Nigeria – KMAUPDATES

Sep82020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: Lives Resumed by Education – The Second-Chance Education for Women and Girls in Nigeria

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PARIS, France, September 7, 2020/ -- Aqsa Dajani (alias for confidentiality) just finished listening to a radio session on literacy in her home compound at Yola South, Adamawa State of Nigeria; she is a beneficiary of the second-change education activity organized by the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative: Eliminating Violence against Women and Girls. The rape experience of her elder sister left a crushing influence on Aqsa, leaving her to believe that women neither have rights nor access to instruments to protect those rights. "Sincerely, listening to this radio program plays a vital role especially to us – women and girls who stay at home idly. [Thanks to this programme,] I was able to read and write and also [sic] it educates me to know my rights as a woman which I did not know before." Aqs...

Aug262020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: UNICEF Nigeria launches animation to engage children on COVID-19 prevention

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ABUJA, Nigeria -- To help children understand how to protect themselves and their families from the coronavirus, UNICEF Nigeria launched a COVID-19 prevention animation project on International Youth Day 2020. The 90-second animated video – created by young people themselves - brings to life in a fun way the importance of handwashing, physical distancing and face mask wearing for children.“By using simple language and creating relatable characters, we hope to help children grasp how to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” said Eliana Drakopoulos, Chief of Communication at UNICEF Nigeria. “Animated videos are engaging for children and can teach them practices that make their communities safer. What makes this even more exciting is that the video was conceived b...

Aug232020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

To implement Emergency Medical System & Ambulance Scheme (NEMSAS), Dr. Osagie Ehanire sets up Committee of Guild of Medical Directors, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) to synergize with Federal Government (FG)

HEALTH

ABUJA, Nigeria, August 22, 2020/ -- The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has set up a Committee to implement the National Emergency Medical System and Emergency Ambulance Scheme (NEMSAS) after the recent approval of the project by the National Council on Health. The Committee, the Honourable said will ensure that the assets and resources of the private sector are pulled to complement those of the Federal Government to bring about NEMSAS since according to him, the project is all “about public service” and that the assets and funds at the disposal of the Government cannot implement this very needed project that could be found elsewhere but in Nigeria: “We can’t set up NEMSAS relying on Government assets. We want to use all assets available – public and priva...

Aug122020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

NIGERIA: “Wellness On Wheels” initiative to provide diagnostic & treatment for COVID-19, TB and other life-threatening diseases

HEALTH

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), August 12, 2020/ -- “Wellness On Wheels” a.k.a "WOW Truck" reaches remote areas in northern Nigeria with much-needed essential health services.This Kaduna State Government, KNCV Tuberculosis F. & World Health Organization (WHO) initiative provides diagnostic & treatment for COVID-19, TB & other life-threatening diseases.

Aug122020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

NIGERIA: Subject your research discoveries to regular procedural checks, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora charges claimants to COVID-19 Herbal Mixture

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ABUJA, Nigeria, August 12, 2020/ -- The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora has charged claimants to herbal COVID-19 cure solutions to follow due process by enlisting such to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and further to clinical trials with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD).Dr. Mamora gave this charge when Bella Sahara Limited, approached the Honourable Minister with a view to getting recognition for its herbal organic therapy which it called Odilimenvir Organic Therapy Cellular and Immune Bolstering solution on Tuesday, 11th August, 2020.Having listened to the presentation by Bella Sahara Limited, the Honourable Minister first commended the efforts of the drug research for com...

Aug62020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: Going mobile to combat misinformation, including on breastfeeding

HEALTH

Nearly one million Nigerians in Enugu receive direct messages on COVID-19 prevention and breastfeeding ABUJA, Nigeria, August 6, 2020/ -- In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation about the nature of the disease and what needs to be done to avoid it is rife. Some of the misinformation circulating is about breastfeeding. Mothers who wish to practice it are confused. Perhaps surprisingly, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria is low - one of the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa. Even before the pandemic, 70 percent of Nigerian infants were not being breastfed – thereby missing out on the potentially lifesaving protection provided by exclusive breastfeeding.Misinformation about COVID-19 has now been added to the mix of factors impeding exclusive breastfeeding.Like...

Aug62020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: Launches COVID-19 Online Course on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

HEALTH

ABUJA, Nigeria, August 6, 2020/ -- Nigeria Launches COVID-19 Online Course on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has launched a course on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), in the context of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This online course is available to the general public but targeted at health care workers, to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases while administering health care in Nigeria.As at 03 July 2020, a total of 27,564 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 628 deaths have been recorded by NCDC. Additionally, as at 02 June 2020, about 812 health care workers have been infected in-country with over 230,000 infected globally.The national strategy in response to COVID-19 has been multifaceted....

Aug42020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – North East Nigeria: COVID-19 Point of Entry Dashboard

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GENEVA, Switzerland, August 4, 2020/ -- OVERVIEW IOM DTM in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the state Ministry of Health have been conducting monitoring of individuals moving into Nigeria's conflict-affected northeastern states of Adamawa and Borno under pillar four (Points of entry) of COVID 19 preparedness and response planning guidelines. During the period 1 to 31 July 2020, 1,107 movements were observed at Forty Eight Points of Entries in Adamawa and Borno states. Of the total movements recorded, 311 were incoming from Extreme-Nord, 54 from Nord, 6 from Centre in Cameroon and 30 from N’Djamena in Chad republic. A total of 401 Incoming movements were observed at Twenty Four Points of Entries. A range of data was collected during the assessment to bet...

Aug12020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire Joins National Coordinator, PTF on COVID-19, Others to Receive 2nd Batch Medical Supplies Purchased with UN Basket Fund for COVID-19 Response

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ABUJA, Nigeria, August 1, 2020/ -- The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Friday, 31st July, 2020 joined the National Coordinator of Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu at the Cargo Section of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to receive medical supplies from EU contributions worth N26 Billion. Mr. Alexander Borges - Gomes, the Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria who coordinated the handing over of the Medical Supplies, disclosed that the items were procured through the One United Nations COVID-19 Basket Fund from a significant contribution from the European Union of €50 Million (N26 Billion). The medical supplies include 500,000 face shields; 200,000 goggles; 100 oro-pharyngeal airways; 10,000 bio-hazard ba...

Jul302020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

AFRICA: Two planes collide at Lagos International Airport

AFRICA

There was chaos at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, after two airplanes collided on Wednesday. An Airbus A330-243 owned by Middle East Airlines with registration number OD-MEA, ran into a Boeing 777 airplane with registration number TC-LJC operated by Turkish Airlines. The Middle East airbus ran into the Turkish cargo flight, which was parked at the international airport apron, according to the Daily Sun. The Turkish cargo plane was said to be parked at the tarmac when the MEA airbus which was taxiing ran into it. The plane had to disembark its passengers who were already on board. Earlier this week, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, spoke about the efforts of the federal government towards the resumption of internat...

Jul302020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

OPEC-Nigeria Talks Discuss Market Recovery After Covid-19

AFRICA

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 30, 2020,/ -- The OPEC-Nigeria Bilateral Meeting that took place last week has sent yet another signal of the strong dialogue and cooperation between OPEC and Africa’s biggest producing country. Such a dialogue is key for compliance with the OPEC global production cuts deal of April, to which all of OPEC’s African member countries have agreed to. Nigeria’s support to global market stability and energy cooperation is significant and gives confidence to operators and future investors seeking to do business in West Africa.“African producers and service companies are the hardest hit when there is volatility in the market. H.E. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo and Dr. Ayed S. Al-Qahtani leading these discussions sends a strong message that collaboration and sticking...

Jul292020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

AFRICA: Nigeria to Boost Support for Keeping Adolescent Girls in School

AFRICA

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, July 29, 2020/ -- The World Bank Board of Directors approved today a $500 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA)* for the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), whose goal is to improve secondary education opportunities among girls in targeted areas.Adolescent girls face many constraints in accessing and completing secondary education. In northern Nigeria, the lack of secondary schools is significantly greater with up to ten primary schools for every secondary school. Poor condition of infrastructure and a lack of water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities makes it difficult for girls to stay in school. In addition, close to 80 percent of poor households are in the north, which makes it ...

Jul292020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

SPORTS: Exciting Finish As 2020 Nigerian Freestyle Football Champions Emerge in Virtual Freestyle UNLOCKED Games

Sports

LAGOS, Nigeria, July 28, 2020/ -- This year’s Nigerian Freestyle Football Championship came to an exciting finish on Saturday, July 25, 2020 with Benjamin Ebong, and Augustina Unamba, both reigning champions, emerging as the winners of the keenly contested games, which held online.Feet ‘N’ Tricks International (www.FeetAndTricks.com), the largest promoter of Freestyle Football in Africa, hosted the games as part of the on-going Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020, which is the virtual version of the annual African Freestyle Football Championship.The finals of the virtual games streamed live on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram with eight athletes contesting to be the Nigerian freestyle football champion.While speaking at the opening ceremony of the championship, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, the chairma...

