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How Rwanda made remarkable achievement, by Kagame

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How Rwanda made remarkable achievement, by Kagame

President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, has said the nation made remarkable achievement despite inherent challenges.

President Paul Kagame
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda (right) during the Council. Photo credit: Hope Mafaranga

Kagame made the submission while opening the Umushyikirano (National Dialogue Council) recently at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali town, Rwanda.

The Council, which meets once a year, debated issues relating to the state of the nation and national unity.

Kagame said the country’s agriculture has grown to 8% this year despite the challenges that faced the country. Kagame named some of the challenges to include attack of armyworm and severe drought.

He however added that the country was able to overcome them due to the cooperation of government agencies that worked closely with farmers to improve on irrigation to combat the drought and found a solution to end armyworm crisis that had staged a threat to food security.

“Agriculture and animal production is the centre of our growth and we shall do everything possible to protect the sector from any attack,” he said.

Kagame also said government had invested in domestic seed production which has reduced imports of seeds and improved on the quality of the seeds farmers can get from the market.

“When we produce our own seed, we are able to monitor the quality of seeds. This will also reduce crop diseases that have affected the country in the past,” he added.

This year, a plague of crop-destroying armyworm caterpillars spread to East Africa where officials confirmed their presence for the first time in Uganda.

The caterpillars ate maize, wheat, millet and rice, which are key food sources in eastern Africa, where many areas are already struggling with shortages after years of severe drought.

They also attack cotton, soybean, potato and tobacco fields.

The president also said they will reach out to the young people who have just graduated to take up agriculture in order to increase the food production that will improve on the food security and exports.

Taking the audience through the investment and infrastructure, Kagame said the government invested $1.5 billion this year, adding that the Bugesera Airport is already under construction that will boost the economy of the country.

He said the Made-in-Rwanda strategy has increased the export to 50% while the imports declined to 3% and over 800 jobs were created.

He thanked the health workers for their dedication towards service delivery, adding that they have been able to contain HIV and malaria that were nightmares to Rwandans.

“We are now going to focus on disease prevention so that our people do not get diseases that could easily be prevented,” he explained.

The president said that, this year, over 169 international meetings took place in Rwanda because of the customer care the country has showed. “Rwanda will continue to a dream destination for such meeting and tourists at large,” he added.

The president also re-emphasised the need for regional integration, strengthening international relations and promotion of peace and security.

Giving an overview of the National Strategy for Transformation, the Rwanda Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente, said government has created jobs for the youth and currently 24% of the workforce in Rwanda comprised young people.

He however said they are targeting 29% by 2024. “The government has decided to let the youth bridge and play a significant role in the job market,” he added.

Clare Akamanzi, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Bank, said the private sector should create over 2,000 jobs per year in order to fight unemployment.

She said these are needed for restructuring and adding value to the good that are made in Rwanda.

“Made in Rwanda, Start in Rwanda, grow and beyond Rwanda is the strategy we should focus our energies on as it has the capacity to grow our economy and create more jobs for the young people. That means we need a serous transformation and scaling up,” she said.

By Hope Mafaranga in Kigali

Boko Haram: Over 300,000 displaced Nigerians taking refuge in neighbouring countries

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Boko Haram: Over 300,000 displaced Nigerians taking refuge in neighbouring countries

The Minster of State, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmad, on Monday, February 5, 2018 said no fewer than 300,000 Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram insurgency are taking refuge in Cameroun, Chad and Niger.

internally-displaced-persons-NEMA
Women and children in a IDPs camp. The displacement was informed by the Boko Haram insurgency. Photo credit: channelstv.com

She made the disclosure at the Special Town Hall Meeting for Military and Security Agencies in Maiduguri, Borno State.

She said 8.5 million persons were displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and that
80 per cent of the displaced persons were from Borno.

She explained that 30 per cent of the people were taking shelter at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, while 70 per cent of them were staying in host communities.

The minister said the Federal Government, in partnership with the UN and humanitarian actors had initiated various programmes to address the effects of crisis in the region.

Zainab said government had distributed 30,000 tonnes of grains under the Emergency Food Intervention Programme, adding that the government, in concert with World Food Programme (WFP) was providing food assistance to over one million people on monthly basis.

