₦airaland Forum

The 'tree boy' of Bangladesh: Heartbreaking pictures show seven-year-old with a rare condition which covers his skin in scaly warts that makes them look like roots

*Ripon Sarker, 7, has epidermodysplasia verruciformis, causing susceptibility to human papillomavirus
*This rare condition causes scaly warts to grow and has left the Bangladeshi boy unable to eat or walk

*Doctors say his family is extremely poor and he lacks proper nutrition, hampering physical development

"But doctors at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital are hopeful as his case is not as bad as Abul Bajandar

"Dubbed the 'tree man', Bajandar's warts were so bad doctors couldn't distinguish them from his fingers


A rare condition is turning a seven-year-old boy's hands and feet into trees.

Ripon Sarker from Thakurgaon, Bangladesh suffers from the condition epidermodysplasia verruciformis, which causes abnormal susceptibility to human papillomavirus - causing the growth of scaly warts.

The young boy was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on August 20 for treatment for the first time, as his family couldn't afford it.


His father Mahendra Das said: 'They haven't carried out tests on him. Physicians say they will look into this matter before treatment.'

Poor Ripon cannot walk or eat by himself because of his tree-like hands and feet.

Thankfully, doctors have said they are hopeful that his hands and feet are operable as his fingers and toes and can still be identified.


Ripon's symptoms match the ones of 26-year-old Abul Bajandar - dubbed 'tree man', who also has the same condition and was recently operated at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Ripon is a class II student of Ketgaon Government Primary School, was affected when he was only three months old, his father said.

Warts began to develop on his palm and foot, which are getting larger, Mohendra said.


Burn and plastic surgery unit coordinator Samanta Lal Sen said: 'We are hopeful about the child's situation. In Abul's case, we couldn't distinguish the warts from his fingers.

'Ripon's warts have not expanded to that extent yet.

'He can indentify his fingers and toes. We might be able to treat him with fewer operations.'


The physician went on to explain that the child's family is extremely poor.

He said: 'That's why he lacks proper nutrition.

'His physical development has been hampered as well.

'We need to give him proper nutrition before the operations begin.

'He might require blood as well.'

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3753343/The-tree-boy-Bangladesh-Heartbreaking-pictures-seven-year-old-rare-condition-covers-skin-scaly-warts-makes-look-like-roots.html

Sunday Onjefu 27, was arrested following reports of criminal acts in Lekki area of Lagos State. He specializes in Robbing ladies in Lagos traffic. He was arrested in the act on 19 AUG with 2 toy pistols, 1 knife.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/08/photo-27-years-old-man-who-specialize.html

In marriages, relationships, not being able to conceive a child can be very frustrating. Male infertility refers to a male's inability to cause pregnancy in a fertile female. In humans it accounts for 40-50% of infertility. It affects approximately 7% of all men. It is commonly due to low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Some other factors that range from health problems, environment, and lifestyle choices can also cause male infertility. Some of these include:



1. Problems with sexual intercourse:

These can include trouble keeping or maintaining an erection sufficient for sex (erectile dysfunction), premature ejaculation, painful intercourse, anatomical abnormalities such as having a urethral opening beneath the penis (hypospadias), or psychological or relationship problems that interfere with sex.

2. Prior surgeries:

Certain surgeries may prevent you from having sperm in your ejaculate, including vasectomy, inguinal hernia repairs, scrotal or testicular surgeries, prostate surgeries, and large abdominal surgeries performed for testicular and rectal cancers, among others. In most cases, surgery can be performed to either reverse these blockage or to retrieve sperm directly from the epididymis and testicles.

Environmental causes
Overexposure to certain environmental elements such as heat, toxins and chemicals can reduce sperm production or sperm function. Specific causes include:

3. Industrial chemicals: Extended exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, pesticides, herbicides, organic solvents, painting materials and lead may contribute to low sperm counts.

4. Heavy metal exposure: Exposure to lead or other heavy metals also may cause infertility.

5. Radiation or X-rays: Exposure to radiation can reduce sperm production, though it will often eventually return to normal. With high doses of radiation, sperm production can be permanently reduced.

6. Overheating the testicles. Elevated temperatures impair sperm production and function. Although studies are limited and are inconclusive, frequent use of saunas or hot tubs may temporarily impair your sperm count.
Sitting for long periods, wearing tight clothing or working on a laptop computer for long stretches of time also may increase the temperature in your scrotum and may slightly reduce sperm production.

