Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service

NAFDAC cautions against use of weight loss pill

Health

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January 23, 2023

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians against the abuse of the drug —Weight Rapid Loss Capsule. The caution is contained in an alert with No. 049/2022, signed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued on Sunday in Abuja.

The Weight Loss Rapid Capsule is a new fat burning formula containing raspberry ketones as its main ingredient. According to Adeyeye, the researched drugs have a potential cause of cancer. However, the NAFDAC boss revealed that the laboratory analysis result showed that the drug, manufactured by Ingi Oman, contain banned substance “phenolphthalein”, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration marked as unsafe.

She also added that the capsule, which has gained prominence on the social media like Instagram, and is being marketed as “the most effective weight loss supplement”, also contains microbial growth above permissible limits. Also, “phenolphthalein has been found to be toxic to genes, as it can cause damage or mutations in the DNA. Studies have also shown its potential carcinogenic risks. “NAFDAC implores consumers to stop the purchase and use of the product. “Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue use or sale, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office” she added.

Adeyeye counselled healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse effect experienced with the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office. Consumers are also advised to report adverse effect via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng. Adeyeye also enjoined the entire public to report any incident concerning the use of the drug via the Med-safety application, which can be accessed on android and IOS stores.

NAN/Wumi

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Staff Begin Strike

Business and Tech

Hauwa Abubakar Anaja

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January 23, 2023

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Flights at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport on Monday morning were grounded as workers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc embarked on strike.

According to NAHCO, the strike is to press home their demand for salary increment.

An affected passenger and aviation expert, Alex Nuba, said that NAHCO staff in the early hours of Monday walked out of the international airport, saying they were on strike and would not handle any passenger.

“Even the Qatar flight I’m traveling with this morning landed and has returned to Doha as there’s no one to handle them,” Nwuba said.

NAHCO handles check-in, boarding and ramp services for several international airlines including Air France/KLM, Qatar, Ethiopian Airlines, Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Air.

Punch/Hauwa Abu

Diphtheria: Experts raise concern on vaccination in adolescents, adults

Health

FELA OLAGUNJU

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January 23, 2023

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Experts have raised concerns about the vaccination coverage and the waning immunity in adolescents and adults in the country amidst the resurgence of the deadly throat disease- diphtheria in some parts of Nigeria emphasizing on the need for increased awareness among the populace to curtail the spread of the disease as the country is battling multiple disease outbreaks.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, also confirmed that the throat disease – diphtheria has killed at least 34 persons in the country. The NCDC had, in an advisory, said it had responded to reports of diphtheria cases in Lagos and Kano States and was monitoring the situation in Osun and Yobe States where cases were being picked up.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual.

The Kano State Government that had last week confirmed the outbreak of the disease recently disclosed that it had recorded 100 suspected cases.

The President of the Nigeria Biological Safety Association, Prof Ademola Denloye, in an interview said diphtheria is a bacterial disease, and it could be a challenge to control it. Denloye, who is also a Professor in the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology at Lagos State University, said “Although it can be prevented by vaccination, the question is do we have the vaccines available and have we been administering them?” He said various Ministries of Health and health departments at all levels need to up their game in curtailing the disease.

Also, a Professor of Public Health, Tanimola Akande, said it is worrisome that a vaccine-preventable disease is still resurging in the country. “It means people are not protected and our immune system is low. Routine immunisation coverage is very low in Nigeria. Officially, they say the vaccine is available but are people accessing it?” he asked.

Also, an associate Professor of Virology at the Osun State University, Dr Waidi Sule, said the country should be concerned that the disease is resurging. “We need massive revaccination, especially of all the children at risk because it should not be a problem. So, if we have a resurgence, we need to intensify the vaccination rate as fast as possible,” Sule said.

NMA President, Dr Uche Ojinmah said “We should not expect too much problem because we have been given the immunisation for diphtheria, that is diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus…“So, I don’t know why we are even having an outbreak, it means that either a section of the country, if it is within this country, is not doing the right thing or maybe we have a vaccine failure.” To curtail the outbreak, Ojinmah said there is a need for increased awareness.

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives said the COVID-19 pandemic has helped the nation’s capacity to deal with airborne diseases.

Healthwise/S.S

Dangote cement donates 25,000 pieces of 100kg to restore ecosystem

News Feature

Kamila Bello

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January 23, 2023

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Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese plant donates 25,000 pieces of 100kg waste bags for the management of agro waste in the communities across Nigeria.

At its presentation made by the Plant Director, Mr. Azad Nawabuddin, to the Chief Executive Officer of Niels Deck Nigeria Limited, Mr. Daniel Akpan in Ibese, on Sunday.

Mr. Nawabuddin, disclosed the Plant’s commitment to providing a total of 100,000 pieces of the bag to positively engage and empower communities as well as the youths by stimulating the use of agro-waste as alternative fuel in the year 2023.

He explained that, Dangote Cement Plc, was irrevocably committed to the use of alternative fuel to curb carbon emission by discarding fossil fuel and the donation was part of its efforts.

While appreciating the management of Dangote Cement Plc for the gesture, Mr Akpan noted that, “There is no doubt that this will greatly improve the waste management drive in those communities, create more employment and guarantee the sustainability of the livelihood of hundreds of Nigerians across the agro-waste management value chain.”

As an advocate of decarbonisation, Mr Nawabuddin said, his company has been at the forefront of the implementation of global initiatives for sustainable environment in communities across Nigeria.

“The partnership with Ibese Plant for partial substitution of fossil fuel had not only improved agro-waste management across Nigeria but also helped to economically empower numerous youths engaged for sourcing, packing and bagging the wastes,” Mr Nawabuddin explained.

“The effort had also helped to reduce carbon footprint of the Plant and is a demonstration of DCP’s strong commitment to activities geared towards reduction of global warming in line with international best practices.”

Ronaldo makes debut as Al-Nassr defeat Ettifaq 1-0

Sports

Mosunmola Ore

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January 23, 2023

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Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has made a winning start to life in the Saudi Pro League as he led Al Nassr to a 1-0 victory over Ettifaq in his first match, despite failing to score.

The Portuguese superstar took time to get going but there were promising signs for Al Nassr, who are eyeing domestic and continental silverware after the 37-year-old moved for deals totalling more than 400 million euros.

However, Ronaldo’s league debut had an anticlimactic feel in front of 22,862 fans after he scored twice in this week’s lively 5-4 exhibition defeat to Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain.

Ronaldo, leading out Al Nassr as captain, made a low-key start in the first half, twice losing the ball with attempted trickery as his team-mates struggled to get him on the ball.

Ronaldo’s early shot from the edge of the box was deflected over, and he nearly met Abdulmajeed Al Sulaiheem’s cross that was headed in by Anderson Talisca for the opener on 31 minutes.

Shortly afterwards Ronaldo, met by shouts of “Siu!” every time he touched the ball, blazed over with a free kick from an inviting position just outside the penalty area.

Al Nassr front three began to click in the second half and Ronaldo set up Pity Martinez and Talisca after some trademark stepovers for close chances in quick succession.

A swing and a miss at a bicycle kick showed Ronaldo was warming to his task, and he then attempted a shot from a nearly impossible angle after a dribble into the box.

But there was to be no goal for Ronaldo, watched by his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, in a win that kept Al Nassr on top of the Saudi Pro League.

The move to Saudi is a step down for Ronaldo, an undisputable all-time great who has continually delivered on football’s biggest stages and amassed an astonishing haul of team and personal honours.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is the all-time Champions League top-scorer, collecting five titles along the way, and has won seven domestic championships with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Ronaldo also holds the record for international goals 118 with Portugal, with whom he won Euro 2016 and career goals with 819. In Qatar last year, he became the first man to score at five World Cups.

His shock move to Al Nassr came after his second stint at Manchester United collapsed in acrimony when he savaged the club in a TV interview.

Al Nassr signed for more than 200 million euros on top of a separate 200-million-euro deal to act as an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s expected 2030 World Cup co-hosting bid.

It will further swell the bank balance of Ronaldo, who became the first footballer to pass $1 billion in career earnings in 2020.

Part of his appeal is his massive social media presence, with nearly 800 million followers across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Ronaldo transfer has been criticised by activist groups including Amnesty International, which warned he was becoming a “tool of Saudi’s sportswashing”

AO/Vanguard

Trans fat is a toxic chemical that kills – WHO

Health

FELA OLAGUNJU

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January 23, 2023

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has in a report cautioned against ‘trans fat’ saying that an estimate of five billion people globally remains unprotected from harmful trans fat, increasing their risk of heart disease and death. Trans fat is a type of fat that has certain chemical properties and is usually found in processed foods such as baked goods, snack foods, fried foods, shortening, margarine, and certain vegetable oils. The report, called Countdown to 2023 WHO Report on global trans fat elimination 2022, is an annual status report published by WHO in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives, to track progress towards the goal of trans fat elimination in 2023.

According to WHO, who first called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans fat in 2018 – with an elimination target set for 2023 – population coverage of best-practice policies has increased almost six-fold. Forty-three countries have now implemented best-practice policies for tackling trans fat in food, with 2.8 billion people protected globally. The organization revealed on its website that 5 billion individuals worldwide are still at risk from trans fat’s devastating health impacts with the global goal for its total elimination in 2023 remaining unattainable at this time. Intake of these industrially produced trans fat (also called industrially produced trans-fatty acids) also commonly found in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils and spreads is responsible for up to 500 000 premature deaths from coronary heart disease each year around the world.

“Trans fat has no known benefit, and huge health risks that incur huge costs for health systems,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “By contrast, eliminating trans fat is cost effective and has enormous benefits for health. Put simply, trans fat is a toxic chemical that kills, and should have no place in food. It’s time to get rid of it once and for all.” He added.

WHO reports that currently, 9 of the 16 countries with the highest estimated proportion of coronary heart disease deaths caused by trans fat intake do not have a best-practice policy. They are Australia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Ecuador, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Nepal, Pakistan and Republic of Korea. Best-practices in trans fat elimination policies follow specific criteria established by WHO and limit industrially produced trans fat in all settings. There are two best-practice policy alternatives: 1) mandatory national limit of 2 grams of industrially produced trans fat per 100 grams of total fat in all foods; and 2) mandatory national ban on the production or use of partially hydrogenated oils (a major source of trans fat) as an ingredient in all foods.

“Progress in eliminating trans fat is at risk of stalling, and trans fat continues to kill people,” said Dr Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives. “Every government can stop these preventable deaths by passing a best-practice policy now. The days of trans fat killing people are numbered – but governments must act to end this preventable tragedy.”

While most trans fat elimination policies to date have been implemented in higher-income countries (largely in the Americas and in Europe), an increasing number of middle-income countries are implementing or adopting these policies, including Argentina, Bangladesh, India, Paraguay, Philippines and Ukraine. Best-practice policies are also being considered in Mexico, Nigeria and Sri Lanka in 2023. If passed, Nigeria would be the second and most populous country in Africa to put a best-practice trans fat elimination policy in place. No low-income countries have yet adopted a best-practice policy to eliminate trans fat.

WHO recommends that countries this year focus on these four areas: adopting best-practice policy, monitoring and surveillance, healthy oil replacements and advocacy. WHO guidance has been developed to help countries make rapid advances in these areas. WHO also encouraged food manufacturers to eliminate industrially produced trans fat from their products, aligning to the commitment made by the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA). Major suppliers of oils and fats are asked to remove industrially produced trans fat from the products sold to food manufacturers globally.

S.S

Nollywood Star Ini Edo Scores High with ‘Shanty Town’

Entertainment/Tourism

Oluchi Okwuego

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January 23, 2023

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Popular Nollywood actor Ini Edo, has reached another height in her career line by making her international debut with the production of the Netflix movie titled ‘Shanty Town.’

The Award-winning actress whose career spans almost two decades of acting is making strong inroads in production on the global level as she co-produced the dramatic crime thriller.

‘Shanty Town’ is a story that surrounds three unusual prostitutes who unite to take down one of the biggest criminal rings in Lagos state.

Ini Edo also doubles as a lead character in the project, where she plays the role of Ese equally referred to as ‘The Fire Brand’.

The story isn’t just about a collaboration to fight crime, but it’s that of freedom for all women to become all they want to be and live their positive dreams. This is a great advocacy for women and young girls who have gone through a lot.
recalled that Ini Edo has been an ardent campaigner for women’s inclusion in politics, tech, and every worthwhile aspect of human development, as this goes to prove that women are a force to reckon with.

With Shanty Town, she joins the league of top influential Nigerian and African women in the film production circle which include Mo Abudu, Funke Akindele, Bolanle Austin-Peters amongst others.

Vanguard/O.O

Libya: Major Arab states boycott regional meet in Tripoli

Africa

Hauwa Mustapha

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January 23, 2023

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A handful of top Arab diplomats met Sunday in the Libyan capital in a gathering boycotted by powerful foreign ministers who argued that the mandate of the Tripoli-based government has ended.

Five of the 22 member states of the Arab League sent their foreign ministers to the periodic, consultative meeting.

They included the chief diplomats of neighbouring Algeria and Tunisia, report said.

