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Health

Medical expert harps on “Prophetic Medicines”

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Black seeds

Ilorin, Feb. 11, 2020 (NAN) Prof. Ibrahim Oreagba of the Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, has affirmed the health benefits and medicinal potentials of black seeds.

Oreagba stated this in his paper presentation at the 10th Obafemi Awolowo University, Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA), honour’s day in Ilorin.

Speaking on: “Prophetic medicines and the medicinal potentials of black seeds”, the expert in drugs formulation described prophetic medicines in Islam as  actions, words and prescriptions specifically of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) with regards to sickness, treatment and hygiene.

Quoting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on black seeds, he said: Utilise the black seeds, for without a doubt, it is a cure for all sicknesses aside from death”.

He said that the research by the Holy Prophet had actually opened the floodgates of scientific research into the health benefits and medicinal potentials of the black seeds leading to array of discoveries.

“It includes both physical for body ailments and spiritual prescription known as ruqya for demonic exorcism, ” he said.

According to him, some of these prophetic medicines include honey, dates, olive, cinnamon, siwak and black seeds.

He noted that research on black seeds, also known as Nigella Sativa, had been carried out worldwide with promising results.

The don said there were three natural phytochemical compounds in black seed oil, including Thymoquinone (TQ), Thymohydroquinone (THQ) and Thymol (THY).

“There have been well over 600 peer reviewed scientific articles which relates to the benefits of black seeds oil ranging from its potentials for cancer treatments to its ability to reduce blood pressure and the symptoms of rheumatism,” he said.

Oreagba explained that black seeds has a wide spectrum of pharmacological actions that have been supported by science.

He listed some of the these actions to include anti-cancer, immunomodulator, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic.

Others are bronchodilator, hepato-protective, renal protective, gastroprotective and anti-oxidant.

The expert on drugs noted that treatment of rats with the seeds extract for up to 12 weeks had been reported to induce changes in the haemogram that include increase in both the packed cells volume, haemoglobin and decrease in plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose.

He therefore urged government to establish a separate database for the safety monitoring of herbs to document their adverse effects profile.

Oreagba also called for establishing of “home grown” clinical trial consortium for Nigerian herbals with verified claims and subsequent standardisation of dosages. (NAN)
FATY/ECN/MST

Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Environment

NIMET donates weather equipment to UNILORIN

Equipment
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Ilorin, Feb. 10, 2020 (NAN) The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has donated equipment for weather data collection to the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Ilorin.

According to the University of Ilorin Bulletin issued on Monday, the donation of the equipment, which had been installed, was a fallout of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the University signed with NIMET in 2017.

Prof. Mikhail Buhari, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) of the University,  explained that the equipment would upgrade the facility of Climate Station in the Department of Geography.

Buhari said that the equipmenty was to help the two organisations to fulfil their respective mandates, adding that the project would be beneficial to both parties.

He said that the equipment would go a long way in adding value to the university, especially in both research and teaching.

Dr. Ahmed Yusuf, the Head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, said that the equipment would be of  benefit to the students and the people of Kwara in the area of weather forecast.

Yusuf said that students could also come to the university and take data instead of going to Ilorin branch of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) .

He said that the University of Ilorin was the only higher institution of learning in the country that had the equipment.

Yusuf said that procurement of the new equipment was a great achievement for the university and the department of geography and environmental management in particular.

According to him, the institution’s meteorological centre will be opened to the world with the arrival of the new equipment.

He praised the management of the university for the achievement.

Mr Abdullahi Abubakar Daudu, one of the NIMET officials that brought the equipment,  said that the equipment would be of benefit to the university, the Ilorin community, Kwara and the country in general. (NAN)
FATY/NNO/TA
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Tajudeen Atitebi

 

Health

Don advocates integration of traditional medicines into NHDS

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Medicine

Ilorin, Feb. 9, 2020 (NAN) Prof. Ibrahim Oreagba of the Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, has advised the Federal Government to integrate traditional medicines into the National Healthcare Delivery System (NHDS).

Oreagba gave the advice in Ilorin during his paper presentation at the 10th Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduate’s Association (UNIFEMGA) National Honours Day.

He spokeon: “Disease state management: understanding the roles of orthodox and natural medicines”.

The don said integration of traditional medicines into the NHDS would encourage, promote and regulate traditional medicine practice in Nigeria.

Oreagba said that the importance of complementary and alternative medicine,also known as traditional medicine, cannot be over emphasised.

According to him, in every nook and cranny of Nigeria, there is availability of people that provide complementary and alternative medicine services.

“A lot of people rely on it for their medical needs and others rely on it as their source of income and livelihood,” he said.

The don noted that traditional medicines are cheaper than orthodox medicine, and the cost of advertising the products.

“The practitioners are more accessible to most of the population. In the developing countries between 80 to 85 per

cent of the population rely on herbal medicines,” he said.

Oreagba also said there was wide belief that certain types of diseases such as psychological or mental cases only respond to traditional medicines.

“The curative properties of herbal medicines are validated through scientific investigation, which seeks to understand the active chemistry of the plants,” he said.

He however listed some of the problems with application of traditional medicines to include use of the wrong species of medicinal plants, incorrect dosage and interactions with other medicines.

He therefore recommened collaboration among natural medicine practitioners and modern healthcare professionals, researchers and drug regulatory authorities.

Earlier, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odeyimka, the National President of UNIFEMGA, explained that the association honour’s day is set aside by the national body to celebrate the most successful ones amongst members who have excelled in the previous years.

“Since 2011 when the maiden edition of the National Honours’ Day started, 120 members have so far been honoured and rewarded for their landmark achievements,” he said.

He explained that UNIFEMGA

 

has vision statement to be the foremost Muslim Alumni Association in the World.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event includes presentations of awards to some beneficiaries, including Alhaja Amidat Agboola of Oyo state Civil Service and Prof. Akeem Amodu of Lead City University.

Others are Alhaji Maruf Adabanija of LAUTECH and Oreagba of UNILAG. (NAN)

FATY/EOB/MST
Edited by Edith Bolokor/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Pesticides causes low sperm count in male – Don warns

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Pesticides

Ilorin, Feb. 7, 2020 (NAN) Prof. Suleiman Ambali of the Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ilorin, has warned that continuous exposure of humans to pesticides is causing decline in male sperm count.

Ambali disclosed this on Thursday night in his paper presentation at the 192nd Inaugural Lecture of the University (UNILORIN), entitled: “Preventing pesticides from poisoning away our health and future –  the oxidative approach”.

The don, who teaches in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the university, warned that there were evidence which suggest human species was approaching a fertility crisis based on trends in male reproductive health.

He said based on the troubling data from laboratory, clinical epidemiology studies, it was obvious that the world would witness fertility crisis.

Corroborating his reports, he explained that some Danish scientists’ research has also indicated that sperm counts of men have declined by about 50 per cent since 1940 worldwide.

“The researchers analysed the result of sperm counts between 1938 and 1991. Since then several other studies have confirmed the decline.

“Environmental causes including pesticides especially those that causes endocrine changes in fetal and pre-puberty life prior to birth or during childhood or during breastfeeding, are involved in the decline of semen quality,” he said.

According to him, the effect of chemical pesticides on birth sex ratio s in favour of more females than males.

He explained that this trend was worrisome as human activities continue to change the natural demography in favour of women, as a lesser number of male births occur.

Ambali said that the use of pesticides by people have led to reduction in quantity and quality of food available for the well-being.

He also said that pesticides have further led to causes and enhanced diseases to plants, animals and humans.

The expert in Toxicology who quoted WHO, said about three million workers in agriculture in developing world experience pesticides poisoning annually with about 18,000 deaths.

He also disclosed that there was an estimated 250,000 deaths annually from pesticides self-poisoning world-wide, accounting for about 30 per cent of the suicide rates globally.

Ambali therefore warned that the use of pesticides have led people to “poison away the future of our children”, while calling on government and non-governmental organisations to sensitise the populace against indoor use of pesticides.

“Policies aimed at reducing the use of pesticides in agriculture should be put in place.

“Farmers should be encouraged to use an integrated approach in controlling pests and develop alternative cropping systems less dependent on pesticides,” he said. (NAN)
FATY/ESAN/MST

Edited by Abiodun Esan/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Kwara Govt raises 50,000 hybrid cocoa seedlings

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Seedlings

Isin (Kwara), Feb. 7, 2020 (NAN) The Kwara Government says it has  raised 50,000 hybrid Cocoa seedlings for distribution to farmers in the state at affordable prices.

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq disclosed this at the Cocoa Farmers’ Roundtable Conference held at the Cocoa House, Oke Onigbin, in Isin Local Government Area of the state.

AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Adenike Afolabi-Oshatimehin, said the seedlings would mature in 18 months.

He said this was been done with a view to ensuring the prompt and effective rehabilitation and regeneration of the aged Cocoa plantations or farms in the state.

He noted that the government would establish a Cocoa nursery in the state to serve as the genuine source of planting materials for the farmers.

“In this fiscal year, we plan to resuscitate the training and retraining of cocoa farmers on good agricultural practices through the Farmers Field School (FFS) and Farmers Business School (FBS), respectively.

“This is being done with a view to enhancing the quality of the cocoa beans being produced in the state.

“In addition, we also intend to look into prospects of being able to possibly address extant challenges associated with some of the critical input requirements of cocoa farmers in the state,” he added.

The governor explained that the present administration understands that lack of basic social amenities and physical infrastructure, among others, could constitute disincentives for farming in agrarian communities.

“It is for this reason and more, that we are committing significant resources to road construction, healthcare, water and basic education in the 2020 budget, which has just been passed and assented to.

“Agriculture occupies a vantage position under this administration. We have invested a lot of money to reposition the sector, beginning with the N200 million counterpart fund for RAAMP III and another N49.78 million FADAMA counterpart fund, among others.

“We have also made appreciable budgetary provisions for agriculture this year, while also engaging the Federal Government and private investors on how to grow the sector in the state,” Abdulrazaq said.

He assured that the administration was committed to rebuilding and reconstructing the state for the good of all and for the benefit of children yet unborn.

He added that since inception of the present administration, attention has been given to Cocoa because of its extensive value chain.

He also stated that similar attention was given to sugarcane and other essential crops and agricultural produce that can be successfully cultivated in the state.

“Kwara is currently grouped as a minor Cocoa state in Nigeria, owing in part to the perennial migration of cocoa farmers to other states and the seemingly unabated trend of rural-urban migration.

“This is a narrative that we want to change and as soon as possible,” he said.

AbdulRazaq congratulated the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) for the event, which he said was designed to discuss the way to reposition the Cocoa subsector in the state and other parts of Nigeria, where cocoa could be grown successfully.

He assured the farmers that the administration would work with them to develop the cocoa subsector in the state. (NAN)
FATY/IKU/MST

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Education

25m Nigerians living with disabilities – Presidential aide

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Disability

Ilorin, Feb. 6, 2020 (NAN) Dr Samuel Ankeli, the Special Adviser (SA) to President Muhammadu Buhari on Disability, says 25 million Nigerians are living with disabilities.

Ankeli made the disclosure on Thursday in Ilorin while addressing physically challenged students of the University of Ilorin during the launch of the maiden edition of  a programme titled “Ability in Disability”, organised by the students.

The presidential aide pledged to assist the university in securing hostel accommodation and special centres for its physically challenged students.

In a speech considered by many as “motivational”, Ankeli, who is also physically impaired, said the president was working hard to ensure that the rights of physically challenged persons were protected.

He said the president was keen on the Disability Act which, he said, would ensure justice and equality for those living with disabilities in the country.

According to him, it is the desire of the president that those living with disabilities are represented and are part of the social and political administration.

