Health
Lockdown Claims More Lives In Nigeria Than Pandemic, As Security Personnel Kill Two More
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
The lockdown ordered by the federal and various state governments to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus has claimed no fewer that 21 lives across the country.
The figure shows that death resulting from “high-handedness” by security agents have claimed more lives than the global pandemic, as at yesterday, COVID-19 had killed 11 persons in Nigeria.
In the last 48 hours, two persons were reportedly shot death at Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, near Onitsha, Anambra and Sapele in Delta State.
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This is in addition to the list of 18 fatalities released by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
In Anambra, a witness said trouble started at Ezego street, Nkpor, when some boys returning from football training in a nearby primary school field were accosted by policemen drinking in a nearby restaurant.
The source said the boys resisted attempt to bundle them into their vehicle, leading to exchange of words before the police allegedly opened fire killing one of the youths instantly while the second who sustained gun shots wound died while he was being rushed to the hospital.
READ ALSO: No Nigerian Has Tested Positive For Coronavirus In Singapore – Official
However, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, Haruna Muhammed, said security agents acted in self-defence.
“It was an unprovoked attack on police patrol team with substance suspected to be acid by some miscreants. They snatched the rifle of the policeman after pouring acid on him which prompted the other policeman to use force to retrieve the rifle. Investigation has commenced while efforts are ongoing to restore sanity in the area” he said.
In Delta, a protest by a group of women following the extension of the lockdown by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led to one of the women lying critically ill in hospital following gun wounds from a policeman who tried to disperse the crowd.
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A witness said the victim, who was part of the protest, “was shot at a close range on both legs by a trigger-happy policeman despatched to restore normalcy in the area.”
According to the SUN, the policeman was said to have immediately taken to his heels, leaving his service rifle behind in a bid to avoid mob attack.
Delta State Police Commissioner, Hafiz Inuwa, said police were on the trail of the suspect in order to intensify investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, Tony Ojukwu, NHRC executive secretary, has said majority of the victims were killed during attempts to enforce the lockdown and similar regulations.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: CAC Headquarters Gutted By Fire
Apart from loss of lives, the lockdown has recorded various human rights abuses mostly by policemen, the NHRC said in its report.
The commission said in addition to the reported extrajudicial killings, the security agencies have allegedly carried out 33 incidents of torture, 27 incidents of violation of right to freedom of movement, and unlawful arrests, 19 incidents of seizure of properties and 13 incidents of extortion.
“There were eight documented incidents of extra-judicial killing leading to 18 deaths. Out of this number, 12 deaths were recorded in Kaduna State. Abia State also recorded two deaths arising from two incidents while Delta, Niger, Ebonyi and Katsina States recorded one death each.
“The report further shows that out of the 18 deaths, the Nigeria Correctional Service was responsible for 8 deaths while the Nigeria Police Force was responsible for seven deaths.
“The Nigeria Army on the other hand was responsible for 2 deaths while the Ebonyi State Task Force on COVID-19, Afikpo South LGA was responsible for one death.”
Ojukwu said the fatalities speak volumes of the protocol and rules of engagement for Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and their efficiency level to deal with citizens.
“It’s a sheer display of impunity and reckless disregard for human life in law enforcement by security personnel,” he added.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: CAC Headquarters Gutted By Fire
He also said while the NHRC will ensure justice for victims of human rights abuse, it has developed a mobile application to monitor and document such violations.
(SUN)
(PHOTO: File)
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Health
World Hearing Day:Wilbon ENT, Head And Neck Clinic Offers 30 People Free Ear Disease Treatment
Published
1 week agoon
March 15, 2023By
Editor
The management of Wilbon ENT, Head and Neck Clinic marked the World hearing day with free hearing and ear disease screening to over 30 indigent patients in celebration of the day .
The 2023 World Hearing Day has as its theme: ” Ear and Hearing Care for all ! Let’s make it a reality.”
with theme.
At the event on Saturday, March 4, put together by Medical Director, Wilbon ENT, Head and Neck Clinic , Dr Patrick Okundia said it was an opportunity to give back to the society in the free hearing screening and ear disease treatment.
According to him, over 30 people benefited from the free hearing screening and ear disease treatment.
On his part, a medical expert with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Dr Eustace Oseghale gave a health talk to
sensitize the public on the need for regular check up on Ear, Nose Throat care.
The beneficiaries were full of praises for the Medical Director, Dr Patrick Okundia .
Health
UBTH ENT H&N Dept Marks World Hearing Day, Reiterates Commitment To Quality Service Delivery
Published
3 weeks agoon
March 5, 2023By
Editor
Medical Experts from the Department of Ear Nose Throat Head and Neck Surgery (ENT H&N), University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) have marked the 2023 World Hearing Day with a pledge to provide Ear and hearing care for all.
The 2023 World Hearing Day has as its theme: ” Ear and Hearing Care for all: Let’s make it a reality.”
The Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) , Prof. Darlington Obaseki who acknowledged the good works of the ENT H&N department, reiterated his support for the department in the area of improving ear and hearing care.
Other stakeholders who spoke during the World Hearing Day 2023 highlighted the importance of ear and hearing care.

