Scientist urges FG to tackle poverty, hunger for improved health

Dr Livinus Abonyi, a Medical Imaging Scientist challenges the Federal Government to tackle poverty and hunger if it hopes to reduce pervasive ill health in the country. Abonyi, a Lecturer in the Department of Medical Radiography, University of Lagos, made the call in an interview on Monday in Lagos. He said that poverty contributes to ill health, which in turn aggravates the level of poverty. The medical scientist expressed concern over Nigeria’s growing food security challenges. He attributes the growing food challenge to climate change, economic instability, limited access to quality agricultural inputs, and market constraints for smallholder farmers. According to him, such a trend ends up having adverse effects on the country’s health indices. He said over 40 per cent of Nigerians below the poverty line and nearly 20 per cent of children under five suffer chronic malnutrition, based on 2020 World Bank Report. “Urgent action is needed to build resilient food systems to improve the nation’s health indices. “Living in poverty can have a devastating effect on health; and poor health leads to poverty. “Good leadership, strong partnerships, and targeted investment will change this trajectory to bridge the gaps with smart solutions,” he said The Nigerian setting where more than five people live in a room apartment thereby contributing to the spread of airborne diseases compounds the situation, he added. The causes of poor health for millions globally include political, social and economic injustice. Dr. Ahonyi added that poverty was both a cause and a consequence of poor health. He added that poverty increases the chances of poor health and poor health, in turn, traps communities in poverty. “The World Bank recognises the relationship between economic development and health. “It also recognises that the poor health indices in most developing countries are as a result of entrapment in a vicious circle of unrelieved poverty. “Therefore, for our economy to be more vibrant, we need to pay more attention to the health and welfare of the population and of course the health sector,” he said. The scientist explained that, to improve on the poor health indices, healthcare policies must be inclusive of all socio-economic strata. Tackling the structural causes of poverty and poor health, he argued, requires adopting measures to address inequality and injustice by the government. “There must be universal basic healthcare coverage and provision of health insurance to Nigerians, especially the rural community dwellers. “Reducing poverty, improving nutrition and making sure people have access to safe water and sanitation, as well as strengthening national health systems, is of the utmost importance. “Otherwise, tackling one particular threat simply leaves people open to another deadly disease soon afterward,’’ Abonyi said.

UNILAG awards first class degrees to 76 females, 30 males

The  Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, on Tuesday expressed delight that 76 female students and 30 males  finished with first class honours from UNILAG in the 2023/2024 academic session. Ogunsola, the first female Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, also said that the university’s Department of Mass Communication produced 18 all-female first class graduates in the academic session. Ogunsola made this known at the award of  first degree and doplomas to graduands from five faculties, at the university’s 55th Convocation Ceremonies. The faculties are  Education, Social Sciences, Arts, Environmental Science and Sciences. Ogunsola said that the  performances were impressive. READ ALSO: Abia increases salaries of traditional rulers She commended the graduating students for their hard work, dedication and resilience. “The best graduating student in the Faculty of Education is Christian Uwagwu, who achieved a CGPA of 4.78. “In the Faculty of Social Sciences, Ibrahim Sefiu emerged  the best graduate with a CGPA of 4.82,” she said. Ogunsola said that a total of  9,865 students would  receive first degrees and diplomas at the 55th convocation ceremonies while 6,659 would be awarded postgraduate degrees, and 66 would graduate from  UNILAG Business School. “I felicitate with our graduating students and their families who have supported them throughout this journey. “The conferment they receive is in recognition of and reward for years of dedication and diligence in the pursuit of excellence. READ ALSO: Tinubu host Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister in Abuja She said that UNILAG  had recorded groundbreaking achievements in innovation, infrastructure development and academic excellence. She listed the achievements to include the launch of its Green Air Initiative involving  introduction of eight electric buses to transport students and staff around campus. According to her, one of the university’s most notable accomplishments in 2024 was the domiciliation of the MED-AFRICA GMP Laboratory, the first of its kind in West Africa. She said that the $450,000 state-of-the-art facility enhanced groundbreaking researches. “The Africa Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development, and Regulatory Science was also inaugurated.” Ogunsola said the project which was funded by the World Bank was dedicated to developing indigenous plants for medical applications.