NIGERIAN GOVT. GOES HARD ON VIOLATORS OF PUBLIC SMOKING

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) today approved a new National Tobacco Control Bill 2014, which among others, prescribes six months jail term for smoking in non-designated places.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the FEC meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House.

Chukwu said that the Bill, which would be sent to the National Assembly for passage into law, prescribed stiff penalties for individuals and companies that violate tobacco control regulations.

He added that the Bill, drafted by the ministry in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, “is specifically to control the dangerous effects of tobacco and to forestall tobacco manufacturers from turning the country to a dumping ground.’’

The Bill, he noted, “is also in line with the  the 2004 WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which the country signed in 2015.

“Based on the directive of the President, the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with other federal ministries and other stakeholders produced the new Bill that is endorsed by FEC.

“The major ingredients of this Bill is that there are stiff penalties for people and individuals who fall foul of what will eventually become the Tobacco Control Act 2014.

“An individual who run foul of the provision, like smoking at areas that are designated non-smoking, will be given option of fine of up to N50,000 or combine it with imprisonment of up to six months.’’

The minister said that “for companies, the fine varies from N1 million to as much as N5 million; imprisonment of the chief executives of those companies could vary from one year to two years when they run foul of the law.’’

The health minister noted that the proposed Tobacco Law seeks to achieve 100 per cent tobacco-free environment in the country.

He said places which would cover land, rail, sea and air transportations, would be clearly classified as non-smoking areas “and anyone who goes against it will be prosecuted.

“Advertisement is totally banned under this law. You cannot advertise tobacco product in any media under the law. Any form of advertisement is not permitted, either in broadcast media, outdoor, print, ward-to-ward and any form of advertisement is totally banned.

“The Bill is also looking at packaging. 50 per cent of the packaging will be to warn people about the dangerous effect of tobacco.

“Smuggling of the product to the country is also covered by the Bill.’’
Chukwu said that a fund to be known as Tobacco Control Fund would be set up, to be funded by federal and state governments and individuals.

He said the Bill also proposes to ban any form of corporate sponsorship by any tobacco company of any public event such as sports, seminar and so on, stressing that “we will not accept gifts from any tobacco company. Gifts such as school building etc will not be taken.’’

The minister added that the Bill also proposes the setting up of a national committee that will monitor its implementation and ensure judicious use of the fund.

Chukwu recalled that it was not the first attempt by Nigeria to control the use of tobacco in the country, noting that in 1990, there was a Decree which tried to control the sale and use of tobacco products.

He added that “in 2001, the Decree was repealed and re-enacted to become the National Tobacco Control Act of 2001.

“The whole idea was to make it stiffer. When in 2004, Nigeria along with other nations of the world signed the 2004 WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, there was the need to bring our laws in conformity with the ratified Convention.

“The attempt by the Executive to do so eventually culminated in the passage of an Ammended Act in 2011 by the 6th Session of the National Assembly.
“However, when the Executive studied what was passed by the National Assembly, it was found that the provisions were rather weak.

“It was, therefore, decided that rather than encouraging Mr President to assent to that Bill, we should work with stakeholders to reinforce it in conformity with the  Convention and to protect Nigerians from harmful effects of Tobacco.’’

On the adverse effects of tobacco, the health minister said “it  is the cause of many illnesses and deaths in the country.

“There are four main non-communicable diseases which are cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disorder and diabetes mealitus.
“The single agent tobacco causes three out of these four. Tobacco leads to cardiovascular disease and is known to be a cause for heart attack, hypertension and stroke.

“Tobacco causes cancer of various organs, especially cancer of the lung. Tobacco is also a cause for chronic respiratory disease, particularly bronchitis.’’

Chukwu added that the Global Youth Tobacco Survey carried out in the country  in 2008 clearly showed that 15 per cent of children between 13 years and 15 years were smokers and 55 per cent of the children were passive smokers.

He noted that the Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in 2012 showed 10 per cent of men smoke, meaning that one out of every 10 Nigerian adult male smoke.

“Among the women, 1.1 per cent of all adult women smoke. If you combine the two, almost six per cent of all adults in Nigeria smoke and almost 20 per cent of the population are passive smokers, that is, those who do not smoke but are exposed to tobacco smoking.’’

The minister said that developed countries in Europe, the U.S. and Australia have put up stiffer measures against tobacco smoking, adding that tobacco companies face unfavourable conditions in the developed world “and they come down to Africa, Asia and other developing countries to dump the products.’’

The minister gave the assurance that whem passed into law, the National Tobacco Control Act 2014, would be effectively implemented.  (NAN)

NIGERIA REBASES GDP, SURPASSES SOUTH AFRICA AS THE LARGEST ECONOMY IN AFRICA.

Nigeria has overtaken South Africa as the largest economy in Africa, following a rebasing calculation which nearly doubled the country’s gross domestic product.

Statistician General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale, who announced this in Abuja today, at a special conference on Nigeria's rebasing, revealed that the Gross domestic product (GDP) for 2013 in Nigeria, now totalled eighty-point-three-trillion naira, or five hundred and nine-point-nine-billion dollars, an increase from the 42.3 trillion naira estimated before the rebasing.

The new figure however shrank Nigeria's debt-to-GDP ratio to eleven-percent for 2013, against nineteen percent in 2012. 

Dr Kale added that growing attention from foreign investors has made it imperative for the country to more accurately calculate its statistics, including GDP, adding that the base year would now be recalibrated every five years, in line with global norms.

Nigeria which has not rebased its GDP for over 15 years will rebase again in 2015 and publish the result in 2016, while the National Bureau of Statistics will measure the economy every five years.

Meanwhile, Minister of finance and co-ordinating Minister of the Nigeria Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said Nigeria will attract more Foreign Direct Investment following the rebasing of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

Okonjo-Iweala told newsmen in Abuja that with the re-calculation of the country’s GDP which has been long overdue, the federal government will be able to accommodate the new information for policy implementation and infrastructural development.

She said Nigeria made progress in new sectors like the telecommunications, Small and Medium scale enterprises, (SME), the entertainment industry (Nollywood), and education, as well as professional and technical services, construction, the creative sector and other service activities.  

Rebasing or re-benchmarking of the national account series (GDP) is the process of replacing an old base year to compile volume measures of GDP with a new and more recent base year or price structure. The last rebasing was done in 1990.

ABIA STATE GOVERNOR LAMENTS LIST OF 2015 GOV. ASPIRANTS FROM UKWA/NGWA

Abia State Governor,Theodore Orji has expressed worry over the long list of governorship aspirants from Ukwa/Ngwa area for next year’s general elections.

Orji who spoke on Saturday in Umuahia at the Ngwa Patriots’ Forum, said there were at least five aspirants from each of the nine local government areas in Ukwa/Ngwa area.

The theme of the summit was: “Appreciating the man that will make history: Gov. Theodore Orji and Ngwa nation in 2015.’’

The governor was represented at the summit by his deputy,  Emeka Ananaba , who hails from the area.

Orji had reiterated that his successor must be from Ukwa/Ngwa  to ensure equity, justice and fairness in the state

Orji further envisaged that more people from the area based abroad would also swell the number as the election approaches.

He charged each of the aspirants to evaluate his or her prospect of winning the election before making formal declaration.

“People always know the examination they would pass and the one they would fail,’’ he said.

According to him, the large number of the aspirants will only swell the purse of the Peoples Democratic Party, with the payment of a N10 million non-refundable fee by each aspirant.

The President of the forum, Mr Okey Ahaiwe, said that the group chose to honour the governor “for his achievements in the enthronement of good governance.’’

He added that the honour was for Orji’s restoration of unity, peace and security in the state.

Ahaiwe pledged the readiness of the forum to collaborate with other groups in the state to ensure Ukwa/Ngwa produce the next governor of Abia. (NAN)

bia State Governor,Theodore Orji has expressed worry over the long list of governorship aspirants from Ukwa/Ngwa area for next year’s general elections.
Orji who spoke on Saturday in Umuahia at the Ngwa Patriots’ Forum, said there were at least five aspirants from each of the nine local government areas in Ukwa/Ngwa area.
The theme of the summit was: “Appreciating the man that will make history: Gov. Theodore Orji and Ngwa nation in 2015.’’
The governor was represented at the summit by his deputy,  Emeka Ananaba , who hails from the area.
Orji had reiterated that his successor must be from Ukwa/Ngwa  to ensure equity, justice and fairness in the state
Orji further envisaged that more people from the area based abroad would also swell the number as the election approaches.
He charged each of the aspirants to evaluate his or her prospect of winning the election before making formal declaration.
“People always know the examination they would pass and the one they would fail,’’ he said.
According to him, the large number of the aspirants will only swell the purse of the Peoples Democratic Party, with the payment of a N10 million non-refundable fee by each aspirant.
The President of the forum, Mr Okey Ahaiwe, said that the group chose to honour the governor “for his achievements in the enthronement of good governance.’’
He added that the honour was for Orji’s restoration of unity, peace and security in the state.
Ahaiwe pledged the readiness of the forum to collaborate with other groups in the state to ensure Ukwa/Ngwa produce the next governor of Abia.
NAN)
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/2015-long-list-governorship-aspirants-worries-gov-orji/#sthash.TSbhhPYA.dpuf

Signs to know a child is suffering from abuse

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention defines Child Abuse as “child maltreatment and any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child”.
Child Abuse is any mistreatment of a child either physically, emotionally or sexually. It could include neglect of such child.

