About the World Sleep Day!

Yemi Olakitan

Today is the World Sleep Day, a day set aside to remind people to sleep well. According to the World Sleep Society, this day is to emphasize the importance of sleep to our health and wellness. It is an annual event organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society, formerly World Association of Sleep Medicine since 2008.

The World Sleep Society says, ‘’the aim is to accentuate the benefits of good and healthy sleep and to draw society's attention to the burden of sleep problems and their medical, educational, and social aspects, and to promote the prevention and management of sleep disorders.’’

The Society raises responsiveness of sleep disorders so that society can better understand the phenomenon and prevent the problems associated with lack of sleep. According to this organization, inadequate sleep threatens the health or quality of life of as much as 45% of the world's population. ‘‘Sleep is one of the important activities of our life. A person every day should at least take seven to eight hours of sleep. World Sleep Day is a call to action on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects and driving.’’

World Sleep Day is celebrated annually as a global awareness event. It is hosted by the Society.  It was first co-chairs by Liborio Parrino, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at Parma University, Italy and Antonio Culebras, MD, Professor of Neurology, Upstate Medical University, and Consultant, The Sleep Center, Community General Hospital, Syracuse, New York, USA. It was started by a group of dedicated healthcare providers and members of the medical community working and studying in the area of sleep medicine and research. It brings healthcare providers together to discuss the information related to sleep across the globe and distribute its importance. It is celebrated today on Friday 13 March, 2020.  

Why is sleep so important?  According to World Sleep Society, ‘sleep is so important to health, as lack of sleep can lead to sudden death, loss of memory and so on. In other words, anyone who wants to live long, must sleep more. This is why the slogan of World Sleep Day is ‘Better Sleep, Better Life, Better Planet.’ It highlights the importance of sleep that acts as a pillar of health, allows better decision making and generates a cognitive understanding. It also focuses on the quality of life that can be improved with healthy sleep. We can understand it like this that when sleep fails, health declines and on the other side decrease the quality of life. Sound sleep is a treasured function. The World Sleep Society (WSS) is a non-profit based organization based in the United States.

The World Sleep Society has provided 10 tips. These are as follows: Generate a regular bedtime and waking time. If you are habitual of taking siestas, then do not exceed 45 minutes of daytime sleep. Avoid taking excessive alcohol at least 4 hours before bedtime and also do not smoke.  Avoid taking caffeine 6 hours before going to bedtime. It includes coffee, tea, soda drinks, and chocolates. Take a light snack before going to bed at night. It will be better to avoid heavy, spicy or sugary foods 4 hours before bedtime. Do regular exercise but not going before bed at night. Use comfortable bedding. Before going to sleep, the room should be properly ventilated or maintain the proper comfortable sleep temperature setting. Discard or block all distracting noise before going to sleep and eliminate as much light as you can. Take time and reserve your night time for sleep and sex. Avoid work or general recreation during sleep time, sleep when you are sleeping. 

ReplyForward

Lamido Sanusi and the Politics of Dethronement

Yemi Olakitan

The news hit the headlines like a thunderbolt, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the 14^th Emir of Kano has been dethroned on March 9th, 2020 by the Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje.

An economist and banker who served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, Sanusi was once suspended by former President Goodluck Jonathan after he raised alarm on the $20 billion NNPC scandal.  What really is in the style of Lamido Sanusi that the people in power find unsettling? AN24.net goes on a fact finding mission.

According to Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano state, Salihu Yakasi, one of the reasons Sanusi was deposed was his frequent public criticisms of the government of Governor Abdulahi Ganduge of Kano state. Yakassi said, no one in power could condone such public criticisms. ‘The deposed Emir had access to the Governor and could advise him on any issue but the Emir chose public podiums and stages as his means of advising the Governor.  At every given opportunity, he dished out criticisms.’

‘You can portray it as political or whatever but the question is no one would allow such an act of insubordination to continue. Since the creation of the new Emirates by Governor Ganduje, you can count the number of important events organized by the state government including international events which the Emir was invited and never attended. I can tell you that the Emir did not even attend the free and compulsory Basic Education Programme in the state launched by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. People are free to say what they want to say but this is the reason for the dethronement,’’ he said.

