News
Heat wave can trigger miscarriage, premature delivery, maternal experts warn
Maternal experts say the risk of miscarriage, early labour and preterm delivery is heightened during heat waves.
They also said heat waves can cause severe dehydration, tiredness, heat exhaustion and hypotension in pregnant women due to fluid reduction in the body.
While speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, the maternal health experts urged pregnant women to avoid walking in the sun, take water intermittently and stay in well-ventilated areas during this period
The United Nations Children’s Fund says heat waves happen when the temperature is higher than usual for several days.
It noted that heat waves can be extremely uncomfortable and pose serious health risks for infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly.
According to UNICEF, extreme heat can lead to heat stroke and fatalities, noting that heat waves have become more frequent, longer and severe due to climate change.
PUNCH Healthwise reported recently that the Nigerian Metrological Agency predicted that the heat wave would persist for some time.
NiMET predicted that fainting, chickenpox disease, measles, heat rash, weakness of the body, slight fever, dry lips, heat-related illnesses, respiratory issues and increased vulnerability to chronic conditions will be more rampant during periods of extreme heat.
PUNCH Healthwise had also reported that environmentalists called for the restoration of forest habitats to help reduce the impact of the ongoing heat wave across the country.
Commenting on the issue, a professor and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Adegboyega Fawole, said that heat waves have more adverse effects on pregnant women and children than non-pregnant women and adults.
He stated that children have small body surfaces and weight and when exposed to heat waves would suffer dehydration.
Fawole said,
“A pregnant woman has a body surface that is at that time going through some changes that will make her need more water than when she was not pregnant. Pregnant women get dehydrated easily and quickly.
“For pregnant women in their first trimester, extreme heat waves could cause changes in the system where the body is forming the baby. This period is the time that the organs are formed in the growing foetus. This could have changes that could cause abnormalities in these foetuses.
“Also, when the foetus is ill, there is a higher risk of miscarriage and early birth, which might make the outcome of the pregnancy unpalatable to the mother.
“For the baby born prematurely, it causes more difficulty in care as cost and survival is always guarded depending on the age.”
The don urged pregnant women during this period to work in a well-ventilated and cool environment and refrain from walking in the sun.
He also advised them to wear light clothes and take cold baths as much as possible.
As the heat wave progresses in the country, Fawole recommends, “We could cold baths at any time and as much as possible. There is also a recommendation to have a cold towel handy to mop areas that one thinks are too hot, or if one gets uncomfortable.”
The don also said walking in the sun for too long should be discouraged, noting that if such occurs, water should be taken intermittently.
“During this heat wave period, we need to stay inside more, engage in indoor games, and encourage more games between children and parents, children and children, and between parents so that everybody is protected.
“There is a need to drink more water and cool the body by getting a cold towel handy to mop the body if need be. There is the need to use a fan if available but it should not be positioned directly to the face because it blows hot air into the nostrils and that may cause irritation, dryness and other side effects.
“When air conditioners are available, it is perfect and helps the body to be cool to achieve more productivity and better health,” the maternal expert stated.
An Honorary Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof Ishaq Abdul, said that the body of pregnant women needs 30 per cent more water due to the increase in blood volume, noting that dehydration caused by the heat wave can negatively affect their body mechanisms
He urged pregnant women to avoid walking in the sun during heat waves, adding, “In mild forms, there might not be any problem as a pregnant woman can survive but there is a need to drink water intermittently and avoid the heat. Walking about in the heat can compound dehydration, especially if there is already so much water loss while indoors.”
Abdul urged communities and families to support pregnant women by ensuring that they have access to a cool environment at home and workplace.
“Heat wave is a serious issue and there is a need to make the society better in terms of having constant electricity supply so that there will be fans and cooling systems in homes and offices,” he added.
Abdul advised parents and caregivers to give children more water during this period, warning them to “avoid giving juices because it can lead to diarrhoea. The best thing is to drink water to stay dehydrated.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee, has confirmed that there were no verified sightings of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Sha’aban 1446AH.
This announcement holds significant importance for Muslims in Nigeria, as Sha’aban is the last month before Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.
Official Declaration of Sha’aban 1446AH
In a formal statement, Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, disclosed that no credible reports of moon sightings were received from moon sighting committees across the country.
As a result, Thursday, January 30, 2025, will be observed as the 30th day of Rajab 1446AH, while Friday, January 31, 2025, has been officially declared as the first day of Sha’aban 1446AH.
Sultan of Sokoto Endorses the Decision
The declaration was formally endorsed by His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
“The confirmation of Sha’aban’s commencement is crucial, as it ensures consistency in the Islamic calendar and helps guide religious observances for Muslims across the country,” the statement emphasized.
Call for Spiritual Preparation for Ramadan
In light of this development, the Sultanate Council has advised Nigerian Muslims to adhere to official moon sighting announcements and begin spiritual preparations for Ramadan.
Sha’aban is considered a sacred month in Islam, often dedicated to increased prayers, fasting, and self-reflection in anticipation of Ramadan, which is set to begin in the coming weeks.
