NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Economy/Business

Ramadan: Cleric urges CBN to release more naira notes

142 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, the Chief of Nurul Yaqeen Jumma’at Mosque Life Camp, Abuja, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure the release of more redesigned naira notes as the month of Ramadan is fast approaching.

Al-Yolawi made the call while delivering his Jumma’at Sermon, titled, “the Significance of Ramadan Fast: Health, Spiritual, Social and Psychological Benefits of Ramadan Fast,” on Friday in Abuja.

The cleric noted that Muslims spend more money during the period of Ramadan on food items and other charitable activities which usually comes as a result of carefully examining, budgeting and planning on what, and how to spend their money.

“And that largely depends on the accessibility of cash in and out flow of individual and organisations and that is very essential in the world of business keeping that spirit even after Ramadan is very crucial to the growth and development of your business.

“I will like to use this medium to call on the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release more cash to the country as Ramadan is fast approaching.

“People are in utmost need of money for Ramadan expenses and other activities. May Allah make it easier for all of us, ameen.”

He revealed that the mosque would roll out a series of Ramadan activities, starting from Taraweeh, Tahajjud, Tafseer and daily feeding programme to cater for over 200 Muslims daily.

He called on those who wish to support the feeding programme with food items to donate to the worship centre or send cash donations via its bank account number.

He explained that ramadan is a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice by all Muslims around the world to observe one of the five pillars of Islam.

“The significance and benefits of fasting to a believer cannot be over-emphasized due to the number of mercies and blessings of Allah towards a Muslim community throughout the month.

“Some of the benefits are health benefits, moral benefits, religious and spiritual benefits, social and, economic benefits to mention but few.

“Therefore, when anyone of you is fasting, he should abstain from loose and avoid evil talks as well as noisy exchange of words. If somebody starts abusing him or picks up a quarrel with him, he should tell him that, ‘I am observing a fast.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Entertainment

Spotify unveils new features for artistes, podcasters, music creators

157 total views today

By Taiye Olayemi/Ronke Ojediran

Spotify, an online streaming platform, held its 2023 “Stream On” programme, unveiling features and tools to build career of artistes, podcasters and music creators.
Daniel EK, Spotify’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), during the virtual programme said this was necessary to aid deeper and long-lasting connections between music creators and listeners across the globe.
He said Spotify doubled down on discovery, revealing a reimagined interface that leverages new visuals and a completely new and interactive design.
According to him, one of the features which is the “new Spotify experience” will roll out in waves beginning today to over 500 million monthly active users of Spotify.
He noted that with “Smart Shuffle”, Spotify was introducing a new way to inject new music that perfectly complements an existing playlist with just the tap of a button.

He said building on the success of podcast previews, creators can choose or have Spotify automatically generate preview of their music and podcasts for users to sample before they play or save.

“Just like with music, Spotify will now serve autoplay for podcasts. When a podcast ends, another episode will automatically start playing that fits the user’s tastes and is relevant.

“Stream On is about all the ways we are bringing Spotify to life and letting creators at all stages of their careers know that we are open for business.

“We are focused on building the best home for them – a place where they can establish a career, thrive and grow and where the world can be inspired by their creativity.
“And that is what we have been doing for almost 17 years: building, improving and reimagining this home to better meet creator needs and help them chart new pathways to success.
“As we look to the future, we are excited to expand that ambition to even more creators across new formats.
“We are enabling more creativity, discovery and personalisation than ever before by providing the best resources, support, and interactivity,” he said.
The CEO also unveiled new and enhanced tools to help creators build and grow audiences which would help artistes find the fans who will love their music most.
He shared more details on the next revenue line to help artistes grow – merchandise and live.
He also announced the rollout of additional podcast features.
“Spotify for podcasters now brings together the best of Spotify’s podcast creator tools into a one-stop shop to create, manage, grow and monetise podcast content.
“Previously, Spotify’s most innovative features were limited to anchor users exclusively, but the company is building the new Spotify for podcasters in a way that offers more open access to innovation.
“As a result, all Spotify for Podcasters users—including those not hosting their content on Spotify, will find access to Question and Answer and Poll functionality in their dashboards.
“Starting today, when all creators sign up or log in to Spotify for Podcasters, they will find a dashboard with everything they need to make, manage, and level-up their show,” he said.
He also announced new and expanded Spotify Originals and Exclusives.
“Spotify and DC Comics will launch a new podcast series, The Riddler: Secrets in the Dark which will be led by Phantom 4 and filmmaker, novelist, and comic book writer, David S. Goyer.
“Fans can expect all of the beloved characters from the “Batman Unburied” series.
“Today, there are more than ten million creators on Spotify with over half a billion listeners across 184 countries and markets.
“Think about the massive potential that represents for creators. No matter where you are on your own creative journey within music, podcasts or audiobooks.
“The potential to reach half a billion people. And that reach is about to become more powerful with what we’ve introduced today,” he said.
Gustav Söderström, Spotify’s Co-President and Chief Product and Technology Officer, said , “Spotify recommendations drive close to half of all users’ streams. And when listeners decide to follow a creator, they listen to, on average, five times more of their music.
“That’s why discoveries on Spotify, unlike many other platforms, give creators so much more than just a fleeting moment of viral fame.
“Those meaningful, long-term connections are a key part of what makes Spotify a platform for professional and aspiring artistes”. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Features

Way out of modern day slavery in Africa

298 total views today

By Taiye Olayemi (News Agency of Nigeria)

As the world marks the black history month, it becomes crucial to address the possible ways out of modern slavery in Africa and most especially in Nigeria.
This is quite significant because this is one of the major issues that has hindered the growth of Africans over the years.

Black history month also known as African American history month finds its origin in the United States through the founding father Carter G.Woodson who feared the poor representation of the black community in history.
Black history month is a celebration of many things inclusive of changing the narratives where the black community tells  the narrative themselves; it is a month that basically sets the records straight about the grass to grace story of the black man.

In spite abolition of slave trade in Africa since the 19th century, now in the 21st century, Africans still suffer some form of slavery due to western influences.
This has raised serious concern on when Africans will actually be free from being enslaved unconsciously.
As Africans suffer from this, cases of inferiority complex, poverty, low self esteem spring up, hindering African progress as a continent.
The theme for the 2023 Black History month is “Black Resistance”, which explores how African-Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms and police killings, since the nations’ earliest days.

