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FG cautions Nigerians against excess salt consumption
Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has cautioned Nigerians against excess intake of salt and sodium, saying it could cause hypertension and other heart diseases.
Pate said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference to commemorate the 2024 Salt Awareness Week, with the theme: ”It’s Time to Shine the Spotlight on Salt”.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ms Daju Kachollom, Pate said the Federal Government would step up public awareness on the dangers of excess intake of salt.
The minister said that not less than 10 per cent of cardiovascular diseases deaths is attributed to the burden of excess sodium consumption in Nigeria.
He said that there were varying estimates of the average daily intake of dietary sodium among Nigerian adults, ranging from 2.3 to 10 grams per day, while the intake of dietary salt ranged from 5.8 to 25 grams per day.
Pate said that this figure was significantly higher than the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendations of daily intake of 2 grams of sodium and 5 grams of salt.
He said that this figure was significantly higher than the WHO recommendations of daily intake of 2 grams of sodium and 5 grams of salt.
Pate said that reducing sodium intake was crucial for controlling blood pressure, adding that this would help to prevent hypertension and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
According to him, salt is a hidden adversary in people’s diets, and it contributes to the burden of cardiovascular diseases that afflict many of the loved ones.
He said: “Nigeria is not immune to the global epidemic of hypertension and heart diseases.
“The choices we make at our dining tables, the ingredients we stir into our pots; and the snacks we consume at a moments of leisure; all contribute to the silent escalation of health risks, associated with high salt intake.
Citing a WHO report, Pate said that about 17.9 million lives were claimed, as salt intake had a far-reaching impact on the death, through High Blood Pressure, heart attack and stroke.
He said that implementing sodium reduction strategies could lead to significant healthcare savings, and also prevent costly medical treatments for diseases caused by high sodium intake.
Pate said that the federal government had embarked on several initiatives to curtail excessive salt intake and bring about healthier Nigeria.
WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo, also said that excess salt consumption was linked to gastric cancer and kidney disease.
Mulombo, who was represented by National Progressional Officer on Nutrition, WHO, Dr Pindar Wakawa, said the global average intake of sodium was more than the double what WHO recommended.
He called for urgent public health message to enable people take precaution against salt and sodium consumption. (NAN)
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…