Consumption of Ponmo is dangerous to human health

The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Leather Science & Technology (NILEST), Zaria, Dr Isuwa Adamu, has said that consumption of animal hides and skin, popularly known as Ponmo is dangerous to human health. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, today in Abuja, Adamu said scientific research has shown that ponmo doesn't have any nutritional value to human health and that some of the animals where ponmo is gotten from are usually sick & harbor dangerous chemicals.

   "In fact, it is not advisable for you to consume ponmo in the sense that some of the animals killed and used for ponmo actually have skin diseases. Some of these skin diseases are such that boiling them ordinarily, may not kill the bacteria. Some of the animals because of the ailments that they have gone through, are sometimes treated by way of injection with chemicals.
    People don’t allow these chemicals to complete its cycle and be removed from the body; they sometimes go ahead to kill these animals. So, if you consume the ponmo, the tendency is that you are consuming the chemicals directly because the skin part of the animal retains most of the harmful substances. Remember your skin is the major protective organ of your body and your skin harbours so many of the harmful things that are supposed to penetrate into your body,” he explained.

He advised the Federal government to put in place policies that would reduce the consumption of Ponmo in Nigeria.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba ordered all commanding officers nationwide to provide water-tight security - Eid el-kabir celebrations

Abuja – The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, on Thursday ordered all commanding officers nationwide to provide water-tight security before, during and after the Eid el-kabir celebrations.

Abba specifically directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the FCT to take measures to provide adequate security at all key and vulnerable points.

He listed those areas as all places of worship, recreation centres and other public places, adding that this was to enable worshippers to perform their religious obligation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, has assured residents of the territory of adequate security during the period.

Inalegwu, who briefed newsmen on the command’s preparation for the eid el-Kabir on Thursday, assured that the police would be deployed to all praying grounds and other public places.

The commissioner assured of increased motorized patrol during the period, and directed all Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders to mobilize their men to provide adequate security throughout the celebration.

The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, has urged the elite in Katsina to avoid envying each other

Katsina – The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, has urged the elite in Katsina to avoid envying each other and unite for the development of the state.

Kabir stated this on Thursday at his palace while receiving officials of Katsina Consultative Forum.

He said that elite, recognized as the “think-tank’’ of the state, should come together and initiate projects that would be beneficial to the common man.

The emir advised the elite to shun any acts that could stop the people from benefitting from their wealth of experience.

“The state has been blessed with seasoned technocrats that possess a lot of experience that will bring rapid development in the state,’’ he said.

The emir also called on the forum to devise means of assisting unemployed youths that posed threat to the security of the state.

Kabir lamented that hundreds of youths that had graduated from universities were roaming the streets in Katsina without job, adding that the situation had become a source of concern to all.

Nigeria Union of Teachers in Anambra State has threatened to go on strike should the state government fail to fully provide enough facilities to check Ebola virus disease in schools

Nigeria Union of Teachers in Anambra State has threatened to go on strike should the state government fail to fully provide enough facilities to check Ebola virus disease in primary and secondary schools as it earlier promised.

Chairman of the union, Mr. Ifeanyi Ofodile said the teachers in the state were asked to resume in September as directed by the Federal Government following Governor Willie Obiano’s promise to provide the basic facilities including boreholes to schools to help check the disease.

“The national leadership of our union met with the federal government, ministers, governors and commissioners following which the federal government declared the country Ebola free and subsequently reopened schools nationwide. Presently, we are going from school to school to see to what extent the state has gone in the implementation of their promise.  We shall not hesitate to withdraw teachers from the class room if we find any shortcoming because of the vulnerability of our children.”

However, he said so far, government had provided some facilities in some schools with a promise to make sure that all the schools were provided for.
He said about 1,400 teachers in primary schools were trained on how to cope with any emergency case of the disease.
Ofodile called on teachers and parents to assist government in the fight against the deadly disease.

Remi Oyo, former Managing Director of NAN dies at 61

The Oyo family has announced the death of Dame Felicia Oluwaremilekun Oyo, in London. In a statement, issued on Thursday, her husband, Mr. Vincent Oyo, said she died peacefully on Wednesday, in London, where she was recuperating after receiving treatment from an ailment. Born on October 12, 1952, Oyo, a seasoned journalist, served as senior special assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2003 to 2007.

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, joined other eminent Nigerians in paying tribute to former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Mrs Remi Oyo who died on Wednesday in London, few days to her 62nd birthday anniversary.

A statement by Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said “on behalf of his family and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to her husband, Vincent, her children, Otome and Okiemuote, her surviving siblings and other relatives.

Information Minister Mr. Labaran Maku said he received the news of the demise of the erstwhile Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria with shock and sadness. Mr. Maku described her death as a huge loss to her family, the media industry in Nigeria, the womenfolk and the nation in general, adding that the late Mrs. Remi Oyo died at a time when the nation and the media industry in Nigeria needed her wise counsel and vast experience.

May her soul rest in peace!!!!

For how long will Keshi build the Eagles? - Victor Ikpeba

Ex-international, Victor Ikpeba was among the galaxy of stars who witnessed Delta FA Chairman Melvin Amaju Pinnick enthroned as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Ikpeba was happy with the decision of the delegates to vote a young man who loves challenges, a young man who could bring corporate organizations to support football, a man whose passion for football knows no bounds. But above everything, Ikpeba looked beyond the elections and raised alarm that Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was stifling the Super Eagles.

 ‘’For how long will Keshi build the Eagles?’’, he asked and waited for no answer. ‘’He has been building this team since 2012 and still wants to continue building in 2014. No. What type of builder is he? His success in South Africa where he won the Nations Cup was a collective effort’’.

He has placed us on the hard corner of qualification for the Nations Cup in Morocco. While Nigerians are gritting about their chances, he has invited rookies for the must win matches against Sudan. Keshi needs to ask himself questions. He should be a critic unto himself.