Showing posts with label GENERAL NEWS. Show all posts

Friday, 29 December 2017

Top 10 Career with huge money in agriculture

1. Food Science
Food scientists have been in great demand since the start of the century, and job growth is expected to continue going up. Food scientists improve food products and create new ones by researching and experimenting with combinations of raw ingredients, food sources, and food processing techniques. As an example, Louis Pasteur discovered the food processing method named after him, but it was food scientists who developed thin, individually wrapped, square slices of pasteurized cheddar cheese that never go bad.

2.Veterinarian
As long as there are farm animals, there will be a demand for veterinarians. The importance of veterinarians in agriculture goes far beyond the need to keep valuable livestock healthy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's One Health approach emphasizes the idea that the health of animals is inextricably connected to human and environmental health. This interdisciplinary approach encourages widely varying industries, professions, and institutions to work together.

3.Farm Workers and Laborers
Farm workers and laborers are essential to the agriculture industry, and despite the seasonal nature of some jobs, they are always in demand. The sheer number and diversity of jobs in this category may surprise you. Agricultural workers and laborers are employed in greenhouses and plant nurseries as well as on farms and ranches. Federal and state inspectors are classified as agricultural workers, too. In addition to planting and harvesting crops, farm workers and laborers perform related tasks such as installing irrigation systems, packing and loading harvested food onto trucks for shipment, and maintaining farm equipment. They also do routine animal care tasks on ranches and dairy farms, keep written records on animals, assist at births, and keep animal housing areas clean.

4.Horticulturists
Horticulture and agriculture are related fields. The Latin roots "horti-" and "agri-" mean garden, and land, respectively. But horticulture is much more than simply a fancy word for gardening. Horticulturists focus their skills and experience on growing and selling highly marketable fruits and vegetables, flowers, and decorative plants. Landscape designers, nursery managers, florists, and forestry experts manage natural resources on both public and private lands, as well as for the timber industry and large private corporations, and for farms that grow and sell flowers and plants.

5.Agricultural Equipment Operators
These highly skilled agricultural workers drive, operate, and maintain the equipment used to plant and harvest crops, such as tractors, balers, conveyors, manure spreaders, mowers, shredders, harvesters, and power washers. The job outlook for agricultural equipment operators has been continuously good for the past 10 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

6. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Every industry needs numbers people to count the money and keep track of expenses. As one of the most important industries in the United States, agriculture is no exception. In addition to working directly for farms and ranches, there are lots of companies and businesses that specialize in serving the agricultural industry's accounting and record-keeping needs.

7. Truck Drivers
Commercial agriculture on the massive scale it exists today would scarcely be possible without the ability to ship large quantities of meat, fruits, and vegetables vast distances without spoilage. The job outlook for heavy-load, tractor-trailer drivers is excellent. According to the BLS, employment in this field is projected to increase by 21 percent in the decade 2010-2020.

8. Food Packers and Packagers
Before agricultural products can reach their ultimate destination, they must be packaged safely and appropriately for shipment. This is what food packers and packagers do. Contemporary packing operations are usually done with sophisticated package processing equipment that takes skill and experience to operate. As you might expect, the employment outlook for food packers in agriculture is best in parts of the country where agriculture is a larger part of the economy, like California, Texas, and portions of the Midwest and South.

9.Agribusiness Management
Agribusiness is the management field of the agriculture industry. Some who work in agribusiness own or manage farms and ranches themselves; others work for separate businesses that exist to support farms and ranches. According to the 2012 Agribusiness Job Report, there were 43 percent more applications posted on AgCareer.com than in 2011, and job listings were up from the previous year as well.

10.Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications
This is the field for you if you want to combine an interest in agriculture with an interest in communications. Agricultural communications professionals work in print and broadcast journalism, on the staffs of magazines and newspapers, as press spokespeople, as public relations, advertising, and marketing executives, and as educators. Job growth for public relations jobs is especially strong. According to Utah State University's undergraduate program in agricultural communication and journalism, such jobs are projected to increase by 24 percent between 2008 and 2018.

