News

UBTH Marks 2023 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

Published

2 years ago

November 27, 2023

Editor

The Antimicrobial Stewardship Sub-Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Drug and Therapeutics Committee has marked the 2023 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week with the theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together.”

The week-long program featured media campaign, awareness walk, patient education and a lecture series which focused on one health approach (Human, animal and the environment) in mitigating the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The event was sponsored by Pfizer pharmaceutical industry company and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

The program started with online and social media sensitization of the general public featuring individualized pledges to handle antimicrobial with care. This was followed by a rally involving all the stakeholders in UBTH including medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, paramedics and students to sensitize the general public on the harmful effects of AMR and rational use of antimicrobial drugs.

The lecture series featured three scholars from the different specialties representing ONE HEALTH.

In his presentation, Prof CE Oshoma, a food and industrial microbiologist in UNIBEN said bacterial antimicrobial resistance is a leading public health threat of the 21st century.

He emphasized among other driving factors of AMR, lack of awareness and knowledge, and lack of enforcement of legislation.

According to Prof CE Oshoma, sources of AMR to the environment include pharmaceutical waste, animal waste, human waste, and pesticides etc.

In another presentation Prof. Paul Nwiyi of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, UNIBEN opined that the pooling of AMR traits within the ecosystems of different sectors such as human, animal and the environment gave rise to the one health approach.

According to him, there are increasing new AMR microorganisms in animals resulting in animal loss and health hazard to humans who depend on the animal for food.

Dr Osaigbovo Iriagbonse, a consultant clinical microbiologist/ Senior lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology UNIBEN/ UBTH, in her speech, expressed worry over the burden Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), explaining that Africa has the highest mortality rate from of AMR infections in the world with 27 deaths per 100,000 attributable to AMR.

According to her, AMR occurs when antimicrobials that previously cured infections become less effective due to changes in the micro-organisms known as mutations.

Dr. Osaigbovo enumerated the drivers of AMR to include misuse/overuse of antimicrobials, indiscriminate disposal of waste, poor infection control, medical tourism and global travel. She also emphasised that AMR is also emerging in fungi and health workers need to be more aware.

In his speech, Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof Darlington Obaseki while presenting awards of excellence to the guest speakers, appreciated members of the antimicrobial stewardship sub-committee led by Dr Stephen Ayinbuomwan for their commitment to improving health outcomes and providing health care solutions in the health system.

The CMD encouraged the committee to do everything possible to make antimicrobial stewardship a culture in UBTH.

On his part, Dr Jerry Igunma consultant clinical Microbiologist and the chairman LOC, UBTH, WAAW 2023 in his vote of thanks appreciated all the stake holders who made the program a success and profusely appreciated the other committee members; Prof AE Sadoh, Dr Osaigbovo I , Pharm Dr, E Yovwin. Mr Ephraim Ibadin, Pharm Aghimien, Dr Adewole Afolabi and Dr Bimbo Opadeyi.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.