The Nation Newspaper

Category: Online Special

  • 13 vaccines that changed the world

    13 vaccines that changed the world

    1. 1796 Smallpox

    The smallpox vaccine is the first vaccine to be developed against a contagious disease. In 1796, observed that milkmaids who previously had caught cowpox did not catch smallpox and showed that inoculated vaccinia protected against inoculated variola virus. Smallpox remains the only known disease eradicated by man. Smallpox, a disease caused by variola virus, has plagued mankind for centuries. The periodic epidemic led to the creation of ‘sopona’ deity among the Yoruba race. The World Health Organisation (WHO) adopting strategy of mass vaccination and modalities to curtail outbreak of smallpox successfully brought an end to the plague-infected on man by the smallpox virus.

    2. 1885 Rabies

    The rabies vaccine is a vaccine used to prevent rabies. There are a number of rabies vaccines available that are both safe and effective. They can be used to prevent rabies before, and for a period of time after, exposure to the rabies virus, which is commonly caused by a dog bite or a bat bite. Doses are usually given by injection into the skin or muscle. After exposure, the vaccination is typically used along with rabies immunoglobulin. It is recommended that those who are at high risk of exposure be vaccinated before potential exposure.

    3. 1890 Tetanus

    The tetanus vaccine is part of the recommended series of childhood and adult immunisations. It protects against the bacterial infection tetanus, also known as lockjaw. This vaccine is given to provide protection against tetanus (lockjaw) in adults and children 7 years or older. Vaccination is the best way to protect against this life-threatening disease. Vaccines work by causing the body to produce its own protection.

    4. 1896 Typhoid Fever

    There are two vaccines to prevent typhoid fever. One is an inactivated (killed) vaccine and the other is a live, attenuated (weakened) vaccine. The two main vaccines currently licensed for use, Ty21a and Vi polysaccharide, were effective in reducing typhoid fever in adults and children over two years in endemic countries; adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, and fever were rare.

    5. 1906 Tuberculosis

    Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease. BCG vaccination is rarely given to anyone over the age of 16 because it does not work very well in adults. But it’s given to adults aged 16 to 35 who are at risk of TB through their work, such as some healthcare workers. Protection against TB will only start 6-8 weeks after the vaccination has been given and lasts for about 10 years. Revaccination is not recommended.

    6. 1923 Diphtheria

    Diphtheria vaccine is a toxoid vaccine against diphtheria, an illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The vaccines are given at: 8, 12 and 16 weeks – 6-in-1 vaccine (3 separate doses) 3 years 4 months – 4-in-1 pre-school booster. Diphtheria toxoid was developed in the early 1920s but was not widely used until the early 1930s. It was incorporated with tetanus toxoid and pertussis vaccine and became routinely used in the 1940s.

    Read Also: Why eight States are yet to get vaccines – by FG

    7. 1926 whooping cough

    Pertussis vaccine is a vaccine that protects against whooping cough. There are two main types: whole-cell vaccines and acellular vaccines. The whole-cell vaccine is about 78% effective while the acellular vaccine is 71–85% effective. The vaccine takes about two weeks for immunity to develop after vaccination.

    8. 1932 yellow fever

    A single dose provides lifelong protection for most people. · The vaccine is a live, weakened form of the virus given as a single shot. The yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection for most people. A further dose of vaccine is recommended for a small number of travellers who are visiting yellow fever risk areas, including those who were previously vaccinated when they were: pregnant, under 2 years old. Infants younger than 6 months of age should not get the vaccine.

    9. 1937 Flu Vaccine

    Influenza vaccines, also known as flu shots or flu jabs, are vaccines that protect against infection by influenza viruses. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of developing serious flu complications. People who can get the flu shot: Different flu shots are approved for people of different ages. Everyone should get a vaccine that is appropriate for their age. Two types of influenza vaccine are widely available: inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV). Traditionally, influenza vaccines (both IIV and LAIV) have been produced to protect against 3 different seasonal influenza viruses (also called trivalent vaccines). The spread in Lagos was fast and devastating such that in the first two months the casualty figure was enormous – Lagos lost 1.5% of its 81,941 population. Inhabitants around the seaports of Marina and Apapa, especially seamen working on ships docked on harbour ports were one of the first sets of people to be infected with this virus and from that point, it spread to the hinterland and majority of people on Lagos Island.

    10. 1952 Polio Vaccine

    It was developed in the 1950s by Albert Sabin. Polio vaccines are vaccines used to prevent poliomyelitis (polio). Two types are used: an inactivated poliovirus given by injection (IPV) and a weakened poliovirus given by mouth (OPV). The inactivated polio vaccines are very safe. Mild redness or pain may occur at the site of injection.

    11. 1963 Measles Vaccine

    Measles can be prevented with MMR vaccine. The vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. The first dose is given at the age of 12 months and the second dose is given at around three years and four months, before starting school. Having both doses gives long lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella. In adults and older children the two doses can be given with a one month gap between them. Adults who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.