He said all people were born equal and urged the students to harness their abilities despite the challenges.

Ankeli also urged Nigerians to support those with disabilities rather than sympathising with them.

He tasked them on hard work, saying it will bring the best out of them.

The aide harped on the imperative of having an adviser to the Kwara Government on disability for effective handling of such matters.

Earlier in his welcoming address, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, disclosed that the university was striving to ensure facilities were more friendly to special students.

Abdulkareem, who was represented by Prof. Olayinka Buhari, theDeputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, explained that the university’s  management ensured that its Law special students were made comfortable.

He appealed to government at all tiers to ensure job availability  for the students after their education.

Dr Patricia Atejere, the Acting Director, Centre for Supportive Services for the Deaf (CSSD) of the university, decried the general lack of adequate understanding of disability.

She regretted that those with disabilities were discriminated against on the basis of stereotypes.

“We must systematically deconstruct the mindset of sympathy towards persons living with disabilities.

“Sympathy isolates persons with disabilities socially; it affects their access to education, employment and hinders their self fulfilment,” she said.

She disclosed that since inception, the centre has graduated 65 hearing impaired students that from different departments of the university.

Mr Wisdom Oluwaseun, the President of Student Union Government (SUG), urged students living with disabilities not to despair but “use the ability in their disability”. (NAN)
FATY/PD/MST

Edited by Philip Dzeremo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Kwara Govt. to screen 3, 000 women for breast  cancer– Commissioner

Kwara Govt. to screen 3, 000 women for breast  cancer– Commissioner

Cancer
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Ilorin, Feb. 5, 2020 (NAN) The Kwara Government on Wednesday launched a state-wide screening of women for breast and cervical cancer as part of activities to mark the 2020 World Cancer Day.

Dr Raji Razak, Kwara Commissioner for Health, who disclosed this in Ilorin said that the ministry had engaged experts to screen the women.

He said that activities lined up to commemorate the World Cancer Day would strengthen public awareness on the deadly disease.

The commissioner said that government’s action reflected its care for people’s health, adding that the Federal Ministry of Health also appealed to all state governments to mobilise resources for the enlightenment.

“About 24 million people are afflicted with cancer worldwide, with 12.5 per cent of deaths traced to the disease,’’ the commissioner said.

He said the ministry would soon begin radio programmes to enlighten the public on the causes of cancer and various prevention methods.

“Thanks to the governor’s approval, we are using the latest technology in the state for screening for breast and cervical cancer. Provisions have also been made to purchase latest equipment,” he said.

Dr Stephen Arigidi, Deputy Director, Medical Science and Training in the ministry, said most people are ignorant of the disease.

Arigidi said women of productive age are most prone to cervical and breast cancer, adding that it was always better for them to submit themselves for early screening and treatment in the case of early detection.

(NAN)
FATY/ENN/OU
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Obike Ukoh

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General news

Nigeria to commence free cervical cancer vaccine by 2021- APHPN

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Cancer

Ilorin, Jan. 4, 2020 (NAN) The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) says the country is geared for free cervical cancer vaccine by 2021 across  the country.

Dr Michael Oguntoye, the Chairman of APHPN, Kwara Chapter, disclosed  this on Tuesday during the association’s commemoration of the 2020 World Cancer Day Cocktail Lecture.

Oguntoye revealed that in line with the call for action on cancer, partners such as World Health Organisation (WHO) were actively engaged in supporting Nigeria to tackle cervical cancer, the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the country.

He explained that cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination, screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions and treatment of invasive cancer with palliative care.

The chairman of the APHPN noted that at present, HPV Vaccines were only available in private health facilities in Nigeria.

He said: “Efforts are however being made to include the HPV vaccine as part of national routine immunisation.

“HPV vaccination is recommended for girls between nine to 14 years of age and should be administered prior to becoming sexually active.”

Dr Raji Razaq, the state Commissioner for Health, said the state had approved that all women across the 16 local government areas of the state be screened for cervical cancer and breast cancer.

He assured that relevant treatment would also be provided.

Razaq said the observance of the cancer day on Feb. 4 was an opportunity to mobilise the international and local communities to end injustice of preventable suffering cancer.

“According to WHO,  across the globe every 17 minutes, people die from cancer and between 30 to 50 of all cancer cases are preventable,” he said.

Dr Ibrahim Oyebanjo, an expert in cancer who delivered a lecture on the  “Role of Public Health Cancer Registry in Prevention of cancer”, emphasised the need for cancer registry across Nigeria.

He lamented the lack of registry for cancer cases in the country, quoting the WHO that of all the cancer registry literature update for countries all over the world, only one per cent of the literature was rated for Africa compared to 34 per cent and 42 per cent for Europe.

Also in her lecture, Dr Kike Adesina, a Specialist on cancer, spoke on the theme: “Female Genital Cancers: Strategies for Prevention”, advised women on the need for early screening and detection of cancer.

She also advised against early introduction of girls to sexual orientation, adding that such girls risked high chances of cervical cancer. (NAN)

FATY/CHOM/MST

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Attack: Kwara Govt pledges to protect healthcare workers

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Protection
Ilorin, Feb. 4, 2020 (NAN) The Kwara Government on Tuesday promised to continue to protect and safeguard the lives of healthcare workers in the state.

Dr Raji Razaq, the state Commissioner for Health, gave the assurance at Sobi Specialist Hospital in Ilorin, while speaking with the leadership of the nurses union in the state.

Razaq was reacting to the allege beating of one of their colleagues to coma by family of a patient, who died in the hospital.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Iliasu Tsado, said the attention of government was drawn to the incident.

He said that the security of healthcare workers was paramount and commended them for their dedication to service.

The commissioner, however, urged them not to take laws into their hands, assuring that the matter was under investigation.

Mr Aminu Sheu, the state Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), explained that a nurse, Mrs Eyitayo Hammed, was beaten to coma by the family of an HIV patient.

Sheu said the patient died in the hospital.

According to Sheu, this has been a reoccurring issue, healthcare workers are repeatedly being attacked while carrying out their duty.

He said that the nurse that was attacked was still in critical condition.

“We, the entire nurses in the state plead with the government to provide adequate security in our hospitals,’’ he urged.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Sobi Specialist Hospital, Dr Salamat Lawal, commended the state Ministry of Health and the Management of Hospital Management Board, for rescuing the hospital from embarrassment.

Lawal urged all the staff of the hospital to resume work, adding that the state government had promised to find lasting solution to the challenge.

The Director, Medical Service and Training in the ministry, Dr Johnson Oyeniyi, appealed to the family of the affected nurse to remain calm, adding that the state government will address the issue. (NAN)
FATY/JEY/MST
Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Kwara Govt. partners with rotary club to curb maternal, child mortality

Partnership
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Ilorin, Feb. 4, 2020 (NAN) Dr Raji Razaq, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, has pledged to work with the Rotary Club International to enable it include family planing advocacy in its humanitarian services.

Razak dropped this hint on Tuesday in Ilorin at a meeting with members of the Rotary Club, Kwara chapter.

The commissioner said the organisation was known for its various support programmes such as polio eradication in the society and stressed the need to include maternal and neo-natala health activities.

He lauded the club for its support for family planning sensitisation and other health care intervention in the state.

“I urge the club to extend its reach in sensitising pregnant women to always give birth in healthcare facilities in order to reduce maternal and child mortality rate in the state’’.

Razaq pledged to collaborate with the organisation based on the plan of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration for quality and affordable healthcare services.

Prof. Oluwatoyin Musa, the team leader, Rotary Club Representative in Kwara, said the need for the club to have a family planning unit was to complement government’s efforts.

Musa said that the organisation was assisting in building the capacity of health workers on family planning for effective service delivery in the health sector.

She said that the club would continue to support the programme and partner with government in sensitisng the public on the activities of the family planning unit. (NAN)

FATY/CHIN/YEMI

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Yemi Idris-Aduloju