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Health

Foundation says early child abuse triggers disorders

Foundation says early child abuse triggers disorders
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Children
Abuja, Feb. 14, 2019 (NAN) The Child and Youth Protection Foundation (CYPF), an NGO, says early experiences of child abuse can trigger the development of an internal disorder in a child, if not properly addressed.
The CYPF Assistant Programme Officer, Mr Uche Joseph, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
He said the internal disorders include anxiety, depression, emotional instability, inferiority complex and low self-esteem.
Joseph said adults with history of some form of child abuse, whether sexual, physical or neglect, had more chances of being depressed than an adult who had never been abused.
“Child abuse is a major life stressor that has consequences involving the mental and physical well-being of the abused child.
“It has been identified as childhood sexual abuse or neglect and its risk factors are responsible for the development of substance-related problems during adolescence and adulthood.
“Such negative consequences affect the future of such children, thereafter destroying the image of the community such a child belongs to,” he said.
The programme officer said children often suffered various forms of abuse ranging from child marriage, molestation, child labour, kidnapping and neglect, among others.
He, however, urged community heads, parents and various stakeholders to come together to create public awareness on child abuse.
Joseph added that they must also ensure that the Child Rights Act was domesticated in the remaining states of Nigeria, and for states that had passed it to encourage full implementation.
“Parents must join hands to fight against the menace and not to use secrecy to cover offenders under the pretext of protecting family names. The culture of silence must be broken.
“Parents should learn to correct their kids with care and love, so that whenever the child is faced with situations of abuse, they will be able to confide in parents freely.
“Community leadership and religious leaders must support the implementation of the Child Rights Act,” he stressed.
Joseph said parents should discourage their children from illegal use of modern gadgets that gave them access to materials with sexual contents, such as pornographic videos and pictures.
He said children should be allowed to express their opinions on issues freely, and not be afraid to share ideas they had so that they could be corrected easily. (NAN)
OEO/COF/MST
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

International Condom Day: Foundation to distribute 600,000 condoms in Nigeria

International Condom Day: Foundation to distribute 600,000 condoms in Nigeria
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Condoms
Abuja, Feb. 6, 2019 (NAN) The AIDS HealthCare Foundation (AHF), a Non-Governmental Organisation, says it will distribute over 600,000 condoms across the country as part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Condom Day.
Mr Steve Aborisade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager of the Foundation, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja said the day was set aside to promote the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
“The commemoration is usually observed on Feb. 13 in preceding Valentine’s Day, however, the day was moved to Feb. 7 due to the upcoming general elections.
“The condoms will be distributed in Abuja, and five other states of Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Anambra and Cross River,’’ he said.
The Country Programme Director, Dr Echey Ijezie, AHF-Nigeria, said that the Nigerian National Condom Strategy emphasised a deficit of 564 million condoms annually in the country.
He said the National AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey 2012 indicated that despite the increased awareness about condom in Nigeria, there is still low acceptance.
“Abstinence from sex, for those who can, remains very effective in preventing STIs and unplanned pregnancies.
“AHF is however confident that when we keep reminding people about using condoms with access to free condoms, we would have helped to reduce new HIV and STIs, prevent unwanted pregnancies, while promoting healthy lifestyle choices,’’ Ijezie said.
According to Chief Global Policy and Advocacy AHF, Mr Terri Ford, condoms are still the cheapest and best option for preventing HIV and STDs, in addition to unwanted pregnancies.
“Our International Condom Day events are a fun way to bring people together and get them information about how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy.
“International Condom Day also helps remind people that there is still an HIV crisis across the globe,’’ he added.
AHF President, Mr Michael Weinstein, also said that promoting safe sex practices was also important in a time when funding for global health has remained flat for the last several years.
He said that lack of funds also includes money for condoms, adding that it is critical to stay healthy and be disease-free, particularly in countries that experience higher prevalence rates for HIV.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organisation, currently provides medical care and services to more than one million clients in 43 countries. (NAN)
OEO/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NGO seeks institutional action on cancer care

By Chinenye Offor
Cancer
Abuja, Feb. 2, 2019 (NAN) Project Pink Blue, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has urged the Federal government to create an institutional action on care of cancer.

