New Ebola vaccine shows promise in human trials

Researchers have said an experimental Ebola vaccine shows promise in an early clinical trial, but requires much more testing,New York Times News Service reports.

The trial included 120 healthy adults in China who received either a low or high dose of the vaccine, or a placebo. 28 days later, 38 of 40 people in the low-dose group and all 40 of those in the high-dose group showed an immune response to the vaccine.

No serious side effects occurred among the participants who received the vaccine.

While the results suggest the vaccine is effective and safe, more long-term testing is needed to determine whether it can actually protect people against Ebola, according to the authors of the study published March 25 in The Lancet.

The vaccine is based on the strain of Ebola that has been circulating in the West African outbreak. The researchers note that, until now, all tested Ebola vaccines have been based on the Ebola strain from the 1976 outbreak in Zaire.

The vaccine was developed by the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology and Tianjin CanSino Biotechnology in China. Both helped fund the study, along with China National Science and Technology.

Jonathan, Buhari hug as they sign new peace accord [PHOTO]

President Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buharihave signed yet another peace accord to show their commitment to peaceful elections.

Jonathan and Buhari are pictured embracing after emerging from a closed door meeting which held at the Sheraton Hotels in Abuja.

The meeting was organized by the National Peace Committee under the Chairmanship of former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

The meeting was also attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto,Matthew Kukah, and APC National Chairman, John Oyegunamong others.

Dead CDMA Telephone Lines Litter Nigeria-NCC

The once active Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) subsector of the telecoms industry has been declared as a ‘crowd graveyard’ that litter the country, going by the latest statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). According to the telecoms industry regulator, CDMA lines dropped from a whopping figure of 2,187,845 to 2,108,960 between the period of December 2014 and January 2015, while its GSM counterpart recorded a total of 139 million active lines up from 137 million in December 2014. Both GSM and CDMA current active lines stood at a little above 141 million lines in January up from the 140 million recorded in December 2014. CDMAs have continued to perform poorly due to a number of reasons including the local financiers’ refusal to lend to CDMA operators because of their repulsive financial record. Further investigations revealed that some CDMA operators had over the years regularly and consciously ignored sustained and systematic red flags as their promoters and managers diverted funds meant for expansion into frivolous projects like manufacturing, oil and gas, politics and so on. The deaths of CDMAs were also quickened by corporate mismanagement because of the fraudulent and self-serving practices of some members of board and management and the overbearing influence of Chairmen or Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of CDMAs.

‘Glaucoma Is Treatable, Not Curable’

Glaucoma is a very com­mon cause of blindness in Nigeria but, when it is de­tected early, it can be prevented. Unfortunately, it is asymptomat­ic, and the awareness of glauco­ma among people is quite poor. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases causing optic nerve damages. The optic nerve car­ries images from the retina, which is the specialized light sensing tissue, to the brain so we can see. In glaucoma, eye pressure plays a role in damag­ing the delicate nerve fibres of the optic nerve. When a signifi­cant number of nerve fibres are damaged, blind spots develop in the field of vision. Once nerve damage and visual loss occur, it is permanent.   According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), glaucoma is now the second leading cause of blindness globally, after cata­racts. Glaucoma, however, pres­ents perhaps an even greater public health challenge than cataracts, because the blindness it causes is irreversible.   Dr Abiola Oyeleye, the Vice Chairman, Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), Lagos State chapter, and Consultant Ophthalmologist, the Eye Doc­tor’s Clinic, Lagos, said: “A lot of people may have heard of glaucoma, but they just say ‘it is an eye condition’. But it goes be­yond that; it is the most common cause of irreversible blindness. That means if you are blind from glaucoma, nothing can be done to bring your sight back.   “In glaucoma, you don’t have symptoms. If you go for a rou­tine eye check and they confirm that you have it, then treatment can commence on time. Every­one is at risk of glaucoma but high risk groups are adults from age 30. Dr Oyeleye said: “Some people have glaucoma at age 10 or 20; some children are born with glaucoma but, usually, people have it when they get to the adult stage. So, one needs to go for regular eye check.”   In her words, the Associate professor of ophthalmology, Guinness Eye Centre, Dr Ade­ola Onakoya, said glaucoma is not just a blinding disease “but you may not know if you have it and, unfortunately, it may re­sult into blindness if there is no quick intervention. So, it is better that from about the age of 35, you see an eye specialist, precisely an ophthalmologist, to examine your eyes in detail and then tell you whether you have glaucoma, or not.   “It is only through early detec­tion that you can prevent blind­ness from glaucoma and, if it is not properly treated, could re­sult into blindness, because it is naturally progressive.”   In Nigeria, the prevalence of glaucoma amongst those that are above 40 year is put at about four per cent, and the estimate is that that age group is about 20 per cent of the population.   “So, in a population of 150 mil­lion, it means 30 million people are predisposed to be affected, and of that 30 million, two mil­lion people are probably suffer­ing from glaucoma and, out of that figure, 200,000 of them are blind in both eyes. That is just under estimation. There are more people who are blind from glaucoma,” Onakoya said.   However, Oyeleye said: “Glau­coma is treatable, but not cur­able. When you say treatable, it means you can prevent it and try to prevent it from getting worse. You can prevent it with eye drops or tablets (medication) or laser treatment or surgery, but someone who has glaucoma cannot take it away completely, that is why it is treatable, but not curable.

Ebola could be over in August- UN says

The United Nations has said that the Ebola outbreak could be over by August, BBC reports.

The Head of the UN Ebola mission, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmedadmitted that the UN had made mistakes in handling the crisis early on, sometimes acting "arrogantly".

Meanwhile, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) had attributed the loss of so many lives to WHO's slow response to the epidemic.

Speaking with BBC, the head of the UN Ebola response mission said:

"There was probably a lack of knowledge and there was a certain degree of arrogance, but I think we are learning lessons. We have been running away from giving any specific date, but I am pretty sure myself that it will be gone by the summer."

States To Generate Own Electricity – ACPN Candidate

The presidential candidate for the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, (ACPN), Ganiyu Galadima, has said that if elected as the President of the country, he would do away with the national grid, by ensuring that every state generates its own electricity. Galadima said this on Sunday while responding to questions on how he would improve the nation’s power sector, if elected President, during the presidential debate held at the International Conference Center Abuja organised by the National Election Debate Group (NEDG). Speaking on the problems bedevilling power generation in the country and the consequent adverse effect on the economy, Galadima said that allowing states to generate their power supply, would put the economy back on track. On oil theft, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), Nani Ahmad, said that Nigeria had lost a lot of money, because most powerful people in the country were involved in the nefarious oil bunkering, but, that as the President, he would start a process that would trace the stolen oil from the country, with the support of the international community.   In collaboration with the position of the ADC candidate, the presidential candidate for the Hope Democratic Party, (HDP), also accused oil companies, the Army, Navy and the Police for being behind oil bunkering but vowed that vandals and oil theft would not happen under the watch of his government.

Super Eagles striker walks out of match after racist chants

Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike walked out on a match in Turkey over the weekend after racist chants by his own club (Fenerbache) fans were directed at him.

An angry Emenike during Sunday, March 22 match againstBesiktas removed his shirt and ran towards the bench.

His coaches  however pleaded with him to return back to the pitch which he did.

Emenike who has endured a difficult time in front of goal this season, netting just four times in 22 appearances, was booed by his club fan before coach Ismail Kartal finally decided to withdraw him.

Senegalese forward Moussa Sow, meanwhile, scored a dramatic 91 minute winner to secure three points for Fenerbache.

After the match, a furious Eminike insinuated that he was tired of life in the Thurkish club and wants to go somewhere else where he will be loved.

"Let's KICK Racism Out Of Football," he Tweeted.

"I hope I'll be somewhere where fans love me soon. I don't want to play football for people who calls me "nigger". Miss red-white times," Emenike revealed.

Goodluck Jonathan attends debate with other candidates in Abuja [PHOTOS]

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, March 22, attended a Presidential debate in Abuja.

The debate was organized by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and had Presidential candidates of other parties in attendance.

Some of the candidates who took part in the debate includeRemi Sonaiya of Kowa Party, Chekwas Okorie (UPP),Godson Okoye (UDP) and Martin Onovo (NCP).

However, Jonathan’s major challenger, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was absent.

Ted Cruz becomes 1st Republican to declare 2016 presidential bid

United States Senator, Ted Cruz has officially declared his presidential bid ahead of the 2016 presidential elections, becoming the first Republican to make the move.

The 44-year-old Texas native is expected to set out his plans in detail in a speech at Liberty University, Virginia today, Monday.

In a Twitter vine, Romney said:

"It is going to take a new generation of courageous conservatives to make America great again."

Cruz, who commentators say is a party favourite, was forced to give up his Canadian citizenship last year, after his eligibility to run was thrown into doubt when it emerged that he was born inCanda.

In September 2013, he gave a 21-hour speech againstPresident Barack Obama's health law - one of the longest speeches in Senate history.

Several other US presidential hopefuls are expected to declare their intentions in the coming weeks. Among those expected to declare are: Jed Bush, who was the former Governor of Floridaand is the younger brother to former president, George W. Bush, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, SenatorElizabeth Warren, Senator Rand Paul and former First Lady and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Tele Ikuru ‘Why I defected from APC,’ Amaechi’s deputy explains

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ikuru defected on Sunday, March 22, in a move that has been described as shocking by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

In a statement released to explain his defection, Amaechi’s deputy stated that he left the APC because the “Rivers man in him rejected the party.”

The statement reads:

“My dear people of Rivers State, I bring you honest and sincere greetings. Today (Sunday), I address you out of the fullness of my heart. Recall that in December 2013, out of extreme loyalty to my boss and friend, I joined the APC, along with other then disillusioned Rivers people.”

“Ever since, as the true nature and motives of APC are unveiled, I have continued to twist and turn in extreme mental and emotional agony. The more I struggled to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects the APC.”

“After carefully studying, interacting and analyzing the leadership of the party, I have come to the sad conclusion that the APC is a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretence and deceit. APC is a party founded on deception and it thrives on unholy propaganda and falsehood.”

