AfDB commits to help Sudan build resilience and tackle fragility

AfDB commits to help Sudan build resilience and tackle fragility: 18/10/2017 - The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) on Wednesday, 18 October 2017 approved Sudan’s Country Brief 2017-2019, designed to help the country build resilience and address core issues of fragility.

Adesina calls for immediate action over deepening crisis of global malnutrition

Adesina calls for immediate action over deepening crisis of global malnutrition: 20/10/2017 - African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina has called for urgent action from stakeholders over the deepening crisis of global malnutrition.

World Food Prize Laureate says recognition motivates him to accelerate Africa’s agricultural transformation

World Food Prize Laureate says recognition motivates him to accelerate Africa’s agricultural transformation: 20/10/2017 - The World Food Prize is a great motivation which puts the wind behind the sails of what the African Development Bank is doing with its development priorities − the High 5s – especially Feed Africa, the President of the Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, has said.

AfDB’s agricultural transformation strategy to guarantee 513 million tons of additional food production

AfDB’s agricultural transformation strategy to guarantee 513 million tons of additional food production: 20/10/2017 - The African Development Bank (AfDB) has developed a new initiative called the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative – a knowledge- and innovation-based response to the recognized need to scaling up proven technologies across Africa.

BRECAN @20: Experts Explore Way Forward, Charts Course On Cancer Management

By Tope Musowo
The founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) and the First Lady of Ondo State, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has identified crowd-funding as an alternative source of funding cancer treatment in Nigeria.

Speaking at the workshop organized by Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) at the Public Service Training Institute (PSTI) at Ilara Mokin, Mrs. Akeredolu who observed that aside battling with misconceptions that shrouds breast cancer, there is also the issue of funding treatment, thus the need to adopt crowd funding as a short time approach to addressing this ugly trend.

While calling for support to help Ondo State women with breast cancer through the N200million Crowd Funding Initiative, Mrs. Akeredolu stressed the need for all every individual to be involved as government cannot do everything.

“Aside the fact that we battle with misconception about breast cancer, we also battle with our people not having funds for treatment and so they resort to where they will not spend so much money like the Prayer House.

“In truth, these women have no other choice if access to care is not made available. We cannot wait for government to do everything. If we are to follow bureaucratic process to get funds that means most of these women will die before the funds come through. This is just a short time approach to addressing an ugly situation”, she stressed while emphasizing the place of advocacy and lobbying so that funds are appropriated for health.

Dr. Katung while speaking on the Challenges of Managing Cancer Patients in Nigeria highlighted late presentation, poor attitude of health workers, non availability of branded chemotherapeutic drugs in the face of poor resources among other.

According to him, the cost of medical diagnosis, histopathology as well as hormonal receptors among others is quite expensive, thus the need to adopt public education and promote awareness on risky behavior
While lauding the efforts of BRECAN over the years in fighting the scourge of breast cancer, Dr. Katung urged government at all levels to increase budgetary allocation on health.

Earlier, facilitators at the break out session in the different forum such as Youth Forum , Survivor Forum, Health Professional Forum Women Forum and General Forum explored in detail different topics which were followed by question and answer sessions from participants.

Presenting his paper titled ‘What Is breast cancer? Breast Cancer Pathogenesis’, Dr. Olumide Aladesuru, a Consultant General Surgeon took time to highlight what breast cancer means and the factors that puts one at risk such as gender, age, race, hereditary, poor diet, smoking, alcoholism among others.

While tracing the clinical features of a painless lump on the breast as a ticking bomb, Dr. Aladesuru x-rayed treatment option such as breast reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy with involve the use of Tamoxifen stressing that breast cancer is indeed treatable when detected on time.

Dr. Aladesuru also explored the clinical options of Risk Reduction Modalities which include among others surgical option as he stressed that screening culture should be encouraged.

Dr. Akinjide Ogundokun, a family Physician while exploring the topic: ‘Early Detection Of Breast Cancer And Patient Navigation’ traced the different stages of breast development noting that in Nigeria, the peak age of breast cancer is about 42.6 years which is 12% less than 30 years of age.

According to him, majority of patients delay presenting at the hospital because of ignorance, fear of surgery and at times because they seek alternative herbal therapies thus complicating the whole process.

Another Family Physician, Dr. Olaniyi Johnson who spoke on Breast Cancer Prevention; Lifestyle Approach emphasized that people are increasingly living at risk because of their lifestyle.

Dr. Olaniyi also highlighted the dangers of certain lifestyles that puts one at risk of cancer which include smoking, alcoholism while stressing that it is good to maintain healthy body weight, eat right and be involved in physical activity in order to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Other facilitators at the programme include Dr. Margaret Isabella who explored the need for a national health policy; Jennifer Dents; Dr. Niyonzima (Uganda Cancer Care) among others.