    12. 1967 Mumps

    Health experts recommend children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

    13. 1969 Rubella

    Rubella vaccine is a vaccine used to prevent rubella. Effectiveness begins about two weeks after a single dose and around 95% of people become immune. Rubella can cause a miscarriage or serious birth defects in an unborn baby if a woman is infected while she is pregnant. In general, everyone aged 18 and older born after 1956 who has not had rubella needs at least 1 dose of the rubella vaccine. Healthcare professionals who have not had rubella need 2 doses of the rubella vaccine.

  • How to get IKEDC prepaid meter in Lagos

    How to get IKEDC prepaid meter in Lagos

    The process involved in the acquisition of IKEDC prepaid meter is categorised into four basic stages:

    Know Your Customer (KYC) – This is to ensure settlement of any outstanding debt

    · Account/Field Surveying

    · Payment

    · Installation

    How to apply for IKEDC prepaid meter in Lagos:

     

    • Enter your meter account number: If you are a new customer, you will have to enter your old meter number so that your account profile can be viewed.

     

    • Complete the KYC process: You’d need to fill in your personal details appropriately so as to initiate the account survey process.

    Read Also: How to pay less with prepaid meters

    • Debt Settlement: customers can clear all outstanding debts by taking advantage of the available repayment options.

     

    • Meter Payment and Installation: At this point, customers can make payments to any of the authorized banks by MAP. No customer should pay in cash to the IKEDC staff or any individual.

    After using up the electric units on your prepaid meter, you can always recharge anytime, without visiting the IKEDC office or business unit.

    How Long It Takes To Get the IKEDC Prepaid Meter

    Prepaid meters are usually installed at the customers’ residence within 10 working days for those who pay upfront. Customers who paid in installments will be metered according to MAPs installation schedule. The activation process usually takes place after installation. This can happen within 2 working days.

    IKEDC customers who have outstanding dues on their postpaid bills are advised to take advantage of the various repayment options made available during the KYC process.

    Customers with outstanding balances will have it rolled on into their prepaid accounts and they can pay in installments in line with the Ikeja Electric installment plan.

  • Five things undergraduates should do during vacations

    Five things undergraduates should do during vacations

    School vacations are meant to refuel the energy of students and give them some valuable time with their families. However, it can even be spent learning, exploring and making discoveries.

    With the presence of ASUU and the unpredictable climate of the nation education system, undergraduates must leverage on learning avenues to be the better versions of themselves.

    Here, there are five things undergraduates should do to engage themselves during vacations:

    1. Take new courses online
    The internet has a lot of perks to offer anyone willing to make sacrifices. There are tons of long and short courses on the internet today every undergraduate can take advantage of during vacations. Do your search and start learning new courses. Google is your friend.

    2. Volunteer and lead
    Making the world a better place is another thing you can do during vacations. There are several organizations looking to leverage on your administrative and storytelling skills. The result of doing this is that your curriculum vitae will house some volunteering experiences. Also, volunteering experiences also serve as a work experience in some organizations’ books.

    Read Also: Use of rests, breaks, relaxations, and vacations for wellbeing

     

    3. Attend webinars and seminars
    A webinar is a remote atmosphere where you have access to a pool of knowledgeable professionals. It could be more than that. To have access to webinars, be active on career-driven platforms. Remember, your network is your net worth.

    Seminar is physical webinar where professionals meet to discuss issues. Here, you can also network and explore opportunities.

    4. Go for an industrial training
    What better way do undergraduates have to learn the hands-on experience of their course of study except through industrial training. Your school may not deem it fit to put you on industrial training, but you need it. Industrial training introduces undergraduates to work experience in their fields.

    5. Hone your communication skills
    Communication skills are one of the prerequisites employers or clients consider before working with you. Most of the time, you may not be aware your lack of communication skills is putting you at a disadvantage. Hence, spend your vacations reading new books, writing, publicly speaking and also listening.

    Almost every organisations want a ready-made graduates who know their onions. Be ready-made.

  • Six things to know about trending TikTok Milk Crate Challenge

    Six things to know about trending TikTok Milk Crate Challenge

    The internet opens up to new challenge every other day. This week, it’s the ‘Milk Crate Challenge.’

    It’s unclear how exactly the trend started, though it seems to have picked up steam over the weekend.

    One might wonder what’s challenging about a milk crate but trust me, there a million collections of videos on TikTok and other social media platforms of people jumping on the incredible fun-looking challenge yet extremely dangerous.

    These are six things you should know about this trending challenge called ‘Milk Crate Challenge:

    1. The ‘Milk Crate Challenge’ is the latest of a slew of dares that have gone viral on TikTok.

    2. The ‘Milk Crate Challenge’ involves stacking milk crates in the shape of a pyramid.

    Read Also; Five consequences of eating late meals

    3. People then try to climb up one side and down the other as the stacks get increasingly insecure and hazardous.

    4. When a participant makes a misstep or the pyramid-like shaped stacked crates which then not to hold firmly, he or she falls to the ground, usually on top the toppled crates

    5. As videos of people falling alarmingly go viral on social media, doctors across the US are coming out to alert people of the severe injuries that can occur in the process. An orthopedic surgeon, Shawn Anthony described falling from the pyramid-like shaped stacks of crates as being even worse than falling from a ladder.