The Executive Director, Project Pink Blue, Mr Runcie Chidebe, made the call on Saturday in Abuja during a walk in commomeration of World Cancer Day.

He noted that the event was a day set aside to create awareness on cancer.

According to him, the government, stakeholders and individuals have a role to play in reducing the burden of cancer in the society.

Chidebe decried the 2018 huge figure of 1,115 people diagnosed with cancer and about 72,000 thousand deaths in the society by the World Health Organization.

He said that such figure called for urgent intervention and advocated for more screening centres and equipment, adding that it will help reduce deaths.

“In Nigeria today, cancer treatment is nothing to write home about because some of the equipment and facilities are not working.

“If you have cancer today in our society, you are on your own and this calls for action from the government in order to curb the disease.

“We are loosing our mentors, mothers, fathers and children to cancer that the developed countries are curtailing,” he said.

He therefore urged everyone to get tested for cervical, breast and prostate cancer, adding that early detection alone cannot save life but combination of early detection with treatment.

Chidebe further said that his foundation was using the day to target and give free cervical, breast and prostate cancer screenings to 1000 patients.

Ms Owen Omegefo, the Managing Director of Transcop Hilton Abuja and Calabar, said they were supporting project in raising awareness on cancer.

Omegefo who defeated cancer, urged everyone to get tested, saying that early detection is key to survival.

She further said that it was important to get screened for cancer irrespective of age, adding that she was diagnosed of cervical cancer at age 29 and attributed her survival to early detection and treatment.

she therefore enjoined everyone to make life style changes such as eating healthy foods and exercising, among others, as it was another way of combating cancer. (NAN)
CSO/CHOM/MST
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Foundation urges FG to establish institutions for older persons

By Chinenye Offor
Institutions
Abuja, Oct. 20, 2018 (NAN) Dr Emem Omokaro , the Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation, has called on the Federal Government to establish institutions for older persons to help in solving ageing issues.

She made the call on Saturday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Omokaro said that right institutions, human resources, framework, monitoring evaluation team, data and social security were core pillars of development in terms of ageing.

She also said that having data and right institutions in place was important in ageing, adding that by 2020 there will be about 10 million older persons and there is need for preparation.

She expressed the need for integration and inclusion of older persons in universal healthcare coverage as well as the primary healthcare services.

“I think we are on the path way, prior to now, no one talks about ageing and the older persons are increasing in number.

“Nigeria has the considerable spams of the informal sector and when you talk about social protection, how do you secure the people who have served in informal sector in old age that is a gap that needs to be bridged,” she said.

Omokaro added that it was necessary for advocacy to be on life course approach, intergenerational approach in order to achieve a win-win situation.

The director further identified lack of policy on ageing as one of the factors affecting ageing issues in the country.

She also identified policy document on ageing, long term care, health, subsidised drugs for the aged as well as inclusion of older persons into NHIS as issues that needed urgent attention.

Besides, she suggested the provision of social security for formal and informal sectors, recreational centres and hospitals in the rural areas for the older persons.

According to her, the foundation is at the forefront of sensitising, training and re- training personnel on ageing issues and development.

Omokaro, therefore, advocated for capacity building for social workers in care of the older persons. (NAN)
CSO/HS/MST
Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Edited by Halima Sheji

Health

Foundation offers HIV/AIDS care services to 1m Nigerians

Foundation offers HIV/AIDS care services to 1m beneficiaries
By Talatu Maiwada
HIV/AIDS
Abuja, Oct. 19, 2018 (NAN) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a Non-Governmental Organisation, on Friday said it has achieved a remarkable milestone of providing HIV and AIDS medical care and services to more than 1 million patients globally.
Mr Steve Aborisade, Advocacy and Marketing Manager AHF, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the foundation is the largest AIDS organisation operating in 41 countries worldwide.
“AHF is honoured to announce that it has surpassed a remarkable milestone in its history from the start of this month.
“AHF is now providing HIV and AIDS medical care and services to 1,004,228 patients worldwide including Africa, United States, Europe, Latin America, Caribbean and Asia.
“AHF Africa, Nigeria inclusive, leads the way, with over 500,000 patients in care in 13 African nations of the 41 countries globally that AHF operates in,’’ he said.
Mr Michael Weinstein, AHF’s President, expressed excitement at the most momentous achievement in the 31 years history of AHF.
He added that it was an achievement proudly shared by many dedicated staff, board members, partner organisations, volunteers, families, friends and patients.
“Just three short years ago, we marked 500,000 patients in care, to now reach over twice that number, 1million lives, is simply incredible.
“I congratulate and thank all who helped us reach this remarkable milestone today, also to remind people that there is still much more work to be done.
“As we carry on, I am confident that the leadership of AHF’s domestic and global programmes has the capability to take us onward and upward.
“And also to bring more and more people into the lifeboat of care and treatment over the next five years,’’ Weinstein said.
Dr Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, described the landmark achievement by AHF as a remarkable feat which proves that with dedication and commitment it was possible to wipe out AIDS in our society.
Ijezie acknowledged Nigeria’s contribution to the achievement of 1 million in care landmark by AHF, adding that Nigeria is motivated to achieve more with a redoubled effort to work collaboratively with the government. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Foundation urges FG to empower Committee on child labour

Foundation urges FG to empower Committee on child labour
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Children
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) The National Coordinator, Child and Youth Protection Foundation, Mr Kolawole Olatosimi, has appealed to the Federal Government to empower the steering committee on child labour across the country including the FCT.
Olatosimi made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
He said the committee need to be funded adequately and called for more commitment of the members.
Olatosimi said although some state committees are working properly, but there was room for more improvement.
“Boys outnumbered girls in hazardous work; more than 60 per cent children in hazardous work are boys, we must ensure that children are not in hazardous work.
“Some of the physical or psychological impacts of hazardous work may not be obvious immediately, but only begin to appear at a later stage in their lives.
“Hazardous work can have immediate and long-term impacts on children. These may include injury and even death; it could be due to pesticide poisoning,’’ the coordinator said.
Olatosimi said children and adolescents are specifically vulnerable to the effects of hazardous work because they are still developing physically and mentally.
He said some parents could be careless about the wellbeing of their children and hide under poverty to destroy the future of these children and put unnecessary pressure on the larger society.
Olatosimi however said there should be a mechanism to identify and punish erring parents, saying it can serve as deterrent to others and gradually eliminate or reduce the number of children in hazardous work and child labour.
“Another way of eliminating hazardous work on children is to focus on the parents of those children involved in it.
“The necessary government MDAs like the Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, NAPTIP, National Human Right Commission must be well funded and staff properly trained to work effectively in the elimination of hazardous work and all forms of child labour.
“The Nigeria hazardous work list need to be disseminated to more MDAs, and the public and the ministry of labour and employment needs to increase their engagements with social partners and other relevant stakeholders,” he said. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Declare cancer national emergency, Foundation urges FG

