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Call off strike, patients beg Imo resident doctors

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Call off strike, patients beg Imo resident doctors

…As Expert says Being over 40 years is risk factor for Prostate Cancer***

Patients at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) have urged the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in Imo to call off their four-week strike in the interest of public health.

Many of the patients made the call when News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent visited the hospital in Orlu on Thursday.

One of them, Mr Sunday Okoroji who has been on admission for seven months, said that the prolonged industrial strike was delaying his healing  process.

He begged the state  government to hearken to the demands of the doctors so as to enable them resume work.

Another patient, Chijioke Udorie, (9) who said that he was hit by stray bullet, also called on the doctors and government to come to a common agreement and end the strike, adding that he was going through a lot of pain.

“The doctors said that they were not well paid and that they were tired of working on empty stomach.

“I’m begging my governor to listen to the doctors and pay them in full so that they can treat us,”he appealed.

Also speaking, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyekachi, an orthopedic patient lamented that the prolonged strike had been increasing her bills.

According to her, she is more than half way healed and was expecting to be discharged when the strike commenced.

The Chairman, ARD, IMSUTH Dr Bright Chukwunta said that the strike was a continuation of an earlier strike the doctors had suspended after reaching agreement with Gov. Emeka Ihedioha shortly after he was sworn in.

Chukwunta, who was represented by the Secretary General of the association, Dr Chinonso Muokwe said doctors’ demands include payment of full subvention and provision of necessary equipment in the hospital.

The chairman also identified repair of access roads leading to the hospital as on of the doctors’ demands.

“We had a gentleman agreement with the state governor seven days after he assumed office where he promised to restore our subvention to 100 per cent.

“He also agreed to pay arrears of salaries owed us, and fix access roads to the hospital.

“It is almost five months down the line and nothing has been done in that regard.

Also read:  Consider your patients before embarking on strike, Obasanjo tells doctors

“This is why on Sept. 12, we recommenced a previously suspended strike on the ground of breach of agreement on the part of government.

Dr Okoro Izuchukwu, a former secretary general of ARD, IMSUTH also said that the health and well-being of doctors was paramount, adding that doctors could not work on empty stomach.

He also said that most of the patients could not afford private health care bill, noting that government hospitals were more affordable.

“We call on the state government to fulfill its promises because government sponsored health facilities are more affordable and easier to access.

“This is why the welfare of doctors here is paramount as we cannot effectively function on empty stomach,”he said.

In the meantime, Dr Bassey Eyo, a member of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Cross River
chapter, on Thursday, said that being a man of over 40 years is a risk factor in contracting prostate cancer.

She told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar that “having a family history of the disease also makes a man prone to contracting the ailment.”

Eyo said prostate cancer was common in men of over 40 years and for a man to be safe, he needed to be screened.

She explained that during screening, an antigen called prostate-specific antigen is picked in the blood, and when these antigens
are more than four, it is then suspected that the man has contracted prostate cancer.

She noted that physical examination would also be carried out on the man, after taking his history.

According to her, there is no specific known cause of prostate cancer, except that it has a hereditary part and can
be influenced by bad lifestyle like smoking, drinking and excessive use of tobacco.

She advised that “any man who is above 40 years should go get a Digital Rectile Examination (DRE); it is not painful or expensive, unfortunately, many Nigerians wait for the disease to come first before they treat.

She explained that “DRE is a test for both men and women. It allows a doctor to check the lower rectum, pelvis, and lower belly for cancer and other health problems.

“Depending on the stage of the prostate cancer, it could be operated on or drugs can be given to the patient which he would be taking for life.

“Anyone that has a male in his family that died from prostate cancer or that encounters difficulty in urinating or sees traces of blood in his urine should get immediate checkup.

“Even those who experience excessive urination, split urine during urination or a feeling of some urine left after urination should run to hospital for DRE.”

The MWAN member said that the Cross River chapter of the association had declared the month of October as cancer-free month with the theme “I can and I will” and outlined programmes, ranging from enlightenment campaigns to free cancer screenings in the state.