See The 7 Popular Nigerian Pastors That Were Accused Of Adultery (No. 3 & 6 Cases Shook Nigeria)

This is a concise list of Nigerian clerics that have been embroiled in chilling sx scandals at different times.

Nobody is above scandals, not even tongue speaking, fiery pastors. Many Nigerian pastors have been involved in one scandal or the other.
The most ramP@nt is sx scandals. One has to be careful when jumping from church seeking counsel because of those addressed as men of God are wolves in sheep’s clothing. There are still pastors out there who are fulfilling their calling. The careers of most men even pastors have been destroyed by women. It did not start today and will not end today. Do not forget that Samson’s downfall was because of a woman.
Over the years, some Nigerian pastors have been victims of sx scandals. Here is a list of some of them who were at one time or the other accused of engaging in illicit affairs.

1. Apostle Johnson Suleman

The latest pastor to be accused of having an intimate relationship with a lady is Apostle Suleman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministries. Social media went into a frenzy on Monday when a lady identified as Stepahnie Otobo called out the fiery pastor, claiming he impregnated her and later dumped her. She alleged that they both spent time alone in a hotel where they had intercourse among others practices.
Apostle Suleman has denied the allegations which he said were false. According to him, he has never met with the lady before even though they had discussed about her plight in 2016.

2. Pastor Chukwuma Nkwocha

Nkwocha, the General Overseer of Tongue of Fire Restoration Ministry, was arrested in 2016 for allegedly camping and defiling about 30 under-aged girls. The Lagos state command sprung into action after receiving a report that the pastor with a church situated on Jacob Taiwo Street Oshodi was harbouring some young girls and freely having unlawful canal knowledge of them.

3. Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo

In 2013, a blogger identified as Ese Walter boldly came out to accuse Pastor Fatoyinbo of COZA (Common Wealth Of Zion Assembly) of having an affair with her. Ese, who was also a member of the church claimed the man of God had an affair with her while in the UK. As if Ese’s accusations were not enough, another lady, Franca E. who claimed to be a victim also accused Fatoyinbo of the same thing. Addressing the scandal, the man of God said he was well aware of the accusations and subsequent uproar on social networks but that he would be ignoring it.

4. Sunday Adelaja

In 2016, the founder and senior pastor of the Embassy of God, an evangelical-charismatic megachurch in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev was enmeshed in an adultery scandal following allegations that he had extramarital affairs with at least 20 women in his church.
Adelaja denied the allegations levelled against him which he said was an attempt by some people to take over the church from him.

5. Dr Sign Fireman

In 2014, reports surfaced that the church’s General Overseer of Perfect Christianity Mission, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, Ofuche Ukoha aka Dr. Sign Fireman, was involved in an alleged Sxual assault and killing of a 12-year-old girl in Badagry. The incident made him popular and almost tarnished his ministry.

6. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

In 2014, it came as surprise when report surfaced that the founder of Believers Love World Ministry aka Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris and his wife, Anita Oyakhilome, were getting porced. Anita who filed for porce was said to have cited irreconcilable differences bordering on alleged adultery and unreasonable behaviour.
However, the pastor, according to an elder of the church, denied allegations of adultery and believes his wife was being influenced by “bad friends” who were intent on destroying their home.

7. Chris Oyakhilome’s brother, Rev. Ken

Not long after the Pastor Chris porce saga, there was another report that his brother Rev. Ken, allegedly impregnated a South African lady who was a member of the Church in Randburg, Guateng, which is the headquarters of Christ Embassy, South Africa.
His reported affair with the lady was said to be an “open secret” among the parishioners. When the news about the woman’s pregnancy started making rounds, church officials reportedly fudged the issue to prevent scandal. Also, the pregnancy was reportedly aborted with the knowledge of church leaders, report says.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, on Tuesday assured Nigerians that the police would secure conviction against alleged kidnap kingpins, Henry Chibueze and Chukwudumebi Onwuamaegbu, also known as Evans.

Idris stated this during his keynote address at a security lecture in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

He commended the National Assembly for passing the anti-kidnapping bill into law and recommending death sentence for perpetrators.