Reports reveal that conservatives in northern Nigeria didn’t find Sanusi’s social criticisms funny. The deposed Emir once explained that Sharia is not divine but religious, and is neither uniform nor unchanging. He has called for an end to child marriage, a practice that is still prevalent in the north, building more schools instead of mosques. Sanusi also called for population planning, and has said, polygamy is increasing poverty in the region. The Emir also said, widespread poverty in the north might put end to Islam as we know it.

A highly educated man, Sanusi has a degree in Sharia and Islamic studies from the International University of Africa in Khartoum, in 1997 among other qualifications. He has spoken out on government policies on several occasions, breaking out with royal tradition.

 In 2017, the Emirate council was under investigation for corruption. Many saw this as retribution over comments he made. The investigation was later called off by the state legislature following intervention by the ruling class. In 2019, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje signed into law the creation of four new emirates. This unprecedented move saw Sanusi's traditional domain as Emir reduced. According to the law, Sanusi will only preside over 10 local government areas out of the 44 in the state. Many saw this as the beginning of Sanusi’s dethronement.

The legal team of Mallam Mohamodu Sanusi, 11 organized a Press briefing on what they called, Sanusi’s illegal dethronement, deportation and banishment to Nassarawa state by the Kano state Government. The team declared the dethronement illegal and unconstitutional. According to the team, the Kano state Emirate Council law which was recently enacted does not give the state Governor the power to unilaterally dethrone a an Emir.

The reason given in the letter of deposition of the Emir dated 9th March, 2020, was alleged ‘disrespect to lawful instructions from the authorities’. The Emir was also alleged to have ‘refused to attend official programmes and meetings organized by the Government’. As far as we are aware, there has not been any notice of such disrespect ever given to the Emir or query issued to him for refusal to attend official functions. He was never given any opportunity to defend himself against those charges.  Section 13 of the Kano Emirates Council Law 2019 cited in the letter of deposition empowers the Governor to depose an Emir only after due inquiry and in consultation with State Council of Chiefs. We are not aware of such due inquiry nor are we aware that the Kano State Council of Chiefs was at any time summoned to any meeting much less discuss the removal of the Emir or give any  advice to the Governor on the deposition. In our view the action was patently illegal and unconstitutional and a clear abuse of power. Be that as it may, the decision to challenge the removal is solely that of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.

 In a statement, Publisher and veteran Journalist, Dele Momodu said, ‘The last time Sanusi was kicked out of the Central Bank, he became the Emir of Kano, who knows where God is taking him to next. God’s ways are truly mysterious,’’ he said. 

ALIKO DANGOTE DONATES N200 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST CORONA VIRUS

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has donated a whooping sum of N200million to support current effort of the Nigerian government towards curbing the spread of Corona Virus or Covid-19 in the country. ADF’s intervention is considered the largest single donation by a corporate organization in the country to contain the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.

Nigeria is now the biggest Rice Producer in Africa

Contrary to the report that says Nigeria produces 4 million tons of rice, the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) says it has established that instead, Nigeria being the largest producer of rice in Africa is producing 8 million tons of rice annually.

The RIFAN President, Aminu Goronyo who disclosed this said Nigeria has two rice farming season, in each season according him, 4 million tons of rice is produced.

He said the annual rice production of Nigeria is put at Eight million tonnes annually with twelve million farmers engaged in the production of the commodity.

Goronyo said Nigeria has no option than to put a total ban on rice importation before the end of this year.

“We have two cropping seasons of production and each season we produce an average of 4 million tons that will give you 8 million tons per annum”, Goronyo said.

Center For Disease Control Reports Increase in Lassa Fever

The Nigerian Center for Disease Control, (NCDC) has confirmed the increase in the number of Lassa fever cases reported in the country since the beginning of the year.

Between January 1 and 19, a total of 398 suspected cases were reported from various states across the country, leading to 24 deaths.

