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COVID-19 can affect male fertility, research shows

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COVID-19 can affect male fertility, research shows

A new study by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has discovered potential impacts COVID-19 can have on male fertility and sexually transmitted diseases.

Researchers looked at tissue from autopsies of six men who died from the COVID-19 infection and found the virus was still in their testicles.

They also found COVID-19 in the testicles of a 28-year-old male patient who had the coronavirus and recovered without showing symptoms.

“We also identified the presence of the virus in a man who underwent a testes biopsy for infertility but had a previous history of COVID-19,” said Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, an associate professor and director of reproductive urology at the Miller School.

“So the patient tested negative and was asymptomatic after having COVID-19 but still showed the presence of the virus inside the testes. The finding is novel, remarkable, and certainly worthy of further exploration,” added Dr. Ramasamy.

The study went on to question how much of the virus is needed to be present in the testes to be detected in semen, and which can be sexually transmitted.

“I’m fairly certain, just like mumps, about 20 to 30% of men are going to have some sort of affected fertility in their future,” Dr. Ramasamy said.

More research must be conducted in order to fully understand how testis tissue responds to COVID-19, but this current study is a step forward in better understanding the virus.

Dr. Ramasamy recommended that men of all ages who had COVID-19 and are suffering from testicular pain, should see a urologist.

“Testicular pain along with other symptoms could be a sign that COVID-19 has entered the testis, and if men are thinking about fertility and/or low testosterone either at present or in the future, they should get their testosterone levels evaluated with a blood test and sperm parameters evaluated with a semen analysis,” according to Dr. Ramasamy.

Rescue mission underway for malnourished lion in Kaduna zoo

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Rescue mission underway for malnourished lion in Kaduna zoo

A wildlife charity has begun a mission to rescue a malnourished lion and other ‘underfed’ animals in a zoo in Kaduna. 

The animals were discovered by a foreigner during a visit to Gamji Gate zoo.

“The first moment I saw the animal I felt shocked,” the man, who wishes to remain unnamed said. “I was so surprised. I felt so nervous and uneasy because it was my first time seeing a lion live.

“Like this is my first time in a zoo. I virtually saw them in movies, news and magazines. Actually, most of the animals in the zoo are not well-fed. They lack proper treatment or let me say malnutrition”.

Disturbed by the scene, the man recorded his findings and quickly contacted the animal welfare charity WildatLife.e.V to assist in the rescue of the lion.

wildlife.e.V is working alongside the Nigerian Association of Zoological parks which has assisted them in finding a wildlife vet and informing the authorities, who are investigating the matter urgently.

A spokesperson said: “The vet was sent and gave medical assistance to the lion but he will require further treatment which NGO WildatLife will pay for.

“We are awaiting the full vet diagnosis and report into how and why this has been allowed to happen.

“Zaki is now receiving medical care and it will be an ongoing case.

“If Zaki survives this ordeal, our NGO has offered to relocate him to a sanctuary that will see him thrive.

“But in his now critical condition, it is not viable to relocate him, we must work closely with the Nigerian officials to have this matter dealt with internally”.

Border Closure: Dangote kicks, says other companies granted waiver

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Border Closure: Dangote kicks, says other companies granted waiver

The management of Dangote Group says it is not the only company granted sole approval to export cement through the land borders.

In a statement Tuesday, the company said it was not the only company enjoying such privilege to move goods through the land borders.

TheNigerian News had reported how facts emerged on Monday that despite the border closure policy put in place, the Nigerian government had allowed Dangote Cement to resume cement export across its land borders.

According to Bloomberg, the Federal Government gave its authorization for Africa’s biggest producer to export cement to Niger and Togo in the third quarter for the first time in ten months.

The revelations were made by Michel Puchercos, chief executive officer of Dangote Cement, on an investor call in Lagos.

However, in reaction, the Group Chief, Branding and Communications, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, said the report is misleading and mischievous because it focused only on Dangote Cement as the sole beneficiary of the partial special dispensation.

“Dangote Cement is a publicly quoted company and complies strictly with the Securities & Exchange Commission(SEC) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) full disclosure clauses and regularly update transparently our transactions to our shareholders and it is disheartening that such honest disclosure is being interpreted negatively,” he said in a statement Tuesday.

The statement said Dangote Cement and other companies in July 2020, got partial special dispensation to export their products with certain sequence of crossing at Ilela land border in Sokoto State and Ohumbe land border in Ogun State.

“Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement, Michel Puchercos, in his presentation on investor call held this week explained that the company is continuously focused on exporting cement to West and Central Africa by sea through its export terminals,” the statement said.

“He added that six vessels of clinker were exported in the third quarter of 2020 via the Apapa export terminal, while plans are on track to commission the Port Harcourt export terminal before the end of this year.

“For the quarter, Dangote Cement exported only 69 kilotonnes of cement via the land borders, compared to previous volumes of 180 kilotonnes before the border closures, which indicates just 38 per cent of the export volumes.”

Nigerian Army Announces Dates for SSC, DSSC Pre-Selection Exams

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Nigerian Army Announces Dates for SSC, DSSC Pre-Selection Exams

The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to inform the general public that the Computer Based Pre-Selection Examination for Short Service Combatant 47/2020 (SSC 47) and Direct Short Service Commission 26/2020 (DSSC 26) will hold on Saturday 14 November 2020 in 15 centres across the nation.

Candidates are advised to check their registered email, phone numbers and visit: www.recruitment.army.mil.ng for names of shortlisted candidates from 1.00am on 10 November 2020.

All shortlisted candidates have been allotted New Examination and Seat Numbers. The shortlisted candidates have also been assigned examination centres and are to report to the centres at the times indicated against their names to sit for the Examination.
The state centres selected by candidates have been grouped into zonal examination centres.

Details of the grouping which constitute each zonal examination centre are shown on the portal. Candidates will not be allowed to write the Examination in any centre or session other than that allotted to the candidate on the portal.

Therefore, candidates are to note the specific sessions and time for the examination as stated against their names for strict compliance. All candidates are to come alone and bring the following:

* Photocopy of their application Photo Card.

* Means of Identification – National ID Card, International passport or driver’s license.

* Face Masks.

* 3 copies of current passport photograph.

Disclaimer Notice: Candidates are to note that any list gotten outside the website is not valid.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army public Relations
10 November 2020

The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to inform the general public that the Computer Based Pre-Selection Examination for Short Service Combatant 47/2020 (SSC 47) and Direct Short Service Commission 26/2020 (DSSC 26) will hold on Saturday 14 November 2020 in 15 centres across the nation.

Candidates are advised to check their registered email, phone numbers and visit: www.recruitment.army.mil.ng for names of shortlisted candidates from 1.00am on 10 November 2020.

All shortlisted candidates have been allotted New Examination and Seat Numbers. The shortlisted candidates have also been assigned examination centres and are to report to the centres at the times indicated against their names to sit for the Examination.
The state centres selected by candidates have been grouped into zonal examination centres.

Details of the grouping which constitute each zonal examination centre are shown on the portal. Candidates will not be allowed to write the Examination in any centre or session other than that allotted to the candidate on the portal.

Therefore, candidates are to note the specific sessions and time for the examination as stated against their names for strict compliance. All candidates are to come alone and bring the following:

* Photocopy of their application Photo Card.

* Means of Identification – National ID Card, International passport or driver’s license.

* Face Masks.

* 3 copies of current passport photograph.

Disclaimer Notice: Candidates are to note that any list gotten outside the website is not valid.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army public Relations
10 November 2020

Boko Haram suffers heavy casualty as troops clear locations, recover arms and rescue hostages in Northeast

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Boko Haram suffers heavy casualty as troops clear locations, recover arms and rescue hostages in Northeast

 

By Lawrence Audu

Troops of Operation FIRE BALL have killed scores of Boko Haram fighters and recover a cache of arms and ammunition in a recent operation in the Northeast.

Acting Director, Defence Media Operations Brig.-Gen Bernard Onyeuko said the troops have continued their aggressive and responsive posture with the aim of routing out the remnants of Boko Haram and Islamic States West Africa Province criminals from all their identified enclaves in the North East.

”Consequently, on 7 and 8 November 2020, the gallant troops of 27 Task Force Brigade located in Buni Gari of Gujba LGA of Yobe State dealt a decisive blow on some marauding Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminals in a failed attempt to infiltrate the peaceful town.

”The gallant troops of the Brigade who were ever on high alert fought relentlessly forcing the terrorists to withdraw in disarray due to the troops’ superior firepower. Nevertheless, the unrelenting troops gave a hot pursuit and inflicted heavy casualties on the fleeing insurgents.

”In the aftermath of the decisive encounter, 5 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were neutralized while the following equipments were captured: One Fabricated (VBL) Armoured Personnel Carrier, One Boko Haram Gun Truck, One NSVT Anti Aircraft Gun, One QJC Anti Aircraft Gun, One Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, One PKT Gun, One General Purpose Machine Gun, One QJC Extra Barrel, 6 AK 47 Rifles, 311 rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition NATO (links). Further exploitation is being carried out as the resilient troops continue to dominate the area with aggressive patrols.”