Health, lifestyle and other causes:

7. Illicit drug use: Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth can cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to decrease. Use of cocaine or marijuana may temporarily reduce the number and quality of your sperm as well.

8. Alcohol use: Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels, cause erectile dysfunction and decrease sperm production. Liver disease caused by excessive drinking also may lead to fertility problems.

9. Tobacco smoking: Men who smoke may have a lower sperm count than do those who don't smoke. Secondhand smoke also may affect male fertility.

10. Emotional stress: Stress can interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm. Severe or prolonged emotional stress, including problems with fertility, can affect your sperm count.

11. Weight: Obesity can impair fertility in several ways, including directly impacting sperm themselves as well as by causing hormone changes that reduce male fertility.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/08/male-infertility-11-reasons-why-you.html

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Africa put up a dismal performance at the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil when compared with other continents.

The United States once again topped the medals table with 46 gold medals and 121 medals in total. Britain came second with 27 gold medals and a total of 67 medals.

Kenya was the best African performing country with 6 gold and silver medals.

Here's how African nations performed on the medal table:


The others, including Ghana, Togo, and Congo did not win any medal.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/08/how-african-countries-performed-at-rio.html

PHOTO NEWS: Delegates seated for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State governorship primaries, chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Monday in Akure.


http://www.newshelm.com/2016/08/photos-delegates-seated-for-pdp-ondo.html

Pro Biafra agitators have once again showcased their love for leader and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu as well as the Biafra struggle by flooding the popular Ariaria International market situated in Aba, Abia state with shoes designed in the colours of the Biafran flag.



This is coming few months after members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) claimed soft drink company Coca-Cola was supporting their cause after pictures purportedly showing some Coca-Cola cans with the words “Nnamdi Kanu” and “Biafrans” emerged on micro blogging site, Twitter.

Meanwhile, IPOB members who made the foot wears will be hoping the high demand of the products will help hasten the release of their leader Nnamdi Kanu who has been in prison custody since he was arrested in October 2015 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos, Nigeria.


Recall Kanu alongside his co-accused, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are facing a six-count charge of treasonable felony, brought against them by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Although they have been granted bail twice by a federal high court sitting in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government has refused to obey the court orders raising doubts over the possibility of Mr. Kanu and his co-accused regaining freedom.


http://www.newshelm.com/2016/08/photos-biafrans-show-love-for-nnamdi.html

Naira Exchange Rates Today

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/08/naira-exchange-rates-today.html

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MORE: http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/nasir-el-rufai-for-2019-president.html

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has become a viral topic on social media network, Twitter, following a presidency suggestion by one of the social media users.

The user tweeted:

we need not be emotional about the next Nigerian President. i'm hoping Buhari is a oner termer. And El-rufai is the guy

Nigerians however did not waste time in airing their opinion of the suggestion.

Reads reactions below:

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/nasir-el-rufai-for-2019-president.html

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The son of the former Nigerian National team coach, Stephen Keshi who was laid to rest recently has accused the President, Muhammadu Buhari of neglecting his family adding that such action does not strengthen patriotism among citizens of the country



He wrote:

“I sat in front of the federal government on national television a few weeks ago and they promised they would honor pops the way he deserves.



They said that he has done to much for the country for them not to. They made us change dates to fit the federal governments schedule. But they didn’t do as promised, we aren’t mad, nor sad, just disappointed, they should be ashamed of themselves.



This sends a terrible message to our youth that are striving to do great things for Nigeria. The good thing is that We was raised not to ask for handouts. There will be no more postponements, today the funeral ceremonies began in Benin, the place he loved, where his career started.



My sisters, brother and I held it down, with the help of a few others, and now we are putting our pops to rest. We don’t owe anyone poo and we can say they owe pops everything. No salt, it is not the people’s fault, we still love Nigeria as pops did”.



He added: “Finally pops has been laid to rest. The people of Africa has gained an angel. His loyalty and service has not gone unnoticed, the people of Africa thank you for your support, your prayers were felt. 7/29/2016′.



I think we should learn to appreciate/honour our legends.It will make people more patriotic”

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/buhari-neglected-us-stephen-kesshis-son.html

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Senate President, Bukola Saraki today, paid a condolence visit to Kwara state Governor, Governor Ahmed on the demise of his wife's mother.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-bukola-saraki-pays-condolence.html

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The Ooni of Ife and his wife were warmly welcomed and hosted by the Ghanian President on their visit to the Nigerian neighbours.

He and his wife were given this lovely art work as a parting gift!!!

