Chioma Umeha

By Umeha Ucheoma Ogun Photo:  Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, educating the participants on the use of MAGGI seasoning. The quality and cost of these items for consumers are two factors that experts advise food businesses to always take into consideration.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet is important for both excellent nutrition and health, and it may also lengthen life.  A variety of chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, which also strengthens muscles, improves immunity, strengthens bones, and keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy. Sadly, in a low-income nation like Nigeria, the caterers, food sellers, canteens, and "bukkas" that cater to this market sector do not always receive the support they require to offer wholesome, affordable meals that may guarantee that their clients receive the nutrients needed for optimum health.  However,

By Ucheoma Umeha  Ogun L to R: Akinlonu Foluso, Director Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Sunday Dare, Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development: Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, at the launch of Alliance for Youth Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has signed on to the initiative as a development partner to the alliance, recently. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over Nigeria's rapidly growing population, claiming that the country is one of the few whose fertility is still increasing despite being the largest in Africa and ranking seventh globally. According to the United Nations 2022 World Population Day estimate, Nigeria's population will reach 216 million in 2022 at a pace of 3.2 percent annual growth.  According to Buhari, fertility depends on a young population, with over 72 percent of the population being under 30 years old and half of the female residents being between

By Ngozi Okpalakunne Over 125 women in Lagos have been trained in different skills by Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation in partnership with Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC). The women who were trained in skills such as baking, make-ups, tie and die, cleaning detergents, bead making among others were drawn from  Alausa and  Agidingbi  area of Lagos state. They were also  given a start- up kits by the NBC. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training which came under the theme, “empower her’’,  wife of the Lagos state governor, Ibijoke  Sanwo–Olu described women empowerment as one of the potent weapons to fight poverty and build a successful  society. According to Ibijoke who was represented by,  Abimbola , when women are empowered  and supported to thrive in their  businesses and careers, they  stand a better chance to build their homes properly  which in turn  would have  a positive multiplier effect on society  at large. In her words: ‘’The result of what happened in a given

Bartholomew Abuchi and Yusuf Ogunbunmi, both light-welterweight fighters, received N1.5 million on Saturday for winning the best boxer and runner-up awards at GOtv Boxing Night 26. At the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos' Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, an eight-bout boxing event was held.   As the night's top fighter, Abuchi—who won his fight against Samuel "African Mayweather" Adebayo by unanimous decision—was awarded the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy and the N1 million cash reward that goes along with it. The second-place finisher, Ogunbunmi, was rated the second-best performer of the evening for his work in the hotly contested match against Kabiru "KB Sniper" Salawu, which he won by a split decision. He was the inaugural recipient of the N500,000 second-place award, which was presented at this year's GOtv Boxing Night. GOtv Boxing Night 26 hosted eight bouts instead of the traditional seven. In the International featherweight challenge, T

Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbobola, CEO, Beaconhill Smile Group Ltd, receiving the Best Dental Service Provider in the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award  (NHEA) 2022 edition from Mr. Biodun Olofinkinle, Group Head, Human Resources, Beaconhill Smile Group Limited, recently. In the 2022 edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA), Akinbobola's group of dental clinics won Best Dental Service Provider. According to Akinbobola, "Oral and maxillofacial surgery is safe as long as it is performed within the required parameters."  A surgical subspecialty of dentistry known as oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on facial cosmetic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery of the human face, mouth, and jaws.  Examples include the treatment of oral, head, and neck cancer, the management and extraction of wisdom teeth (trans alveolar extractions), and facial injury and trauma surgery (Le Fort fractures, symphyseal or para symphyseal fractures). Others include cleft lip and

Before the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation was officially launched by the AFDB, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) made an announcement stating that it had fully mobilized resources and stakeholders to enable it to play a significant role in the continental initiative.  The African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation's creation was recently approved by the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AFDB), prompting the NIPRD to make its commitment.  The Foundation's access to the technologies that support the production of pharmaceutical products including drugs, vaccines, and other healthcare items will be considerably improved in Africa. In Abuja, Dr. Obi Adigwe, Director General of NIPRD, told journalists that his organization is fully prepared to help the newly established Foundation for the AFDB.  According to Adigwe, the newly formed AFDB Foundation is perfectly in line with the NIPRD's goals of conceptual

By Ucheoma Umeha Ogun The Clinical Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (CPAN) has criticized the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and Association of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria (APCOM) saying their support for amendment of the University Teaching Hospitals neglects patients needs. Remember that MDCAN and APCOM, in their recent press statements on the Bill titled: ‘A Bill For an Act to Amend the University Teaching Hospitals ( Reconstitution of Boards) Act, Cap U15 LFN 2004’ is seeking that medical practitioners only should be the CEOs of tertiary hospitals. CPAN position spoke in a statement signed by Dr. Joseph Madu, CPAN’s National Chairman and Dr. Moteehat Bukkie Olu-Lawal, its national secretary, noting the proposed bill is tailored to meet personal interests than patients' needs adding, that  Nigerians deserve optimal healthcare that fits global best practices. The statement partly reads, "The Clinical Pharmacists Association Of

On Monday, the US encouraged Nigerians to register up to vote so they could participate in regional and presidential elections in 2023.  Through its mission in Nigeria, the US praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security forces for their contributions to the success of the governorship election in Osun state on July 16. It also expressed its congratulations to the people of Osun on the peaceful conclusion of the election.  The short statement begins, "The United States Mission to Nigeria congratulates the people of Osun State on the peaceful gubernatorial elections on July 16." We applaud the concerted efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff and security forces who helped maintain a safe process that better reflected the will of the people.  "To ensure that their opinion is heard in the 2023 federal and state elections, we urge every citizen of Nigeria to register to vote immediately."

Based on the most recent data from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' most recent Monthly Oil Market Report for June 2022, Nigeria's oil production fell by roughly 14.94 million barrels in the second quarter of this year.  According to an analysis of OPEC data and the average price of crude in Q2 2022 drawn from reports on global oil prices, Nigeria's oil revenues fell by about N703.76 billion, or the value of the 14. 94 million barrels of crude that were lost during the review period.  OPEC reported that Nigeria produced 1.299 million barrels of oil per day in the first quarter of this year based on direct communication from its 13 member countries. But in the second quarter, this fell to 1.133 million barrels per day, representing a decline of 166,000 barrels per day.  This suggests that the nation could not generate or lost roughly 14.94 million barrels of crude oil during the anticipated 90-day period in Q2 2022.  The average price of crude in April, May

The PDP senator, Ademola Adeleke has been proclaimed the winner of the Osun governorship race by the Independent National Electoral Commission.  In a hotly contested campaign, Adeleke defeated the incumbent, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, with a total of 403,371 votes, according to Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the returning officer for the election and vice chancellor of the University of Lagos.  Adeleke Ademola Jackson Nurudeen, of the PDP, having complied with the law's requirements, is hereby pronounced the winner and he is re-elected, he announced on behalf of the INEC chairman. PDP won 17 of the state's 30 local government areas, while APC took 13 of them, according to the total votes tallied by the electoral umpire.  Atakumosa West, Olorunda, Ilesa West, Obokun, Oriade, Orolu, Ife North, Irepodun, and Ejigbo LGAs were won by the PDP in addition to Ede North and Ede South.  Ayedire, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Ayedaade, Iwo, Olaoluwa, Isokan, Atakumosa East,

The Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs, and Unwholesome Processed Foods of the Lagos State Government closed 19 pharmacies at Igando-Ikotun in the Alimosho Local Government area of the State for failing to adhere to regulatory standards.  The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) displayed drugs for sale in unregistered and unlicensed shops; there were improper storage conditions for drugs; untrained individuals handled and dispensed drugs; and there were sales of drugs outside. The Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, revealed this today after reviewing the report of the recent enforcement exercise conducted by Taskforce. He mentioned how the Taskforce's activities followed a campaign against illegal drug dealers and bogus substances.  According to Abayomi, changes have been made to the Taskforce's monitoring and enforcement procedures to make sure that the law's requirements for the operation of pharmacies and specialty drug stores are properly followed in or

According to a report, it is now possible to "cleanse" an indoor environment of all pathogens and odors, both from the air we breathe and from all surfaces we come into contact with up to an acknowledged and proven pathogen reduction of 99.9999 percent, using just one system, Radical Clean Solutions International's RCS system.  According to a press release issued by RCS International and signed by Stuart Elson, Head of Global Development, and sent to the Daily Independent, RCS has duplicated this atmospheric occurrence so that the natural cleaning power of the hydroxyl radical outdoors may now be felt and used indoors. The press statement states in part, "Today we face the threat, both to our health and the disruption of our life by Sars Cov-2 (Covid); Tomorrow there may possibly be a new virus that we know nothing about...and how have we gotten rid of these threats or prepared for ones to come...?" No, we have not been able to. If the past two years have taught

The number of COVID-19 cases reported in the nation within one month has sharply increased by 324%, according to analysis of data on COVID-19 cases acquired from the Nigeria Center for Disease Control.  Between May 12 and June 12 of 2022, 568 cases were registered across the nation.  However, no fewer than 2,407 cases were reported between June 13, 2022, and July 12, 2022, resulting in a significant increase of 323.76 percent in the number of positive cases. The rise coincides with a possible fifth wave of the pandemic being warned about.  Before the Salah break, the NCDC warned Nigerians in a public health advice that there could be a fifth wave of the virus.  The NCDC had stated in its advice, "As we rejoice, we ask Nigerians to avert the beginning of a full-fledged fifth COVID-19 wave by being vigilant of the high risk of COVID-19 spread and acting in tandem by following to suggested public health safety measures. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Nigeria has seen a tota

On Tuesday, Dr. AbdulAzeez Olajide Adediran, often known as Jandor, the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate for governor in Lagos State, officially announced famous actress Funke Akindele as his running partner for the general election of 2019. Speaking at the event, which was held at the Ikorodu home of the late Adenrele Ogunsanya, the founder of his group (Lagos4Lagos), and was attended by party leaders and a sizable crowd of party members, including Wahab Owokoniran, Chief Taiwo Kuye, a former member of the South-West Caretaker Committee, Chief (Mrs.) Aduke Maina, a member of the Board of Trustees  He claimed that it resulted from a clear knowledge of the task at hand and the requirement to collaborate with another visionary who was passionate about emancipating the wonderful people of Lagos. The PDP flag bearer praised Akindele as the embodiment of selfless service, a philanthropist, and an amazon who would steadfastly stand by him as they formed a line on the side of th

On Tuesday, the Academic Staff Union of Universities responded to the president's remarks about the union's ongoing strike action, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.  There are rumors that Buhari encouraged the professors on strike on Monday to think about the next generation and go back to work in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu.  "We sincerely hope that ASUU will feel compassion for the workers on the indefinite strike. The days of keeping students at home are genuinely over. For goodness sake, don't harm the next generation, Buhari reportedly said. However, the president was charged with engaging in psychological games by including the next generation in his address, according to the chairperson of ASUU at Federal University of Minna, Dr. Gbolahan Bolarin.  In a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja, the ASUU chairperson claimed that the president, who had been outspoken about the union's issues before taking office, had fa

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated on Monday that Nigerians cannot risk making bad choices in the 2023 general elections.  Sanwo-Olu made this statement at the Lagos House, Ikeja at the First Family of Lagos State's 2022 Eid-ul-Adha celebration, which was sponsored by the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs.  Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor, spoke on his behalf when he urged Nigerians to make the best decision possible in 2023 because it will affect the destiny of their nation. He stated that because the outcome of the general elections in 2023 will have a significant impact on Nigeria's fate, Nigerians could not afford to choose the wrong leaders in that year's elections.  Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential nominee for the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the best candidate for 2023, he emphasized, because he has created links throughout Nigeria. He said that Tinubu had worked with individuals from many racial and ethnic groupings in the natio

President Muhammadu Buhari criticized the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Monday for allegedly being adamant in ending the prolonged strike, declaring that enough is enough about keeping students at home.  President Buhari urged the university lecturers not to harm the next generation for goodness sake and expressed his hope that ASUU would sympathize with the people affected by the long drawn strike. The President called on ASUU to change its stance on the protracted strike while speaking to lawmakers, governors, and other political figures at his home in Daura, Katsina State. He expressed concern that the strike will have generational effects on families, the educational system, and the nation's future development. The President claimed that the strike had already had an impact on the psychological well-being of parents, students, and other stakeholders, bringing to light numerous moral issues that urgently needed attention.  He stated that the country's futur

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has been questioned by the Presidency about the ongoing strike. Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President for Media and Publicity, questioned why ASUU was grabbing the President by the neck over a contract that his government had not signed. Shehu recalled that the disputed agreement was signed by the previous Federal Government in 2009.  Shehu, who appeared on the Channels Television program Politics Today, asserted that the Buhari administration is unable to fully satiate their demands. He acknowledged that other areas of the nation's economy require the Federal Government's attention.  Shehu contends that because the military needs weapons to combat terrorists, the government cannot focus solely on ASUU. According to him, the president of Nigeria has the right to make an appeal on behalf of Nigerians because the strike has been ongoing for at least six months. Is it proper for someone to demand to be compensate