Home Blog Page 152

2023: Atiku-Okowa ticket, pathway for new Nigeria – Okowa

By
Area News Nigeria
-

Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the Atiku-Okowa ticket for the presidency of the country, would give Nigerians victory over insensitive and careless administration, and renewed hope for greatness.

According to Okowa, who stated this while addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters who thronged the Cenotaph, Asaba, to welcome him on Thursday after his emergence as vice-presidential candidate of the PDP, the ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Ifeanyi Okowa is a ticket of grace, hope and victory and will rescue and rebuild Nigeria.

He thanked the people of Delta for their support, saying “what you have done for me is what is lifting me up today into greater heights.

“I thank God and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who found me fit and worthy to be his running mate.

“I want to thank our National Chairman Dr Iyorchia Ayu and all the organs of the party for accepting my nomination as vice-presidential candidate of the PDP.

“In the last seven years, all has not been well with our nation and when a challenge comes such as this as I tell people, what we need to do is to pray to be resilient and hopeful and the hope has come.

“Many may not immediately appreciate it but God has endorsed it and by His special grace, the process of rebuilding and recreation of hope for our Nigerian youths, students and for our women will start on the first day, that is, May 29, 2023.

“It is not going to be by our might; it is coming from the Lord God and God is going to use the youths, women, elders and opinion leaders of this country to cause this change to come.

“The change that is coming is a positive change and it will be very constructive and will bring meaningful life to our people.’’

Okowa urged youths to rise up to the challenge ahead, and expressed concern for all young people “because what is going on nationally is not the Nigerian nation that we thought of.

He, however, stated that there was a chance to recreate and rebuild the country, and charged the youths to be committed to the course of rescuing Nigeria and must not be carried away by the “euphoria of the moment’’.

According to him, our youths must think deep that if we want to take away the APC government, the only ticket that can truly take away the APC come February, 2023 is the PDP.

The vice-presidential candidate said that his administration had worked closely with youths in Delta to deliver on his SMART and Stronger Delta agenda for the people.

“I stand to represent the interest of the youths because the youths in Delta can truly affirm that in the last seven years, we have worked together to build peace, create entrepreneurial programmes that have impacted on the lives of our people.

“We have worked together to rebuild vocational and technical education; we have worked together to create three more universities for our people; and, working together, we have built Delta State that can be envied,” he stated.

He assured that the Atiku-Okowa ticket would not make promises they would not keep, adding that they were prepared to impact strongly on the lives of the Nigerian youths and women.

“The Atiku-Okowa administration will never allow lecturers to go on strike. Our universities will not go on strike neither will students’ unions go on strike.

“This is because we understand that education is very important for our youths and women, and will, therefore, not revisit the current pain that the APC government has visited to our families,” he said.

Okowa also assured that if elected, PDP administration in the country would work with the organised private sector to ensure the development of industries that would provide jobs for the youths, adding that the private sector would have a new beginning of hope from May 29, 2023.

“Our administration is going to be a partnership between us and the youth groups, students and graduates so that we can work together to truly develop our country.

“Let us go all out there to ensure that we register and have our PVCs and by the special grace of God, we will send the APC government packing in February, 2023.

“Our candidate has a well-documented programme to rebuild the nation, a nation in which we can trust ourselves again, because Nigeria today is very divided and that is not the Nigeria of our dream.

“He will tackle, along with me, the issues of insecurity, and in tackling insecurity we realise that we have to provide jobs for our youths.

“We need to rebuild the economy of this nation and education and entrepreneurial programmes are key programmes for the Atiku-Okowa administration,” he said.

He recalled that his “Principal’’ in the presidential race, Atiku Abubakar, had spoken consistently about the need to restructure Nigeria since 1986, and explained that restructuring the country will make it a better nation.

“Atiku means well for this nation and I know because I have discussed with him severally on the challenges facing the nation, but we cannot do it alone.

“We need the support of the youths and women of this country to put food on the table of all Nigerians. Hope is coming because that ticket of grace, hope and victory is coming and it will turn Nigeria around for the good of each and everyone of us and Nigeria will yet again be respected in the comity of nations,” Okowa stated.

The ceremony was attended by the wife of the governor, Dame Edith Okowa; the Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro; Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu; Speaker of the State House of Assembly and governorship candidate of the party, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori; State Chairman of PDP, Chief Kingsley Esiso among others.

