By Yetunde Fatungase/ Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for collaborative efforts against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection among girls and women in the country.

Dr Ijeoma Agbo, UNICEF Health Specialist, made the call during a two-day media dialogue on HPV vaccine on Tuesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue has the theme: “Combating The Most Preventable Form Of Deadly Cancer Affecting Women and Girls Through Vaccination”.

Agbo said that HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and caused more than 95 per cent of cases of cervical cancer.

The UNICEF health specialist, who noted that HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and free, said there was an urgent need for all stakeholders to come together to sensitise Nigerians on its importance.

According to her, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally and the second most common cancer affecting women in Nigeria.

“There are over 100 HPV types that have been identified to date, and two human Papillomavirus types (16 and 18) account for about 70 per cent of all cervical cancer cases.

“It is estimated that 604,000 new cases with 342,000 deaths occurred globally in 2020 and an estimated 12,075 cases and 7,968 deaths recorded in Nigeria,” she said

Agbo also said that the high burden of cervical cancer is attributed to several factors, which include poor access to HPV vaccination services, poor screening and treatment as well as low awareness among others.

Agbo, however, said that vaccination against HPV had shown to be effective in preventing persistent infection with high-risk types, which are the primary cause of cervical cancer.

On the objective of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria, Agbo said that the main goal is to reduce morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer by providing HPV vaccine to girls between ages nine and 14.

She also said that the targeted audience for the vaccine is on girls aged 9-14, who can be found in schools, out of schools, places of religious worship, special population settings and groups, among others.

In his remarks, Mr Muhammad Okorie, Programme Manager, UNICEF, highlighted that the media dialogue was an opportunity to sensitise the public about the advantages of proven global interventions in the prevention of HPV through vaccination.

Okorie said it was also an opportunity to reach more people through the media and dissuade the minds of the people on any misgivings about the vaccine.

He appreciated the role of the media in creating awareness about the HPV vaccine and called for more synergy to make the vaccination programme successful.

Also, Dr Adetola Akinpelu, Immunisation Programmes Coordinator, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, said the state was targeting 80 per cent vaccination of girls between nine and 14 years old by December 2024.

Akinpelu said the state had so far recorded success stories with the campaign, and vaccinated 44.8 per cent of the targeted population. (NAN)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Folasade Adeniran

By Chinenye Offor

The German government has said that poverty is not responsible for illegal migration to Europe.

The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Gunther, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to her, poverty cannot be the root cause of irregular migration because people who migrate to Europe are not the poorest citing the North East as an example.

“The people who migrate to Europe are not the poorest.

“You have a situation where people from the very poor like in North East Nigeria where there is conflict and poverty, amongst others.

“What happens there is displacement; regional migration.

“They go to neighbouring countries because they cannot afford to go to Europe.

“They do not have the money for the agents who smuggle them through illegal routes.

“The people who have the money and decide to go to Europe are usually kind of educated and have some money. They’re not the poorest.

“I will not say poverty is the root cause of migration either legal or illegal.

“Many people who migrate – even if they are not the poorest – are still looking for a better life – better life for their children, better education and others,” she said

She stressed the need for the government to address the shortage or lack of basic amenities such as health, education, security, and jobs, to tackle illegal migration to Europe.

She said that the provision of basic social amenities would reduce the desire by young people to risk their lives going through the wrong and dangerous routes to get to Europe in search of greener pastures.

“I think we have to work on that – what we can call the root causes of illegal migration. The government should try to give them what they are looking for.

“And I think the current government is very much aware of these problems and is working on them.

“These are the areas we have to work on, to provide the services that these people are looking for in their country, to develop the Nigerian economy and also provide those jobs that the young people are looking for in Europe,” she said.

Speaking further, the envoy stated that Germany is exploring legal ways by which migrants can come to the country.

“Legal migration is perfectly okay because Germany is also looking to boost its workforce.

“That is why we want to open up more legal ways to prevent people from taking the risk and following those potentially deadly routes through the Mediterranean Sea and others. ( NAN) (www.nan.ng )

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Extended continental shelf, significant achievement of Tinubu’s administration – NBC

By Philip Yatai

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has described the extension of Nigeria’s continental shelf as a significant achievement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its one year in office.

The Director-General of the commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Adaji described continental shelf as the natural submerged prolongation of a country’s land territory.

He congratulated Nigeria on the extension of the country’s continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles and sovereignty over additional 16,300 square kilometres of maritime boundaries, about five times the size of Lagos.

“Just recently, Mr. President, was briefed about the activities of the high-powered Presidential Committee on the extended continental shelf, where the Boundary Commission played a very key role.

“Of course, the project started from this commission. It’s a baby of NBC but now being handled by a presidential committee.

