original owners.

He said: “The military came and took over schools, thinking there was money in it and they trampled education to the dust and we are reaping the fruits 30 years later. The politicians have not helped matters. Many of them are wearing military choker so they trample any talk about education. Hence, they allocate little money to education compared to other allowances in government. Return of schools to the missionaries is good,” he said.

August 11, 2016
Inspen, experts chart ways to robust pension for retirees

Experts in the insurance and pension sectors are set to seek solution to the plights of retirees and make contributions on how to improve retirement benefits operation, the Chief Executive Officer, Inspen Media, Chuks Udo Okonta, has said.

Okonta, who made this known in a statement in Lagos, said the programme will hold on Friday, August 12, 2016, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

He said the theme paper: “Robust Pension Key to Better Life After Work”, will be delivered by the Director-General Ondo State Pension Commission, Mr Jaiyeola Olowosuko.

He said the event will be chaired by the former board member, National Pension Commission (PenCom) and Director, Centre for Pension Right Advocacy, Mr Ivor Takor, adding that the Former Director-General Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Mr Adegboyegba Adepegba, will be the Special Guest of Honour.

He noted that discussants are drawn from the National Insurance Commission; Nigerian Insurers Association; Lagos State Pension Commission; Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers; Nigeria Union of Pensioners; Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria and Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN).

August 1, 2016
Experts call for soft skills training in education

Students of the Faculty of Business Administration, University of Lagos (UNILAG), are better equipped for the labour market, thanks to a two-day soft skills seminar sponsored by Exxon Mobil.

The students were exposed to the etiquettes of the work place, interview expectations, dress sense, language, character, among others during the programme organised by an NGO, Foundation for Leadership and Educational Development (FLED) and J. Soji George Consulting firm, at the UNILAG Guest House Hall.

Executive director of FLED, Mr Joseph Ibekwe, said the seminar, which was for final year first class candidates of the faculty, was advantageous to graduates in their pursuits for success or good career.

He said: “The most important thing about this seminar is social, leadership and personal comportment skills – how to carry yourself appropriately in the public space, even dress sense, how to address people properly, appearing for an interview, etc. In real life, three things help people succeed. They are technical skills acquired from school, soft skills and relational skills. If your soft and relational skills are lacking, it will be difficult for your technical skills to speak for you. Being first class students is just half way to their success.”

Sub dean of the faculty, Dr Oluwakemi Adewumi, who trained the students in dressing and general etiquette, said the seminar was aimed at filling the gap between what industries are looking for and the kinds of graduates produced.

She said: “Over time, we have discovered that there is a gap between what industries are looking for and what we are giving them. We identify that students need to be trained on those intangible things that you do not see and they matter. First impression matters and you might never have that opportunity to make another impression so they must know what is required of them if they are going for various kinds of interviews- formal or informal.”

Dr Adewumi lauded Nigerian students for their innate morality and politeness but noted that it was not enough in today’s corporate world.

Senior lecturer in the faculty, Dr Olusoji George said soft skills training was an important part of education that gave youths who study abroad an edge over Nigerian students in the labour market.

“In my years abroad, we teach the students soft skills. When I came to UNILAG, I noticed there is no room for soft skills. Having a first class does not guarantee a person a job. You must know how to behave and act, among others. UNILAG tuition fee is just N15, 000, so it is obvious that many of the parents cannot afford to send their children abroad where they can learn soft skills. As a recruitment personnel, I have never recruited a single homemade graduate. The worst we have seen is people doing their first degree here and their masters abroad. So instead of travelling out at such exorbitant rates, we are looking forward to other companies to facilitate trainings like this in Nigeria,” he said.

One of the participants, Samuel Enwezor, said: “I have learnt that some of the basic things that we think don’t count in the business world, actually count, like sitting posture, dressing, comportment, etc. As a result of this great programme, I see myself improving on my general day to day life.”

Adeniyi Aderinsoye also noted that he will work on his language, table manners and office etiquette.

July 28, 2016
Albinism: Experts, victims seek end to discrimination
The large number of Persons with Albinism (PWA) arriving at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, indicated that something was happening. These were PWA attending the first Pan-African Albinism Conference at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC).

In attendance with the PWA were members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), experts and friends from Italy, Japan, Norway, United Kingdom, Neitherlands, United States of America, Turkey, Spain, Belgium, France and Germany.

The coming of PWA from 29 African countries was amazing. This was because African countries have high record of attacks, including mutilating and killing of PWA. Factors responsible for these attacks include African myths, tradition and capitalism. All the three key factors interact in the context of deeply entrenched witchcraft beliefs. Children made up a large proportion of victims because of the belief that their innocence somehow augments their potency.

Lies about Albinism in Africa are many. For instance, it is believed that the children’s albinism is always the fault of the mother who had an affair with a European ghost or white man, PWA never die, body parts of PWA taken while alive or dead have magical powers capable of making other people rich and powerful, albinism is a curse, contagious and can heal AIDS, among others.

To reach across Africa and the world in an attempt to stimulate a movement that will not discriminate and plant the seed of empowerment for PWA, a non-profit organisation Under the Same Sun (UTSS) organised a Pan-African Albinism Conference (PAAC) at the end of which, the Pan-African Albinism Network (PAAN) was established.

Driven by the belief that all people have been created in the image of God and thus, have intrinsic value and are worthy of love and support, UTSS began as a collision of the heart, mind and vision of Peter Ash and Vicky Ntetena.

It was registered in 2008 as a Canadian non-profit organisation and later in 2009, it was re-gistered as International NGO in Tanzania. UTSS promotes, through advocacy and education, the well-being of PWA who, in many parts of the world, are misunderstood, marginalised, attacked and killed because of their genetic condition.

The purpose of the conference, according to Peter Ash, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of UTSS, was to get PWA leaders in one place, learn from experts and one another as a training channel to take the next step against attacks and discrimination against PWA.

Welcoming government officials of Tanzania and over 200 participants from about 41 countries at the opening dinner, Ash, a PWA himself, narrated some of his personal experiences of stigma as a young boy when growing up in Canada. He urged PWA to believe in themselves and work hard, saying “you have challenges. It is not easy but you have hope. Today, it’s our time, it’s our day. You must believe yourself as having albinism. Then people will accept you as humankind”.

With the Theme “Our Goal is to Make Attack, Stigma and Discrimination a Faint Memory,” the four-day conference featured presentation of papers, free eye and skin screening and beach tours among others.

Training sessions covered topics on documenting attacks, engaging your government successfully, your human rights and preparing your case for court, bring the clinic to your country as well as training teachers and service providers on Albinism.

Other topics discussed were what is Albinism? Skin cancer: prevention and skin care; Vision-facts and adaptive instruments, Albinism and disability, self-identification, legal framework and reporting to the United Nations.

Participants learnt about genetics of PWA from renowned world genetics, Dr. Murray Brilliant as well as facts and adaptive vision instrument from a vision optometrist, Dr. Rebecca Kammer who is a specialist on low vision.

Aside the training sessions, PWAs were all allocated clinic schedule for free skin care and eye test provided by Standing Voice, a charity organisation that promotes the social inclusion and well-being of marginalised groups. It currently tackles the primary dangers facing Tanzania with albinism.

Standing Voice team has experience of over a decade working with PWA in Africa. While early stages of skin cancer detected were treated using liquid nitrogen applied through Cryo gums, each PWA was given Kilimanjaro sun care cream (Killsun) produced in Tanzania. PWAs that have never treated their eyes did and were also given free eye glasses.

They also learnt about low vision in detail and the need to visit optamologists who specialised on low vision. During one of the sessions, training leaders and service providers on albinism explained that for children living with albinism to excel in school, they must be well positioned using slanted desk to prevent neck and back pain because they have to bend reading. Experts advised that they should be given reading devices such as telescope to see what the teacher writes on the blackboard and be able to also see the teacher as well as his or her expressions and their colleagues.
- Lucy Oladipo is a member of a civil society group that advocates for non-discrimination against Albinos
July 27, 2016
Experts advise Buhari on innovation

Technology experts yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take steps that will encourage innovation, adding that it is the only way the country could become competitive as the global economy shifts to digitalisation.

Speaking during the 2016 edition of TechPlus conference at Eko Hotel and Suites, Director, Computer Services, Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Jide Adenuga said the theme of the conference-A Connected World, was apt as it sought to create a platform for more technology innovations.

