The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kids

  • Strange illness hits Lagos, kills 20 kids

    Strange illness hits Lagos, kills 20 kids

    • 34 cases under examination
    • We’ll fight outbreak, says health Commissioner

    An outbreak  febrile rash illnesses (FRI)  has been recorded in Otodo Gbame community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State,leaving at least 20 kids dead.

    Thirty-four  other cases are currently under examination, Health Commissioner Jide Idris announced  yesterday.

    The outbreak was first identified  by the Medical Officer of Health of the LGA on the 9th February, he said.

    The victims  are said to be within the age range of  eight and 72 months.

    Dr  Idris said his ministry has  already notified the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the situation.

    It has also  constituted a team of Epidemiologists to investigate the outbreak and institute appropriate measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

    But he said  although the disease causing the outbreak is yet to be confirmed, “the signs and symptoms are suggestive of Febrile Rash Illnesses.”

    He added: “Blood samples (and throat swabs) from the patients and water samples from the community have been taken to the Virology Reference Laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory (DQCL), LASUTH, Ikeja respectively. The source of the infection is still under investigation.”

    Otodo Gbame community, according to Idris is  an expansive, sandy riverine, flood prone and camp-lie settlements with an estimated population of 100,000 people.

    “The people are mainly Egun, however there are other tribes in the minority. The community is a slum with waste deposited at different spots. There are many scattered shallow wells in the community. The water from the wells is found to be used mostly for bathing, washing and cooking. Majority of the citizen claimed it is not used for drinking but a few said they sometimes drink from the well. The community head Chief Hunpe Dansu confirmed the outbreak of the Febrile Rash illnesses.”

    The government is said  to be  intensifying efforts to conduct mapping of all slums and blighted areas in the state towards reducing the health hazards associated with such areas.

    He enjoined the people to join hands with the government in the identification of slums and in ensuring environmental sanitation at all times. And members of the public and health workers are to report any strange illness to the nearest health facility or call the following lines- 08037170614, 08055281442 and 08023169485.

  • Ex-Speaker’s love for kids, youths

    Ex-Speaker’s love for kids, youths

    Former Ogun State House of Assembly speaker, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo lost his parents when he was a toddler. Members of his family assisted him to realise his dream. ERNEST NWOKOLO reports that through the Kokumo Oladipo Memorial Foundation established in rememberance of his late father, he is empowering children and youths to be self-sufficient.

    They did not expect it. All they knew was they were invited by the former Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo. But they did not know why he called them. Curiously, they rushed to the football pitch of the Makun High School at Sagamu, venue of the day-long community empowerment and children’s party.

    From different places they met one another. They hugged and exchanged pleasantries, even as some asked: “you know why they called us?” And some would answer: “I just heard they called us”.

    As if to keep the children thinking why they were called, Basorun Oladipo somewhat delayed the commencement of the event. They kids became more inquisitive. But good things were ready waiting for them.

    The waiting game over, the over 2,000 kids were all smiles. Hope suffused on the faces of the pupils from public primary schools in Sagamu, the headquarters of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. They were feted again by Basorun Oladipo.

    The football pitch of the Makun High School, Sagamu, the venue of the day-long community empowerment and children’s party, came alive as the children sang and danced to the rhythm of various Nigeria songs, even as they made merry.

    Also, train coaches, stunt boards of different designs were provided for the kids to showcase their stunt skills while the Santa Claus added much colour and excitement to the event.

    Aside the special meals and drinks, gift items ranging from school bags; writing materials to T-shirt were also given to them. The Christmas cake of variegated colours was jointly cut by Basorun Oladipo and the kids.

    Adults were not left out in the bash. No fewer than 25 youths of Sagamu received slots for leadership training in a reputable leadership training centre. This is to enhance their chances of realising their aspirations to become future leaders.

    The yearly event, which began three years ago, is being sponsored by Kokumo Oladipo Memorial Foundation.