Declare cancer national emergency, Foundation urges FG
By Chinenye Offor
Cancer
Abuja, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Executive Director, Project Pink Blue, Mr Runcie Chidebe, has urged the Federal Government to declare cancer as a national emergency and establish more centres with functional for cancer management.
Chidebe made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said cancer should be made a national issue in terms of awareness creation, funding and creation of more cancer screening facilities in the country to reduce deaths and long queues witnessed at screening centres.
Chidebe said that the foundation was raising more public awareness and educating policy makers on the scourge and how it could be reduced.
He described the increased rate of cancer in Nigeria as pathetic, saying the country records “over 100,000 new cases and about 72,000 deaths annually’’.
The executive director said cancer as a major public health issue for Nigeria needed to be treated as a national problem, adding that “without intervention from government the figures will increase’’
“Nigeria has all the manpower and some equipment in diagnosing cancer but we need the government to make cancer screening a national health priority.
“Late diagnosis is one of the factors that kill people; we encourage people to go for regular screening of cervical, breast and prostate cancer.
“Some cancers are preventable so we encourage people to make life style changes exercise regularly, eat more of vegetables and reduce weight if overweight,’’ he said.
Chidebe also urged the federal government to give more training to Oncologists and other healthcare providers in order to improve their capacity to work effectively.
“Without government intervention, the figures will increase; it is a major public health issue for Nigeria that needed to be treated as a national problem,’’ he said.
Ms Theodora Zita, a survivor of breast cancer, also Nigerians to get tested for cancer and stressed that early detection was key to survival.
According to her, lack of proper information and access to health screening facilities are contributory factors to the increased of deaths from the disease.
Zita also said that creating awareness was important in the fight against cancer.
“People should be informed about cancer that it is not a death sentence and starting treatment early, if diagnosed of it, also increases chance of survival.
“I encourage anyone suffering from any form of cancer to start treatment immediately.
“Stop saying it is not my portion, stop going from one prayer house to the other, you can be praying while taking the treatment,” she said.
Besides, the survivor called on stakeholders and policy makers to create more awareness on cancer to help fight the scourge. (NAN)
CSO/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

UK Foundation trains 271 corps members on voter registration

UK Foundation trains 271 corps members on voter registration
By Yashim Katurak
Training
Abuja, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), a United Kingdom (UK) Non-Departmental public body dedicated to supporting democracy, has trained 271 NYSC corps members on Civic Voter Education.
The WFD Country Director, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, said this at the one-day training on Friday in Abuja at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, Kubwa, FCT,
Olrunmola said the training was part of the organisation’s “#OurVoteCountsNGProject”.
He said that the project was being carried out in partnership with the NYSC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Olorunmola said that the organisation was also being supported by the European Union-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN).
The country director said that the project involved the recruitment and training of corps members to carry out voter education dissemination through the Voters’ Education Community Development Service (CDS) Group set up by the WFD.
According to Olorunmola, the Voters’ Education CDS group was set up as a sub-group under the NYSC Education CDS group and is first of its kind in Nigeria.
“Youths are often engaged by politicians and political parties and used as foot soldiers, thugs, to snatch ballot boxes, intimidate opposition candidates or parties as opposed to encouraging them to conduct their civic right of participating in the electoral process.
“The project will therefore support democratic governance in Nigeria by using targeted peer to peer civic and voter education to encourage youth participation in the electoral process.
“Youth participation in the electoral process is very crucial and important hence, the project’s target is to increase their interest and commitment to the process.
`This project is being funded by EU-SDGN and will be implemented by WFD and INEC.
“In line with the objectives of EU-SDGN and WFD, the project will support sustainable democratic growth through citizen participation.
“It will also strengthen the various institutions capable of accountable governance, while the Voters’ Education CDS group will set the foundation for a more responsible, participatory and engaged youth who can later constitute members of parliament,” Olorunmola said.
The country director said that the project would be replicated in Osun and Imo states, respectively.
Mr Bello Ballama, the NYSC FCT Coordinator, noted that youths in Nigeria constitute 63 per cent of eligible voting population, urging them to join hands to ensure that their votes count.
Ballama described the NYSC as a programme centred on building national unity and supporting the development of skills among youths to enable them actualise their full potential.
The coordinator lauded EU-SDGN and WFD for identifying the potentials of youths and their resolve to help strengthen democracy in the country.
Established in 1992, WFD provides expertise to countries around the world on how to develop parliaments, political party structures and civil society organisations; the key institutions that make up a functioning democracy.
It is sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the UK. (NAN)
KRY/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Foundation alerts on dangers of social media on teenagers