She added that healthcare services were also extended to 42 local government areas in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organisation (WHO).

She noted that “government had been providing healthcare services to six million people in the past two years.

“We also controlled diseases such as cholera, measles and Hepatitis, as well as malnutrition and
provided water to affected persons.”

Ahmad said government had worked out modalities to ensure continuity and consolidate on the feat achieved in reconstruction, rehabilitation, reconciliation and re-settlement.

She stressed the need for effective programmes to build resilience and provide livelihoods to enable displaced persons to return to their homes and resume their normal lives.

While commending the military over the successes recorded  in the counter-insurgency operation in the region, she said the military had been overstretched, and called for engagement of police to facilitate restoration of civil authorities.

The minister expressed concern over proliferation of humanitarian organisations especially in Borno,
saying most of the groups operate without proper registration.

She suggested effective modalities to fast track rehabilitation and training of teachers, nurses and doctors to address manpower shortage and enhance delivery of quality education and healthcare services.

Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, said Federal Government had signed a tripartite agreement with Cameroun and UN-Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to facilitate safe and voluntary return of refugees.

He said “there are about 90,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroun alone.

“We have a technical committee and we are working with Cameroonian authorities to sort out some issues.

“The movement, expected to hold now, has, however, been shifted to next month.”

Dambazau said sound programmes were also implemented for rehabilitation, resettlement and de-radicalisation of repentant insurgents.

He added that government had adopted effective modalities to address social, economic and ecological challenges facing the northeast region.

The News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN) reports that the special town hall meeting was organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Muhammad, Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmad and Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau.

Other participants included Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, members of national and state houses of assembly, emirs, humanitarian and community based organisations, as well as civil society organisations.

By Rabiu Sani

Computers to cease poisoning environment as Rwanda unveils e-waste recycling plant

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Computers to cease poisoning environment as Rwanda unveils e-waste recycling plant

As African countries embrace the latest technology that includes use of phones, computers and other electronic gadgets, quite a number have however not thought  about a national e-waste management strategy that will address the unsavoury effects of this venture that appears to have taken the continent by storm.

E-waste
E-waste

According to the Rwandan Minister of Environment, Dr. Vincent Biruta, the rapid growth of economies has contributed to massive generation of electrical and electronic waste commonly known as e-waste where, an estimated global quantity of e-waste generation in 2014 was around 41.8 million tonnes, with this amount of e-waste expected to grow to 49.8 million tonnes in 2018, with an annual growth rate of 4 to 5 per cent, with most of this heading to developing countries for reuse and disposal.

“Rwanda, being no exception, has grown dependence on the use of modern technologies in all sectors of her economy, which has led to an increase in the amount of discarded EEE,” he said.

He said the discarded EEE contains hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and selenium, among others, which poses peculiar threats and risks to human health and to the environment if not properly handled and disposed.

“Adequate e-waste management allows the recovery of precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, copper and tin from disposed components, and also creates new business and job creation opportunities in the e-waste collection and management value chain, while reducing environmental burden to landfills,” he explained.

He added that e-waste with such risks and potentials should be separated from other types of waste and either recycled or properly disposed. “There is an urgent need for a clear framework for handling and disposal of the E-waste,” he said.

E-waste Programme Manager at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Olivier Mbera, said one of the measures Rwanda adopted was to carry out a detailed inventory to establish the current e-waste situation, develop a strategy, policy and legal framework to enable the establishment of environmental friendly e-waste collection centres and dismantling facility.

Mbera said the ministry is also creating awareness in the private sector, public institutions and the communities, saying that the facility would benefit the conservation of natural resources, the creation of green jobs, the reduction of risks from hazardous materials affecting human health and environment.

“The national framework for e-waste recycling and a country wide collection scheme with incentives and the establishment of a dismantling facility will be as well as connected to a sustainable recycling industries on a national, regional and international level,” he said

David Toovey the communications advisor for Rwanda’s Green Fund said the country has invested close to $1.5 million in an e-waste facility.

Located in Bugesera in Eastern Rwanda, the second plant in Africa after South Africa, the facility is designed to collect and treat e-waste according the required standards.

“The recycling facility is now operational and yielding positive socio-economic impacts for the country. Some 300 people are already employed in green jobs and students have been given internships at the facility,” he said.

He also said collection centres have been established in each district across the country which has created more than 1,000 employments.

“The e-waste facility is so advanced that it can recycle 15,000 tons per year. Sustainable e-waste management is a robust engine of green growth as both consumers and recyclers play their part. We are proud of what we have achieved with support from the Rwanda Green Fund,” he said.

Precious metals such as gold, copper, and silver, along with other electronic components, are being extracted, recycled and sold to be made into other valuable items.

Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the Minister of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) said the demand on EEE has significantly increased in Rwanda due to its rapid economic development.

He said the demand is enhanced by the national initiative to enhance ICT that require varieties of ICT tools such as computers and mobile phones.

“As such, there has been an enormous increase in ICT usage that led to high demand of the newer products. Additionally, as people are eager for newer technologies, the period for use of these products is progressively decreasing. Consequently, older and outdated products are becoming obsolete and being discarded as E-waste in large quantities and at increasing rates worldwide,” he said.

“In most cases, e-waste is mixed with ordinary waste at homes and disposed of at regular dumpsites. The facility will therefore control end of life electronics and electrical equipment resulting industry development including ICT, thus enhancing green and healthy environment,” he said.

 

Uganda’s policy on e-waste in draft

According to Bob Nuwagira, the information officer at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) said Uganda has formulated a draft policy on e-waste.

“We have a problem with e-waste,” said Nuwagira, adding that e-waste is currently considered as waste and ends up at the landfill which is supposed to receive only solid waste.

“We do not have a landfill for e-waste and do not know how to manage it.”

He added, “Old electronic equipment contains toxic materials and some of them are persistent organic pollutants.”

The quantities of e-waste remain unknown but it expected to be large volumes. “So many people use mobile phones and computers,” he said, adding that such gadgets are being changed without proper disposal of the old ones. “Most people are still keeping electronic waste in their houses because of low levels of awareness.”

In addition, the e-waste sometimes is worked by artisanal workers something which Nuwagira believes exposes them to toxic materials and endangers their health.

Such concerns, according to Nuwagira are behind the policy on e-waste, which is currently in draft form. “The National Environment Management Authority together with ICT Ministry has been developing a policy on e-waste,” said Nuwagira.

As Uganda grapples with e-waste, neighbouring Rwanda is showing the way out of growing e-waste problem.

By Hope Mafaranga

How 41-year-old environmentalist emerged Iceland’s prime minister

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How 41-year-old environmentalist emerged Iceland’s prime minister

Katrin Jakobsdottir, the 41-year-old chairwoman of the Left-Green Movement, emerged in November 2017 as the newest Prime Minister of Iceland. One of the most well-liked politicians in the country, Jakobsdottir, a former education minister and avowed environmentalist, has pledged to set Iceland on the path to carbon neutrality by 2040.

Katrin Jakobsdottir
Katrin Jakobsdottir, Prime Minister of Iceland

Considered to be Iceland’s most trusted politician, Jakobsdottir took office on Wednesday, November 29 after formally signing a new government accord with the centre-right Independence and Progressive parties.

As Iceland’s fourth prime minister in only two years, Jakobsdottir took office at a time when national politics was tainted by public distrust and scandal. A democratic socialist, Jakobsdottir is viewed as a bridge-building leader that may lead the country towards positive, incremental change.

“She is the party leader who can best unite voters from the left and right,” said Eva H. Onnudottir, a political scientist at the University of Iceland, according to the New York Times. “Because this coalition includes parties from the left to the right, their work will be more about managing the system instead of making ‘revolutionary’ changes.”

Since forming its governing coalition, Jakobsdottir’s Left-Green party has already taken bold steps to assert its environmentalism. Rather than appointing a party member of parliament, the Left-Greens have picked Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, environmental activist and CEO of Landvernd, the largest nature conservation and environmental NGO in Iceland, to serve as Minister of the Environment. The government’s new coalition is expected to continue the work to address climate change began under previous administrations.

While climate change has proven to be somewhat of a boost for Iceland’s tourism industry, which welcomed approximately 2.2 million visitors in 2017, the nation of just over 300,000 recognises the importance of shifting to a clean energy economy and preparing for disruptive changes in the coming decades. Iceland’s climate change action plan involves shifting to clean energy in transportation by improving infrastructure for electric cars, planting more trees, and sourcing all energy for public institutions from renewable sources.

Scientists warn micro-plastics pose massive threat to marine giants

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Scientists warn micro-plastics pose massive threat to marine giants

Scientists have warned micro-plastics in the ocean and the toxic chemicals in them are posing a significant risk to giant animals like whales, sharks and manta rays that are marine filter feeders.

sharks
Micro-plastics in the ocean and the toxic chemicals in them pose a risk to giant animals like sharks

The scientific analysis published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution said on Monday, February 5, 2018 that such animals swallowed thousands of cubic metres of seawater daily in an effort to capture plankton.

“In which case they can ingest micro-plastics directly from polluted water or indirectly through contaminated prey,’’ the scientific analysis revealed.

It said plastic-associated chemicals and pollutants can accumulate over decades and alter biological processes in the animals, leading to altered growth, development and reproduction, including reduced fertility.

“While a definitive connection between microplastic ingestion and toxin exposure for filter feeders remains to be confirmed, studies into seabirds and small fish have found a link,’’ Elitza Germanov, the lead researcher of the study, said.

The marine species are also in danger due to their habitat areas overlapping micro-plastic pollution hotspots like the Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Coral Triangle – an area from Malaysia to the Solomon Islands in the Pacific.

Report says micro-plastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimetres long, which are harmful to the marine life.

“Many of the animals, like manta rays, are threatened species, so, it is difficult to assess plastic concentrations via conventional methods such as stomach analysis.

“So, we are using the non-lethal sampling of small amounts of tissue which we are testing for chemical tracers using sophisticated and sensitive analytical tools,’’ Germanov said.

Varsity launches campaign against bush burning in Kwara

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Varsity launches campaign against bush burning in Kwara

Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State,  on Monday, February 5, 2018 inaugurated a sensitisation campaign against bush burning to celebrate the 60th birthday of Pastor Faith Oyedepo, the wife of the institution’s Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo.

Landmark University
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adeniyi Olayanju handing over the bush burning campaign fliers to the Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Charity Aremu

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that Faith, born on Feb. 5, 1958, is the Vice-President, Education, Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel.

The campaign was jointly organised by Landmark University Community Development Impact Initiative (LMUCDII), College of Agricultural Sciences and Omu-Aran Fire Service Outstation.

The campaign, which involved distribution of hand bills to educate residents  on the danger  associated with bush burning, took the team to schools and  markets in Omu-Aran and other designated areas in Eleyin and Ipetu-Igbomina communities in the state.

Speaking at the inauguration, Prof. Adeniyi Olayanju, the Vice-Chancellor of the university,  said that the campaign was in line with the institution’s corporate social responsibility.

Olayanju, who decried the negative impact of bush burning on humans, soil and environment, said the menace had become a stumbling block to the socio-economic development of communities.

He noted that the regulatory responsibility against incessant bush burning, especially at the grassroots,  had gone beyond what the government alone could  shoulder and advocated a  collective effort to achieve the desired results.

Olayanju also said there was the need to check  the activities of some hunters whom he accused of deliberately setting bushes on fire.

He listed the negative consequences of bush burning to include depletion of soil nutrient, environmental pollution, reduction in farm yield and income, rendering farm harvest unsafe for consumption  as well as destruction of the ecosystem.

“Consequences of bush burning also include serious eye and respiratory infections as well as breathing problems  among others.

” It is on this basis that we are spearheading the anti-bush burning campaign in Nigeria to tackle the menace head on,” he said.

Prof. Charity Aremu, Dean of the  College of Agricultural Sciences,  said the campaign was informed by the need to save both humans  and the  environment from bush burning-induced  attack.

Aremu extolled the virtues of  the celebrator, commending  her  commitment to  spiritual devotion  and restoration of  the dignity of the black race.

“These activities are geared toward honouring a woman of immense spiritual values who detests  human oppression in all its ramifications,’’ she said.