At the lecture with the theme: “Insecurity, Socio-economic Impacts and Conflicts Resolution Perspectives”, the IGP said the police would also ensure that all kidnap suspects are prosecuted in court to checkmate incessant cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in the country.

“With humility, I must state with some amount of confidence that these strategies have worked based on successes achieved so far. Most heinous crimes especially kidnapping and armed robbery which occurred had so far been detected.

“You are very much aware of the fate of the notorious kidnapper, Henry Chibueze alias Vampire and the billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudi alias Evans and many others too numerous to mention here who were arrested and currently standing trial.

“Considering the detailed investigation being conducted on these cases, Insha Allah, we must gain conviction against them,” he said.

“A Child’s Head Shouldn’t Drop, I Will Meet With Nnamdi Kanu” – Oluwo Of Iwo Promises

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi on Friday, said he would arrange a meeting with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to address agitations by the group.

The traditional ruler also said he would meet with some significant traditional rulers in the Southeast to seek an end ti the crisis plaguing the region.

Speaking on Friday at a public lecture and conferment of the Distinguished Service Award on the Chairman of the Oyo State Chapter, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Wunmi Faniran, and others, Oba Akanbi condemned the spate of violence in the Southeast as a result of IPOB agitation, saying that it was vital for stakeholders to put the lives of the people and the nation first.

The Oluwo described as untimely the secession threat by IPOB, saying it came at a time the country was blessed with a “competent President (Muhammadu Buhari)” who was ready to fight corruption.

He said;

“As a father of all Nigerians, I’m visiting the Southeast soon to mediate for the sustenance of ‘one Nigeria’ because when elders are in the market, a child’s head shouldn’t drop.

I will personally meet the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and some notable traditional rulers and I’m optimistic it (the meeting) will yield peace.

It is unfortunate the (IPOB) threat came at a time we have a serious government ready to fight the genocidal disease (corruption) killing this nation. It must be addressed.”

“The best the agitators should be doing is praying for this government and (making) not secession threat.
The country has been in mess owing to maladministration. Such has promoted the proliferation of militant syndicates in Nigeria.

If the government is responsible, the spate of insurgencies will be decimated.”

Wife of the President, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has rocked a $4490 Oscar De La Renta Magnolia Guipure Caftan dress and everyone is talking about it.

Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has been trailed by mixed reactions and criticisms online after she wore a $4490 (N1.6million) Oscar De La Renta Magnolia Guipure Caftan dress.

Mrs Aisha rocked the designer dress when she received the First Lady of the Republic of Uganda, Janet Museveni who paid her a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa on Friday 15th September.

A check on the dress on eBay confirmed the price.

See more photos below:-

Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of Another $16.4m Assets Linked To Diezani (Photos)

Some properties alleged to have been corruptly obtained by a former Minister of Petroleum who is battling with cancer has been temporarily forfeited to the government.

The Justice Abdulaziz Anka of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Tuesday, ordered the interim forfeiture of another set of assets valued at $16,441,906 allegedly linked to the former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

This was made known by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Below are photos of another set of assets linked to former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and forfeited to the Federal Government as ordered by the Justice Abdulaziz Anka-led Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Tuesday, 22nd August, 2017:

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the military service chiefs to tackle the secret army formed by the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB).

According to the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, the issue of the alleged Secret Service of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Boko Haram menace and the various security threats plaguing the country were among what was discussed at the closed-door meeting that held on Tuesday between President Buhari and the Service Chiefs.

Olonisakin disclosed that Buhari has issued directives that will soon be carried out by the military and the security agencies.

I Ráped Her Before Cutting Off Her Eyes, Tongue And Breasts For Money Rituals – Uniport Student Confesses see photos

An undergraduate student of the University of Port Harcourt has confessed after he was caught with the dead body of a 7-year-old girl he killed for ritual purposes.

A 23-year-old University of Port Harcourt student who was nabbed while trying to dump the body of a 7-year-old girl identified as Victory Chikamso he killed for money rituals has opened up on what actually happened.

The suspect identified as Ifeanyi Dike, a 200-level student of the Faculty of Science r*ped the girl before cutting off her eyes, tongue and breasts for money rituals.

