“Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has highlighted the critical issue of excess salt and sodium intake among Nigerians, emphasizing the severe health consequences associated with it. Speaking at a news conference in Abuja during the 2024 Salt Awareness Week, themed ‘It’s Time to Shine the Spotlight on Salt,’ Prof. Pate, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Daju Kachollom, underscored the need for increased public awareness regarding the dangers of excessive salt consumption.

Pate expressed concern over the significant contribution of excess sodium consumption to cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension, which is a prevalent health issue in Nigeria. He revealed that up to 10% of cardiovascular disease deaths in the country can be attributed to the burden of excess sodium intake. Additionally, he cited varying estimates of the average daily intake of dietary sodium among Nigerian adults, which ranged from 2.3 to 10 grams per day, surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended daily intake of 2 grams of sodium and 5 grams of salt.

Highlighting the importance of reducing sodium intake for controlling blood pressure and preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, Pate stressed that salt is often a hidden adversary in people’s diets. He emphasized the role of dietary choices and habits in contributing to the escalation of health risks associated with high salt intake, cautioning that Nigeria is not immune to the global epidemic of hypertension and heart diseases.

Pate referenced a WHO report indicating that approximately 17.9 million lives are lost annually due to the impact of salt intake on conditions such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Moreover, he emphasized the potential for significant healthcare savings through the implementation of sodium reduction strategies, which could prevent costly medical treatments for diseases caused by high sodium intake.

Overall, Prof. Ali Pate’s remarks underscore the urgent need for Nigerians to be mindful of their salt consumption, advocating for greater public awareness and policy measures to address this pressing public health issue.”

Chadian Prime Minister Succes Masra on Wednesday submitted his resignation to the newly elected junta chief Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

This is coming two weeks after he lost the presidential elections to the junta.

The PM confirmed this in a post on his Facebook page, which was authenticated by his team to AFP.

“I’ve just submitted my resignation and that of the transitional government, which became irrelevant with the end of the presidential election,” Masra said.

Recall that the 40-year-old Deby was proclaimed transitional president in April 2021 by a junta of 15 generals after his father, iron-fisted president Idriss Deby Itno, had been shot dead by rebels after 30 years in power.

According to the final results, he won the May 6 presidential vote with 61 percent of the ballot.

Masra, who was once a fierce Deby opponent before becoming prime minister four months ago, won 18.5 percent of the vote but contested the results.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, disclosed that the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill, recently passed through the third reading in both the Green Chambers and the Senate, will soon be ready for transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his assent. Kalu made this known during a meeting with the Directors of the Institute for Peace, Security, and Development Studies (IPSDS) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, led by their Co-Chairman, Chief Chikwe Udensi, at his office in Abuja.

He explained that the bill is currently at the Conference Committee stage for the concurrence of both chambers of the National Assembly on its sections and provisions. The Deputy Speaker highlighted the significance of the bill, emphasizing that it aims to address the infrastructural challenges in the South East region, particularly in the aftermath of the civil war.

Kalu expressed gratitude to the Institute for their willingness to collaborate with the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), an initiative he co-founded to promote peace and development in the region. He stressed the importance of non-kinetic approaches to addressing insecurity, advocating for investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and education as alternatives to military interventions.

In response, the Co-Chairman of IPSDS, Chief Chikwe Udensi, expressed the Institute’s commitment to supporting Kalu’s efforts in achieving peace and development in the South East. He highlighted the vital role of security in facilitating development, emphasizing the need for collaboration to ensure the success of the project.

The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to work together towards achieving peace, security, and sustainable development in the South East region. Both parties acknowledged the importance of research and evidence-based solutions in addressing the root causes of conflict and insecurity, and pledged to collaborate closely to implement effective strategies.

“Senator Ezea and Others Urge Governor Mbah to Suspend Planned Demolition of Ogige Nsukka Market”

Senator Ezea, alongside other concerned stakeholders, has called on Governor Mbah to halt the proposed demolition of Ogige Nsukka Market. This plea comes amidst growing concerns over the potential adverse effects of the demolition on traders and the local community.

The call to suspend the planned demolition was made in response to fears that the action could disrupt the livelihoods of traders and exacerbate economic challenges in the area. Senator Ezea and his allies emphasized the need for careful consideration and consultation before any decision is made regarding the market’s fate.

By urging Governor Mbah to halt the demolition, Senator Ezea and other stakeholders are advocating for a more inclusive and transparent approach to addressing the issues surrounding Ogige Nsukka Market. Their efforts reflect a commitment to safeguarding the interests of traders and ensuring that any proposed changes are implemented with the welfare of the community in mind.

“Jigawa State Hisbah Board Hindered by Funding Constraints, Committee Finds”

Inadequate funding has been identified as a major obstacle affecting the efficiency of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board, according to a report by DAILY POST. This revelation emerged from a committee established by Governor Umar Namadi to evaluate the operations of the Hisbah Board in the state.

Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, the chairman of the review committee and also the Secretary to the State Government, highlighted deficiencies in the existing legal framework as a contributing factor to the operational challenges faced by the Hisbah Board. The committee’s primary focus was on reviewing the legal framework governing the Hisbah operations, with the aim of either maintaining or revising the existing laws.

Among the key findings of the committee’s report was the insufficient number of personnel within the Hisbah workforce, which currently stands at 1,700 statewide. This inadequacy has hampered the Board’s ability to effectively carry out its mandate. To address this issue, the report recommended increasing the number of personnel to 4,600. Additionally, the committee emphasized the importance of providing adequate funding to bolster the operations of the Hisbah Board.

Upon receiving the report, Governor Namadi acknowledged the significance of the committee’s work, describing it as one of the most important committees established by the government in the state. He expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations outlined in the report would lead to the establishment of the best Hisbah Board in the country.

Governor Namadi commended the committee members for their dedication and pledged to prioritize the implementation of the report’s recommendations. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the credibility and effectiveness of the Hisbah Board in Jigawa State.

“Female Inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres Rose by 4.82% in 2022: NBS Report”

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released its Statistical Report on Women and Men in Nigeria 2022 in Abuja, revealing a 4.82% increase in the percentage of female inmates admitted into Nigerian correctional centres in 2022.

The report outlined that in 2020, the percentage of females admitted stood at 4.90%, which decreased to 4.48% in 2021, before rising to 4.82% in 2022. Meanwhile, male inmates accounted for 95.10%, 95.52%, and 95.18% in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively.

Both men and women were predominantly convicted for stealing, with the number of men convicted decreasing from 40,555 in 2020 to 31,921 in 2021, before increasing to 44,477 in 2022. Similarly, the number of women convicted for stealing decreased from 1,981 in 2020 to 1,320 in 2021, and further to 1,272 in 2022.

The report highlighted a decline in bank fraud, noting that there were no arrests or convictions in 2021, but an increase in the number of arrests in 2022.

In terms of drug-related offences, male suspects accounted for 90% of all arrests, while female suspects ranged from 7.35% to 7.62% between 2020 and 2022.

Regarding trafficking, the percentage of females trafficked for forced labour decreased from 64.87% in 2020 to 59.14% in 2022. Additionally, the report revealed an increase in the percentage of women aged 15 to 49 who experienced physical violence since age 15, rising from 27.80% in 2013 to 31% in 2018.

The report also highlighted that 8.20% of females aged 0 to 14 had been circumcised in Nigeria in 2021, and the percentage of females aged 26 to 35 trafficked decreased from 87.86% in 2020 to 71.09% in 2022.

Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician-General of the Federation, emphasized that the report analyzed gender equality across various domains, aiming to support policies and programs enhancing equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for women and men in Nigeria.

“Constituents of Zamfara State’s Kaura Namoda-Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency Seek Recall of House of Representatives Member”

The constituents of the Kaura Namoda-Birnin Magaji federal constituency in Zamfara State have formally notified the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, of their intention to recall Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji from the House of Representatives.

Citing poor representation as the basis for their decision, in accordance with Section 69 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the constituents submitted a recall letter to the INEC Headquarters in Abuja. The letter, duly acknowledged and stamped, signifies the commencement of the recall process.

Additionally, constituents have begun collecting signatures from voters as listed in the voters’ register. These signatures will be forwarded to INEC for verification, followed by a referendum to determine Jaji’s recall.

In a statement signed by Hon. Bello Mahmud Birnin Magaji, Chairman of the Coalition for Sustainable Democracy, and its Secretary, Comrade Mustapha Ibrahim, constituents urged eligible voters to actively participate in the recall process. They emphasized the critical importance of recalling Hon. Jaji, asserting that he had failed to adequately represent the constituency during a crucial period.

The constituents’ action underscores their determination to hold elected officials accountable and ensure effective representation in governance.

“Gombe State Governor Advocates for State Police to Enhance Local Security Control”

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has expressed his support for the establishment of state police, citing the current challenge where security agencies operate from the nation’s capital, making it difficult for governors to effectively exercise their powers as chief security officers of their states.

Governor Yahaya emphasized that the introduction of state police would empower state governors to address the security challenges within their jurisdictions more effectively. He highlighted the practical difficulties faced by governors in coordinating security operations when security agencies report directly to their commanders in Abuja, rather than to the state governors.

He further explained that despite being designated as chief security officers, governors often encounter delays and obstacles in implementing security decisions due to the centralized command structure of security agencies. Governor Yahaya expressed confidence that the establishment of state police would streamline the decision-making process, leading to more timely and effective responses to security threats.

However, Governor Yahaya acknowledged that the establishment of state police is a constitutional matter that must undergo the legislative process. He expressed optimism that once the necessary legislation is passed by the National Assembly, the states would support and implement the initiative to enhance local security control.