The Council reiterated the importance of unity and adherence to Islamic traditions, urging Muslims to take advantage of Sha’aban for spiritual purification and devotion.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will no longer conduct admissions for the Law program in eight universities. This decision was made following the suspension of the Bachelor of Laws program by the Council of Legal Education for the 2025/2026 academic session at the affected universities.
The affected institutions are:
– *Kwara State University*, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State
– *Bingham University*, Karu, Nasarawa State
– *Redeemers University*, Ede, Osun State
– *Western Delta University*, Oghara, Delta State
– *Taraba State University*, Jalingo, Taraba State
– *Arthur Jarvis University*, Akpabuyo, Cross River State
– *Alex Ekwueme Federal University*, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
– *Nigerian Police Academy*, Wudil, Kano State
According to JAMB spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, the suspension of the Law programme at the Nigerian Police Academy will last for two academic sessions, specifically the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions.
“As a result, JAMB will not approve any admissions for candidates seeking to enroll in the Law program at the aforementioned universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. Furthermore, the ban on registration for the Law program at the Nigerian Police Academy will extend into the 2026/2027 academic session,” the statement concluded.
Please don’t forget to “allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it.
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, has been arrested over her alleged involvement in the 2021 riots that left over 300 people dead, police say.
Violence, chaos, and fear ripped through the port city of Durban, then spread to Gauteng, after Zuma’s jailing sparked intense protests over four years ago.
Zuma-Sambudla, a controversial figure in her own right, was accused of sharing incendiary social media posts that fuelled the civil unrest.
The arrest comes as a “result of a meticulous investigation” said spokesperson for the Hawks elite police unit, Brig Thandi Mbambo.
Zuma-Sambudla handed herself in to Durban Central police station on Thursday morning to face charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act and incitement to commit violence, police said.
Her father’s party uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK), of which she is a senior member, confirmed her court appearance and urged supporters to “mobilize all ground forces to attend in numbers.”
While she has not commented directly on the charges, Zuma-Sambudla shared a cryptic note on X that simply said: “We see you.”
MK party spokesperson Nhlamule Ndhela told local broadcaster ENCA she had long been preparing for this moment
“She conditioned herself, because there have been many threats about her imminent arrest for the past three or four years,” he said.
He added that she will abide by the law as “a law-abiding citizen”.
This is not the first time her name has been brought up in connection to the 2021 riots, which are considered one of the bloodiest episodes in post-apartheid South Africa.
Zuma resigned as president in 2018 after nine years in office, plagued by corruption allegations, which he claimed were part of a political conspiracy.
Three years later, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court after refusing to testify before a panel investigating corruption under his presidency.
Protests erupted after he surrendered to serve his sentence.
During the unrest, Zuma-Sambudla was outspoken on X, frequently sharing images of the destruction and chaos, accompanied by the caption: “KZN, we see you.”
She used this phrase often throughout the violence. In a now deleted post, she shared a video of someone firing an automatic rifle at a poster of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In 2022, Brig Mbambo , told local media they were not directly investigating her, but she had been named in statements from sources.
In response to this, Zuma-Sambudla said on X, “I have no fear! I will not be intimidated! I have beaten the dogs, now the masters are coming out! We see you!”
At the same time, the Jacob Zuma Foundation, said in a statement the former president’s children were being targeted.
Last year, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) released a report that said the riots were a “carefully orchestrated event”.
But it said it could find no direct link to Zuma’s arrest.
In 2023, a former security guard was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the deadly riots.
He was the first person to be prosecuted for the riots.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who succeeded Jacob Zuma in 2018, described the violence as an “attempted insurrection”.
More than 200 shopping malls were looted and more than 150,000 jobs were estimated to have been lost during the unrest, which lasted for several days.
Last year, Zuma’s MK ran against his former party, the ANC, in elections, gaining 15% of the vote to become the country’s third largest party
JUST IN 2025 Ramadan: Sultan Makes New Announcement For Muslims
JAMB Suspends Law Programs in Eight Universities, Including KWASU and Redeemers.
Ex-President Jacob Zuma’s daughter arrested over South Africa riots
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
Economy15 hours agoSEE Current Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate
-
News15 hours agoBREAKING! Trump’s order on stopping aids for HIV/AIDS affects Nigeria as National Lab for samples allegedly shuts down
-
News15 hours agoDaring Sowore Says I’ll Still Reject That Stupid Bail Condition Even If Tinubu Appears As My Surety
-
News15 hours agoEFCC nabs ex- NHIS Executive Secretary, Professor Usman Yusuf
-
News15 hours agoDistribution of HIV drugs in poor countries stopped as Trump freezes foreign aid
-
News13 hours agoYour Wishes And Gifts Touched My Heart Deeply”, Amekunlooye Extends Appreciations To Those Who Honour Him On His Birthday
-
Foreign20 hours agoUS Fighter Jet Crashes At Air Force Base
-
News10 hours agoBREAKING : Court Nullifies Gov Adeleke’s Executive Order on Owa of Igbajo, Declares Famodun as Authentic Monarch