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500th Anniversary Of Luther: Don Votes For Restructuring > News in Nigeria ~ 25/01/2018

TO mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany difficult the church hierarchy, The Redeemed Christian Bible College recently organised a one particular-day national conference to examine the relevance of the Lutherian revolt to both the Church and the nation at substantial.

In his keynote address tagged: ‘The Reformation of the Church and Its Lessons for the Ongoing call and Clamour for the Restructuring of Nigeria, Professor of Church History and Dean of Student Affairs, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof. Don Akhilomen said there are vital lessons for Nigeria and Nigerians to study from the experiences of the Church following the 16th Century Protestant Church Reformation.

Leveraging his argument on the clamour for restructuring of Nigeria, Prof. Akhilomen asked the current APC Administration to be extra tolerant and embrace dialogue specially on the agitations for restructuring.

According to him, over centralisation of power only brings abuse of energy which has brought on anger amongst constituent states, stressing that in a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse country like Nigeria, a forced union, in a unitary manner has not only proven to be unhealthy but virtually unsustainable.

In his words: "According to President Muhammadu Buhari’s specch on October 1 that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable, do you force a marriage? If you force a marriage, the woman will either poison the man or the man kills the woman.

In Nigeria have they asked us if we agree to come together on what bases do we stay together just like the unity of the Church is desirable, the unity of Nigeria is desirable but then, there should be open dialogue, the terms of our union need to be negotiated. Are you saying the American state was not negotiated? It was negotiated and till these days there are many amendments."

Akhilomen, having said that cautioned those agitating for restructuring and secession that true progress and alter can only be achieved in peace, unity and faith, explaining that the church’s historical knowledge clearly shows that protestation do not necessarily guarantee genuine reformation.

He mentioned: "It is not each and every adjust that translates to progress. In the Nigerian situation, these calmouring for restructur-ing and, in the extreme case, these desiring for secession really should realise that the search for Eldorado may well well be a utopia as the Church’s history and the knowledge of South Sudan amply indicate.

Also speaking, the co-convener of the occasion, a visiting Senior lecturer in Lagos State University, LASU, Dr. Benson Igboin mentioned Luther’s decade calls for reflection for the modern churches lamenting that most of the problems that Luther wrote against then are still present in most modern day day churches.

Explaining why the Bible College organised the occasion, Dr. Igboin stated: "There is have to have for us to re-assess ourselves just like Luther did 500 years ago, to see if there was no need to have to reform ourselves.

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Major Health News Across Nigeria Last Week - Naija Breaking News : 25/01/2018

For several years, Nigeria has consistently spent only about one per cent of its GDP on health, said the Provost of the College of Medicine of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Kehinde Oluwadiya.

Mr. Oluwadiya, a professor of medicine, disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled "Impact of Present Economic Challenges on Health Indices in Nigeria and Medical Practice in Nigeria as a whole" organised by the Association of Resident Doctors of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH, Osogbo chapter.

According to him, governments at the various levels have been spending just over one-third of what should have been spent on the health of citizens.

Statistics showed that the government only spent one per cent of Nigeria’s GDP on health in 2013, a figure he noted has remained unchanged since 1995. There is a difference between GDP and total budget expenditure, the don explained.

"Government is spending an average of $31 but in order for the government to provide just the basic health need of an average Nigerian, they should be spending $86 per person," he said.

CERVICAL CANCER: IMMUNISE GIRLS BEFORE FIRST SEX

In a bid to stem the rising cases of cervical cancer in Nigeria, Health Education and Empowerment Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, has commenced awareness and screening sessions among women in rural communities in Ogun State.

The Information Centre on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) says there are 14,089 cervical cancer cases in Nigeria.

It also reports that about 8,240 deaths are recorded annually in the country.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of HEDEN, Folasade Ofurume, emphasised the need for early screening once a sign is noticed. She said cervical cancer is preventable by receiving the Human papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine before sex from age 11 above.

She explained that cervical cancer was the commonest genital cancer killing women especially in sub-Saharan Africa, adding that it is the second commonest cancer affecting women in Nigeria. Cervical cancer is fatal if left unrecognized and untreated. It is very important for every woman to undergo regular cervical screening to detect abnormalities. She urged parents to vaccinate both boys and girls because HPV causes other diseases aside cervical cancer

REPORT ADVERSE DRUGS REACTIONS - NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has called on Nigerians to take reports of adverse drugs reactions more seriously.

This advice was given through its acting Director-General, Yetunde Oni, at a media chat on pharmacovigilance and malaria held in Abuja on Tuesday. The advice was against the backdrop of a revelation that Nigerians report only a fraction of cases of adverse drugs reactions they experience.

"Due to the inherent nature of medicines, no medicine, no matter how skilfully produced to meet specified quality standards, properly distributed and stored, rationally prescribed and used is 100 per cent safe.

"However, by continuously monitoring all medicines, it is possible to detect those causing unwanted ADRs, understand why they cause ADRs and prevent them from further causing harm to users.

"This can only be done effectively if healthcare providers detect and report all suspected ADRs and other medicine related problems", she said.

RURAL DWELLERS’ ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE

Some medical experts in Nigeria are asking the government to empower the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable people at the rural areas have access to affordable medical treatment.

They believe this will help cushion the effect of recession in the health sector. The provost of the college of Medicine in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Oluwadiya Kehinde, made the request over the weekend while delivering a lecture organized by the Association of Resident doctors, LAUTECH, Osogbo chapter on the "Impact of Present Economic Challenge on Health Indies in Nigeria and Medical Practice in Nigeria as a Whole"

According to him, the economic situation in Nigeria has led to an increase in price of commodities, including drug making it difficult for most people to go for cheaper and mostly counterfeits.

The Vice President of ARD, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Akintunde Olugbenga, stated that "from policy point of view, the government could bring forward events and policy changes that would increase access to health, especially with decreasing patronage of government hospital because of lack of funds by providing universal Health Insurance coverage for more Nigerian."

LASSA FEVER DEATH

The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, called on members of the public to be vigilant over Lassa fever.

He also confirmed the death of a health worker from the disease in Ogun State.

Mr. Adewole gave the advice through a press statement by his ministry. He urged Nigerians to be calm and seek care in healthcare facilities if they noticed any symptom of the disease.

"Anybody with symptoms which include fever, headaches, vomiting, should report immediately at the nearest medical facility.

"Healthcare professionals are reminded to test before treating for suspected malaria, and if the test is negative for malaria, to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever. Lassa fever is treatable when detected early.