According to the police, Dike abducted the child who was his neighbour, r*ped her and after killing her, he removed her v*gina, eyes, tongue and breasts.

He was arrested by local vigilantes in the early hours of Saturday, August 19, at St Messiah Street, Eliozu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

You Promised To Commit Suicide If Buhari Returns, When Will You Die? Nigerians Ask Fayose

Guess you all remember that Fayose promised to Commit suicide if Buhari ever returns to Nigeria, Time don reach to get the Job done.

Be Strong and do the right thing..

The governor of Ekiti state Ayodele Fayose is faced with barrage of criticisms with the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria.

The south west PDP governor who is a strong critic of president Buhari was reported to have promised to commit suicide if President Buhari makes it back to Nigeria.

The assertion stemmed from the position of governor Fayose during the absence of President Buhari as he boasted that the president had been on life support for quite some time.

Now that the president is back, Nigerians are wasting no time to ask Fayose to honour his promise of committing suicide

A 43-year-old pastor, Uchenna Okafor, was on Friday arraigned at Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a church member to the tune of N1.7 million.

Okafor is facing a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation, punishable under Sections 310 and 313 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue.

Police Prosecutor Godwin Ato told the court that a petition was received on August 1 by the State Criminal Investigations Department (CID0, Makurdi, written by the complainant, Peter Irokwende.

The complainant explained that he sold his plot of land to one Uchenna Iroegbu for N1.7 million.

Iroegbu said he collected his pastor’s account no. 4703061956 at EcoBank, bearing the name Uchenna Livinus Okafor for payment.

The complainant recalled that the buyer of the land paid the N1.7 million into the account, adding that, “the pastor converted the money to his own use.”

Responding, Okafor pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

Chief Magistrate, Mr Isaac Ajim, in his ruling, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50,000 with a surety in the same amount and adjourned the case until September 13.

A man who was pretending to be from an orphanage and allegedly stole 2 laptops from an office in Victoria Island, Lagos, has been captured on CCTV camera in photos gone viral.

An Instagram user identified as @biggorymane, has taken to the social networking platform to share photos captured from a CCTV camera which show the moment a young man pretending to be from an orphanage and allegedly stole two laptops from an office in Victoria Island, Lagos.

“Good afternoon! Please kindly help identify this person if you can. He came to my office around 2pm today while I was out for jumah and pretended like he is from an orphanage. He entered my department and stole 2 new laptops. An Lenovo and a Dell Laptop,” the poster captioned the photos.

See another photo below;

Experts Reveal Date When The World Will End From Great Pyramid And Bible Dates OTHERS

A stargazer claims to have “ decoded” the Great Pyramid – and discovered it is a “date marker” that reveals when the apocalypse is coming.

Staggeringly , it matches a prophecy foretelling the End of Days in the Bible – and it ’s next month.

As reported by Daily Star , earlier this year, Christian numerologist, David Meade, matched the positions of heavenly bodies with Bible verses, to work out the world will end when a giant planet called Nibiru or Planet X crashes into Earth.

His detailed analysis suggested Nibiru will first appear in the sky on September 23 , 2017, and crash into Earth in October.

The bombshell prediction, made in his book ‘Planet X – The 2017 Arrival,’ was so compelling it was covered across mainstream media in both the US and UK .

A number of Christian fanatics have claimed a rare total solar eclipse that will blanket the US in darkness on August 21 will herald the end of the world – and may be one of the prophesied 10 Biblical plagues .

Last week , Daily Star Online exclusively revealed the so-called Great American Total Solar Eclipse also pointed to September 23 as the date Armageddon will start.

Mr. Meade showed how the Book of Revelation, in the Bible , warned the “stars in heaven will not show their light” and “ the Sun will be darkened ” before the apocalypse.

Now, the doomsayer has discovered the position of the Great Pyramid also points to exactly the same date – September 23.

Mr. Meade said: “ It is very strange indeed that both the Great Sign of Revelation 12 and the Great Pyramid of Giza both point us to one precise moment in time – September 20 to 23, 2017.

