The Nation Newspaper

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  • What a man wants in a woman

    What a man wants in a woman

    It is true that men generally have great expectations from their ideal women – there are some unique features and attributes he desires and some others he cannot tolerate or withstand.
    It is also true that as men are different, so are their preferences for their women. While some men like independent women who are very ambitious; some prefers women with good character, while others simply want women who can satisfy them sexually.
    Here are some things men desires from their women:Adewole Okesina wants his woman to be presentable and one that possesses a good home training.

    He said” She should know how to relate with people and always respect me in the presence of others. She should be ready to face anything that comes our way whether good or bad.”For ladies who do not know how to cook, Okesina will not consider. Hear him:”She must be a good cook and let me know whenever she is offended so there won’t be quarrels.

    Having been married for years, Mr. Femi Dada is of the opinion that men prefer women that will care for them anytime. Apart from being caring, Dada wants his woman to “be God fearing, decent and neat. She should always take care of her environment.”

    According to Dada, men are faced with challenges at work and then come home feeling bothered wanting to share with their spouse.

    He urged a woman that has a listening ear to listen to whatever bothers her husband so he can be relieved, “A woman that will take me for who I am and accommodate my shortcomings is what I need. An unselfish woman that values children and one that will care for my extended family. Not just someone that will say ‘I and my husband alone,” he added.Not ruling out the spiritual aspect to relationships, Dada advises husbands and wives to have the love and fear for God.

    Like Dada, Mr. Henry Mgbeme wants a woman that is caring and supportive. A woman who will not depend on him for everything she needs nor engage in worldly activities.
    For Mgbeme, he wants a modest woman. “I prefer her simple and modest – I would not like my woman to use jewellery.”Going the African tradition, Mr. Atumeyi Uwanni, a married man for years, prefer a woman well nurtured in her traditions and must not be canal. This he says is a typical African woman.

    Speaking further, Uwanni said “A man can be flirt, known to the woman but she can absorb and manage. But no man can manage the flirt character of a woman.
    Also, Uwanni, frowns at women with low hygiene manners.
    He advised that such a woman should strive to imbibe healthy lifestyle.Uwanni was also of the view that, “A woman should be good in all ramifications.”

    For those women who do not exhibit good character, he advised that such a woman should read the last chapter of the Book of Proverbs as a guideline to managing her home.
    To him,” Marriage is friendship. Friendship is companionship. Companionship is what a man looks out for in a woman. If there is no relationship, there is no fellowship. The relationship between the spouses metamorphoses into fellowship.”
    For nagging and callous women, Uwanni says such persons are not welcome by men. Such women, he says will not welcome a man’s ‘people’ and friends into his house.Uwanni therefore proposes for love in a relationship. This he says covers a multitude of sin. Love, he pointed out, should not be only in bed but also outside bed.

    On his part, Henry Ose wants a sincere woman that he can trust anywhere, anytime and any day.
    He said “Women can fool men to the brim if they want to. A girl giving her body doesn’t guarantee her love for you. She might as well be fooling you.”I don’t want a woman that will still have feelings for her ex-lover because she would never want to let him go,” Ose added.

    Reeling the preferences he wants in a woman, Lanre Bello said that he wants a woman from a good background, Christian with a good behavior that can accommodate his friends and people.

    Bello did not also fail to mention that his ideal woman “must be a good cook and be very good in bed. For, if she is an amateur, then it’s going to be hell for the man.”Dami Israel Ojo wants a woman of good character. To him: “It is not all about the beauty or make-up. The good character is the beauty of a woman and this is what will stand the test of time when the beauty would have gone. This is what builds up a good family.”

    Ojo also craves for a woman that is very understanding, “I want a woman with understanding. She should understand my type of person, for I am a very stubborn and aggressive type.”

  • Air pollution as major cause of lung cancer

    Air pollution as major cause of lung cancer

    Air pollution has long been known to cause heart and lung diseases, but evidence now supports that it’s a leading environmental cause of lung cancer. As a result, the World Health Organization has classified air pollution in the same category as tobacco smoke, UV radiation and plutonium.

    A thorough review of the most recent data suggests that 223, 000 lung cancer deaths were directly caused by air pollution. The data also links pollution to the development of bladder cancer.

    The main sources of environmental air pollution were found to be from industries such as power stations and emissions from agriculture. Fossil fuel emissions from cars and trucks have skyrocketed in recent years with rapid urbanization and the increased reliance on motorized transport of people and goods.

    Environmental air pollution also includes smoke and emissions from burning rubbish, firewood and charcoal. These activities occur in and around the home and are major causes of respiratory disease in both adults and children. Cancer aside, children also experience more generalised illness, such as bronchitis, asthma and earaches when exposed to the chemical onslaught of environmental pollution.

    The exact cause and effect of pollutants on health is often impossible to obtain. This is due to individual differences such as genetics, one’s overall health, history of exposure and a pollutants reaction time. Certain individuals are affected more than the rest of the population such as the elderly, children, pregnant women and the handicapped.

    There are the many types of air pollution that contaminate the air and awareness is growing about the dangers they can pose to one’s health. Environmental pollution is often outside one’s control and the public must focus on what they can change, versus what they can’t.

    “There’s also a lot we can do as individuals to lower our chances of developing the disease such as being more physically active and adopting a healthier diet,” says Dr Rachel Thompson, head of research interpretation at the World Cancer Research Fund International.

    “This latest evidence confirms the need for government, industry and multinational bodies to urgently address environmental causes of cancer.”

     

    Dr Couillard is an international health columnist that works in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s goals of disease prevention and global health care education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement. He can be reached via:

     

    Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com

    Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard

    Twitter: DrCoryCouillard

     

     

  • World Polio Day: Join fight against polio

    World Polio Day: Join fight against polio

    Every October 24, the World Polio Day is observed. It is on records that the fight against polio has attained 99 percent reduction.

    Polio is an infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis and even death.

    It is highly infectious, and can have debilitating impacts. While it can strike anyone, at any age, the disease mainly affects children under five years old.

     In 1988, an estimated 350 000 cases. As at 2012, reported cases reduced to 223. This reduction is said to as a result of the global effort to eradicate the disease.

    Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, and stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralyzed, 5 to 10 per cent die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.

    Here are 5 reasons to care about polio:

    1. 99 percent reduction in polio cases: In the past 25 years, the number of polio cases has dropped by more than 99 percent, from an estimated 350,000 cases in 1988 to just 223 last year – the lowest number ever.

    2. 10 million walking: Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative launched, immunization against polio has saved more than 10 million children from paralysis according to the World Health Organization.

    3. Only 3 endemic countries: Polio remains endemic in just three countries – Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan.  This means that transmission of the disease has never been stopped in these countries.  Until this happens, other countries are at risk of importing this highly contagious disease.

    4. Failure could result in up to 200,000 new cases annually: As long as polio remains anywhere, it’s a threat everywhere.  According to the World Health Organization, failure to eradicate polio could, within 10 years, result in as many as 200,000 new cases worldwide every year.

    5. $40 billion – $50 billion in savings: Economic models estimate that ending polio would save between US$40 billion to US$50 billion over the 20 years following eradication.

    Culled from: http://www.unfoundation.org/

  • Achieving sustainable food security

    Achieving sustainable food security

     

    Today marks the World Food Day. This is a day set aside for people all around the world who are involved in the many diverse elements of the food system to come together to reflect on the vital role that food plays in our lives and to consider how things can be done better.

    The theme for this year is: ‘Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition’. Every year, the world food day is celebrated to help increase understanding of problems and solutions in the drive to end hunger.

    It is said that food security takes place “when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” In order words, food security can only be achieved when everyone is involved.

    According to research, food security in Nigeria is a major issue. Despite the increase of food production, there is yet to be equilibrium with demand.  Also the absence of top notch harvesting, processing and distributing techniques lead to loss of produce. Total on oil at the expense of agriculture is another major issue in this regards.

    How well has Nigeria utilised her land mass for farm produce?

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina was quoted to have said that N1.3 trillion was utilised for food imports this year.

    According to him, “our food imports are growing at an unsustainable rate of 11 per cent per annum thereby fuelling domestic inflation and increasing poverty.

    “We are importing products that we can either produce in abundance like N356 billion worth of rice, N217 billion worth of sugar and N97 billion worth of fish.”

    The minister also agrees to the fact Nigeria can locally produce what she imports: “we are also importing products that we can easily find local alternatives, which can equally reduce our import bill of almost N635 billion being spent on wheat production.”

    According to statements and figures, Nigeria can truly cut the disgraceful food import bill through empowering local farmers. This will definitely lead to achieving FAO’s vision of food security and nutrition.

    In his speech Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), José Graziano da Silva, states that a functioning food system is borne out of an equal demand and supply of food in the world.

    According to Silva, there are 840 million people who experience food shortages, 2 million people who suffer from nutrient deficiencies and 1.5million people suffering from overweight. He also identified the two greatest challenges causing a dreadful food situation in the world as:

    – Translating increase in food availability into better nutrition for all people and

    – How to make the necessary shift to environmentally and socially sustainable production and consumption systems.

    He therefore called on all to ensure their life styles are improved. This he says will help in solving the problems.

