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A recent study reports indicates that sitting for more than 10.6 hours a day raises the risk of heart disease, even among individuals who meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week.
In the study, published on Friday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers found that sitting for a long period is linked with “future adverse cardiovascular outcomes, with particularly prominent effects on heart failure and cardiovascular mortality”.
A team of researchers in the Mass General Brigham health care system analysed activity-tracker data from 89,530 UK Biobank participants, examining sedentary behaviour’s impact on atrial fibrillation, heart attacks, heart failure, and cardiovascular death.
Participants wore a triaxial accelerometer on their wrists for over seven days to track movement. After a median 8-year follow-up, analysis revealed that risks for atrial fibrillation and heart attack steadily increased over time.
About 5% of study participants developed atrial fibrillation, 2.1% developed heart failure, 2% had a heart attack, and a little less than 1% died from cardiovascular-related causes.
“Our findings really emphasize the importance of avoiding excess sitting… whether or not you’re physically active,” said Ezim Ajufo, the first study author and a cardiology fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
“We would really recommend that as many people as possible avoid sitting more than 10.6 hours a day. That’s not a hard and fast threshold, but we think it’s a reasonable first step for guidelines and public health intervention.”
However, Ajufo said the research has some limitations. “The study is also observational, which means that while it can make associations, it can’t prove that sitting was the cause of the heart disease,” said the first study author.
The researchers recommended standing or walking for a few minutes every 30 to 60 minutes or transitioning between tasks with short walks.
“Exercise is critical, but avoiding excessive sitting appears separately important,” said Patrick Ellinor, the co-senior author, cardiologist and co-director of the Corrigan Minehan Heart Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.
“Our hope is that this work can empower patients and providers by offering another way to leverage movement behaviors to improve cardiovascular health.”
Also speaking, Shaan Khurshid, another co-senior author and an electrophysiologist and faculty member in the Telemachus And Irene Demoulas Family Foundation Center for Cardiac Arrythmias at Massachusetts General Hospital, said: “our data supports the idea that it is always better to sit less and move more to reduce heart disease risk, and that avoiding excessive sitting is especially important for lowering risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death”.
Keith Diaz, an associate professor of behavioural medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, who was not involved in the study, revealed that more research is needed to determine the specific risks and guidelines for what constitutes too much sitting.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a lawsuit against former Senator Andy Uba, who represented Anambra South, and two other individuals, over allegations of fraud involving ₦400 million.
The charge, filed before Justice Inyang Ekwo at the Federal High Court in Abuja, includes two counts and names Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu as the second and third defendants.
The charge was filed by Abdulrashid Sidi on October 10, 2024, in the Legal/Prosecution Section of the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
In the first count, Uba, Crystal, Etu, and Hajiya Fatima (currently at large) are accused of conspiring in 2022 to commit the fraud.
They allegedly misrepresented to George Uboh that they had a method to ensure the appointment of any individual who could afford ₦400 million as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The charge states: “A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.”
The second count accuses the defendants and Fatima of further conspiring in 2022, with the intention to defraud and deceive George Uboh, by falsely presenting that they could secure the NDDC MD position for anyone willing to pay the ₦400 million.
They are accused of obtaining the funds and converting them for personal use, in violation of Section 1 (2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.
“A presentation which you know is not true. You obtained the money and converted it into your own personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006,” the count reads in part.
Uboh, in a petition dated April 5, 2023, addressed to the IGP, presented documentary and voice recordings as evidence, describing the proof as overwhelming and irrefutable.
Six witnesses are expected to testify against the defendants. The case was adjourned until February 18, 2025, following a request from M.L. Anthony, representing the IGP, who informed the court that the defendants had been evading service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.
The delay in the arraignment was also attributed to a fundamental rights enforcement order obtained by the defendants, which had prevented their appearance in court until the order was lifted.
Justice Ekwo set the new date for the defendants to enter their plea.
After her remarkable performance at the 73rd Miss Universe competition in Mexico, Nigeria’s representative, Chidimma Adetshina, has expressed immense pride and joy.
Reflecting on the experience, she described it as the ultimate realization of her dreams.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Chidimma thanked her fans, particularly Nigerians and Africans, for their unwavering support throughout her journey.
She acknowledged the significance of their belief in her, emphasizing how it played a key role in her success.
Chidimma also extended gratitude to her core supporters for their encouragement and blessings during her path to the global stage.
Although Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe 2024, Chidimma’s achievement as the first runner-up marks a historic moment for Nigeria and Africa in the pageant’s history.
In her post, Chidimma wrote: “I came, I saw, and I shook the universe. Returning home as Miss Universe First Runner-Up and Miss Universe Africa & Oceania, I’m filled with immense gratitude for Nigeria and Africa for believing in me and helping me reclaim my dreams.
“This is what it truly means for dreams to come true. A heartfelt thank you to Silverbird Group, Chichi Nation, and everyone who has supported me on this incredible journey. Your recognition means the world. God bless you all.”
The Federal Government through the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on residents of Benue State to stop the consumption of rats to avert outbreak of Lassa fever.
The State Coordinator of the NOA, Bitrus Audu, has called for heightened awareness to prevent a potential Lassa fever outbreak in Benue State.
Audu issued the warning during a press conference as part of the agency’s nationwide campaign against the deadly disease.
Highlighting the need for urgent sensitization, Audu noted that rats are a popular delicacy in Benue, particularly with the hunting season approaching.
“This is the time of year when many people consume more rats, so education is critical. We are urging them to avoid eating rats altogether. However, if they cannot stop, they should at least identify and avoid the specific species that carry the virus,” he said.
Audu explained that the primary carrier of the Lassa virus is the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis), a common rodent species in Sub-Saharan Africa.
While the multimammate rat hosts the virus, it does not fall ill from the infection.
He also highlighted research findings showing that the African wood mouse and the Guinea multimammate mouse can also serve as reservoir hosts for the virus. These rodents are more prevalent in rural areas, increasing the risk of human infection in such regions.
The campaign seeks to educate the public on the risks associated with consuming rats and the importance of preventive measures to curb the spread of Lassa fever.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has disclosed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Head of the Osun State Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Moses Lohor, and members of his team for attempted murder.
The development was confirmed by Samuel Ojo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, through a statement issued by Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, after a closed-door meeting with the governor and the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Abba.
The incident in question involved the alleged shooting of Wakeel Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, Chairman of the Osun State Transport Management System, on Monday night by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad led by Lohor.
The police claimed that Alowonle was shot while allegedly attempting to evade arrest after a pistol and ammunition were reportedly found in his car. However, the Osun State government described the shooting as a suspected case of murder.
Kolapo Alimi, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, condemned the incident in a statement on Tuesday.
Governor Adeleke has vowed to ensure justice is served, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to protecting citizens from abuse of power.
The statement on Wednesday said, “Moses Lohor had shot Alowonle in the abdomen at the police station after his arrest over a domestic brawl with a neighbour. The park chairman is currently on life support at the Intensive Care Unit of the Osun State Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.”
Ojo narrated that the police authorities viewed Moses’ conduct as unprofessional, illegal, unauthorised, and against the operational code.
He also noted that Moses and his men had been moved to Abuja this morning.
The statement added, “We can confirm that the police authorities at the highest level have acted decisively on this matter. A clear punitive directive was issued by the IG. Mr Governor has directed we follow up to ensure that justice is served.”
Hafizu Inuwa, chairman of the investigation committee on the tanker explosion in Majia, Jigawa state, has submitted a report to Umar Namadi, governor of the state.
In October, a tanker laden with petrol exploded at Majiya town, along the Kano-Hadejia expressway in Taura LGA on October 14, 2024
Initially, Namadi informed President Bola Tinubu that 181 people died and 210 families were affected in the explosion.
The governor subsequently constituted a committee headed by Inuwa, a deputy inspector-general of police, to find out the remote cause of the explosion and advise the government.
The report indicated that 209 persons were confirmed dead in the fire incident.
Inuwa said the findings revealed that damaged pumps, potholes, night driving and excessive speed were some of the causes of the explosion
He said the committee engaged with key stakeholders, visited health facilities, and consulted with affected communities.
“I am saddened to inform His Excellency that the incident led to the total loss of two hundred and nine (209) lives. 38 are on admission and 61 discharged. One hundred and sixty-seven (167) families were affected. It was further discovered that the inferno resulted in the destruction of properties worth millions of naira,” he said.
“The findings revealed that several factors contributed to the fire, including damaged speed bumps and potholes near the scene, night driving, and excessive speed. It was noted that the fire likely ignited due to friction between metallic containers and hard surfaces as victims attempted to scoop spilled fuel.”
On his part, the governor commended the efforts of the committee for their “timely” report and assured them that the government would review the document for “quick implementation”.
On November 13, another petrol tanker exploded along the Jigawa-Kano border in Dutse LGA of the state.
Aliyu M. A, public relations officer of the state’s fire service, said the fire was contained and brought under control.
Nollywood actress, Abimbola Craig, has asserted that ‘marriage is a scam’.
The movie star made this known in an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, on the ‘WithChude’ podcast.
The actress critiqued traditional marital roles where women are often burdened with home management and catering to their partners, referring to the title “Mrs” as the acronym for “Master’s in Residential Servicing”.
Abimbola Craig stated that her decision to remain single is not because she opposes marriage but because she values a partner with self-awareness and purpose.
She said, “All marriage is a scam. When I was small, my mum always told me marriage is an institution. She said when they call you ‘Mrs,’ it stands for ‘Master’s in Residential Servicing’.
“I am not married, not because I do not want to be married, but if you are a man who does not know who he is, you cannot be with me.”
Abimbola Craig is popularly known for her role as ‘Tiwalade’ in the hit web series ‘Skinny Girl in Transit’.
She has also made her mark as a producer, co-producing the 2019 box office hit ‘Sugar Rush’ alongside Nigerian filmmaker, Jade Osiberu.
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, has revealed that former governor, Adams Oshiomhole, was against the appointment of his son, Cyril, into the cabinet of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Recall that Okpebholo after his inauguration last week, appointed Cyril Adams Oshiomhole as the Commissioner for Health.
In an interview on Channels Television, Dennis said Senator Oshiomhole was against the appointment, noting he did not want the position for his son.
According to him, Governor Okpehbolo found Cyril worthy of the position because he was competent, adding that it had nothing to do with his father’s influence.
He said, “Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s son (Cyril) is a seasoned medical doctor, he studied here in Nigeria and went to the United States to also study as a medical doctor, he has everything he takes to be in the cabinet. Because he is Oshiomhole’s son does not forbid him from occupying a seat he is competent to chair.
“He will be in the cabinet as the commissioner for health. Cyril’s position has nothing to do with Adam, in short, Adams did not want it, he went against it but because of the vision of the governor have for the people of Edo, he made his mind to have Cyril in his cabinet, not because of his father.
“His father did not have any role or influence about it. We have made up our mind and not because this person is a son of who. Cyril has the competence and has worked in several health sector and the governor found him worthy.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cautioned members of the public against fake Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) messages, purporting to show that foreign currency funds have been transferred to them by foreign entities.
SWIFT is a network that banks use to communicate with each other securely, mainly to give instructions for transferring funds between accounts.
In a press release signed by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, the apex bank said that in recent times there has been an increase in cases of fake SWIFT messages being presented as evidence that funds have been remitted to a beneficiary’s bank account within the country whereas no such transaction actually took place.
The regulator, which advised members of the public to be careful with unauthentic SWIFT messages, said it will not hesitate to report any bank customer, “making unsubstantiated and illegitimate claims to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution.”
The press statement reads: “Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been inundated with claims by private entities, individuals, law firms and government agencies that foreign currency funds allegedly transferred to them by foreign entities have yet to be credited to their accounts with Nigerian banks. In some instances, the claimants alleged that the funds were withheld by either the beneficiary bank in Nigeria or the CBN and requested the assistance of the Bank towards releasing the funds to them. The requests are usually supported with fake documents such as SWIFT MT103, SWIFT Ack copy, etc.
“It has become imperative to state that the SWIFT ack copy and SWIFT MT103 that these claimants usually attach as evidence of remittance to beneficiary banks in Nigeria are not reliable.
“The SWIFT messages are always not traceable on the SWIFT platform, and the funds have not been received to enable their application to the beneficiary’s account.
“In a situation where a fund transfer beneficiary’s receiving bank claims non-receipt of funds remitted by the foreign entity (sending customer), instead of escalating such issue to CBN or Law Enforcement Agencies, the standard practice is for the sending customer to contact the sending bank to send a tracer to trace where the fund is hanging and recall it.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state emphatically that the CBN neither provides correspondent banking services for Nigerian banks in foreign payments nor maintains accounts for private business entities.
“Consequently, the petitioners’ claim that the alleged expected inflows for onward credit into the accounts of private business entities are trapped in the CBN is not only spurious but deceitful.
“The general public is therefore advised to be careful with such unauthentic SWIFT messages and documents containing spurious claims of non-application of substantial foreign currency funds allegedly transferred into the beneficiary’s account.
“The CBN will not hesitate to report any bank customer making unsubstantiated and illegitimate claims to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution. Please be guided accordingly.”
Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, has asked the upper legislative chamber to support Uchenna, the wife of the late lawmaker, Ifeanyi Ubah, to succeed him.
Ndume spoke during a valedictory session held on Tuesday in the senate to honour the late Anambra south senator.
The lawmaker died in July at the age of 52.
Ndume told his colleagues that Ubah’s wife should succeed him in the senate to preserve his “legacy and aspirations”.
“This has happened before. When Chuba Okadigbo, a great politician, passed away, his wife, Margery, joined the senate and carried on his legacy,” he said.
“Similarly, our first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, served in this chamber, largely supported by the goodwill of Lagosians and the legacy of her husband, who was a former governor. In fact, she told me that her dream was to be a pastor.
Ndume said Abdulaziz Yar’Adua sustained the political legacy of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua by joining the senate.
“Senator (Iyabo) Obasanjo, if you remember, is the daughter of general Obasanjo. Sitting in front of me is Dafinone, his father was a great senator.
“What I want to appeal to you, Mr. President, is that we keep the spirit and aspirations of Ifeanyi alive.
“His wife, fortunately, is around 50 years old and has been a wonderful support system to him.
“Finally, Mr. President, my appeal to you and distinguished colleagues, his wife, fortunately, is 50 years or so. A wonderful wife.
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“Let us support the family to have a spirit representative of Ifeanyi here in the chamber when the election of Anambra of the senatorial district that he represents comes up.
“This will ensure continuity and honour for the Anambra south senatorial district.”
MEMBERSHIP OF THE SENATE
Senate membership is neither automatic nor transferable from one individual to another.
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According to section 65 of the 1999 Constitution, a person can only become a member of the senate through election.
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The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday approved payment of N75,000.00 as a new minimum wage for workers in the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued and signed by the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo.
According to the statement, “The Organised Labour in Osun State and State Government after exhaustive deliberations have decided on N75,000.00 as the new minimum wage in Osun State”
Details later…
Doyin Okupe, former director-general of the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign, has criticized Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, for lacking a concrete policy document to support his “consumption-to-production” mantra during the election campaign.
Speaking on Tuesday while reviewing President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Okupe claimed that Tinubu presented a superior policy framework compared to his opponents in the 2023 elections.
He argued that the president has been methodical in implementing the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which includes paying off crippling debts to stabilize the economy.
“Tinubu has a better policy document than any of his two rivals during the 2023 presidential election,” Okupe stated, as reported by NAN.
Okupe also criticized Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, stating that his plans were overly reliant on theoretical loan arrangements.
He claimed that Atiku’s proposals were impractical given Nigeria’s financial situation at the time, as international institutions were unwilling to provide loans.
Addressing Peter Obi’s campaign, Okupe noted that the Labour Party failed to provide a policy document that could guide its vision.
“All we were saying was that we wanted to take Nigeria from consumption to production; good rhetoric, but it was not grounded either in policy development or principle application,” he said.
Okupe praised Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly his efforts to address foreign exchange challenges and tax reforms, which align with his campaign promises.
He highlighted Tinubu’s focus on systematic and practical solutions, adding, “Though I never supported Tinubu ahead of the election and we were not in the same party, in retrospect, his reform agenda is the most credible.”
Okupe concluded by emphasizing that Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” is effectively addressing Nigeria’s current challenges and has the potential to elevate the country to new heights.
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have ambushed a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) monitoring team on Monday in Farin-Kasa, Chukun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack occurred while the operatives were inspecting the National Grid installation in Shiroro, Niger State.
In a statement, NSCDC spokesperson DCC Afolabi Babawale revealed that the team, consisting of nine officers and 71 other ranks, had been deployed to address recent power line attacks that caused blackouts in northern Nigeria.
While patrolling, the operatives encountered stranded expatriates near Dagwachi Village and offered them safety in their convoy. However, the team fell into a deadly ambush by over 200 armed Boko Haram militants positioned on a hilltop, who unleashed heavy gunfire on the convoy.
Despite the ambush, the NSCDC operatives fought back with resilience, neutralizing more than 50 insurgents during the clash.
“As they patrolled vulnerable areas, they encountered stranded expatriates near Dagwachi Village and allowed them to join the convoy for safety. Unbeknownst to the team, over 200 armed Boko Haram militants had laid a deadly ambush from a hilltop, ready to unleash a torrent of gunfire on the unsuspecting convoy,” he said.
“Determined and resourceful, the NSCDC operatives fought back valiantly, managing to neutralise over 50 insurgents during the exchange. However, the chaos left seven officers unaccounted for, prompting an urgent search in the bush for their whereabouts. Those who sustained injuries are currently receiving medical treatment.”
NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Audi condemned the attack, describing it as a cowardly act against those safeguarding the nation.
He commended the bravery of the operatives and reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure amidst growing security threats.
A 17-year-old male, Samuel Onyeme, was reportedly assaulted and confined within a dog cage last weekend for visiting a female classmate, Miss Anastasia Celestine.
The incident occurred when Onyeme arrived at his classmate’s home at approximately 6:00 PM.
The victim’s mother, Mrs. Onyeme, informed journalists on Monday, noting that her experience at Mr Celestine’s residence was more helpful.
She said, “My son, Samuel, a 17-year-old Senior Secondary student of Redeemers International High School, Asaba, Delta State, on Sunday, visited his classmate, Anastasia Celestine, at her residence after she invited him.
“My son said they were having a discussion outside the house of Mr Celestine when he was brutally assaulted by her father and his two sons.
“They attacked him on the street, dragged him into their compound, and inflicted severe physical injuries on him. You see his head, he said they used wooden planks and locked him inside a dog cage.
“During the assault, they confiscated his mobile phone and called me (mother), deceiving me into coming to the scene. Upon my arrival, I was deprived of seeing him for two hours.”
She said her daughter, Jessica, who was outside attempting to seek help, was also subjected to assault by members of the Celestine family when she tried to re-enter the compound.
“The situation escalated when Ben, the other of my sons, who is the elder brother to Samuel, contacted a family friend, who then reached out to a human rights organisation before they mobilised police, officers were mobilised to rescue Samuel from the dog cage around 10:00 pm that night,” the mother added.
A human rights advocate, Victor Ojei, who alerted the Delta State Police Command about a troubling incident, stated on Tuesday that he took the initiative to engage the police, leading to the rescue of Samuel from a dog cage. He condemned the act as both barbaric and inhumane.
In a formal petition directed to the Commissioner of Police at the Delta State Police Command, Ojei urged for an immediate investigation and prosecution of Celestine and his sons on charges of kidnapping, unlawful detention, assault, and attempted murder in accordance with Nigerian Criminal Law and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Laws.
The petition was also sent to the Attorney General of the Ministry of Justice in Asaba, Delta State, and the State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission in the same city, emphasizing the need for justice in this matter.
The petition reads: “One Onyeme Ben contacted a family friend, who then reached out to our organisation. Following our report to the Delta State Police, officers were mobilised, and Master Onyeme Samuel was rescued from the dog cage around 10:00 pm that night.
“Based on the above facts, Mr Celestine and his sons have committed criminal offences, which include unlawful detention of Mrs Onyeme Onome for two hours against her will and the forcible confinement of Master Onyeme Samuel in a dog cage from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. which contravenes Section 364 of the Criminal Code Act.
“The brutal assault on Master Onyeme Samuel using wooden planks, resulting in multiple injuries and psychological trauma, is a violation of Section 355 of the Criminal Code Act.
“Attempted murder; threats to pour fuel and set Master Onyeme Samuel ablaze amount to attempted murder under Section 320 of the Criminal Code Act.”
The victim, Samuel, is presently undergoing treatment at the Asaba Specialist Hospital due to physical injuries and psychological trauma sustained during the incident.
Upon inquiry, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, SP Bright Edafe, stated that he had not received any report regarding the incident at the time this report was prepared.