I will sack you if you embark on strike, El-Rufai threatens doctors

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has vowed to sack doctors and other health workers threatening to embark on strike.

He said his administration would not succumb to blackmail by the doctors.

El-Rufai, in a statement on Thursday night by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, said he would keep the health facilities in the state running and protect workers who were willing to work.
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The governor stated that the strike notice served by the doctors was “criminal” in view of the fact that the purported strike to be declared amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
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El-Rufai added that his government would not be bent by the industrial action into excluding health workers from the mandatory donation of 25% salary by all civil servants to fund the provision of palliatives for vulnerable people impacted by the lockdown.
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“The government rejects the strike threat and will regard persons who fail to show up at their assigned places of work as having forfeited their employment. Every health worker that is willing to work is required to sign the register at the Ministry of Health and the health institutions to which they are deployed.
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“The Ministry of Health has the mandate of the government to ensure that residents of Kaduna State are not deprived of public health services.
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“Every effort will be made to ensure that health facilities keep functioning, staffed by willing workers who will be guaranteed free and safe access to health facilities. Those who are not willing to work are strongly warned against criminal actions such as attempts to impede access to workplaces, harass willing workers or to sabotage facilities and equipment,” he said,
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The Punch quoted El-Rufai as saying that the “state government will not be misled into granting health workers a special status amongst public servants. The consequences of concessions made along such lines by previous governments have created a sense that some public servants are more precious than others.”

Gynaecologist urges women not to remove their pubic hair

A gynaecologist has urged women not to remove their pubic hair.

Dr Jen Gunter, author of The Vagina Bible, warned against waxing or shaving because it can cause “microscopic trauma” that can lead to infections.

While the purpose of pubic hair is somewhat of a mystery, going “au naturel” is necessary to protect the skin by acting as a barrier against the outside world.

Getting a Brazilian may also reduce sexual pleasure, with pubic hair being connected to nerve endings that might help arousal, Dr Gunter added.

Pubic hair “grooming” has almost become the norm, with many blaming the porn industry.

Scientists from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), asked more than 3,300 women about their downstairs grooming.

Of which, 83.8% claimed to wax, shave or epilate their pubic hair, with just 16.2% leaving it intact.

“Hygiene” was the most commonly reported reason (59%) for women removing their hair.

But Dr Gunter warns waxing, shaving or “sugaring” – mixing sugar, lemon juice and water to create a wax-like gel – may do more harm than good.

“You are causing microscopic trauma to the skin,” she told the BBC.

The gynaecologist added she sees women with cuts, grazes and even infections when hair removal goes awry.

“Pubic hair has a function, it is probably a mechanical barrier and protection for the skin,” she said.

“It may also have a role in sexual functioning because each pubic hair is attached to a nerve ending, that’s why it hurts to remove it.”

Why do we have pubic hair?

The role of pubic hair is not fully understood.

Most experts think it is involved in the release of pheromones, chemicals that trigger arousal.

Pheromones are thought to be “get trapped in pubic hair when glands release an odourless secretion on the skin that combines with bacteria decomposed by the secretion of (other) glands”, according to an expert from Columbia University in New York.

This produces a scent that varies from person-to-person.

Some studies suggest women are attracted to pheromones that differ significantly from their own because it suggests genetic diversity, the expert added.

Other theories as to pubic hair’s purpose include warmth or helping the vagina stay “clean”.

“Pubic hair prevents dirt and particles from entering the vagina,” the Columbian scientist reported.

Critics argue, however, if warmth was the reason, men would surely have more hair along their penis and around their scrotum.

The protection theory also falls short because men do not have similar cushioning around the opening of their urethra.

Humans are thought to have removed their hair as far back as prehistoric times.

“Tweezers” made of shells have even been found in ancient caves.

The Egyptians also reportedly associated body hair with uncleanliness.

Removing pubic hair may have some benefits, by protecting against body lice.

The tiny insects live on coarse human hair, like that found around the genitals, according to the NHS.

Pubic lice

Find out about pubic lice, including what they look like, how you get them, symptoms, when to seek medical advic…

Body lice spread via skin-to-skin contact, usually sex.

As well as thriving on the genitals, the insects can also set up home on the armpits, legs, chest, abdomen, back, face, and even the eyebrows and eyelashes.