    In his words: “This year’s World Food Day theme “Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition” is an invitation to us to consider just how well the system is working and what can be done to improve it.

    “From a rather narrow demand and supply perspective we can claim that, since 1945, the food system has worked remarkably well. The world’s population has tripled in this period, and average food availability per person has risen by 40 per cent. This is an extraordinary achievement and many economists would cite it as proof of the effectiveness of “the market” in inducing an adequate supply response to the growth in demand from a fast rising and richer global population. If we look a bit deeper, however, we shall see that there are huge flaws in how the food system operates.

    “The biggest failure is that, in spite of plentiful food supplies, the health of more than half the world’s 7 billion population is affected by under- or over-consumption. Just 3 years ago, the threat of famine forced millions of Somalis to abandon their homes to search for food, and as many as 260,000 people, many of them children, are estimated to have died of starvation. This was a horrific reminder that the global food market works well for those that have money but fails to respond to the needs of the poor.

    “What is clear is that “the market” alone does not automatically translate food availability into better nutrition, health, productivity and happiness. The most glaring market failure stems from the fact that those with the greatest food needs are unable, because of their poverty, to translate these into demand. They are caught in a hunger trap which is self-perpetuating because they do not have the means to buy or produce the food their family requires for a healthy life. That hunger persists in a world of plenty food is truly scandalous.”

    He attributed other challenges of food availability to include unsustainability of the present food system. This he stressed has both environmental and human dimensions.

    “Much of the extraordinary growth in food output has placed great stresses on natural resources. It has degraded soils, polluted and exhausted fresh water supplies, encroached on forests, depleted wild fish stocks, and narrowed biodiversity, leaving these resources with a diminished capacity to meet the food needs of our children and future generations. Intensive farming systems, combined with food wastage on a massive scale, have also become a big source of the greenhouse gas emissions that help to drive the processes of climate change that, in turn, are expected to create new adaptation challenges for farmers. Even the richer food consumers do not yet pay for the cost of this damage to natural capital or for clearing it up,” he added.

    Silva advised that as the world marks the World’s Food Day people over the  world should share  thoughts and experiences on how best to address  to translate rising food availability into better nutrition for all people and how to make the necessary shift to environmentally and socially sustainable production and consumption systems.

     

     

  • Advocating use of female condoms

    Advocating use of female condoms

    The Global Female Condom Day observed recently in Lagos, brought to the fore the need for the womenfolk to embrace the use of female condoms. Kelechi Amakoh and Hope Samson report.
     
    In spite of its availability in the country, stakeholders are of the view that awareness on the use of female condoms is still very low among the women folk. In their view, if it is embrace, most of the issues associated with women would be reduced drastically.
    At a recent event organised to mark the 2013 Global Female Condom Day, participants, were educated on the importance of using female condoms.
    One of the leading voices and co-ordinator of Safe Haven Development Initiative (SHDI), Mrs. Margaret Ona advised Nigerian women not to shy away from of condoms, “As women we should all embrace the use of female condoms. It is our power to prevent sexually transmitted infections and will help us to make decisions on health issues,” she said.
    Ona stated that the female condom had been in Nigeria but is yet to record high usage due to the cultural beliefs, “’ since 2007, female condoms have been in Nigeria but it has not been accepted because of our culture,” SHDI Co-ordinator said.
    According to her, female condoms are made from polyurethane-a thin soft plastic and it is worn inside the birth canal used to prevent semen from getting into the womb, “It helps to protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases,” she added.
    The event also provided the right atmosphere for SHDI to announced its readiness to partner with hair dressers and barbers as a way of drumming support and creating the needed awareness for women to see the need to use condoms.
     “We (SHDI) will be working on the government initiative on promoting female condom with barbers and hair dressers in Nigeria. Every woman must go to a hair dresser to make her hair so as every man to his barber,” she said
    Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Sussie Metu, Secretary of Young Women Christian Association of Nigeria (YWCA) called on all women to embrace the use of female condoms.

    ”As females, the female condom gives us the power and right to express ourselves sexually. We all need to use these condoms. It serves as protection from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted         infections.”

    Metu, a community development worker with over two decades of experience, advised women to ensure their husbands are informed properly in order not to cause any family problem.

    Meanwhile, as part of activities to mark the Global Female Condom Day safe heavens distributed 2,000 free female condoms to females at Ogba area of Lagos state.

     

  • ‘Priority should be given to educating women’

    ‘Priority should be given to educating women’

    Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika is a gender expert and senior lecturer, Department of Mass communication, University of Lagos (UNILAG). She speaks with Kelechi Amakoh on the role of education in nation building, why it is imperative for government at all levels to invest in the education women among others
     
    What is your take about the United Nations International Day of the girl child?
    There is a saying that: educate a girl, you educate a family, country and also the nation- people also say that if you feel education is expensive, try ignorance. What is the import of this statement? It talks about the place of education in the development of one another. No nation can develop well without education. And more often than not in the developing nations of the world, the girl child is not a priority in the aspect of education especially in a patriarchal society but I think they are beginning to have a rethink. It is a good thing that they are coming to terms on the need to educate the girl child. Tell me how an illiterate mother will educate her child? Every young girl you see today is tomorrow’s woman. If you do not invest in the girl child of today, you are wasting the tomorrow of the nation.
    What is the Importance of education to the girl child?
    There are a whole lot to gain when you talk of educating the girl child. Education is for service to self, family and humanity. It is a sin qua non for national development. The world has ranked it as number two on the MDGs. Showing you the importance of education.
    If you say more than half of the population are females, therefore if you do not give priority to educating the girl child, in the nearest future 50 per cent of the population will not be educated.
    Are there any efforts to really push for this?
    Do we need to fight to get your child trained?  Did anyone fight before my father trained me? It tells you the importance you place on the child God has given you. Look at Germany. Merkel (Angela) is doing well. The country is doing well. You do not need the sex organs to drive a country. Investing in the girl child is a strategic investment both at the family level and at the state level.  Today, I am not a liability to anyone. I do not have to cry to my brothers, father nor my husband for help because I am empowered.
    There is a school of thought that says the education of a woman stops in the kitchen. What is your take on that?
    Everybody cooks. Do you use sex organs to cook? The greatest chefs in the world are men. Investing in a girl child is an all round success. It helps the girl take informed decisions- as a home maker, mother, and wife.
    Are girl’s aware of their self worth to diffuse the thought of this set of people?
    Yes, there are many Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that involve in orientating the girl child. State governments are rising to the task such as Akwa Ibom, Osun, and Delta etc. For instance, in Delta State they just launched ‘Edumarshall’. If a girl is involves in street hawking and all sort of things at the expense of her education, her parents will be arrested. There are people that go around ensuring this reform.
     It is a concerted effort. Whether you are in Otuoke or in my village in Delta State a school is in place to educate the girl child.  The home front is the first place where the girl child should be inculcated values and morals. We continue to talk to parents on the need to bring up the girl child. Also, the religious leaders should enlighten their congregations on the need to empower the girl child. Community leaders should talk about it. Youth leaders should be able to ask why a girl isn’t sent to school. People should also learn to reduce large family sizes. Be content with the child God has given you. You owe God a duty to train up that child well.
    It is not a job to be left for somebody. Everyone is involved. It is a win-win situation for the family and society at large. For example, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is what she’s today because her parents trained her despite the absence and eagerness for education in those days.
    With education, you become more patriotic. You know no one can lure you to Italy for prostitution.
    Two years ago, a current serving lawmaker took to wife a 13 year old. Does this mean that leaders are yet to understand the importance girl child?
    People hide under the cloak of religion and other things to come up with different things. We all should look at whether these are according to global best practices. Before a law is passed, you should ask yourself if this were to be my child would I allow it. The Child Right Act passed by the National Parliament in 2003 should be the benchmark. There are cultural differences. I believe with continuous sensitisations and enlightenment the nation will be better informed.
    How would you react to issue of girls subjected to pressure from lecturers in school?
    People should not misunderstand people making passes at you for sexual harassment. I am not saying sexual harassment is not happening but there are checks. Most times, the girl child throws herself at the lecturer. These girls visit their offices at odd hour. They cheapen themselves. The girls that complain of sexual harassment are mostly weak students. I have studied in three Nigerian universities and one foreign university and I have gone through all things. It may surprise you to know my PhD was supervised in Nigeria by a man. I never knew his house, I was not asked to come to the club to see him. I just did my work. As the girl child, define what you want as an individual.
    Has the girl child been empowered recognise her worth?
    This is where socialisation comes in. You learn to say no to something that is wrong. You can marry your teacher there is no problem with that.  Learn how to carry yourself. If your teacher is interested in you, you can turn him down politely.
    As a girl child, I waded through it. While in school, I knew there was a lecturer who gave me 53 percent two times because he was interested in me. I told him “Sir, I do not have a problem with you so long as I pass my courses. Even if I have a 40 I don’t care but the day I fail I will call for my script.” I was the best student in class – so tell me how he will fail that student?  As a girl child, study hard in school. All through my undergraduate days, I missed only two classes for four years. The implication of this is that you will not find me wanting for attendance, assignments. So tell me, where will you want to catch me? Train yourself morally. If you cheapen yourself, you become a sex object everyone sees. We must put our house in order as women. When you come semi nude to school, you tell me you were sexually harassed – that is not true.
    Do you think the current Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Strike have any impact on the girl child?
    The girl child is not left to the street neither is she the only one affected by the strike. The boy child is also affected. Government should settle this matter once and for all.  Ask where their children study. Ask where they go to when they are sick. They want to leave our social amenities in comatose? When I was an undergraduate, we were three supervised by a British professor. How many British academicians would want to come to the country to teach? No country develops without quality education. ASUU says fund education. Go to Asia – Why do we call them Asian tigers? They have institutes of technology- well developed and well funded. It is not about the lecturers. It is about our future. Let us face life rough and it will smoothen somewhere.
    What’s your advice to the girl child on a day like this?

    The girl child should take advantage of the current opportunities now the world is beginning to see her gain in terms by going to school – gone are the days when your parents say you should not go to school but go into your husband’s house. The time has come. Let us flow with the tide. There is tide in the affairs of men and you need to take through those tides so you can sail smoothly.

  • Advice for Nigerian leaders from Norway

    Advice for Nigerian leaders from Norway

    Tove Fortun  a 50- year old Norwegian trained  economist with over twenty years experience working in the financial industry  recently indicated her interest to advice  Nigerian leaders in a mail she sent to The Nation Online.

    In this interview with Lekan Otufodunrin, Fortun who retired ten years ago due to her health speaks on interest in Nigeria and offers her frank suggestions on how to the government can develop the country.

    Why are you interested in reaching out to Nigerian leaders?

    My letter to the leaders of Nigeria is made for love of my friends I have there. They don´t know each other but tell the same story, so I know life isn´t easy in Nigeria even for well educated .

    What is your impression of Nigeria and the people?

    The people I know is very well educated, very nice and caring people, great hospitality and extremely hardworking people.

    What advice do you have for Nigerian leaders?

    I will be careful with that because I know there are lots of challenges like different religions, different tribes and also Boko Haram who want to own Islamic state up in north. As far as I know Islam it is a peaceful religion and killing or self killing is forbidden.

    But I wish the leaders will use the money from oil and other resources for the best for all people. Education is the key to get out of poverty. But even well educated struggle with their economy. So something must be wrong. All citizens must like Norwegian citizen have access to information about the income to the State Nigeria and also what the money is used for.

    That is very important to avoid corruption. If you show the accounts then everyone knows there are no skeletons in the closet. On long term the leaders should go for free education up to end of high school.

    Who are your Nigerian friends and what has been your experience interacting with Nigerians online and in Norway?

    I am not interested in telling any names. There are both men and women. Some are students and some at my age with families. I am also introduced to wives, kids and girlfriends. This is very nice for me. I learn a lot about religion, better English-skills, politics and the best of all true good friends who never ask for money. I know about scammers and see them on FB every day. And I know also EFCC take the biggest fishes.

    What has been the experience of your country as an oil producing nation?

    I was born in 1963 before Norway found the oil. I remember a happy childhood but in another economical time. We did not go to bed hungry but there was less money and not so many people went for high education as today.

    The oil has given us better possibilities to new hospitals with the most modern equipment for treatment for all diseases. All youth are guaranteed 13 year at school free. Universities and Colleges are also free, means no school fee but you have to pay for books after the first 13 years, high school. The school was also free in my childhood but not so modern like today.

    I know only one bad thing about Norwegian oil fortune. We trust in it too much, so we are in lack of innovation and also good engineers. One day the oil will bring less money to Norway and then we need to have other possibilities for the welfare we have in this country.

    Norway’s welfare system is based on that everyone who work full time and pay taxes. Most of our oil fortune is saved for next generation. But a certain percent is used every year for investments like health, roads, schools and so on.

     

  • Full preliminary report on Lagos plane crash

    Full preliminary report on Lagos plane crash

    PRELIMINARY REPORT ON ACCIDENT INVOLVING ASSOCIATED AIRLINE EMBRAER 120 AIRCRAFT REGISTERED 5N-BJY WHICH OCCURRED AT MMA ON THURSDAY 3RD OCTOBER, 2013.

    The following information has been determined from preliminary readout and analysis of flight 361’s flight recorders.   Flight 361 was equipped with both a COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER and a FLIGHT DATA RECORDER.  Both recorders were replayed at the Accident Investigation Bureau’s recently acquired flight recorder laboratory located in Abuja.   International flight recorder experts from Canada who designed the laboratory assisted the investigation team with the readout and analysis process along with representatives from the aircraft manufacturer and aircraft operator, Associated Airlines.  We are conducting the investigation in accordance with the provisions of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13, of which Nigeria is a member State.

    The flight data recorder or FDR contained approximately 47 hours of data in solid state memory.  The recorder downloaded without issue.  There were approximately 50 parameters recorded.  A few parameters were not working properly however we do not think, in this particular case, that it will hamper the overall investigation.

    The cockpit voice recorder or CVR was an older generation magnetic tape based device.  The CVR’s magnetic tape recording was removed from the unit and replayed on an open reel 4 track tape deck specially adapted for replaying CVR’s of this type.  The CVR contained 32 and one half minutes of audio which included the internal conversation of the two pilots, radio calls and the overall aural environment in the cockpit on the cockpit area microphone.  The CVR was of good quality and the team is in the process of generating a complete transcript of all relevant information.  The AIB plans to release the transcript as part of its final report of the accident however the actual recording is, under international protocol, sensitive and therefore privileged information and will not be released at any time.

    The following represents information that has been determined from our preliminary assessment of both flight recorders:

    The crew discussed some concerns about the aircraft prior to departure but at this time we are not prepared to elaborate on those concerns as there remains a lot of work to complete on the CVR analysis in order to determine the specific nature of the crew’s concerns.

    Associated 361 was cleared for take-off on runway one eight left at Lagos international airport.  The wind was calm and weather is not considered a factor in this accident.  Approximately 4 seconds after engine power was advanced to commence the take-off roll, the crew received an automated warning from the onboard computer voice which consisted of three chimes followed by “Take-off Flaps…Take-off Flaps”.   This is a configuration warning that suggests that the flaps were not in the correct position for take-off and there is some evidence that the crew may have chosen not to use flaps for the take-off.  The warning did not appear to come as any surprise to the crew and they continued normally with the take-off.  This warning continues throughout the take-off roll.   As we are in the process of verifying the accuracy of the flight data, we have not yet been able to confirm the actual flap setting however we expect to determine this in the fullness of time.

    It was determined from the CVR that the pilot flying was the Captain and the pilot monitoring and assisting was the First Officer.

    The ‘set power‘ call was made by the Captain and the ‘power is set’ call was confirmed by the First Officer as expected in normal operations.  Approximately 3 seconds after the ‘power is set’ call, the First Officer noted that the aircraft was moving slowly.  Approximately 7 seconds after the ‘power is set’ call, the internal Aircraft Voice warning system could be heard stating ‘Take off Flaps, Auto Feather’.   Auto feather refers to the pitch of the propeller blades.  In the feather position, the propeller does not produce any thrust.  The FDR contains several engine related parameters which the AIB is studying.  At this time, we can state that the Right engine appears to be producing considerably less thrust than the Left engine.  The left engine appeared to be working normally.  The aircraft automated voice continued to repeat ‘Take-off Flaps, Auto Feather’.

     

    The physical examination of the wreckage revealed that the right engine propeller was in the feather position and the engine fire handle was pulled/activated.

    The standard ‘eighty knots’ call was made by the First Officer.  The first evidence that the crew indicated that there was a problem with the take-off roll was immediately following the ‘eighty knots’ call.   The First Officer asked if the take-off should be abortedapproximately 12 seconds after the ‘eighty knots’ callout.  Our investigation team estimates the airspeed to be approximately 95 knots.  Airspeed was one of the parameters that, while working in the cockpit, appeared not to be working on the Flight Data Recorder.  We were able to estimate the speed based on the radar data that we synchronized to the FDR and CVR but it is very approximate because of this. In response to the First Officer’s question to abort, the Captain indicated that they should continue and they continued the take-off roll.  The crew did not make a ‘V1’ call or a Vr’ call.  V1 is the speed at which a decision to abort or continue a take-off is made. Vr is the speed at which it is planned to rotate the aircraft.  Normally the non-flying pilot calls both the V1 and the Vr speeds.  When Vr is called the flying pilot pulls back on the control column and the aircraft is rotated (pitched up) to climb away from the runway.   During the rotation, the First Officer stated ‘gently’, which we believe reflects concern that the aircraft is not performing normally and therefore needs to be rotated very gently so as not to aerodynamically stall the aircraft.

    The First Officer indicated that the aircraft was not climbing and advised the Captain who was flying not to stall the aircraft.  Higher climb angles can cause an aerodynamic stall.  If the aircraft is not producing enough overall thrust, it is difficult or impossible to climb without the risk of an aerodynamic stall.

    Immediately after lift-off, the aircraft slowly veered off the runway heading to the right and was not climbing properly.  This aircraft behavior appears to have resulted in the Air Traffic Controller asking Flight 361 if operation was normal.  Flight 361 never responded.

    Less than 10 seconds after rotation of the aircraft to climb away from the runway, the stall warning sounded in the cockpit and continued to the end of the recording.  The flight data shows characteristics consistent with an aerodynamic stall.

    31 seconds after the stall warning was heard, the aircraft impacted the ground in a nose down near 90 degree right bank.

     

     

    The investigation is focussing on the following:

    1)    Mechanical and electronic engine control issues related to the Right engine and Right engine propeller systems.

    2)    Aural warnings related to auto-feather and the flap settings required for takeoff.

    3)    Take-off configuration issues with respect to flap settings.

    4)    Crew decision making and training with respect to proceeding with the flight despite concerns regarding the aircraft’s suitability for flight.

    5)    When and how the number 2 engine fire handle was pulled.

    6)    Standard operating procedures with respect to continuing the take-off roll despite continuous automated voice warnings of both ‘take-off flaps’ and ‘auto feather’ when there was ample time to abort the take-off.

    7)    The airline management’s safety culture fostered throughout the airline.

    We are in the process of developing a comprehensive computer reconstruction of the flight which will help our team understand the sequence of events and will ultimately help us communicate our findings to the aviation community and the general public.

    At this time we have no urgent safety recommendations.  We will not wait for the final report to issue safety recommendations should any issue arise that we feel needs immediate attention.

     

     

  • Educating the Girl Child

    Educating the Girl Child

    The importance of the girl child in any society cannot be overlooked. In the words of Barr. (Mrs) Funmi Falana “an untrained girl child is indeed an untrained society” depicts the danger of not training the girl child.

    Having recognised the importance of the girl child in the society, United Nations General Assembly declared October 11 every year as the “International Day of the girl child”. This day according to UN is to “focus attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.” A day set aside to promote human rights and address discrimination and violence faced by girls.

    The theme for this year’s girl child day is: “Innovating for Girls’ Education”. The theme shows the quest for effective, efficient and sustainable methods of educating the girl child.

    Having noticed the overwhelming evidence of the girl child education in serving as a powerful transformative force for societies, UN calls for innovative ways of educating the girl child effectively.

    According to a website research, an estimated 5.5 million children are trafficked annually for forced child labour and sexual exploitation while 67 percent of the illiterate people in the world are women and girls. This is attributed to early marriage and other cultural practices.

    The United Nation Children’s Fund on twitter: @UNICEF puts the figure of 31 million as the amount of girls deprived of education.

    “What can be done to make sure that the girl child is educated? After all, educating girls is the single most powerful investment for development. And it is their right.

    “But even though more girls are entering school than ever before, 31 million are still denied this right.

    “Those that do attend school face major challenges- discrimination, financial stress, and threats to their safety, to name just a few.

    “It is clear that the world needs new, creative solutions to help girls everywhere overcome these barriers to learning and achievement,” as stated on UNICEF’s twitter handle – @UNICEF

    The theme for this year is chosen due to the ‘perceived low returns from poor quality of education,’ which has prevented the girl child from achieving adequate learning outcomes.

    This year’s International Day of the Girl Child is meant to address “innovation in partnerships, policies, resource utilization, community mobilization, and most of all, the engagement of young people themselves.

    Some of the areas UN requires its member states to focus are:

    • Improved public and private means of transportation for girls to get to school—from roads, buses, mopeds, bicycles to boats and canoes;
    • Collaboration between school systems and the banking industry to facilitate secure and convenient pay delivery to female teachers and scholarship delivery to girls;
    • Provision of science and technology courses targeted at girls in schools, universities and vocational education programmes;
    • Corporate mentorship programmes to help girls acquire critical work and leadership skills and facilitate their transition from school to work;
    • Revisions of school curricula to integrate positive messages on gender norms related to violence, child marriage, sexual and reproductive health, and male and female family roles.

    According to a senior lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, policies concerning the girl child are mostly tied to culture and religion. This she says makes the girl child vulnerable to all sorts.

    “People hide under the cloak of culture and religion to do many things. We all should look at whether these are according to global best practices. Before a law is passed, you should ask yourself if this were to be my child would I allow it,” she says

    Ogwezzy calls for continuous sensitisations and enlightenments that will result in a better informed nation. She also calls for the Child Right Act passed by the National Parliament in 2003 to be the benchmark for legislating on the girl child issues.

    The university don says: “The girl child should take advantage of current opportunities now the world is beginning to see her gain. Go to school. Gone are the days when your parents say you should not go to school but go into your husband’s house.”

    She calls on the girl child to discover her self worth and importance to nation building, adding, “Learn how to carry yourself, if your teacher is interested in you, you can turn him down politely.”

    In his goodwill message to commemorate this day, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, calls for improved investment in the girl child education in order to achieve a common future. Ki-moon identifies the importance of education in dislodging issues of discrimination and violence experienced by the girl child.

    In his words: “Empowering girls, ensuring their human rights and addressing the discrimination and violence they face are essential to progress for the whole human family. One of the best ways to achieve all of these goals is to provide girls with the education they deserve.

    “Yet too many girls in too many countries are held back simply because of their gender. Those whose mother was also deprived of an education, who lives in a poor community, or who have a disability face an even steeper climb. Among girls who do make it to school, many face discrimination and violence. I launched the Global Education First Initiative to accelerate progress in getting every child into school, especially girls. We are aiming to teach more than reading and counting; we are striving to raise global citizens who can rise to the complex challenges of the 21st century.

    “To achieve meaningful results, we need fresh solutions to girls’ education challenges and we must heed the voices of young people. I have heard from girls around the world participating in the consultations for the new Girl Declaration. I resolve to ensure that Global Education First mobilizes all partners to respond to their powerful call for empowerment.

    “More broadly, our campaign to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and shape a vision beyond that date must address the concerns and potential of the world’s girls.

    “On this International Day of the Girl Child, let us work together to invest in education so that girls can advance in their personal development and contribute to our common future,” Ban Ki-moon says.

    Two years ago, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. To mark the day last year, UN chose the theme: “Ending child marriage”.

     

     

  • Surrogacy as an option for child bearing

    Surrogacy as an option for child bearing

    The recent news about twin babies born to Adenike Oshinowo, ex beauty queen and Chief Executive of AOE Events and Entertainment Limited, through a surrogate mother has been visited with mixed reactions.

    However, Oshinowo who has lived with a case of endometriosis since she was 13 has through this advancement in science won a battle which may have left her childless for the rest of her life.

    Many have considered this bold move by the ex-queen, very controversial as it goes against the traditional method of childbearing but nonetheless, left a door of hope wide open for those who for some reason may be unable to bear children.

    Infertility is a huge problem that has affected and is still eating at the foundation of many families in Nigeria. According to an online article, 25% of married couples are battling with this problem but thankfully, developments in medicine, have added many variations such as: Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer, In Vitro Fertilisation and of course Surrogacy.

    Adoption which is another method is still not very popular in this part as couples are hesitant to raising a child who is not genetically linked to them. The popular belief is that the child may carry traces of their natural birth parents especially if the birth parents in question lead questionable lives. The need to satisfy the desire for a genetic bond with the child is the reason why surrogacy may after all be a much better option.

    Surrogacy is such a huge step in this part of the world and one of the less visited options for childbearing.

    Oshinowo may have paved the way for many Nigerians and it may be the last option for some people to bear a child.

    Thankfully the law is very fluid on surrogacy services in Nigeria and they are gradually springing up. However it goes against the tenets of many religious groups.

    What is Surrogacy?

    For those to whom the concept of surrogacy is alien to, Surrogacy is a process where an arrangement is made between a couple or individual with a willing woman to carry their child. This child may be genetically linked to the surrogate mother or the couple.

    Main types of surrogacy

    The two main types of surrogacy are:

    Traditional surrogacy (TS)

    This involves artificially inseminating a surrogate mother with the intended father’s sperm via IUI, IVF or home insemination. With this method, the child is genetically related to its father and the surrogate mother.

    Gestational surrogacy (GS)

    When the intended mother is not able to carry a baby to term due to hysterectomy, diabetes, cancer, etc., her egg and the intended father’s sperm are used to create an embryo (via IVF) that is transferred into and carried by the surrogate mother. The resulting child is genetically related to its parents while the surrogate mother has no genetic relation.

    Concerns

    Due to the intricacy of the surrogacy agreement, many concerns are being raised some of which are:

    DNA

    A lot of concerns are constantly being raised on whether or not the child will carry the DNA of the surrogate mother. It is important that we know that a child’s DNA comes from the sperm and the egg used in the process of fertilization. There may in the process of time be some transfer of DNA from the surrogate but this will almost have no effect according to reports.

    Miscarriage

    It is said that twenty to thirty pregnancies result in miscarriage and miscarriages in the first two to three weeks of a pregnancy are caused by the embryo not implanting correctly. This is to be expected and it is usually an emotional time for the intended parents and surrogate mother

    Sentimental attachment

    It is expected that a sentimental attachment between the surrogate mother and baby especially is biologically the surrogate mothers and this can be worrisome to intending couples. The process of this can be abridged by using a legal contract and carrying out proper screenings with the surrogate mother before the arrangement is made.

    Finally, we should know that surrogacy is the absolutely last stop for couples or individuals to have children. But it allows the surrogate mother to help someone in need and for the intending parent(s) to have their dreams come true. Surrogacy may be an option after all.