June 19, 2023 - Liberia Wire

New solutions urgently needed to tackle smoking worldwide: experts to convene in Poland at the Global Forum on Nicotine

GFN23

Tobacco harm reduction can hasten an end to smoking-related death and disease. Copyright-free photo by Mathew MacQuarrie on Unsplash.

WARSAW, Poland, June 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — International public health specialists, scientists, doctors, regulators, consumers and manufacturers are convening this week in the Polish capital to discuss new ways of tackling global smoking-related death and disease. Over four days, 70 speakers and hundreds of delegates at the tenth annual Global Forum on Nicotine (21 – 24 June) will focus on tobacco harm reduction, which encourages adults who cannot quit smoking to switch to safer nicotine products.

Despite decades of tobacco control efforts, a billion people still smoke worldwide, with eight million smoking-related deaths each year. Four in five smokers live in low- and middle-income countries, least able to cope with the resulting burden of disease, and smoking is a major cause of health inequalities in higher income countries. The thousands of toxins released when tobacco burns cause smoking-related diseases, not nicotine, which is a comparatively low-risk substance.

Vapes (e-cigarettes), pasteurised snus, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products enable people to use nicotine without burning tobacco, significantly reducing health risks compared to continued smoking. Global estimates suggest 112 million people use these products, despite inconsistent regulation and outright prohibition in some countries. Smoking prevalence is falling faster where these products are available and appropriately regulated, such as in the UK, Sweden, Japan and New Zealand.

GFN23 will tackle the opportunities and challenges of tobacco harm reduction, including the development of regulatory systems that enable adult smokers to access safer products, while reducing youth uptake. Open to all, free live-streamed sessions from the event, translated from English to Spanish and Russian, will cover the last decade of science around safer nicotine products and their efficacy in smoking cessation, the environmental impact of safer products in comparison to combustible cigarettes and the detrimental impact of moral stances and ideology on science and regulation.

While it supports harm reduction for HIV/AIDS prevention and substance use, the World Health Organization opposes harm reduction for tobacco. Ibero-American experts at GFN23 will discuss the upcoming WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control COP10 in Panama this November, where decisions on the future of safer nicotine products may have grave implications for global public health.

Ahead of GFN23, Gerry Stimson, Emeritus Professor at Imperial College London and the event’s co-founder, called for international tobacco control leaders to adopt rational and pragmatic approaches that prioritise saving lives: “Ideology must be set aside and people must be supported to quit by all available means.”

The Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN) is the only international conference to focus on the role of safer nicotine products that help people switch from smoking, in an approach called tobacco harm reduction. Find out more and register to watch online sessions free at https://gfn.events/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/feaca847-b6e8-4140-9da8-e5658737df26

Ruth Goldsmith, GFN23 Communications Lead
ruth@gfn.events
https://gfn.events/

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000825970

Institution set to bridge gap in IT skills, foster brain gain

Tezza Academy, an Information Technology (IT) institute says it is set to expand its training programmes to foster braingain and accommodate more aspiring IT professionals.

Mr Oluwatomi Etta, Communication Specialist, Tezza Academy, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Etta said that the Academy aimed to empower young Nigerians with high-end IT skills, ensuring job placements upon completion of three-month intensive training.

He said that the initiative would not only enhance Nigeria’s Global Value Chains (GVCs), but also position the country as a leading human capital export nation, rivaling populous countries like China and India.

Mr Roland Omoresemi, who is the brain behind the Academy said that its sustainability and success depended on strong collaborations.

He stressed the importance of equipping young Nigerians with the tools they need to thrive in the global market.

“Part of the agenda is to make them IT consultants while remaining rooted in their homeland,” he said.

‘’By nurturing local talents and fostering a sense of pride in their Nigerian identity, the academy aims to build a skilled workforce that contributes to both local and global markets,’’ he said.

Mr Jide Modele, a partner to the institution said that all its trainees had been placed at a client site and were engaged even before they graduated from the academy.

‘’This track record demonstrates the academy’s commitment to ensuring trainees’ successful integration into the industry, enabling them to make meaningful contributions from the outset.

‘’By forging partnerships and delivering skill sets required across sectors locally and globally, the academy aims to create a future where its trainees are absorbed into client sites.

“This is to effectively address the unemployment and employability challenges in the country.

‘’Tezza academy’s commitment to addressing the brain drain syndrome, locally known as the “jakpa syndrome’’ is a driving force behind its mission,’’ he said.

Modele said the core objective of the institution’s curriculum was to develop thought leaders and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in various areas of specialisation for its clients globally.

“This collaborative approach ensures that highly trained professionals find opportunities in prominent organisations like Dangote Refinery, Zenith Bank, MTN, and others within and beyond Nigeria.

“At Tezza academy, we tackle the drain of highly skilled IT professionals (jakpa) by discovering, equipping, and training self-motivated youths in conjunction with our global partners in specialised IT disciplines.

Thus, by retaining talented individuals and providing them with cutting-edge IT skills and opportunities, the academy seeks to transform the brain drain into brain gain,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institution was founded in November 2020 as Tezza Boot Camp and had experienced remarkable growth since its inception.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

NAFDAC begins mop-up of unregistered herbal medicines

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has started a nationwide mop-up of unregistered herbal medicines.

The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

She said that the action followed a recent discovery of sale of uncertified, unregistered herbal medicines by Dr Salisu Sani Nawagini, popularky knwon as Baban Aisha, and others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agency had on Wednesday, June 14, raided and sealed the production factory of Baban Aisha at Tarfa, on Abuja-Kaduna road.

NAN also reports that during the raid, a lot of items, including production equipment and raw materials were seized at the production factory of Baban Aisha by NAFDAC, where a woman who stood in for him (Baban Aisha) was arrested.

Adeyeye, therefore, said the agency’s nationwide crackdown is on herbal medicines, especially those not registered with NAFDAC.

She said that Baban Aisha had in 2018 received an application from Sacra Multi-Links Ltd for the registration of Sacra Herb oral liquid for the treatment of pile and associated pains.

The NAFDAC boss said that the registration approval for the product expired on Sept. 12, 2019, which made Baban Aisha to apply for renewal on Aug. 12, 2020 following regulatory audit of the company’s production facility. She added that after this, compliance directives were issued to the company for non conformers observed in the facility as at the time of visit for which the company was expected to correct.

Adeyeye said that the company however did not correct the lapses observed, Sacra Herb registration licence was not renewed, the agency did not also receive any application for advertisement of the medicine.

She said that instead of renewal of registration of the product, the company went beyond bound prescription for the medicine to convince Nigerians that it can also treat waist pains, typhoid, ulcer, toilet infection and others.

The director-general said that social media outburst on the nefarious activities of Sacra Multi Links prompted the investigation and enforcement directorate of the agency to carry out surveillance and enforcement action which led to sealing of the factory.

She appealed to Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable group, to desist from the use of dangerous herbal preparations.

She reiterated NAFDAC’s determination to ensure that only safe and efficacious medicines, wholesome foods and quality regulated products are sold and used by Nigerians.

Adeyeye solicited the support of health practitioners, community and religious leaders, the press and other stakeholder to continue to educate their wards and family members to desist from patronising quacks and hawkers of medicine on the streets.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

NGO tasks FG, states, to design skills acquisition programmes for PWDs

An NGO, the Global Initiative for Civil Stabilisation (GICS), has called on the federal and state governments to design skills acquisition programmes for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Mr Muhammad Al-Mansur, made the call at a one-day media capacity building workshop for journalists on Monday in Abuja.

He said it was important to introduce skills acquisition programmes for PWDs to enable them to be independent and live dignified lives.

“In Nigeria, we tend to relegate issues of disabilities to the background; we prefer giving persons with disabilities little tokens and we think that solves their problems.

“We are expected to look at a holistic way we can fully integrate these people into the society.

“A lot of these people beg for alms not because they want to be beggars, but because of the economic realities confronting them,’’ Al-Mansur said.

He noted that if educational programmes were designed for PWDs, they would be led to career paths and employment would be provided for them.

Also speaking at the workshop, Mr Odoh Diego, a development communication expert and facilitator, called for an end to the use of PWDs for alms begging.

“The law criminalises the use of PWDs to solicit for alms, but because of our cultural or religious norms, we think we are duty-bound to show them empathy.

“People need to be aware of the law. Since 2019, when former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the law, it became a crime to use PWDs for alms-begging,’’ he stressed.

In her remarks, Miss Mary Musa, a PWD, appealed for the implementation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.

“To pass a law is one thing; to implement it is another thing; so the bulk of the work lies on everybody to make it work,’’ she said.

The workshop has “Reporting for Deepening the Implementation of the 2018 Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act’’ as its theme.