According to him, the benefits of technology cut across all the sectors of the economy, stressing that the time has come for Nigeria to come up with innovations that would disrupt global technology.

According to him, Lagos is currently harnessing all forms of technology within its ambit to make the state more efficient.

Adenuga said land acquisition processes have been automated to reduce the challenges involved in getting even the Certificate of Occupancy, stressing the technology has improved service delivery in the state. He said the state government has commenced the deployment of broadband services.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Connect Marketing Limited, Tunji Adeyinka, said technology has huge capacities to create lots of jobs if well harnessed.

He said the TechPlus engagement is to ensure the ordinary people in all sectors of the economy see the functionality of technology and how it impacts their lives, adding that innovation is key.

July 22, 2016
How to handle autism, by experts

Key players in the healthcare sector have called for more awareness on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

They are asking for better understanding, management and treatment of the condition from which one in 68 children globally is suffering.

The forum was the Sixth Annual Autism Conference organised by GTBank. It had as theme Managing autism: The next generation, considerations and resources.

Executive Director, Blazing Trails International Centre (BTIC), Dr Anna Lamikanra, said the forum was to create new ideas on how to manage autism.

According to her, autism was poorly managed because of inadequate knowledge of how to go about it.

She said: “Our objective here is to help people understand that children with disability can live a meaningful life. This is why we have brought with us nine experts in the field of behaviour modification technology to talk to the people.”

Lamikanra said autism appears in children 24 months after their birth, saying that parents often think they have a normal child until the regression in their behaviour sets in.

She said only a medical test can reveal which child would develop autism.

The main features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), she said, are problems with social communication and interaction.

She said autism children have unusual behaviours, such as failing to make eye contact, not responding to their name or playing with toys in unusual, repetitive ways.

“These children may suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they have already acquired,” she said.

The programme, Lamikanra said, was the fourth clinic organised by the bank in Lagos.

Dr Marcus Tillery, Princeton Theological Seminary, United States, said many children across the world live with autism.

Some of the challenges are lack of accurate population statistics, lack of proper diagnosis and inadequate manpower to handle the disorder, he said.

On teaching of social change, Tillery said there was dearth of speech therapists, adding that attitude of people in the society regarding funding of autism treatment was poor.

Tillery, Provost, Paine College in the US, said other problems are non-implementation of legislation and poor teaching practice.

June 24, 2016
How to curb delay in trial of treasury ‘looters’, by experts

More than six months after the Federal Government opened the first round of cases against suspected public treasury looters, no conviction has been recorded. This development has been attributed to many causes, particularly the dilatory tactics by lawyers with the connivance of some judges. Experts suggest that the government needs to review its tactics if it wishes to succeed. Senior Correspondent ERIC IKHILAE reports

•CJN, Sagay, Falana, Akintola, others speak

The Federal Government has re-activated its various investigative agencies and the investigation of former and serving officers, suspected to have been involved in acts of corruption have been on.

But, more than six months after cases were instituted against some past public office holders in the court, none has reached judgmentstatge. At best, about a few have progressed to the level where the defendants must enter their defence.

Despite the fact that many of the criminal cases are battling to survive the inherent weaknesses in the nation’s Criminal Justice System, the government is planning to institute more as investigations keep revealing new cases.

The question is: Why is the government yet to achieve meaningful progress in its prosecution of corruption cases despite the introduction the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, with its many innovations intended at addressing the causes of delay in criminal trials?

Experts argue that the reasons vary from institutional inadequacies to human activities. They blamed, particularly, players in the justice sector, especially lawyers and judges for the delay. Lawyers, in many instances, employ all dilatory tactics to prevent the trial of their clients. Some judges tag along or accommodate the lawyers’ antics.

For instance the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) commenced late last year. More than six months after he was arraigned on September 22, 2015 for false asset declaration, proceedings have been held down by the activities of defence lawyers.

Shortly after his arraignment, Saraki promptly challenged the competence of the charge, the composition of the tribunal, the manner of service of the charge on him, among many sundry issues in a notice of preliminary objection filed by his legal counsel.

When the tribunal refused his application, Saraki pursued his objection to the Supreme Court, with the apex court ordering a stay of proceedings at the CCT, pending its determination of the appeal, which it eventually did on February 5 this year, dismissing it for lacking in merit.

