Zika Virus Now Transmitted Via Sex, As US Confirms First Case

A man in Texas, United States, has been infected with the Zika virus, proving that the virus can likely be transmitted through sex, a day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an international public health emergency on the virus.
This is not the first proof though as in 2008, a Colorado researcher who picked up the virus in Africa reportedly infected his wife back home, and Zika was found in one man’s semen in Tahiti.
    

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Over 90,000 Women, Children Die From Cooking Smoke Annually — Expert

By Casmir Obiegbolu

Mr Ewah Eleri, the Executive Director, International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development, says that over 90, 000 women and children die yearly from cooking smoke.
Eleri made the statement in Abuja on Friday at a one-day Consultative Forum on Gender Issues in Renewable Energy Management Options.
The forum, organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, had the topic,“Women as drivers of Climate Change; Roles of Rural Women in Renewable Energy Processes’’.

He said that women and children were mostly exposed to smoke from cooking, which also contributed to deaths among them.
“Among Nigerian households, about five per cent have access to cooking gas which does not release smoke, while 25 per cent have access to kerosene for cooking.

“We have 70 per cent of the households who are using wood for cooking and it is highly dangerous to the lives of the women and their children that hang around in the process of cooking.
“There is no policy framework, no coalition for the 70 per cent which are mainly the rural women that are being affected with cooking smoke.

 “The result is that about 95, 300 women and children die annually,” Eleri said.
He said that apart from malaria, issues on maternal mortality and HIV and AIDS, cooking smoke was among the highest killer of women and children.

Eleri described the situation as energy crisis and called for a national framework for the accessibility of cooking stove and gas to reduce inhalation of cooking smoke among rural women.
He said, “a woman who cooks round the day is like smoking two packets of cigarette a day as well as the children around her while she is cooking.’’

Mrs Aisha Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, said the forum would present the needed opportunity to bridge the gap among grassroots women, advocates, policy makers and source providers.

Alhassan said that energy was not designed to kill but to satisfy human needs.
“People do not need energy but the services that energy provides in helping to meet needs such as lighting, cooking, space heating, cooling and entertainment.

“If the renewable energy sector is to effectively contribute to equitable and sustainable development, it has to take a more holistic view of the sector.

“A good starting point would be to embrace gender analysis as a tool for gaining an understanding of energy needs of the entire populace and the context in which different population groups are operating,” she said.

Alhassan stated that it was regrettable that women had only been seen by developers of technology as passive users and consumers of renewable energy.

The minister said, “women have a lot of accumulated indigenous knowledge and experience gained from using technologies that align a clear set of criteria on what meets their needs.

“Drawing on women’s experiences and working in partnership with women to develop Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) will provide gadgets that have a sustained use for viable market.
“Renewable energy can play an important role in increasing access to modern energy devices which help to free women’s time from domestic task and other functions.’’

According to her, by taking gender approach, renewable energy suppliers can increase their potential client base and the sustainability in the use of their technology products.

The World Bank, Ministry of Petroleum and Women Environmental Programme sent goodwill messages to the forum. (NAN)
NIU/JCE

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Divorce rumour: I'm enjoying my marriage- Lara Oshiomole

 Wife of Edo State Governor, Iara Oshiomhole, has described rumour in social media that she filed for divorce as ‘most wicked and malicious’
Iara said she is currently enjoying her marriage and that there was no reason to divorce her husband.
She spoke in a press statement signed by Executive Director, Media and Public Affairs, Governor’s Office, John Mayaki.
Iara said she was in her office throughout the week holding meetings and brainstorming on how to better the lots of the less-privileged Women and Children in the state through her pet project: “We Care Trust”.
She stated that she followed her husband on project inspection to the World-Class Central Hospital, Erosion Control sites, Road Construction sites as well as visited four Orphanage homes in Benin metropolis to demonstrate her of milk of kindness drawing from the support of her husband.

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14 magistrates’ courts coming in Anambra

 The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi has said the state governor Chief Willie Obiano has approved the building of 14 magistrate court halls in the state. He said this at Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, while commissioning court halls in the community.

Umeadi said the development will bring justice closer to the grassroots, adding that the areas approved for the construction of the magistrate court halls are Awka, Eziowelle, Nnobi, Ukpo, Anaku and Mmiata-Anam. Others were Ozomagala, Fegge, Amesi, Ihiala, Ugbenu, Ajalli, Umunze, adding that the construction of new court halls would give Anambra a new lease of life.

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Nigerian model emerges winner of Fresh Faces modeling contest in Spain

Victoria Daropale

 By Casmir Obiegbolu

The winner of Nigeria's Next Super Model Victoria Daropale has emerged the winner of Fresh Faces world contest in Barcelona Spain, last night after walking at Barcelona Fashion Week.

Victoria was discovered at an event by the head booker and head scout for ISIS Models, Uchenna Okwudima.

Uchenna has a penchant for discovering talents, he also discovered winner of 2013 Nigeria's Next Supermodel Cynthia Abdulahi in Ajegunle.

Cynthia is currently signed to Brave Models Milan, 20 Management Cape town and is also from ISIS Models.

In the drastic life changing moments Victoria Daropale won a brand new car sponsored by Ifeanyi Oputa of Studio 24, tickets to Paris,Milan, Malta and New York.

She will cover Showcase Magazine and other international magazines.

Joan Okorodudu the brainchild behind Nigeria's Next Super Model and owner of ISIS MODELS in an interview said that

"Surely God is faithful and He opens big doors since Victoria has won the two shows which have happened in less than a period of two months''.

Joining Victoria in the competition was Benjamin Onaji who was scouted/discovered in the market place by Aju Elumelu James sister to the originator of Nigerias Next Super Model.

He worked his way up to be the winner in Nigeria's Next Super Model.

In the words of an international photographer Nacho Martinez, he stated that Victoria Daropale is the next world top model .

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$2.1billion Arms Scandal: EFCC arrests ex-APC chieftain Tom Ikimi

 By Casmir Obiegbolu on February 5, 2016 

Tom Ikimi, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and ex- minister of foreign affairs to late Nigerian dictator General Sanni Abacha has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over his role in the $2.1billion arms scandal.

According to Sahara reporters, Mr. Ikimi, who decamped from the APC to support former President Goodluck Jonathan bid for a second term, had been grilled by the EFCC in Abuja for two days and allowed to go home each day after interrogation because of his health.

Source: Sahara Reporters

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Buhari’s economic policy can’t stimulate growth- Fitch

 Fitch Rating Agency yesterday noted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent economic policy pronouncements that tended to coalesce around state-led development to blunt the effects of declining oil receipts may not generate the stimulus the country needs to sustain growth.

In a statement released in London, Thursday, the agency said it was not convinced government’s current policy measures can promote growth while containing fiscal pressures facing the country at the moment. It however expressed concern over a number of downside risks the country faces in the aftermath of reduction in crude oil earnings.

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Lassa Fever: No outbreak yet in Anambra- NAUTH

NNEWI—THE management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State, has introduced measures aimed at combating the spread of Lassa fever, if noticed in any part of the state. The Chief Medical Director, CMD of NAUTH, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe made this known during a Sensitization Seminar organized by the hospital to educate workers in the institution on the disease and how to tackle it, if noticed.

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Supreme Court ruling: I'm disappointed - Saraki

Embattled Nigerian Senate Bukola Saraki has reacted officially to the ruling of the Supreme Court dismissing his appeal that sought to stop his corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

 A statement signed by his spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu hints at another appeal. Senate President Bukola Saraki has expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, which dismissed his appeal to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over alleged false assets declaration, while the Governor of Kwara State.

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FIFA rankings: Eagles moves 3 spots up

Super Eagles of Nigeria have gained three spots on the latest FIFA ranking released yesterday to finish 63rd in the world and 12th in Africa. The Sunday Oliseh’s men crashed out of the ongoing African Nations Championship in Rwanda in the group stage but still managed to improve their standing on the global ranking.

Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde Islands and Algeria are first, second and third respectively while Nigeria’s next opponent in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Egypt are 8th in Africa. Belgium still maintain the number one position in the world, followed by Argentina and Spain, as Germany and Chile are fourth and fifth. The next FIFA rankings will be published on 3 March.

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Buhari begins 6-day vacation as Osibanjo takes over

President Muhammadu Buhari has begun a short vacation from today, February 5 to Wednesday, February 10, 2016.

A statement on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina, said “While President Buhari is on vacation, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will perform the functions of the President. “In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution, President Buhari has dispatched a formal notice of his vacation to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

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#DasukiGate: Ex-VP Sambo’s aide returned N25million He collected from Olisa Metuh

Dabbo

 Former Special Adviser to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, Alhaji Abba Dabo, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Abuja how he returned N25 million paid to him by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The fund was for publicity, he says.

He gave evidence in the trial of Metuh by the EFCC as Prosecution Witness 7.

Dabo told the court that he knew about Metuh’s Destra Investments Limited from publicity early this year.

Cross- examined by Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), he said he returned the money to the EFCC because there was a publication linking the transaction to controversial circumstances.

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Prominent Nigerians slowing down anti-corruption war- Osibanjo

 Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has accused some prominent Nigerians of working against the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Vice President made this revelation, Thursday, during a meeting in his office with a delegation from the Moslem Congress of Nigeria.
 According to him, “We get regular messages from some Nigerian elites saying cool down,” he noted.
Prof Osinbajo also remarked that the masses of the Nigerian people on the contrary have a clearer understanding of right and wrong.

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Saraki loses appeal against CCT, must face trial- Supreme Court

 The Supreme Court, Friday morning dismissed the appeal filed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, where he requested that the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, be stopped from trying him.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Walter Onnoghen-led 6 man panel of judges dismissed Saraki’s appeal, stating that it lacks merit.
Casmirobiegbolu.blogspot.com reports that the CCB had recently accused Saraki of false declaration of assets upon his assumption of office as the Senate President.

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