Nigeria lacks ability to process GMOs, says don

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Nigeria lacks ability to process GMOs, says don

An animal breeder, Prof. Olufunmilayo Adebambo, on Monday, February 5, 2018 said Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) should not be an issue in Nigeria as there were presently no infrastructure for it.

GMOs
GMOs

Adebambo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that embarking on GMOs could lead to loss of lives as facilities such as power to preserve and sustain such foods were unavailable in the country.

She decried the epileptic power supply in Nigeria, adding:  “I had to spend over N4 million to establish solar power and make the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta’s (FUNAAB) Biotechnology Centre functional while I was the  director there.’’

The animal scientist said GMOs were not necessarily harmful except if factors in the food were modified to the extent that they became unhealthy.

“Genetically Modified Organisms are a non-issue in Nigeria because of our obvious constraints. We will be killing ourselves if we decide to start modifying foods genetically.

“Also I do not support importation of GMOs. Nigeria should stop being an all or any comers market.

“China does not open its borders to foreign products even India; so, why can’t Nigeria emulate these countries?’’

Adebambo said what were undertaken by scientists in Nigeria were biotechnology not GMOs.

She described GMO as an introduction of foreign genes into livestock.

“For example, using banana to produce insulin for diabetic patients instead of extracting insulin from the Islet of Langerhan (part of a pig’s intestines),’’ she said.

On the availability of agric genetics experts in Nigeria, Adebambo said there should be over 400 geneticists in Nigeria under the Animal Breeding Genetics Group of Nigeria (ABGEN) group.

“I have personally produced over 50 postgraduates students in Nigeria.

“Low investment by the government in our educational system is its bane.

“We have everything in quality and quantity in Nigeria; the problem is however that we do not put our money where our mouth is,’’ she said.

The don said animal breeding was not an all-comers field and not a rapidly evolving enterprise rather it was generational, capital intensive and time-consuming.

“As an animal breeder, you forgo holidays, you cannot go on strike, forgo Christmas and Ramadan holidays.

“This is because somebody must feed your animals, clean their pens and water them every day.

“You must be ready to be committed to the work and you must have trustworthy people working with you,’’ she said.

Adebambo is a first female professor of animal breeding in Nigeria and was a former director of the FUNAAB biotechnology centre, who has been lecturing for 41 years.

By Oluyinka Fadare

Minamata Convention: UNIDO pledges to support Nigeria

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Minamata Convention: UNIDO pledges to support Nigeria

Reactions have trailed Nigeria’s ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) promising assistance, and a civil society operative urging greater national consultation and awareness.

Jean Bakole
UNIDO Nigeria Country Representative, Mr Jean Bakole

The UNIDO Representative and Regional Director, Regional Office Nigeria, Jean Bakole, in a reaction, described the development as an achievement for all.

Speaking on his behalf, Environmental Expert, UNIDO Nigeria Regional Office, Abuja Industrial Development, Oluyomi Banjo, told EnviroNews on Sunday, February 4, 2018 that “work has just started, and we must all continue to make concerted effort to protect our health and the environment”.

His words: “Now that the country is fully bound by the obligations of the Convention but also eligible for the policy and financial benefits, actions should now be geared towards national and regional cooperation. “On behalf of the UNIDO Regional Director, UNIDO will actively support the country for the implementation of Nigeria’s Minimata Initial Assessment which has been completed and endorsed.”

Leslie Adogame
Leslie Adogame of SRADev Nigeria

Executive Director of SRADev Nigeria, Leslie Adogame, on his part, underlined the need for greater national consultation and awareness on products to be phased out or phased down by 2020.

He said: “My first reaction is that of great elation about the ratification development. We must congratulate ourselves and the Nigerian government for keeping to their promise the journey that started about 10 years ago.

“The Nigerian government must from this time stay true to the spirit and intent of the Convention. In reality, the implementation process is just about to begin with domestication. It is time for National Action Plan (NAP), the enabling laws and regulations urgently need to be reviewed or promulgated.

“It is an era for deeper government transparency on who is exporting or importing from which countries for instance mercury products before phase out by 2020.”

