Mbaka not afraid to speak truth - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday,  congratulated Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Centre in celebration of his 20th year of priesthood.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President commended the cleric for what he described as his “extraordinary intrepidity and remarkable patriotism.”

He described Mbaka as a great priest who is not afraid to speak truth, even at the cost of his own life or being hated by those in power.

He said the priest is a remarkable example that religious leaders are the conscience and moral compass of the society.

He said Mbaka rose to the occasion to add his voice in support of good governance and identify with ordinary Nigerians in the face of despair and uncertain future.

“Though honest opinions attract hostility from leaders detached from reality, history would be kind to Father Mbaka for courageously speaking truth to power, even at great risks,” the statement said.

Buhari, who said he was overwhelmed by Mbaka’s sincerity and patriotism, prayed to God to grant the priest more good health, long life and wisdom in the service of humanity.

Source: vanguard

The River of Agulu overflowed its banks today resulting in flooding. The pictures below shows how the flood affected the Agulu - Awka road.

Pix credit: Nnaemeka 300L Nursing

World's First Malaria Vaccine Approved

The world’s first malaria vaccine has received a green light from European drugs regulators who recommended it should be licensed for use in babies in Africa who are at risk of the mosquito-borne disease.

The shot, called RTS,S or Mosquirix, would be the first licensed human vaccine against a parasitic disease and could help prevent millions of cases of malaria in countries that use it.

The vaccine was developed by British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative,

Recommendations for a drug licence made by the European Medicines Agency are normally endorsed by the European Commission within a couple of months.

Mosquirix, also part-funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will also now be assessed by the World Health Organisation, which has promised to give its guidance on when and where it should be used before the end of this year.

Malaria killed an estimated 584,000 people in 2013, the vast majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa.

More than 80 percent of malaria deaths are in children under the age of five.

Andrew Witty, GSK’s chief executive, said EMA’s positive recommendation was a further important step towards making the world’s first malaria vaccine available for young children.

“While RTS,S on its own is not the complete answer to malaria, its use alongside those interventions currently available such as bed nets and insecticides would provide a very meaningful contribution to controlling the impact of malaria on children in those African communities that need it the most,” he said in a statement.

http://www.punchng.com/news/worlds-first-malaria-vaccine-approved/