Speakers at the ceremony included Alhaji Aminu Madaki, for Arewa community in Delta,
Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, President, Ohanaeze Youth Council; Chief Iduh Amadhe, Chief John Oguma, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo and Chief Solomon Areyinka and Ohaneze Women leaders across the country. All the speakers congratulated Governor Okowa on his nomination and pledged their support to the Atiku-Okowa ticket.

Mafiana: Okowa’s emergence as PDP VP to Atiku attracts heroic welcome to Delta

By
Area News Nigeria
-

By: Celestine Ukah

Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa receives a heroic welcome back to the state after his nomination as the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate to Alhaji Atiku in the forthcoming 2023 presidential poll.

Executive Assistant to Governor Okowa, Dr. Emmanuel Mafiana said the arrival of his Boss and the thousands of PDP supporters as well as Deltans and non Deltans that turned out to receive him shows the people are ready to vote PDP.

Dr. Mafiana pointed out that with Governor Okowa as Vice Presidential candidate the link between south south south eastern parts of Nigeria is well cemented as he’s of the Igbo extraction too hence his kinsmen are definitely ready to supoort him and the PDP as usual..

He stressed that with the tremendous development strides in Delta by Okowa’s administration such feat of achievements will be replicated at the federal government level hopefully as PDP wins in 2023 God willing.

Dr. Mafiana congratulated Governor Okowa for accepting the offer which he will use with support of PDP faithful to rescue and defeat other parties in 2023, assuring that more mobilisation to be carried out for the party, adding that Delta and the entire south south are PDP region.

Nigeria’s War Against Indiscipline

By
Area News Nigeria
-

In 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari said “The long-cherished and time honored, time-tested virtues of honesty, integrity, hard work, punctuality, good neighborliness, abhorrence of corruption and patriotism, have given way in the main to dishonesty, indolence, unbridled corruption and widespread impunity.” He said much the same thing when he was military chief of state from 1983 to 1985.

A hallmark of Muhammadu Buhari’s 1983-1985 military government was his “War Against Indiscipline.” With extensive media support Buhari sought nothing less than to change fundamentally Nigerian behavior for the better and restore traditional virtues. In 2016, as a civilian chief of state, he has re-launched the effort. It is now called “Change begins with me.” Now as then the goal is to fight against “dishonesty, indolence, unbridled corruption, and widespread impunity” so that Nigerians can “embrace daily introspection over their ‘moral’ conduct.”

A difference between the two campaigns has to do with enforcement. Under the military government those late for work might be required to do frog jumps in public. In the current democratic dispensation, no such penalties are possible.

The ‘War Against Indiscipline’ rapidly became unpopular, at least among the elites. That unpopularity may have helped set the stage for Ibrahim Babangida’s successful coup against the Buhari government in 1985. Now, already, Nigerian social media is carrying criticism of “Change begins with me.” However, absent the stern punishments associated with the ‘War Against Indiscipline,’ it is unlikely that it will become a serious focus of opposition to the Buhari administration.

40 percent of Nigerian youth ‘deeply involved’ in drug abuse  NDLEA Declares

By
Area News Nigeria
-

*A medical practitioner, Nseabasi Ekanem, blamed poor parenting for the increasing wave of drug abuse in the country

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said recent statistics have revealed that 40 per cent of Nigerian youth between 18 and 35 years are deeply involved in the abuse of drugs.

Atinuke Aduloju, the chief superintendent of narcotics, NDLEA, made the disclosure during the 7th Annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the Ojo Constituency 1, Lagos on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of this year’s meeting is: “Increasing Wave of Drug Abuse, A Threat to Nation Building.”

Mrs Aduloju said the statistic was worrisome and showed that the problem had reached an epidemic level in the country.

She added that the rate at which youths were becoming addicted to illicit drugs had reached an alarming state.

“What will the country be like if 40 per cent of our underage youths are already into drug abuse and drug trafficking.

“The prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria and the negative impact on public health and safety necessitate that all hands must be on deck to curtail the challenge in our country.

“There is no better time than now for all relevant stakeholders to rise up and join the crusade the NDLEA is leading to make our country a better and safer nation, especially for the youths who are the leaders of tomorrow,” she added.

 

The official said the agency was presently undertaking sensitisation on drug abuse and its consequences in tertiary institutions.

Mr Aduloju, who did not disclose the source of her figures, said the agency had embarked on medical evaluation, counseling, and rehabilitation of youths that abuse drugs.