The workshop, organised by the Differently Abled Civil Empowerment Programme of the NGO, was supported by the embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Solicitor-General urges urgent action to combat school-related GBV

Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice has called for urgent measures to combat School-Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) in Nigeria.

Jeddy-Agba made the call at the inauguration of the Committee on Legal Pathway for the Prosecution of Perpetrators of School Related Gender-Based Violence on Monday in Abuja.

She said the discourse about SRGBV has been on the front burner in different fora as an emerging menace that can no longer be ignored and one which must be combatted decisively and squarely.

“SRGBV as the name implies, school related gender-based violence occurs in schools, around school or as a result of school

relationship.

“It is perpetrated based on gender norms or stereotypes and enforced by unequal power dynamics in the school environs.

“It occurs in multifarious dimensions and includes physical violence, sexual violence and psychological violence, teacher-perpetrated abuse, excessive punishment, sexual harassment or sexual coercion, bullying by peers, rape, physical assault, sexual assault and et al.

“SRGBV is pervasive in many schools globally and constitutes both a crime and a violation of the human rights of children and therefore, should be stopped at all costs,” she said.

Jeddy-Agba the committee was established to develop a Standard Operating Procedure as a standard working tool and guideline to guide key stakeholders in Basic Education Institution across Nigeria to respond to cases of SRGBV when they occur.

“The committee will, therefore, work together with the SGBV Response Unit to facilitate and develop this document to provide a routine procedure to respond to these cases in schools.

“This opportunity is critical, it is the result of the vision, the will, the commitment to create a safe space for our children and Nigeria”.

“I therefore, charge you to give these the focus and seriousness it deserves because we owe it to our children, and our Nation to resolve this task”.

Also speaking, Mr Stephen Onyekwelu, the representative of UNESCO said that gender-based violence cannot be eradicated without education.

“Education is key in trying to change one’s negative norms, attitudes and behaviour and we are doing several things to see how our educational system can address the issue of gender-based violence globally.

“We have worked with various secondary schools in the FCT establishing school gender classes, we supported in the revising the National Basic Education curriculum to improve some components of gender-based violence issues.

“We are working directly with the Federal Ministry of Education, currently revising the National healthcare policy for secondary schools which will be presented at the upcoming National Council of Education”.

He said that the event is the height of the effort in curbing gender based violence.

“Sometimes, when you go out, what you see is cases with no legal backing to pursue it, the police will tell you there are no supporting documents to back up their actions.

“But what we are doing today is certainly going to address most of these challenges that will enable us to effectively bring perpetrators to book, especially at the school levels.

Mrs Yewande Gbola-Awopetu, Head, SGBV, ministry of justice thanked the participants and pledged government resolve is addressing gender based violence issues.

“Rest assured that the legal partway will bring sanity in our school domain and create safe space for the children.

“It is our utmost desire that our efforts against this heinous crime will transcend to positive actions in the successful drafting of the standard operating procedure.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Association commends President Tinubu on data protection Act

The Association of Licenced Data Protection Compliance Organisations of Nigeria (ALDAPCON) on Monday commended President Bola Tinubu for adopting the Data Protection Act.

It described the Act as an enabling law for the growth of digital economy.

President Tinubu signed the Nigeria Data Protection Act on Monday, June 12.

It provides a legal framework for the protection of personal information, and the practice of data protection in Nigeria.

The new law established the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and replaced the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) which had the mandate to handle data protection and privacy issues.

The NDPB was established by erstwhile President Muhammadu Buhari in February 2022.

ALDAPCON’s Chairman, Mr Ivan Anya, commended Tinubu in a statement issued in Abuja by its Secretary, Mr Aliyu Abdulaziz.

Anya said in the statement that the Act would accelerate Nigeria’s economic development when fully implemented and effectively monitored.

He made the remarks when he led executive members of ALDAPCON on a working visit to Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner, NDPC.

Anya said ALDAPCON had always championed the course of data protection and compliance.

“We commend President Tinubu for this progressive Act and we congratulate Nigerians and commend the great works put in by the NDPC to ensure the Bill is passed.

“The Data Protection Act will help to enhance data privacy and confidentiality of Nigerians; enable effective dataflow and boost Nigeria’s steadily growing data protection industry.

“The growth will necessitate new levels of skillsets and jobs that will impact significantly on the economy; protect the country’s data sovereignty and enhance the GDP.

“The new law will ensure clarity in the roles of data processors and data controllers,’’ he said.

Anya urged the Commission to increase its level of engagement with stakeholders to ensure thorough implementation of the Act.