Jul282020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

ENTETAINMENT: Police drops D’Banj rape allegations investigation

Entertainment

Police in Nigeria say they have dropped the investigation into a rape allegation made against popular Nigerian musician D’Banj. “[It] was discontinued as there was no substantial evidence to prove the allegation of rape against the suspect,” Police spokesperson, Umar Sanda, was quoted as saying by local media. D’banj, whose real name is Oladapo Oyebanjo, was accused by a woman, Seyitan Babatayo, of raping her in 2018 in a hotel in Lagos. He denied the allegation. The police statement came a day after Ms Babatayo had said she had no intention of pursuing the case any further after a meeting with D’Banj’s representatives. She said the decision to resolve the issue with the musician was made by her and her family and that she really wants “peace”. Many people were outraged ...

Jul262020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: Use of RDT Kits for COVID-19 Test is Illegal in Lagos – Abayomi

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LAGOS, Nigeria, July 26, 2020/ -- The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi has reiterated that the use of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Kits for COVID-19 testing in Lagos remains illegal until the State can validate that the kits actually work. Abayomi stated this at a news briefing on COVID-19Lagos Response, explaining that RDT kits have a very high risk of giving false positive or negative results which could be traumatising for citizens. “In the event that a false-positive result is given, a potentially negative person will be subjected to trauma, isolation and treatment like a positive patient. And in the event that a false negative is given, a potentially positive person is allowed to continue to roam freely in the community regardless of his positive statu...

Jul262020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Madagascar drug treats cough not COVID-19, Ehanire discloses while advising healthy foods with right nutrients to build immunity

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ABUJA, Nigeria, July 26, 2020/ -- The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Ehanire has disclosed that the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development {NIPRD) has shared its final report on the evaluation of the COVID Organics from Madagascar. “The initial report had showed that its main ingredient is the same as Artemisia anua, while the preparation at high dose showed activity in reducing the frequency of cough, it did not show any evidence that it has real curative properties against COVID-19. However, we shall continue to support all genuine efforts towards finding local COVID 19 cures. The Honourable Minister disclosed this at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Press Briefing held on Monday, 23rd July, 2020. He revealed that the ThisDay Dome Isolation Center h...

Jul242020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

AFRICA: 11 Christians killed in latest attack in Nigeria

AFRICA

Eleven Christians were killed in an attack on a village in Kaduna state, north-western Nigeria, on Monday. Around 50 armed Fulani herdsmen invaded the village of Gora Gan at around 7pm on Monday evening and set houses on fire, according to Rev Isaac Ango Makama, of the Christian Association of Nigeria. Seven other Christians were injured and are being treated in hospital but many others are missing, Morning Star News reports. Hundreds of Christians are taking refuge at a camp for displaced people as a result of the violence. Ezekiel James, a camp official told the website: "They are Christians who escaped the attack against Gora Gan village and other villages in the past few days. These internally displaced Christians are in dire need of food items...

Jul232020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Feet ‘N’ Tricks International Extends Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020; Announces New Dates For Finals

Sports

LAGOS, Nigeria, July 23, 2020/ -- Feet ‘N’ Tricks International (www.FeetAndTricks.com), the organisers of the Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020 has announced that it would be extending its on-going virtual freestyle football championship. Valentine Ozigbo, the Chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, in a press statement on Friday, July 17, 2020 revealed that there would be a Nigerian Championships for the competition which was originally slated to close on Sunday, July 19, 2020. Valentine Ozigbo, the Chairman of Feet 'N' Tricks International, pictured during a press briefing in Victoria Island, Lagos in June 2020. “We are impressed with the intensity of engagement with our platform by freestylers across the continent,” Mr. Ozigbo said. “We have received entries for the competit...

Jul222020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigerian Afropop star Yemi Alade joins UNDP’s call for urgent action to protect those hit hardest by COVID-19 surge

Entertainment

NEW YORK, United States of America, July 22, 2020/ -- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined by key voices in international development, reiterates the importance of protecting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people hit hardest by the socio-economic impact of COVID-19. This call comes under the auspices of the 2020 UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in the event “Half the World: The Many Faces of Social Protection”. Half the world refers to 55 percent of the world’s population that are not covered by social insurance or social assistance, according to ILO data. Joining the event from Lagos, Nigeria, globally acclaimed Afropop star Yemi Alade shone a spotlight on those suffering the direst consequences of the pandemic, such as young wome...

Jul212020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 exacerbates poor access to healthcare

HEALTH

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 21, 2020/ -- In Nigeria, poor access to healthcare has been exacerbated by COVID-19 and when a pandemic like COVID-19 takes up much of the Ministry of Health resources, this means that other activities like vaccinations against preventable diseases have been deprioritised. “For me personally, I am so worried about Nigeria. It is a huge country with huge population. It is the most populous country in Africa with over 200 million people. In places where we work, there is poor access to healthcare and it’s really prone to outbreaks of measles, meningitis and under malnutrition,” says Mark Sherlock, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Health Advisor for Nigeria. In northwest Nigeria MSF is concerned about a possible measles outbreak which is evolving, and with t...