NEWS
I’ll Increase Investment in Technology to Drive Development- Buhari

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday, in Abuja said that channelling more investments in Nigeria’s technological sector, and opening up space for creativity and innovation with digital skills would play a significant role in providing jobs for youths and growing the economy.
President Buhari said this when he received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Portugal to Nigeria, Luis Filipe Ribeiro Da Silva Barros, at the State House.
The president noted that the wave of technological growth across the globe had provided more opportunities for development for countries, especially for the economies willing to retool and build capacities in areas of need.
“Technology has come to stay and, as a country, we are exploring opportunities for advancement, especially in providing jobs for our teeming youths,’’ he said.
The President said “many hands in the country are willing and waiting to be meaningfully engaged’’, urging the ambassador to focus on building stronger economic ties with Nigeria that will be mutually rewarding.
In his remarks, the Portuguese ambassador said he had already discovered start-up companies in many parts of the country, assuring of partnerships that will enhance the capacity of the small businesses especially in areas of agriculture, academics, vocational skills and security.
The Ambassador congratulated the President for winning a second term in office, promising to push bilateral relations with Nigeria to “new levels’’.
Receiving Letters of Credence of the High Commissioner of Jamaica to Nigeria, Esmond St Clair Reid, President Buhari said that he was pleased with the growing community of Nigerians in the country, and the harmonious ways they have been conducting themselves, and exploring opportunities in businesses.
The president assured the High Commissioner of Nigeria’s support in improving bilateral relations.
The Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria told the President that the growing community in Jamaica had been very active in academics, like the Maritime University, adding “we look forward to broad cooperation because there’s a lot we can do together in areas of tourism, craft and skills transfer under your leadership.’’
President Buhari, who received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Indonesia, Dr Usra Hendra Harahap, said trade relations between both countries should be improved, appreciating the country for always standing by Nigeria in international affairs like the recent election of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, as President of 74th General Assembly.
In his remark, the Ambassador of Indonesia said his country will be willing to have stronger relations with Nigeria on security, trade and crude oil importation.
“Nigeria’s oil is top quality, with less sulphur content, so we are deeply in need of supply,’’ he said.
NEWS
Ramadan: 7,750 IDPs in Borno, Yobe, Kano to Benefit from KSrelief Donation – NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says 7,750 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno, Yobe and Kano State will benefit from the King Salman (KSrelief) Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center food donation.
The agency disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr Manzo Ezekiel, Head, Press Unit, NEMA, on Saturday in Abuja.
The food donation which was in the spirit of the Ramadan season included 7,750 bags (25kg) of rice, 7,750 bags (25kg) of beans and 7,750 packaged (4kg) of masa vita flour.
Others items included 7,750 gallons (2 litres) of vegetable oil, 7,750 packaged (1kg) of salt, 7,750 packaged (2kg) tomato paste and 7,750 packaged (0.
8kg) seasoning.Ezekiel said the distribution would be based on a standard food basket where each beneficiary household would receive a bag of rice (25kg) and bag of beans (25kg).
He said that other items would include, masa vita flour (4kg), vegetable oil (2 litres), salt (1kg), tomato paste (2kg) and seasoning (0.8kg).
According to him, the agency had concluded detailed profiling of the target beneficiaries at the identified camps and host communities, in preparation for onward distribution.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donation by KSrelief, a humanitarian aid agency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a continuation of assistance to persons affected by insurgency and disasters in Nigeria.(NAN)
CRIME
Native Doctor Slaughters Mad Man During Treatment in Adamawa