According to the weekly situation report for week three (January 1 to 19) released on Thursday, 163 cases of the disease have so far been confirmed in nine states with 24 deaths recorded.

This figure is expected to rise as more states have reported cases of the disease. 

Amotekun and the Northern Uproar

Yemi Olakitan

Nigeria has been plagued with insecurities since the days of former President Good luck Jonathan, while many thought the former President’s exit will usher in a new dispensation of peace and tranquility, they are awoken to a very rude shock as things only got worse.  Kidnappings, armed robbery, high profile murders and other criminal activities have bedeviled Nigerians and there seems to be no way out of the menace.  The Southwest region have been worst hit last year with unending reports of rape, killings and all manner of felony especially by certain Fulani herdsmen. The failure of the Nigerian police and other security agencies in the country have led to a search for other alternatives to policing in order to ensure the safety of lives and properties in Nigeria. It has forced concerned Nigerians to wear a thinking cap.  

it is as a result of this distressing security challenges that the southwest governors came together to set up Amotekun Security outfit. While there has been massive support from every leader of thought, in the southwest, hailing Amotekun, including Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, opposition had come from the North and the Federal Government itself. 

Shortly after the security outfit was launched, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami declared the outfit illegal.  Miyetti Allah after urging South-West leaders to dump their regional security outfit for the sake of 2023 presidency, urged the Federal Government to arrest Yoruba leaders behind Amotekun.

Ironically, the Southwestern states of Nigeria are not alone in setting up security outfits in the federation.  The Civilian Joint Task Force, fondly called, JTF is reported to have contributed immensely to the fight against terrorism in the North. They have joined hands with the Nigerian Army in the battle against terrorism in northern Nigeria with support from the Federal Government. Similarly, the governments of Kano and Zamfara states have the Hisbar Corps. According to reports, about 23 states have similar Vigilante security outfits.

 In Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Ondo, Ebonyi, Edo, Nazarawa, Plateau, Niger, Bauchi and Abia, there are such groups operating side by side the Nigerian Police Force.

A classic example is Borno state which was heavily hit by Boko Haram terrorism, the state government created a handful of security outfits, one was called, BOYES, Borno Youths Volunteers, they work in collaboration with the Nigerian military to fight Boko Harams. Borno state also has local hunters and other vigilante groups which have worked with security agencies long before terror attacks began in the state. The state Governor Professor Bagana Zulum employed the services of hunters from across the north and neighbouring countries to help fight terrorism and other forms of criminality in the state. These groups carry light arms; locally made guns and pomp action guns to help their operations. 

AN24.net had a chat with Pa Ayodele Ogunjobi, a social commentator and blogger, he said, ‘‘Amotekun is a worthy venture aimed at protecting lives and properties in the region. There are mountains of evidence that vigilante and security outfits are not a new thing in Nigeria. The fierce opposition from the north including the Federal Government is what surprises many people. It was even suggested that Amotekun is a regional Army set up to speed up the way for Oduduwa Republic, a claim that has been denied by Yoruba leaders.’’   Ogunjobi said, the opposition only reveals that the Northerners have skeleton in their cupboard. They have a hidden agenda which the Amotekun security outfit will prevent from coming to pass, otherwise why the opposition?’’ he said.

AN24.net also had a chat with Chief Bayode Ogunmupe, veteran Journalist, economist and social critic, he said, ‘’the Federal Government have displayed a high level insensitivity to the issues of security in Nigeria. Their massive opposition to Amotekun security outfit has exposed this insensitivity to security problems facing the nation. It shows that their aim is political domination of the rest of the country.  Consider that, some time ago, the APC governors’ forum had a meeting and made a recommendation for state police as a panacea to insecurity, yet the Federal Government refused to implement this recommendation.  Vice President, Yemi Osibajo had also recommended state or regional police, yet the President refused to yield.  The southwest Governors cannot fold their hands while their people are being slaughtered by criminal elements that have invaded their states.’’

