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Reps committee supports Plateau medical laboratory college upgrade

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Reps committee supports Plateau medical laboratory college upgrade

The House of Representatives Committee on Speciality Healthcare has promised to support speciality health colleges and institutions across the country to enable them to achieve the objectives which informed their establishment.

This was just as the committee hinted its support for the college’s upgrade to a full-fledged university.

The chairman of the Committee, Dr. Alex Egbona, made this known when he led members of the committee on oversight duties to the  Federal College of Medical Laboratory Scientist Technology in Jos, Plateau State on Monday.

Egbona who led members of his team to inspect facilities at the college as well as scrutinise the implementation of the 2023 Appropriations Act as approved by the National Assembly including capital projects implementation and expenditures, commended the college Provost, Prof. Sunday Etukudoh, for doing a great job in the institution

Speaking with journalists, the chairman said, “Having gone around on a tour of projects and facilities, we are impressed with what we saw, most especially the monocular and the basic science laboratories respectively and gave a good score to the provost, Prof. Etukudoh for his performance despite certain challenges which include poor funding to the College.”

The committee chairman who said they never believed such facilities like the FCMLST in Jos existed in Nigeria  added, “I believe the college should be upgraded to university status because the facilities are state-of-the-art and are all modern, and with such facilities.”

On the request made by the provost for more funding to complete capital projects, Egbona said, “We have discussed the need for more funding to the college. Besides the regular budget, there are provisions for special interventions which can be requested through us, the Speaker, and the ministry.

“We also advise engagement with the Plateau State governor since the institution is within the state and the state is the sole beneficiary of the college. So, we call on the state government to intervene here just like the governor’s intervention in the orthopaedic hospital which is a good example.”

He further assured the provost of the committee’s commitment to supporting the college with the requisite legislative frameworks and provisions needed to achieve its set objectives and mandate.

“Committee will make sure all releases meant for the college are released on time and see how the college budgetary allocation will be increased to enable the provost to complete some of the capital projects at the permanent site of the college at Lamingo”, he said.

He added that with the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities such as the monocular laboratory and the basic science laboratory at the permanent site, they will make sure that more funding is made to the college.

Also speaking to journalists, Etukudoh thanked the chairman and members of the committee for the commendation, saying it would encourage him to do more.

He added that the visit of the committee has been beneficial to the college.

He added, “The committee assessed the current situation of the college, identified deficiencies, and took responsibility for helping us secure additional funding and infrastructure. We are very grateful for their support

“Members of the committee are exemplary citizens who genuinely want the best for this country. Their suggestions and recommendations are very valuable, particularly for our molecular lab, which is one of the best in the country.

“We have taken note of all their valuable contributions. Their selfless input will be applied, adding to the renewed hope of Mr. President. When citizens have access to timely, affordable, precise, and accurate diagnostic services, it will greatly benefit everyone.”

US soldier pleads ‘partially’ guilty in Russian theft case

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US soldier pleads ‘partially’ guilty in Russian theft case

A US soldier held in Russia denied threatening a Russian woman with murder while also pleading “partially” guilty to theft in a court in the far eastern city of Vladivostok Monday.

Gordon Black was arrested in early May in Vladivostok, where he was visiting a Russian woman he met and dated while serving in South Korea.
He is the latest US citizen to be held in Russia.

The 34-year-old was detained after the woman, named by Russian media as Alexandra Vashuk, reported him to the police after an argument.

Russian media quoted Black as saying he was “partially guilty” of theft but that it was not premeditated, and that he was “not guilty” of allegedly threatening Vashuk with murder.

Vashuk had accused Black of allegedly stealing some 10,000 rubles (100 euros) from her and said he had physically attacked her.

Black said she had started an argument after drinking.

He said the pair met in October 2022 on the dating app Tinder in South Korea and had dated there, before Vashuk then invited him to come to Vladivostok.

He said he did not plan to take the money and intended to give it back, saying he took it because he could not access from Russia his money, held in a US bank.

The charges carry up to five years in prison.
Black has been kept in pre-trial detention since his arrest in May.

AFP.

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Decentralisation of minimum wage negotiation anti-workers -NANS

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Decentralisation of minimum wage negotiation anti-workers -NANS

The National Association of Nigerian Students on Saturday condemned the call made by a former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi advocating for the decentralisation of minimum wage.

Fayemi had last week said that states should be allowed to have separate negotiations with labour on new minimum wage.

The NANS, National Clerk of the Senate, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, in a statement on Monday, described such call as “anti-workers”

The Federal Government and labour unions have been locked up in negotiations over a new minimum wage for months. While the labour insists on N250,000, the government is offering N62,000.

Fayemi in an interview last week had advocated for a decentralised minimum wage negotiation, arguing that states should determine what they can pay factoring in their peculiarities.

But, NANS while reacting to Fayemi’s statement called on the FG to ignore the former governor and rather compel the state governors to implement the new minimum wage if signed into law.

Odunayo described Fayemi’s statement as “uncalled for and capable of setting the governors against the FG.

“We want to urge the Federal Government to ignore former Governor Kayode Fayemi and his call for a decentralised minimum wage negotiation with the labour.

“In fact, we want the federal government to compel state governors to pay the new minimum wage if signed into law and mete out serious sanction and punishment to any state governor who defaults in the payment of the new minimum wage.

“It is dangerous and unproductive to allow state governors to determine what they can pay as minimum wage. This can spell doom for Nigeria and set the governors against the Federal government,” Odunayo said.

Meanwhile, NANS, under the leadership of Pedro Obi has backed the labour unions for demanding better pay as minimum wage.

The students’ body promised not to relent in giving every necessary support and encouragement to President Tinubu’s administration towards restoring the lost glory of the country and providing conducive conditions for every Nigerian to thrive

NANS insisted that, both the federal and state governments must prioritise workers’ welfare and implement policies that would improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

Homes are bleeding, Methodist Archbishop tells Tinubu

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Homes are bleeding, Methodist Archbishop tells Tinubu

The Metropolitan and Archbishop of Abuja Methodist Church, His Grace, Most Revd Michael Akinwale, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to address the economic hardships facing Nigerians, saying homes in the country are “bleeding”.

The Cleric made the appeal during the 2024 Men’s Work Week/Father’s Day Thanksgiving Service at the Methodist Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Abuja on Sunday.

The Archbishop called on Tinubu to take decisive actions to address the hardship, stressing, a lot of Nigerians were suffering.

“A lot of homes are bleeding at this time. The government should do everything they can to cushion the effect of this battered economy,” he implored.

He highlighted the high costs of living, which, according to him, has placed basic necessities beyond the reach of the common man.

“This is part of our Divine responsibilities as men. But the truth is that we know that we are equally being challenged by the economy.

“One thing we need to understand is that God is our provider. He is the one who has the ability to provide for us.

“As long as we are resolutely determined as a father to meet our responsibility, God will always make a way for us.

“To our president, I want him to understand that a lot of home is bleeding at this time.

“The commoners are really complaining. The government should block every conduit pipe where our resources are being drained at the expense of the masses,” he said.

Speaking on the theme “Arise and Build,” the Clergy emphasised the critical role of fathers in the home and the nation.”

“President Tinubu’s led government should do everything they can to cushion the effects of this battered economy. It is becoming very difficult to maintain the family, now, because almost everything has skyrocketed.

“It is far beyond the reach of the common man. As the father of the nation, we want to use this Father’s Day to appeal to the President passionately, to address the challenges.

“We understand that the administration is trying to entrench the stability of the economy, but the effect is really telling on the masses,” he said.

Quoting from the Holy Book of Colossians 3:19, the Cleric urged men to love and provide for their families, notwithstanding the economic pressures.

“God is our provider. As long as we are resolutely determined as fathers to meet our responsibilities, God will always make a way for us,” he said.

(NAN)

Saudi Arabia warns of heatwave after 2,700 exhaustion cases

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Saudi Arabia warns of heatwave after 2,700 exhaustion cases

Saudi Arabia on Monday warned of a temperature spike in Mecca as Muslim pilgrims wrapped up the hajj in searing conditions, with more than a dozen heat-related deaths confirmed.

One of the world’s largest religious gatherings unfolded during the oven-like Saudi summer again this year, and authorities recorded more than 2,700 cases of “heat exhaustion” on Sunday alone, the health ministry said.

On Monday temperatures were forecast to go as high as 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city where pilgrims were circling the Kaaba, and in nearby Mina, where others were throwing stones at three concrete walls — a ritual known as “stoning the devil” that is the last major step of the hajj.

“The holy sites today record the highest temperatures since the beginning of hajj… with a degree that may reach 49 degrees Celsius, and we advise the guests of God not to be exposed to the sun,” the health ministry said, according to the state-affiliated Al-Ekhbariya channel.

Jordan’s foreign ministry said on Sunday that 14 Jordanian pilgrims had died “after suffering sunstroke due to the extreme heat wave”, and that 17 others were “missing”.

Iran reported the deaths of five pilgrims but did not specify the cause, while Senegal’s foreign ministry said that three others had died.

The Saudi health ministry announced 2,764 cases of heat exhaustion on Sunday due to sun exposure and “non-compliance with guidelines”, which include taking shelter from the sun during the hottest times of day in the afternoon.

“Prevention is the most important, and the commitment of pilgrims not to go out at peak times except when necessary, or to use an umbrella, would reduce the incidence of heat exhaustion,” the statement said.

“Our health guidelines for the coming days are clear and easy: carry an umbrella, drink water regularly, and avoid exposure to the sun.”

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims with the means must perform it at least once.

According to Saudi authorities, this year’s hajj drew around 1.8 million pilgrims, 1.6 million of them from abroad.

Hosting the hajj is a source of prestige for the Saudi royal family, and King Salman’s title includes “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” in Mecca and Medina.

AFP

American Journalist’s trial in Russia set for June 26

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American Journalist’s trial in Russia set for June 26

US journalist Evan Gershkovich will go on trial on espionage charges in Russia’s Urals city of Yekaterinburg behind closed doors on June 26, the court overseeing the process said on Monday.

The Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested in March 2023 while on a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg and has been held in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo prison since.

He became the first Western journalist since the Soviet era to be arrested for spying in Russia.

Last week, Russia’s prosecutor general accused him of working for the CIA and “collecting secret information” about tank maker Uralvagonzavod in the Sverdlovsk region where he was arrested.

The United States said the charges had “zero credibility” and the Wall Street Journal slammed Russia’s announcement as “outrageous”.

Moscow had not previously provided any public details of its case against Gershkovich, saying only that he was “caught red-handed”.

On Monday, the Sverdlovsk regional court handling the case said in a statement that the trial would start on June 26 and be held behind closed doors.

The 32-year-old faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

Gershkovich, his family, his employer and Washington have denied all charges against him since the start, insisting that the outgoing journalist was just simply doing his job.

“Evan Gershkovich is facing a false and baseless charge. Russia’s latest move toward a sham trial is, while expected, deeply disappointing and still no less outrageous,” the Journal’s chief editor Emma Tucker and top executives said in a statement.

Washington last year declared Gershkovich “wrongfully detained”, which effectively means the White House regards him as a political hostage.

“We have been clear from the start that Evan has done nothing wrong. He should never have been arrested in the first place,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists last week.

“The charges against him are false, and the Russian government knows that they are false. He should be released immediately,” he added.

Washington has accused Moscow of arresting its citizens on baseless charges to use them as bargaining chips to secure the release of Russians convicted abroad.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in February he would like to see Gershkovich freed as part of a prisoner exchange and that talks were ongoing.

But Putin made clear he wanted any deal to involve the release of a Russian jailed in Germany for killing a Chechen dissident.

The Kremlin again said Monday there was “contact” with the US on a possible exchange involving Gershkovich.

“But they (talks) need to be held in total silence,” its spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Among other US nationals detained in Russia is reporter Alsu Kurmasheva, detained last year for failing to register as a “foreign agent”. Her employers denounced the case against her as politically motivated.

Former US marine Paul Whelan, in prison in Russia since 2018 and serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges, is also pushing to be included in any future prisoner exchange.

At Lefortovo prison, Gershkovich, who had worked for Agence France-Presse before joining The Wall Street Journal, shares a small cell with another inmate.

Born in the United States to Soviet emigre parents, the outgoing Gershkovich is a well-known member of the Moscow press corps, so well-liked and known for his conviviality that many of his friends have quipped since his detention that he had probably befriended his guards.

AFP

IITA, US Soy renew partnership

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IITA, US Soy renew partnership

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture has announced its renewed partnership with Soy Excellence Center, a United States soy programme to attain food security in Nigeria.

In a statement gleaned from its website posted on Friday when the US Soy programme recently paid a courtesy visit to its headquarters in Ibadan, IITA said the partnership plays a vital role in addressing food security in Nigeria and across Africa.

The IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, said, “The institute’s vibrant research history has consistently contributed to Africa’s agricultural and food systems. Its pivotal role in addressing food insecurity in Nigeria and across Africa has made it possible to build partnerships that have advanced its cause over five decades.

Speaking with the Soy Excellence Center team during the visit, Ehui said, “IITA-CGIAR has leveraged its proximity to Nigeria’s premier university to strategically foster collaborations with academic institutions and other partners while aiming for a food-secure continent.

“We need to consistently be on our toes to evolve and work with national programs to avoid duplication and overlapping activities. We need to partner and work together to ensure the goal of delivering technologies derived from our research,” DG Ehui said.

The Soy Excellence Center team led by Michael David, while speaking about the partnership said, “This significant milestone, which led to IITA becoming a host partner for the Soy Excellence Center in the soybean programme, has been instrumental in advancing soybean research and development.

While discussions centred on capacity building and potential areas for further research collaboration, DG Ehui expressed IITA-CGIAR’s openness to expanding partnerships and welcoming interested parties committed to achieving food security.

IITA-CGIAR Soybean Breeder Abush Abebe elaborated on IITA’s efforts in technical backstopping and developing improved soybean varieties tailored for tropical climates,” Abebe said IITA-CGIAR’s research is focused on improving food security and smallholder farmers’ livelihood. Our breeding efforts in soybean has contributed significantly to food systems on the continent,” he added.

US woman wrongly convicted of murder freed after 43 years in prison

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US woman wrongly convicted of murder freed after 43 years in prison

A 63-year-old Missouri woman, Sandra “Sandy” Hemme, who was imprisoned for more than 40 years for murder, has had her conviction overturned after spending 43 years in prison for a murder she did not commit.

According to the Foreign news outlet, The Guardian, on Sunday, Hemme was convicted in 1985 based on her incriminating statements, made while she was a psychiatric patient.

However, a judge has now ruled that there is “clear and convincing” evidence that she was innocent of the crime.

Hemme, now 63, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the 1980 murder of a library worker, Patricia Jeschke, in St Joseph, Missouri, after Hemme made statements to the police incriminating herself while she was a psychiatric patient.

Livingston County Circuit Judge Ryan Horsman on Friday ruled that “evidence directly” ties the murder of Jeschke to a local police officer who later went to prison for another crime and has since died.

The judge said that Hemme who has spent the last 43 years behind bars, must be freed within 30 days unless prosecutors decide to re-try her.

The judge’s decision followed a January hearing where Hemme’s legal team presented evidence linking the murder to Michael Holman, a former local police officer who has since passed away.

Hemme’s conviction was the longest-known wrongful conviction of a woman in US history.

Her legal team, with the Innocence Project, argued that authorities ignored Hemme’s contradictory statements and failed to disclose evidence that would have helped her defence.

Her attorneys in a statement said, “We are grateful to the Court for acknowledging the grave injustice Ms Hemme has endured for more than four decades.”

Hemme initially pleaded guilty to capital murder to avoid the death penalty, but her conviction was later overturned on appeal.

She was retried in 1985, with the only evidence against her being her contradictory and factually impossible “confession” made while she was a psychiatric patient.

In a 147-page petition, her attorneys seeking her exoneration argued that authorities had ignored these inconsistencies.

At the time, 20-year-old Hemme was undergoing treatment for auditory hallucinations, de-realization, and drug use. Her attorneys noted that she had a history of inpatient psychiatric care, having spent most of her life in treatment since the age of 12.

Lagos Health Commissioner warns of highly aggressive, contagious cholera strain

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Lagos Health Commissioner warns of highly aggressive, contagious cholera strain

Prof Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Health Commissioner, has announced that tests have confirmed the recent disease outbreak in the state is due to cholera, and the identified strain is highly aggressive and contagious.
Abayomi stated on his X page on Monday that the identified strain has the potential for widespread dissemination.
The commissioner noted that through community-based case finding and contact tracing, the number of cases has peaked and is now declining.
He wrote, “Cholera Confirmation: Laboratory tests have confirmed that the outbreak is due to cholera. The identified strain is highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.”
“The geographical distribution of suspected cases by Local Government Area showed that Lagos Island is the epicenter of the outbreak with 106 cases, followed by Kosofe with 49; Eti-Osa with 38; Lagos Mainland with 30; Ojo with 17; Ikorodu with 16; Shomolu with 11; Surulere with nine; Apapa with eight; Mushin with eight; Ifako Ijaiye with eight; Alimosho with four; Ajeromi-Ifelodun with four; Oshodi-Isolo with three; Ikeja with three; Ibeju Lekki with two; Badagry with two; and Amuwo-Odofin with one.”
Abayomi added that, “350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple LGAs in Lagos State, with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation.”
Lagos Health Commissioner warns of highly aggressive, contagious cholera strain

Mbah congratulates Rangers for winning NPFL title

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Mbah congratulates Rangers for winning NPFL title

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has congratulated Rangers International Football Club of Enugu for winning the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title with a game to spare.

The congratulatory message followed the team’s 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance Football Club at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on Sunday.

A 33rd-minute goal by Kenechukwu Agu and a 65th-minute goal by Chidiebere Nwobodo handed the Fidelis Ilechukwu-tutored lads their eighth league title and their second since 2016.

Their closest rivals, Remo Stars and Enyimba Football Club, lost their match-day 37 fixtures 1-2 each against Sunshine Stars and Sporting Lagos.

This left the Flying Antelopes with a 67-point lead with a game to go.

Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Mbah said Rangers’ title win and display on the pitch were clear exciting reenactments of the greatness Enugu State was known for.

He assured that his government would commit more resources toward sports development in the state.

“I can tell you that the government and people of Enugu State are very excited. What we have witnessed here this evening is the reenactment of the greatness that Enugu is known for.

“Part of what I said to the players before the match started was that they had the weight of history on their shoulders because they were walking the path legends had walked and that it was incumbent on them to deliver.

“I’m so excited again that this has happened.

“Indeed, our tomorrow is here. It is again part of connecting the dots in the sports sector. As you already know, we want to be number one in everything we do.

“So, we have zero tolerance for failure or mediocrity and our work ethic is impeccable,” Mbah said.

He said the state would continue on that trajectory, making sure that they had a good reward system, motivating the players to go all out and bring back the trophy.

On sports infrastructure, he said, “You would attest to the fact that getting our pitch back in shape immediately after we assumed office to enable Rangers to play their home matches here at The Cathedral was a huge motivation for the players.

“But I want to assure Enugu people that they have not seen anything yet. As you are aware, our goal is a total turnaround of the sports industry in the state.

“This includes the sports infrastructure, building world-class facilities and upgrading existing ones to a world-class standard.”

NAN

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