According to her, the agency has also started research programmes to monitor and proffer solutions on the trend of abuse among adolescents, arrest and prosecute drug offenders.

She said schools, communities, voluntary organisations, and religious bodies should also embark on drug abuse treatment and prevention.

A medical practitioner, Nseabasi Ekanem, blamed poor parenting for the increasing wave of drug abuse in the country.

Mr Ekanem said the rate at which youths were becoming addicted to illicit drugs had reached an alarming rate, adding that it could only be addressed if parents pay more attention to their children.

He said drug abuse was not beneficial in any way, but rather cause severe damage to the body system.

The member representing Ojo 1, in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Victor Akande, said the focus of the event was to sensitise parents, teachers, and religious leaders on the disturbing trend of drug abuse in the state.

Mr Akande, who is also the chairman, committee on judiciary, public petition, and LASIEC, said the Lagos Assembly had passed various resolutions on the need to curb the sale and consumption of hazardous drugs and substances.

The lawmaker noted that the youths as future leaders must show concern to their welfare.

Culled from premium Times

 

15 Most Popular Types of Boho Skirts That You Need To Know

By
Area News Nigeria
-

 

The name “boho,” which is short for “bohemian,” refers to a style of attire popularized by pre-Raphaelite women in the late 1800s and popularized by free spirits and hippies in the 1960s and 1970s. The boho style is defined by flowing or tiered skirts and dresses, peasant blouses, ethnic features such as tunics or wood jewellery, embroidery or beading, bordered handbags, and jewelled or ornamented flat shoes (or flat ankle boots). The look is frequently layered and bright.

Boho (and the boho lifestyle, which inevitably became famous in 2000) ideas are most commonly combined into a look with other trends nowadays, rather than dressing up in the trend from head to toe.

In 2005, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen typified the trend, which reached an all-time high. These women are still seen in somewhat boho looks, but with a fashionable twist that incorporates other elements such as menswear, Americana, and sleek minimalism. A boho skirt is a style of skirt that first gained popularity in the 1960s and is often associated with hippie culture. These skirts are usually long and flowing, and they are frequently made of calico. Prairie skirts from the early 1800s are similar to the boho skirt in many aspects. Let’s learn more about the types of boho skirts.

The Jasmine Boho Mini Skirt makes a statement! The rayon fabric is light and airy, making it ideal for the summer months. You won’t regret styling yourself with this Bohemian Mini Skirt. The print contains vibrant blossoms, and the sashes provide a graceful touch. For a laid-back style, pair it with a plain shirt or tank, or dress it up with a Bohemian Blouse for a more modern approach.

Fashion & Style : Low-cut trends among women in Nigeria

By
Area News Nigeria
-

For centuries, it has been a belief that a woman’s hair is her crowning glory but now women adorning different low-cut styles have become a common sight.

For various reasons, some women have embraced going on low-cut just for their convenience and damning the traditional or religious consequences.

Some women in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos, gave reasons they prefer low haircuts to wearing the modern wigs, braids, and weave-on.

Temitope Lawanson, a mother of two, said the weather had not been friendly enough to fix weaves.

“Lagos weather will humble you. Then again, getting my hair done is another tug of war with hair beauticians, who tend to overbook clients. So, at times you end up rescheduling.

“I love my hair now, although I still have my wigs for when I want to change my looks, make no mistake, maintaining a low cut is more expensive,” she said.

Nkiru Ifeajuna, a journalist, said that since when she was little, she hated plaiting her hair.

I prefer low-cut to plaiting my hair. You know, putting my head into the hot dryer, plaiting my hair after two weeks is very uncomfortable and as a journalist, I’m always on the go, It’s better I cut my hair and carry it for months.

“I don’t need to take permission from anyone, my parents especially my dad encouraged me, and I also dye my hair in different colors because of my grey hair,” she said.

According to Ifeajuna, if the purpose of going on low-cut is to save cost, the purpose is defeated because its maintenance is more expensive.

Plaiting hair is cheaper because if I want to cut my hair in my local salon the least I spend is N5,000 and to dye will cost more too,” she said.

However, Oluwaseun Babatunde, a biochemist, said the maintenance of low-cut wasn’t expensive but convenient.

“I always feel pain on a particular side of my head, I decided to cut my hair, I like it because it is not permanent,” she said.

She added that the feeling of pouring water on the head daily could not be compared to anything.

“I love women that cut their hair short, It’s unique in a way, just like when you see guys braiding their hair too. It’s just a different taste when it comes to looks,” he said.

