By Okeoghene Akubuike

A Clinical Psychologist, Dr Adedotun Ajiboye, says the Federal Government needs to implement policies and programmes that reduce tobacco consumption and protect citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke.

Ajiboye who works with the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He was speaking against the backdrop of the World No Tobacco Day 2024 marked annually on May 31 with the theme “Protecting Children from the Tobacco Industry Interference.”

Ajiboye said tobacco was one of the top single greatest causes of preventable deaths globally.

He said smoking could lead to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cancer of the lungs, larynx, and mouth pancreatic cancer; and hypertension.

Ajiboye said the Nicotine in cigarettes could lead to addiction or substance use disorder adding that tobacco was a significant cause of miscarriages among pregnant smokers.

“Tobacco can lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the fetal brain’s ability may be reduced when exposed to cigarettes.

“ Incidence of impotence is approximately 85 per cent higher in male smokers compared to male non – smokers.

He said smoking was a key factor in causing erectile dysfunction, adding that tobacco smoking led most commonly to disease affecting the heart , liver, lungs, etc.

“Based on the health effects revealed above, the government has a huge role to play in reducing preventable deaths caused by tobacco by implementing policies and programmes that reduce tobacco consumption.

“Also implementing policies that protect citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke.”

Ajiboye suggested some key roles of government to include tobacco taxation, by raising taxes on tobacco products to make them less affordable and reduce consumption.

He said the government should enact laws that prohibit smoking in public places, workplaces, and public transportation, and implement standards for tobacco products, such as warning labels and ingredient disclosure.

Ajiboye said that there should also be awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco use and providing resources and support for individuals trying to quit tobacco.

“There should be youth access restrictions by enacting laws to prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors.

“There should be monitoring and surveillance by the government through collection of data on tobacco use and related health effects to inform policy decisions.

“Regulation of tobacco advertising by restricting or banning tobacco advertising to prevent promotion to youth and others.”

He said the government should also support tobacco research by funding research on tobacco use and its health effects to inform policy and treatment development.

The clinical psychologist said the federal government should collaborate with other countries to share best practices and coordinate efforts to reduce global tobacco use.

“By taking these steps, the government can effectively reduce the health impacts of tobacco and protect citizens’ health.”

Ajiboye said World No Tobacco Day 2024 is a vital global event aimed at highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

He said this year’s theme emphasised  protecting children from the tobacco industry’s practices, ensuring a healthier future for the next generation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Kemi Akintokun

In a bid to ensure good menstrual hygiene among girls and women in Lagos state, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) distributed 6,000 sanitary pads to various communities.

Mrs Bolaji Dada, the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, disclosed this at a programme organised to commemorate the 2024 World Hygiene Day on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Menstrual Hygiene Day is commemorated yearly on May 29 to create awareness on the importance of good hygiene during menstruation.

Dada noted the importance of empowering women and girls by providing them with tools and knowledge they need to manage their period safely and confidently.

She explained that girls and women are faced with challenges due to lack of access to sanitary products, clean water and proper facilities, with consequences on their health, education and general wellbeing.

“As we come together to commemorate this day, it is imperative that we shine a light on this crucial issue that affects millions of women and girls around the world.

“This year’s theme, `Together for a Period Friendly World’, resonates deeply with our commitment to ensure that every girl child has access to resources and support they need to manage their menstruation with dignity and ease.

“Menstrual hygiene is not just a health issue; it is a matter of human rights, dignity and equality. Unfortunately, women around the world still face challenges in accessing menstrual products.

“We must work together to break taboos, beliefs and silence surrounding menstruation, provide reliable and affordable menstrual products to those in need and have access to information to manage their menstruation in a safe way.

“The 6,000 sanitary packs comprise a pack of pads, soaps and menstrual cycle calendar to aid girls and women to calculate their cycle,” she said.

She commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his unflinching support and commitment in empowering women in the state.

The Commissioner affirmed WAPA’s commitment to collaborate with other agencies and private organisations to enhance the status of women within the state.

Speaking also, Mrs Amaka Aniekwe, the representative of Amiga Sanitary Pad, urged government to reduce import duties and VAT on sanitary products to ensure affordability.

Aniekwe also advised girls and women to adopt good menstrual hygiene to avoid infections and other health related issue, describing menstruation as a natural biology process every woman should be proud of.

“It is still sad that some girls and women still suffer period poverty in this present time. There is need for government to reduce or remove excess taxation and VAT on sanitary products”.

Speaking also, Mrs Yemisi Kalesanwo, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, reaffirmed WAPA’s commitment to empowering more women in various acquisition skills.

NAN reports that some of the communities that benefited from the gesture included Isheri-Olowora in Berger, Agbalata market in Badagry, Ipedo market Ikeja and Ilaje community in Kosofe.

