Author: PositiveNaija

LASUTH Performs First Kidney Transplant [2015]

Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), has recorded a successful kidney transplant on a 56-year-old man in Lagos. The life-saving procedure which took two and half hours was the first of its kind in the tertiary institution.

Speaking on the feat, the elated Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Wale Oke, said the successful kidney transplant was part of the state government’s promises to deliver excellent healthcare services to the people of Lagos State.
Oke revealed that prior to the surgery, several consultations were made to ensure that the patients were well selected to avoid complications after the exercise.
In his words:
“But thank God today, both the donor and recipient are in sound health.”
The Chief medical Director who assured Lagosians that the hospital would continue to bring such services in-country.
Speaking, leader of the transplant team, a Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. Jacob Awobusuyi, said the initiative was conceived three years ago. Awobusuyi explained that gaining the confidence of the patients was very tough but after the operation, they were both excited.
“Before the operation, both the 56-year-old recipient and the 26-year-old donor who was the patient’s nephew expressed concern. But after the operation they were both fine.”

Bloodless Urine Malaria Test (UMT)

Scientists working in Nigeria have developed a new laser test that can detect malaria in humans within minutes with a simple urine test without drawing blood.

Current malaria testing methods requires piecing the with a needle to draw blood but the new urine malaria test (UMT), developed by Fyodor Biotechnologies, doesn’t require use of blood.

The fast, non-invasive test can detect malaria in both humans and mosquitoes. It has advantages over current techniques because it does not depend on blood sampling, reagents, facilities or trained personnel. The simplicity – it can be operated by non-medical personnel – and sensitivity of the test mean it could be a low-cost, safe and universal tool for clinical and field diagnoses.
Speaking at the launch of UMT in Abuja, Dr Victoria Enwemadu, Fyodor’s global head of projects, said “There are some challenges with adopting that [national malaria testing] guideline mainstream because of the invasiveness of trying to get blood for testing. Now we have made it easier by just using urine to test for malaria.”

According Enwemadu, the UMT includes a strip that is dipped into urine sample for 25 minutes to give results which can be read as positive, negative or valid, when compared against a control.

Golden Eaglets Win 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets became only the second side to retain the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a 2-0 win against Mali at Vina Del Mar in Chile.

Striker Victor Osimhen had his record-breaking tenth goal of the tournament in the final match, with Funsho Bamgboye adding second moments later.

Continue reading Golden Eaglets Win 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Jighere Wellington Emerges 2015 World Scrabble Champion

Jighere Wellington has emerged the new Scrabble champion of the world after defeating Lewis Mackay 4-0 in a Best of Seven series in Perth Australia.

Jighere Wellington, who had already finished first in a 32-Game Scrabble marathon to qualify for the two-man finals, defeated his English opponent in just four games (out of seven) and thus, becomes the new World Scrabble Champion.

Wellington also placed 3rd at the World Scrabble Championship in 2007.

Continue reading Jighere Wellington Emerges 2015 World Scrabble Champion

NAFDAC Receives GACG Anti-Counterfeiting Award

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has emerged the winner of this year’s Global Anti-Counterfeiting award by the Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG). The award is in recognition of the Agency’s commitment to the fight against fake drugs and counterfeiting of regulated products.

According to a statement by NAFDAC public relations officer (PRO), Mr.. Anslem Okonkwor, the award which was presented to the agency recently at the Annual Interpol Ip Crime Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was in appreciation of the many innovations especially the cutting-edge technologies the Agency has introduced in the fight against counterfeiting.

The Chairman of the GACG, Mr. John Anderson while presenting the coveted award to the Director, Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor on behalf of the Agency extolled NAFDAC’s deployment of TRUSCAN and its global leadership in the Authentication user category.

GACG is a network of national and regional anti-counterfeiting organisations drawn from the European Union, North America, South America, China, India and Africa with the common objective of addressing the problems of counterfeiting and piracy by the sharing and exchange of information and participation in appropriate join activities.

This year’s conference had 509 attendees from all the continents participating notably the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, European Anti-Fraud Office, Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China, International Document Police, International Trademark Association, the European Union, top multi-national companies, security and IP experts, Jurists and the academia.

NAFDAC used the opportunity to further showcase its anti-counterfeiting initiatives and activities which were well received and commended by the participants who were particularly interested in the arrests and prosecution of the counterfeiters of various pharmaceuticals worth over ₦10 billion.

Seun Omobo Emerges First Black FIP-YPG Chairperson

Seun Omobo, has emerged chairperson of the International Pharmaceutical Federation – Young Pharmacists Group (FIP-YPG), making history as the first African to occupy the position.

Seun Omobo won the election to chair the FIP-YPG, which has been in existence since 2001, during the recently concluded Annual Congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) held in Dusseldorf, Germany from 29 September to 3 October 2015.

Continue reading Seun Omobo Emerges First Black FIP-YPG Chairperson

50 Nigerians Obtain First Class Honours At The Linton University College Malaysia

50 Nigerians have obtained first class honours at the Linton University College Malaysia.

The number (50 Nigerians) is part of the 253 students who graduated in various academic disciplines at the 2015 convocation ceremony of the university.

According to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, 35 PTDF scholars were among the Nigerians who graduated at the 2015 convocation ceremony, which was done in collaboration with University of East London and Coventry University, United Kingdom.

The Fund stated:

“Altogether 50 Nigerian graduates distinguished themselves with first class honours degrees, among whom were 13 PTDF scholars who earned first class degrees in Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Business Management and Civil Engineering.”

The Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to Malaysia, Mrs. Janet Odeka, said the unprecedented achievement of the Nigerian scholars in the university in Malaysia had contributed in creating a positive image for Nigerians living in the country.

According to Mrs. Odeka:

“I am really excited and grateful because this is the first time we are having such number of graduates who produced good results such as first class and second class upper. We have had students from Nigeria who were involved in criminal activities and other immoral acts, but for the first time we are celebrating something we should be proud of as Nigerians and I wish to appeal to Nigerians here that they should emulate what these graduands have done to attract a good name for Nigeria.”

According to the Executive Secretary, PTDF, Mr. Femi Ajayi on the achievement:

“Rather than being skeptical about the future and apprehensive about job opportunities back home in Nigeria, you should be excited knowing that a new chapter has opened in Nigeria that provides the enabling environment for those who genuinely wish to make it in Nigeria.

This is something to be very proud of and excited about, particularly when you know the areas they specialise. We have high hopes for them. If you have people who have excelled, the thing to do is to deploy their knowledge in the right direction. Some will proceed for their masters and PhD and for those who want to work, we will link them up with available job opportunities in Nigeria.

With the kind of knowledge and experience they have here, I am hopeful that their skills and knowledge will be readily utilised in Nigeria and I will encourage them to go back home.”