WHO says nearly 45% of dementia cases preventable through lifestyle changes
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The World Health Organization WHO has stated that almost 45 percent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing lifestyle and environmental risk factors. These factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and air pollution. The WHO released updated guidelines to help countries reduce the growing burden of dementia through early prevention and improved healthcare interventions. Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally and a major contributor to disability among older adults, affecting memory, thinking, and daily activities. While there is no cure, up to 45 percent of risks are attributed to modifiable factors such as tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution, and noncommunicable diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. More than 57 million people worldwide currently live with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed annually. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for an estimated 60 to 70 percent of all cases. Devora Kestel, Director of the WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, emphasized that dementia impacts individuals, families, and communities, affecting health, dignity, independence, and well-being. The revised guidance, building on 2019 guidelines, provides practical steps for countries to protect cognitive health, including encouraging cognitive stimulation, managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes, and integrating services for
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Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has initiated a grassroots political engagement to bolster his party's structure ahead of the 2027 general elections. The governor's spokesman, Sunusi Tofa, stated that Yusuf made this declaration during a session with the APC Polling Unit Supporters Association, known as 'Yan Akwatina, led by Najib Salati. This association has structures across Kano State's 44 local government areas, 484 wards, and polling units, making it a significant grassroots mobilization platform. Governor Yusuf emphasized that President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027 would consolidate the administration's economic reforms and infrastructure development. He added that sustained grassroots mobilization would strengthen the party's support base and position it for victory in presidential, governorship, and other elections. To support the association, the governor reportedly donated plots of land and ₦100 million. The governor's Political Adviser, Mustapha Bakwana, described the meeting as the start of the party's grassroots mobilization strategy for the 2027 elections, noting the association's capacity to mobilize at least 1,122,200 votes for Tinubu. Najib Salati, the association's leader, thanked the governor for including members in state and local government appointments and pledged the group's commitment to the party's success. The party's Kano State Chairman, Umar Doguwa, expressed confidence in a landslide victory, citing an expanding support base.
Must ReadThe Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 out of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had established reasonable suspicion, and Malami, his family members, and associated companies failed to disprove the allegation that the properties were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. The court clarified that the issue was the legitimacy of the funds used for acquisition, not ownership. The EFCC had previously obtained an interim forfeiture order for these properties in January 2026, which were valued at approximately N213.2 billion. These assets, located across the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, include hotels, residential buildings, commercial plazas, schools, factories, a university, filling stations, warehouses, and large parcels of land. While nine properties were excluded from the final forfeiture, the list of the 57 properties initially covered by the interim order includes various high-value assets such as luxury duplexes, hotels like Meethaq Hotels Ltd and Zeennoor Hotel, Rayhaan University, Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, and Azbir Arena, among others.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government will conduct a comprehensive nationwide household survey to determine a more accurate figure for Nigeria’s out-of-school children. Speaking at the 2026 Annual Education Summit of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja, Dr. Alausa stated that the Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating with the National Bureau of Statistics to generate reliable data for policy decisions. He acknowledged that current estimates, ranging from 15 million to 20 million, need updating, emphasizing the government's commitment to evidence-based statistics. The minister noted that while over one million out-of-school children have returned to classrooms in the past two years, accurate data is crucial for measuring progress. He also highlighted reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training TVET, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM, and digital transformation. Dr. Alausa mentioned that Nigeria has achieved three consecutive years without academic disruptions in tertiary institutions and now has 24 universities ranked among the world’s top 1,000. The summit, themed “Three Years of the Tinubu Administration: Assessing Reforms, Progress and Challenges in Nigeria’s Education Sector,” brought together policymakers, education stakeholders, and journalists. The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, and the Executive S