Others sent their envoys to the meeting in Tripoli, among those boycotting the gathering was Egypt, which questioned the legitimacy of Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah’s government after Libya’s east-based parliament appointed a rival premier last year.

The foreign ministers of Gulf Monarchies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also did not attend, as well as Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.

Najla Mangoush, the foreign minister of Libya’s Tripoli-based administration, said in televised comments they “insist on full exercise of Libya’s rights” in the Arab League, in reference to the rotating leadership of the Pan-Arab organisation.

In September, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry withdrew from an Arab League session chaired by Mangoush, protesting her representing Libya at the Pan-Arab summit.

Ahead of Sunday’s meeting, authorities in the Libyan capital granted a day off for civil servants and closed off major roads around the Mitiga airport, the only functional airport in the capital, and a luxury hotel where the gathering took place.

Prime Minister Fathy Bashagha, who chairs a rival government in the country’s east, called the meeting a “farce” orchestrated by Dbeibah’s administration to claim that it is the internationally recognised government in Libya.

He hailed those who boycotted the meeting and called on Algeria and Tunisia to reconsider their position.

Libya’s current political stalemate grew from the failure to hold elections in December 2021 and Dbeibah’s refusal to step down.

In response, the country’s east-based parliament appointed Bashagha, who has sought to install his government in Tripoli for months.

The protracted stand-off between the two governments led to bouts of clashes in Tripoli last year, risking the return of civil war to the oil-rich nation after months of relative calm.

The North African nation has plunged into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

Libya has been virtually ruled by a set of rival militias and armed groups in the east and west.

africanews

Burkina Faso residents welcome French military exile

Africa

Hauwa Mustapha

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January 23, 2023

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People in Burkina Faso have broadly welcomed plans by the military government to oust French troops within a month.

The state broadcaster announced the move on 21^st January saying the decision had been made to end the presence of France’s military on Burkinabe soil.

It follows mass protests in the capital Ouagadougou demanding the French exit.

Student, Anicet Ouédraogo, said: “It’s a very nice initiative. I would even say that they were late. It was necessary to do it very early because at present we need frank partners who can really work with Burkina Faso.”

Another Ouagadougou resident, Balamoussa Coulibaly, added: “Their presence has no value. That is, they are not making any effort to get us out of this crisis.

So, I think we need a change, and at all levels. So I think that their departure is a good decision on the part of his Excellency Captain Traoré.”

Adama Tapsoba simply said, “They just have to leave then, they just have to leave us alone and then we only want peace. Nothing but peace.”

More than 60 years after Burkina Faso’s independence, France has maintained strong economic and humanitarian aid ties with its former colony.

But many have lost patience with France.

africanews

Anambra State Health Ministry Kicks Off Inspection Of Hospitals

Health

FELA OLAGUNJU

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January 23, 2023

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The Anambra State Ministry of Health has kicked off the inspection of private and public hospitals across the state with the objective of closing down any hospital that fails to meet the stipulated standards.

The inspection exercise which kicked off in Awka, the state capital, was led by the Head of Medical Services from the state ministry of Health, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu. The team visited some medical facilities within the city in order to ascertain their level of compliance as regards operating standards.

Dr. Chukwulobelu explained that the exercise is very crucial to the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo who is determined to provide indigenes with affordable and efficient healthcare system devoid of quackery and unwholesome practices. He said that the ministry found out that there are a lot of gaps in the system of which the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike mandated them to move across the state to identify hospitals that are operating below standards. According to him, those operating with quack medical personnels as well as medical facilities cited at unhygienic places will face immediate sanctions.

“Government is making a sincere effort to change the narrative in the healthcare sector and would not want any Anambra citizen to die out of carelessness, unprofessionalism of medical practitioners’’, he said. He said that they do not give the medical facilities notice of their visits in order to meet them in the way and manner they used to operate and assured that they will continue the exercise until all the medical facilities in the state are sanitized.

Dr. Chukwulobelu pointed out that government owned medical facilities are not left out as the Commissioner for Health and his team has been monitoring their services since he assumed office.

“The employment of no fewer than three hundred medical personnel recently by the Anambra State Government to feel the gaps noticed in the government medical facilities is highly commendable’’, he added.

He regretted that his team temporarily closed down King David Hospital, Ziks Avenue, Off Ichide Street, Awka as a result of lack of qualified medical personnel, standard medical facilities and unconducive environment.

“If the hospital improves within the time frame given to them, it will be re-opened but if not, it would be permanently closed to serve as a deterrent to others”, Chukwulobelu assured.

S.S

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