Aside the physical, emotional and sexual abuse, other types of child abuse common in Nigeria are child marriage, child labour and child trafficking.
It is worthy to know that abuse of a child can happen anywhere – at home, school, community or any other environment the child finds himself or herself. It can also happen at any time and make the child become a shadow of himself or herself.
Although sexual child abuse is more common in female children, male children are also exposed to abuse from other females including aunties, older cousins, house helps or even senior students in the schools.
If sexual abuse happens, how can society help the victimised child?
According to the Executive Director of Child Emergency Relief Foundation, Mrs. Abosede Oyeleye, “the first step to helping an abused child is to recognize the signs.”
What are the signs to watch out for?
When a child unusually begins to get to school early, his teachers are impressed and they think it is a sign of the child moving forward.
Unfortunately, this could be a sign of a child suffering from abuse. School closes; the child stays back and is not eager to return home.
In school and other environments, the child appears to be withdrawn, passive and overly compliant to rules and regulations, which is unusual for children.
The child has problems focusing and learning which is not as a result of any physical or psychological cause. As a result of this, the child’s school performance deteriorates because he or she is dealing with something that is not very obvious.
A psychological effect of abuse on a child is the permanent fear alert. He is in a constant state of being scared and expecting some unpleasant event to happen.
An abused child develops an inferiority complex and refuses to trust people who are willing to render help and assistance. The child, unlike most other children becomes less prone to collecting candies and biscuits from people.
Generally, a child’s behaviour changes and adults around think that he or she has turned a new leaf and become a better child who is less troublesome and less hyperactive.
Eventually, an individual who suffered sexual abuse as a child may end up having issues with his or her sexuality. They may thus become homosexuals who have lost faith in the opposite sex.
Oyeleye believes that: “if just one sign is identified, this does not mean abuse has been occurring. Some children may appear to display more than one sign and has not been abused.”
How to help a child that has been abused
There are various ways an abused child can be rescued or saved from further abuse. They include:
Helping the child through the healing process until he is able to independently get over the trauma and confidently talk about it.
Never blame a child who has been victimised by calling them ridiculous names.
Never make the child feel like he or she is of no value.
Helping such child to regain her confidence by taking her to a crisis centre where she can undergo psychological therapy to heal her wounded individuality and self esteem.
If you notice a child has been abused and you get him or her to open up to you based on grounds of trust, don’t betray his trust.
When talking with an abused child, the best thing you can provide is calm reassurance and unconditional support. Let your actions speak for you. If you’re having trouble finding the right words, remember that talking about the situation may be difficult for the child. Thus, it is the job of the counsellor and confidant to assure the child of a bright future.
Do not probe or interrogate the victim. Reassure the child that they did nothing wrong.
One of such numerous ways is special support and treatment as early as possible. Listen to everything including nonsense that such child has to say once he makes up his mind to talk to you. This will make him/her more comfortable and getting over the incident will be a lot easier.
Safety of the counsellor, the victim and the victim’s family must also be put into consideration. If there is a problem with security, the healing process should be left to professionals to handle (professionals include non-governmental organizations that are experienced in handling such cases, the police and other law enforcement agents). Such cases could be reported to them and they can take over the situation from where it becomes dangerous.
Abuse is more than bruises or broken bones, it needs to be handled with lot of care and the earlier the victim gets help the greater chance they have to heal.
No matter the age, an abused child never forgets the unpleasant incident even after he/she heals.

Culled from The Nation, Sunday, April 06, 2014

GAS CYLINDER EXPLOSION CAUSES PANIC IN ABUJA

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed today faulted reports of a bomb blast in Abuja.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant Media, Nosike Ogbuenyi the FCT Minister said contrary to speculations, the explosion was caused by a domestic gas cylinder that was being refilled at a gas depot.

Senator Bala, enjoined all residents and visitors to the FCT to go about their lawful activities without fear or panic.

When our roving crew arrived the scene, bystanders said the blast happened at about 6pm at Shagari Plaza, in Area 1 shopping Centre, Garki, Abuja. The owner of the shop was said to be refilling a gas cylinder for a customer before the blast.  

The ensuing fire was doused by the FCT Fire Service, while the shop owners counted their loses.