England Based Occupational Therapist Donates Books to Nigerian School

By Tope Musowo

An occupational therapist based in England, Adedolapo Adewole yesterday donated 1400 books to the Federal School of Occupational Therapy, Oshodi Lagos, as a show of her support for the profession in Nigeria.

 Adelapo who came from England  down to Nigeria in 2015/2016 for her  compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and  internship, at the school, said during the official book presentation yesterday that," I was here for over a year,during which I lectured them foundations for professional practice,ethics in occupational therapy,during that time I saw this need for reading materials, so I made up my mind to do something about it, when I went back I got in contact with this charity organization in England called Books2Africa International,I did a project research and told them how we need their help to get some books for the students here to make them be at par with their counterparts in other parts of the world".

"They approved the project, funded the project, they donated 1400 books,which got chipped down to Nigeria and here we are today for the official presentation of the books,these you are seeing would cost thousands of pounds if we are to put a figure to it,we are really grateful to Books2Africa International,i am also grateful to my brother Mr Ademola Adewole,who also contributed to the cost of chipping the books to Nigeria".

"My motivation for doing this is as result   of my passion for education,I'm passionate about the students because I see the amount of efforts and dedication they put in into their studies with limited or no resources, if they have access to more resources I know they will excel and become professional in this field,so that is my motivation for doing this,I started with the set one who gave me the inspiration to apply for this project encourage them anything is possible".

"My advice to the students is to make the best use of the books,and be more focus and I know the sky is just the beginning for them,they shouldn't follow this common mentality that nothing can be done around here and sit down on the same spot,the world is so big for them to explore and make name for their selves and they can always go beyond the limitation of Nigerian environment".

"Beyond this book donation I'm also looking at getting the World Federation of Occupational Therapy to give accreditation status to this school and contribute to what is happening here,that  is my next project ".Dolapo said.

The Acting Principal of the school,Mr Akinwole Adeoso in response to the donation said,"Its a move I really applaud,Dolapo had her internship here was so supportive, she saw the need and felt she should do something about it,she  has the passion of taking the practice of occupational therapy in Nigeria to the next level.

"As you may be aware,this is the first school of occupational therapy in Nigeria, as much as government is doing her best, the growth of the practice outside there is faster than our pace in Nigeria, so Dolapo felt so concerned about this,that's is why she is trying her best to ensure she contribute to the growth of the practice here.

"This is a big challenge to me and everyone of us,she was just here for a couple of months and she felt the need to do this ,with this she is already addressing one of the teething issues in this school. So the message for all of us is that wherever we find ourselves whatever situation we meet on ground we can do something about it.

On why the activities of the school seems to have been underreported, the man blamed it on the media that has not given much publicity to the their activities, according to him,they usually have two major events every year,matriculation and convocation,and another annual event on every October 27, which ordinarily should be an avenue to publicise the school the school always invite the media,and also the fact that not many people dont know about the practice, like he said ,the school is the first in Nigeria and the whole of Africa,apart from Obafemi Awolowo University which also run a BSc in Occupational Therapy and a similar program in Benin,he added that if many universities in the country are running the program the awareness would have been more than this",the Principal added.

Mr Olukoju Emmanuel ,an occupational therapist, a lecturer in the school in his own response rather put it this way,"word cannot describe how I feel,I was the one that received the books when it was chipped to the country about four months ago,she gave me a call from the UK that the book will be arriving, I never knew it was going to be this number of books.

"1400 books is outstanding,these students have to see this a rare and golden opportunity,I was once a student of this school before I went to India for further studies,so I understand what it is when you have to study with limited resources,but one thing I know Nigerians for is that we are always excelling whenever we find ourselves despite all odds. 

"We quite appreciate this good gesture because if we have all we need in this country, there won't be any need for many of us traveling abroad for education. This is actually a step in the right direction so I urge the students to make the best use of it",Olukoju said.

World food day:Federal Lawmaker gives 500 constituent welfare package

By Dapo Thomas

Hon Jimi Benson member Federal House Representatives has reiterated his resolve to ensure the welfare of his constituents,as he empowered 500 people through his 'I care food bank' scheme. 

The young and vibrant federal legislator noted that, he was moved to kick start the welfare package of which these marks the twelveth edition, believing that once hunger is dealt with issue of theft and poverty induced restiveness will be reduced to the barest minimum amongst his constituents.

"I started this monthly incentive idea last year and had much faith that to a large extent it will impact positively on the masses in Ikorodu Federal constituency.

"This is just a part of the good things we have in stock for you, I promise good representation and your well-being is of paramount importance to me. Said Hon Benson. 

The lawmaker gave already sealed bags containing non perishable items like: rice, Harrison, milk, tea, sugar, beans, tomato paste, Maggi, salt and bread to 500 constituents to commemorate this year's world food day just as the Lagos State held a grand event to mark the day.