A Federal Government-backed survey on the prevalence of glaucoma in Nigeria has revealed that the people of the Southeast region are at greater risk of blindness resulting from glaucoma than any other ethnic group in the country.
professor Adesola Onokoya, the Ophthalmologist Society of Nigeria’s Glaucoma Group
Chairperson, made this known at a public lecture to mark the 2020
Glaucoma Week, in Abuja weekend.
According to her, results from the latest Nigeria National Blindness and
 Visual Impairment Survey indicated that the Igbos had risk factors
associated with glaucoma more than people of other ethnicities because
they possessed larger optic disks and thinner corneas in the eyes.

“These conditions may be due to genetic factors or mutations caused by
substances or activities introduced in the Southeast region she said.

Professor Adesola Onokoya, the Ophthalmologist Society of Nigeria’s Glaucoma Group Chairperson, made this known at a public lecture to mark the 2020 Glaucoma Week, in Abuja weekend. According to her, results from the latest Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey indicated that the Igbos had risk factors associated with glaucoma more than people of other ethnicities because they possessed larger optic disks and thinner corneas in the eyes. “These conditions may be due to genetic factors or mutations caused by substances or activities introduced in the Southeast region she said.

Onakoya, however, said deeper investigations were ongoing to ascertain the true picture of the situation in the region, considering the fact that the survey results were consistent with data provided by ophthalmologists in hospitals nationwide. On the use of cannabis to treat glaucoma, the Professor of Opthalmology in the University of Lagos said it is an effective remedy but warned against overdose and abuse of the drug. Onakoya said, “Studies have also shown that taking cannabis in certain quantities can help the management of glaucoma. “Even if smoked or taken in its most active form (cannabinoid) it will help provide a remedy for glaucoma but the amount needed to sustain the vision and prevent blindness could damage not just the brain but the whole person. “That is why it is not advised and recommended to patients in as much as it could be effective.” Speaking also, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who noted that there was sound epidemiological evidence to show that Igbos were more susceptible to loss of vision arising from glaucoma, said the Federal Ministry of Health in partnership with an NGO, Sightsavers Nigeria, has offered free glaucoma screening and treatment to over 500 persons in the FCT in 2020.
 He said, “After cataract, glaucoma accounts for 16.3 per cent of blindness in the country. The disease does not show any symptoms until there is vision loss which indicates it is already at an advanced stage. “We need more awareness on this disease. That is why every Nigerians are encouraged to go for a regular eye check-up at least once a year.” Earlier, the Country Director of Sightsaver Nigeria, Dr Sunday Isiyaku, said the organization is seeking to use a health systems approach to reduce the number of people blind in Nigeria from untreated glaucoma.

15 persons lost their lives in lagos explosion

At least 15 corpses, including a family of four, had been recovered from the scene of Sunday’s pipeline explosion in Abule Ado area of Lagos, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said.

The agency said at least 60 injured students of Bethlehem Girls College had been taken to the Nigerian Navy Hospital in Ojo Cantonment for treatment.
The Acting Coordinator of NEMA in Lagos, Ibrahim Farinloye, who disclosed this to journalists, said the victims, a couple and their two sons, were caught by the explosion on their way to church at about 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.
According to him, over 50 buildings, including Bethlehem Girls College and a popular hotel, were damaged in the explosion.

He said: “The resulting fire later spread to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) oil pipeline passing through the area even though the pipeline has been shut down as a precautionary measure.
“The fire was eventually extinguished at 3:30 p.m. through the combined efforts of officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, and Nigerian Navy Fire Tender.”
Also, a Staff Officer of the Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, told journalists that the students were stabilised at the Navy Hospital, adding that those who have fully recovered would be discharged soon.
Daji said although the cause of the incident was still unknown, some residents of the area told security operatives that there were several industrial gas cylinders close to where the explosion occurred. (NAN)

covid 19 Italy worse hit after China

The world declared pandemic disease ‘Coronavirus’ has ravaged Bergamo, a town in the Lombardy region of Italy, where patients are now buried every thirty minutes. According to Thecable, Giacomo Angeloni, councillor in charge of cemeteries in Bergamo, said funerals take place every half an hour.

 We are facing an emergency there is no doubting that. We are having a burial every half an hour,” he said. “We had 18 on Saturday, 44 over Sunday and Monday, 33 on Tuesday and 51 on Wednesday. We’ve had to close Bergamo cemetery for the time being to cope. “We are using churches as temporary mortuaries. I have to thank my staff for what they are doing in the face of this tragedy. Certainly, we never imagined having to deal with an emergency on this level.”

 According to Daily Mail, the obituary section of a local newspaper has expanded from a single page to 20 following the deaths of at least 146 in the city within one week, as a result of the virus Italy detected its first three cases of the virus in late January. Last Tuesday, the country recorded the highest single toll from coronavirus following the deaths of 168 people in less than 24 hours. The government has placed the whole country of about 60 million people under quarantine as 368 new deaths were recorded due to the virus, while total number of deaths increased to 1,809. Also, the number of confirmed cases in the country has risen to 24,747. According to local authorities, Bergamo is the highest hit in the region as local hospitals can no longer admit more patients and bodies of victims kept in churches are awaiting burial.

On Sunday, global updates showed that there are about 152,428 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, while over 5,720 have died. About 64,000 people have recovered from the virus across the world.

New Federal Poly Nekede Rector holds his first matriculation

Students of school of social science and humanities taking matriculation oath

The Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri was on Wednesday 4^th of March 2020 held her 42^nd edition of her matriculation, it  was also the  first matric  organized under the leadership of the new  Rector Rev. Engr. Dr. Michael C. Arimanwa.

The school of business and management technology were the first to take matriculation oath presented by the dean Mr. N.O.N. Kanu, followed by school of Engineering Technology presented by Engr. Nwimo, also were school of Environmental Design and Technology led by prof. A.O. Awa, followed by school of Social Science and Humanities presented by Mr. Paul Saint Christopher and lastly were school of Industrial and Applied Science which was presented by the dean Mr. Bassey Orea.

The students being represented by Obi Chinecherim Martin from Electrical and Electronics department thank the Rector and school management for given them opportunity to be part of Federal Polytechnic Community and promise to abide by the rules governing the institution, while the Rector in his appreciation granted five students scholarship.

Also present in the ceremony were the deputy Rector, busier, Liberian, heads of division of schools, directors, deans and the heads of departments.

 L-R: Chairman MultiChoice Nigeria, Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN); Channel Director Africa Magic, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu; Executive Head, DStv Media Sales, Kholeka Maringa, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe during the Seventh Edition of the AMVCA Nominees/Sponsors Cocktail held in Lagos.
LAGOS- Ahead of the 7th edition of Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, AMVCA, MultiChoice hosted a number of celebrities at the 7th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) nominees cocktail who all looked resplendent as they celebrated the contributions of African filmmakers, actors and industry specialists in the past year.

There were several memorable moments of the night, with celebrities including Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Adesua Etomi, Ramsey Nouah showing why they’re loved by millions of fans across the world.

Big Brother Naija alumni, Tobi Bakre got the crowd rocking when he climbed the stage to deliver smooth dance moves, while  Femi Leye’s masterful handling of the guitar wowed all in attendance.

Other awesome talents in the Movie and Television Industry at the event were Timini Egbuson, Mawuli Gavor, Linda Ejiofor, Ibrahim Suleiman, Ik Osakioduwa, Sharon Ooja, Bisola Aiyeola, Akah Nnani, Jemima Osunde, Ini Dinma Okojie and more.

The nominees cocktail was organised by MultiChoice to inspire and celebrate the remarkable achievements of African stars as they continue to promote the growth of the continent’s film and TV industry with their remarkable talents.

The 7th AMVCA ceremony will be held at the Eko Hotels & Suites on March 14, 2020.

Nigeria now have made in Nigeria sanitisers

The federal government on Friday, March 6, revealed its latest move to curb the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria. Obi Adigwe, the director-general of the National Institute for Pharmaceuticals Research and Development (NIPRD) at a press briefing in Abuja launched locally-made hand sanitisers to maintain hygiene among Nigerians, Channels TV reports. Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1309053-coronavirus-fg-produces-nigeria-sanitisers-stop-spread-disease.

Adigwe said that the move with is aimed at tackling the shortage of such product, a situation which, according to him, is prevalent in the global space. The NIPRD boss said: “One of the global fall-outs of the recent outbreak has been the supply chain disruptions of various commodities that are relevant to controlling the outbreak.

“These disruptions have either been through panic buying or genuine shortages and this has been global; Nigeria has not been left out in this." He went on to say that the novel development is a thing of national pride and born out of the spirit of patriotism. The Nations on its part reports that according to Adigwe, certain factors peculiar to the Nigerian environment were considered in the manufacturing of the product.  He added that the agency has also established a database that captures other firms which have been licensed to come up with similar products across the country.

  

The federal government on Friday, March 6, revealed its latest move to curb the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria. Obi Adigwe, the director-general of the National Institute for Pharmaceuticals Research and Development (NIPRD) at a press briefing in Abuja launched locally-made hand sanitizers to maintain hygiene among Nigerians, Channels TV reports. Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1309053-coronavirus-fg-produces-nigeria-sanitisers-stop-spread-disease.html Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1309053-coronavirus-fg-produces-nigeria-sanitisers-stop-spread-disease.html

Loopholes in Distance Learning Programme

Education plays a tremendous role in economic and social development of any nation. it also enhances the theoretical, political and aesthetic valves of individuals as well. thus the importance of distance education cannot be overemphasized.

However, the program as the experience in Nigeria has revealed, was fraught with numerous problems. firstly, on the part of institutions infrastructural and geographical problems became very apparent, as  study centers were set up all over the country in areas very remote from the locus of administration. This situation was compounded by poor communication networks, paucity of specialized equipment and technical skills required to administer and sustain the program, and other logistic problems. In addition, the students-lecturer ratio is staggering and this is unlikely to permit effective teaching. the last point above however is not confined to distance education.

It is no secret that the anomalies such as apathetic and lackadaisical attitude towards work, and moral decadence in the "citadel of learning". Little wonder that some consider the distance education system as a money making venture through involvement in fraudulent practices such as "sorting", conniving with students to cheat, and so forth. Students on their want to acquire degrees at any cost, searing for shortcuts, even adopting the Machiavellian principle of "the end justifies the means" there is no gain saying the fact that the educational system in Africa is in serious trouble, as various writers have attested to.