By Ummul Idris

Prof. Saad Ahmed, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja has advised Nigerians on early eyes check to know their status about glaucoma.

Ahmed said this at a seminar, awareness campaign and free eye test for residents of Abuja at the FMC, Jabi on Monday to mark the World Glaucoma Week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that FMC is organising a one week free screening and treatment for people with glaucoma.

The medical director explained that an individual did not have a way to notice glaucoma as it was a silent killer of vision that did not give prior notice.

He said that most feelings about glaucoma were usually accidental, adding that there was no cure for glaucoma but it could be controlled.

“For those who have been diagnosed with glaucoma, you have to be compliant with your medication and the directive of your Optomologist.

“There is no cure but early diagnosis is the way to go, it is a group of eyes disease with certain risk factors like positive family history, age among others.

“Glaucoma can run through the family like other diseases, if you do not know you have glaucoma, you can go for screening and diagnosis,” he said.

Ahmed, however, said that some people rather than check their status would say, “it is not my portion’’, adding that such people could not be forced.

Dr Eziechila Joseph, an Optalmologist and Head of Clinical Services, FMC, Jabi, said that glaucoma remained one of the major causes of irreversible blindness, adding that there was need to go for diagnosis.

He said that FMC was creating awareness so that more people could be tested and take glaucoma important because it comes asymptomatic.

He urged Abuja residents to get their eyes tested at FMC as a way of celebrating the World Glaucoma Day, adding that it is necessary for individuals to constantly check their eyes.

By Ikenna Osuoha

An Abuja-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Save Our Heritage Initiative, says women equality is imperative for global sustainable development.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Ms May Ikokwu, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on  in Abuja.

Ikokwu, who spoke in commemoration of the 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD), decried all forms of practices that promote discrimination and repression against women.

She called for total compliance with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) which prescribed that women and girls everywhere must have equal rights and opportunity.

She added that “marginalisation of women must stop. At school, women perform just as well as men, representing about 50 per cent of the population, yet at work you don’t get so many women in top positions.

“In politics also, it’s just a handful of women in both the Senate and House. How many governors and deputy governors are women in Nigeria?, anyway we are gradually getting there.”

The SOHI chief executive wondered why women could not be given equal opportunities to be able to live free of violence and discrimination.

According to her, women’s equality and empowerment is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, but also integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development

Ikokwu, who lauded few women with outstanding accomplishments such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Amina Mohammed, said women were not to be seen only but their voices should also be heard.

She added that “the abuse and second class place reserved for women should end.’’

NAN reports that March 8 every year is set aside for the commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD).

The 2021 theme is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.’’ (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 371 new cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of infections in the country to 158,906.

The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle late Monday.

The agency also registered 13 additional COVID-19-related deaths, raising the total fatality in the country to 1,982.

The institute said the new infections were registered across 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the past 24 hours.

It added that Lagos topped the list with 102 infections, followed by Enugu with 65,  then Edo with 56, and FCT with 23 of the new cases.

Other states with new COVID-19 infections were  Ogun-20, Osun-18, Bayelsa-18, Rivers-15, Kaduna-14, Plateau-10, Oyo-eight,  Bauchi-7 Kano-5 Delta-4, Nasarawa-3, Niger-2, and Ekiti-1.

The agency said 461 people had been successfully treated and discharged from different isolation centres across the country within the past 24 hours.

“Our discharges today include 104 community recoveries in Lagos State managed in line with guidelines,” it said.

According to NCDC, the total number of recoveries in the country stands  at 138,502 while the number of active cases in the past 24 hours stood at 18,588.

Meanwhile, a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country has conducted more than 1.6 million COVID-19 tests as of March 8.

As the number of people infected with the virus keeps growing in countries across the West African sub-region, the Nigeria government is leaving no stone unturned in efforts to curtail further spread of the virus.

Nigerian authorities declared an initial 2-week lockdown on March 30, 2020 in three of 36 states of the federation (Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja), and on April 13, 2020 extended the lockdown by another 2 weeks, thereby  restricting the movement of more than 200 million people. (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

Members of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja received jabs of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines during its weekly national briefing.

The PTF team includes the Chairman, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Environment, Muhammad Mahmood  and Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora.