Basically, anywhere with hair, aside from the scalp.

These days, women are less likely to remove their pubic hair out of a fear of lice.

“The increased prevalence of pornography that depicts bare genitalia, popular magazines and television are primary drivers of the trend in the United States,” the UCSF scientists wrote in the journal JAMA Dermatology.

In their study, 875 women (31.5%) claimed they groomed their pubic hair because they felt it “made their genitals more attractive”.

And 586 (21.1%) said it is their “partner’s preference”.

Asked when they would remove their pubic hair, most (55.6%) said before sex.

This was followed by before a holiday (45.7%) and to prepare for a “healthcare professional visit” (40%).

For those who still want to go hair-free “down there”, Dr Gunter urges them to use a clean razor and shave in the direction of the hair.

Going “against the grain” increases the risk of ingrown hairs, which can become infected.

And for those who go for a wax, ensure the technician does not “double dip” the wooden sticks used.

This could spread bacteria between clients, Dr Gunter added.

Raymond Dokpesi Recovers From COVID-19

The founder of Daar Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, and two of his grandchildren have been discharged from the University of Abuja Treatment Centre after testing negative for COVID-19 twice.

However, Dokpesi’s son and some other members of his family are still receiving treatment, The PUNCH reports.

In a letter of appreciation signed by Dokpesi, he expressed gratitude to God for seeing his family through the trying period.

He wrote, “I am exceptionally indebted to God Almighty for keeping and protecting me and my entire family all through our isolation at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada Isolation Centre.”

Dokpesi said his two-week ordeal at the hospital provided him with first-hand experience of the enormous challenges before Nigeria as a country.

“We are better acquainted with the personal sacrifices many Nigerians are making to ensure that we collectively defeat this pandemic. This cuts across the policymakers, the care providers, and even the cleaners whose job puts them at constant risk of exposure,” he said.

While thanking many Nigerians for their goodwill messages, he appreciated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; and the management of the teaching hospital, amongst others for their support and care.

BITTER-COLA AS A SPERM BOOSTER

BITTER-COLA AS A SPERM BOOSTER

Do you that bitter cola is one of the best and natural way to boost your sperm without going through medical means.
Research has shown that individuals that has the habit of chewing two piece in a day hardly suffer low sperm court.
Both male and female,can gain a lot when this cola is chew.

TIPS ON HOW TO PREPARE BITTER COLA TO BOOST OUR LOW SPERM COUNT
from were i came from we normally soak the cola for 2 days,blend the cola with warm water to extract the juice,after which it is shifter with a sieve so that a pure and clear solution is obtained.
Some people prefer to remove the back that is the outer layer but it is more active when these are blend together by doing this increase the level the active substance in the bitter cola also,you can still get the dried ones.
How they are prepared?
Get like 6-7 piece of the bitter cola blend until a smooth texture is obtained, add half up of water to the blended mixture stir and drink.
But it is good when this blended mixture is mixed with honey its tend to increase the potency of the herbs for individuals who can not withstand the bitter taste of the cola.
BITTER COLA: can also serve as throat cleansers when having bad low voice problem unable to speak loud having crack voice or want to have a beautiful voice doing singing or choir session just chew the cola a day before your event you will end up having a wonderful voice in the morning.
DO YOU KNOW BITTER COLA CAN CURE IRRITATION OF THE MOUTH?
When you feel as you can not take in your spit ,you feel like throwing out fro our mouth feeling as if you are experiencing as if our stomach is cold. just take a full bit of the bitter nut swallow the water and the chaff take in water after you finished within certain minutes it will stop.
All natural no chemical needed to be cure.

