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Tag: group

  • Group laments impact of drug abuse on youths

    Group laments impact of drug abuse on youths

    By Agency

    An entertainers association, Creative Industry Group, has lamented the rise in drug abuse among Nigerian youths, expressing worry that the menace was having a devastating effect on them.

    In a statement on Monday, CIG President, Felix Duke, said illicit drug consumption has reached troubling levels, fueling crimes and risky behaviour that could harm youths and the country.

    While acknowledging that some celebrities have been linked to drugs, Duke clarified that not all entertainers are involved in such a lifestyle.

    He noted that some parents are responsible for initiating their children into substance addiction.

    He urged parents to pay closer attention to their kids’ activities and friendships to curtail negative influence. He added that if the youth drug menace is not promptly addressed as a national priority, the consequences could be dire.

    To raise awareness, CIG is organising a drug abuse conference on November 28, bringing together stakeholders to chart solutions to the crisis. A roadwalk has also been scheduled for November 23 to drive public attention.

    He said, “The current level of crimes will be a child’s play. This is not the time for everybody to lie down, facing one direction, where nobody cares about it but a few people.
    “It has become an epidemic in our society that needs the attention of all.

    “That is why we are using the body of entertainers, which is the creative industry group, to do this campaign to let the world know that hard drugs are bad.
    “We will campaign to see how we can reduce our youths in the society from taking drugs to the barest minimum.”

    Duke said CIG is taking the sensitization campaign to states, starting with Lagos, as part of efforts to significantly cut youth drug use, which he lamented has become widespread across Nigeria’s society.

    “We are taking the campaign to other states; we are starting with Lagos,” he said.
    The entertainers’ body emphasised the need for collaborative efforts between government, schools, security agencies, civil groups, and communities to tackle the destructive epidemic threatening young people’s futures.

    NAN

  • Group campaigns against prostate cancer, screens men

    Group campaigns against prostate cancer, screens men

    By Sodiq Ojuroungbe

    A Non-governmental organisation promoting cancer awareness and management, Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation on Saturday, hosted a 3.3km Lagos prostate cancer walk with the screening of men for early detection, treatment, and prevention of the killer disease.

    The walk which commenced from Ikeja under the Bridge to Ikeja City Mall in Alausa, Ikeja, was tagged “The Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation March For Men Against Prostate Cancer.”

    The free prostate cancer screening for men above 45 years  also featured blood pressure and blood sugar checks.

    Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affects the prostate.

    Experts say prostate cancer is 100 per cent treatable if detected early, adding that it is the most common cancer found in men.

    According to the World Health Organisation, in Nigeria, an estimated 115, 950 cases of prostate cancer were detected in 2018 with 70, 327 deaths recorded.

    The global health body described prostate cancer as a common type of cancer in males, which is highly treatable in the early stages.

    Speaking at the walk, a Senior Registrar Urologist in the Department of Surgery at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja,  Dr. Adebowale Oyebade, urged men above 40 years to engage in yearly prostate screening to prevent late detection.

    While noting that prostate cancer has become the most common cause of cancer death among men, Oyebade said there is little that can be done when the disease is at an advanced stage.

    He lamented that late detection of prostate cancer has made the efforts to combat the disease in Africa difficult.

    He added, “This is just about prostate cancer awareness. As we all know, it is one of the most common cancers in men and it is not just about men, because whatever affects the man would affect the spouse, family, and all. It is more of a public health concern and that is the importance of this.

    “Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men. So, for men, in their lifetime, it is expected that at least one out of eight would end up with prostate issues. And one out of 38 would die from prostate cancer.

    “However, in this part of the world, because we tend to come up with issues very late, we tend to come up when the disease is at an advanced stage.

    “With early detection, it helps you to be able to achieve a cure for the disease. That would also help reduce the financial burden on the family and individuals.

    “Virtually everything about prostate cancer has a bearing on exercise. Any men above 40 should ensure they do screening at least every Year.”

    In her remarks, the Business Development Head of the Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation, Toyin Ayodele, said the walk was organised to create more awareness about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection among Nigerian men.

    She further said, “I think people need to do tests yearly especially if they are forty and above. They need to know their status.

    “When it is detected early, it can be cured and that is why we are putting this information out there so that people can engage in early detection.

    “We used the walk to let the people of Lagos know that we are here to create awareness for prostate cancer and also to screen people for free.

    “We want people to come to the final location, get themselves tested, and know their status.”

    Top celebrities in Nigeria’s Nollywood and music industry also featured in the walk.

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  • Group advocates six months maternity leave

    Group advocates six months maternity leave

    By Chima Azubuike

    Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, has canvassed for extension of maternity leave from three to six months in Gombe State.

    According to CS-SUNN Project officer, Dare Oguntade, the extension would reduce malnutrition in under five children.

