The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Five ways to reduce work stress

    After a very rough day at work, all you probably have in mind is the sweet comfort of your bed or the relaxing taste of good food and washing it down with the wine you love so much. All of a sudden, you are stuck in a long traffic.

    This is when you begin to feel the pain that has encamped round your body, from your neck to your back and most times your head. At this point all you feel is the pain of a stressful day.

    Here are some tips on how to reduce stress at work:

    *PROPER PLANNING

    First plan of the day is to take breakfast. It is the most important meal of every living day. Make a plan for the day, write out a to-do-list and how you plan on going about it. Proper planning would eventually make your work easier and as well as reduce multitasking, a plan would help put you in check so that you don’t miss a thing. This is a very easy way to roll of stress at work.

    Read Also: ‘Nigerians need therapy to overcome their daily stress’

    *AVOID CONFLICT

    Discoveries have shown that conflicts have a high tendency of having a negative effect on a person’s physical and emotional health. It is best to avoid conflicts with co-workers. However, in a situation where you find yourself involved in any form of conflict, do not act in a way that would escalate the whole issue but deal with it the right way, settle things amicably. Also stay clear of colleagues who like to fight, argue or gossip, do not get involved in any altercation at work. This would help reduce the stress at work.

    *BE SIGNIFICANT AT WORK

    Always bring something to the table. There would always be pressure from bosses on those who offer nothing or add little significance to the growth of their organisation and it’s business. Be creative, think and keep thinking of something different that would be of great benefit to your organisation, be at the top of your game. Being recognised among the top players would reduce or fully eradicate any form of pressure from your bosses at work. This would help you feel relaxed at work thereby relieving your body and mind of stress while at work.

    *DO SIMPLE EXERCISES  DURING BREAKS

    Another effective way to release stress at work is by doing the simplest form of exercise which is ‘walking’. During your tea break, smoke break, lunch break and any time you are free, stretch your body a bit, take walks round the block or round your office if convenient. Do not stay in one position for the whole day, sit in a relaxed position when working, do not strain or put pressure on your body. If a particular position is uncomfortable, change your position. Th I would ease your body off all tension.

    *LISTEN TO MUSIC

    Science and other studies have proven that Music has the ability to calm people, it has a relaxing effect on the mind. Listen to music often, when at work or on your way home. You can decide to play that song that excites you the most, that causes your body to come alive with those beautiful moves you probably have, this would induce a sparkle of joy and calmness thereby relieving the body of stress. This would also help to put you in a better mood.

  • Things you should not do on your first date

    It is natural to be nervous especially when meeting a stranger for the first time and sometimes that stranger could end up becoming part of our lives.

    When going out for a date with someone we know nothing about,  a lot runs through our mind and most of the questions we ask ourselves without getting answers is ‘ Is he going to harm or rape me’? not bad to stress yourself with such questions because it’s good to be security conscious.

    Most of the times, you get carried away by your emotions on your first date and you won’t know when you will start pouring out secrets you are not supposed to reveal to the stranger.

    Read Also: 10 things a lady should do on her first date

    Do you know the person can easily figure out your weak points? it’s possible because most people read minds and with the character you display at that moment, the person will have it in mind that he or she can easily lure you with sweet romantic words.

    Below are things you should not do when going out on a first date:

     

    1. Don’t look scared

     

    1. Don’t be nervous

     

    1. Don’t talk about the nature of your father’s job

     

    1. Do not forget to ask questions

     

    1. Don’t dress like an irresponsible girl

     

    1. Don’t talk about when last you had sex

     

    1. Don’t go with friends if you are meeting in an open place

     

    1. Don’t look dull

     

    1. Don’t share your whole life story

     

    1. Don’t be rude to the waiters

     

    1. Don’t lie about yourself

     

    1. Don’t get drunk.

     

    1. Don’t order for many things

     

    1. Don’t boast about what you have or do

     

    1. Don’t talk about your past relationship

     

    1. Don’t take too many Phone calls, you can put your phone on silence

     

    1. Don’t forget to look directly to the person’s eyes when talking

  • Lagos begins full-scale rehabilitation of major roads

    The Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) has commenced full-scale routine repair and rehabilitation of roads across the state in fulfilment of the Executive Order on zero tolerance for potholes as declared by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu when he took over reins of government in May.

    Engr. Olufemi Daramola, the General Manager of LSPWC, who disclosed this Thursday during an inspection tour of ongoing rehabilitation of Iju road, said the Corporation has been providing palliatives with the use of boulders and crush stones on strategic roads across the state to ensure free flow of traffic in spite of incessant rainfall witnessed in Lagos in the past few weeks.