    The foundation was put in place by Muyiwa Oladipo to commemorate his late father, Papa Kokumo who died in a fatal motor accident four years after the death of his  mother; leaving him and his other four siblings orphans at tender age when parental love and guidance were most needed.

    Speaking at this year’s edition, Oladipo, who is a serving Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Ogun State, said it was his own way of giving back to the society.

    He noted that his affection for kids dates back to his teenage years. He added that when children, particularly the needy and other less-privileged people are lifted from deprivation or lack, the society is lifted as well.

    Oladipo noted that in spite of the death of his parents, God was on his side by using kind-hearted members of his family to help him.

    He further said there were lots of less-privileged children and orphans who may be going through similar ordeal. He urged them to have courage, trust in God and have the determination to succeed irrespective of the challenges.

    Oladipo said: “Having lost my parents early in life and considering the fact that I would not have gotten to where I’m today. Well-meaning individuals picked me up and helped me to have access to education. I felt I should also give back to the kids, especially some of them that are no so privileged.

    “I love children right from my teenage years and the best way I can give back to them is to make them have  a sense of belonging and better their lots.

    “They are our leaders of tomorrow; some of them will be governors, senators, commissioners and professionals in various fields.”

    Also speaking, the Majority Leader in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Yinka Mafe praised Oladipo for his yearly childen and youth-friendly gestures, saying it should be emulated by other well-meaning individuals in the society.

    Mafe, who represents Sagamu State Constituency in the Assembly, however, urged parents and guardians to priotise their expenses and plan for their children’s  education against the backdrop of the nation’s dwindling economy.

  • TALENTED KIDS AND TEENS COMPETITION MAKES A DEBUT

    PREPARATIONS are in top gear to host the maiden edition of the ‘Talented Kids and Teens’ competition, where kids and teenagers aged between five and 20 would be tested on four different skills – singing, dancing, playing of instrument and comedy.

    The competition, according to the organiser, D-Global paramount kings, will provide a platform where the skills of the Nigerian children can be harnessed and developed when they are still young as obtained in developed countries.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of D-Global paramount kings enterprises, Prince John Okogie, said he got the idea while he was abroad. He will disclosed registration for the competition which comes up by May 2016 hold between December and February, 2016, after a nationwide screening that would take place in 15 states across the country.

    Okogie cited insecurity as a reason for some states being excluded but promised to make it national in the Season 2. Among entertainment personalities who have declared support for the initiative and would be judges include Eedris Abdulkareem, AY Makun, Helen Paul, Denrele, Ronke Oshodi-Oke and Boy Alinco amongst others.

    Interested participants are to pay N3, 000 per person or N5, 000 per group into the company’s First Bank account as the teller is means of admittance to venue of the screening. First prize winners in the four different categories will win one million naira each and a two-week shopping trip to Dubai with a guardian.

  • ‘Why kids should take over from founders’

    The General Overseers of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has appealed to the federal government to set workable targets that the states, players in the private sector and all can key into to move the nation forward.

    He noted that countries in the western world that made headway in the scheme of things had workable targets that everyone was moving towards.

    The televangelist said: “We are of age to set workable targets for ourselves and if we set it, our development will be fast forward like Singapore.”

    He spoke at the special thanksgiving and prayer programme organised by the RCCG, Headquarters, Throne of Grace, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

    While appreciating the anti-corruption stance of the federal government, he said President Buhari must not give in to pressure by corrupt individuals who want him to lower the tempo and drive to rid Nigeria of graft.

    According to him: “We must continue to make efforts to recover stolen funds for development and individuals who have looted our common wealth should be punished so that others would learn.”

    He challenged Nigerians to exhibit the virtues of hard work, patience, fear of God and walking in love.

    These, he said, will make the task of building a better Nigeria easier.

    Adeboye noted that although Nigeria can do better, the nation is on the threshold, pointing out past experiences of failure and poverty are veritable lessons to learn from to move forward.

    Adeboye, who was represented by His Special Assistant on Personnel and Administration, Pastor Johnson Odesola, said: “We must begin to think, work hard, pray and support the government as they work hard to deliver on their campaign promises.”

    He added: “I have travelled to many countries and I have not seen a nation as great and hard working as Nigeria which gives me hope that with the right system in place, things will get better.

    “I believe that we will experience breakthrough spiritually, financially, in sport and the economy will fare better, our position in the eye of the world will change in terms of good behavior and Nigerians will be passionate about doing good things.”

  • Effects of divorce on kids (1)

    I am processing my divorce papers. My greatest fear is how my action is going to affect my children. I am blessed with three wonderful children that I cherish a great deal. Please, Harriet, I will like to know the effects of divorce on children. Thanks.

    Ms. Jenny

     

    THIS is a good question because it will help you know your expectations and how to handle them. When parents no longer love each other and decide to live apart, children have this feeling that their world has been torn apart. The level of upset they feel varies, depending on how their parents got divorced or separated, their ages, how much they know about the divorce, the support available from their parents, families and friends. However, countless scholars have conducted studies on the effects of divorce or separation on children, identifying a wide range of results and responses, both immediate and long-term. While some mental health professionals believe that a divorce is more traumatic at some ages than at others, according to Josh McDowell’s handbook on counseling.  There is no good time for children to endure the divorce or separation of their parents. Divorce or separation is always stressful for children because most children do not want their parents to be separated or divorced unless the marriage was full of domestic violence or other source of misery which they found unsuitable.

    Children experience a lot of feelings as a result some children may respond in multiple and varied ways to the news of their parents’ divorce or separation. Some of the reactions due to the fact that their parents are not going to be together again are as follows: denial, a sense of loss, shame and embarrassment, blame or guilt, anger, fear, relief, insecurity, low self-esteem, grief, depression and isolation or loneliness and so on.

    Denial: This is a common response to emotional or mental pain. Some children act in denial in situation like separation or divorce. To them, it is not happening. They insist to themselves that their parents won’t go through with it. Because they are in denial, in most cases they may say nothing at all to their friends. If asked, may say their father is simply away on business. This form of denial is often maintained for a long time, even after the divorce is final and new living situations have been formed as children. They entertain a stubborn hope that their parents will soon get back together.

    Another form of denial children manifest is personal refusal to admit that he or she is really upset in any way by the divorce or separation. Such response is often characterized by an attempt to shrug off the divorce or separation or by refusing to talk about it because “it is no big dea”, while there may be, in rare cases, a degree of relief at the breakup of their parents’ marriage. Such casual responses are an indication of the children inability or unwillingness to face what is happening to his or her family.

    Apart from these, denial can also take other forms like idealizing the absent parent or even bragging loudly and frequently about parents’ breakup in order to mask his or her own anxiety. As a concerned parent, you must realize that denial is usually unhealthy. It is regarded as a defence mechanism. Children who resort to denial do so unconsciously to protect themselves and guard a certain degree of stability in their lives.

    Sense of loss: Divorce or separation to children creates the feeling of losing not only their homes in some cases, but the whole way of life as well.

    This can lead to psychological and behavioural problems. Children who feel troubled either by sense of loss are particularly likely to develop problems with anger, disobedience and rule violations.

    Their academic performance is not left out.  Some children, on the other hand, become perhaps overly responsible who end up caring for their parents instead of getting cared for by their parents.

    Feeling of reproach and guilt: Children often attach huge significance to a single event in their immature attempt to determine the cause of their parents’ divorce or separation. The most memorable events in a child’s mind are those that pertain to the child, for example, the disagreement about who will attend the PTA meeting. Children remember such agreement between their parents as their fault not knowing other factors that have led their parents to take such a decision.  As a result, children often blame themselves for their parents’ divorce or separation.