Others are Agbayi riverine community 1 and 2, Oko Agbon community in Kosofe, Isheri Grammer School in Berger among others. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Naomi Sharang

The Waterlight Save Initiative (WSI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has called for innovative solutions toward addressing the problem of water scarcity in Nigeria.

The President, WSI, Dr Ero Ibhafidon said this when he spoke an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that there was need for stakeholders to ensure sustainable water practice and innovative solutions to address water scarcity and other sustainable development goals challenges in the country.

He said WSI had been committed to ensuring that citizens had access to potable water as part of its vision over the years.

Ibhafidon said the NGO was granted the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Consultative Status for its commitment to sustainable water management and global water security.

“The ECOSOC Consultative Status provides NGOs with the opportunity to participate in UN deliberations and contribute to its mission of fostering international economic and social progress.

“With this status, Waterlight Save Initiative is now positioned to play a more prominent role in global policy discussions, advocating for sustainable water practices and innovative solutions.

“This is with the aim to address water scarcity and other sustainable development goals,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Aderogba George

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Thursday challenged parents on child protection in Kwali communities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, gave the charge at a one-day community dialogue and advocacy on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

She also urged parents not to shield perpetrators of SGBV, saying such act is a crime in the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

She added that “the Child Rights Act (CRA) is a strong law that protects children, their interest should take prominent place in the hearts of parents.

“Grievous cases of SGBV like rape, incest should not be covered, we must always learn to do the right thing in reporting these cases to law enforcement officers, or to NAPTIP.

“Preservation of evidence in these cases must be guided well so that NAPTIP can prosecute the matter, such offences are not allowed to be settled at the community level.

“Everybody must ensure victims are protected, while perpetrators are brought to book, settling grievous SGBV cases at the community level is doing injustice to the victim.

“NAPTIP has started sending strong messages to parents who try to shield perpetrators of SGBV cases, or hide evidence, it is a crime that attracts jail sentence.”

Mr Danladi Chiya, the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, pledged readiness to support NAPTIP in watching out for SGBV crimes.

Represented by Mr Mathew Yakubu, the acting Head of Social Welfare of the council, the chairman charged communities in Kwali to also support NAPTIP and report SGBV cases happening in the area.

Mr Mohammed Kwainanga, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), disclosed that a lot of SGBV cases are reported at the division, while blaming the various chiefs and parents on some of the rape cases happening in Kwali.

He said “we receive such complaints a lot, parents do compromised when it comes to reportage, this is not helping matters, parents in Kwali communities must wake up to their responsibilities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Kemi Akintokun

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) says there is need for  journalists  to improve their reporting and coverage of disability-inclusive justice issues.

According to it, equitable access to the justice system and a comprehensive review of legal processes to better serve persons with disabilities (PWD) is imperative.

Mr David Anyaele, Founder of CCD and the Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Disability Issues, spoke on Tuesday at a capacity building workshop for media practitioners with the theme, “Effective Reportage on Disability Inclusive Justice System”.

The training was organised with the support of VOICE.

The workshop is part of the implementation of the group’s project titled “Enhancing access to justice, democratic governance and promoting political participation among women, elderly and youths with disabilities in Nigeria “.

In his presentation on the topic: ‘Understanding Disability Rights and Advocacy’’, Anyaele said journalists need to understand the issues that affect PWDs  to enable sensitive and appropriate reportage of disability-issues.

Anyaele said that journalists need the right knowledge, using the right terminologies to produce quality reports about disability issues and rights.

He urged journalists to use their reports to advocate the rights of PWDs.

Ms Christiana Njoku, the Project Officer of CCD, also highlighted the need to build media capacity on how to report PWD issues using the correct terminology.

“When issues of PWDs regarding accessing justice is reported rightly, PWDs will be confident enough to come out to speak.

“So, the media should portray PWDs issues correctly such that media practitioners can make their reportage inclusive for PWDs.

“Media partitioned should be able to portray, and use the right technologies when it comes to portraying issues of PWD and when issues of PWD are portrayed,it should not be something that comes out once in a while,’’ Njoku said

She also urged the media to make stories of PWDs more visible in the media space especially issues facing PWDs in the area of justice.

While delivering her presentation on the topic: ‘Media Ethics and Responsibility in Disability-Inclusive Justice Reporting’, Ms Blessing Oladunjoye, Publisher of BONews Service, highlighted the need to mainstream disability-rights issues into topical issues in the newsrooms.

“It is important to spotlight issues regarding persons with disabilities, and also note that disability can be mainstreamed into topical issues.”

“If there is limited knowledge of disability issues it will be difficult for journalists to provide quality and indepth reportage of disability issues’’.

