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Young Nigerians face rising hypertension risk – Don raises alarm
A consultant cardiologist, Professor Chizindu Alikor, has raised serious concern over the rising incidence of hypertension among young Nigerians, warning that high blood pressure is “no longer a sickness for the old” as even 18-year-olds are increasingly being diagnosed.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Professor Alikor issued the warning during the 123rd Inaugural Lecture of the Rivers State University, RSU, on Wednesday, delivering a presentation themed: “The Silent Active Engine Bearing Weights of Human Sufferings: The Battle to Stay Alive.”
Explaining the theme of his lecture, Professor Alikor, who is the Chief Medical Director at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, RSUTH, described the heart as “the silent active engine” that tirelessly keeps humanity alive despite enormous pressure.
He noted that lifestyle choices are now the greatest threats to heart health.
According to him, “Lifestyle decisions impact the heart,” stressing that diet, stress, excessive salt intake, high refined sugar consumption, obesity, poor diabetes management, and untreated hypertension are major contributors to the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases.
“These,” he said, “are components in the domains of suffering that impact negatively on the human heart.”
To address this, the cardiologist proposed the “Alikor Survival Network Model,” a holistic approach involving the individual, family and the healthcare system to ensure better heart care.
Rising Hypertension in Young Adults and Rural Communities
Professor Alikor, who is the President, Nigerian Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging also revealed findings from his research in collaboration with others conducted more than 20 years ago, showing an already high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Niger Delta.
More alarming, however, is the increasing trend of hypertension in rural communities and among young people.
He disclosed that among people aged 18 to 39, cardiovascular risk factor clustering is as high as 15%, calling the trend “worrisome.”
He also questioned what the situation might be in cities, where urbanization and changing lifestyles have eroded traditional diets and physical activity.
“Urbanization has wiped away the traditional diet and leg walk and has brought us to a sedentary lifestyle,” he said.
Professor Alikor said the research further showed that men have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk clusters.
Hypertension, Heart Failure and Stroke Dominating Niger Delta Cases
According to Professor Alikor, heart failure and stroke remain the most common cardiovascular complications among hospitalized patients in the Niger Delta.
He advised that symptoms such as palpitations should never be ignored, describing them as signs of cardiovascular strain that require immediate attention from a cardiologist.
The cardiologist emphasized that survival depends on shared responsibility.
“The battle to stay alive is a collective project and not an individual endeavor,” he said, insisting that the Alikor Heart Survival Network Model, when applied, can protect both individuals and communities.
He highlighted diet as the first line of defense, noting: “Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains are useful.
“Diets high in salt, trans fat, refined sugar, are enemies of the silent active engine (the heart).”
Alikor urged Nigerians to “know your numbers, including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Alarmingly, he noted: “In our study we established that even among the very educated, they move around with 200/150, just moving around; very enlightened university professors.”
He encouraged regular home monitoring, saying: “You need to have your blood pressure monitors, the electronic ones, good ones… Keep in the office, keep by your bedsides and check your blood pressure regularly.”
Referencing scripture, he said “Luke 22:44 has cardiovascular implications,” reinforcing the physiological stress the heart endures.
Processed Foods, Decline in Physical Activity Driving Future Crisis
Professor Alikor warned that epidemiologic transition and lifestyle changes — including the shift to fast foods and processed meals — are accelerating cardiovascular risks.
He said traditional habits such as vegetable-rich diets and long walks have been abandoned due to westernization, and without intentional interventions, “in the next 10 to 20 years, there will be an alarming increase of heart attacks and stroke.”
To mitigate this looming crisis, he presented the “Alikor Health Care Survival Model.”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to addressing societal problems through research and intellectual engagement.
He noted that issues such as poor infrastructure, unemployment, poverty and diseases are worsened by daily stress and unhealthy lifestyles.
Professor Zeb-Obipi added that these factors strain vital organs, including the heart and ultimately reduce productivity.
The VC said the university’s culture of inaugural lectures is aimed at proffering sustainable solutions to such pressing national challenges.
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Art & Commercial students don’t fail JAMB because they’re dull. They fail because they’re taught like Science students. Science students calculate — JAMB rewards that. Art students explain — JAMB doesn’t. So you read hard, attend lessons, yet your score disappoints you. This online class fixes that. No theory overload. No confusion. Just real JAMB questions, clear breakdowns, and winning strategies. 📌 JAMB is not hard — you were just taught the wrong way.Click The Link To Reach Us Now 👉 https://wa.me/2349063958940
The Oyo State Police Command has announced an operational success recorded following an intelligence-led operation.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command intercepted a truck conveying materials suspected to be explosive devices during a stop-and-search operation in Saki, Oyo State. The truck and the suspected materials were promptly secured and are currently in police custody.
Upon receiving a briefing on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna, immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Consequently, specialised personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Unit were deployed to safely secure the items for safekeeping and forensic examination. Detailed forensic analysis has since commenced, alongside a thorough and robust investigation to determine the exact nature of the items and their intended use.
The truck driver has been taken into custody and is cooperating fully with investigators as efforts continue to unravel all the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Commissioner of Police commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his unwavering support, strategic leadership, and continued provision of operational guidance that enhance proactive, intelligence-driven policing across the country.
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Art & Commercial students don’t fail JAMB because they’re dull. They fail because they’re taught like Science students. Science students calculate — JAMB rewards that. Art students explain — JAMB doesn’t. So you read hard, attend lessons, yet your score disappoints you. This online class fixes that. No theory overload. No confusion. Just real JAMB questions, clear breakdowns, and winning strategies. 📌 JAMB is not hard — you were just taught the wrong way.Click The Link To Reach Us Now 👉 https://wa.me/2349063958940
One person has died and another sustained injuries following an assault by suspected armed bandits in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
According to sources, the attack took place on January 24 around 4:00 p.m. along the Amoke–Odugbo road in Ukpogo Village, Edikwu Ward.
