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NASR Launches Campaign to Reduce Consumption of Sugary Drinks
The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR) has rolled out a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the health risks associated with consuming Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs).
The campaign was launched amidst growing concerns about the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such diabetes and heart diseases.
The NASR Coalition spokesperson, Ms Omei Bongos-Ikwue, told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that the campaign sought to educate the public and advocate for policy changes to promote healthy lifestyles.
Reports says that according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, NCDs are diseases that are not spread through infection or other people but are typically caused by unhealthy behaviours and genetics.
They are chronic diseases that result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74 per cent of all deaths globally.
Each year, 17 million people die from an NCDs before age 70, while 86 per cent of the deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, WHO said.
Cardiovascular diseases account for most of the deaths.
They are followed by cancers, 9.3 million; chronic respiratory diseases, 4.1 million; and diabetes, two million, including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes.
These four groups of diseases account for over 80 per cent of all NCD deaths.
Tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets, all increase the risk of dying from an NCD.
Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.
Statistics also shows that NCDs are responsible for about 30 per cent of total deaths in Nigeria.
Most NCDs can be prevented if the risk factors are dealt with.
It is against this backdrop that the campaign became necessary, according to Bongos-Ikwue.
She said that the campaign featured buses adorned with images depicting health consequences of excessive sugary drink consumption.
She said that through creative messaging and active community engagement, NASR aimed to capture public attention and spur action to address rise in NCDs across the country.
She said that research had shown a link between sugary drink consumption and onset of diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes.
“Countries worldwide have implemented taxes on sugary drinks to discourage their consumption, leading to reductions in SSB intake and improvements in public health outcomes,” she said.
Also at the campaign launch, Ms Gloria Okwu, a coalition member of NASR, said, “Our objective with this campaign is to enlighten the public about the perils of excessive SSB consumption and advocate policies that promote healthy alternatives.”
Okwu highlighted the impact of NCDs on the population, with an estimated 11.2 million Nigerians living with Type 2 Diabetes.
“In addition to the bus campaign, NASR volunteers conducted on-the-ground activities to educate communities about the detrimental effects of sugary drinks on health.
“Complimentary bus rides were also provided on various routes, allowing members of the public to engage with campaign materials and learn about healthier beverage options,” she said.
She said that the campaign would increase public awareness on health risks associated with SSB consumption, mobilise support for higher sugary drink taxes, and encourage individuals to make healthy choices.
According to her, by addressing the root causes of sugar-related health issues, NASR hopes to contribute to good health of Nigerians. (NAN)
The Nigerian Military has declared Halilu Buzu, a national of Buzu in Republic of Niger wanted for terrorising Nigerian territory, particularly Zamfara.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja, at a media briefing on the operations of the military.
Buba said the notorious suspected terrorist leader settled in Subbubu Forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.
He said that Buzu had a camp for illegal gold mining located at Kawayi, in Anka Local Government Area of the state, and had lots of boys working for him.
According to Buba, the terrorist is also a prominent cattle rustler.
He said that the Buzu’s group had in the last week killed 19 villagers at Farar Kasa.
”He is a High Value Target and we hereby declare him wanted.
”Furthermore, he is a major arms supplier, trusted by arms dealers supplying arms from Libya.
”We have been on his trail and whenever we close in on him, he bolts across the border into Republic of Niger for refuge.
”At this time, we are through appropriate channels calling on the Nigerien authorities, regional and international bodies to support in effecting his arrest to hold him accountable for his atrocities,” he said. (NAN)
Vice -President Kashim Shettima, says cooperative initiatives have what it takes to boost inclusive growth, development and end poverty in the country.
Shettima said this at the 2nd Abuja Cooperative Summit organised by the National Cooperatives Agency of Nigeria (CFAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Shettima, represented by Dr Nurudeen Zauro, the Technical Adviser to the President on Financial Inclusion, said the role of cooperatives in facilitating economic activities was key to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said that Tinubu’s administration had signed the Student Loan Act, set up the Credit Corp to enhance access to consumer credit.
The vice-president said the recent signing of Aso Accord on Economic and Financial Inclusion was also a commitment to support economic and financial inclusion which cooperatives played significant roles in achieving.
”This administration is mindful of the fact that over 30 million of our people do not have access to a broad range of affordable financial services to enable them to fulfill their economic potential.
”A major reason for that is low income.
”This is not just an economic problem but might further lead to insecurity, this is the reason why the conversation on economic inclusion, financial inclusion, and insecurity is of high priority to this administration today.
”This administration believes a strategic approach is important to address the subject of economic and financial inclusion, and as such has elevated the subject to the agenda of the National Economic Council, ” he said.
Ms Nkem Chime, the Head, Strategy Coordination Office, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said that 74 per cent of the populace was financially included while 26 per cent was excluded.
Chime said the CBN would continue to pave the way for innovative programmes to encourage cooperatives.
The Executive Secretary of CFAN, Mr Emmanuel Atama, said the summit was geared toward activating the Cooperative Development Fund.
Atama said the summit was also to have a robust discussion on cooperatives resilience in the face of diverse economic challenges.
He said the agency had also partnered with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Science, Technology and Innovation to build the entrepreneurial capacity of cooperative members.
The Director, FCT Department of Science Technology and Innovation, Mr Olobashola Kolawole, said that cooperatives were the backbone of entrepreneurship.
He said the department would continue to collaborate with cooperatives to establish youths for the development of the country.
Reports says that cooperatives’ members from different states attended the summit. (NAN)
The Labour Party (LP) in Edo on Saturday, announced its campaign council for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for Sept. 21.
The council, led by Rev. Sam Omede as Director-General and Dr Ehikioya Agboga as Deputy, will be inaugurated on May 13.
Other members of the council are Sen.
Ned Imasuen (Edo South) Reps Esosa Iyawe and Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Oredo and Egor/Ikpoba Okha) federal constituencies respectively.Mr Kelly Ogbaloi, State Chairman of the party unveiled the members of the campaign council while addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Benin.
This was after a stakeholders’ meeting of the State Working Committee with senatorial, local government leaders and executives across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Ogbaloi said: ” in preparation for the upcoming election, we have meticulously selected individuals of impeccable character to lead the State Campaign Council and local government campaign committees
He also appealed to members to leverage the forthcoming new voters’ registration exercise to expand the voter’s base as well as ensure broader participation in the electoral process.
“A robust membership drive shall be launched to attract new members and reconcile with disenchanted individuals who have legitimate grievances,” he added.
The LP chairman said that Ken Omusi the party’s youth leader had been suspended from the party for anti-party activities, announcing Dan Ero from Oredo local government as his replacement
He added that the suspension on some members, excluding Ken Omusi, had been lifted.
According to him, a reconciliation committee will be set up to ensure peace among aggrieved party members ahead of the election. (NAN)
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