Matthew, who is also a make-up artist, told NAN that no fewer than 10 ladies come to his salon daily to have their hair cut into different styles.

“Women generally adapt to the style that fits and complement their looks. Low-cut doesn’t take anything away from a woman’s beauty.”

Olajire Ajayi, a popular hairstylist in the Ilupeju area of the state, said women go on low-cut because it is convenient and affordable.

“Cut, texture relax treatment and style varies in price depending on hair texture, volume and condition of hair, but talking about the cost implication, it is very affordable.

“That’s why you see most women cutting their hair, we have various styles to suit individual lifestyles. For some, it keeps them away from the salon for 2-3 weeks depending on the style and we put into consideration the nature of their businesses when choosing a style.

“For cut, texture relaxed treatment and style, it is from N15,000 here at our salon. Price increases tentatively depending on hair texture, volume, and state of hair,” she said.

Awoniyi Set To Complete Medical At Nottingham Forest Ahead £17.5 Move

By
Area News Nigeria
-

Nigerian born Taiwo Awoniyi is set to complete a medical at Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest ahead of his £17.5m move to the club.

Awoniyi is set to become Nottingham Forest’s first signing of the summer after Bundesliga side, Union Berlin agree to his transfer to the East Midlands club.

The 24-year-old registered 20 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions for Union Berlin last season.

The striker was at the Capital club on Wednesday’s to say goodbye to his teammates.

Awoniyi is set to fulfil his wish of playing in the Premier League after failing to make a single appearance for Liverpool during his six year association with the Reds.

The Nigerian spent the 2020-21 season on loan with Union Berlin, before signing on a permanent deal for £6.5m last summer.

Match Day 20: Warri Wolves Claim a Point at Sporting FC

By
Area News Nigeria
-

Warri Wolves claimed a priceless point at Sporting FC of Lagos on Matchday 20 of the Nigeria National League, NNL, on Wednesday.

The keenly contested tie had ended in a 1 – 1 draw, but it will strengthen the Seasiders’ resolve to press on in their promotion quest to the NPFL.

The early exchanges in the first half indicated that the tie was delicately poised for a long walk, as the two teams could not create clear cut chances to score.

The home team opened scoring through Gbolahan Mustapha four minutes after kick off the second half.

Warri Wolves’ defender Simon Segun had missed his clearance when Mustapha pounced on the loose ball to put Sporting FC 1 – 0 ahead.

With their zeal not dampened, Warri Wolves got their own equalizer 26 minutes later.

Tega Ebetomame, pushed by sheer determination, dispossessed one of the Sporting FC defenders of the ball and quickly released a precise pass to Philip Archibong on the edge of the box.

Archibong struck the ball against the body frame of the Sporting FC goalkeeper, Ekoi Agbor.

Racing from midfield, substitute Falolu Azeez hit the rebound to the bottom left corner.

Six minutes later, Sporting FC almost rattled the Seasiders, as Gbolahan Mustapha saw his well drilled set piece hit the woodwork.

The home team three minutes thereafter came calling again with another opportunity to race into the lead.

Mustapha played the ball beyond Wolves’ goalie, Joshua Oladeji, but Simon Segun stood firmly on the goal line and headed the ball out for a corner kick.

In the 86 minutes, Oladeji was called to duty when Sporting FC skipper Raji Usman’s effort drew an acrobatic save from the Warri Wolves’ goalkeeper.

A final push from a corner kick execution in the 88 minutes was dealt with by Oladeji, who made a low dive to parry it.

Warri Wolves will take the positives from the 1 – 1 draw with Sporting FC to their Matchday 21 encounter at home on Sunday, June 26, as the seasiders will play Ottasolo FC of Lagos.

Hope for people co-infected with visceral leishmaniasis , HIV

By
Area News Nigeria
-

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its guidelines for the treatment of people co-infected with visceral leishmaniasis and HIV, to recommend better treatments based on the results of two studies conducted by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and their partners in Ethiopia and India.

In Ethiopia, the new treatment strategy was shown to have an 88% efficacy rate at the end of therapy (after 58 days), whereas the efficacy of the current standard treatment was 55% in the trial. In India, the new treatment regimen was efficacious for 96% of cases after 210 days, while a lower rate of 88% was observed for cases receiving the standard treatment.

