Sperm count drops by 30 per cent in 10 years — Report

By Harun Babaizhi On Nov 5, 2022

sperm

In the last 10 years, the sperm count of men across the country has dropped by 30 per cent, according to a report from the Nordica Fertility and Fibroid Care Centre.

The Centre noted that while male infertility is on the rise globally, in Nigeria, its data showed that the region most hit by this condition are states in the oil producing region of the country.

It further revealed that the primary cause of this alarming rate of infertility among men is majorly due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, especially excessive drinking, smoking, use of sex enhancing drugs, sedentary lifestyle and stress, among others.

The Chief Medical Director of Nordica Fertility and Fibroid Care Centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, who made this known during a briefing to commemorate its 10 years anniversary in Abuja, also called for legislation on assisted conception to reduce quackery in the country.

He said: “Men now are probably the greater culprit in infertility. What we say normally is that it is between 30 to 40 per cent for men and 30 to 40 per cent for women. But we know now that all over the world and in Nigeria, the male factor is increasing. 

“We analysed data from all our centres. One thing we saw was that when we looked at sperm count 10 years apart, we saw that there was a decline of 30 per cent in the sperm count of the men we are treating 10 years after.

Buhari seeks more Korean investments in Nigeria, promises security, regular electricity 

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for increased Korean investments in Nigeria for mutual economic benefit.

By harun babaizhi • OCTOBER 26, 2022

 President Muhammadu Buhari has called for increased Korean investments in Nigeria for mutual economic benefit.

His media aide Femi Adesina disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, Mr Buhari gave the invitation to Korean investors when he granted an audience to representatives of strategic Korean companies and industries in Seoul.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the World Bio Summit 2022 in the Republic of the Korean capital, Seoul, South Korea.

“Nigeria remains committed to creating a stable and enabling business environment for foreign investors through the formulation of sound economic policies and improved governance,” said the statement. “The security forces have been working assiduously with local communities to ensure the security of lives and properties of Nigerians and foreign investors.”

The president stated that his regime had prioritised power infrastructure and procured modern equipment for power generation.

While making a case for the country as investment-friendly and choice destination, Mr Buhari said Nigeria’s economy remained the largest in Africa.

“With a nominal GDP of $431.97 billion, Nigeria’s economy remains the largest in Africa with vast human capital and natural resources,” he said.

According to him, the steady improvement from the global economic downturn of 2020 indicates that the Nigerian economy is on a firm path of recovery.

Mr Buhari implored the investors to take advantage of the many investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially in oil and gas, trade, manufacturing, ICT, creative industry and culture exchange.

”It is worthy of emphasis to underscore that the business environment in Nigeria offers low corporate tax regime/VAT rates, flexible labour market conditions and simple procedures for establishing businesses,” added the statement.

The president also acknowledged some significant investments by Korean companies in Nigeria in the fields of construction or heavy-duty industries, ICT and electronics and chemical production, estimated as of 2021 at no fewer than 20 registered companies in Nigeria.

The Nigerian leader expressed delight that these “companies have continued to contribute immensely to the growth of the Nigerian GDP and have created job opportunities in the country.

“I look forward to increased investments by Korean private companies in Nigeria as we resolve the issues of enabling relevant agreements such as Investment Promotion and Avoidance of Double Taxation between our two countries,” said Mr Buhari.

He expressed optimism that his engagements with Korean economic operators in priority areas would mutually benefit both countries and their peoples.

 

Enugu: NSCDC nabs vandals of railway sleepers 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two people suspected of vandalising railway sleepers in Enugu.

By harun babaizhi • OCTOBER 26, 2022

NSCDC officers

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two people suspected of vandalising railway sleepers in Enugu.

Aloysius Obiorah, the NSCDC commandant in the state, said this in a statement by Denny Manuel, the command’s spokesperson.

The suspects, Onu Chekwube, 28, and Okeke Okwudiri, 18, were arrested on October 10 in Aruokwe village, Oduma, in the Aninri council area.

Mr Obiorah disclosed that they were arrested while dismantling railway installations belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation. He said the suspects would be charged to court after a full investigation. 

The commandant added that the NSCDC recovered 77 railway bolts and nuts, an iron pipe, a digger and machete, a rig spanner, empty hydraulic acid containers, a flat spanner and two full hydraulic containers from the suspects.

He further stated that the suspects were nabbed with the support of hunters and Forest Security Service operatives.

Mr Obiorah urged Enugu residents to assist security agencies with information on the activities of criminals for prompt action, emphasising that community-based intelligence is important to the timely containment of criminal activities.

N7 Billion Fraud: Fayose’s trial stalled over date mix-up

The money laundering trial of former Governor Ayodele Fayose could not continue on Wednesday following a date mix-up.

By harun babaizhi • OCTOBER 26, 2022

 The money laundering trial of former Governor Ayodele Fayose could not continue on Wednesday before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court following a date mix-up.

Mr Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for fraud and money laundering charges.

The trial will now continue when the parties have agreed on a date.

He was first arraigned alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on October 24, 2018.

The defendant was re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Ms Olatoregun following EFCC’s petition.

He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted while the case was adjourned for trial.

The commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke and is still leading witnesses in evidence.

In December 2021, EFCC called its 11th witness, Joanne Tolulope, who had narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Mr Fayose, bought properties worth several million.