Others are the Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu; Minister of Foreign Affairs ,Geoffrey Onyeoma, and the National Incident Manager (NIM) PTF, Mukhtar Muhammad, among others.

“Today, Monday, March, 8, 2021, I will lead all members of the PTF to receive the first doses of the vaccine as a further demonstration of the safety and efficacy.

“Also, our journalists who are critical front-liners in this fight will receive the vaccine in a representative manner,” Mustapha said before the vaccination exercise.

Nigeria on Tuesday took delivery of nearly four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as part of an overall 16 million doses planned to be delivered to the country in batches over the next few months.

The vaccines are being provided by COVAX, an unprecedented global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Upon arrival, samples were handed to NAFDAC, the Nigerian food and drug regulatory agency, for further examination.

Nigeria on Friday commenced the vaccination, beginning with healthcare workers who are often at the risk of exposure to infections being the first responders to patients.

Cyprian Ngong, a medical doctor, became the first person to receive a jab of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines in Nigeria. Three other health workers were also vaccinated during the flag-off event at the National Hospital in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also received jabs of the COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday to drive vaccine acceptance.

The PTF was established by President Muhammadu Buhari on March 9, 2020, to coordinate and oversee the country’s multi-sectoral inter-governmental efforts to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

By Talatu Maiwada

Mr Terri Ford, Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has called on world leaders to ensure a more inclusive and equitable world.

Ford made the call in a statement in Abuja on Monday by Mr Steve Aborisade, Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF-Nigeria, in commemoration of International Women’s Day.

Ford said women played immeasurable roles in the society, adding that, “collectively we can create an inclusive world’’.

Ford expressed delight over women leaders, who performed exceptionally at all levels, stressing that in many parts of the world, women were often disproportionately affected by crises, such as COVID-19 and HIV.

“In achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world, AHF urges leaders at all levels of government, community and business on this IWD to “Keep the Promise” by striving for gender equality.

“Let’s do what is necessary to create a world that keeps women and girls safe and secure including ensuring unrestricted access to lifesaving HIV testing, prevention and treatment services.

“We are proud to have exceptional women and women leaders throughout the entire AHF family.

“We could not have maintained our operating capacity and continued caring for more than 1.5 million clients globally if not for our extraordinary women in leadership positions at all levels,’’ Ford said.

Also speaking, Dr Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, said that the foundation, had partnered with rural community women called ‘mentor mothers’ to ensure a halt in the spate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

According to him, poor uptake of antenatal care (ANC) services among young women and girls in rural areas has been identified as a key factor in the rise of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

“One of the ways to boost uptake of ANC services is to create more awareness and education among rural populace through community leaders in structured campaigns and education.

“In commemoration of IWD, AHF will appreciate women leaders for their roles and impact new skills to tackle barriers to ANC uptake among young women and girls in rural areas.

“The foundation will also be pairing its social media initiative with IWD events and advocacy that seek to inspire change for gender equality.

“These will be done with strict observance of the Covid-19 protocols,’’ he said.

NAN reports that 2021 IWD with the theme: “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world’’ is celebrated every March 8, to draw attention to the need for equal rights and identify women’s suffrage.

AHF is the largest global AIDS Organisation, which currently provides medical care and services to over 1.5 million clients in 45 countries worldwide including Nigeria.

By Abujah Racheal

Dr Solomon Chollom, a Jos based Virologist, has urged Nigerians to give the COVID-19 vaccine a chance in the country, saying that vaccines save lives.

Chollom told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that so much had changed about life and living since the  SARS COV2 (COVID-19) virus pandemic hit the world.

“With daily figures of infected cases and mortalities due to the virus rising and falling unabatedly, experts and authorities rolled out response strategies that get updated as knowledge and information about the virus improves.

“Some response measures that have been put forward to fight the virus include quarantisocial distancing; lockdown; testing and treatment amongst others.

“These measures have played significant roles holding down the pandemic, they are not as potent as vaccines.”

According to the virologist,  a vaccine is a biological propagation which when administered, teaches the body system to fight off infectious diseases.

He said that an effective vaccine is one which is safe and efficacious.

“This data is generated from clinical trials and reviewed by regulatory agencies before a vaccine a certified for human use.