Yobe approves N4bn projects, free treatment for kidney patients

The Yobe Government says it has approved over N4 billion for procurement of vehicles for security operatives, execution of projects and free treatment of kidney patients in the state.
Alhaji Mala Musti, the Commissioner for Information, made the disclosure at a media briefing after the State Executive Council meeting in Damaturu on Tuesday.
‘‘The council approved procurement of 20 pick-up vehicles to support security operatives at the cost of N480 million and, construction of three-storey building female hostel at the state university at the cost of N244.3 million.’’
Similarly, the council approved construction of 4.5km dual carriageway along Damaturu – Potiskum Road at the cost of N1.121 billion.
He added that, ‘‘government has approved free dialysis services for all patients of Yobe State origin with kidney failure at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital Damaturu.’’
According to him, government has also approved the procurement of additional 1.5T MRI machine at the cost of N585.5 million for the state’s University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu.
‘‘The State Executive Council approved N823.3 million for repairs and maintenance of 14 township roads and drainages in the three senatorial districts through direct labour.
‘‘The provision and installation of 204 units of double arm solar street light on 7.04km dualized Gujba-Damaturu Road and 142 units on 3.43km Damaturu-Potiskum Road was also approved at the cost of N617.2 million,’’ he said.

Health Minister launches Buhari’s re-election initiative

As part of effort to ensure the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has launched ‘Buhari Leekan Si’ (Buhari for another term) project.

This was contained in a statement by the project’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Samson Owoyokun in Ibadan on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that ‘Buhari Leekan Si’ initiative, a self-funded project of the minister was to complement the party`s campaign structure.

NAN reports that the initiative is aimed at canvassing professionals and artisans to support Buhari’s reelection bid in the six south west states with extension to some parts of Kwara and Kogi states.

Owoyokun said the initiative is an operational political structure committed to the propagation of Buhari’s achievements in the last 44 months as a leverage for his reelection.

It said that part of the statutory obligation of the initiative was also to encourage participation in the electoral system across all wards of the south west states.

He said that the minister would meet professionals in all the major sectors, registered associations of artisans as well as religious and traditional leaders.

“The aim of the meeting is to motivate and persuade them on the need to reelect the president and all other APC candidates in the listed states.

“This will enable the president complete the restoration agenda which he kick started in 2015 across all sectors of the country including the health sector,” he said.

He said that what the minister met in the health ministry on assumption of office in November 2015 was appalling and embarrassing, saying almost all the health indices were in the negative.

Owoyokun said that health statistics and data generated from both non- governmental and international organizations were scary.

According to him, “we met collapsed medical facilities. What we have as at the last quarter of 2018 is a new beginning, having revitalized all the federal teaching hospitals.

“We ensured personnel were efficient and equipment more effective to provide functional as well as qualitative healthcare services.”

He said that on assumption of office no single linear radiotherapy machine for cancer patients was working, adding the two machines in the National hospital and LUTH were today up and running.

“Today, UCH and ABUTH are in the process of installing theirs. Our bid to ensure Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is gaining momentum as we have revived over 1,000 primary healthcare centres across the country.

“This is a pointer to why our vaccination for children has improved, child and maternal mortality dropped, malaria incidences crashed and rate of communicable and non-communicable diseases have reduced drastically,” he said.

Panic in Sweden as hospital admits suspected Ebola patient

There seems to be panic among citizens in Sweden after a patient was admitted to hospital with a suspected case of Ebola, a highly infectious and potentially fatal disease, health care officials said Friday.

“Test results will probably be received sometime this evening. At this stage, it is just a suspicion, other illnesses are entirely possible,” a statement from regional health authorities in Uppsala, about 70 kilometres (45 miles) north of Stockholm, said.

“The patient is being treated at the infectious diseases clinic at Uppsala University Hospital and is isolated.”

No other details about the patient or how he or she may have contracted Ebola were disclosed.

The patient was first admitted to hospital in the nearby town of Enkoping.

The emergency room of that hospital has now been closed, and staff who came in contact with the patient are being cared for, the statement said.

An Ebola outbreak ravaging eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed several hundred lives. It is the 10th such outbreak in the Congo since the disease was first detected there in 1976.

Nigeria to expect 25,685 new babies on New Year day – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday disclosed that an estimated 25,685 babies will be born in Nigeria on New Year Day.

A statement issued by UNICEF Nigeria Communications Specialist, Eva Hinds, said Nigerian babies made up 6.5 per cent of the estimated 395,072 babies born on New Year Day globally.

“Within Africa, Nigerian babies will account for almost 40 per cent of all those born in West and Central Africa, and more than 23 per cent of those born in sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, over half of the world’s births are estimated to take place in just eight countries, including Nigeria.

“At current life expectancy rates, a child born in Nigeria today is likely to live only to the year 2074, which is 55 years of age. A child born today in Denmark is likely to live until the 22nd century.

