The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified Cecolin®, a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, for use in a single-dose regimen to help prevent cervical cancer.

In a statement released on Friday, WHO announced that Cecolin® met the criteria set out in its 2022 recommendations for the alternative, off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose schedules.

According to WHO, this approval will contribute to a more sustainable supply of HPV vaccines, potentially enabling more girls to be vaccinated and protected against cervical cancer. “This important milestone will contribute to improving sustainable supply of HPV vaccines, allowing more girls to be reached with the vaccines that prevent cervical cancer,” the WHO statement read.

Cervical cancer elimination 

Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, highlighted the importance of this development in the global fight against cervical cancer. He emphasized that cervical cancer, unlike most other cancers, can be eliminated with the right interventions.

“By adding another option for a one-dose HPV vaccination schedule, we have taken another step closer to consigning cervical cancer to history,” Ghebreyesus stated.

He pointed out that more than 95% of the 660,000 cervical cancer cases reported annually are caused by HPV, with 90% of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

In addition to Cecolin®, WHO prequalified a fifth HPV vaccine, Walrinvax®, on August 2, 2024. This vaccine adds to the global market and provides another critical tool in the fight against cervical cancer. While Walrinvax® is currently approved for use as a two-dose schedule, further research may allow its future use in a single-dose schedule.

Impact of the HPV vaccine supply shortage 

Dr. Kate O’Brien, Director of WHO’s Department of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals, noted that supply shortages have hindered the introduction of HPV vaccines since 2018. She said production challenges earlier this year worsened the situation, impacting millions of girls in Africa and Asia.

“Having 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by 15 years of age was the target for the first pillar of the WHO global strategy for cervical cancer elimination,”  

“Given the continuing supply challenges, this addition of a single-dose vaccine product means countries will have greater choice of vaccines to reach more girls.” O’Brien explained.

According to WHO, the number of countries implementing the single-dose HPV vaccination schedule has grown significantly. In 2023, 37 countries had adopted the schedule, but by September 2024, the number had increased to 57. WHO estimates that the adoption of the single-dose schedule has enabled an additional 6 million girls to receive HPV vaccines in 2023 alone.

Global data released in July 2024 also showed that one-dose HPV vaccine coverage among girls aged 9 to 14 years increased from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2023.

Additional funding to boost coverage 

Earlier in 2024, countries and global health partners committed nearly $600 million in new funding to support the elimination of cervical cancer.

This funding includes $180 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, $10 million from UNICEF, and $400 million from the World Bank. These investments are expected to accelerate the introduction and coverage of HPV vaccines by 2030.

[Nairametrics]

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has experienced a 25% drop in market value, now standing at €75 million following his loan transfer from Napoli to Turkish giants Galatasaray. This decline, down from his previous valuation of €100 million, has not deterred interest from top European clubs, with Chelsea remaining closely linked.

According to Transfermarkt’s recent update, the value of the Nigerian international has decreased. Nevertheless, Osimhen insists that he is worth more than the current figure. Despite the drop, interest in Osimhen remains high, with clubs like Chelsea continuing to monitor his situation.

The 25-year-old striker’s move to Galatasaray, which made him the most valuable player in Turkish Süper Lig history, came after his failed transfer to Chelsea and rejection of a move to Saudi Arabia. Napoli had initially set a €130 million price tag, which proved too high for potential suitors, allowing Galatasaray to capitalize on the opportunity.

Gökhan Yagmur, Türkiye Area Manager for Transfermarkt, explained that Osimhen’s market value decrease was influenced by his transfer situation and the status of the Süper Lig. “Osimhen is an exception in Turkish football,” Yagmur said. “Napoli expected €130 million, but when top clubs couldn’t meet those demands, Galatasaray seized the moment.”

Osimhen’s impressive performances at Galatasaray, including two goals and two assists in five matches, have continued to attract attention from across Europe. Despite the valuation drop, Osimhen remains confident, stating, “I am worth more than €100 million. There are few players like me in the world who have achieved this style and success.”

[Businessday]

United Bank for Africa has said with its recapitalisation plans at an advanced stage, it expects regulatory approval in a couple of weeks as it plans to grow its deposit base by 45 per cent by the end of the year.

Addressing investors at its half-year 2024 Investor Conference, group managing director and chief executive of the bank, Oliver Alawuba, stated that UBA will continue to focus on market leadership as it upholds the ideals of Enterprise, Excellence, and Execution.

“We are at an advanced stage with our recapitalisation process” Alawuba noted, adding that “our application has been submitted to SEC and we expect their approval in the next couple of weeks following which the market will be advised.”

Stating that the bank entered the second half of 2024 from a position of strength, he said “our proven resilience, strong capital position, and market-leading capabilities position us to continue our growth trajectory. “EXECUTION” will remain our driving force as we focus on market leadership and delivering excellent customer experiences at every touchpoint.”

Having initially projected a 20 per cent deposit growth in 2024 at 20, per cent, Alawuba noted that with a 33.7 per cent growth in H! 2024, the bank expects a 45 per cent improvement in deposit. He also noted that its loan book is expected to grow by 40 per cent as against the 20 per cent that was initially projected for the year and the 26.1 per cent that was recorded in the first half of the year.

Alawuba noted that the bank’s successes in H1 2024 were made possible “by the dedication of our colleagues, the trust of our customers, the support of our regulators, and the confidence of our shareholders. We remain committed to achieving even greater milestones with your continued support.

Commenting on the bank’s performance in the first half of the year, he said “UBA Group delivered strong double-digit growth across high-quality and sustainable revenue streams. This performance reflects our disciplined execution of strategic goals, focusing on balance sheet expansion, transaction banking, and digital banking businesses across our markets.

“We achieved a robust Profit Before Tax of N401.6 billion, reflecting our ability to manage risks effectively amidst macroeconomic volatility. Our deposits grew by 34 per cent, from N17.4 trillion at year-end 2023 to N23.2 trillion in H1 2024, demonstrating the trust and loyalty of our customers.

“We saw a 37 per cent growth in total assets, reaching N28.3 trillion, up from N20.7 trillion at FYE 2023. This growth was driven by strong customer relationships and our ability to capitalise on opportunities across geographies.

“Our intermediation business posted impressive growth, with net interest income expanding by 143 per cent year-on-year to N675 billion, further underlining the strength of our core banking operations. Digital Banking & Payments: Digital Banking income surged by 107.8 per cent YoY to N106 billion, while funds transfer and remittance fees rose 188.7 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively. We continue to lead in digital banking and payment solutions, helping drive financial inclusion across Africa.”

[Leadership]

Ibrahim Danlami, an assistant general manager in a top private firm in Abuja had picked up his mother who had come to town to spend some time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

As he drove ‘Kaka’ (grandma) to the house, he noticed that she was meticulously engaged in continuous tapping of her phone screen. 

“I thought to myself that she was playing a ‘candy crush’ game, something I also enjoy as an adult. But as the days went by, I noticed that the tapping did not stop. So, I was forced to tell her, ‘Mama, you are too old to be hooked on phone games like a child.’ But she replied, ‘Wait until my millions get paid,” he said. 

That has been the trend in many parts of the country where many have found themselves hooked to endlessly tapping their phone screens with the hope of making money from it.

The ‘buzz’ that has accompanied this supposed new income stream is sweeping across homes and different age groups. Whether at home, supermarket or even in the toilet, everyone seems to be tapping their way to some expected millions they hope would materialise into real cash in the nearest future.

How it started

This tapping frenzy can be traced to the success of a crypto mining app known as Notcoin. Launched in January 2024, Notcoin offered a similar clicker system that rewarded users with NOT tokens. The app’s popularity exploded with over 35 million users joining within a few months. 

Subsequently, for many Nigerians, Notcoin moved from just a game to a path to real financial gain. 

Reports indicate users who diligently “mined” NOT tokens and made significant amounts of money, with some earning upwards of $1,000. 

Many Nigerians, including a man named Gentle Boi, reported financial success with Notcoin. 

Gentle Boi, in a TikTok video, shared his experience of earning $260 (about N416,000) from Notcoin.

This success story fuelled his enthusiasm for another app known as TapSwap, which he claims yielded over 15 million coins for him with no sign of ceasing soon. 

The success stories were further amplified by another youth who proudly showcased an air conditioner he bought using his Notcoin gains while encouraging others to participate in TapSwap mining.

How does TapSwap pay?

Weekend Trust learnt that the process is activated with the accumulation of coins through playing a game and earning enough TAPS coins by tapping and completing given tasks. 

“Once you have a sufficient number of coins, you can convert them into TAPS tokens on the TON blockchain after the TAPS token launch occurs,” Weekend Trust was told.

‘How cryptocurrency mining changed our lives’

In Kano State, many young men accepted crypto trading to either earn a living or complement their incomes. 

Abdulsalam Dahiru, 26, who combines his POS business with crypto mining, told our correspondent that crypto mining has changed the lives of many people and that he sees himself as a potential rich man.

“I know someone who gained over N50 million from cryptocurrency trading. From DOGS alone, a friend of mine got N3 million,” he said.

Asked how much he has so far gained from the crypto business, Abdulsalam Dahiru said he won’t reveal how much he got for his personal security.

Idris Sarina, 60, an estate agent whose office is located along Court Road, was seen busy mining digital currency with his mobile phone and was quick to explain to our correspondent that cryptocurrency mining is paying his bills, though he has not abandoned his estate agent business. 

“I learned about mining from young people and realised that it is real and offers an opportunity to get cool money. So, I embraced it with my two arms,” he said. 

Another crypto miner, Abubakar Danzaria, said though he got little money from mining recently, he is optimistic about making it big soon. 

“I got N12,000 from DOGS, N16,000 from CAT and even from HAMSTER, I got N4,000,” Danzaria told Weekend Trust. 

He said many young people embraced crypto business because of unemployment, noting that even if government provides jobs, many young men would still take to the digital ‘gold’ mining to complement their earnings. 

A young miner, Halipa Salihu, said cryptocurrency had helped quite a number of people, ranging from those without capital to those without employment. 

He said crypto mining not only changed the fortunes of people by creating economic opportunities, it provided entertainment to users, considering the fact that it involves solving a complex puzzle, as well as networking with other people.

Salihu said the crypto business was also promoting literacy among people because it requires basic computing skills and guidance from those familiar with how the system works.

He said, “In the last one year, I got nearly over N2 million from the crypto business. It has really impacted lives. I am a beneficiary of the crypto business.” 

Steven Nwafor, an accountant in a private company based in Kano, is also actively engaged in cryptocurrency mining. 

Nwafor created a WhatsApp group called; Digital World Opportunity, with 64 members, where latest information is shared for members’ benefits. 

He said the whole idea was to create a community that explores opportunities the innovative digital mining offered, adding that nearly 40 million people joined the DOGS, making it acceptable among crypto users. 

Although some Islamic scholars have given conflicting views on whether digital currency is lawful or not, crypto business continues to get wider acceptance among people, particularly the young ones.

How tapping apps dashed our hopes – Hamster Kombat miner 

Inside a yellow bus at the chaotic Iyana Oba in Lagos, our correspondent observed a middle-aged man glued to his mobile phone with both hands, tapping Hamster Kambat, the trending crypto app among many Nigerians. 

As he exerted his energy, he was focused and consistent on the tapping spree as no amount of noise and intermittent calling of passengers could distract him from this money-chasing goal. 

He was not alone as it was observed that aside from their comfort zones, many commuters are found engaging in this tapping business in moving commercial buses within Lagos. In most cases, the tappers find solace in the exercise when they are caught up in Lagos traffic jam. 

 “I was intrigued by the potential to earn income through something that seemed like fun,” a female corps member serving in Abeokuta who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent. 

She has been mining coins for about five months. Some of the apps she has used are Hamster, Memefi, Blum and DOGS. 

The 25-year-old graduate of statistics told our correspondent that the rewarding system varies according to the app, but, “it is not life-changing money and that is definitely not satisfactory considering the time, energy and money invested in it.” 

She said, “So far, I have $38 and I see it as a loss.”  

Asked if she has lost money to the crypto apps directly, she said, “I haven’t lost any money directly, but I have invested time into an app that didn’t pan out as expected, which felt like a loss.”

The corps member said she was particularly disappointed about Hamster Kombat’s reward system. 

“Hamster Kombat was a mixed bag for me. The game was entertaining, but I found that the earning potential was lower than I anticipated. Overall, I was disappointed,” she said.

An expert explained that Hamster disappointed many because people mounted pressure on it.

Abdullahi Abubakar said he was introduced to the apps by friends, although he does not have much trust in the system.

“I have been mining since during lockdown, but I have not been serious, so I didn’t benefit from any of them. My friend forced me to do Notcoin, and it eventually paid off. On the number of apps used, he said, ‘‘I mined Pie, Aqua protocol, PEPE Notcoin, Avacoin, Hamster and Tapswap.

“The rewarding system varies; each platform has its own way of compensating miners. I am not satisfied with what I am making, though, it is my problem. I know people that made huge amounts of money from it. I focus more on understanding the technology used, and I am thinking of coming up with my own,” Abubakar said. 

Another miner, Babatunde Oluwaseun, told Weekend Trust that he started mining coins to boost his financial capacity in the face of the current economic hardship in the country.

“Ever since I joined the platform, I have not derived any satisfaction. So, far, I have made N1,500 or thereabout,” he said.

Oluwaseun said he thought he would get at least N2 million reward from tapping Hamster Kombat, but he got only N1,500.  

“I was shocked when I was given a share of $1 dollar despite mining over 10 million coins,” he said.

Another female corps member said: “I have made N200,000 so far and I haven’t lost any money. You can’t lose money except you invested your money and the airdrop happens to be a scam project.”

Another miner who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that he had been mining coins for about six years and had made about N2 million, but he is not satisfied with the outcome.

Mining is permissible – Cleric

A renowned Islamic scholar, Professor Mansur Isah Yelwa, said there was no clear and specific textual Islamic authority prohibiting the practice of internet mining, saying, “We can conclude that it is permissible.  

“Except where exceptions apply, the general principle under Islamic jurisprudence is that all commercial transactions and means of earnings are permissible. Nothing becomes impermissible except what a clear textual authority declares as prohibited. This general rule is derived from the Quranic provision in Chapter2 Verse 275.”

The cleric, who is also a lecturer and the Head of the Department of Islamic Law under the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, added, “Despite its permissibility, I do not encourage youths to engage in it as a single means of earning. This is because in Islamic law, there are certain matters that are detestable although they are permissible. For example, divorce is a permissible act but at the same time vehemently detested and discouraged due to its negative effects.

“In internet mining, certain negative effects are notable. It prevents many youths from observing certain religious obligations, such as consistency in prayers. It distracts many youths from focusing on what is mandatory for their future, such as reading and studying. It prevents many of them from participating in physical economic development skills, such as farming, merchandise, handcraft, etc.

“It costs time and yields less. For example, one of my students among those ‘active miners’ met me this week and lamented that he gathered billions of points under the recently launched “Hamster” mining but ended up in getting less than N30,000. How do you think our youths will thrive and prosper under these circumstances.” 

Responding to some sections of scholars aligning mining with gambling, Professor Yelwa said mining is an act of service while gambling is a game of lottery where money is put in a pool of other people’s money in order to win, but nothing like that applies in mining.

Pitfalls for miners

A crypto expert, Obani Ebenezer Nwokoma, said some miners lost because they used external auto-clickers and programmes downloaded from app stores that automate the tapping process.

During the Notcoin evaluation process, Nwokoma explained that the system flagged irregular clicking patterns and disqualified users suspected of using bots as it saw the users as robots, not legitimate participants and didn’t receive coins.

A silver lining in the tapping frenzy 

Despite the unknown surrounding profitability, there might be a positive consequence to it, Weekend Trust gathered

Experts believe the surge in interest is fuelled by the desire for financial gain, and could inadvertently lead to increased crypto education.

A crypto expert and content creator, Uche Ikechukwu, said although people were making money from it, it is not advisable to totally rely on it. 

He said, “We were not tapping months or years back; there were several ways people made money. So, I would advise that people should focus on the skill around how to make money in crypto than just focusing on tapping.”

 [DailyTrust]