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Media Network and Agency Unite for Conflict Resolution in Plateau State
In a resounding call for unity and collaborative efforts to enhance early conflict detection, informed dialogue, and reconciliation within Plateau communities, the Coordinator of the Plateau Peace Media Network (PPMN), Matthew Tegha, led a delegation of PPMN Executives and members on a courtesy visit to the Plateau State Peace Building Agency today.
During the visit, Matthew Tegha emphasized the critical need for cooperation between the Plateau Peace Media Network and the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, recognizing the pivotal role the agency plays in shaping the landscape of peace within Plateau State.
The Plateau Peace Media Network, a recently established state structure of the Community Initiative to Promote Peace (CIPP), a project by Mercy Corps and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), expressed its eagerness to contribute its expertise to complement the agency’s ongoing efforts. The network is committed to harnessing the power of responsible media engagement to promote conflict sensitivity and advance early warning and early response initiatives in Plateau communities.
“As media practitioners, we comprehend the influential role that accurate and responsible reporting plays in shaping public perception and opinion. Through our training and experience, we have acquired the skills to provide objective and informative coverage of conflict situations while actively contributing to their resolution. This proactive approach aligns perfectly with the ethos of the Plateau Peace Building Agency,” stated Matthew Tegha.
He further emphasized the importance of collaboration in effective peacebuilding, highlighting the need for active involvement from various stakeholders. “We recognize that effective peacebuilding is a collaborative effort that requires the active involvement of various stakeholders, and we are here to explore the possibilities of a synergistic partnership. We firmly believe that by uniting our knowledge and resources, we can make a lasting impact on the peace landscape of Plateau State,” he added.
In response to this call for collaboration, the Acting Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Mr. Gayi Timothy Gayi, expressed the agency’s commitment to working with the Plateau Peace Media Network and other groups collectively working towards promoting peace in the state. He noted that the agency has a history of collaboration with organizations sharing similar objectives.
Mr. Gayi highlighted the agency’s dedication to the role of media in their peacebuilding efforts, underscoring the establishment of a strategic communications unit. He also mentioned that the agency is actively aligning its strategy with government policies to further enhance its effectiveness.
Additionally, Mr. Kenneth Dakup, the Head of Strategic Communications at the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), called on media professionals to distinguish between the roles played by the PPBA and security agencies. He emphasized that the agency’s primary focus is on early warning and peace-building efforts, including dialogues, mediations, and various forms of intervention, while security agencies primarily handle early response to address resurging conflicts.
The collaborative spirit displayed during this visit underscores the commitment of both the Plateau Peace Media Network and the Plateau State Peace Building Agency to foster lasting peace and stability within Plateau communities, with the aim of creating a more peaceful and harmonious future for the people of Plateau State.
Healthcare expert and licensed pharmacist, Dr. Remi Olukoya, has warned Nigerians about the often-overlooked dangers of food-drug interactions, cautioning that commonly consumed foods and traditional staples may interfere with prescribed medications and compromise treatment outcomes.
Speaking during a health session, she stressed the need for greater public awareness, noting that many patients are unaware that their daily diet can affect how medicines are absorbed, metabolized, or how effectively they work in the body.
Dr. Remi Olukoya, who also is the founder of PharmaPlan Systems revealed that 50% of patients cannot identify a single food-drug interaction affecting their own prescriptions.
She emphasized the need for greater public awareness about how everyday foods can influence the effectiveness and safety of medications, cautioning that neglecting this link could compromise treatment outcomes.
The renowned healthcare expert highlighted the often-overlooked connection between diet and medication performance, with a particular focus on African and diaspora communities. While stressing the importance of adhering to prescribed treatments, she pointed out that dietary habits play a crucial role in drug efficacy.
She underscored the fact that culturally specific diets and traditional foods should not be overlooked when prescribing or taking medications, as they can affect how drugs are absorbed or metabolized in the body.
Drawing from her book, Pharma Plan Systems, which she described as an accessible guide to food-drug interactions free of complex medical jargon, she gave examples of commonly consumed foods that can interfere with medications.
She mentioned grapefruit’s impact on some cholesterol-lowering drugs, and pointed out that bitter leaf, a popular item consumed in many African households, has the potential to affect blood sugar levels and interact with diabetes treatments.
To address these issues, Dr. Olukoya said she has introduced the Medi Meal Safe app, a digital tool designed to guide users on safe food choices while on medication, offering customized meal plans for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
The app also alerts users to foods they should avoid or consume cautiously based on their prescriptions.
“The goal is to prevent adverse reactions and improve treatment outcomes by helping people make informed dietary choices,” Dr. Olukoya explained during the session.
During the session, participants expressed concerns about food sensitivities and the complexities surrounding traditional diets—particularly the dual effects of bitter leaf on nutrition and blood sugar regulation. In response, Dr. Olukoya advised that people should carefully consider their health conditions and medications before regularly consuming such foods.
She concluded by stressing that understanding the interaction between nutrition and medication is essential for safer and more effective healthcare, urging both patients and healthcare providers to pay closer attention to dietary habits alongside prescribed treatments.
The post Healthcare Expert Warns Nigerians Against Hidden Dangers of Food-Drug Interactions appeared first on Business Today NG.
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