“ Is this the end of the Church Age and the transition to the Day of the Lord?

“ There couldn’t be two greater witnesses .”

The Nibiru Cataclysm myth dates back to 1976, when writer Zecharia Sitchin claimed that two ancient Middle Eastern cultures – the Babylonians and Sumerians – told of a giant planet – Nibiru – that orbited the Sun every 3 ,600 years .

Self -proclaimed extraterrestrial psychic Nancy Lieder then warned Nibiru would crash into Earth.
The wild conspiracy theory was ridiculed by the mainstream science community.

But then, respected astronomers from the California Institute of Technology announced they had found evidence of a real planet up to 10 times the mass of Earth lurking in the outer reaches of the Solar System.

Terrifyingly , Mr . Meade ’s prediction matches up with a shocking number of other “End of Days ” prophesies.

Michael Parker , who runs the blog End of Time Prophecies, also said the end of the world will start on September 23 – and the eclipse would signal the Second Coming of Christ .

Gary Ray , of evangelical Christian publication Unsealed, has predicted the August 21 eclipse will herald the start of the apocalypse.

He said the destruction will continue until a second total eclipse , on April 8 , 2024 – something Mr Meade agrees with .

Reverend Donna Larson, who runs the blog Rapture and End Times , also warned the world will end this year – as did Robert Binnion , who runs the “ end of time prophecy website ” Nice Timing.

Some doomsayers believe the 10 plagues in the Bible have already begun – with unusual swarms of insects being reported.

By coincidence – or not – last week , Egyptologists announced they were going to open lost chambers in the Great Pyramid for the first time.

A herbalist who was nabbed for making charms for kidnappers in Lagos and Ogun States, has made a stunning confession about his criminal act.

Awokoya Ishau, a herbalist based in Iperu-Remo in Ogun State, confessed on Monday that he specialised in preparing charms for kidnappers in Lagos and Ogun States.

According to The Nation, Ishau was arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Anti-Kidnapping squad following the abduction of two Filipinos – Jamie Larcar and Mario Maglundo.

The victims, who work with Mateco Industry West Africa Limited, were detained for nine days and only released after the gang collected N4million ransom.

Ishau, who was paraded alongside Ogunjobi Seun alias Apa and Yinka Adebanjo aka Esho, said the gang paid him N200,000 for the charms and for housing the victims.

According to him, the gang was responsible for the abduction of three Indians, who were released after N10million ransom was paid.

He said: “It was Yinka who introduced me to the gang. He first came to me for some protective charms. That was two months ago. He said he often travelled with his boss on distant journeys and he needed some protection. I made some charms for him.

“He came back few weeks later with other members of his gang. I also made some charms for them. We became friends. One day Yinka called to say that he was coming to my place with his gang and two visitors. Initially, I never knew that the two persons he claimed to be their visitors were kidnapped. I got to know this on July 5, when the gang arrived my house with two Filipinos.

“On the July 9, the gang came back with a bag containing some money. I don’t know the actual amount but they gave me N200,000.”

Asked how he was arrested, Ishau said Yinka led policemen to his residence, lamenting that the financial benefits lured him into the act.

Adebanjo, who was the company’s driver, said he provided information that led to the expatriates’ abduction.

He said: “I am a driver in a construction company where the Filipinos work. I was attached to them by the company’s management. By virtue of the fact that I drive them around, I knew their movement. I provided the gang with information they used to pick them. I got N400,000 as my share of the N4million ransom.”

Parading the suspects, state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, said they were also members of a ritualists’ gang.

He said they pretended to be members of a vigilante group who were on the look -out for Badoo members at Ikorodu before they kidnapped the foreigners.

Owoseni said: “They ordered the driver who is also their member to come down from the car. They asked him to open the booth of the vehicle. While the driver pretended as if he was checking the booth of the car, another member of the gang took over the driver’s seat and zoomed off with the Filipinos still inside.

“They took the victims to the house of the herbalist in Iperu, where they were kept for nine days. The victims were released on August 4, after collecting the sum of N4million as ransom. While they held onto the victims, the suspects removed their sim cards from their phones and replaced it.”

“Detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command were able to track them to their different hideouts from where they were arrested. Charms, locally made pistol and a wooden box were recovered from the suspects.”

A student of Ire Polytechnic, Osun State who reportedly uses fake Instagram shopping account to dupe people has been arrested.

EFCC Ibadan office nabbed Afolabi Ojo, an internet fraudster, who allegedly engages members of the public in a phony online shopping on Instagram and WhatsApp respectively.

The suspect was arrested following a petition from a complainant alleging that sometime in June, 2017, while window shopping on Instagram, she came across some slippers and shoes on a page “Best Classic Store” owned by one purported Kemisola with WhatsApp number 08106802815 displayed on the page.

According to the petitioner, a sum of N53,000 was paid for some items purchased on the online store (Best Classic), into an account purportedly owned by one Oyebola Olasunkanmi with account number 0027735703 domiciled in one of the first generation banks.

Strangely thereafter, the suspect not only refused to deliver the goods, but went incommunicado. Hence, the suspect was reported to the EFCC. On arrest, Ojo confessed to being the one posing as ‘Kemisola’ on Instagram, to deceive people especially ladies into patronizing him.

He said: “I do not have any goods. I only pose as a lady using the name ‘Kemisola’ with the handle “Best Classic Store” on Instagram. Some of the items I used to display for sale include female shoes, slippers, hand bags and wallet. After I have lured my victim to pay, I will disable him from my chat so that he can no longer reach me”.

EFCC said the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

KNOW about Lassa Fever: causes, effects, Prevention, and Treatment

Lassa fever, also known as Lassa hemorrhagic fever (LHF ), is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus . Many of those infected by the virus do not develop symptoms. When symptoms occur they typically include

fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, and muscle pains. Less commonly there may be bleeding from the mouth or gastrointestinal tract . The risk of death once infected is about one percent and frequently occurs within two weeks of the onset of symptoms. Among those who survive about a quarter have deafness which improves over time in about half. The disease is usually initially spread to people via contact with the urine or feces of an infected multimammate rat. Spread can then occur via direct contact between people. Diagnosis based on symptoms is difficult. Confirmation is by laboratory testing to detect the viruses RNA , antibodies to the virus, or the virus itself in cell culture. Other conditions that may present similarly include
Ebola fever, malaria , typhoid fever, and yellow fever. The Lassa virus is a member of the Arenaviridae virus family.

There is no vaccine. Prevention requires isolating those who are infected and decreasing contact with the rats. Efforts include having a cat to hunt vermin, and storing food in sealed containers. Treatment is directed at addressing
dehydration and improving symptoms. The antiviral medication, ribavirin may be useful when given early. These measures improve outcomes.

Descriptions of the disease date from the 1950s. The virus was first described in 1969 from a case in the town of Lassa, in Borno State, Nigeria . Lassa fever occurs relatively commonly in West Africa including the countries of Nigeria , Liberia , Sierra Leone, Guinea , and Ghana. There are about 300,000 to 500,000 cases which result in 5,000 deaths a year.

Signs and symptoms
In 80% of cases, the disease is asymptomatic , but in the remaining 20%, it takes a complicated course. The virus is estimated to be responsible for about 5,000 deaths annually. The fever accounts for up to one-third of deaths in hospitals within the affected regions and 10 to 16% of total cases.

After an incubation period of six to 21 days, an acute illness with multiorgan involvement develops. Nonspecific symptoms include fever, facial swelling, and muscle fatigue, as well as conjunctivitis and mucosal bleeding. The other symptoms arising from the affected organs are:

Gastrointestinal tract
Nausea
Vomiting (bloody)
Diarrhea (bloody)
Stomach ache
Constipation
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Hepatitis
Cardiovascular system
Pericarditis
Hypertension
Hypotension
Tachycardia (abnormally high heart rate)
Respiratory tract
Cough
Chest pain
Dyspnoea
Pharyngitis
Pleuritis
Nervous system
Encephalitis
Meningitis
Unilateral or bilateral hearing deficit
Seizures

Clinically, Lassa fever infections are difficult to distinguish from other viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg , and from more common febrile illnesses such as malaria.
The virus is excreted in urine for 3–9 weeks and in semen for three months.

Cause
Mastomys natalensis, the natural reservoir of the Lassa fever virus Lassa virus is transmitted from animals, specifically it spreads to humans from a rodent known as a natal multimammate mouse ( Mastomys natalensis).
This is probably the most common mouse in equatorial Africa, ubiquitous in human households and eaten as a delicacy in some areas. It is also called the natal multimammate rat or African rat.

In these rodents, infection is in a persistent asymptomatic state. The virus is probably transmitted by contact with the feces or urine of animals accessing grain stores in residences.

Infection in humans typically occurs by exposure to animal excrement through the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts. Inhalation of tiny particles of infectious material (aerosol) is believed to be the most significant means of exposure. It is possible to acquire the infection through broken skin or mucous membranes that are directly exposed to infectious material. Transmission from person to person has also been established, presenting a disease risk for healthcare workers. The virus is still present in the urine for between three and nine weeks after infection, and it can be transmitted in semen for up to three months after becoming infected.

Diagnosis
A range of laboratory investigations are performed, where possible, to diagnose the disease and assess its course and complications. An ELISA test for antigen and IgM antibodies give 88% sensitivity and 90% specificity for the presence of the infection. Other laboratory findings in Lassa fever include lymphopenia (low white blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (low platelets), and elevated aspartate aminotransferase levels in the blood. Lassa fever virus can also be found in
cerebrospinal fluid. In West Africa, where Lassa is most prevalent, it is difficult for doctors to diagnose due to the absence of proper equipment to perform tests. In cases with abdominal pain, in countries where Lassa is common, Lassa fever is often misdiagnosed for example as appendicitis and
intussusception which delays treatment with the antiviral ribavirin .

Prevention
Main article: Prevention of viral hemorrhagic fever
Community education material for Lassa fever
Control of the Mastomys rodent population is impractical, so measures are limited to keeping rodents out of homes and food supplies, as well as maintaining effective personal hygiene. Gloves, masks, laboratory coats, and goggles are advised while in contact with an infected person. These issues in many countries are monitored by a department of public health. In less developed countries, these types of organizations may not have the necessary means to effectively control outbreaks.
Researchers at the USAMRIID facility, where military biologists study infectious diseases, have a promising vaccine candidate.They have developed a replication -competent vaccine against Lassa virus based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vectors expressing the Lassa virus glycoprotein. After a single intramuscular injection , test primates have survived lethal challenge, while showing no clinical symptoms.

Treatment
All persons suspected of Lassa fever infection should be admitted to isolation facilities and their body fluids and excreta properly disposed of.

Early and aggressive treatment using ribavirin was pioneered by Joe McCormick in 1979. After extensive testing, early administration was determined to be critical to success. Additionally, ribavirin is almost twice as effective when given intravenously as when taken by mouth. Ribavirin is a prodrug which appears to interfere with viral replication by inhibiting RNA-dependent nucleic acid synthesis , although the precise mechanism of action is disputed. The drug is relatively inexpensive, but the cost of the drug is still very high for many of those in West African states. Fluid replacement, blood transfusion, and fighting hypotension are usually required.
Intravenous interferon therapy has also been used. [citation needed]

When Lassa fever infects pregnant women late in their third trimester, induction of delivery is necessary for the mother to have a good chance of survival. This is because the virus has an affinity for the placenta and other highly vascular tissues. The fetus has only a one in ten chance of survival no matter what course of action is taken; hence, the focus is always on saving the life of the mother. Following delivery, women should receive the same treatment as other Lassa fever patients.

Work on a vaccine is continuing, with multiple approaches showing positive results in animal trials. [citation needed]

Prognosis
About 15–20% of hospitalized Lassa fever patients will die from the illness. The overall mortality rate is estimated to be 1%, but during epidemics, mortality can climb as high as 50%. The mortality rate is greater than 80% when it occurs in pregnant women during their third trimester; fetal death also occurs in nearly all those cases. Abortion decreases the risk of death to the mother. Some survivors experience lasting effects of the disease, and can include partial or complete deafness.

Because of treatment with ribavirin , fatality rates are continuing to decline. [citation needed]

Epidemiology
Around 300,000 people are infected annually, with up to 5,000 deaths per year.

It is relatively common in parts of West Africa where the multimammate rat is common, particularly Guinea (Kindia, Faranah and Nzerekore regions), Liberia (mostly in Lofa, Bong, and Nimba counties), Nigeria (everywhere) and Sierra Leone (typically from Kenema and Kailahun districts). It is present but less common in the Central African Republic, Mali, Senegal and other nearby countries, and less common yet in Ghana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Benin had its first confirmed cases in 2014, and Togo had its first confirmed cases in 2016.

Research
The Lassa virus is one of several viruses identified by WHO as a likely cause of a future epidemic. They therefore list it for urgent research and development to develop new diagnostic tests, vaccines, and medicines.

GOOD ONE FOR STUDENTS: Zenith Bank to sponsor more students to Microsoft Championship

Zenith Bank says it will encourage more Nigerian students to participate in the annual Microsoft Office Specialist Championship.

The annual Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship is a global competition that tests students’ skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Miss Katherine Eta, a Nigerian secondary school student, came third in the last championship held in California, US.

Zenith International Bank sponsored five Nigerian students to the last championship.

Mr Peter Amangbo, Zenith Bank Group Managing Director, made the promise when he received Eta and Mrs Edna Agusto, the Vice Chairman of ReadAmana, organisers of the championship in Nigeria.

He said that the bank would work with ReadAmana to ensure that more Nigerian students would participate in future editions of Microsoft Championship.

ASUU TO STRIKE AGAIN!

University teachers are set for another strike over the controversial 2009 agreement they reached with the Federal Government among other issues.

A meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of ASUU will hold today in Abuja ahead of the action.

Yesterday, all chapters of the union nationwide held a congress as directed by its national body to decide whether or not to go ahead with the planned strike.

The options given to them are: Whether it should be total and indefinite strike, one month strike, one week notice, and no strike at all.

This followed the directive sent to branches by ASUU National President Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi as he was mandated by the NEC meeting held at the Nasarawa State University (NSU).

Chairman ASUU-Lagos State University (LASU) Dr Isaac Akinloye Oyewunmi said yesterday that the chapter resolved in favour of “total and indefinite strike”.

In August last year, the union threatened strike over thengovernment’s failure to implement the 2009 agreement.

According to the reports gathered by Eyes Of Lagos, Coordinator of ASUU (Lagos Zone) Prof Olusoji Sowande, said the union was tired because efforts to get the agreement honoured were fruitless.

The union listed some of the unresolved issues as: Breach of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2009 FG/ASUU Agreement on financing of state universities; breach of the conditions of service; refusal to honour the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and re -negotiation of the agreement.

In January, ASUU staged a one-week warning strike.

Union officials said the Federal Government is owing universities over N880 billion in intervention fund.

Other issues according to ASUU oficials are: The Federal Government’s foot-dragging over ‘funds for the revitilisation of public universities, non-release of NUPEMCO operational licence, non-payment of earned academic allowances, payment of fractions/non-payment of salaries, retired professors and their salaries and university staff schools’.

The official said ASUU explored all channels to make the Federal Government see reasons but said: “It seems the Federal Government is more concerned with buying exotic vehicles for the National Assembly while public education and lecturers continue to suffer owing to dilapidated infrastructure.”

He said the union was angry at the failure of the Federal Government to release the operational licence for the union’s pension managers after collecting N1 billion since two years ago.

“Till date the government is owing the intervention funds to the tune of N880 billion. When we approached them for licensing of Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), they asked us to go and bring registration fee, which is supposed to be N150million. Till date, we have paid government N1 billion and our money has been with them for two years and they are not saying anything.

None of this pension administrators can fulfill the University Miscellaneous Act which says university professors must retire with their full money. The money must have been invested and yielding interest for somebody. We are demanding our licence and funding of public universities.”