The victims, identified as Mr Joseph Okoh and Miss Aneh Sunday, both from Ogodumo, Adoka in Otukpo LGA, were reportedly riding a motorcycle when the assailants struck.
“They were rushed to the Comprehensive Health Centre, Ugbokpo, where Mr Okoh was confirmed dead while receiving treatment. Miss Sunday is currently admitted and responding to treatment,” the source stated.
Nigerian troops were quickly deployed to the area, and a search operation in the surrounding bushes is ongoing to apprehend the attackers.
“The Criminal Investigation Department has commenced an investigation into the incident,” the source added.
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Art & Commercial students don’t fail JAMB because they’re dull. They fail because they’re taught like Science students. Science students calculate — JAMB rewards that. Art students explain — JAMB doesn’t. So you read hard, attend lessons, yet your score disappoints you. This online class fixes that. No theory overload. No confusion. Just real JAMB questions, clear breakdowns, and winning strategies. 📌 JAMB is not hard — you were just taught the wrong way.Click The Link To Reach Us Now 👉 https://wa.me/2349063958940
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has scrapped special concessions and registration procedures previously granted to candidates with albinism for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, citing abuse of the privilege to perpetrate examination malpractice.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
The Board also warned faith-based tertiary institutions to clearly declare their religious status at the point of admission, saying it is deceptive to present as secular and later impose religious rules on students.
As reported by Vanguard, these decisions were taken on Saturday at a meeting between JAMB management, led by its Registrar, Prof. Isaq Oloyede, and Commissioners for Education from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, held in Ikeja, Lagos.
Oloyede said the meeting was convened to review and assess previous admission exercises.
He noted that despite safeguards introduced by the Board, some individuals remained determined to circumvent the system.
“We have stopped some concessions we gave albino candidates. This is because some are using artificial intelligence to manipulate the registration process to look like they are albinos because of the consideration we gave them.
“Last year alone, over 7,000 claimed to be albinos. We have stopped special registration procedures for albinos,” he said.
Addressing complaints from candidates admitted into some private institutions over compulsory religious instruction, Oloyede urged faith-based schools to be transparent.
“Faith-based institutions should declare from the onset what they are, so that whoever applies there will know what he is going to meet there. But some don’t do that. They will pretend to be secular, but once students are admitted, trouble will begin over religious instruction and injunctions.
“If you are a faith-based institution, say so. The law allows you to set up faith-based schools,” he said.
On last year’s UTME, where the highest-scoring candidate was later found to be a 300-level university student, the JAMB registrar said investigations showed that some undergraduates sit for the examination to change courses or assist others to secure admission.
“Students who are already in school but want to change courses and are applying again must declare and disclose their status.
“We have found that some candidates already in school are writing the examination for other candidates. Last year, the candidate who scored the highest was found to be a 300-level student in the university.
“Henceforth, any candidate found engaging in such an act, and who fails to disclose that he is already in school but wants to change course, will be disqualified and will also lose his current admission,” he said.
On admission criteria, Oloyede explained that federal government-owned institutions allocate 45 per cent on merit, 20 per cent on catchment area, 20 per cent to educationally disadvantaged states, while the remaining slots are allocated to other considerations.
“Each owner or state has the right to decide what its admission criteria will be. But for states, we encourage them to allocate at least 10 per cent to merit, regardless of where the candidates come from.
“This is to diversify the student population and admit eggheads from different communities,” he said.
He criticised some states for establishing new universities despite not fully utilising their admission quotas in existing federal institutions.
On underage candidates, Oloyede said 16 years remained the minimum admission age, noting that an attestation process was in place for exceptional cases.
“Last year, about 42,000 claimed to be underage. After evaluation, only 78 met the criteria and were admitted. We are not saying there are no talented candidates, but the figure looks outlandish,” he said.
The issue of how to engage underage candidates during a gap year divided opinions at the meeting, but a majority voted for JAMB to continue its special assessment process.
The meeting also observed that parental pressure on children to complete their education too quickly was a major contributor to the problem.
On efforts to curb examination malpractice, Oloyede said JAMB had stopped the movement of computers between Computer-Based Test centres.
“A computer registered in a particular centre will remain there and is not transferable to another centre. Some people borrow computers to get accredited and later move them around,” he said.
He dismissed claims that candidates were posted to towns they did not choose, saying personal data used for registration were drawn directly from the National Identification Number submitted by candidates.
Providing an update on the 2025 UTME, Oloyede said 974,855 candidates had so far been admitted out of about 1.95 million who sat for the examination.
He added that over N2.4 billion had been disbursed to institutions that consistently complied with JAMB’s rules over the past 10 years, and that the meeting agreed that schools producing the best candidates should be compensated.
On accreditation of CBT centres, Oloyede said the process involved teams comprising university vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts in each state.
He warned state governments against agreements with private promoters who might use centres to facilitate malpractice.
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Art & Commercial students don’t fail JAMB because they’re dull. They fail because they’re taught like Science students. Science students calculate — JAMB rewards that. Art students explain — JAMB doesn’t. So you read hard, attend lessons, yet your score disappoints you. This online class fixes that. No theory overload. No confusion. Just real JAMB questions, clear breakdowns, and winning strategies. 📌 JAMB is not hard — you were just taught the wrong way.Click The Link To Reach Us Now 👉 https://wa.me/2349063958940
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