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  • Don’t waste your votes, elect Fayemi, Buhari tells Ekiti electorate

    Don’t waste your votes, elect Fayemi, Buhari tells Ekiti electorate

    President Muhamadu Buhari on Tuesday asked the electorate in Ekiti not to waste their votes in Saturday’s governorship election.

    Rather, the president urged voters to elect the candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi, given the track record of the ruling APC administration in the country.

    Buhari, who gave the charge in Ado-Ekiti at the grand finale of the mega rally of the party, told the crowd of party faithful and supporters at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium that there was no better alternative to Fayemi.

    He said the people of Ekiti must not be deceived by the “stomach infrastructure’’ programme of the PDP government in the state, describing it as at variance with the norms in a functional democracy.

    Buhari said he was in Ekiti not only to campaign for Fayemi but also to create awareness as well as sensitise the people on the dividends of democracy so far made available to them.

    The president said his administration had so far executed 13 projects in the state, with no fewer than 29 contractors handling them.

    He said the initiatives, most of which were road construction projects, had also provided direct and indirect jobs to many residents.

    Besides, he said approval had been given by his administration for the construction of a Federal Secretariat in Ado Ekiti to ease the burden of office accommodation faced by federal workers in the state.

    He also listed the engagement of many indigenes of the state in the N-Power programme of the Federal Government, granting of bailout funds to the state as well as approval of School-Feeding Programme and Conditional Cash Transfer scheme as some of the achievements of his administration.

    The president assured the people of the state of more dividends of democracy if they support Fayemi in the election.

    Also addressing the crowd, the National Chairman of the party, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, said Fayemi would redress all the wrongs of the Ayo Fayose administration.

    He also gave an assurance that all the salaries and emoluments owed workers by the Fayose administration would be paid.

    Speaking in the same vein, the National Leader of the party, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assured residents that the APC was committed to the progress and development of the country.

    He accused the PDP of destroying the country’s economy, urging the people to embrace the change agenda of the APC.

    ” It was the PDP that destroyed the future of Nigeria and those yet unborn. PDP stole all the monies and made life difficult for all the citizens

    ” It is not easy to rebuild what the PDP has spent long years destroying; for many of them that are now complaining, where were they when our economy was being bastardised?

    ” You must not allow anybody to intimidate you, I urge you to guard your PVC and use it wisely on Saturday

    ” It is your turn in Ekiti to get a good government, it is not for you alone but for your children and their future,’’ Tinubu said.

    NAN reports that at the rally were 12 APC governors, seven serving ministers and national leaders of the party.

    NAN also reports that the high point of the event was the formal defection to the APC by many PDP members including a serving Senator, Fatimah Raji-Rasaki, and a member of the House of Representatives, Oni Olamide. (NAN)

  • Like mother, like daughter: Aseefa Bhutto Zardari should be the future of PPP, not Bilawal

    By Faiq Lodhi

    Aseefa’s sheer passion for politics and her ability to revolt against current party leaders shows she has a mind of her own that enables her to ask the right questions. PHOTO: TWITTER/ MEDIA CELL PPP

    In many ways, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has been a progressive political force for this country. The development and implementation of a democratic constitution by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (albeit flawed); the party’s staunch opposition against dictatorship; the fact that PPP gave Pakistan and the Muslim world its first female prime minister – all these factors have portrayed PPP in a forward-thinking, amicable light.

    Hence, it comes as a shock that a party that was led by a woman for more than 20 years is finding it difficult to provide her daughter a nomination ticket for the General Assembly.

    Recently, it was announced that Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has been given a Provincial Assembly ticket to stand for elections from PS-10 Rato Dero. However, she was not encouraged to stand for the General Assembly elections, unlike her brother Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairperson of the PPP, who is contesting from two General Assembly seats, Larkana and Lyari, Karachi.
    Her public disapproval of her father’s choice to include Irfanullah Marwat, who has been a controversial figure for PPP workers because of his role against them in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government’s tenure of 1990-93, showed that she is not hesitant to stand up against her father and his rather shady approach to politics. This also highlighted her commitment to follow her mother’s legacy.

    In opposition, Bilawal has rarely been seen asserting his will or influence, even though he is the chairperson of the party.

    Additionally, Aseefa has tried to expand her role and discuss issues related to health and education. Having a Master’s degree in Global Health and Development, she has the technical knowledge required to push for developmental programmes that would benefit her people. Being the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ambassador for Polio Eradication, and being the first famous child to have been administered the polio vaccine as a baby, she has highlighted time and again the importance of polio vaccines, and tried to diffuse the taboo associated with it. Her surprise visits to schools in Lyari and her discussions with students about the grievances they faced also showed her concern for this sector. One will expect her to work on these issues if she gets elected in the Provincial Assembly in the 2018 General Elections.

    During her recent campaign for her brother, a few pictures were released that showed her interacting with her supporters the same way her mother used to mingle with them, making them feel special. Benazir, like her father, knew that it is the PPP workers and supporters that make the party a powerful force. Asif Ali Zardari and his party leaders did not place the same importance on their supporters, and this has led to the party’s decline in recent years. Perhaps with Aseefa, PPP has a new ray of hope to reconnect with its voter base.

    Twitter Comments:

    @MediaCellPPP
    #LARKANA: Aseefa Bhutto Zardari is addressing a corner meeting of ladies in Larkano in connection with the election campaign of Chairman #PPP @BBhuttoZardari for NA-200 on Friday.

    6:35 PM – Jul 6, 2018
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    Living in a patriarchal society, this might not be an issue for most who dwell in Pakistan. This sight is all too common for them – the son getting a bigger platform to showcase his skills whereas the daughter is side-lined to a smaller stage, overshadowed by her brother. But should we expect the same trend from one of the biggest political parties in the country? Is this acceptable treatment for the daughter of a woman who broke the highest glass ceiling in Pakistani politics?

    It shouldn’t be.

    Moreover, this is unfair treatment towards Aseefa, not just by virtue of her being a woman or Benazir Bhutto’s daughter. Over the past few years, Aseefa has shown her merit to become a formidable leader for the party. She has raised her voice for party workers, questioned her father’s choices, and shown great interest in the politics of her country. The case is not the same for her other siblings; in fact, Bilawal was criticised during the 2013 Elections for his lacklustre presence, which might have caused further damage to the party, combined with his father’s dismal performance in the prior tenure.

  • APGA backs establishment of ranches in Nasarawa State

    By Sunday John

    The Nasarawa State Chapter of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has supported the establishment of cattle ranches in the state.

    Mr Musa Saidu, Nasarawa State APGA Chairman, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Tuesday.

    He said the establishment of ranches in the state would go a long way towards curtailing the incessant crisis between farmers and herdsmen.

    He opined that the traditional way of rearing cattle was responsible for most of the crises between the two groups in the state.

    Saidu, however, urged the state government not to set up the proposed ranches in only one senatorial zone of the state.

    He advised the government to do proper consultation before establishing the ranches.

    ‘‘Peoples ancestral lands should not be taken forcefully for the purpose of ranches to avoid further crisis.

    ‘‘Our state is already going through a lot of security challenges, so the government should do everything possible to avoid harsh decision that would create further problems,’’ he added.

    NAN reports that Gov. Umaru Al-Makura has approved the establishment of ranches in Awe, Keana, Doma, Assakio, Konva, Grata and Karudu. (NAN)
    ========
    Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Maharazu Ahmed
    =====================l

  • Alleged Corruption: NMA dissolves FCT exco

    Alleged Corruption: NMA dissolves FCT exco

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has dissolved its FCT chapter executive council over alleged corruption.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development followed an emergency meeting held on Monday in Abuja.

    Prof. Lovett Lawson, who presided over the emergency Congress of the association, announced the dissolution and appointed of a caretaker committee.

    Lawson, a Professor of Tropical Medicine and Chif Executive Officer Zankli Clinic, Abuja, said at the end of the meeting that the caretaker committee would conduct elections to field the vacant positions.

    He said that the dissolution became necessary due to the alleged high level of corrupt activities by the sacked officials.

    The association appointed Dr Chira Obiora, a Consultant Family Physician, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, as the Chairman of the caretaker committee.

    Obiora explained that the dissolution of the current executive was necessitated by the allegation, proof of recklessness and insubordination in the management of the affairs of NMA.

    He said that the former executive was mandated to screen some members that were going for election into the NMA FCT chapter.

    “But they introduced kangaroo activities, corruption, financial misappropriation, favouritism and lots more.

    “The congress demanded for fairness in the activities from them that led to collection of signatures and we got 600 signature.

    “We only need 20 signatures from centres that made up FCT to come here today and 15 members to set up a quorum but we had like 200 members.