    The project officer also said six months maternity leave would also encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies exclusively without challenges.

    He disclosed that the idea was for the mothers to willingly breastfeed for additional three months while receiving salary.

    According to him, this would curb neonatal related death, increase investment as resources usually budgeted for procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food for the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition would be channeled to other sectors.

    Oguntade made this disclosure in an interview with our correspondent during a two-day capacity building workshop on advocacy strategy and budget tracking held for civil society organisations.

    Our correspondent reports that the one year collaboration between CS-SUNN and UNICEF has been implemented in 19 states with Gombe State inclusive.

    He said, “Exclusive breastfeeding has a lot of importance in human capital development, talking about the first 1000 days of life.

    “The role of the media is also to spread the information for positive behavioural change especially towards improved exclusive breastfeeding. If the government extends from three to six months, women will practice it, not just for extension’s sake but to improve the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

    “Stakeholders are to identify those that can help them achieve the legislation of the six months paid maternity leave. I will be working with the media. The ultimate aim is to see there is improved nutritional outcome in Gombe State and in Nigeria as a whole.

    “I will call on everyone to come and join hands to see that we actually improve nutrition in Gombe and Nigeria as a whole. I call on the government to see reasons to extend maternity leave to six months for the benefit of the children and women in the state.”

    Speaking further Oguntade called for the utilisation of nutrition funding in the state adding that it would ensure development for the good of all.

    We are working with the Civil Society Organisations, with the government and with the media and with every other partner that is pro nutrition to advocate especially for improved funding with special focus, not just on allocation but releases and effective utilisation.

    “The training has a goal of improving investment in nutrition is a partnership project between UNICEF and CS-SUNN that will last for one year, from October 2023 to October 2024 the goal is to improve investment for nutrition services in the state,” Oguntade added.

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  • Don’t brutalise PWDs, group tells police, others

    Don’t brutalise PWDs, group tells police, others

    Anozie Egole

    The Centre for Citizens with Disability has called on security agencies in the country to be human when dealing with People with Disabilities by not brutalising them.

    The Administrative Manager, CCD, Florence Austin, made the call during a recent training for security agencies on the rights of PWDs in Lagos State.

    According to a statement on Thursday, among those trained were men of the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, among others.

    Austin noted that the training was borne out of the observed brutalisation of physically-challenged persons by security agencies in some parts of the country, particularly Lagos.

    “We are having a day of training for security formation and disability rights for persons with disabilities.

    “The objective of the training is to enhance the security formation on disability rights and the effect of shrinking civic space on persons with disability in Lagos State.

    “The training was borne out of the treatment meted out to PWDs by the police during their peaceful protest as a result of perceived injustice when their names were allegedly excluded from participating in the last international Olympic games,” Austin said.

    The Assistant Director, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Bada Oladipupo, said the state had been in the vanguard of championing the rights of PWDs.

    “It is the first state in Nigeria to establish the office of disability, which has attracted attention from other States,” Oladipupo said.

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  • Group unveils report to tackle climate change

    Group unveils report to tackle climate change

    By Agency

    The Society for Planet and Prosperity  in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change of the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigeria Governors Forum will launch and discuss the report of a survey on climate change in Nigeria.

    The Lead Convener of the meeting and President of SPP, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Okereke said the meeting would converge key stakeholders and selected survey participants to discuss the recommendations that would support sub-national climate action and facilitate climate-related transitions for sustainable development.

    According to him, the objective of the report entitled: “Mapping Climate Change Impact, Policy and Action in Nigeria’s 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, “ is to map the impact of climate change in the 36 states of the federation and FCT.

    He added the report would analyse the existing climate policies and actions in the states, conduct an assessment of online visibilities and identify the specific support needs of each of these states to effectively domesticate climate change policies to attract climate funds and investments.

    “The project is conceived as a first step to galvanise awareness for climate action at sub-national levels in Nigeria, showcase the status of climate change policies, highlight the efforts and gaps in climate action and programmes at sub-national levels, and ensure improved climate change action and resilience among the state actors.

    “Climate change is one of the biggest developmental challenges facing Nigeria today.

    “Its impacts such as flooding, desertification, drought, erosion, and sea level rise are destroying ecosystems and livelihoods thereby pushing many into poverty.

    “The Nigerian government has committed to achieving Net Zero by 2060 and has also signed a National Climate Change Law which establishes a National Council on Climate Change.

    “The Federal Government has a National Climate Change Policy, a Nationally Determined Contribution, and some flagship projects such as the Great Green Wall, the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, and Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape to address the impacts of climate change,” Okereke said.

    He, however, said most climate change actions and initiatives were focused at the federal level, with little or no attention to sub-national climate change policies, action plans, and investment at the state level.

    “This is a big gap given that the impacts of climate change are mostly borne by states that house the local communities.