He requested for signed copies of the Bill to be made available to ALDAPCON members who would be carrying out comparative analyses as well as develop White Papers.

Responding, Olatunji encouraged Data Protection Controller Organisations (DPCOs) to take the Code of Practice serious and render quality service to their clients.

He agreed with the association on the need for strong awareness around issues of data protection and urged DPCOs to leverage on the media to build a strong industry voice.

The national commissioner assured of the Commission’s support and tasked ALDAPCON to employ competent staff to enhance the growth of their respective companies and to build strategic networks amongst themselves.

DPCOs are licensed by the Commission to monitor compliance with extant data regulations and ensure that data controllers do not breach the provisions of the Act.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Butcher jailed 1 year for stabbing colleague

An Area Court sitting in Jos on Monday sentenced a 24-year-old butcher, Mathew Danjuma, to one year imprisonment for stabbing his colleague.

The judge, Mr hawomi Bokkos, who jailed Danjuma after he confessed to the crime, however, gave him an option of N50,000 fine.

He also ordered him to pay N35,000 as compensation to the complainant.

Bokkos said the judgment would serve as a deterrent to those who would want to indulge in such acts.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Ibrahim Gokwat told the court that the case was reported on May 21 at the C’ Division by Umar Muhammed, the complainant.

Gokwat said the convict got angry with Muhammed during an altercation and stabbed him with a knife.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of the Section 241 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

NDLEA arrests 31,675 offenders, seizes 6.3m kg of drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested no fewer than 31,675 drug offenders including 35 barons in 29 months.

The Chairman, NDLEA, retired, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa said this at a briefing to mark the 2023 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, on Monday in Abuja.

Marwa was represented by the agency’s Secretary, Mr Shadrach Haruna.

“In 29 months, we have arrested 31, 675 drug offenders, including 35 barons; successfully prosecuted and got convicted 5,147 of them,

“Over 11,000 other cases are still pending in court, while 23,725 drug users had been counselled and rehabilitated, majority of them through brief interventions.

“At least 6.3 million kilograms of various illicit substances have been recovered in response to our efforts to sweep up drugs and shut down the distribution channels,” Marwa said.

He added that the Agency had within the period destroyed 852.142 hectares of cannabis farms and dismantled three clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.

”I can assure you that even as we speak, NDLEA agents are busy with interdiction activities somewhere, “ the chairman said.

Marwa also said that the Agency was pursuing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction, which has to do with prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.

“It should go without saying that we must strike a balance between these two crucial components if we are to achieve our desired utopia of a drug-free society.

“NDLEA has made significant investments in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation over the last two years. The doors of our rehabilitation facilities are open at all times.

“In the last 29 months, we have acquired a few more rehabilitation centres given to us as donations, while we have also obtained the Federal Government’s approval for the construction of regional model rehabs.”

He added that more private treatment facilities were cooperating with NDLEA, which has also invested in a “toll-free, round-the-clock call centre that provides teletherapy”.

On the UN Day against drug abuse and trafficking, Marwa said that the theme, “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention,” was in furtherance of the whole-of-society approach to taming the drug scourge.

According to him, the theme is especially pertinent to the Nigerian situation, as the Agency strengthens law enforcement efforts to cut down on the supply of drugs in the society.

Speaking, the Country Representative, United Nations Office On Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), Mr Oliver Stolpe said that the organisation would strengthen collaborations and efforts towards drug demand reduction.

Stolpe said that there were millions of children to be reached on dangers of drug abuse, adding that the NDLEA had worked hard on the campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

“We have increasingly watched how NDLEA have worked so hard to detect drug trafficking. We will place specific attention to drug demand reduction

“We are going to further strengthen our collaboration and efforts to increase the benefits of international cooperation with the specific target at reducing drug trafficking with the help of NDLEA.

“We will make sure that the public, the primary health care providers are better prepared to take care of basic drug counselling unit and knowing how to take care of people suffering from drug use disorder.

“We need to further improve on the availability of treatment. We need to strengthen our efforts and major concerns on schools and also help the children get skills on how to stay away from illicit drugs,“ the UNODC official said.

NAN reports that the 2023 World Drug Day celebration is being conducted in partnership with the agency’s stakeholders like the UNODC and MTN Foundation.

Some of the events lined up include essay and the quiz competitions, Walk Against Drugs, NGO activities, and a campaign to raise awareness among young people who are not in school.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria