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NDLEA Arrests 169 Suspects In Bayelsa

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bayelsa State Command says it arrested no fewer than 169 suspects between 2019 and 2020.

The state Commander of the NDLEA, Kopi Maulsei, said this in a statement in Yenagoa to mark this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking themed, “Better Knowledge for Better Care”.

According to him, majority of the suspects were young adults, adding that they consumed illicit substances for the purpose of “socialising and entertainment”.

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READ ALSO: World Drug Day: NDLEA Seizes 744kg Exhibits, Arrests 87 Suspects In Imo

Maulsei said, “From our arrests and seizures, the drugs are chiefly smuggled into the state by non-indigenes who mostly do not reside in the state.

“But they come in, deliver their wares to pocket dealers and leave. This leaves us with the problem of managing drug dependence and its resultant health and social issues such as armed robbery, cultism, rape, and kidnapping.”

He appealed to the state government and multinational companies for assistance, saying, “The command lacks operational vehicles and needs well-equipped rehabilitation centres to care for drug-dependent persons.”

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(PHOTO: File)

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Duchess Of Sussex Gets Nigerian Name, Excited About Her Heritage

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Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has expressed excitement after finding out through a genealogy test about her Nigerian heritage.

The Duchess said it’s been “humbling” to find out that she is partly a Nigerian as she met with women in in Abuja.

Meghan, on her second day in Nigeria, where she is visiting for the first time with Prince Harry to promote mental health for wounded soldiers and young girls, acknowledged Nigeria as her country.

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READ ALSO: U.S. Man Who Received First-ever Modified Pig Kidney Transplant Dies

She said, “It’s been eye-opening to be able to know more about my heritage.”

“Never in a million years would I understand it as much as I do now. And what has been echoed so much in the past day is, ’Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian,” she said an the event on women in leadership which had Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mo Abudu, amongst several other dignitaries.

“It is a compliment to you because what they define as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous, beautiful,” Meghan told the audience.

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READ ALSO: Moment Chief Defense Staff Hosts Prince Harry, Meghan Markle In Reception [VIDEO/PHOTOS]

Her first reaction after finding out was to tell her mother, she said at the event in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. “Being African American, part of it is really not knowing so much about your lineage and background … and it was exciting for both of us,” she said.

Mo Abudu, the anchor and chief executive of EbonyLife media group, then asked the audience to suggest a Nigerian name for Meghan.

“Ifeoma,” someone shouted from the excited crowd, a name from Nigeria’s Igbo tribe which means ‘a treasured thing.’ “Omowale” another suggested, from the Yoruba tribe, which means ‘the child has come home.’

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U.S. Man Who Received First-ever Modified Pig Kidney Transplant Dies

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The world’s first patient with a transplanted pig kidney has died, almost two months after the operation.

In March, Massachusetts General Hospital transplanted the genetically-edited pig kidney into Rick Slayman, a 62-year-old man living with end-stage kidney disease.

The operation was a milestone in xenotransplantation – the transplantation of organs or tissues from one species to another – as a potential solution to the worldwide organ shortage, the hospital said at the time.

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Slayman’s death was not linked to the transplant, the hospital reported.

READ ALSO: ‘Shame On You’- Ugandan Senator Knocked For Showing Off Wooden Bridge He Constructed

“Our family is deeply saddened about the sudden passing of our beloved Rick but take great comfort knowing he inspired so many,” his family said on Sunday.

Slayman’s family paid tribute to the medical team that cared for him.

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“Their enormous efforts leading the xenotransplant gave our family seven more weeks with Rick, and our memories made during that time will remain in our minds and hearts.”

The pig kidney came from a pig that was genetically-edited to remove harmful pig genes and add certain human genes to improve its compatibility with humans. Scientists also inactivated porcine endogenous retroviruses in the pig donor to eliminate any risk of infection in humans.

The hospital said it was “deeply saddened” by Slayman’s death.

“We have no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant,”

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“Mr. Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope to countless transplant patients worldwide and we are deeply grateful for his trust and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation,”it said.

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Tobi Amusan Becomes World’s Fastest Woman With New Track Record

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Nigerian sprint icon Tobi Amusan has become the world’s fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles after running a world-leading 12.40 seconds.

In a thrilling race, the world record holder secured the victory, leaving behind Danielle Williams, the world champion, who clocked her best time of the season at 12.46 seconds. Following closely was American Christina Clemons, claiming the third spot with a time of 12.54 seconds.

This triumph means the Nigerian athlete has now claimed the top spot globally, surpassing American Tonea Marshall’s previous record of 12.42 seconds set in late April.

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READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tobi Amusan Wins 100m Hurdles Gold At African Games

Tobi Amusan’s impressive win arrives just two months before the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.

John Enoh, the minister of sports development, on his X handle congratulated Amusan over the feat.

Take your flowers Tobi Amusan, you stormed to an emphatic win in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, clocking a time of 12.40s (0.9), a World Lead time! You defeated World Champion Danielle Williams, who came 2nd in 12.46s, while Christina Clemons was 3rd in 12.54s,” he wrote.

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READ ALSO: JUST IN: Africa Games: Tobi Amusan Wins Women’s 100m Hurdles Heat

Tobi, you keep making our country proud. Paris Olympics is around the corner, your performance gives us hope just like others, that Nigeria is set to break a jinx. Keep soaring, we are proud of you.”

Recall the 26-year-old athlete recently set a new African record in the 60m hurdles event, clocking in at 7.77 seconds during the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan. This impressive feat shattered a record that stood for 25 years, previously held by Gloria Alozie.

With her exceptional performance, she is anticipated to lead the Nigerian team’s charge for gold medals at the upcoming Olympics, scheduled to kick off on July 26 at France’s national stadium.

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