    “Therefore, the implementation of policies and actions at the subnational level is crucial to addressing climate change and meeting Nigeria’s net-zero target and other national climate commitments.

    “This current situation calls for an improved understanding of the climate change governance landscape at the subnational including the level of awareness of climate change, available policies and the extent and range of policies and the degree of implementation,” Okereke said.

    He explained that during the scheduled high-level event, experts and facilitators would discuss the findings of the report and opportunities to promote climate policy, action, and investment at the state level.

    He added that the event would help to facilitate coordination, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and learning among various stakeholders at the sub-national level, with an opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to develop new partnerships to address the gaps for a renewed frontier for climate action in the 36 States of Nigeria and FCT.

    “This is the first ever and most comprehensive mapping of climate action at the subnational level in Nigeria.

    “This is also timely because it helps Nigeria understand the peculiar needs of the different subnational units of the country in order to encourage improved action either by government, civil society, the private sector, or international donor agencies,” Okereke said.

    He added that the report launch would be held in Abuja on Nov. 17, 2023.

    (NAN)

  • Group seeks mental health inclusion in NHIA

    Group seeks mental health inclusion in NHIA

    By Agency

    The Citizens Advocacy Group on Mental Health Nigeria has called for the inclusion of mental health care into services covered by the National Health Insurance Authority.

    The Founder of the Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative, Mr Ameh Zion, who spoke on behalf of the group, told newsmen in Abuja on Monday that the inclusion would ensure affordable care.

    Zion, who expressed concern about the number of Nigerians struggling with mental health issues, said “mental healthcare is in a sorry state, given that we have more than 60 million Nigerians suffering from various mental illnesses.

    “Also worrisome is the fact that only about 10 per cent of such people are able to access appropriate care.’’

    The inclusion of mental health in NHIA guidelines, according to him, will positively impact individuals, families, communities and the nation as a whole.

    He added that “many Nigerians are silently battling mental health issues, often without proper support or treatment options.

    “The consequences of untreated mental health conditions are far-reaching, impacting not only individuals but also their families, communities and the nation as a whole.

    “The NHIA has the power to change this narrative by including mental health into the NHIA guidelines to ensure that Nigerians have access to the necessary mental health services without facing financial barriers.

    “Imagine a Nigeria where mental health is given the same importance as physical health.”

    He emphasised the interconnection of mental and physical health, stressing that neglecting mental health could adversely affect overall well-being

    “But by including mental health in the NHIA guidelines, it will encourage the integration of services with primary healthcare, ensuring a holistic approach to healthcare delivery,” he said.

    The NHIA guidelines encompass various aspects, from enrollment and benefit packages to accreditation of healthcare providers, aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and efficiency in implementing health insurance schemes.

    (NAN)

  • Lagos Island conference series kick off with group A, B – Sporting Tribune

    Lagos Island conference series kick off with group A, B – Sporting Tribune

    The Lagos Island Conference of the series began with matches in groups A and B. In the opening game of group A, Golden Stars FC and Ultimate FC played out a 1-1 draw with Kareem Osman of Ultimate FC scoring in the 42nd minute of the game. The response by Golden Stars FC was immediate as Ahmed Shakiru netted the equaliser in the 43rd minute.

    Ikoyi Dolphins VS Panthers FC 1:2

    The second game in the group was more keenly contested as Panthers FC hit the tip gear in the 9th minute through Felix Agoro. In the 22nd minute of the interesting encounter, Usman Ele. Panthers eventually secured the winning and of course, the maximum points through the strike by Sunny Ofonime in the 48th minute.

    Gallant FC and Young Strikers FC 1:1

    Group B games between Gallant FC and Young Strikers FC, started on a cautions note, and with Akoma Henry giving Gallant FC the lead in the 11th minute of the first half. Young Stritook control of proceedings in the second stanza and asked questions of their opponents severally. And when it looked like they have lost it, a 90th minute freekick save their blushes as both teams shared the spoils.

    Island Utd VS Soccer Talent 2:3

    In the second game of the group between Island United and Soccer Talent, Wasiu Eshinlokun opened the shorelines in the 4th minute, finishing a sweet move to give Soccer Talent the lead.
    Island United came back into the game swiftly and levelled scores through Bookey Badu in the 7th minute. They went into the lead via a low shot into the corner by Favour Badu. Soccer Talent took the game to their opponents in the second half and scored two quick fire goals through Yaro Salisu in the 36th and 37th minutes, as they claimed the three points.


    November 7, 2023
  • 20 killed in ethnic violence in DR Congo — Group

    20 killed in ethnic violence in DR Congo — Group

    Armed men killed at least 20 people in the western Democratic Republic of Congo this week in an ethnic conflict that has claimed hundreds of lives, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.

    The rights monitor said fighters from the Mobondo militia ambushed a truck carrying traders from the Teke ethnic group on Monday.

    They torched the bus near a village in the Kwamouth region in Mai-Ndombe, northeast of the capital, Kinshasa.

    “The conflict over land and customary claims erupted in June 2022
    between so-called ‘native’ and ‘non-native’ communities; hundreds have been killed,” the New York-based body said.

    “The simmering dispute escalated into widespread violence after many farmers, mainly Yaka, rejected an increase of customary royalties by ‘native’ Teke chiefs,” HRW said.

    “Groups calling themselves ‘Mobondo’ after mystical amulets, mainly recruited among the ‘non-native’ Yaka, Suku, Mbala, Ndinga, and Songo communities, have targeted Teke villagers with machetes, spears, hunting rifles, and military assault rifles.”

    It added that thousands of people have fled their homes, triggering a humanitarian crisis.

    “Multiple attacks have happened this year and the latest deadly incident is a reminder of the urgency of the crisis,” HRW said.

    AFP

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  • Stop discrimination against left-handed persons, group tells Nigerians

    Stop discrimination against left-handed persons, group tells Nigerians

    Lilian Ukagwu, Abuja

    The Director, Young Queen Innovation, Lawal Abisola, has urged Nigerians to end discriminatory practices aimed at compelling left-handed individuals, particularly children, to switch to using their right hand.

    In a petition dated 17 June 2023, addressed to the President, Bola Tinubu, the group noted that left-handedness is a natural occurrence and should not be stigmatised or treated as a defect, adding that they have experienced first-hand the struggles and discrimination that come with being left-handed in Nigeria.

    The group called on the relevant authorities and stakeholders to take proactive steps to protect the rights of left-handed individuals and eliminate discriminatory practices against them.

    Tagged ‘A petition to stop the maltreatment of left-handed people in Nigeria’ and signed by the Director of Young Queen Innovation, and which was made available to The Reportr Door on Sunday, it was copied to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, State Governors, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Federal Ministry of Education.

    It read,” We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the ongoing maltreatment of left-handed people in Nigeria. It has come to our attention that many left-handed individuals, particularly children, are being forced to switch to their right hand due to societal beliefs and misconceptions.

    “We believe that this practice is not only discriminatory but also violates the basic human rights of left-handed individuals. It is important to note that left-handedness is a natural occurrence and should not be stigmatized or treated as a defect.

    “As left-handed individuals ourselves, we have experienced first-hand the struggles and discrimination that come with being left-handed in Nigeria. Many of us have been forced to conform to societal norms and abandon our natural inclination to use our left hand.

    “It is our sincere hope that this petition will bring attention to this issue and prompt action to end the maltreatment of left-handed people in Nigeria. We call on the relevant authorities and stakeholders to take proactive steps to protect the rights of left-handed individuals and eliminate discriminatory practices against them.
    Thank you for your attention to this important matter.“

     

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    Left-handed Presidents
    Image Source: New York Times

  • Skin cancer, vision loss, greatest challenges plaguing us – Albinism group

    Skin cancer, vision loss, greatest challenges plaguing us – Albinism group

    The Anambra State Albinism Association has identified skin cancer as the major health challenge faced by people with albinism.

    The State Chairperson of ASAA, Vivian Ezeonwumelu, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka, during the commemoration of the 2023 International Albinism Awareness Day.

    The International Albinism Awareness Day is marked every June 13, to promote the awareness and understanding of the genetic condition of persons with albinism in society.

    Ezeonwumelu described Albinism as a genetic disorder characterised by a lack of skin pigmentation or Melanin, which appears to be the most important risk factor in the development of skin cancers.

    According to her, Melanin protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.

    She said, “The lack of Melanin predisposes Albinos to various degrees of skin problems. Therefore, sun protective measure is key to the prevention of skin cancers.

    “People with albinism need to take extra precautions to avoid sunburn and skin damage.

    “People with albinism also suffer from vision problems, which can range from mild to severe. They also encounter discrimination and stigmatisation.

    “In some cultures, people with albinism are believed to have magical powers or are considered cursed. This can lead to social exclusion, harassment and even violence.”

    Ezeonwumelu said that provision of quality education, sun protection, vision care, employment opportunities, advocacy, legal support and protection, could help Albinos overcome their challenges and live fulfilled lives.

    She urged the state government, organisations and community leaders to work together to promote inclusion, acceptance and equal opportunities for people with albinism.

    “The inclusion of persons with albinism in all sectors of life is not just a moral obligation, it is also a legal and human rights imperative,” she said.

    She appealed to the state Ministry of Education to make a policy to allow children with albinism sit in front in the classrooms as well as plant trees to provide shade for them.

    She also urged persons with albinism to avoid self-pity and not limit themselves irrespective of the discrimination faced in society. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)