Nigeria on Thursday, February 1, 2018 deposited its instrument of ratification, thereby becoming the 88th Party to the Minamata Convention.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury (“Minamata Convention”) is an international environmental convention for global community to sswork collaboratively against mercury pollution. It aims at achieving environmentally sound mercury management throughout its life cycle.

The Convention was adopted at the diplomatic conferences held in Minamata City and Kumamoto City in October 2013.

AE-FUNAI to hold research exhibition, lauds renaming

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AE-FUNAI to hold research exhibition, lauds renaming

The newly renamed Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) in Ebonyi State is to hold a research exhibition where all concluded and preliminary findings of ongoing research works of staff and students would be showcased to the public.

AE-FUNAI
Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba

This was made known by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba during the 5th AE-FUNAI Lecture held recently in the university. The university is also to participate in the National Research Expo scheduled for Abuja in March 2018. Consequently, the Vice-Chancellor directed the Director of Research and Development in the University, Professor Onuegbu O. Ugwu, to inform and galvanise all academic staff to be part of these exhibitions.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the essence of the exhibition is to make research innovative and production-driven in the institution, not just a mere academic exercise used to gain promotion. He further decried the poor research attitude of many Nigerian academics, who he noted were mainly interested in money and enjoined them to take research seriously in order make the country productive and self-reliant.

Meanwhile, Abakaliki rice and yam have been declared the official food of the university. This was also part of the decisions made by the Vice Chancellor at the 5th AE-FUNAI lecture.

Consequently, he has directed that all food to be cooked and sold in the university during such events like matriculations, convocations and the likes be strictly local products from Abakaliki, the host town of the university. This policy is to come into effect starting from the 6th matriculation ceremony of the university scheduled for 8th February, 2018. The Deans of various faculties, Acting Director of AE-FUNAI Outlook and campus food vendors were ordered to abide by the decision in all their entertainment and cafeteria activities.

Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor has also approved the production of “akwete” in the university. “Akwete” is a local fabric indigenous to the Igbo people of south eastern Nigeria. The establishment of the “akwete” fabric industry in the university would expose its students to entrepreneurial activities in that line of business; create opportunities for both job and additional income for members of the university community as well as drive the local economy to prosperity. On that note the vice-chancellor equally directed the Department of Fine and Applied Arts to ensure the venture takes-off immediately.

The institutions says: “These three executive orders from the vice-chancellor are in direct support of the federal government policies on economic diversification, ease of doing business and local content policy. Its positive spillover effect on the University staff and students, its host community and Ebonyi State in general are enormous and unquantifiable. It will definitely boost the local economy and more importantly promote the clamour for made-in Nigeria goods in this part of the country.

“Therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that these objectives are pursued and achieved, making AE-FUNAI a trail blazer among the comity of Nigerian universities in the promotion of economic diversification and local content policies of government.

In a related development, the management of the university has said that the retention of the word “federal” in the new name of the institution, is an honour worthy of celebration.

In a statement issued by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, and made available  to News Agency of Nigerian (NAN), the institution commended the Federal Government for the gesture.

NAN reports that Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, pronounced the renaming of the institution on Friday, February 2, 2018 at Oko, Anambra State, during the burial ceremony of the late statesman.

Nwajiuba said that the gesture was a privilege because other Federal Government-owned institutions bearing names of great Nigerians never had the symbolic “federal” ascribed to their names.

“We love the acronym FUNAI and its sound. Our anthem and all our songs remain as we sing them with the infusion of AE-FUNAI.

“Unlike other federal universities named after persons, ours is the only one with the word ‘federal’ retained.

“Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), among others, are all federal universities, but do not have ‘federal’ in their names,” he said.

He therefore called for understanding among stakeholders over the controversy trailing the renaming of the institution, especially with Ekwueme hailing from Anambra.

“We all should be at peace with this development and be excited if we truly understand it.

“Those who argue that the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra, where Ekwueme hailed from, should be renamed after him are not familiar with protocols and rankings in governance.

“For those who argue that the polytechnic be upgraded to a university and be renamed after Ekwueme, the Federal Government is reluctant to have two federal universities in a state.