    “That is to show that we are way beyond the required number to set up a quorum.

    “The candidates that were disqualified by the sacked executives were screened and were all qualified to run for their various positions,’’ Obiora explained.

    He announced that the Annual General Meeting of the association would now hold on July 19, and therefore the candidates had only two weeks to campaign.

    He therefore called on members of the association to support the caretaker committee succeed in delivering its mandate. (NAN)

  • Scientists find method to help target HIV virus in human cells

    Scientists find method to help target HIV virus in human cells

    Scientists from Australia and Britain have discovered a new method which may
    help to target the HIV virus as it makes its way to infecting cells.

    Scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia, led by Associate professor Till Bocking,
    described on Tuesday how the HIV virus forms a protein shell called a capsid, to protect itself from the
    hosts defence mechanism as it infects the nucleus of a cell.

    Using a new microscope technique developed at UNSW, the team discovered that the HIV virus uses a molecule from
    the host cell to strengthen its capsid.

    “It’s like a switch, when you bind this molecule, you stabilise the capsid, and release the molecule to open
    it up,” Bocking said.

    The molecule, called inositol hexakisphosphate, is abundantly present in mammals and has been seen to make the
    HIV capsid much stronger, stabilising it for 10 to 20 hours.

    Because the infection process takes hours, it was crucial for scientists to find out how the virus was keeping
    stable within the cell.

    “The HIV capsid has been intensively studied,” leader of the British research team at Cambridge, Dr Leo James said.

    “But the question of how it can simultaneously be both stable and poised to ‘uncoat’ has been one of the great
    unanswered questions in HIV biology.”

    To assist in their study, the team engineered viruses with fluorescent tags to monitor the viral capsid using
    fluorescence microscopy.

    “We can now see the effect of different molecules on the capsid, and pinpoint precisely when it cracks open
    and begins to collapse,” Bocking said.

    In the team’s findings, they identify a new target for antiviral therapy against HIV and provide a method
    for testing and measuring new drugs designed to target the capsid.

    While there currently no HIV therapies targeted at the HIV capsid, it is hoped that new therapies could improve
    treatment with reduced toxic effects.

  • Edo NSCDC destroys 16 illegal refineries in 6 months

    Edo NSCDC destroys 16 illegal refineries in 6 months

    The Anti-Vandal Unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Edo has destroyed 16 illegal refineries in the last six months.

    The State Commandant of the Corps, Makinde Ayinla, disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

    Ayinla said that the illegal refineries destroyed included eight in Edo South Senatorial district, six in Edo North and two in Edo Central.

    He also said that about 350,000 litres of illegally refined and adulterated petroleum product was seized and destroyed by the unit within the period.

    The Counter Terrorist Unit of the command, he added, arrested 14 suspects for various offences ranging from phone snatching to armed robbery.

    He further said that the Legal Unit secured five convictions, while 23 cases were still pending in various courts within the period under review.

    The Commandant told NAN that the Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit between January and June handled 10 cases, with seven concluded and three still ongoing.

    He also disclosed that the Private Guard Companies (PGCs) Department during the period sealed three PGCs for illegal operations while it registered and licensed 61.

    He also said that the department provided training and retraining for 18 private guard supervisors.

    Ayinla further said the Solid Minerals Unit of the command within the same period arrested nine illegal miners for operating various pits and quarry sites within the state.

    “Our Agro-Allied Unit within the period arrested nine suspected herdsmen with various locally made arms in various parts of the state.

    ” Also our Anti Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration Unit arrested two persons for alleged sexual assault and abuse of minors,’’ he also said.

    The Anti Fraud Unit of the command, he said, handled 25 cases of fraud which led to the cash recovery of N2. 27 million.

    He further said that the Operations Department within the period covered various operations, just as the Critical National Asset and Infrastructure Department deployed its personnel for the protection and preservation of government assets within the state. (NAN)

  • Colombia promises shorter sentences to drug traffickers who surrender

    Colombia promises shorter sentences to drug traffickers who surrender

    Colombia may reduce prison sentences by up to a half for criminal gang members who surrender, the presidency and media reports said on Monday.

    The new legislation signed by President Juan Manuel Santos targets thousands of members of drug trafficking gangs, such as the Gulf Clan and the former guerrilla movement FARC, which also engages in drug trafficking.

    “The measure has been discussed with the Gulf Clan.

    “It will have a very important consequence for the country in the coming days,’’ the president said in what was interpreted as a reference to a large-scale surrender by members of the Gulf Clan.

    After FARC signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016, criminal gangs took over many areas the guerrillas withdrew from.

    Their activities include drug trafficking, extortion, kidnappings and illegal mining.

  • FRCN workers protest against poor salaries, obsolete equipment, demand FG intervention

    FRCN workers protest against poor salaries, obsolete equipment, demand FG intervention

    The Workers of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in Enugu on Monday embarked on a peaceful protest demanding for improved welfare and upgrade of its facilities.

    The peaceful protest was organized across the country by the three house unions of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radio and Television and Theatre Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU) and the Senior Staff Association in the corporation.

    Members of staff who appeared in black attires carried placards with inscriptions “Increase our Salary,” “Stop 25 per cent Remittance,” “Replace Obsolete Equipment” among others.

    Addressing the staff, the Chairman of RATTAWU FRCN, Enugu Chapter, Comrade Chris Agu, enumerated the challenges the staff faced including poor salary structure and obsolete equipment.

    Agu called on the Federal Government to look into the poor working condition of staff.

    “We are asking the Government of the Federation to please remove FRCN from 25 per cent IGR (Internally Generated Revenue); we are not 100 per cent profit making organisation.

    “If they can exempt us from paying this, we can be useful to ourselves but here again, the salary is not quite reasonable; we need a better salary,” he said.

    Also the Chairman NUJ FRCN Chapel, Comrade Emeka Anyalebechi, decried negligence of the government on members and the working facilities.

    Anyalebechi appealed for quick intervention in addressing the 15 Point Communiqué issued by the house unions during their meeting in May in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    “Some of these equipment have lasted for up to 60 years, we are still using them here and they are causing us a lot of trouble, that is why we are off and on, times without number.

    “We are asking the government to replace these obsolete equipment with digital ones, it will help us.

    “If the Federal Government does not come to our rescue or handles some of the demands as we highlighted them, we will go on total strike,” Anyalebechi threatened.

    Addressing the workers, the Zonal Director FRCN, Enugu National Station, Mr. Ike Okere, commended the workers for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves.

    He said that the 15 Point Communiqué had been noted by the management and promised that some of the issues which were beyond the management of the corporation would be presented to the federal government.

    According to him, the ones that can be done by the management would be done, the ones that need to go to the government to take action would be forwarded to government and that would be done.

    The workers later resumed work after the protest, urging the leadership of the in-house unions not to back down on the demands. (NAN)

  • Pakistan’s first mechanical heart transplant successfully performed

    A team of doctors performing Pakistan’s first ever mechanical heart transplant at NICVD. PHOTO: NICVD
    A team of doctors performing Pakistan’s first ever mechanical heart transplant at NICVD. PHOTO: NICVD

    KARACHI : The country’s first-ever mechanical heart transplant was carried out at the National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases (NICVD) on Monday.

    The use of this technology is unprecedented in Pakistan’s history and Nafeesa Begum, 62, is the first patient to undergo this complicated surgery and receive a mechanical heart aid.

    Speaking to The Express Tribune, the Administrator of NICVD Dr Hameedullah Malik said that a patient can undergo this procedure only if their other organs are functional. “Begum’s heart was only 15 percent functional prior to the surgery but all her other organs were working fine.”

    He added that the patient is doing fine, and would be shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) soon.

    Hockey legend Mansoor Ahmed to receive Pakistan’s first mechanical heart aid

    The procedure was performed by Dr Pervez Chaudhry, who joined the NICVD team on the request of Head of NICVD Dr Nadeem Qamar, along with his team that consists of eight experts.

    Introducing mechanical heart transplant technology was an initiative taken by Qamar. “We had been working on structuring this department for about six months now,” Dr Malik added.

    When asked what’s the difference between a regular heart transplant and a mechanical one, Dr Malik explained: “A regular heart transplant is as though inserting a new heart in the body but in a mechanical heart transplant the organ is not replaced, in fact, the valve or the pumping mechanism is fixed by using a device. This device then pumps blood across the body”.

    The procedure costs over a crore and at the moment, it’s funded by donors and NICVD, Dr Malik added.

    In April, former goalkeeper of the Pakistan hockey team, Mansoor Ahmed was going to receive mechanical heart aid. “While things were still in the pipeline, Ahmed had another heart attack and passed away before the procedure could be performed on him.”

    Culled from The Express Tribune