“We want to commend the visionary leadership of the Federal Government for the support and congratulate Nigerians for the extension of our maritime territory,” he said.

The DG said that the extended continental shelf would be of massive economic benefit to Nigeria considering its rich natural and mineral deposits.

He assured President Tinubu of the commission’s continued support to the High-Powered Presidential Committee on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project.

“Of course, the committee is still working. Whatever the government decides as the next phase of action, the boundary commission will be ready to play its part and participate in the committee’s work as much as possible.

“I want to congratulate Nigeria for this achievement and congratulate this government for the interest it is showing and the willingness to support this project to logical conclusion,

“I want to pray that the dividends of democracy, as we are beginning to see in this administration will be sustained till the end of the administration,” Adaji said.

NAN recalls that the High-Powered Presidential Committee had on May 14, briefed the President on the approval of the extended continental shelf by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

The journey to extend Nigeria’s continental shelf began in 2009 with the country’s submission to the CLCS, but the project suffered setbacks due to lack of funds and other administrative challenges.

It was finally approved by the UN shortly after Tinubu assumed office. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Alex Enebeli

The Enugu State Government has said that plans are underway to revamp the 85 abandoned tourist sites spread across the state.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ugochi Madueke, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday.

Madueke said that the ministry would complete the development of 10 of the 85 tourist sites before the end of the year.

According to her, Gov. Peter Mbah’s vision is to make the state culture and tourism destination of the world.

“The ministry is working to develop, sustain and showcase the tourism potentials of the state to the world for revenue, employment, leisure through smart and result-oriented policies.”

Madueke said that the ministry would partner the vigilance groups  in the host communities, in addition to other security measures to secure the sites.

“We will use the local vigilance groups, in addition to security agencies in the state,” she said.

She listed the tourist sites to include Awhum Water Fall, Ezimo Water Fall, Ezeagu Hot-and-Cold Stream, the cave, called Ebe Chukwu Bili in Oha, Ezeagu, Obiara Ohu Water Fall in Awgu, Osum Water Fall in Awgu Nta and Akpawfu Lake in Enugu East, among others.

“We have also discovered an age-long Pyramid at Nsude in Udi Local Government Area and we are putting necessary infrastructure, access roads and social amenities to give a facelift to the sites.

“The ministry will put amenities, such as toilets, food court and street lights in place at the sites.

“Awhum needs a resort because of the monastery there to make it a religious tourism site, where people will visit like Pilgrimage,” she said.

Madueke further disclosed that the ministry was working to amend the law establishing it to boost its revenue.

“The ministry does not generate revenue before now but with the administration of Mbah, which said that 20 per cent of the 30 billion dollars target of the state would come from tourism, we are trying to develop our tourist sites for influx of people.

“We tend to generate that 20 per cent from the tourist sites as our revenue currently comes from our cultural troupe,” the commissioner said.

She said that the major challenge confronting the ministry was paucity of funds.

She urged the people to support Mbah’s efforts to develop the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Sam Oditah

By Ebere Agozie
The Presidency and Media Foundation, an NGO, say they are partnering Leadway Assurance to support journalists facing health and financial challenges.

A statement issued by the president of the foundation, Mr Femi Oyewale, on Monday in Abuja said that Media Foundation was the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE).

“Media work is hazardous. We take the highest form of risks.

” We are on the road even in the middle of the night, ensuring that governments and institutions’ actions are anchored in truth for the overall benefit of citizens and taxpayers.

“The risks we embrace daily take a toll on our health and when most of us are either deceased or down with ailments, nobody cares for us.

“These are part of the reasons we set up this foundation, to provide hope for colleagues in the face of hopelessness,” he said.

Oyewale said the support extended to the beneficiaries was small given the large number of journalists on the foundation’s list who had truly pathetic cases and needed support.

“We are not going to rest on our oars, we have a long list of journalists and families of late journalists who need help.

” Some of the cases are really pathetic and we are committed to this noble cause. This is just the first phase,” Oyewale said.

He said the move by NASRE Media Foundation, Leadway Assurance, and Ms Moremi Ojudu of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagements, South West, was to wipe away tears from the eyes of victims.

Oyewale said Leadway Assurance, the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagements and the foundation provided cash and grains to selected beneficiaries in the first phase.

He said that the four recipients in the first phase of the initiative included Mr Omodele Adigun, a former Deputy Business Editor at The Sun Newspapers and Mrs Esther Peter Thomas, wife of the late renowned entertainment editor and publicist at former Mo’Hits Records.

Others, Oyewale said, were Mrs Qudus Adewole, widow of the late Qudus Adewole, publisher of Ebony Media and the family of late Foluso Samuel who worked with Encomium Magazine.

