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 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Adelami Olayide, marking the formal conclusion of the electoral process.

The certificates were handed over on Wednesday in Abuja by the Supervisory National Commissioner for Ondo State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, four days after INEC declared Aiyedatiwa the winner of the governorship election held last Saturday.

Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged victorious with 366,781 votes, decisively defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, who garnered 117,845 votes.

The APC candidate secured victory in all 18 local government areas of the state, reinforcing the party’s dominance in Ondo.

However, the election results have been rejected by the PDP and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, who alleged irregularities in the process. The opposition party has vowed to challenge the results in court, claiming its mandate was stolen.

Ajayi, a former Deputy Governor, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC of engaging in widespread electoral malpractice to manipulate the election outcome.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Ayo Fadaka, Ajayi alleged that his investigation into the election process uncovered “contents of criminality prosecuted by both APC and the INEC.”

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.

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, sacked Danladi Usman as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The sack of Danladi follows the closed-door session of the lawmakers in which 84 out of the existing 107 serving Senators, signed for removal of the embattled CCT Chairman.

The Senate invoked section 157(1) of the 1999 constitution which stipulates that 2/3 of the membership of the Senate can remove the head of any statutory body alleged to have indulged in gross misconduct and misdemeanour in office.

Details later…

The United Kingdom’s consumer price index (CPI) rose to 2.3 percent in October from 1.7 percent in September.

The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), attributed the increase to rising energy prices.

On a month-on-month basis, the CPI rose by 0.6 percent in October this year — up from 0.1 percent in October 2023, the ONS said.

The office also said the consumer prices index, including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH), rose by 3.2 percent in the 12 months to October — up from 2.6 percent in September.

“The largest upward contribution to the monthly change in both CPIH and CPI annual rates came from housing and household services, mainly because of electricity and gas prices; the largest offsetting downward contribution came from recreation and culture,” the statistics firm said.

“Monthly housing and household services prices rose by 1.3% in October 2024, having fallen by 0.3% last year.

“The annual rate rose to 5.5%, up from 3.8% in the year to September. The rise in the divisional annual rate is mainly because of electricity prices, with a sizeable contribution from gas too.

“This reflects the rise of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) energy price cap in October 2024, described on the Ofgem website. Ofgem estimates that for an average household paying by direct debit for dual fuel, this equates to £1,717, a rise of £149 on an annual bill.”

The ONS said food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 1.9 percent in October — slightly up from the 1.8 percent in September 2024.

Speaking on the inflationary movement in the country, Grant Fitzner, ONS’ chief economist said while higher energy costs contributed, the increase was offset by falls in live music and theatre ticket prices.

“The cost of raw materials for businesses continued to fall, once again driven by lower crude oil prices,” Fitzner added.

On November 7, the Bank of England (BoE) had predicted that inflation would rise from 1.7 percent in September to 2.5 percent by the end of the year and not return to its 2 percent target until mid 2027  — a year later than it previously thought.

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 Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, has introduced a digital platform designed to improve access to government circulars for civil servants across the country.

At the unveiling event in Abuja on Wednesday, Walson-Jack highlighted the significance of circulars as critical instruments for effective governance and administration within the civil service.

“Circulars provide direction, clarify policies, and ensure that decisions are communicated consistently across the Service. However, a recurring challenge has been the accessibility and retention of these critical documents, especially as time passes and administrations change. This has, at times, hindered institutional memory and disrupted seamless service delivery,” she explained.

The new portal, she emphasized, aims to address these challenges by promoting transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in the civil service.

“This online compendium of Civil and Public Service Circulars will significantly enhance the civil service’s efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness, directly supporting our goals of a more responsive Service.

“The compendium will improve access and reduce administrative bottlenecks, advancing the overarching goals of efficiency, accountability, and improved service delivery,” Walson-Jack stated.

She further underscored the initiative as a reflection of the government’s dedication to modernising public service operations.

“This compendium is more than a technological upgrade; it is a declaration of our determination to adapt, innovate, and lead. It reflects our belief that a modern Civil Service is not just about what we do but how we do it. It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in governance,” Walson-Jack added.

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.

A bill seeking to amend the Constitution and provide opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora to vote has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Sodeeq Abdullahi, aims to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to include provisions for diaspora voting, potentially enfranchising millions of Nigerians living abroad.

During Wednesday’s plenary, the lawmakers debated the importance of expanding voting rights to include Nigerians residing outside the country. Speaker Tajudeen described the initiative as a vital step toward inclusive democracy.

The bill, which previously passed its second reading in July, was referred to the Committee on Electoral Matters for detailed legislative review. Following further debate on Tuesday, it has now been forwarded to the Constitution Amendment Committee for additional scrutiny.

In other news, the Senate is expected to approve President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion (approximately N1.77 trillion) external loan request today (Wednesday).

The loan, part of the external borrowing plan, is aimed at financing the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget, specifically to address the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit.

President Tinubu’s request was conveyed in separate letters read during Tuesday’s plenary sessions in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The president justified the loan as necessary for partially financing the deficit while implementing key government programs.

In response to the letter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to review the request and submit its report within 24 hours.

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.”