    The General Manager said presently road rehabilitation work is ongoing in 26 different locations which include Oke-Afa Isolo, Ejigbo, Ikotun-Ijegun axis, Oba Sekumade and Bayeku road at Ikorodu, Iddo inward Idumota, Ahmadu Bello way, Alfred Rewane Road, Ikorodu road Ojota interchange opposite LAMATA office and Ikotun-Ijegun road, Damalong link (Jibowu-Moshalashi),

    Read Also: Lagos council marks tree planting day

    Others are Oba Ogunusi road (Grammar School Section), Ikeja under bridge, Ogudu road, Eric Moore Abebe Junction, Oduduwa Road, Apapa, Oguntolu/ George street, Shomolu,  Iddo inward Idumota, Alapere road junction inward Lagos Ibadan Old Toll Gate, Billings way Oregun and Opebi/Allen/Toyin street Ikeja, Herbert Macaulay road Lagos Mainland, Ikotun Igando road, Ilupeju Avenue by Ilupeju Secondary school, Alfred Rewane road by Zenith Bank, Point road Apapa and Apapa road.

    Read Also:

    In his words, “In line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order on “Operation Zero Potholes in Lagos” and his passion to ameliorate the sufferings and pains of commuters, we have commenced full-scale rehabilitation work. The weather has not been friendly but we are committed to carrying out the directive of the Governor”.

    “In line with the order, we had to fix our plants, put some equipment and logistics in place, but the rain had slowed down our speed of delivery. However, things are getting better and we will go all out to enforce Governor Sanwo-Olu’s directive because he feels the pain of the people and commuters across the State”, he added.

    He stated that the Lagos State Public Works was fully aware of the public expectation on the state of the roads across Lagos State, stressing that this informed why the corporation and its personnel operate day and night shift for road rehabilitation and maintenance especially as the weather remains unpredictable.

    The General Manager called for the understanding and cooperation of all residents and road users across the state, noting that the Public Works Corporation is working assiduously to ensure the city of Lagos is rid of potholes in due course as directed by the Governor of the State.

    Engr. Daramola assured Lagosians that road rehabilitation and maintenance within the purview of the Public Works Corporation cut across the State and in due course all affected areas will be reached and properly rehabilitated.

  • Boko Haram kills Colonel, Captain, five other soldiers

    An Army Colonel, a Captain with his four escorts and a driver were killed yesterday by Boko Haram insurgents between Mainok and Jakana, along the Damaturu/Maiduguri Highway.

    Sources said the Colonel and his convoy ran into some fleeing insurgents, who were retreating after a heavy gunfire exchange with soldiers at Jakana.

    The attack lasted for hours.

    A military source, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, denied insinuations that it was an ambush.

    Read Also: Borno emir returns home 5 years after displacement by Boko Haram

    He said: “The Colonel was just unlucky to run into the insurgents on his way from Maiduguri to Damaturu. He did not know an attack was ongoing on the highway.”

    The source confirmed that the Colonel was from 29 Task Force Brigade of Sector II of “Operation Lafiya Dole”.

    Another source said two civilians were killed in the Jakana attack following stray bullets. He said the insurgents did not attack the civilian population.

    Contacted, spokesman for the Nigeria Army Sector II, Lt. Njoka Irabor, said: “Information available to me is still sketchy. I honestly don’t have details now, but I will get back to you as soon as possible.”

  • Criminals cloning govt websites, DSS warns

    Increasingly audacious criminal elements are cloning websites of Federal Government agencies and using them to defraud innocent citizens, the Department of State Services (DSS) has declared.

    In a statement in Abuja on Thursday, DSS spokesman, Mr. Peter Afunanya, said that intense investigation is going on towards unmasking the criminals.

    According to him: “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to activities of some unscrupulous elements that clone official websites of some government agencies and use same to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

    “Instances abound where the official identities/paraphernalia of certain Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been deceptively deployed by these criminals to short change vulnerable persons.

    “Notably, the Nigeria Social Investment Trust Fund (NSITF) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have so far suffered the tricks of these fraudsters who use decoys to manipulate their victims.

    “This, in the case of NSITF, has resulted in loss of varying sums of money by those promised huge returns on Federal Government’s investments and other poverty alleviation initiatives which ended up as fraudulent Ponzi schemes or money doubling ventures.”

    Read Also: DSS parades ‘fake doctor’ for killing 15 patients

    Urging members of the public to report any such case and exercise restraint in dealing with unknown or unconfirmed persons and groups, Afunanya stated that illegal sale of NYSC kits, promises of youth corpers’ redeployment and other illegalities are being perpetrated by the criminals.

    “On the other hand, some persons have also engaged in the illegal sale of NYSC kits and accoutrements to prospective Corps members.

    “They also advertise the issuance of medical clearance certificates as well as redeployment of corps members to preferred States for primary assignment on medical, security, marital grounds or other reasons.

    “While the DSS is already working with these agencies to identify and apprehend the suspects, the Service enjoins the public and prospective corps members, to be wary and note these fraudulent developments,” he stated, adding the DSS is determined to ensure that those behind such illegalities face the full consequences of their actions.

  • Pinnick removed as CAF First Vice-President

    President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has been removed from his position as First Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    Pinnick, who served in the position since July 2018, has been replaced by South Africa’s Danny Jordaan.

    His removal by CAF President Ahmad came after Ahmad signed an agreement on behalf of CAF with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday.

    The agreement confirmed the appointment of FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura as a General Delegate for Africa, which is in furtherance of recent developments regarding governance structures within the African body.

    The NFF, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja by its Communications Department, confirmed Pinnick’s removal by saying his tenure has expired.

    “The term of …..Pinnick as the First Vice-President of CAF along with that of the Second and Third Vice-Presidents expired today (Thursday).

    “In line with Article 22(4) of the CAF Statutes, every two years when elections are held at the CAF Congress (as took place today), the CAF Executive Committee on the proposal of the CAF President, elects a First, Second and Third Vice-President respectively from among its members,’’ Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said in the statement.

    Read Also: Ighalo retires from Super Eagles

    Olajire further said: “Significantly, the renewal of Pinnick’s tenure was not proposed by the CAF President because of fundamental differences on focus and direction.’’

    He added that Pinnick accepted the CAF President decision as it aligned with his view, having considered “matters surrounding the administration of African Football which has dovetailed into the Nigerian Football space’’.

    The NFF said further that Pinnick would however remain bonafide member of the CAF Executive Committee to continue with his mandate as such.

    It quoted Pinnick as accepting the situation by saying: “It has however been an excellent opportunity to serve as the number two football administrator in the entire African continent.

    “My commitment to the game is perpetual, while my support for my colleagues in the Executive Committee remains steadfast.’’

    Pinnick’s removal means a reshuffling of the positions of the other vice-presidents, Constant Omari of DR Congo and Moroccan Faouzi Lekjaa.

    Omari, who is the President of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) will move up from Second Vice-President to First Vice-President.

    Lekjaa, who heads the Moroccan federation and was Third Vice-President, becomes Second Vice-President.

    Jordaan will now act as the Third Vice-President.

    However, Lekjaa is facing a possible ban by CAF after the Ethiopian Football Federation accused the Moroccan federation president of assaulting a referee.

    The incident occurred after the 2018/2019 African Champions League final match between Wydad Casablanca and Tunisia’s Esperance.

    After CAF’s Disciplinary Committee failed to reach a verdict earlier this month, the case was sent back to the ruling body.

    Meanwhile, Samoura will start her role as FIFA General Delegate to Africa on Aug. 1.

    The role is renewable after six months if both CAF and FIFA agree, in the hope of overseeing widespread administration reform in Africa.

    CAF has been plagued by a series of scandals in recent times, with Ahmad being detained some weeks ago in France.

    FIFA had thereafter announced it was taking over the governance of the confederation, leading to former FIFA President Sepp Blatter saying the move flouted the statutes of football’s world governing body.

    He had said the move also represented a “new aspect of colonialism’’(NAN)

  • ‘Reps lack powers to shut down Edo Assembly’

    The Edo State Government has said the House of Representatives lacks the Constitutional powers to shut down the Edo State House of Assembly.

    The state government’s statement is a response to the purported orders by the House of Representatives to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to seal off Edo House of Assembly until a proper inauguration is done, amongst others.

    In a statement in Benin City, Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., maintained “there is nowhere in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where the House of Representatives or even the National Assembly for that matter, is granted the right or power to shut down a State House of Assembly,” adding that “in point of fact such power is expressly excluded by the Constitution.”

    According to the SSG” “The Government and people of Edo State are appalled and disappointed at the gross illegality and abuse of process by the House of Representatives.”

    Read Also: Reps to investigate Edo House of Assembly crisis

    He explained: “It must first of all be pointed out that the emergency supervisory powers over the activities of State Houses of Assembly which are contained in Section 11 of the Constitution of our Republic are expressly donated to “The National Assembly” and not one individual arm of it.

    He added: “These powers certainly do not extend to issuing directives to a duly elected State Governor to unlawfully repeat an act which has already been fully carried out in line with the Constitution.

    “It has further not been alleged or concluded by anyone that the Edo State House of Assembly is unable to sit.

    “In fact, whenever the ‘self-exiled’ members-elect so choose, they can join their colleagues in plenary in Benin City.”

    Ogie emphasised: “Suffice it to say however that there is nowhere in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where the House of Representatives or even the National Assembly for that matter, is granted the right or power to shut down a State House of Assembly, in point of fact such power is expressly excluded by the Constitution.”

    The state government advised “those interested parties who sit in positions of authority in Abuja and are using their offices to influence the House of Representatives to take note that we all ultimately owe a debt of accountability to the good people of Edo State for our actions.

    Edo government acknowledged its respect for the National Assembly but noted that “we live in a nation governed by laws, where no single individual or group is permitted to utilise its privileged position to oppress and intimidate the people of an entire State.

    Ogie added: “We must state that the final verdict in this matter will ultimately be rendered by the good people of Edo State, for whose benefit Government exists. We are certain therefore that this illegality will not stand.”

  • Supreme Court upholds Zulum, Kyari election as Gov, Senator

    The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by Alhaji Idris Mamman Gatumba, challenging the election of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as Governor of Borno State.

    The apex court also dismissed an appeal filed by Hajja Fati Monguno challenging the election of Senator Abubakar Kyari representing Borno North.

    In a unanimous judgment, five justices of the Supreme Court, led by Hon justice John Iyang Okoro, dismissed both appeals for lack of merit.

    The appellants, Idris and Kaakenna, had separately challenged the September/October, 2018 APC primaries in Borno State and approached the apex court after losing ‎at both the Court of Appeal in Jos and the Federal High Court in Maiduguri.

    Read Also: Court upholds Sowore’s, Fabiyi’s suspension as AAC’s Chairman, Secretary

    ‎At the Supreme Court, counsel to the appellants I K Bawa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, prayed the court to invoke its powers and set aside the concurrent judgments of the lower Courts to remove Governor Zulum and Senator Kyari from office as well as declare Idris and Kaakenna validly elected as Governor and Senator.

    In his counter argument, counsel to the two respondents, Yusuf Ali, SAN, represented in court by K K Eleja, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria , argued the appeals were statute barred hence lacking in merit.

    He argued that the appeals be summarily dismissed.

    Consequently, the five Judges of the Supreme Court agreed with the argument of the respondents’ counsel and dismissed the two appeals in their favor.

  • Ighalo retires from Super Eagles

    Nigerian forward, Odion Ighalo, has announced his retirement following the Super Eagle’s third placed victory over Tunisia on night at Egypt 2019.

    Odion, who is the highest goal scorer in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, informed coach Gernot Rohr of his decision before leaving to join his club in China immediately after the game.

    “He had discussed his decision with the coach before the third-place match, saying that the constant abuse was taking a toll on his young family but he was advised to keep it under wraps for the moment. After the game, he gave his jersey as a souvenir to the coach, said his goodbyes and left,” a source stated.

    Prior to the game, the 30-year-old posted a message on his WhatsApp status update that simply said “Final Game”.

    Read Also: Updated: Mikel retires from Super Eagles

    “He has been very strong for us,” Rohr said, “And it is sad that he wants not to continue.

    “But the door always is open for him any time.”

    Ighalo, something of a late bloomer, made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2015 as the Super Eagles lost 1-0 to Uganda in a friendly.

    He made 35 appearances for Nigeria, scoring 16 goals.

    He was also top scorer through the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with four goals and he could also finish the tournament as top scorer having scored five in Egypt.

  • DPR uncovers smuggling depot in Adamawa

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has uncovered a smuggling depot of petroleum products in a Fulani settlement in a rural village in Mubi South Local Government Area in Adamawa State.

    The Adamawa State Controller of DPR, Alhaji Ibrahim Ciroma, who led a team on a tour to filling stations, was shocked when he got to a filling station opposite the settlement, located near the Republic of Cameroon boarder, only to find that it was a smuggling depot.

    The owner of the settlement ran into the bush on citing the DPR team, leaving DPR’s Ciroma lamenting the presence of the illegal depot despite nearby security checkpoints.

    Read Also: Pump adjustment: DPR seals five petrol stations in Enugu

    “Just look at a Customs checkpoint there with their men on duty, see a military checkpoint 10 meters from here and here is a smuggling depot of petroleum products. What is the essence of all the Customs checkpoints we met on the road on our way here and see another Customs checkpoint 50 meters away from this place,” he said.

    Also in the course of the DPR tour, Ciroma said while sealing off a filling station owned by a state lawmaker, that his fight against smuggling of petroleum products in Adamawa State will not spare anybody.

    He stressed that those involved in sharp activities would soon face the full wrath of the law.

    “I have written the police and civil defense officials over the illegal filling stations operating in the state and I directed them to demolish them all since they are all illegal structures in the eyes of DPR laws,” he said.