“Only children born in three countries today have a lower life expectancy than that of Nigerian children including Central African Republic, Chad and Sierra Leone, “ it said.

The statement said that globally in 2017, about one million babies died the day they were born, and 2.5 million in just their first month of life.

It said that in Nigeria, about 262,000 babies die at birth each year, the world’s second highest national total, while 257 babies die within their first month of life.

“Among these children, most died from preventable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like sepsis and pneumonia, a violation of their basic right to survival, “ it stated.

UNICEF Nigeria’s Acting Representative, Pernille Ironside, said in the statement that more could be done to ensure children born in Nigeria survived their first day of life.

Ironside added that such children should be able to survive and thrive for many months and years to come.

“In Nigeria today, only one out of every three babies is delivered in a health centre, decreasing a newborn baby’s chance of survival.

“This is just one of the issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the chances of survival of those babies born today and every day.

“This New Year Day, let us all make a resolution to fulfil every right of every child, starting with the right to survive.

“We can save millions of babies if we invest in training and equipping local health workers so that every newborn is born into a safe pair of hands, “ he said.

The statement also noted that 2019 marked the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child which UNICEF would be commemorating with worldwide events throughout the year.

According to the statement, under the convention, governments committed to, among other things, taking measures to save every child by providing good quality health care.

“Over the past three decades, the world has seen remarkable progress in child survival, cutting the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday by more than half.

“But there has been slower progress for newborns; babies dying in the first month account for 47 per cent of all deaths among children under five.

“UNICEF’s Every Child Alive campaign calls for immediate investment to deliver affordable, quality health care solutions for every mother and newborn.

“These include a steady supply of clean water and electricity at health facilities and the presence of a skilled health attendant during birth,’’ it stated.

It further called for ample supplies and medicines to prevent and treat complications during pregnancy, delivery and birth as well as empowerment for adolescent girls and women who could demand quality health services.

‘How I survived breast cancer’

A 56-year-old breast cancer survivor, Mrs. Oluwakemi (surname withheld), has relived how she survived.
Oluwakemi, a mother of four, said she was diagnosed with cancer after the discovery of  certain irregularities on the left side of her breast, which led to severe pains on her left hand.
She said: “It came as a shock because I knew nothing about cancer and how it affects women. I used to believe it is not for the poor.”
The woman added: “When I realised that I had breast cancer after a scan detected it, I was told by my doctor that I would have to undergo operation, but because of fear, coupled with ignorance, I ignorantly consulted a fake doctor, who told me that I didn’t need an operation. He assured me that he had an injection that cured cancer, which I believed because I never wanted an operation. I received four injections from him within a month, and each cost N30,000, but there were no changes. In fact, my condition worsened.”
She said she later met another doctor, who told her that the only way out was through an operation.
“I cannot stop thanking God, who opened my eyes and made my family to take me to a doctor for proper treatment. It was after the doctor’s diagnosis that I agreed to undergo the operation, which was successful by God’s grace,” Oluwakemi said.
She said while undergoing chemotherapy, she educated other women on the danger of breast cancer.
“Many fall victim due to ignorance and some die due to continuity of ignorance. I survived because I stopped being ignorant by taking genuine doctor’s advice.”

Lagos warns Pharmacists against unwholesome drugs supply

Lagos State Government has warned pharmacists against supplying unwholesome drugs for consumption in the State.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga gave the warning on Wednesday at a two-day Retreat for Pharmacists and SDRF Committee members in Lagos State Public Service held in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

He said the government would continue to monitor pharmaceutical outlets to ensure that unwholesome drugs were not supplied to consumers.

According to him, the task force set up for that purpose had been doing a nice job in ridding the state off quackery, saying that any outlets found wanting would be shut down as the task force had always done.

“We have a task force that always bring to book those found wanting. This is done with the assistance of the police,” he said.

However, Onanuga said the retreat had been held since 2016 to bring health workers, particularly pharmacists and Sustainable Drug Revolving Fund, SDRF committee members to canvassed wholesome drugs.

He said the retreat was also to keep them abreast of what is happening in the health sector, adding that the SDRF was brought in the ensure wholesome supply of drugs.