”Relatedly, on 8 November 2020, troops of 151 Task Force Battalion deployed at Special Response Area Miyanti in Bama LGA of Borno State while on fighting patrol made contact with a pocket of Boko Haram criminals.

”The gallant troops instinctively engaged the criminals with heavy volume of fire and consequently destroyed their hideout. The troops further rescued one woman and 3 children unharmed from the criminals. Accordingly, 2 bicycles and other items were recovered from the fleeing insurgents.

”In the same vein, on 3 November 2020, troops of Army Super Camp 7 deployed in Bama, Borno State successfully thwarted a suicide attempt on their camp. The vigilant troops sighted and neutralized the lone female suicide bomber before she could detonate her vest.” He added.

In another development, troops of Army Super Camp 11 deployed at Gamboru on 3 November 2020 conducted a robust Clearance/Fighting Patrol to clear suspected Boko Haram Criminals hideouts at Bulama Lumbe and Ndufu Villages.

”The gallant troops came in contact with the criminals and engaged them with heavy volume of fire neutralizing 2 Boko Haram criminals and forcing others to flee with possible gunshot wounds. Resulting from the encounter, the troops captured one AK 47 Rifle and 2 Boko Haram terrorists flags.”

He commended The troops of Operation FIRE BALL for their resilience, doggednes and commitment exhibited during the above encounters.

He further assured the entire populace of the North East zone of the determination of the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to finally rout out the remnants of the Boko Haram Terrorists /ISWAP criminals from their enclaves.

Boko Haram fighters suffer heavy casualty as troops clear locations, recover arms and rescue hostages in the Northeast

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Troops of Operation FIRE BALL have killed scores of Boko Haram fighters and recover a cache of arms and ammunition in a recent operation in the Northeast.

Acting Director, Defence Media Operations Brig.-Gen Bernard Onyeuko said the troops have continued their aggressive and responsive posture with the aim of routing out the remnants of Boko Haram and Islamic States West Africa Province criminals from all their identified enclaves in the North East.

”Consequently, on 7 and 8 November 2020, the gallant troops of 27 Task Force Brigade located in Buni Gari of Gujba LGA of Yobe State dealt a decisive blow on some marauding Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminals in a failed attempt to infiltrate the peaceful town.

”The gallant troops of the Brigade who were ever on high alert fought relentlessly forcing the terrorists to withdraw in disarray due to the troops’ superior firepower. Nevertheless, the unrelenting troops gave a hot pursuit and inflicted heavy casualties on the fleeing insurgents.

”In the aftermath of the decisive encounter, 5 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were neutralized while the following equipments were captured: One Fabricated (VBL) Armoured Personnel Carrier, One Boko Haram Gun Truck, One NSVT Anti Aircraft Gun, One QJC Anti Aircraft Gun, One Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, One PKT Gun, One General Purpose Machine Gun, One QJC Extra Barrel, 6 AK 47 Rifles, 311 rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition NATO (links). Further exploitation is being carried out as the resilient troops continue to dominate the area with aggressive patrols.”

”Relatedly, on 8 November 2020, troops of 151 Task Force Battalion deployed at Special Response Area Miyanti in Bama LGA of Borno State while on fighting patrol made contact with a pocket of Boko Haram criminals.

”The gallant troops instinctively engaged the criminals with heavy volume of fire and consequently destroyed their hideout. The troops further rescued one woman and 3 children unharmed from the criminals. Accordingly, 2 bicycles and other items were recovered from the fleeing insurgents.

”In the same vein, on 3 November 2020, troops of Army Super Camp 7 deployed in Bama, Borno State successfully thwarted a suicide attempt on their camp. The vigilant troops sighted and neutralized the lone female suicide bomber before she could detonate her vest.” He added.

In another development, troops of Army Super Camp 11 deployed at Gamboru on 3 November 2020 conducted a robust Clearance/Fighting Patrol to clear suspected Boko Haram Criminals hideouts at Bulama Lumbe and Ndufu Villages.

”The gallant troops came in contact with the criminals and engaged them with heavy volume of fire neutralizing 2 Boko Haram criminals and forcing others to flee with possible gunshot wounds. Resulting from the encounter, the troops captured one AK 47 Rifle and 2 Boko Haram terrorists flags.”

He commended The troops of Operation FIRE BALL for their resilience, doggednes and commitment exhibited during the above encounters.

He further assured the entire populace of the North East zone of the determination of the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to finally rout out the remnants of the Boko Haram Terrorists /ISWAP criminals from their enclaves.

Trump ‘not a good loser’, ex-wife Ivana says

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Trump ‘not a good loser’, ex-wife Ivana says

President Donald Trump’s election-fatigued first wife has branded her ex a sore loser.

Speaking to People magazine, Ivana Trump said she was utterly burned out over Trump’s failed reelection bid and not the least bit surprised he wasn’t accepting defeat.

“He’s not a good loser,” Ivana, the mother of Trump’s three oldest children, said.

“He doesn’t like to lose, so he’s going to fight and fight and fight,” she predicted.

“I just want this whole thing to be over with, one way or the other,” Ivana, 71, told the celebrity news outlet. “I really don’t care.”

Trump, 74, decisively lost his reelection campaign Saturday when it became clear his Democratic rival Joe Biden won Pennsylvania to become the new President-Elect.

But Trump refused to concede, claimed without evidence that the election was “stolen” and vowed to continue his long-shot legal challenges.

Eventually, he’ll have to have a merger with reality, Ivana suggested.

“He has to go and declare that he lost. But he hates to be a loser, that I’m sure of,” she said. “But if he loses, he loses. He has plenty of money, places to go and live in and enjoy his life.”

Ivana’s marriage to the future president lasted from 1977 to 1992.

My father’s skeleton was reassembled 10 years after death – Ken Saro-Wiwa’s daughter

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My father’s skeleton was reassembled 10 years after death – Ken Saro-Wiwa’s daughter

Noo Saro-Wiwa, daughter of the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, says her father’s skeleton was reassembled 10 years after death fo burial.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday to mark her father’s 25th death anniversary, the author lamented the treatment metted to the late activist and eight others murdered by the General Sani Abacha regime.

“25 years ago today, my father Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight colleagues were murdered by Nigeria’s military regime after a sham trial. Their only ‘crime’ was to peacefully pursue human rights for the Ogoni people and to campaign against oil spills in the oil-rich Niger Delta,” she wrote.

“Their bodies were buried in an unmarked grave for almost a decade. When our family finally received my father’s remains we had to reassemble his skeleton with our own hands before giving him a dignified burial.

“To this day the Nigerian government has not granted him an official pardon. It speaks volumes about our so-called democracy. No government can call itself civilised or claim any moral authority while it refuses to exonerate these innocent men. Black lives will matter outside of Africa only when they matter in Africa itself.”

Saro-Wiwa was tried by a special military tribunal for allegedly masterminding the gruesome murder of Ogoni chiefs at a pro-government meeting.

He was hanged on November 10, 1995 by the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. His execution provoked international outrage and resulted in Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations for over three years.e

Sanwo-Olu to abolish pension for Tinubu, Fashola, others

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Sanwo-Olu to abolish pension for Tinubu, Fashola, others

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday announced his intention to repeal the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension Law 2007), which provides for payment of pension and other entitlements to former Governors and their Deputies.

This will consequently end the current pension received by ex-governors, Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola among others.

He made this known while presenting the 2021 budget to the Lagos State House of Assembly. 

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced his intention, through executive bill, to REPEAL the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension Law 2007), which provides for payment of pension & other entitlements to former Governors and their Deputies,” Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor New Media, Gawat Jubril, wrote on Twitter.

Borders opened for Dangote alone, says Stanbic IBTC founder

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Borders opened for Dangote alone, says Stanbic IBTC founder

 

Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside, says the  Federal Government has granted Dangote Cement alone access to border operations.

Nigerian land borders have been shut for over a year following moves to curtail smuggling from neighbouring countries.

A report on Monday by Bloomberg, however, said the authorities had exempted Dangote Cement from the border restrictions.

In a tweet on Monday, Mr Peterside, a former chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, said the move shows the Nigerian economy has been rigged to favour a select few.

“Allowing legitimate exporters & importers to move their goods across the border should be a no-brainer. Why refuse everybody else & allow only one company (Dangote)?

“This is why some of us argue that the Nigerian economy is rigged in favour of a handful of well-connected persons,” he wrote.

The Buhari administration gave its authorisation for Africa’s biggest producer to export cement to Niger and Togo in the third quarter for the first time in 10 months, chief executive officer Michel Puchercos said on an investor call in Lagos.

The export was made possible “through authorisation given by this administration,” he said.

The exemption to Dangote Cement is seen as a softening of the government’s position on a border closure that started in August last year and could open the way for other businesses to fully resume exports across the country’s land barriers.

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