 

Health and Safety

CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

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CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

…Says Words are sometimes sharper than Swords

The National Cybercrime Centre – Nigeria Police Force has stressed that the word is sometimes sharper than the sword and warned journalists to be more disciplined and mindful in their choice of words online.

 The Acting Assistant Director of the Cybercrime Centre, SP Abubakar Smart, advised at a cybercrime workshop organised for journalists by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday at the International Maritime Press Centre, Apapa, Lagos.

 Smart stressed that the pen could be sharper than the knife and therefore warned that journalists should ensure that whatever they push out online would not get them in trouble.

“What strikes the mind of people when we talk of cybercrime is internet fraud but it is more than that.

“Today, it has become a global threat due to the way we use digital technology, the nature of our work and the way we interact online.

“Journalists need to be well-informed about the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as amended, to be more educated about cybercrime so as not to fall victim,” he said.

Smart described cybercrime as any criminal activity done in cyberspace on any social media platform.

He listed them to include bullying, stalking,  fraud, identity theft and phishing.

“The punishment for cybercrime can be up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to N10 million and asset forfeiture.

“We should be aware of regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the cyberspace is free.

“Some of them are the National Cybercrime Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” he said.

In his paper presentation, Dr Layinka Adagun, a veteran journalist and Mass Communication Lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic urged journalists not to be desperate to be superstars.

He said that the zeal to confirm exclusive stories and the persistence to get information first could make some run foul of the cybercrime law.

Adagun said that some media professionals had a misconception that their daily activities, particularly intellectual outputs were removed from Internet governance.

“The internet has become a global tool for everything including a channel for freedom of expression but sadly, the freedom that the internet depicts is now being attacked and users intimidated.

“We all need to safeguard our access and activities on the electronic highway,” he said.

He said that cybercrime could be avoided, reduced or eliminated through a combination of individual awareness, organisational measures and technological solutions.

“Some strategies are: to educate ourselves on cybercrime, use strong passwords, be cautious with links and attachments, keep software up-to-date, and implement cyber security policies,” he said

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Health and Safety

Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

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Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has warned that any further attempt by its officers to pull the wool over the public eyes, may be treated as an act of gross misconduct and thus, attract serious sanctions 

The NCoS emphasized this in a statement made available by the Public Relations Officer and image maker, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, specifically calling attention to a public reaction of one of its officers, to a recently trending video.

“The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB)”, the statement indicated, adding:

“The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three (3) other officers following their alleged roles in various misconducts to allow for further investigation.

“The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state”, the statement further indicated.

It would be recalled that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.

 The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly. 

The Image maker consequently advised the public to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that a thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules as well as other extant laws.

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Health and Safety

Tinubu: We Have Eliminated 300 Boko Haram, Other Banditry Groups’ Commanders

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Tinubu: We Have Eliminated 300 Boko Haram, Other Banditry Groups’ Commanders

… Vows to reduce the cost of living, saying efforts will dovetail into greater farming and bumper agricultural harvests

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said that Nigerian security forces have eliminated more than 300 commanders of the Boko Haram terrorist group in the last year.

Also eliminated are many commanders of other banditry groups, especially in the North-West and North-East.

Tinubu gave the security update in his National Broadcast to mark the nation’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

“I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry.

“Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism.

“Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever.

“As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

“We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home.

“It is an unfinished business, and our security agencies are committed to ending it as quickly as possible.

“As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms.

“We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this,” he said.

In the meantime, President Bola Tinubu has stressed that his administration is taking appropriate measures to reduce the cost of living.

The President said this in his Independence Day broadcast on Tuesday.

“The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide.

“My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home,” said the President.

He commended the governors of Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the Southwest governors that had embraced the agricultural production programme of his administration.

“I urge other states to join the Federal Government in investing in mechanised farming. We are playing our part by supplying fertiliser and making available tractors and other farm equipment.

“Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2,000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months,” he said.

He added that the energy transition programme being implemented by his government was on course.

“We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players.

“The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation. 

“Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion,” he said. 

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