He assured the recipients of continued support within the limit of available resources.

The NASRE president called on public as well as private institutions and individuals to partner with the organisation in assisting journalists facing challenges.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
=========
(Edited by Christiana Fadare/Mufutau Ojo)

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Managing Director, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr Akintunde Sawyerr says students in federal tertiary institutions would first be considered in the roll out of the scheme.

Sawyerr disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, at a news conference on pre-application sensitisation on the loan scheme.

He said that the Fund would roll out its obligations to federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education which had completed and uploaded their students’ data on their dashboard.

Sawyerr stressed that uploading of students’ data on the Fund’s dashboard by their schools was the only means through which the students would be eligible to apply for the loan.

He said NELFUND had partnered with the institutions for seamless upload of the students’ data and the loan would be paid 100 per cent to the beneficiaries through their institutions.

Sawyerr called on federal tertiary institutions, yet to upload details of their students to do so.

“The loan application will be opened on May 24. We are starting with the federal tertiary institutions, but the loan will, eventually, be rolled out to state institutions too,’’ he said.

Sawyerr added that the beneficiaries would be made to pay the loan, two years after completion of their National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), on condition that the individual had secured employment.

According to him, the repayment is expected to be made by the beneficiaries regardless, of where they get their job after their NYSC.

Speaking on what becomes of the scheme in cases of death, mental and physical illness of the beneficiaries, he said the fund is looking at an insurance model that will address bad loans.

He also noted that the NELFund establishment Act has made case for debt forgiveness.

“The first thing we are doing is to try to make sure that we have adequate information about the application for the loan, as much as possible.

“We need to know that those who applied for the loan are bonafide Nigerian citizens and they are of good standing and we have various ways to know that.

“We are working with security agencies to ensure the people who are applying for this loan are not people who may want to defraud the system.

“We will also follow up on the beneficiaries each year they apply and ensure we are in constant communication with them.

“We are looking at an insurance model to ensure loans that are bad, are handled. This will help to protect tax-payers money,” he said.

He urged students to apply by logging into its portal through www.nelf.gov.ng and create an account using their existing credentials.

Sawyerr said the students would also be required to document their information such as their JAMB admission letter, NIN and BVN.

He listed other required information to include, personal details, academic information, and financial needs. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Tosin Kolade

The Odyssey Educational Foundation on Monday unveiled its 8th Technology Innovation challenge to encourage young girls’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Mrs Stella Uzochukwu-Dennis, Chapter Ambassador for Technovation in Nigeria, who spoke at the Technovation Regional Pitch event in Abuja, said it was an opportunity to empower young girls through technology and innovation.

According to her, Nigeria’s participation in Technovation has helped teams represent the country several times in California as finalists since 2006.

She said that the Technovation programme was a beacon of hope and opportunity for girls, equipping them with the skills and confidence to solve real-world problems using technology.

“The programme fosters a sense of empowerment and independence, teaching young innovators not just to code but to think critically, work collaboratively, and lead fearlessly.

“By participating, these girls are breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, thereby paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future”.

Uzochukwu-Dennis also highlighted the crucial role of mentors in the Technovation programme, saying they provide guidance, share their knowledge and expertise, and inspire the next generation of tech leaders.

“The benefits of Technovation extend to the state and country as well, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

“This contributes to building a stronger, more resilient economy by encouraging local solutions to local problems, driving sustainable growth and development.

“It also positions Nigeria as a leader in the global tech industry, attracting investments and creating opportunities for youth”.

Uzochukwu-Dennis expressed profound disappointment over the lack of financial support from the government and agencies, in spite of the programme’s numerous benefits and immense potential.

She explained that no monetary aid or resources had been provided to support the programme, in spite of the countless hours of hard work, personal sacrifices, and support from international partners, and others.

The chapter ambassador said the winning team from this year’s programme would receive an all-expenses-paid trip to California.

She extended a heartfelt welcome to all attendees, noting that over 2,000 apps were submitted this year, with Nigeria having the highest number of quarterfinalists.

Mrs Vivien Kwande, CEO of LifeAid International Initiative, said the event was an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, dedication, and resilience of young technologists who have worked tirelessly to bring their innovative ideas to life.

Kwande said that participants have researched, designed, coded, tested, and refined their ideas, transforming visions into viable solutions with the potential to impact communities and the world at large.

She expressed her belief in the power of technology to drive change and the potential of youth to lead this transformation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event saw many schools participating in ICT innovation pitches.

NAN also reports that Technovation has improved the lives of over 270,000 women to participate in science and technology in 120 countries globally. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Nick Nicholas and Abiemwense Moru