A cross section of participants at the event.
As part of activities to mark the 2023 World Hearing Day, the ENT H&N team also paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof Lilian Salami, who restated her continued support for the sister institution’s medical experts.
Delivering a lecture entitled, ” Ear and Hearing Care for all! Let’s make it a reality” Chief Medical Director, Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, Prof. Nekwu Okolugbo noted that the hearing day was key in re-dedicating special attention to issues of Ear and hearing care for all.
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The event which climaxed with the hearing screening and free ear treatment, where over 80 patients benefited from the exercise, had in attendance renowned medical Experts who included, Edo Health insurance commission, Dr Owen Omorogbe, and a former commissioner for Health in Edo state, Dr. Patrick Okundia.

Group photograph of medical experts.
Others include, Head Department of Ear Nose Throat Head and Neck Surgery (ENT H&N), University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Dr. Amina Okhakhu, Director General, Edo Health Insurance Commission, Dr. Rock Amegor ,LOC Chairman Dr Eustace Oseghale and the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria among others.
Health
How Nigeria’s High Fertility Rate Promotes Insecurity – Experts
Published
1 month agoon
February 19, 2023By
Editor
Nigeria’s high fertility rate is associated with increased insecurity, banditry, underemployment, and maternal and infant mortality in the country, experts have said.
Nigeria’s fertility rate, which is said to be 5.3 births per woman, is one of the highest in the world.
The fertility rate is the number of children born alive to women during the year as a proportion of the average annual population of women of the same age.
The Chairman of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning, Dr Ejike Orji, said the growing youth population encouraged insecurity in the country.
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“We have this youthful bulge where 72 per cent of the population is under the age of 30. They don’t have jobs, so they can easily be recruited as bandits, kidnappers, religious bigots, ethnic bigots and unscrupulous politicians.
“That is why we have this very terrible insecurity that we have in the country right now, and we have 18.5 million out-of-school children. After that, you see a high level of emigration because young people are finding Nigeria very uncomfortable, and both skilled and unskilled are leaving the country.
“Then, you have armed robbers, kidnappers, and bandits killing people all over the country,” Orji said.
Also, the President of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Prof Oladapo Ladipo, said the negative effects of overpopulation were expressed in different ways, including insecurity.
He said, “When you have the nexus of overpopulation, underemployment, inequity, what you have is a growth of radicalism and banditry, and that is what we have now.
“What you need is qualitative reproduction, not quantitative reproduction. Have the number of children you can cater to and bring up in a healthy environment, and provide resources for their education.
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“But what we have now is reckless reproduction, and that is why we have so many almajiris. We have many people with certificates but no jobs.
“The government itself is overwhelmed by the population. The number of bed spaces is not enough for the population. The number of institutions is not enough for the youths that are growing up,” he added.
The experts, however, said with free maternal health services and an increase in family planning, funding would reduce the high fertility rate and maternal mortality.
Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate is still among the highest in the world, with an estimated 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, making the country far from achieving the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.

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