Oladunjoye urged journalists to be fair, balanced and accurate in their reports, avoiding stereotypes and biases.

“When reporting on disability-inclusive justice issues, it is important that the right stories get out there, and not sensationalism.

“We know the numerous challenges that exist when PWDs seek to access justice are cumbersome and could be frustrating, and our responsibility as journalists should be to promote accessibility in the process.”

Mrs Florence Austin, Finance/Admin Manager,CCD, asserted that PWDs have the right to access justice and such should be upheld.

“We expect media practitioners present at this training to prioritize issues of disability gap reportage as well as mainstreaming disability in their activities and programs to sensitize the general public.

“It is our mandate and we are interested in pursuing such an interest.

“CCD will not relent on what we are doing in promoting disability inclusion, the right of persons with disability and we are open to media collaboration, support and partnership.

“We are promoting right base approach and together we will all be able to build an inclusive society that doesn’t discriminate and doesn’t leave anyone behind but promotes inclusion and participation for all,” Austin said.

Miss Angela Okon, a participant, said the training had further enlightened her on current trends within the disabilities space.

According to her, she has learnt some terminologies she can use and those that can be sensitive.

She commended CCd for the initiative in championing issues on disabilities. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Kemi Akintokun

Dr Adedamola Dada, the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Metta in Lagos State, says the hospital has started giving specialised care to further expand its services to patients.

Dada, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday,
said the specialised care included laparoscopy and pin hole surgery.

NAN reports that laparoscopy is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis, using small incisions with the aid of a camera, while a pin hole surgery is a minimal invasive treatment for gum recession.

He said: “We have started some highly specialised care and services and one of it is the laparoscopy surgery.

“We also have the pin hole surgery.

“We sent some doctors to learn these techniques, and they are already back and they have been able to do many abdominal surgeries with very minimal pain and quick recovery.

“Usually when patients undergo surgery, the abdomen is open through incision but rather than doing that, we use technology to transmit the entire arrangements of the abdomen to a camera.

“A surgeon is able to operate on a patient through this technology and we have been able to do a lot of abdominal surgery with this technology.

“Some of the surgeries include appendicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometriosis, as done in other climes.”

On other strides the hospital achieved in the last one year, the medical director said the hospital is currently building a cancer centre to ensure more people have access to care.

He added that a new clinical building inaugurated in January had expanded the hospital’s bed space to 420 beds and also featured its In vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre.

“We are building a cancer centre which is going to be one of the best in West Africa; we have gone to the UK to do pre-shipment inspection of equipment so we can match specification with production.

“We have built the outpatient component of the cancer centre, the bunker is ongoing, and in a couple of months, Nigerians will have access to it and this will revolutionise cancer care in the country.

“We are in the stage of equipping our IVF centre and we also constructed our trauma ward within the one year of this present administration.”

According to the medical director,  the hospital is guided by the four key policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to achieve the feats in the last one year.

He said the policy centred on good governance, unlocking the value chain, health security and  strengthening the health sector.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Fitness and Wellness Experts have emphasised the crucial role of physical exercise in promoting mental health and balanced lifestyle.

They gave the advice during a Fitness and Wellness Awareness session, hosted by the FitMyke Fitness Foundation, in collaboration with Evolve 360 Gym in Abuja.

A guest speaker and health expert, Aisha Bubah, in her presentation, emphasised practical strategies for integrating exercise into everyday routines.

Bubah said that even small changes, like daily stretching or short workouts, could lead to significant improvements in overall mental health of an individual.

She encouraged the participants to make exercise a regular part of their lives.

Earlier, the founder of FitMyke Fitness Foundation, Michael Uwejeyan, had emphasised the importance of such initiatives in promoting a balanced lifestyle.

Uwejeyan said the goal was to create events that encouraged physical fitness and to also highlight the integral role of exercise in maintaining overall mental health.

“We are thrilled with the positive response and the level of engagement from our community.

“It is clear there is a strong desire to learn about the benefits of exercise for overall well-being, and we are committed to continuing these efforts to support our community’s health.”

“The foundation plans to offer follow-up sessions and additional resources to ensure ongoing support for its members and the broader community.

“This event marks a significant step towards promoting a more integrated approach to mental health and overall wellness, reinforcing the message that exercise is a key component of a balanced lifestyle.

“FitMyke Fitness Foundation has a longstanding history of organising health-related awareness programmes. Beyond this recent event, the Foundation has hosted awareness programmes for various health related issues, aiming to improve individual wellbeing,” he said.

The event featured a variety of activities designed to engage participants and highlight the importance of regular exercise.

Expert trainers led an invigorating workout session, demonstrating various techniques and routines that attendees could incorporate into their daily lives. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru