EAGLES EYE UPDATE

While it's known that environmental factors influence the quality of sperm over time, researchers have found that diet can have a rapid impact on sperm. The study was conducted with a small group of fifteen healthy volunteers that were given a regular diet followed by one high in sugar. The findings, by scientists at Linköping University, have been reported in PLOS Biology . Image credit: Pixabay "We see that diet influences the motility of the sperm, and we can link the changes to specific molecules in them. Our study has revealed rapid effects that are noticeable after one to two weeks," said the research leader Anita Öst, senior lecturer in the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine at Linköping University. Previous work has shown that in a fruit fly model, males that were given more sugar ended up producing more offspring than males not given sugar. This phenomenon may be affected by molecules called tsRNA (tRNA-derived small RNA). Once tho...

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has charged troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) deployed at Madagali in Adamawa not to give terrorists any breathing space. He said that government would provide the needed supports to enable them prosecute the war against insurgency and other criminal activities in the country. Buratai commended the troops for their gallantry in dealing with the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the region. “I am glad to be here with you because this is one of the areas that have been quite strategic in the operation of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD). “You have done great and I want to commend you for standing firm against all the criminals whatever name they called themselves whether Boko Haram, ISWAP or bandits. Do not give them any breathing space. That means you must go out at all times, day and night, whether rain or sun shine and make sure you deal with them. “These criminals want to bu...

"> Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, in collaboration with BudgIT, Enough is Enough and 583 concerned Nigerians, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the proposed renovation of the National Assembly complex in Abuja at a cost of N37bn. SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole  Oludare, said the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2019, was filed last week. It is praying for an order “restraining, preventing and stopping President (Muhammadu) Buhari and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning from releasing the N37bn allocated for the renovation of the National Assembly complex to the Federal Capital Development Agency and the National Assembly leadership until an assessment of the impact of the spending on critical sectors like education, health, clean water and safe roads, is carried out.” The CSOs are, through the suit, urging the court to declare that allocation of N37bn for National Assembly’s renovation in the 2020 budget “is a ...

When 46-year-old Okunbor Oghogho found himself surrounded by five teenagers on the night of November 21, 2019, the worst he could think of was that he was about to be robbed of his valuables. On that score, he was correct, as they soon took his Samsung phone and the N5, 000 cash on him. However, he didn’t know how wrong he was. By the time the night was over, the teenage gang had committed worse crime. They had kidnapped him, used his UBA ATM card to withdraw N215, 000 from his account and after noting a balance of N1.6m, decided to kill him. He was stabbed to death and his body disposed in the river at Upper Mission Extension axis of Benin City. They took his car with them.  This grave crime was committed under the cover of darkness and it remained a secret for a few days, as the police did not get wind of the crime until three days later when the victim’s wife reported her husband missing to the Anti-kidnapping Squad. Subsequent operation by the unit, led by Superintendent of Pol...

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, weekend, stated that he will not support anyone that is above his age limit for the 2023 governorship election in the State. According to him, there are several benefits of having a young and vibrant person as the Governor of the State. The Governor stated this when he received members of the State Executive Council led by his Deputy Governor, Barr. Kelechi Igwe at his country home in Uburu, Ohaozara local government area during the yuletide. Governor Umahi appreciated the EXCO members whom he described as his team while urging them to work in unity in 2020 as no good work comes without a reward. He added that in 2020, every EXCO member must present one person for business empowerment. “I will not support anyone that is older than me for Governor come 2023. We need someone that is energetic and ready to lead with every commitment. “I will not engage in 2023 politics now, I can only talk politics a year to the end of my tenure not...

Despite recording key electoral victories, especially in Kogi state where the performance (or lack of it) of Yahaya Bello made defeat a likely prospect and the rare victory in Bayelsa state for the first time since the return to democracy in 1999, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is locked in an intense and frenetic battle to keep his job as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress. There has been multiple attempts – subtle and public - to mobilize important stakeholders and force Oshiomhole through the exit but the National Chairman has survived thus far due to his backing by the likes of Bola Tinubu, APC’s National Leader, according to reports. If Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is to overcome and continue as the official leader of the ruling party in the coming year, here are some of the leaders in the party he may have to pacify or decimate as they are reportedly leading the charge of the camp determined to kick out Oshiomhole. Rochas Okorocha Embattled, confused and fac...