It is often observed how Africans take pride in western products, subjecting themselves perpetually to embracing such products at the detriment of African nations economic growth.
Modern day slavery in Africa includes exploitation of subjugate population even when their condition is not technically called “slaves”.
Similarly, this can be seen when Africans invest their time to seek improved means of livelihood in trying to relocate to West African countries, abandoning their indigenous languages to embrace westerns’.
Human trafficking is another area of slavery Africans engage in.
All the aforementioned practices by Africans have been informed by the high level of poverty still recorded in most African countries, with obvious and significant gap between the poor and the rich.
With indept discussions with major culture and tourism stakeholders in Nigeria, some measures have been suggested to help Africans and specifically Nigerians to be truly free from all forms of slavery.
Mrs Nneka Isaac-Moses, Managing Director, Goge Africa, says Africans can only be liberated from western influences when there is a total mind shift and re-orientation consciously by individual Africans.
She says specifically in Nigeria, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should be alive to its responsibility of re-orientating Nigerians on the need to maintain their identity.
According to her, the school systems and families also have huge roles to play in ensuring children take pride in speaking their mother tongue, love their skin, hair and everything that identifies them as Africans.
“With respect to Nigeria, I think the National Orientation Agency should wake up, our school system should wake up, and families should also wake up to the reality on ground.
“The slave traders made us believe that our skin tone connotes something negative and we bought into that narrative, that is the reason some people will bleach their skin.
“People take pride in speaking  European language and sharing the same with their children and we erroneously refer to our language as vernacular.
“We even get flogged in school for speaking our mother tongue in class.
“Our leaders embezzle our monies and forward it to the West. We feel more comfortable to dress like the Europeans to the detriment of our culture and commerce.
“The West have so packaged and delivered their culture and we have bought into it so badly that majority of us wish to leave Nigeria for the so-called ”greener pastures”.
“Nigerians sell their landed property and export themselves into modern day slavery and end up becoming a third class citizen, absolutely bad, there must be a change.
Isaac-Moses noted that it is important that the blacks in the diaspora retrace their steps back to their root if Africa must be truly liberated from modern day slavery.
She said this can only be achieved when peace and stability is achieved in governance and good infrastructures capable to drive development are put in place.
She explains that African government must be deliberate about attracting the black diaspora by offering them incentives that will attract them to visit, do business and eventually they may be attracted to settle or have a second home in Nigeria.
Isaac-Moses notes that Africans have not done enough to immortalise leaders who worked tirelessly for Africans emancipation.
She suggests that such leaders should be seen and read in history, story books and  museums.
She says a remembrance day can be set aside for them, likewise monuments erected in their honour, also movies and documentaries can be made to keep their memory fresh in the minds of this generation and those yet to come.
Also, Mr Isioma Williams, Chairman, Guild of Theatre Arts Drummers (GOTHAD), says to be totally liberated from modern slavery, African leaders must wake up to ensure the continent is well positioned to generate and sustain its economy independently without interference from the imperialists.
He says this can be done by promoting independent African economy and African excellence on all fronts.
He also calls on Africans to consciously cherish their ancestral heritage.
“I believe that we need to cherish who we are and promote our ancestral heritage and values above everything else. We need to be able to generate and sustain our economy independently without any interference from imperialists.
“Our leaders have not been well immortalised, the best way is to teach history in our schools, especially the elementary schools and as well making history publications in both print and audiovisual media available and accessible everywhere, online, offline and in the stores,” he said.
Dr Ferdinard Anikwe, former Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), said without a purposeful leadership in Africa, the black history month will continue to be a mere historical reference.
He notes that African leaders run African political economy worse than the time of slave trade.
“When we become conscencious, consious and concerned about the needs of our people, then we would have come out of slavery and inhuman treatments as meted to us by the white man and our own people,” he said.
Now, Africans individually have to take deliberate steps to be liberated from modern slavery and oppression. (NANFeatures)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran
If used, please credit the writer========

Water Resources

FG pledges to tackle cholera outbreak in states

200 total views today

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government on Thursday pledged to work with state governments
to tackle cholera outbreaks and deaths in many parts of the country.

Mr Ibiyemi Olu-Daniels, a Director in the Water Quality Control and Sanitation Department, Federal Ministry of Water Resources,
made the pledge at the ongoing Technical Support Workshop for the Development of Cholera Emergency Preparedness
and Response (EPR) Plan in Asaba, Delta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cholera is a highly contagious water-borne disease, affecting public health
safety in many regions.

However, the director said that the ministry was committed to working with state governments and relevant stakeholders
to check any outbreak by providing safe, clean water and sanitation services.

He said that over the years, the Federal Government had supported states with several initiatives and projects, including
hygiene promotion and capacity building.

This, he said, was aimed at increasing access to safe and clean water and improving sanitation and hygiene practices
across the country.

Olu-Daniels added that the workshop is an opportunity for experience sharing and knowledge, adherence to best
practices in emergency preparedness and response to cholera outbreaks and related emergencies.

He said “it is also an opportunity to establish a strong collaboration between Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) stakeholders
in Delta State towards a cholera-free state.

“I am confident that this workshop will equip us with the necessary skills, tools and resources to develop effective cholera
emergency preparedness and response plans, as well as establish a strong WASH emergency working group in Delta.

“I encourage participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences and knowledge, and collaborate toward
a common goal of improving public health in Nigeria.”

He said states must have separate budget lines to cater for WASH interventions, saying with coordination and adequate funds, cholera would be prevented.

Mrs Jane Emonena, the Director, Sanitation, Delta State Ministry of Water Resources, said access to WASH is the first line of defence in any form of emergency.

She defined cholera as an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, adding that children are mostly at risk.

She mentioned the mode of transmission of cholera to include faecal-oral contaminated water, contaminated food and drinks, among others.

She highlighted the importance of handwashing, proper waste disposal, water treatment in managing cholera cases in the state.

According to her, 45 communities reported cholera outbreaks in five local government areas in 2020.