“With the pandemic still raging on especially with the emergence of new variants, across the world, it is clear that the response strategy implemented so far is still weak and inadequate hence the need to look the way of vaccines.

“Experts believe that vaccines and vaccination will strengthen the weakness in the global response and eventually end the pandemic,” he told NAN.

According to him, hindsight from history has shown that vaccines play significant roles in eradicating deadly diseases in the past.

He said that diseases including small pox and bubonic plague and polio in the recent past were clear examples.

“In view of this, vaccines against COVID-19 need to be given a chance to bolster our response framework,” she said.

NAN reports that Nigeria on March 2, 2021, took delivery of nearly four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as part of an overall 16 million doses planned to be delivered to the country in batches over the next few months.

The vaccines are being provided by COVAX, an unprecedented global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Upon arrival, samples were handed to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) NAFDAC for further examination.

It was later certified to be safe and effective for use.

Nigeria commenced the COVID-19 vaccination, beginning with healthcare workers who are often at the risk of exposure to infections being the first responders to patients.(NAN)

By Justina Auta

The National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) says it is mobilising women and girls to exercise their civil rights by using their numerical strength to occupy decision-making positions and empowerment.

The Director General, NCWD, Mrs Mary Ekpere-Eta, made this known while briefing the media in Abuja on Monday in commemoration of the 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD).

The IWD is annually celebrated around the globe on March 8, in recognition of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and also a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

This year’s edition has “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World” as its theme.

Ekpere-Eta said available statistics negate the claim that more women voted than men in the 2019 general elections, as report shows that only 11,897,180 women voted out of the 26,348,429 accredited voters during the election.

She attributed the poor representation of women at both elective and appointive positions to patriarchy, political violence, insurgency and others, which plummeted the number of women casting their votes.

She added that “the NCWD is mobilising women and young girls in Nigeria, especially at the grassroots on the need for them to know the power of their civil rights.

“And use of their one vote to empower women and put them in decision making positions for good governance.”

According to her, the centre mobilises women and girls through media publicity and sensitisation to enable them to occupy political or appointive positions.

She added that “the centre is also working with the National Bureau of Statistics to ensure documentation of Gender Based Violence (GBV) issues and track incidences in the country with a view to end the practice.

“One important area of focus for us is the documentation of unpaid care work in Nigeria, which we are currently carrying out in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics to reduce the burden of unpaid care work on women,” she said.

The NCWD boss, therefore, urged unity to end Sexual/Gender Based Violence, patriarchy, discrimination against women and others.

She said the IWD provides an opportunity to call out gender bias and inequality, seek out and accelerate women’s achievement and advocate for increased participation of women in development and decision making.

She noted that the NCWD had empowered over 7000 women and youths with various skills and equipment and trained over 2000 women and girls in various skills through the Federal Government Post COVID-19 Programme. (NAN)

By Oluwafunke Ishola

Ms Beatrice Kallay, Head, Gender, Sierra Leone High Commission, Lagos, says women need to change the narrative from what they can get to what they can offer to increase their global impact.

Kallay, who is also the Consular/Liaison Officer at the Commission, made the assertion on Monday at a virtual panel discussion in commemoration of the International Women’s Day and the 2021 Commonwealth Day.

The programme was organised by the Commonwealth Business Women Network Nigeria (CBWN Nigeria) with the theme: “Choose to Challenge”.

The International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8, to seek help to forge a gender equal world, celebrating women’s achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality.

Also, the Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations, often held on second Monday in March.

Kallay urged women to strive to give their best in whatever positions they were occupying, saying that they should make a big difference to the world by doing their best.

According to her, women should be intentional, persistent and refuse to be intimidated by challenges they might encounter in their various endeavours.

She advised that everyone should understand and appreciate diversity by recognising the uniqueness of others, saying differences shouldn’t stop collaboration.

Also, Erelu Florida Okunowo, the Director, Nigerian Association of Indigenous Petroleum Explorers and Producers, urged the leaders to shun stereotyping and give position to people based on merit, irrespective of their genders.

Okunowo said that everyone should challenge inequalities, oppression and violence that limit women from exhibiting their God given talents in homes, organisations, businesses and society.