Although in reacting to the February 5 Supreme Court judgment, in which he was asked to submit himself for trial, Saraki expressed delight that the opportunity has come for him to prove his innocence, Saraki, by the conduct of his lawyers, appears bent on stalling the process.

Immediately after the Supreme Court’s decision, Saraki engaged the services of a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Kanu Agabi, (SAN). Incidentally, the lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), and tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, had at some time in the past served under Agabi, a development which stirred suspicious in some quarters that Saraki’s choice of Agabi was influence by other considerations other than conducting effective defence.

Shortly after his engagement, Agabi filed a fresh application challenging the tribunals’ jurisdiction. Despite an argument by Jacobs that the application was intended to clog the case, and suggested that it should be heard after trial, as directed in Sections 221 and 396(2) of the ACJA, Umar proceeded to determine the application, and refused it.

Saraki has since appealed that decision. His appeal filed in that regard has been scheduled for hearing by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Even as the Senate President was before the tribunal, challenging its jurisdiction, he also filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, arguing that he was not going to get justice before the CCT on the ground that Umar was allegedly being investigated by the agency conducting his (Saraki’s) prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He urged the court to stop his trial before the CCT.

On April 16, Justice Adamu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja decided Saraki’s fundamental rights suit He described it as an abuse of court process and dismissed it. Shortly after, Saraki took the issues rejected by Justice Kafarati before the CCT in an application filed by another of his lawyers, Ajibola Oluyede, asking Umar to recluse himself from further participating in the proceedings on the ground that he was allegedly being investigated by the EFCC.

On April 28, the tribunal ruled on the application and dismissed it for lacking in merit. Saraki has since appealed the decision. When many thought he was done, Saraki has again filed a fresh application asking Umar to disqualify himself, arguing that the tribunal’s chairman has exhibited elements of bias in his comments.

He referred to a reported comment by the tribunal chair, who, while resenting the delay tactics being adopted by Saraki’s legal team to stall proceedings, warned that the delay would not affect the consequences the defendant will suffer at the end of trial if convicted. The application has been slated for hearing tomorrow.

The conduct of the defence in the Saraki case has left many wondering if the trial will ever end. For about two months now, the defence has not concluded its cross-examination of the first prosecution witness having engaged him for 12 days.

The situation is not different in the cases involving former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and the Niger-Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).

In the case of Tompolo, he was served with a charge earlier this year and required to attend court for his arraignment. Rather than advise him to obey the law, his lawyer went before the court to challenge the service of the charge on his client. Even when the court later issued a bench warrant for Tompolo’s arrest, his lawyers are still filing processes and not encouraging him to come out from hiding.

His lawyers have appealed the decision of the Federal High Court, Lagos to issue bench warrant on him and have Tompolo filed through his team of lawyers including Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Ebun Olu Adegboruwa, an application challenging the constitutionality of Sections 221 and 306 of the ACJA.

The Section states that objections shall not be taken during proceedings or trial on the ground of imperfect or erroneous charge. Section 306 abolished the practice of stay of trial proceedings pending the hearing of appeals on a preliminary point.

Observers have argued that without urgent measures on the part of the Federal Government, those working to stall proceedings in the on-going trials of rich and prominent individuals will end up frustrating its efforts at curbing corruption.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, stressed this fact when he observed that the role of lawyers and some ‘compromised’ judges, who offer their expertise to indicted individuals and deploy delay tactics and other underhand methods to frustrate the successful prosecution of criminal cases, was particularly injurious to the Fed Government’s anti-corruption campaign.

Lawal, who spoke through the Director, Nigerian National Volunteer Services (NNVS), Tor Tsavsar, at a workshop in Abuja last week, stressed the need for professionals to see themselves as stakeholders in government’s anti-graft efforts if the country was to grow and attain needed development.

He said: “From recent revelations, corruption is usually aided and facilitated by conniving civil servants and professionals in the public and private sectors. It is no news that most stolen funds are laundered through our banks and other offshore entities that are owned and managed by professionals.

“A recent case of the ‘Panama Papers scandals’ is an example of how politicians, criminals and rogue industries were assisted by professionals to launder stolen funds. It is equally regrettable that some of the professionals do not stop at aiding, abetting and facilitating the stealing of public funds, but more often than not, go further to offer direct and indirect support to indicted officials to beat the law.

“It is no more news that corrupt officials are able to engage some of our seasoned lawyers, who employ negative tactics ‘in or out of court’ to frustrate trials of indicted officials. The retinues of frivolous interlocutory applications, which are pursued up to the apex court, while actions on substantive matters are stayed, are common examples of how professional lawyers frustrate the fight against corruption.

“Similarly, some compromised judges always exhibit a disquieting tendency to indulge these lawyers in their unpatriotic and unscrupulous conduct. The attitude of some of our legal practitioners and judges have become so alarming that Mr. President had, on few occasions, lamented their role in the fight against corruption.

“The Nigerian government is facing enormous challenges to reflate the economy, build infrastructure, create employment, provide education and healthcare to the people, but these lofty objectives will remain a mirage if corruption remains entrenched.

“The fight against corruption can only be fought and won when every Nigerian, particularly our professional lawyers, accountants, auditors, engineers, etcetera rise above petty considerations and genuinely support the efforts of the government,” the SGF told his audience.

It has, however, been argued that a more coordinated approach to prosecution of cases will only yield the desired result. This coordination, many argued should be the major responsibility of the AGF, whose major responsibilities include advising the government on legal matters and prosecute cases on behalf of the Federal Government.

The AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN), some say, has not exhibited his capacity in the area of providing leadership in coordinating the activities of the investigative agencies currently involved in the prosecution of corruption cases. At best, the AGF, whose employer’s major objective is the fight against corruption, seemed to be more concerned with other mundane issues.

Many have expected the AGF to lead by example, by leading some prosecution teams in the prosecution of some of these high profile cases.

Instead, Malami is involving himself in the unilateral recruitment of an ex-convict in effort to recover public funds trapped in some financial institutions, and the controversy generated by his involvement in the fine imposed on a telecommunication firm, an analyst who pleaded for anonymity alleged.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed noted this lapse on the part of the Federal Government during a recent encounter with the AGF. He challenged Malami to show that the Executive was resolute in the fight against corruption with his personal involvement in the prosecution of some notable cases.

Justice Mohammed noted: “Experience within the judiciary shows that there is abject lack of political will to prosecute some of those cases pending before our courts almost a decade in some instances. It is not because there are no special courts, but mostly for reasons of political expedience and other ancillary considerations.

“I would likewise wish to encourage you (AGF) to display a greater resolve than your predecessors in tackling outstanding cases before the courts. In times past, the Attorney-General of the Federation would often lead teams of legal counsel in high profile cases so as to demonstrate the resolve of the government to enshrine the rule of law.

“Sadly, recent Attorneys-General have become less inclined to do this. I would certainly like to see you, as the Attorney-General, appear before us, especially in cases of important national purport.

“There is the need for seasoned prosecutors to prepare and file charges before courts of competent jurisdiction so that criminal matters are timeously determined.

“The quality of prosecutions presented in courts by our prosecutorial agencies must be improved upon, as they are sometimes of a standard that will never found a conviction in any court anywhere. Yet, a well-prepared prosecution can see to the determination of criminal matter within a month.

“Of course, no competent prosecutor, who has filed valid charges would permit an accused to mount an interlocutory appeal, to the extent of going forth and back, sometimes twice or more to the Supreme Court, since such lapses could be injurious to the dispensation of justice.’’

The CJN advised the minister to recruit more lawyers, who should be adequately trained to handle more cases on behalf of the state.

The apparent lack of coordination in the prosecution of these rich individuals accused of looting public treasury is affecting the chances of success in such cases. It also contributes to the delay being experienced.

In most instances, defendants flood the court with senior lawyers where the prosecution is represented by just a junior lawyer. Sometime, because a prosecution lawyer is assigned to handle many cases when he is in one court attending to one case, other cases assigned to him are often adjourned.

For instance, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs, (SAN), is prosecuting no fewer than 10 cases on behalf of the Federal Government.

On June 15, he was at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, for the appeal by Dasuki at a time the cases involving businessman Raymong Dokpesi (before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja) and Dasuki (before Justice Husein Baba Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory) were stalled and had to be adjourned to a later date.

•To be continued

June 20, 2016