“I, therefore, on behalf of my teaming supporters, and my humble self-denounce the APC and we all jointly and severally resign our membership of the APC.”

“My dear people of Rivers State, we of this generation will not in good conscience expect forgiveness and compassion from our forebears, posterity, and the spirit of our unborn generations if it is recorded in the annals of history that after 48 years of Rivers people supporting leaders from all other parts of this country with our votes and resources, we were the same that witch hunted and hounded down the very first ever president from this region, granted us by providence. I wash my hands off the treachery.”

“In the light of the above, I wish to urge all my supporters, the good people of Rivers State to join hands with others to vote for President Jonathan and the transformation agenda that has brought so much relief and succor to the greatest number of Nigerians.”

“I also urge all Rivers people to vote for Chief Nyesom Wike (PDP governorship candidate in the state), who has shown by his antecedents, track records and boundless capabilities that he will deliver good governance to the people of Rivers State.”

Amaechi however, in response, stated that Ikuru had lied in his remarks about the APC and should have honourably left the party instead of resorting to falsehood and name-calling.

‘Ayo Fayose our family,’ Governor’s brother says

The older brother of Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has said that the latter is an embarrassment to the family.

Segun Fayose also pleaded with his brother to stop bringing their father’s name into disrepute.

The older Fayose, who works as an accountant in the UK, reportedly made the statements while speaking to reporters from The Nation in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“It is a pity Nigerians are celebrating criminals. I am angry with Nigerians for electing somebody like Ayodele as governor. My children cannot come to Nigeria because of the terrible situation of our country,” he said

“I don’t have a relationship with any of our leaders because of their criminality and anybody who says I collected money from the opposition should step forward to challenge me. Ekiti and Nigeria are bigger than Fayose’s name and both names should be protected,” he added.

Segun Fayose also said that he had urged the governor to desist from his shameful behavior but to no avail.

“I don’t want anything from anybody, but Ayo should stop insulting and abusing my father’s name. As a result of Fayose’s attitude, many people believe the Fayose family is rude but it is far from the truth,” the governor’s brother said.

“I have spoken to him many times, but he refused to listen. Buhari and Obasanjo are old enough to be his father and I don’t know why he should be insulting them,” he added.

The older Fayose also said that he had urged people not to elect his brother into office.

“I am always sad with the situation of this country. Ayo’s arrogance is one of the reasons I said people should not vote for him prior to the Ekiti governorship election. If all I am saying is not true, my six children should die and I should end up in shame,” he said.

“Most of us abroad are not happy with the situation of Nigeria. We are sad. When people call me from Ekiti to complain about Ayo, I tell them to forgive the family. People should not see Ayo as an ambassador of our family,” he added.

Governor Fayose had earlier described All Progressives Congress (APC)  candidate, Muhammadu Buhari as “diaper-wearing” and also stated that Ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo’s exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was good riddance to bad rubbish.

Rivers State Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru Decamps to PDP

Multiple sources, including Channels TV, are reporting that the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, has left the APC for the PDP, six days to the general elections.

Director of communications for President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode, has somewhat confirmed the development as he reweeted a twitter news feed handle who reported the development as 'breaking.'

Ikuru has been Governor Chibuike Amechi’s deputy sine 2007 and has been campaigning for the APC along with Amaechi until he declared his defection.

SHAFAUDEEN WARNS CLERICS

Nigeria clerics has been called upon to work  the work in religion and sacrifice on the focus on GOD in order not  to be seen as servant that serve GOD and the mammom, so that they can be able to benefit from the spiritual and sociodividend of religion.
Professor sabit  Ariyo Olagoke, the spiritual head of shafaudeen in islam  worldwide gave the advice in an exclusive interview with Gbola  Akinloye and segun omilabu-Gandi in Ibadan. Professor Olagoke observed that since religious system is in evitable for the process of mankind in order to refine them as materials for the purpose of effective management of material and human resources noted that is of today our religion system is moribund and need urgent attention and sanitization for effective productivities and inspirational standard. All these he said will help us to turn out the  right product for how political affairs
Professor olagoke stressed that our clerics need to be told that religion is suppose to be for salvation of  the country,religion he said is suppose to be used for promotion  of harmony and synthesize from dislike and segregation. He emphasized that clerics are very close to their people and suggested that they can work for government without expecting any reward from them as Nigeria  our country belong to all of us and warned them to always sow seed of unity in all their  sermon and preaching
    On the 2015 general election coming up on 28th of march and 11th of April , he charged INEC staffs on the task ahead of them and urged them to see that they do their best.
He however commended  our armed forces for waking up their responsibility in the north eastern part of the country and urged them not to relent their effort in other to secure the whole nation.
       The erudite Islamic scholar urged government at all level to desist from its divide and rule system as well as to accord equal respect to the clerics and the house of God. He clearly stated that Nigeria belongs to various religion systems, the common factor among them is that “no religion upholds evil and no scripture dictates lie”. He said democracy is all about justice and dispensation of equity on the kind of distribution of wealth, adding that when we were able to manage the two things together that one can have peace and development . he however called for more support for the government at all level and enjoin clerics to shun any fire prone preaching  that can bring about disaffections among the people.