In her comments, Mrs Ngozi Oyewole, Vice Chairperson, CBWN Nigeria, said that for the first time in several years, the International Women’s Day and the Commonwealth Day were being celebrated on the same day.

Oyewole said that the 2021 theme was in alignment with the global support for women, achieving an equal future and within the broader Commonwealth nations.

“The theme celebrates the tremendous efforts by women around the world.

“It calls for women’s rights to decision making in all areas of life to build back better policies, local government, social, education, health and legal services, as well as ending all forms of violence against women and girls.

“CBWN Nigeria promotes the empowerment of women and girls to be key change agents as gender equality will drive the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“In CBNW Nigeria, we focus on SDG Goal Five- gender equality.

“We know that the Coronavirus pandemic had threatened to roll back the hard won efforts of reducing the barriers to women effective participation and leadership in public life.

“Globally, women remain significantly underrepresented in many aspects of decision making.

“However, the efforts of the few women at the helms of institution of highest level of decision making should be recognised and built upon,” the vice chairperson, CBWN said.

She said that supporting women’s contributions in the home, community, organisation, networks, regional and international levels would ultimately shape the future of the country.

Oyewole added that in commemoration of the International Women’s Day (IWD), CBWN Nigeria organised an essay competition inviting undergraduate girls in the universities to write on the theme for 2021 celebration.

She said that the competition had over 280 entries, with Miss Bolutife Afolabi emerging first; Miss Precious Oparanozie came second and Truth Nwabueze came third in the essay competition.

Oyewole said that the competition also sought to know the views of the undergraduates on a brave and courageous woman who challenged the norm to change the world, and inspire them to emulate such values. (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Monday confirmed that COVID -19 vaccines have been deployed and states would start receiving them on Monday.

Shuaib made the confirmation at the daily national briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that on March 2, 2021, the country took delivery of about four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as part of an overall 16 million doses planned to be delivered in batches over the next few months.

The vaccines are being provided by COVAX, an unprecedented global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

He said: “All things being equal, the delivery of the vaccines will be completed tomorrow.

“The delivery of the vaccines to the states is predicated on satisfactorily meeting the conditions to keep them safe and potent.

“’We are designating Vaccine Accountability Officers (VAOs) in the states and Local Government Areas (LGAs) to closely monitor the management and utilisation of the vaccines.

“These officers will also ensure retrieval of vaccine vials for proper disposal,

“Adequate provision has been made to deploy the COVID-19 vaccines to all states and vaccination sites where people will be vaccinated according to set priorities, beginning with the frontline health workers and other support staff,” he said.

The NPHCDC boss recalled that the agency officially launched its home grown T.E.A.C.H. strategy of electronic registration of citizens for the vaccination programme.

According to him, this is the first time in the immunisation programme that the target population will be pre-registered for efficient and orderly scheduling of date and time to receive the vaccine, which will be carried out in phases and pulses according to predetermined classifications.

He said that all persons that are 18-years and above, beginning with the frontline health workers and the elderly are therefore encouraged to register for the vaccination, through the COVID-19 vaccination e-registration portal available on the agency’s website (www.nphcda.gov.ng).

“In addition, the media and all stakeholders involved in this crucial public health intervention should do all they can to promote the e-registration under the Electronic Immunization Data Management Scheme.

“This is as this structure will be further deployed for future public health interventions”, he said.

Shuaib further said that the state launch of the COVID-19 vaccination for frontline health worker was slated for Tuesday at the treatment centers, barring any prevailing local conditions,

He said that most governors have agreed to flag-off on Wednesday, while the statewide rollout of COVID-19 vaccine would commence from March 12.

“It is expected that states will roll out vaccination only when LGAs have met the minimum criteria for successful conduct of the campaigns.

“Parameters such as training, cold chain status, preposition of data tools, availability of transport and logistics for healthcare workers as well as adequate security for vaccines should be the yardsticks for going ahead with implementation.

“Permit me to once again reiterate that an accountability mechanism has been activated in collaboration with the security agencies to check any anticipated sharp practices in the system.

“We also appeal for the continued alliance of the Civil Society Organisations in ensuring equity in the deployment of the vaccines to eligible population and any inquiry or complaints should be sent to vaccine.accountability@nphcda.gov.ng,” he said.