From Yagana Ali, Yola.
A 48 – year old native doctor, Ezekiel Buba, is in police net for allegedly killing a mad man during treatment.
The suspect , who resides at Gombiyel in Shelleng Local Goverment Area,Adamawa state, was arrested by the police command for slaughtering the mentally derailed man known as Alamisa.
While narrating the ugly incident during interrogation at the police headquaters on Thursday, Ezekiel, blamed his demon for slaughtering the deceased brought to him for medication.
He said the deceased, who was suffering from mental illness and epilepsy, was brought to him by his elder brother, Yahaya Musa of Kambillam in company of other family members for treatment.
“I usually slaughter chickens for sacrifice to a blood demon in order to prevent it from tourching anybody. Failure to make sacrifice to the demon, a patient cannot get well”. Ezekiel explained.
He further narrated that while performing some rituals with a robe at his backyard, the demon descended in a whirlwind with knives tied on his leg and slit the throat of the patient.
” I saw the demon in the whirlwind but before I could reach where the patient is lying down to protect him, the demon over took me and slaughtered him”.he said.
“Initially, the demon had warned me and demanded that I should slaughter chickens and offer sacrifice of blood.
I was waiting for market day to buy the chickens for sacrifice as demanded.
He said that the family members of the deceased did not see the demon while coming down to the scene to kill Alamisa, saying that he was the only one who sighted it and rushed in to prevent it but to no avail.
He claim that he normally communicates with the demon which he inherited from his grand mother when asleep in the night in Koma Damti dialect in Jada LGA, saying that he has been using it to treat people in order earn a living.
The elder brother to the deceased, Yahaya Musa, blamed the native doctive for murdering his brother, saying that he was the one who slaughtered his brother and removed his throat.
The Police Public Relations Officer , SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, said that the suspect was apprehended in connection with the crime and being investigated.
Nguroje, said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola Adeniyi, had ordered for discreet investigation into the matter as well as the prosecution of the suspect if found wanting.
Meanwhile, in another interviewed with SP Nguroje, the suspect confessed that he was the one who slaughtered his victim while treating him.
He explained that he was possessed by the demon at that time, hence his action, saying that he carried out the act when he was out of his senses.
Health
Tuberculosis: Africa Achieves 26% Death Reduction, WHO Says

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the African continent was progressing in its efforts to mitigate Tuberculosis related deaths, as it has achieved a 26 per cent success rate so far.
WHO’s Africa Regional Director Matshdiso Moeti, made this known on Friday, in a statement released to mark the 2023 world Tuberculosis day.
“The region is now on the threshold of reaching 35 percent TB death reduction,” she said, adding that the 26 percent reduction recorded was achieved between 2015 and 2021.
However, Matshdiso said seven countries— Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, South Soudan, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia have achieved a 35 per cent reduction level in TB death since 2015.
Furthermore, Matshdiso decried the challenges in TB prevention and control experienced in the region.
“First, there is a delay in diagnosis and testing. There is still a notable gap between the estimated number of new infections and case notifications of TB – 40 per cent of people living with TB did not know of their diagnosis or it was not reported in 2021.
“One million people are living with TB in the region and have not been detected.
“Second, the link between TB and HIV. Approximately 20 per cent of people newly diagnosed with TB are also living with HIV infection.
“Third, the multi-drug resistant TB. In the African region, only 26 per cent of all people living with multi-drug resistance are receiving the appropriate treatment,” she said.
Albeit, Matshdiso expressed delight that member states are increasing the uptake of new tools and guidance recommended by WHO, resulting in early access to TB prevention and care and better outcomes.
She further noted that in the African Region, the use of rapid diagnostic testing has increased from 34 per cent in 2020 to 43 per cent in 2021, which will improve countries’ ability to detect and diagnose new cases of the disease.
“It is particularly important to find and diagnose cases of TB so that the patients can be treated, and their contacts offered preventive medication. Nigeria is an example of a country that managed to significantly increase national TB case finding by 50 per cent in 2021 using innovative approaches such as the expansion of the daily observed treatment protocols, use of digital technologies, Community Active Case Finding, and enlisting Public Private Mix initiatives.”
She said that TB required concerted action by all sectors: from communities and businesses to governments, civil society, and others.
“We must work together to develop innovative approaches to reach vulnerable populations and ensure that they have access to quality TB care and management,” said Matshdiso.
She further disclosed that the second UN High-level Meeting on TB in September 2023 will provide a rare opportunity to give global visibility to the disease and mobilize high-level political commitment to end TB.
DAILY ASSET reports that World TB Day is commemorated yearly on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of this preventable disease and call for accelerated action to end it.
This year’s theme is “Yes, we can end TB,” highlighting the need to ensure equitable access to prevention and care, in line with the drive towards Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals