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Blinding Trachoma, big threat to Nigeria’s poorest

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The long term effects of some infectious diseases have reportedly increased the economic burden placed on many vulnerable persons, especially women and children.

One of such impoverishing infections according to experts is the blinding Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease that has mostly ravaged communities in northern Nigeria.

Trachoma is one of the major causes of blindness triggered by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis and rapidly spread by flies as well as human contact, the World Health Organization says.

A recent estimate by the global health agency shows Trachoma is only responsible for about 3% of blindness in Nigeria but has remained highly prevalent in the northern parts.

Although preventable, an eye specialist, Dr Nicholas Olobio says the infection can scar the inside of the eyelids and damage the cornea, leading to blindness (trichiasis), if not treated early.

He explains ‘‘Trachoma can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact when an infected person rubs their eyes, the bacteria is transferred to their hands, they can then transfer the bacteria to someone else when shaking hands and the second person can infect themselves by rubbing their own eyes.

For years, Hussaina has begged for alms in traffics around Gwarimpa, she is blind and holds onto her little boy when approaching cars.

She fled insurgency on the back of a truck to an Abuja IDP camp but resorted to begging after going blind.

Hussaina may have survived insurgency but visual impairment further impoverished her quality of life.

‘’My eyes used to pain and scratch me in our village, it was bringing out water and my eyes swell up. I used to see a little before we ran to Abuja, but after some time, I couldn’t see again, she explained in Hausa’’.

No one can say for sure what caused Hussaina’s blindness as she was never diagnosed but her local government, Bungudu in Zamfara State is listed among those endemic for Trachoma by the federal health ministry.

Dr Olobio says the disease disproportionately affects children and women and is associated with poverty and characterized by overcrowding, dirty environment, poor personal hygiene and lack of diagnosis.

Nigeria’s health ministry says the country is now the fourth most endemic nation for trachoma globally, after Ethiopia, DRC and Cote d’Ivoire with LGA’s in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara actively affected.

Dr Olobio who manages the National Trachoma Elimination program for the federal government says the number of people at risk of trachoma globally reduced to 137 million in March 2020 from the 1.5 billion it was in 2002.

‘‘At inception, about 30 million persons were at risk of going blind from trachoma in Nigeria but the risk has now been brought down to about 5 million, a reduction of 83%.

He says the reduction was achieved following advocacy and implementation of WASH interventions, conducting surveillance surveys and performing Trichiasis surgeries.

The target of the government is to reduce the active form of the disease to less than five percent in children aged 1-9years and suppress the prevalence of the blinding stage of the infection to less than zero point two percent (0.2%), Dr Olobio informed.

But first, it must deal with insecurity in regions most affected to treat more people, complete mapping of LGAs not yet reached and address the delay in the arrival of Zithromax, the drug of choice for Trachoma.

Culled from the Daily Post Nigeria

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Stephcynie’s “No Lie”: A Soulful Anthem Redefining Love

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With a feature on Billboard.com and placements on Netflix television, Stephcynie is an artist poised to enchant listeners once again with her latest single, “No Lie.” With its chill, romantic sound, and Stephcynie’s sultry vocals, “No Lie” is a soulful anthem that redefines love.
Stephcynie Shares Soulful New Single ”No Lie” Featuring S-Wrap | Stereofox  Music Blog
The song’s lyrics delve into the joy and security of being with someone who allows you to be fully yourself. Picture the harmonies of H.E.R and Snoh Alegra blending seamlessly with the seductive delivery of Jill Scott and SIR – that’s the addictive vibe you’ll experience. Stephcynie’s genre-melding style incorporates jazz phrasing with her smoky voice, showcasing her vocal versatility and offering a refreshing musical perspective. She’s an empowering songwriter, skilled at transforming life’s challenges into motivating musical narratives.
At a BPM of 134, “No Lie” sets the perfect mood for celebrating the beauty of true connection. Produced by the talented Daniel Sauls (known for his work with Lauren Daigle) and featuring word hip hop artist S-Wrap, the song is a testament to Stephcynie’s ability to seamlessly blend classic influences into a modern, genre-defying musical hybrid.
Stephcynie’s resiliency, determination, and undeniable talent have cemented her status as an in-demand vocalist with a solid foundation in the music scene. From her Billboard features to collaborations with industry heavyweights like Eric Church and Christopher Cross, Stephcynie consistently pushes boundaries and exceeds expectations.
No Lie” marks the beginning of Stephcynie’s journey to greatness. With her commanding stage presence and resilient artistry, she’s destined to inspire the next wave of musicians.

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Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.

In the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Emilio Garcia said that after a night out in 2022 in Ibiza, Spain, he was in an SUV with the hip-hop star when she began having sex with another woman right next to him. He was unable to get out of the moving car, and would have been in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country even if he was able. Garcia was “embarrassed, mortified and offended throughout the whole ordeal,” according to the lawsuit.

Alex Spiro, Megan’s lawyer, said she would fight the lawsuit in court.

“This is an employment claim for money — with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her,” Spiro said.

The next day Megan told Garcia never to discuss what he saw and berated and fat-shamed him, the lawsuit said. The complaint also said Garcia, who had already considered quitting because he was overworked and underpaid in a hostile work environment aggravated by Megan’s possessiveness and abusiveness, was misclassified as an independent contractor but treated as an exclusive employee.

Garcia raised those issues in the conversation with Megan, and was fired the following day after four years of working for her, the suit said. He has since filed a job discrimination complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.

The lawsuit, first reported by NBC News, names as defendants Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete; her companies Megan Thee Stallion Entertainment and Hot Girl Touring; and her label, Roc Nation. A defense response has yet to be filed. There was no immediate response to an email seeking comment from a representative of Roc Nation.

Garcia is seeking financial damages to be determined at trial, alleging he has suffered severely both emotionally and physically because of his treatment on the job, the firing and having to witness the scene in the SUV.

Megan, 29, was previously involved in major legal drama — and underwent a torrent of online abuse — as the victim of a shooting by rapper Tory Lanez, who a jury found fired at her feet on a street in the Hollywood Hills in 2020. She testified at the trial where jurors convicted Lanez of three felonies and a judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Already a major rising artist at the time of the shooting, Megan has since become one of hip-hop’s biggest stars. She won a Grammy for best new artist in 2021, and she had No. 1 singles with “Savage,” featuring Beyoncé, and as a guest on Cardi B’s “WAP.”

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Body of O.J. Simpson to be cremated this week; brain will not be studied for CTE

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April 15 (UPI) — The body of O.J. Simpson, who died last week at the age of 76, is to be cremated, a lawyer representing the ex-football superstar’s estate said, adding his brain will not be donated for research.

Malcolm LaVergne, Simpson’s longtime attorney and executor, told the New York Post that his client’s body is to be cremated Tuesday in Las Vegas.

He said Simpson’s family also gave a “hard no” to scientists seeking to examine the former running back’s brain for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is better known as CTE.

CTE is a rare and little understood brain disorder that is likely caused by repeated blows to the head. According to the Mayo Clinic, CTE results in the death of nerve cells in the brain and the only way to definitively diagnose it is with an autopsy of the organ after death.

Memory and thinking problems, confusion, personality changes and erratic behavior, including aggression, depression and suicidal ideation, are among CTE’s symptoms, the Alzheimer’s Association said.

The disease has been found in those who play contact sports, including football and hockey.

LaVergne confirmed to NBC News on Sunday that at least one person has called seeking Simpson’s brain.

“His entire body, including his brain, will be cremated,” he said.

Simpson died Wednesday following a battle with cancer.

Known by the nickname “The Juice,” Simpson was a NFL superstar during the 1970s, which made him a household name that propelled him into film and television during the next decade.

But his stardom would come crashing down in the mid-1990s when he was accused of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

His high-profile trial lasted months, but ended with his acquittal.

In 2008, he was found guilty on a dozen charges, including kidnapping and armed robbery, and was paroled in 2017 after serving nine years of his 33-year sentence.

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