She said “414 cases and 15 deaths were recorded in five local government areas, namely Bomadi, Burutu, Ughelli, Patani and Ughelli North in 2020.

“In 2021, there was outbreak in five local government areas, 264 cases and 13 deaths recorded.

“Local government areas affected were Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Patani, Warri South and Warri North.”

The director stressed the need for stakeholders’ collaboration toward ending cholera and improving public health.

She added that political actors must go beyond action plans to funding cholera preparedness and response plan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop outcome include the establishment of the Delta State
WASH in Emergency Working Group and development of a Cholera Preparedness and Response Plan.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says no fewer than 583 Nigerians died of cholera in 2022.

It reveals that 23,550 cases were reported from across 32 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, between January
and November 2022. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Politics

APC National Chairman declares support for re-election of Gov. Sule

159 total views today

By Olukayode Babalola

The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, has declared support for the re-election of Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State in the rescheduled Governorship and House of Assembly elections on March 18.

Adamu declared his support at a grand rally in support of the Nasarawa state governor held at Keffi Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

Speaking at the rally, the APC national chairman urged supporters and residents of Nasarawa West Senatorial District and the state in general to come out en masse and vote the governor, giving his giant strides across the state in the last four years.

He said giving the governor another term would afford him the opportunity to complete the unfinished works he had embarked on in his first tenure.

Adamu who was formerly the Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone before emerging as APC National Chairman, explained that voting Sule who hails from Nasarawa North Senatorial Zone would ensure fairness and equity to complete his second term before the baton of power is passed to another zone.

“There is no one else we should be voting for except Gov. Sule, so he can come back and complete his remaining four years’ tenure before we vote in someone else.

“Now the election has been shifted to March 18. In spite of this, there is no rest till we complete the exercise and Gov. Sule is pronounced as winner and Governor-elect,” he said.

He urged the governor’s supporters to continue to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and avoid actions that would break the law.

Alhaji Aliyu Tijjani, Organiser of the rally and Chairman, United West Zone for Abdullahi Sule Re-election, told newsmen that the rally was in fulfilment of a pledge made in the past that no politician from Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone would contest against the governor in 2023.

He said that stakeholders in the zone had also pledged to give the governor maximum support with regards to his re-election bid, hence the grand rally to galvanise support among the people of Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone.

“Today we decided to organise this rally to officially inform his Excellency that we are with him and will give him our maximum support,” Tijjani said.

An APC chieftain from the zone, Labaran Magaji, said the unity exhibited by the people of the Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone irrespective of their differences in terms of religion, tribe, politics and any other sentiments was due to the sterling performance of the governor.

“We have made our resolve to vote massively for Gov. Sule to return to office and continue the good works he has been doing.

“Speculations about disunity in the APC in the Western zone are not real because we are all united. We are people with one voice,” he said..

The Executive Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Mr Mohammed Salihu, also commended Gov. Sule for the stability in the security of the state.

“Again there is stability in the polity of Nasarawa State under Gov. Sule. As you can see in the last election, all the parties were given a free hand to operate.

“I have no doubt that Gov. Sule is coming for the second term,” Salihu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Defence/Security

Insecurity: FCTA distributes sophisticated gadgets to security agencies

111 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday in Abuja distributed assorted gadgets to security agencies operating within the territory.

The gesture is aimed at strengthening the fight against lawlessness in the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gadgets, including bullet proof jackets, hand grenades, helmet and other sensitive security equipment, were said to be complementary to the initial brand new vehicles that were earlier distributed to them some months ago by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello.

FCTA’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesola Olusade, who performed the symbolic distribution, said the administration value the sacrifices of the security agencies and would continue to reward them for unalloyed diligence and loyalty.

Olusade noted that FCTA believed that a well motivated and equipped personnel would add the much needed value to effective policing of a cosmopolitan city like Abuja.

According to him, officers and men who put their lives in line for the protection of lives and property of others ought to be well kitted.

“They need to be protected, so we have to support their efforts by providing them with necessary safety gadgets.

“We are complementing whatever the Federal Government has done, and we hope it will go a long way to boost their courage and gallantry to fight crimes and criminalities,” Olusade added.