‘These are outstanding results, considering the difficulties to achieve treatment response in patients affected by both visceral leishmaniasis and HIV. The new WHO guidelines are a significant step that will greatly improve the lives of patients who are affected by both diseases and who are suffering from stigma, ostracization, loss of income, and repeated relapses,’ said Dr Fabiana Alves, Director of NTDs (Neglected Tropical Diseases) Leishmaniasis and Mycetoma at DNDi.

People living with HIV are 100 to 2,300 times more likely to develop visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, a neglected tropical disease that is transmitted by the bite of a sandfly and causes fever, weight loss, and intense fatigue. It is often fatal if left untreated.

‘It is often hard to treat people living with these two diseases, because their weakened immune systems do not respond well to standard treatments. These patients have more frequent and more severe side effects from the treatment, higher risk of having another episode of visceral leishmaniasis in the future, and higher risk of death. The new treatment, now included in WHO guidelines, greatly increases their chance of being cured during a visceral leishmaniasis occurrence,’ said Dr Rezika Mohammed, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Gondar, who was the Principal Investigator of the study in Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, young seasonal migrant workers, who work in large farms and are exposed to sandflies bites, are some of the people most at risk of co-infection. Apart from the low efficacy of the standard treatments for this patient population, they also often relapse, stay in hospitals for long periods, lose their income, and fall deeper into poverty. They may also be ostracized by their co-workers and communities and sometimes even by their own family members.

In some districts of the Indian state of Bihar – India’s most endemic state – up to 20% of adults diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis are co-infected with HIV. These co-infected patients serve as a reservoir for visceral leishmaniasis, which is hampering sustainable elimination efforts in the country.

The current standard treatment for visceral leishmaniasis/HIV co-infection consists of single injections of liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB). The new treatment course is a combination of the oral treatment miltefosine and LAmB; it was shown to have a significantly better efficacy rate in two clinical studies conducted in India by MSF and in Ethiopia by DNDi and supported by other partners.

‘For the first time, patients with visceral leishmaniasis/HIV co-infection will be treated with evidence-based treatment. This is an important step towards recognising these patients as highly vulnerable both from a clinical and social perspective; improving their management will benefit both patients and the visceral leishmaniasis elimination programme. However, there remains a lot to be done; these patients present with multiple complex medical issues that need to be addressed holistically, including a very high prevalence of TB,’ said Dr Sakib Burza, Medical Advisor and study coordinator at MSF.

India, Ethiopia, and other countries where both diseases are endemic are expected to adapt their own treatment guidelines in the future to include the new treatment recommended by the WHO.

‘This new treatment is excellent news, as it reduces the use of injectable drugs and significantly increases the chances for patients to be cured. It recommends intermittent administration over 14 days, which earlier was 38 days. We are proud of this achievement,’ said Dr Krishna Pandey, Director, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute and the Principal Investigator in the study.

Research to find an even better treatment will continue.

‘The new combination treatment still relies on miltefosine, an oral drug that can potentially affect the development of the embryo in pregnant women; and liposomal amphotericin B, a drug given as an infusion that can be delicate to administer and requires hospitalization and monitoring. Lengthy hospital stays or frequent ambulatory hospital visits can be challenging for some patients and may result in substantial loss of income for both patient and caregiver,’ said Dr Monique Wasunna, DNDi Eastern Africa Regional Director, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Patients with visceral leishmaniasis still need improved, safe, and efficacious treatments. That is why DNDi and its partners are continuing their efforts to develop a treatment that will be completely oral, safe, and efficacious – a drug that can be taken at the primary health care level, which will allow health workers to reach all people affected by visceral leishmaniasis.

The clinical trial in Ethiopia was financially supported by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through KfW, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, UK Aid, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), MSF International, and the Medicor Foundation. The trial in India was funded by MSF Spain.

Nigerian superstar, Davido gives 5 years scholarship to Ghanaian student

By
Area News Nigeria
-

Nigerian music star David Adeleke popularly known as Davido has given a Ghanaian student a five-year scholarship to Adeleke University.

The music star made this known via his Twitter page on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

“We have contacted Suleyman who lives in Ghana and he has been given a full 4/5 year scholarship to Adeleke university .. accommodation and allowance included! God bless y’all .. #wrblo,” he tweeted.

This is coming hours after someone tweeted about the young man’s inability to further his education despite scoring all As at the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

 

In a tweet that went viral, it was reported that the young man has been unable to further his education because of his financial status.

 

 

1...151152153...155Page 152 of 155

Popular Posts

Recent Stories

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

©