“The 12 universities with such simple names as ‘Federal Universities’ are bound to be renamed at some time and if not Ekwueme in the southeast, who is more accomplished?,” he queried.

He noted that with Ekwueme’s iconic status in Igboland and Nigeria, the respect the name would attract to the university had made the renaming more befitting.

He described Ekwueme as an icon who trailed the blaze in academics, business and politics, laying the foundation for the dynamics of modern politics currently experienced in the country.

NAN recalls that Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, on Friday welcomed the renaming of the institution after Ekwueme.

World Cancer Day: Cancer death rate expected to double by 2030 – WHO

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World Cancer Day: Cancer death rate expected to double by 2030 – WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has said that an estimated 8.8 million people in the world die from cancer annually, representing almost one-sixth of total deaths.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. Photo credit: pbs.twimg.com

She added however that cancer death rate is expected to double by 2030.

According to her, the WHO is ready to provide the support and guidance needed to offer quality access to cancer care for all, and ensure that no one is left behind.

“Together we can beat cancer,” she said.

Dr. Moeti made this known in her message to commemorate the World Cancer Day, held annually on February 4. This year’s World Cance Day, with the theme: “We can, I can”, as been described as an opportunity for the global community to unite in combating cancer, believed to be the second leading cause of death in the world.

According to her, 75 percent of cancer deaths in the world are recorded in low- and middle-income countries such as African Member States, partly due to late diagnosis.

She regretted that fewer than 30 percent of low-income countries have access to cancer diagnosis and treatment services.

“In 2015, approximately 35 percent of low-income countries reported the availability of public sector pathology services, relative to over 95 percent of high-income countries.”

She further stated that cancer referral systems are often unavailable, resulting in delayed access to care.

The cancer burden in Africa is projected to rise on account of the ageing population, chronic infections, unhealthy lifestyle choices and risk factors.

About a third of cancer deaths are due to preventable risk factors such as overweight, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption.

Often, such choices are influenced by forces beyond the people’s control, such as the availability and more affordable cost of unhealthy foods, and the strategies employed to market tobacco and alcohol, she stressed.

According to her, when detected early, cancers are easier to treat with less expensive, invasive procedures and technologies.

In many African countries, controlling cancer requires the elimination of barriers to quality care, such as ignorance of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

It means introducing and implementing policy changes that guarantee the availability of cost-effective primary interventions such as the introduction of cervical cancer screening into the basic health care package and vaccination against cancer-causing viruses.

Recognising the growing threat of cancer as a public health problem, governments around the world adopted the 2017 World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution on cancer. They committed to 22 actions to help reduce the number of cancer deaths annually and improve the lives of those living with cancer.

This year marks the end of the three-year campaign “We can, I can” that urged individuals, societies and governments to take action and reduce the impact of cancer.

The drive sensitised millions, challenged governments and individuals around the world to take action, and provided a platform for cancer patients and their families to share their stories and be heard.

However, notwithstanding the gains made during the “We can, I can” campaign, the battle to curb the impact of cancer is far from over.

The key priorities identified were: promoting health; reducing risks; increasing the availability of anticancer vaccines; and ensuring that early detection, diagnosis, treatment, care and pain relief are more timely and accessible.

The resolution also lays special emphasis on cancer management for children, adolescents and young people, who have their own unique needs.

The message further readsL “The WHO is encouraging individuals to make healthy choices. Everyone can make a difference. We encourage schools, workplaces, community groups and broader society to play a role by promoting physical activity and actively opposing tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and unhealthy diets.

“We call on governments to implement policy changes in line with their commitments on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 25 percent before 2025.

“Some effective strategies that could help to save lives include: high immunization coverage for hepatitis B and the human papillomavirus (HPV) within the target population; cervical cancer screening for eligible women; and early diagnosis.

“We also urge governments to improve access to people-centered cancer care; establish welfare programmes for patients and families, including psychosocial and rehabilitation services; invest in cancer surveillance; and support people undergoing treatment.

“Considering the commitments made by Member States under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reduce premature deaths from cancers and other non-communicable diseases by one-third before 2030, the scaling up of various cancer control initiatives will contribute to the achievement of SDG-3, ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”

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