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Aruna Quadri: 1st In Africa, 21st In The World [2017]

Aruna Quadri has set a new personal record for Nigeria and himself as he is now ranked 21 in the end-of-the-year ranking released by the International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF.

The ranking was released on the 7th of December 2017 by the world table tennis ruling body.

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, NTTF, in a statement said:

“This has helped him to displace Egypt’s Omar Assar as the continent’s best-ranked player in the world.

In spite of not matching the record set by Assar as the first African ranked among the top 20 in the world, Quadri ends the year as the highest-ranked African in the latest rating.’’

Following victories over top-ranked players at the Swedish Open, Aruna Quadri amassed 50 points to improve from 2457 to 2507 points to be rated 21 in the world ranking.

Prior to this latest ranking, the best achieved by Aruna Quadri in the world rating was 25 and with this, he has set a new record for Nigeria and himself.

Assar’s failure to be more active seems to have affected his rating, as the Egyptian dropped from 20 to 26 in the latest ranking.

In the words of the President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Ishaku Tikon:

“The feat is commendable as Quadri continues to put Nigeria and Africa on the world map with his scintillating performance at global stage.

We are excited about this latest ranking and this goes to show that our efforts are paying off and what we just need to do is to ensure we unearth and nurture more players like Quadri.

Also, the young players should take a cue from Quadri in terms of his diligence, professionalism and dedication to the trade.

I hope and believe they can follow his footsteps in their career to make it to the top.”

In the women’s ranking, Egypt’s Dina Meshref dropped to 110 from 92.

However, she still remains Africa’s best-ranked female player in the world, while Funke Oshonaike’s lack of playing time at global level continues to have a negative effect.

She dropped from 227 to 262 in the latest ranking.

FMC Umuahia Records Successful First Kidney Transplant [2017]

The Federal Medical Centre, FMC Umuahia, Abia State has successfully carried out its first kidney transplant.

The first kidney transplant, which was carried out on two patients was conducted free of charge. The surgery commenced on Thursday, December 7 and was completed on Friday morning around 10:00 a.m.

This decision of the free surgery, according to the management of FMC Umuahia is aimed at offering kidney transplant services to improve quality of life, minimise medical tourism as well as provide affordable kidney transplantation in Nigeria.

The surgical procedure was carried out by team of surgeons led by Dr. Obi Ekwenna from University of Toledo Medical centre, USA and other surgeons from FMC Umuahia. It lasted more than ten hours in between procurement of kidney from the donor and actual transplanting for the recipient.

Relatives of the beneficiaries who have been undergoing dialysis expressed gratitude to the management for the gesture and expressed optimism for its sustainability.

One of the beneficiaries, Orji Ogbonnaya, a 37-year-old man who has been going through dialysis for four years said:

“This is a great plan for people like us who cannot travel outside the country to do the surgery, because they do not have the finances to go outside the country, but right now, we have kidney transplant at our doorstep and it is free for us as the beginners of the place, so I appreciate it.”

In the words of Dr. Obi Ekwenna on the Centre’s first kidney transplant:

“This is a team effort and that is what is required to have a successful transplant. We want to be able to save the life of patients who have kidney failure around this area and we target for that, it is just me from United States and the rest of the surgeons here. They are all very capable and obviously with some guidance we are able to do a successful kidney transplant.

The recipient is doing beautifully and the donor is moving around, the donors are the heroes, they are amazing people that come forward to save life and they will live a normal life.”

According to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), FMC Umuahia, Dr. Abali Chuku, the decision to offer kidney transplant free of charge for two patients is aimed at bridging the gap in obtaining quality healthcare due to the financial burden.

He said about 10 centers in Nigeria are providing kidney transplantation but all the ten centers are outside the south-eastern area. So, the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia introduced the service within in order to add value to the health sector.

According to Dr. Abali Chuku:

“Now the incidence of this kidney diseases is about seven percent of admitted patients. The alternative which is usually very expensive is kidney transplantation and a lot of them cannot afford it and it becomes a bit challenging for such patients and the dialysis cost is also quite high.

This kidney transplantation is a skill transfer session which the Federal Medical Centre hopes to run for four years to enable the centre to fully optimise the transfer of skills from the partnership with the University of Toledo Medical Centre.”

Kingsley Osamede Wins 2017 NCDMB Essay Competition

Kingsley Osamede, has won the annual oil and gas essay competition organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

An undergraduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, Kingsley Osamede, 20-year-old Osamede, is a 200-level student of Medicine and Surgery at the university.

The undergraduate, who aims to become a specialist consultant after his MBBS degree, was rewarded with a cash prize of ₦500,000, a laptop and a plaque.

Kingsley Osamede overcame Augustine Ekele, a 200-level student of Dentistry and Dental Surgery at UNIBEN; Victory Williams of Federal University, Otuoke; Elizabeth Ezekiel, a student of Medicine and Surgery, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma and Mayeroghene Obodoya of Delta State University, Abraka, to win the coveted award.

Osamede, overjoyed by the win and prize, vowed to rescind his earlier decision to travel abroad to practice after his graduation, saying he now discovered that a lot of opportunities abound in Nigeria.

The winner, who read the winning essay to the admiration of the audience, advocated local content in every sector of the country’s economy in order to drive sustainable growth and development of the country.

In his welcome address, the Project Consultant, Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, commended the management of NCDMB for organising the competition.

He said the project was intended to promote academic excellence among university and polytechnic students.

He also said it was aimed at creating awareness for Nigerians, especially the youth who are the real drivers of the Nigerian content initiative to build local capacities and competencies for indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry and develop the talent to create value from that opportunity.

He said the whole idea was institutionalised in line with the established mandate of the NCDMB to partner other organisations to organise conferences, workshops, seminars, training and other public education fora to further the attainment of the goal of developing Nigerian content.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Education, Bayelsa State, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, said capacity development was imperative in developing the country.

In his words:

“Today I am happy that we have come to develop using the essay competition, the mind of our young ones who definitely will take over from us as the future of our great country.”

Lola Alonge Wins 2017 UN Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Award

Mrs. Lola Alonge has won the 2017 Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) award organised by the United Nations.

Mrs. Lola Alonge who is the Executive Director of Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI) emerged the nutrition champion for Nigeria and was among the 18 shortlisted out of 50 nominations, for the award at the UN global level.

The Nigerian child health activist became victorious after competing with various first ladies for the prominent award.

Scaling up nutrition (SUN) is a United Nations global movement to scale up nutrition and end malnutrition in various countries.

For over 20 years, Mrs. Alonge has spear-headed awareness campaign on breastfeeding through her NGO – Child Health Advocacy Initiative.

She played a vital role in moving nutrition and breastfeeding agenda forward through collaboration and support to government institutions, private sector and the media.

She is the author of two books titled: “Breastfeeding made easy” and “Baby and Child Care”.

The award is to create a platform to continue to advocate for good nutrition and end malnutrition in Nigeria.

Adesoji Adesina & Bruce Onobrakpeya Win 2017 Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Awards

Professor Yemi Osinbajo has conferred the 2017 Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) award on Professor Adesoji Adesina and Mr. Bruce Onobrakpeya at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

85 -year-old Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya is the winner of Nigerian National Order of Merit Award in Humanity 2017.

In the course of his enchanting career as an artist, Onobrakpeya has held more than one hundred art exhibitions.

The first of which took place in Ughelli in 1959.

Continue reading Adesoji Adesina & Bruce Onobrakpeya Win 2017 Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Awards

Remi Adeoye Appointed Police Coordinator for African Union Commission [2017]

Remi Adeoye has been appointed the police coordinator for African Union Commission. The appointment takes effect from 1st December, 2017.

The police coordinator for African Union Commission is the highest police position in the organogram of the AU Commission. The responsibilities of Remi Adeoye’s new appointment include providing strategic guidance for police components in all AU Peace Support Operations and Special Operations and that include all AU Missions.

In the words of Remi Adeoye:

“Getting here was not easy. I thank God for His grace, my family for its endurance and all of you for your support. I thank my detractors for keeping me on my toes.

I am grateful to Nigeria Police Force for the confidence it reposed in me and the IGP for his support and encouragement at trying times. I am proud to represent my country on the global stage and I am humbled that the AU Commission found me worthy for this position.

I pledge to always give my best. Going beyond the call of duty has always been my work ethic. I thank my colleagues at the Commission Headquarters and in AU Member States for their cooperation at all times.

I will redouble my effort in service of our continent. The work has just started.”