    Teenagers may also think that their struggle for independence or their teenage rebellion contributed to the split. They may also feel responsible because of their dropping grades, flaring tempers, or failure to communicate their love to one or both of their parents. Some teenagers have even been told by parents or adults that their attitude or behaviour contributed to or caused their parents’ divorce or separation which is not true.

    Therefore, children who are experiencing blame or guilt sees it an urgent need to encourage their parent to reconcile.

     

    Harriet ogbobine is a counselor and a motivational speaker. Send your questions and suggestions to her on bineharriet@gmail.com or txt message only 08054682598. You can also follow her on twitter: @bineharrietj

  • Foundation holds free surgery for kids

    Foundation holds free surgery for kids

    Hope is coming the way of sick children in Lagos State who require surgery for hernia, hydrocele and un-descended testes, among other abnormalities of the male genitalia.

    The Outreach Medical Services, through its foundation, Anu Dosekun Foundation (ADF) is collaborating with some senior health care practitioners at Kings College Hospital Denmark Hill, United Kingdom (UK) to organise a surgery programme aimed at restoring life to sick children. The programme is slated for early next year.

    The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Efunbo Dosekun said the experts will carry out the surgeries on the children alongside their Nigerian counterparts.

    Dr Dosekun said the future of the country will be bleak if children are neglected, adding that Asia has experienced transformation because it took the issue of child care seriously.

    The programme, she said, would put smiles on the faces of children suffering from some diseases.

    The state of infants, she said, is deplorable, adding that the country’s health ranking of 187 out of 191 countries that lag behind in health issue has left much to be desired.

    She called for the integration of primary, secondary and tertiary health care into treatment plan, stressing that this would ensure access to care for sick babies and infants.

    Dr Dosekun, who has put in more than 35 years as a paediatrician, said the experts will work with the federal and state government-owned hospitals to select those who would benefit from the programme.

    She urged corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to support the programme so that life can be meaningful for the children.

    “It is a bi-lateral engagement. So, we need to raise some funds so that the mission can be effective. We are going to be working with politicians, academics and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), among others, to return hope to the children,” she said.

    The paediatrician said the experts from the UK will also build the capacity of Nigerian surgeons on new vascular access technique, especially paediatrics surgeries.

    Dr Dosekun said her organisation is organising a dance drama to be staged by the Society of Performing Artists of Nigeria (SPAN), under the leadership of Mrs Sarah Boulous on Saturday to create awareness on the programme

  • Kids, teenager, octogenarian die in disasters

    Four persons yesterday died in various disasters across Lagos State.

    A 10-year-old girl Miss Eniola Shodipe drowned in a well at Atanda Street in Mafoluku, Oshodi.

    An infant – Isaiah Bamidele was recovered dead after a 17-passenger boat accident occurred around Odo-Isitu, Egan, a Lagos suburb.

    Another 16-year-old boy, as well as an octogenarian, were consumed in separate fire that occurred at Lekki and Ojo.

    Miss Shodipe, who was said to have visited some relatives to spend the long vacation, fell in the well while playing with other kids.

    The incident, which occurred at about 2pm threw the neighbours into panic.

    Many struggled to rescue her but were unsuccessful because the wood used to cover the well fell on her.

    Though, the well was not very deep, the teenager passed on before she was recovered.

    Six-year-old Bamidele was the only casualty in the boat accident that occurred around 1:20pm.

    The Nation learnt that the boat had colluded with another one coming from Totowu. Bamidele fell inside the water.

    He was recovered dead by local divers and handed over to his family who buried him immediately.

    The 16-year-old boy died in a fire outbreak at 35c, Ajiran Road, Agungi, Lekki; the 86-year-old woman died in a separate fire outbreak at the weekend.

    Confirming the incidents, the director, Lagos State Fire Service,  Rasaq Fadipe said the old woman’s building of 10 rooms on Dickson Adebayo Street, Iba New Site, Ojo, was consumed in the inferno.

    Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Dr Onimode Bandele urged residents to be safety conscious.

    He appealed to boat operators to embrace the use of safety jackets and ensure their passengers comply.

    Bandele hailed the local divers for their prompt response in savings the victims, noting that more lives would have been lost if not for their swift intervention.

     

  • MEDIA REPORTS: Mikel has two kids from different women secretly

    MEDIA REPORTS: Mikel has two kids from different women secretly

    Chelsea star Mikel Obi has secretly fathered two children with different women in England, according to media reports.

    According to a report in the Mirror of UK, the 28-year-old Nigeria international is a dad to a four-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter after short relationships with the women. He is now dating Russian businesswoman Olga Diyachenko. A spokesperson of Mikel confirmed to The Sun that the Nigeria midfield star is a proud father.

    “This is an entirely private matter. John provides for and cares for his children. And will continue to do so. He asks that their privacy is respected,” his spokesman said.

    He was said to have bought a £500,000 house in 2013 in the Home Counties for his son and mum and is keen to play a part in the boy’s life.

    A source told The Sun: “John also agreed to give her tens of thousands a year in upkeep and agreed I think to give her a new car every three or five years.”

    Mikel also financially supports his daughter who was born after the couple met at a London nightclub in 2013.

    A friend of the girl’s mum added: “John has provided for her and the girl. She seems to have come to money since having the baby and keeping a low profile.”

    Earlier this month, a top official, Obinna Ogba, suggested the Chelsea star get married as this will make him a lot more responsible against the background he is indifferent to the Super Eagles cause.

    Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh recently disclosed he has yet to reach Mikel despite numerous attempts and so he overlooked him for next week’s AFCON clash in Tanzania.

  • KIDS TAKE THE REINS ON EPISODE 8 OF KSDT

    KIDS TAKE THE REINS ON EPISODE 8 OF KSDT

    THIS Sunday on ‘Kids Say the Darndest Things’, organizers say children will be giving their opinions, and ideas on education, family, life and growing up, as the host of the show, Tony will be throwing questions at them to get their witty and hilarious responses to various issues.

    The stars of the evening will be 6-year-old Jasmine, who believes he is the king of funny faces and 4-year-old Lanre, who is very confident about being a better, and faster driver than his daddy.

    Lanre, who will be discussing his daddy’s supposed driving problem with so much concern is of the opinion that his daddy has to drive faster to prove that he is a man, and in control of things.

    The children will also be paying a visits to a radio station, where they will get to interact with the OAPs and also get a feel of what it’s like to talk with listeners live on air.

    Commenting on this weekend’s episode, Head, Events and Sponsorships at Etisalat, ModupeThani said: “It is always a surprise to discover what is in a child’s mind. On this show, they say what they really think, and we at Etisalat believe that is an integral part of a child’s development. ”

    KSDT currently enjoys wide viewership in many countries including, Australia, Singapore, India, and Italy and runs every Sunday, 7pm on AIT and, DSTV Channel 253.

  • Woman, lover, four kids burnt by fire in Osun

    A woman, her four children and lover were burnt in a midnight fire during the week in Ajumosa, Ogberin area of Ede North Local Government, Osun State.

    The woman, Mrs. Hadijat Adegoke (35), her children – Fawasi (13), Ishuwat (12),ý Sodiq (eight), Fatai (six) – and man friend Mr. Lawal Munirudeen (45) were said to be asleep when their yet-to-be completed house suddenly caught fire last Monday.

    A source in the neighbourhood said after the incident, the woman and her man were rushed to the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

    The children, who were also seriously injured, are receiving treatment at a Muslim hospital at Oke-Gada in Ede.

    The source said the woman, popularly called Iya Ishuwat, just moved to the area during the last Ramadan.

    The source said the residents in the area, in the midnight, heard the victims shouting for help that their house was on fire before some  people summoned courage to rescue them and later took them to hospitals.

    One of the children said she saw an unidentified person with a four-litre keg suspected to be filled with petrol when she woke up to urinate a few minutes to the incident.