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WHO says 400,000 children worldwide develop cancer yearly

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said that every year, an estimated 400,000 children worldwide develop cancer.

Ghebreyesus said this on Wednesday during an online media conference on global health issues.

According to him, in high-income countries, almost 90 per cent of children survive while in low-income and middle -income countries, survival rates are often below 30 per cent.

“In 2018, WHO established a Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States and more than 100 other partners.

“As part of the initiative, WHO and St. Jude have also established a global platform to improve access to lifesaving medicines for children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries,” he said.

Ghebreyesus said that on Tuesday, it began distributing childhood cancer medicines at no cost in the first two countries: Mongolia and Uzbekistan.

WHO boss said that the shipments of medicines are planned for another four countries: Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal and Zambia.

“We estimate these treatments will reach about 5000 children with cancer across at least 30 hospitals in these six countries this year.

“Six more countries have been invited to join the platform, and over the next five to seven years, WHO aims to reach 120,000 children in 50 countries.

“We are very encouraged to see how this programme has grown since we started in 2018, and we thank St. Jude for its partnership,” he said.

On the world body, he said that the executive board was the second-most important decision making body in WHO after the World Health Assembly.

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According to him, in 2024, the board dealt with a large agenda covering the huge range of WHO’s work: emergencies, polio, meningitis, cervical cancer, medical devices, air pollution, and universal health coverage.

“To support WHO’s work around the world, the board recommended that the Health Assembly approves the Programme Budget for 2026 and 2027.

“The Board also recommended that the Health Assembly approve the next 20 per cent increase in assessed contributions and the membership fees that countries pay.

“In 2022, member states agreed to gradually increase assessed contributions from 16 per cent of the base budget to 50 per cent,” Ghebreyesus said.

According to him, the increase approved by the board in the first week of February is the next step towards that target, and is critical for putting WHO on a more sustainable financial footing.

On Ebola, he said that so far, the Ugandan Government had reported nine confirmed cases, including one death.

The boss said that more than 260 contacts had been identified and are being monitored.

“I thank the Government of Uganda for its leadership and partnership.

“WHO is on the ground supporting the government’s response.

“We are providing surge support for surveillance, laboratories, logistics, infection prevention and control in hospitals, treatment centres and research,” he said.

According to him, the National Emergency Medical teams, trained by WHO, are providing care for those infected.

The WHO boss said that it was also providing critical supplies from its logistics hubs in Nairobi and Dubai.

“There are no authorised vaccines or therapeutics against the species of Ebola virus responsible for this outbreak.

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“But thanks to preparedness measures that the government took after the previous outbreak, and a global research collaboration led by WHO, we were able to start a trial of a candidate vaccine just four days after the outbreak was declared.

“A therapeutics trial will start as soon as national authorities provide approval,” he said.

Ghebreyesus said that to support the response, he was releasing two million dollars from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies.

“This is in addition to the one million dollars that we contributed earlier to set up the initial response,” he said. (NAN)

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Residents of Kaura Namoda Commend Defence Minister for Crackdown on Bandits

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Residents of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area in Zamfara State have expressed their appreciation to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, for his role in the elimination of over 50 bandits who had been terrorising the region.

In a statement signed by spokesperson Suleiman Yusuf, the community praised Matawalle for his leadership in restoring security, describing his commitment as a major relief for communities that had long suffered from violent attacks.

“We, the residents of Kaura Namoda, express our deep gratitude for the improved security situation.

“We can now live without fear, resuming our daily lives with a renewed sense of safety,” Yusuf stated.

The security operation, conducted under Operation Fansar Yamma, targeted a gathering of armed bandits in Kaura Namoda. A precision airstrike successfully eliminated 50 bandits, while several others sustained injuries, marking a significant blow against criminal elements operating in the region.

In a separate mission in Tsafe Local Government Area, security forces tracked and neutralised a notorious bandit, Shehu Dan Kwale, further strengthening efforts to curb insecurity in Zamfara State.

The military’s actions under the directives of Matawalle have been widely welcomed by residents of Kaura Namoda, Tsafe, and Gusau Local Government Areas, who have endured years of attacks by armed groups. Many now express optimism that sustained efforts will restore lasting peace to their communities.

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6 die as truck rams Into vehicles, pedestrians in Onitsha

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Police Command in Anambra has confirmed that six people died in a multiple-vehicle accident on Saturday at Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer(CPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Sunday that the police had taken over the accident scene to maintain order and facilitate investigations.

“According to eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred due to the loss of control of a truck, which rammed into pedestrians, two tricycles, and a commercial bus loaded with passengers,” he said

Ikenga noted that the crash claimed six lives, while several others sustained injuries and were currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

He added that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited in the morgue.

He added that some relatives of the victims had been contacted and informed about the incident.

Ikenga said that the command extended its condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wished the injured a swift recovery.

He urged drivers to conduct necessary safety checks before plying the roads to prevent such tragic incidents.

The CPRO assured the public that further updates would be provided as investigations progressed

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Adeleke’s $20m fraud allegation against Oyetola mere shadow chasing – Ogundokun

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A frontline politician, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, has described Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun’s $20 million fraud allegation against his immediate predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, as mere shadow chasing.

Ogundokun stated this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, while reacting to a petition by Adeleke to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Oyetola.

Adeleke had, in the petition, alleged that Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, misappropriated a $20 million World Bank health grant while he was governor of the state.

Ogundokun said in the state that there was nothing serious in the petition other than a drama aimed at generating negative energy toward the 2026 governorship election in the state.

He described Oyetola as a man of sterling performance in the private sector as well as due diligence and strict adherence to rules in the public service as governor.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain also described the former governor as the pride of Osun and Nigeria who should not be pulled down or given uncharitable names but encouraged to do more for the state.

According to him, there is the need to stop a destructive campaign of “I will destroy you if I can’t get it.

“Oyetola is honest to a fault,” he remarked, calling on the people of the state to join him in moving Osun forward.

Ogundokun advised Adeleke to prioritise good governance rather than engaging in frivolous activities.

“What Osun requires and deserves is focused leadership and serious engagements.

“I will advise Ademola Adeleke to stop playing politics with the exalted office of the governor by turning it to a petition writing apparatus.

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“He should use the enormous power of the office to improve the lots of the people instead of deploying the state resources to bully and witch-hunt a perceived enemy or enemies.

“Writing a petition against a man like Oyetola, to me, is like chasing a shadow.

“The task before Adeleke is huge, and meeting the expectations of the people should be his priority and not fighting an imaginary political foe,” he said.

The elder statesman urged the governor not to deviate from the vision of the state’s forefathers.

Rather, he said that Adeleke should learn to build on the good foundation of his predecessor instead of finding ways to shoot down his good legacies. (NAN)

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