Foundation alerts on dangers of social media on teenagers
By Talatu Maiwada
Teenagers
Abuja, Aug.24, 2018 (NAN) World Impact Development Foundation has advised parents, guardians and school teachers to teach and guide teenagers on the dangers associated with the use of social media.
Mr Dexter King, Peak Performance and Leadership Coach of the foundation, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
King alerted that social media sites have positive aspects as well as dangers that come with its usage.
According to him, statistics has shown that a teenager spends averagely 27 hours weekly on social media.
He noted that the social media plays a significant role in defining social interaction where one can connect, relate and interact with several others from distant places.
He said social media has become a prominent part of life for many young people and teenagers, adding that unlike many adults they spend more time without thinking of its effect.
King said there are subtle daily dangers of social media that are either unknown, being ignored or minimised, thus the need to educate and set appropriate boundaries for them to stay safe.
“There are lots positive and negative aspects and teenagers need help and guidance on its usage, as they could ignorantly go beyond boundaries which may come with lots of consequences later in life.
“These sites become popular and easily accessible, with just a click, they can have varieties of information at their disposal and certainly there are dangers and effect teenagers are exposed to.
“When it comes to technology and teens, the dangerous things they are expose to are cyber bullying , sexing and online predators, which are incredibly damaging and issues that must be addressed,’’ he said.
King listed some dangers of social media to include loss of focus to academic work, noting that teens can get obsessive and addictive to social media which could become detrimental to their academic work.
“The time for their studies is mostly spent on frivolous activities of social media, like chatting, reading news feeds and visiting several links or gaming sites, hence affecting their academic performance.
“The danger of premature exposure, this exposes their fragile minds especially the girls to dangers of online world, such as various fashion trends which out of curiosity they want to practice.
“Teenagers are also often exposed to cyber-bullying which is usually done by sending intimidating or threatening messages through electronic communication, this also can lead to emotional trauma and loss of self-confidence.
“Access to unhealthy groups, social networking sites which allow hate groups to recruit and distribute propaganda, sexual predators who assault victims, and relying on rumours or unreliable information to make real life choices,’’ he added.
He further advised parents that teenagers must be taught to take caution of who they relate with, share personal or family information with on social media in order to groom future leaders. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Foundation to sponsor treatment of 25 cancer patients

Foundation to sponsor treatment of 25 cancer patients
By Talatu Maiwada
Cancer
Abuja, Aug.16, 2018 (NAN) The Pink Oak Cancer Trust, an NGO, on Thursday said it would raise N100 million for the treatment of 25 cancer patients between August and December, this year.
Ms Rita Eugene, Media Assistant of the foundation, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the foundation was working with its partners to realise the target.
Eugene explained that Pink Oak was a charity foundation working with other cancer advocacy NGOs to improve access to cancer care.
She listed the member-NGOs to include Breast without Spot (Enugu), Cancer Aware Nigeria (Lagos), Project Pink Blue (Abuja), St. Cyril Cancer Treatment Foundation (Lagos) and Sebeccly Cancer Care (Lagos).
According to her, Mr Fola Adeola, Chairman, Pink Oak Governing Board, has approved the commencement of the programme in fulfilment of the primary goal of the group.
She added that Dr Laz Ude Eze, the Executive Director of the foundation, subsequently announced the launch of the 25 Patients Initiative (25PI), to make it a reality.
“Under this initiative, Pink Oak is working with its 5-member NGOs to identify patients in early cancer stages (Stage 1 or 2) who cannot afford to fund their treatment fully.
“The eligible patients shall be treated at various hospitals in Abuja, Enugu, Ibadan and Lagos already designated as treatment centres for Pink Oak-supported patients.
“Pink Oak shall also not pay cash to patients; rather, all payments shall be made directly to the treatment centres,’’ she said.
Eugene appealed to all good-spirited Nigerians, corporate and religious organisations to donate generously towards this cause to enable the foundation save more lives from cancer. (NAN)
TIM/ESAN/MST
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Muhammad Suleiman Tola