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-ooni-of-ife-gets-lovely-art-gift.html

Governor Segun Mimiko at the 60th birthday of the APC gubernatorial aspirant Rotimi Akeredolu, in Owo.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-mimiko-at-60th-birthday-of-apc.html

Senator David Mark On July 17th 2016 , presented one car each to three priest in otukpo. Rev father akpala , father Moses and father Emma.



Presenting the cars on behalf of the formal senate president were David Mark junior, the member representing otukpo/akpa in the benue state house of assembly (hon Egli Johnson Ahubi) and Rev father Onmoke


http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-3-suvs-given-to-newly-ordained.html

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Obafemi Martins "obagoal' Shanghai Shenhua and super eagles striker paid a visit to his team mate, Demba Ba in the hospital after his horrific leg break injury over the weekend.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-obafemi-martins-visits-demba-ba.html

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Vice President Osinbajo took time off Sunday evening in Kigali, meeting the Nigerian community. AU summit ended Monday and VP back in Abuja.


http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photo-vp-osinbajo-meet-with-nigerian.html

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More

The Ministry of Youth and Sports will receive its budgetary allocation for the Rio Olympics by Wednesday July 20, 2016.

The Director General, Budget Office of the Federation Mr Ben Akabueze gave the assurance on Monday at a meeting of the House committee on Sports held with the Ministry of Youth and Sports , the Accountant-General of the federation, the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the Director- General, Budget office of the federation at the House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja.

The Deputy Chairman, House committee on Sports, Hon Anayo Nnebe had enquired why funds budgeted for the Olympic Games in Rio were yet to be released barely three weeks to the opening ceremony.

"The committee resolved to invite the Minister of Finance, the Director General Budget, the Accountant General of the federation, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, the Permanent Secretary and the President Nigeria Olympic Committee because Nigerians are worried that up till now, funds have not been released for the Olympics. The implication is that almost every part of preparations for the games is on hold. We cant prepare without funds. Releasing funds just a few days to the games will not be good enough to prepare the athletes for the games" Hon Nnebe said.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barrister Solomon Dalung however assured that the Ministry had done its best in preparing 78 athletes for ten events despite the non availability of funds.

"Lack of funds has dampened the morale of the athletes at this time. They could have suffered from psychological inconveniences including poor nutrition , non -payment of allowances and other social problems and may not give you their best. The money is not just about training for the Olympics but other special needs of the participants. The failure to release funds up till this this time has placed us in great jeopardy. We have run out of goodwill because we haven't even been able to pay back money borrowed in the cause of waiting for funds to be released" Dalung said.

In his response, the Director-general, Budget office of the federation Mr Ben Akabueze stated that his office had a budgetary allocation of N600m for the Olympics. N415.6m was for preparations of Olympic and Paralympic Games and an allocation of N184.6m to the Nigeria Olympic Committee to facilitate the games proper out of which the ministry had sought the release of N503, 977,710m.

" You will recall the late approval of the budget and the challenges of processing this release which was occasioned by the long public holidays. The bottom line is that in a a day or two, the funds will be released" the DG assured.

One of the committee members and President, Cycling Federation of Nigeria Hon. Mohammed Nur Sheriff however urged the Budget office to also take a step further to ensure that the funds needed for the games were paid to the ministry in dollars to save them another long process of getting the foreign exchange value.

"We need to be proactive and engage the Central Bank of Nigeria in assisting in processing the procurement of foreign exchange pending when the funds are released".
The Olympic village opens to athletes on July 24 while the opening ceremony is billed for August 5 2016.

NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE
SA MEDIA
18-07-2016



http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-olympic-funds-to-be-released.html

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Today, A couple of Senators and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki were in Maiduguri to commiserate with the Shehu of Borno over Ali Monguno’s death. On arrival, they were received by Gov. Shettima.



The Senate delegation expressed their sadness to the late Alhaji Monguno's family during the visit to their home in Borno.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-senate-president-pays-condolence.html

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A Niger Delta militant group, the Ultimate Warriors of Niger Delta has vowed to bring the country’s oil production and subsequently the economy to its knees.

While issuing the fresh threat, the militant group noted that it had nothing to lose by blowing up the nation’s oil facilities.

The group further accused the Federal Government of nonchalance towards the proposed dialogue between it and the militants.

According to news agency, Punch, the spokesman of the group, Sibiri Taiowoh in a statement issued said: “We have said it before that we have nothing to lose on the bombing of oil pipelines because our mission is to ground the oil economy if our demands are not met.

“We have said we are doing what we are doing to prod the government to renegotiate the control of our oil resources and other related matters. What we are doing now is the only way to this kind of agitation.

“We have watch with chagrin the recent utterance by the President and his Vice and all we are seeing is them tacitly playing double standards and lips service to the demand of the groups as it concerns the Niger Delta question and that is why all of our Units and affiliates have not fully heeded to our ceasefire.

“Today the President will say something, tomorrow his Vice and some of their dishonest and selfish lieutenants will contradict him and that only shows how confused and unserious the government is about the problems and how to deal with them.”

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/fg-is-unserious-militants-promise-to.html

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Abia State Governor at his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun's daughter's wedding in Lagos. He had Warm moment with the Ooni Of Ife.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-governor-okezie-ikpeazu-meets.html

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Check out this humongous cassava harvested from a small farm in Ijede, Ikorodu belonging to an AC engineer who is not even a full scale farmer.



Ise Oluwa bakare, a Facebook user posted the pictures and wrote;

“Somewhere in Ikorodu,Ijede to be precise.. He is not even a full scale farmer,he is an AC engineer…
Imagine how any heads these tubers will feed…. Let’s farm to kill hunger…”

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-check-out-this-humongous-cassava.html

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President Muhammadu Buhari received the Alake of Egbaland, His Majesty Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo 111, at the State House.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-alake-of-egba-land-visits.html

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Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity on Monday made an appeal to BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, ‘not to waver in their support for the government in the war against terrorism and in the ongoing effort to free all Nigerian citizens taken captive by the Boko Haram terrorist group.’

Though not total, the present administration has done fairly better than the immediate past government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.


Here are 10 reasons why.

1. Nigerian military, with more sophisticated weapons and government support have launched series of successful attacks on Sambisa Forest, a stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorist group and other encampments.

2. President Buhari shortly after assuming power ordered the relocation of the Military Command Centre from Abuja to Maiduguri with immediate effect. “The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.” Although the Presidency has not achieved all its set targets, many successes have been recorded.

3. Records from the Army show that about 15,000 captives, mostly women and children have been rescued from the terrorists from February to date.

4. Dozens of communities that were previously under the control of the terrorists have been liberated, allowing thousands of previously displaced citizens to return home and resume their normal lives. The latest of this is the reopening of the Maiduguri-Gamboru road after 3-year closure.

5. In addition, thousands of women and children freed from captivity have been reunited with their families.

6. The Buhari-led government carried the citizens along in the fight against the insurgents. The successes and downfall of the Nigerian military is well reported in the media.

7. Nigeria has provided $21million to the Task Force since June 2015 and is committed to an additional $79 million USD, bringing the total of Nigeria’s commitment to the Task Force to 100 million USD.

8. Buhari in June 2015 was able to secure $5m support from USA for the fight against the terrorists in the sub-region. The U.S Government further announced an additional $40 million USD for humanitarian assistance in the sub-region.

9. Recruitment of additional 10,000 persons into the Nigeria Police Force is ongoing. The recruitment will address the manpower gap which currently exists in the Nigeria Police, subsequently not only enhancing security in North-east but the whole country.

10. The army now have a more secured border to ensure that fleeing insurgents are tracked down.



http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/10-ways-president-buhari-is-more.html

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Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai was with Minister Of Power,Works And Housing Babatunde Fashola at the 2nd edition of National Council on Power organized by the Minister of Power,Works & Housing in Kaduna state.


The Kaduna Power Supply Company Ltd. (KAPSCO) are local partners for the power event.



The theme of the event was: Achieving Incremental, then Stable, then Uninterrupted Power.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-gov-el-rufai-and-fashola-at.html

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Gunmen suspected to be militants from Niger Delta have reportedly been attacking some people in Ikorodu, Lagos State. A www.newshelm.com reader sent in these photos and narrated how a man barely escaped their grasp on Tuesday, after they opened fire on his car while he was heading home at night.

He requested that the photos be shared to inform the authorities that these attacks are increasing and getting worse by day. The man who was shot luckily survived, but not without a bullet piercing his shoulder.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-gunmen-suspected-to-be-militants.html

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Owed pensioners bar governor Udom Emmanuel from entering Government House this morning as they have resulted to this as the last measure to get their pay!

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-owed-pensioners-bar-governor.html

Last night, Hon Yakubu Dogara received the Zik Prize in Leadership Award for Public Service.

http://www.newshelm.com/2016/07/photos-hon-yakubu-dogara-zik-prize-in.html

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