Senate of the Netherlands has approved a new law asking all Dutch adults to sign for voluntary donation of their organs after death. The bill narrowly passed in the upper house of the Dutch parliament, more than a year after Members of the Parliament passed the legislation.
Pia Dijkstra, who drafted the bill, said that under the new system, every person over 18 who is not yet registered as a donor will receive a letter asking if they want to donate their organs after death.
“They will be able to reply: yes, no, my next of kin will decide or a specific person will decide,” Ms Dijkstra said in a statement. The law, which passed 38 to 36, is similar to those in Belgium and Spain.
Those who do not respond to the first letter, or to a second letter six weeks later, will be considered organ donors, although they can amend their status at any time.
The Dutch Kidney Foundation called the vote “a real breakthrough for patients on waiting lists”, saying that research in other countries with similar systems shows an increase in registrations of organ donors.
The foundation’s director, Tom Oostrom, said the new law means “hundreds of patients will get back their lives and freedom”.
The bill will now be signed by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and a minister at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
The measure is to come into effect in July 2020 after a publicity campaign.
Nobel laureate, Profesor Wole Soyinka has described any Nigerian who join the new Coalition for Nigeria movement (CN), formed by the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as a mental case that requires examination.
Professor Soyinka, who answered questions on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC, Yoruba service), today, Monday, made it clear that he would be the last to join such organization.
He actually promised to surrender himself to be examined by a psychiatrist if any kind of thought crosses his mind to join the Coalition for Nigeria Movement.
“Me? Obasanjo would establish a group and I will become a member of such group? That means they should get a psychiatrist to examine me.”
The Nobel laureate said that there is need for Nigerians to look twice when reacting to statements made by retired military men like Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida.
He was reacting to the statements made by Obasanjo and Babangida, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari not to contest election in 2019 for second term in office.
“When these soldiers speak, there is the possibility that what they have in mind is different from what we have in mind.”
The United Nationa Children Education Fund (UNICEF), has lamented, in a new report on newborn mortality today, Monday, that every year, 2.6 million newborns around the world do not survive their first month of life and that one million of them die the day they are born.
UNICEF alerted that global deaths of newborn babies remain alarmingly high, particularly among the world’s poorest countries,
“Globally, in low-income countries, the average newborn mortality rate is 27 deaths per 1,000 births. In high-income countries, that rate is 3 deaths per 1,000.
UNICEF’s Executive Director, Henrietta H. Fore said: “while we have more than halved the number of deaths among children under the age of five in the last quarter century, we have not made similar progress in ending deaths among children less than one month old.
“Given that the majority of these deaths are preventable, clearly, we are failing the world’s poorest babies.”
The report notes that 8 of the 10 most dangerous places to be born are in sub-Saharan Africa, where pregnant women are much less likely to receive assistance during delivery due to poverty, conflict and weak institutions.
It said that with the newborn mortality rate of 29 deaths per 1,000 births, the global estimates rank Nigeria as the 11th highest on newborn deaths.
In the recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the Government of Nigeria in 2016/17, the rate of newborn deaths per 1000 births is 37. This national average hides the differences between the 36 states and the slow progress in some of them.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Representative, Mohamed M Fall, said: “a fair chance in life begins with a strong, healthy start. Unfortunately, many children in Nigeria are still deprived of this.
“MICS data tells us that the trend is improving but urgent action needs to be taken for Nigeria to reach the Sustainable Development Goals. It cannot afford to fail its newborns today.”
More than 80 per cent of newborn deaths are due to prematurity, asphyxia, complications during birth or infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.
The report said that such deaths can be prevented with access to well-trained midwives during antenatal and postnatal visits as well as delivery at a health facility, along with proven solutions like clean water, disinfectants, breastfeeding within the first hour, skin-to-skin contact, proper cord care, and good nutrition.
“However, a shortage of well-trained health workers and midwives means that thousands don’t receive the life-saving support they need to survive.
“This month, UNICEF is launching Every Child ALIVE, a global campaign to demand and deliver solutions on behalf of the world’s newborns. Through the campaign, UNICEF is issuing an urgent appeal to governments, health care providers, donors, the private sector, families and businesses to keep every child alive by:
Recruiting, training, retaining and managing sufficient numbers of doctors, nurses and midwives with expertise in maternal and newborn care;
Guaranteeing clean, functional health facilities equipped with water, soap and electricity, within the reach of every mother and baby;
Making it a priority to provide every mother and baby with the life-saving drugs and equipment needed for a healthy start in life; and
Empowering adolescent girls, mothers and families to demand and receive quality care.”
Police in Kano have arrested a 38 year old woman popularly called ‘society woman’ and have charged her to court for allegedly impersonating police, with police uniform in her possession, and other related offences.
The suspect, who is being referred to by her pseudo name ‘Kofar Mata’ was arrested on February 11 this year and was immediately arraigned in Court 29 at Sabon Gari, Kano. The police report showed that she was arraigned on February 12, 2018.
According to the charge sheet, the suspect is also being charged with criminal conspiracy and harbouring of miscreants as well as the allegation that she belongs to unlawful society and possession of police uniform.
The suspect has been in remand in prison while the court adjourned the case for further hearing to February 28.
The suspect, according to sources is a known serial fraudster in Kano, as she is often referred to as ‘Kano Big Girl.’
Sources who spoke to this reporter said that her arrest and subsequent arraignment were celebrated by people in her community who had earlier lodged a lot of complaints against her for her nefarious activities.
Mallam Bala Nasidi from the community commended the police for arresting her, saying that such people should be thoroughly investigated and the law should take its course.
“Her cup is full. She wears very deceptive looks as she preys on her victims. She called herself Kofar Mata. She is often sited at big time parties in Kano,” Danladi Sabo, another member of community said.
Police men were said to have long been on the trail of ‘Kofar Mata’ until she was finally arrested with police uniform found in her custody.
Former Nigeria Military President, retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has given pass mark to the current leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), being piloted by Prince Uche Secondus as its national chairman.
Babangida, who spoke in Minna, Niger state yesterday while receiving members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, expressed satisfaction with the rebranding so far achieved by the PDP ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“I am happy at your assurances that there will be no imposition in all your primary elections. It is all about choice and you have promised to provide the best choice,” he said.
Commending the elective National Convention of the PDP, the former president noted that not a few Nigerians believed that the national convention would hold but that the outcome was successful.
“Your ‘Reposition, Rebrand and Regain’ agenda is working and I mean particularly the rebranding. Some people believed that having been in government since 1999, the PDP will find opposition difficult but you are carrying on well and providing a better alternative.
“You have also not abandoned the people in times of crisis. I monitored your activities in Benue, Taraba and you just said your party has sent members to Zamfara to commiserate with the people. Surely you have made the people the centre of your return and they will not forget you because you were with them in time of sorrow.”
Prince Secondus had called on Babangida to rally former leaders of the nation to save the country nation from the current administration, lamenting the killings and economic hardships, which Nigerians contend with on daily basis.
“As a leader, you made the welfare of Nigerians the thrust of governance. You were also concerned about the peace and unity of this nation. You created and built people as well as institutions.
“Today, our nation is drifting and as leaders you cannot afford to keep quiet and watch on the sides. Leaders like you must come together and take a firm position on how to save our nation from the precipice.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has promised the soldiers who captured Sambisa forest, the strong hold of Boko Haram insurgents special packages, even as he reminded the soldiers that until the factional leader of the insurgents, Abubakar Shekau is finally captured, much is still needed to be done.
General Buratai, who spoke when he visited Camp Zero in the Sambisa forest today, Sunday, during an operational visit to troops, said: “we are going to have some special packages for all of you that penetrated this (Sambisa) forest.
“We will make sure that your morale is high by making the necessary provision for you to be comfortable,” he added.
The army chief described the Sambisa forest as strategic and assured that the military would it secure against terrorists.
“We are going to transform this place, apart from making it a training area. We are going to have a modern defence establishment in terms of the provision of basic requirements for your comfort and indeed for your operations.
“We already making sure that the first set of facilities are brought here (in the Camp zero.”
He congratulated the gallant soldiers, reminding them however that “we must move across to wherever this criminal – Shekau is and catch him red handed. I want you to get him.