The governor of Oyo state,  Engr. Seyi Makinde, has a quarterly media chat with the people of the state.  The media chat which was aired on television and radio stations in Oyo state was hosted by the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo state (BCOS), and anchored by OAPs from BCOS, Splash FM and Fresh FM including live call from viewers and listeners. The interaction is as follows: Q: At this festive period, there are always criminal acts. What steps have you taken to ensure safety?  The security patrol vehicles and the emergency security number, 615 are working together to help combat crime. The most important thing is the communication network is good, I tested it myself. The main draw back before was the communication network, which is now resolved. I sometimes go around in the middle of the night to check on the security personnel to make sure they are working. We've had good feedback from people calling the 615 number. We have also lit up Ibadan to help reduc...

’It’s legacy that’ll outlive us’ - Gov’s Education adviser Lagos State University (LASU) is set to become a residential tertiary institution, 36 years after it was established. The State Government, at the weekend, signed a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement with six private property developers to deliver 8,272 units of hostel on the school campus in the next 18 months. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu officially approved the BOT agreement at a short ceremony held at Lagos House in Marina on Friday evening. The deal, which will lead to the construction of six blocks of Hall of Residence, was wrapped under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy of the State. The concessions will run for 35 years. When the private developers deliver the projects in 2021, it is expected that 30 per cent of the school’s 26,000 student-population will be served, thereby reducing the pressure resulting from over subscription of privately owned off-campus residences. After approving the contract, Gov...

… Works, Health Services Get New Directors   The Governing Council has approved the appointment of Prof. Clement Adeofun as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) for the University. Prof. Adeofun was of the Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), the immediate past Dean of the College, and a Senate representative on the University Governing Council before his appointment.. The new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) is a Professor of Environmental Remote Sensing. He bagged all his degrees from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State. Prof. Adeofun is a member of several professional bodies such as the Environmental and Behavioural Association of Nigeria (EBAN), Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST), Ecological Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Society of Remote Sensing (NISORS), Forestry Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Field, African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE), and...

There was a wild jubilation in Oyo State as workers received December salary on the 16th, a development which seemed to have happened for the first time in the annals of the state. Since Governor Makinde took over the mantle of leadership, workers in the State have been receiving their salaries on the GSM Date – 25th of every month but were, today, again shocked by the ‘surprise alert’ they received on their phones. However, Ekinzoblogspot has been reliably informed that the state government is working out 13 month salary package for workers, with a view to making all enjoy the yuletide period. #SanitarianAK.

The draws for the knockout phase of the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League have been made today at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Record Champions League Real Madrid tackle English champions Manchester City while Borussia Dortmund will host French champions Paris Saint-Germain. Holders Liverpool will travel to the Wanda Metropolitano to take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg while last season’s runner up Tottenham Hotspur will host RB Leipzig. Fellow Premier League side Chelsea will host German champions Bayern Munich in a repeat of the 2012 final side as Italian giants Juventus will battle French side Lyon. Barcelona will travel to Naples to take on Napoli even as fellow Italian side Atalanta will host Valencia of Spain. The draws in full: ©Nigeria info

Manchester United will tackle Belgian side Club Brugge in the Round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League this season while Arsenal will battle Greek outfit Olympiakos. Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s side secured top spot in their group with 13 points from six games played, ahead of AZ Alkmaar, Partizan Belgrade and Astana.   London side Arsenal will have to get past Olympiakos after topping their group ahead of German side Eintracht Frankfurt, Standard Liege of Belgium and Portuguese side Victoria SC. Their opponent’s Olympiakos, dropped from the Champions League into the Europa League after fininshing in third position in their group. Freddie Ljunberg’s Arsenal were beaten finalists in the competition last season after they lost 4-1 to London rivals Chelsea in Baku. Meanwhile, fellow British side Wolverhampton Wanderers have been drawn against RCD Espanyol of Spain. Celtic will have to battle FC Copenhagen of Denmark while Steven Gerrard’s Rangers will square up against Portugal’s SC Braga. It...

Soon the best place to find a blood donor may be on your phone, thanks to JDI’s JBlood Match. Photo source: Jela’s Development Initiatives (JDI) Is there an alternative to blood for humans? The answer is no. One of the most vital requirements for a woman experiencing severe bleeding during childbirth is a blood transfusion. It is also the most essential need of a child suffering from severe anaemia due to chronic malnutrition or malaria. Accident victims, organ transplant patients and others often require blood transfusions to keep them alive, and blood transfusion is only possible with the availability of safe blood at the point of need. It is an open secret that in Nigeria, blood is not always available at the point of need, and sometimes has to be sourced by relatives of individuals who need it. Many gaps exist in the blood supply chain, from inadequate infrastructure for storage, to the high costs of screening. The most challenging gap is findin...

Nigeria’s First Lady has accused a close relative of President Muhammadu Buhari of issuing a presidential directive behind her husband. Aisha Buhari, in a statement she signed and sent to Daily Trust newspaper, accused Mamman Daura of issuing a directive to a presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, not to recognise her office. Mr Buhari had before his election in 2015 said he would not allow for the office of the First Lady. During Mr Buhari’s first term in office, the presidency repeatedly referred to Mrs Buhari as the ‘wife of the president.’ However, after the president’s re-election, Mrs Buhari released a statement saying she should henceforth be referred to as the First Lady and her office as the ‘Office of the First Lady’. Since then, the presidency has referred to Mrs Buhari as the First Lady and President Buhari has also assigned official aides to her office. The Controversy On Wednesday, however, Mrs Buhari accused Mr Daura and Mr Shehu of undermining her office. “...

Britain’s Anthony Joshua reclaimed his world heavyweight crown from Andy Ruiz on Saturday, outclassing the Mexican-American to score a unanimous points victory. Joshua, who suffered a stunning knockout defeat to Ruiz in New York in June, produced a boxing masterclass to regain his IBF, WBA and WBO titles in emphatic fashion. Dominating from the outset, Joshua won by margins of 118-110 on two scorecards with the third judge making it 119-109. Ruiz stopped Joshua in the 7th round when both boxers squared up at Madison Square Garden in June. In the recent match Anthony Joshua wins Andy Ruiz Jr Vanguard News Nigeria. All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from VANGUARD NEWS. RASHEED SOBOWALE View all posts by Rasheed Sobowale  → BREAKING: Anthony Joshua beats Andy Ruiz, re...

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the ministers of Health and Justice to prevail on the members of the College of Nigerian Pathologists to stop alleged attacks on its members. The AMLSN made this call in a communiqué issued and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ifeanyichukwu Cajetan, after the association’s 200th Executive Council Meeting in Calabar in Cross River State. Cajetan said, “We fervently appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and end permanently the malevolence being meted to medical laboratory scientists in all our health institutions.” He also urged the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire to caution the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of tertiary hospitals under his supervision. The AMLSN also urged the Health minister to evolve a process that would  end the incessant victimisation of medical laboratory scientists serving in all federal and state tertiary hospita...

Reinhard Bonnke, a German Christian evangelist, who is credited to have overseen the recorded conversion of 77 million people to Christianity is dead. Bonnked died on Saturday at the age of 79. “Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is with sorrow that the Bonnke Family would like to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke,” Anni Bonnke said in a statement on Saturday afternoon. “He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 7, 2019. For the past 60 years he has preached the glorious Gospel of Jesus throughout the entire world. “We want to thank you on behalf of him and our family, for your kind love and unwavering support, which enabled him to pr each the matchless message of salvation to countless people.”