Also, the FCT Commissioner of Police Command, Mr Sadiq Abubakar, while assuring that the gadgets will be deployed appropriately, warned miscreants and all criminals to stay away from Abuja because operatives would surely come after them.

“I want to assure you that we will remain committed and it will boost whatever we have been doing. It will also encourage us to put in our best in promoting the peace and stability of the FCT.

“We warn hoodlums and miscreants to stay away from crimes and criminalities, otherwise we will come after them,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Group takes steps to safeguard electoral participation, fight voter apathy

129 total views today

By Philomina Attah

Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI), an NGO, says it is taking steps to safeguard participation of Nigerians in elections and fight voter apathy.

Executive Director of SOAI, Kenneth Eze, said this on Thursday in Abuja, while unveiling the “Nigeria VoteBeat survey.

According to Eze, the survey is in line with SOAI’s commitment to ensuring the credibility and sanctity of the 2023 general elections, including gubernatorial and state Houses Assembly elections.

“The SOAI has launched a survey after the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and the intricacies that followed it, including ongoing court cases

“The survey is to gauge the “votebeat” of Nigerians with regards to their voting behavior and likely participation for the gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

“This is expedient because the way and manner an election is conducted, and the events which follow, have huge direct impact on voters’ participation,” he said.
He said that the group was committed to safeguarding the participation of voters in all elections.
“To us, whatever that will create voter apathy is an enemy to democracy and should be confronted headlong.
“The Presidential and National Assembly elections conducted on Feb. 25 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are widely adjudged as controversial by available reports from both local and international observers.
“Unfortunately, this was supposed to be the freest, fairest, most credible and most acceptable election in the history of our dear country, considering the huge investment that it attracted.
“Irregularities, logistics lapses, inadequate trained Ad-hoc staff as well as perceived breach of trust on the part of INEC is at the center of discussion,” he said.
The executive director said that the overall effect of the development was likely to have serious impact on the voter participation in future elections.
“The CSOs have labored so much to make the Nigerian voter repose confidence on INEC.
“This must not be eroded, hence, we launched the “Nigeria VoteBeat Survey (NVS)” to gauge, identify, diagnose and address possible electoral deficits.
“For emphasis, the two key parameters and drivers for this survey will be process and participation, and would never have anything to do with election outcome.
“This is because for any election, a winner will merge but the process by which the outcome is determined is more key to the survival of any democracy.
“Incidentally, process and participation are interwoven and form the basis for election democracy,” he said.
Eze said that the survey was for citizens to appraise INEC’s conduct, and adherence to its own guidelines.
He called on INEC to rebuild its integrity and trust, and close all the lapses identified in the last presidential and national assembly elections. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Isaac Aregbesola

Politics

Kogi Senator-elect, Sadiku-Ohere assures constituents of quality representation

155 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

The Kogi Central Senator-elect, Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured the people of his constituency of quality representation.

Sadiku-Ohere  gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sadiku-Ohere was one of the 98 senators-elect who were presented with their certificates of return by the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Ohere said that he would focus on bills and motions that would be of direct benefit to the constituents.

“We campaigned on our manifesto from 2016 till date and we have never deviated.

“Our mantra is to perform creditably well. With this next level, we are going to do more in terms of legislation that will help our people especially to improve the welfare of our people.

“I will give top priority to agriculture and also ensure that I come up with motions that would see to the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company,”he said.

He also expressed gratitude to the people of Kogi central for the support pledging that he would not fail them.

“I’m honoured by the support and I appreciate our party, the All Progressive Congress (APC). I’m indeed overwhelmed,” he said.

He added: “I’m going to do better and I promise that they will see a change in representation.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sadiku-Ohere of the APC was on Feb. 25, declared winner of the National Assembly election for Kogi Central Senatorial district.

Sadiku-Ohere defeated Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emerge winner of the keenly contested election.

He garnered 52,132 votes against Natasha’s 51,763 votes to clinch the seat, a difference of 369 votes between them.

A biography of Sadiku-Ohere shows that in 2016, he paused his civil service career to serve Kogi State Government under Gov. Yahaya Bello from Jan. 2016 to August 2019.

He served as a Special Adviser overseeing the affairs of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

In 2019, he was appointed Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

While in Jan. 2020, Sadiku-Ohere was appointed again as Commissioner for Works and Housing, a position he voluntarily resigned from on April 16, 2022.

This was in pursuant of the aspirations and desire of the people to contest as senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the Federal Legislature. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Sadiya Hamza

 

 

Foreign

Envoy seeks ways to boost Nigeria-Bangladesh bilateral trade

181 total views today

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Mr Masudur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria has called for more comprehensive ways to boost the growing trade relations between Nigeria and Bangladesh.

Rahman made the call on Thursday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the trade volume between both countries currently stands at about $70 million dollars with prospects of solidifying and tapping into other areas of mutual interest.

“The bilateral trade between Nigeria and Bangladesh currently stands at a modest $70 million dollars, with Bangladesh only contributing $20 million as export to Nigeria.

“Previously the bilateral trade was even much insignificant but it is picking up,

“So we are working on all fronts to deepen the bilateral cooperation in the areas of education, technical training exchanges, pharmaceuticals, ICT, software, textile/garments, and so on,” he said.

The envoy said Bangladesh was willing to deepen trade with Nigeria in the Oil/gas sector and agricultural sector with products like cotton, soya beans, ginger, millet, etc.

He, however, stressed the need to smoothen all bottlenecks associated with international trade and banking, especially in Nigeria, so as to have more seamless trade and investment.

“There are a lot of challenges in deepening the trade and investment, particularly in the way the banking sector could work to enhance the trading.

“In order to improve international trade, it is important for both countries to smoothen the transactions which are used through Letters of Credit opening and other banking tools.

“We also need to work on the areas of smooth handling, of course, of the goods and products and services that are offered,” he said.

The high commissioner said Bangladesh was looking forward to engaging more with Nigeria in areas like textile/garments, pharmaceuticals, and software which Bangladesh exports to the tune of $1.4 billion dollars.

Rahman recalled that Prof. Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy had in January led a 17-member delegation to Bangladesh to deepen bilateral cooperation between both countries.

He, therefore, advocated for more such engagements which were facilitated by the Nigeria-Bangladesh Business and Technology Forum.

He said the high commission would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the cordial bilateral relations between both strategic countries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Health

Geriatrician urges FG to make hearing aid affordable to older persons

125 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Dr Ogugua Osi-ogbu, a Consultant, Geriatrician and Head, Geriatric Unit, National Hospital, Abuja, has called on the Federal Government to make hearing aids affordable to the older persons in the country.

Osi-ogbu, who is the Co-chair 1, National Senior Citizens Centre, FCT Stakeholders Consultative Forum, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Abuja.

She said that wax impaction was one of the commonest causes of hearing loss or impairment in older adults.

Osi-ogbu also said that hearing loss was one of the risk factors for social isolation, adding that people who suffered from hearing loss condition easily developed depression.

“And we don’t want our older adults to suffer from such condition. That is why we collaborate very closely with the Ears, Noise and Throat (ENT) Doctors team to examine our patients, see the wax impact and deal with it.

“For some of them, that takes care of the problem, but for others, they may have to come to have the dissolved wax stringe and evacuated from the ear canal.

”It is a very simple procedure and hearing is restored after that,” she said.

Osi-ogbu debunked the wrong perception that old age was synonymous with hearing loss, visual impairment, adding that wax impaction could easily be treated, ”but only if the patient goes to the hospital.

She added: ”Everybody has the right to accept healthcare both the young and older adults.

” But in a situation where we look at older people as being entitled to have visual and hearing impairment and as such we don’t give them access to healthcare.

” For example, a woman who has wax impaction at the age of 80, her family might just say she is 80, so she is entitled to hearing loss.

” However, the second commonest thing that we find in our older people that is age-related is sensorineural hearing loss.”

The geriatrician, therefore, urged people who were developing some impediments with hearing to quickly visit the ENT clinic for audiometric test to find out the severity of the hearing loss.

She said; “And there are those we can actually help with the use of hearing aids and our major concern now with the hearing aid is the affordability.

” So, our campaign to government and charitable organisations is that they should step in to try and make hearing aids available to our older adults.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

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