A chieftain of Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, also alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari is opposed to the Southwest security outfit, because the president wants to rule Nigeria by force, hence, his alleged opposition to Amotekun. Adebanjo said the solution to the security challenge in the country was state police. He said: “that is why Buhari is opposed to it because he wants to rule the country by force. “So, those of you who are honest you need to bring Buhari to restructure this country and send us back to true federalism; let everybody develop at his own pace.’’

However, the South West governors have moved fast to give legal backing to Amotekun security outfit, bills concerning Amotekun are reportedly in all the state house of Assemblies as we speak.  Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu vowed that the Federal Government cannot stop the security outfit, saying, Amotekun is not a regional Army.

The People’s Democratic Party Chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke said the grassroots oriented and bottom up structure of Amotekun is the best approach to community policing. He described the Federal Government position as unfair. He said the use of village hunters and vigilante groups adopted by the security outfit will help curb insecurity in the region since these people know their areas better. He said, it is out of place for the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation to say the security outfit is illegal when the Civil Defense, Civilian JTF and Sharia Police were already in existence in Northern Nigeria.

Toyin Falola, a globally renowned scholar, and Professor of History at the university of Texas United States of America said, ‘‘there is a context to this politically generated controversy, the events that led to the Nigerian civil war from 1967 and 1979 continue to haunt us, the fear of ethnic marginalization is real, the opinion that the Hausa Fulani is power hungry and not ready to yield control of the center is held both in public and private discussions. The fear of an impending islamisation is a conversation in Christian households. The controversy on Amotekun is inspired by mutual distrust, the members of the political class in the North sees Amotekun as a red flag, fearing that it may be the first step in creating an Oduduwa Republic.’’

Whatever the mistrust is all about, AN24.net gathered that the southwest people are in one accord and the governors are not about to step down on Amotekun. It seems Amotekun will remain with us for a long time to come.

We are on top of it-Adesegun Ogundeji

Yemi Olakitan

There have been calls and complaints from numerous quarters on the deplorable conditions of Lagos roads, with many people putting the blame on the newly elected Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, others say, it’s the fault of the immediate past Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

As part of efforts aimed at unraveling the truth, AN24 spoke with the Deputy Director Public  Affairs,  ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Adesegun Ogundeji, he said, Lagos state governmentt has began intense works on various roads although the weather is not favourable since rain has continue to fall. He mentioned Imota at Ikorodu around Caleb University, Parasa, along Ikorodu-Ijebu Ode.

Furthermore, Ogundeji said, the alternative route at Ikoyi and the one in Lekki- Epe Express way and other sections of Ikorodu and surulere are currently enjoying repairs and maintenance at varying degrees. ‘‘work is on going at the Lagos Badagry Express way,  there is a bridge been worked on at Alakija.  This road will stretch to the Badagry International Trade Fair center. It will run through Okokomaiko, Agbara, Okoafon and other areas within that axis. He assured Lagosians that the state government is on top of the situation and urged them to be patient.

In a statement released to AN24 and signed by Segun Ogundeji, the Lagos state Government announced traffic diversion from the major carriage way to the service lane on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway from Saturday, 9^th to 10^thOctober, 2019 to enable the contractors launch beams at the Alakija Interchange Bridge.

Special Adviser, Works and Infrastructure, Engr Aramide Adeyoye who made this known appealed to motorists and road users on the axis to bear with government as the measure was germane to the speedy delivery of the road. The affected area according to her is the segment 2 of Lot 2A (Agboju – Trade Fair) inward Badargy only as the Lagos bound traffic is not affected.

She implored motorists coming from  Agboju to Trade fair to make a detour before  the Alakija flyover into the service lane; journey through the diversion on the service lane and divert  into  the main carriage way after the Alakija interchange to continue their journey inward Badagry.

To effectively manage traffic and reduce the impact of the diversion on road users, the Special Adviser explained that palliative works have been carried out on the bad sections of the road such as the intersections into the service lane before Alakija flyover, the junction between the access road into Festac at the 3^rd gate and the intersection after the Alakija interchange into the main carriage lane from the service lane.

Engr Adeyoye appealed to commuters to obey the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials and follow directional signs to aid their movements to ensure free flow of traffic.