Onanuga stated that the government wanted to ensure that drugs supplied were of quality and affordable.

Chairman, Health Service Commission, Dr. Bayo Aderiye said the  event would surely expose pharmacists to sustainable development in the sector for the benefits of all.

Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos Ministry of Health, Dr. Moyosore Adejumo said the retreat was meant to deliberate on how pharmacists and others could contribute to achieving Universal Health Coverage, urging them to partner with government to achieve such goal.

Dr. Onanuga and others at the event

420m people have diabetes, says WHO

No fewer than 420 million adults have diabetes, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said, adding that the number has been increasing steadily over the last three decades.
WHO said in its Global Report on Diabetes that the global prevalence of adult diabetes has nearly quadrupled since 1980.
The UN health agency, therefore, called on people to “eat healthily, be physically active and avoid excessive weight gain”.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces, which leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood.
The global health body said: “Around 1.6 million deaths can be directly attributed to diabetes each year.
“Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation”.
WHO Spokesperson, Fadela Chaib, said the prevalence of diabetes was largely due to changes in lifestyle.
Chaib said: “We are eating more heavy foods, full of fat and sugar; we are less physically active; and we have a more sedentary way of living.”
As one of the leading causes of death globally, diabetes is a major public health problem, one of four priority non-communicable diseases targeted for action by world leaders, according to WHO.
Even when blood glucose levels are not high enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes, damage can occur to the body, elevating the risk of cardiovascular disease.
In 2012 diabetes took 1.5 million lives and higher-than-optimal levels of blood glucose took another 2.2 million.
Of the 3.7 million people who died in that year, 43 per cent occurred before the age of 70.
“The percentage of deaths attributable to high blood glucose or diabetes that occurs prior to age 70 is higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries,” WHO cited in the report.
Type-1 diabetes, previously known as childhood-onset diabetes, is characterised by a lack of insulin production and requires daily insulin to regulate blood glucose, but the cause is not known.
However, the majority of people are affected by type-2 diabetes, which results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin.
Healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay its onset.
Additionally, medication, regular screening and treatment for complications are also available.
“An accurate diagnosis is the first step to getting effective treatment,” WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said earlier in the year.
In its report, WHO called on governments to “ensure that people are able to make healthy choices and that health systems are able to diagnose, treat and care for people with diabetes.
The UN General Assembly designated Nov. 14 every year as World Diabetes Day back in 2007, recognising “the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, and provide access to treatment and health-care education”.

Senior surgeon collapses, dies at UBTH after conducting 4 operations

The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), has been thrown into mourning, following the death of one of the senior surgeons, and Registrar, Dr. Okeoghene Edigba.

A preliminary medical examination indicated that Edigba, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Surgery of the Hospital, was alleged to have died as a result of exhaustion.

He was said to have collapsed in the call room after performing four surgical operations back-to-back.

It was said that every attempt at resuscitating him proved abortive.

Dr. Etinosa Imagbenikaro, who works at UBTH, announced the tragedy on his Tweeter page.

He said, Dr. Edigba collapsed and died after performing four surgeries back to back.

“Dr. Okeoghene Edigba, a senior registrar in the Department of Surgery, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), has died,” he said.

According to Imagbenikaro, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UBTH Chapter, Edigba collapsed and died after performing four surgeries back to back.

Imagbenikaro wrote: “We lost Dr. Okeoghene Edigba a senior registrar in the department of surgery. He died while on call duty, after performing 4 surgeries back to back. He collapsed in the call room and every attempt at resuscitation proved abortive”.

Spokesman of UBTH, Mr. Joshua Uwaila, confirmed the incident.

Uwaila, declined giving further details in connection with the tragedy, but said the doctor passed on last week Thursday.

Edigba’s death, has left Facebook buzzing and Tweeter chirping.\

UBTH

Emergency Agency begins data collection on Kebbi flood victims

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday held an emergency meeting with the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (KSEMA) to gather data on flood victims in the state.
Dr Onimode Bandele, Deputy Director, Research and Rescue Department of NEMA, said the agency would soon hold an emergency meeting with stakeholders affected by flooding in the state, to enable the agency to gather data on the victims.
“The data we are looking for is the number of houses and farmlands destroyed, as well as the number of deaths recorded in the incidents across the state.
Bandele also said that they were in Kebbi to commiserate with the Government and people of the state over the loss of lives recorded in the incidents.
“Let me use this opportunity, on behalf of the Director-General (NEMA), Mr Mustapha Maihaja, to condole with the government of Kebbi and the families of victims who lost their lives in the flood disasters,’’ he said.
He also apologised for the delay in donating relief materials to the victims, stressing that it was as a result of some restructuring in NEMA, which would enhance the agency’s operations.
Bandele assured that NEMA has been repositioned to enable it to effectively address its challenges.
Alhaji Sani Dododo, the Chairman, Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (KSEMA), commended the NEMA Director for the visit.
Dododo said the disaster, which occurred in Danko, Wasagu and Fakai local government areas of the state, led to the deaths of 9 persons, including an Army Officer, who died while trying to rescue a woman following the collapse of a bridge.

National-Emergency-Management-Agency-(NEMA)

Conjoined twins: Delta Govt. donates N2.5m to assist separation surgery

The Delta Government has donated N2.5 million in fulfillment of its pledge to assist the conjoined twins delivered on May 2 at the Delta Teaching Hospital, Oghara.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, presented a cheque of N2.5 million to the parents of the twins on behalf of the state government on Thursday in Oghara.
He said the donation was in fulfilment of the pledged made by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa to assist the hospital in medical expenses and the upkeep of the conjoined twins ahead of the separation surgery.
Ononye said that Okowa had promised to assist the conjoined twins when he had the news of the poor financial state of the twins’ parents upon delivery.
He recalled how the state governor had assured of necessary assistance toward ensuring that the twins were successfully separated.
The commissioner commended the staff of the hospital for their commitment and professionalism in the twins’ safe delivery and urged them to sustain the good work at the hospital.
He said that Okowa was committed to making the teaching hospital a place of excellence, saying that the government would soon commence massive renovation of the hospital.
Responding, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Onome Ogueh, commended Okowa’s intervention and described it as worthy of emulation.
He said that since his resumption on duty as the CMD of the hospital, the governor had been very responsive to the needs of the hospital.
Responding, the father of the conjoined twins, Mr Peter Amaje, a corps member serving in the state, thanked Okowa for his financial assistance.
He said the assistance had lifted a huge burden off his shoulders.
Amaje said the governor’s assistance was a big relief to his young family considering the high medical cost of siemens twins’ delivery and separation.
The conjoined twins, who weighed 4.6kg at birth, currently weighed 5kg combined.


Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State

Ambode launches “Lagos State Kicks against Drug Abuse’’ campaign

Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode and Mr Agboola Dabiri, the Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, at the Flag Off of “Lagos State Kicks against Drug Abuse (LASKADA)” campaign on Thursday in Lagos. (NAN June 21, 2018)
Worried by the increasing menace of drug abuse and its impact on the society, the Lagos State Government on Thursday launched the Lagos State Kicks against Drug Abuse (LASKADA) campaign.
It is an initiative of the state Ministry of Youth and Social Development, aimed at creating massive awareness on the implications of drug and substance abuse, as well as to get addicts off the streets.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said that the decision to launch the awareness campaign was a response to the dangerous dimension that drug abuse had taken.
Ambode was represented by Mr Tunji Bello, the Secretary to the State Government.
He said: “This campaign tagged: `Lagos State Kicks against Drug Abuse (LASKADA)’ is a clarion call and a reminder of our responsibility as individuals, organisations and society to rise and safeguard our collective future.
“We must condemn in strong terms, the excessive and persistent self-administration of drugs without regard to medical prescription.
“As a responsible government, we will not fold our arms and allow this unhealthy practice to create a blurry future for our tomorrow.
“This is what informed the establishment of Youth-friendly Centres in all the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
“These are to serve as avenues for relaxation and recreation as well as to further engage our youths in productive ventures so that the menace of drug abuse can be drastically reduced.’’
According to Ambode, the Drug Dependent Rehabilitation Centres located in Isheri and Majidun were established to give support to the young ones addicted to drugs.
“These centres are operating side by side with the privately-owned institutions which are also contributing significantly to the realisation of this overall objectives,” he said.
In her remarks, wife of the governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, said that LASKADA campaign intends to carry out aggressive sensitisation on the misuse of drugs by young people.
Ambode, who launched the campaign, urged LASKADA to be focussed to achieve its aim of addressing the prevalence of drug abuse.
She also urged parents to be attentive to the needs of their children and wards.
Also, Mr Agboola Dabiri, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos, said: “We have observed that lots of young persons throng the state daily.
“Many of them do not have any clearly defined way of making ends meet and they often get disappointed when their experiences become a far cry from expectations.
“With this disappointment or frustration, most of them fall prey to pressure and influence from other youths who are already drug addicts and eventually gets lured.’’
According to him, young people abuse variety of drugs including inhalants (fumes from glues, aerosols and solvents), over-the-counter cough drug- codeine, as well as sleep and diet medications.
He said that they also abused other illegally used drugs like marijuana and stimulants- cocaine, crack and speed.
“Youths involvement in this anti-social behaviour comes with outcomes including robbery, stealing, kidnapping, cybercrime, rape, domestic violence, murder, suicide and other outcomes, which are on the increase.
“ We cannot allow the vitality and vibrancy in our young persons to get endangered by drugs and other unhealthy substances that are being peddled in recent times, because they constitute the country’s greatest assets.
“The health and optimal development of young people is critical in national development agenda and deserves significant attention,” Dabiri said.
Also, Mr Emmanuel Henshaw, who claimed to be a “Cocaine Recovery Addict’’, advised youths to stay away from drugs, saying as “it is a Killer’’.
Henshaw said he got into drugs when he was 13 years old, adding “at my present age of 43, I can say there are no benefits in taking drugs.
He urged governments, families, religious bodies, non-governmental organisation, schools and the entire society to join in the fight against drugs and substance abuse.


From Left to right: Mr Tunji Bello ( SSG Lagos State), Wife of the Lagos State 

Adamawa records 12 new cholera cases

No fewer than 12 new cholera cases have been recorded in Adamawa, the State Government announced on Thursday in Yola.
The Information Officer of the state’s ministry of information, Malam Mohammed Abubakar, made the announcement in a statement, saying the 12 new cholera cases were recorded on June 20 but with no death.
Abubakar said that so far a total of 1,349 cases were recorded with 25 deaths since the outbreak started in May in the affected Local Government Areas of Mubi North, Mubi South, Maiha and Hong.
Putting the fatality rate of the outbreak at 1.9 per cent, Abubakar said that active case search by health officials had been intensified “in hotspots settlements to ensure cases are not missed”.
According to Abubakar the epidemiological summary of cases reported as at June 20 in the affected local governments indicate that Mubi North has 549 cases with 13 deaths, Mubi South has 788 cases with 12 deaths, while Hong and Maiha have seven and five cases, respectively with no death.

Kaduna, Aba, Onitsha, Umuahia Among 20 Worst Cities Worldwide For Air Pollution

The Infographic below shows the graphic visual representation of a report from World Economic Forum as posted by their Twitter handle @wef.

#Nigeria has four cities with Worst Air Pollution.

What is the danger of this?

Dead twins not in Badagry mortuary

The Badagry General Hospital has said the newborn twins whose corpses were found in a canal in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos State, are not deposited in its mortuary.

 A top official of the hospital, who did not want his name in print due to civil service rule, told PUNCH Metro that a search of the hospital’s mortuary revealed that there was no record of the dead babies.

 Our correspondent had reported on Tuesday that a set of twin boys were abandoned on Friday at the canal and residents trooped to the scene to take snapshots of them.

 Policemen from the Ilemba Hausa division were said to have been alerted to the scene. They later removed the bodies after alerting the officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit and those of the local government council.

 The police said the bodies were deposited at the Badagry General Hospital’s morgue pending when an autopsy would be performed to ascertain what killed them.

But the hospital said it did not have any such record.

 The official said, “I have personally gone to the mortuary to check and there was nothing like that. It is possible they were taken to the Mainland Hospital mortuary, but not Badagry.”

A police source at the Ilemba Hausa division said the matter was already with the state health agencies.

“We handed over the case to SEHMU after we recovered the corpses, so they should know where the bodies are,” he said.

The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Salako Adeola, could not be reached for comment as of press time.