“Mr. President, Command-In-Chief of the Armed Forces says congratulations to all of you for recovering the Sambisa Forest. As far as we are concern, we have come to the end of this operation (clearing the forest of remnants of terrorists).
“What is remaining now is the Lake Chad waters only and we hope to do that (clear terrorists from it) also very soon.
“Meanwhile, you all know these criminals are still on the run; these guys are on the run, you must make sure that you get them wherever they are around this area.
“You must not allow them to escape. Every day, you must go on patrol, lay ambush for them and you go on raids.
“This is the time we have to consolidate and ensure that this place – Sambisa forest, is safe and never for these criminals to come back to it,’’ Buratai charged the troops.
The chief of army staff said that he was in Sambisa and Camp Zero to confirm the capture, destruction and domination by the gallant troops.
“I am glad that the troops have done the country proud and they have done Mr President proud by not only capturing the Camp Zero within the forest but also consolidating on this success.
“It is a thing of pride and I want to say that we are proud of the Nigerian troops. We are proud of members of the armed forces, the Air Force, Navy, Police, DSS and indeed Civilian JTF, who have provided the needed service.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari may have seized the opportunity of his visit to his country home, Daura, in Katsina State for the purpose of condoling members of his immediate family for the loss of two of them, to also consult with relevant personalities on whether to contest the 2019 election for a second term or not.
Information reaching us from Daura said that Buhari, today, Sunday met with members of Katsina Elders’ Forum at his private resident in Daura.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the elders at the meeting were the Katsina state governor, Aminu Masari, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk; the Galadima of Katsina and former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir and others.
Report had it that the President Buhari also met with the Emir of Maradun in Zamfara State, Alhaji Garba Muhammed Tambari. The Emir of Maradun was said to be in Daura, however, to condole with the president over the death of his two extended family members and also console him on the auto-accident involving the President’s son, Yusuf.
The president, who is on a five-day private visit to Daura, had earlier met with members of his extended family from within and outside the state.
The purpose of the meetings, apart from the condolences, was not made known.
The Emir of Maradun in Zamfara, Alhaji Garba Tambari, has said that some traditional rulers across the country are rallying round to ensure the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.
Garba Tambari who spoke to news men after paying a condolence visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State today, Sunday, said that all citizens who wish Nigeria well must support the re-election of President Buhari if he finally decides to seek renewal of his electoral mandate in 2019.
Though President Buhari, who is on five-day private visit to his home country, Daura, is yet to make any official pronouncement on whether he will seek re-election or not, the Emir said: “anybody who wishes this country good, who wishes this country well, will want Mr. President to continue after 2019. So, we wish he will continue by the grace of God.”
The Emir stressed that the re-election of the President in 2019 would ensure continuity in governance as the Buhari administration had recorded remarkable successes in the areas of security and fighting corruption and revitalization of the economy.
Garba Tambari commended President Buhari for his selfless service to the country, adding that the President had assured Nigerians that he would tackle the problem of insecurity in some parts of Zamfara soon.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu kick-started the reconciliation of aggrieved party members in Sokoto, with his visit to the State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal today, Saturday. He was recently given the mandate by President Muhammadu Buhari to go round the country to reconcile party members and leaders that had one reason or the other to clash with fellow members and or the party as a body. [myad]
Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello has said that 24 governors under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are already in support of President Muhammadu Buhari contesting the 2019 election for a second term in office.
The governor, who opened up today, Saturday in Lokoja, the state capital, at a grand rally to welcome People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members who defected to the APC, said: “we urge Mr. President to run and fly in 2019.
“Twenty-four APC governors are ready to support you (Buhari) under the leadership of the National Chairman of the party, Mr. John Oyegun.”
He thanked the PDP members from the three senatorial districts of the state who decamped.
Bello added that the APC was where they belonged in the first place and added “come and sin no more.”
The governor further urged those still in PDP to “come back home”
In attendance was APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun among many other party stalwarts.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Senate of the Netherlands has approved a new law asking all Dutch adults to sign for voluntary donation of their organs after death. The bill narrowly passed in the upper house of the Dutch parliament, more than a year after Members of the Parliament passed the legislation.
The United Nationa Children Education Fund (UNICEF), has lamented, in a new report on newborn mortality today, 