    6. Meanwhile, in a statement about the most recent challenge, a spokesperson from TikTok stated the video sharing platform prohibits content that promotes dangerous acts. It added they remove videos and redirect searches to their community guidelines to discourage such content, encouraging everyone to exercise due caution in their conduct whether online or offline.

  • Five consequences of eating late meals

    Five consequences of eating late meals

    Eating late at night is quite tempting and we all have done it eventually or other times in our lives. While getting a periodic light in between meals may not be of a specific issue, making a habit out of it can have serious long term impacts on your health and your overall well-being.

    Late is usually within three hours of you going to sleep. So, if you work throughout the day and usually sleep from 12am-8 am, your “late” would be 9pm-12am.

    At the end of the day, your body is going to metabolise whatever you put into it, and if you aren’t active enough to use up the energy you absorb from it, then it will be stored as fat which would eventually result in bad health.

    Here are five consequences of eating late meals:

    · Weight Gain: Your body’s digestion slows down during the night. Likewise, it is not as effective in burning calories as it is during the day. Eating at night has long been associated with weight gain.

    · Effect on mental health: At the point when you haven’t slept as expected, you wake up feeling irritated and moody. Because of eating late, you mess with your body’s body clock. This results in higher chances of depression and anxiety.

    · Increased blood pressure: A misaligned body clock may have more serious repercussions including increased risk of heart diseases and diabetes. Studies have linked high blood pressure or hypertension and higher fasting blood sugar levels with the habit of eating later in the night or having dinner way past the ideal time of 7 pm.

    · Poor digestion: If you are prone to heartburn and acid reflux, you should probably be re-evaluating your meal timings. When you eat a late night dinner, it leads to several gastric issues. This is because the food doesn’t digest properly and results in excessive acid secretion in the stomach. This is why people are often advised to have a leisurely walk after eating their last meal of the day, instead of going straightaway to bed.

    · Disruption of sleep: Individuals who eat late generally tend to sleep late. This results in a disturbed sleep cycle. Also, this could be the explanation for confounding dreams at night.

  • Six major highlights of Olu of Warri’s coronation

    Six major highlights of Olu of Warri’s coronation

    Prince Tsola Emiko was crowned the 21st Olu of Warri last Saturday in a colourful occasion that attracted thousands of dignitaries in the Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri), the Itsekiris’ ancient palace in Delta State’s Warri South Local Government Area.

    Below are six major highlights from the event:

    1. Immediately after he was crowned, the monarch began to sing worship songs to God. Though the occasion was traditional, he used the opportunity to show who he serves and continually will.

    2. He sang gospel songs to show total reverence to God’s sovereignty and acknowledged His authority while surrendering his reign and throne totally to God. In the ensuing speech, he continued to emphasise the God factor.

    3. Prior to the coronation proper, he was made to engage in some customary acts. At first, he carried a calabash pot filled with water taking it round his head three times and threw it on the floor.

    He was also made to hold a hoe, which he used to strike a fat wood three times after which he repeated the process of moving the hoe round his head thrice and dropped it on the floor.

    He was then made to sit in a boat on dry land and acted like he was actually paddling the boat. He did the paddling three times on the right, three times on the left another three times on the right after which he repeated the process of moving the paddle round his head thrice and dropped it with a kingmaker seating in front of him.

    He was later blindfolded and made to inspect some cultural artefacts and weapons.

    All these signified that the new king will never have to engage in any form of manual labour for the rest of his life. All these were done with the crowd cheering on the King.

    4. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo came to pay homage and knelt before him despite being way older than the crowned King.

    5. The 21st Olu of Warri, as the spiritual-cultural, political and traditional ruler of the land, reversed the curse placed over the land by Olu Erejuwa II plus Oba Akenzua II on the kingdom due to the great injustice meted out to him by the latter.

    In its place, he released forgiveness and healing to Nigeria whose federal might was allegedly used to propagate that offence.

    Read Also: Obasanjo, Okowa, Ibori others join Olu of Warri for coronation thanksgiving

    He decreed unprecedented and uncommon peace, prosperity, progress, development upon the land and directed it to flow as a force from the kingdom to the rest of Niger Delta to the rest of the Nigeria nation and the continent.

    6. They introduced a new pair of gold and silver crowns. Prior to that, the coral crowns used to be in existence. Noting this signify a physical, social and economic manifestation of the progress of the Itsekiri people.

  • What to know about newly crowned Olu of Warri

    What to know about newly crowned Olu of Warri

    Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko was born into the family of Prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko, the late Ogiame Ikenwoli Atuwatse II, and Gladys Durorike Emiko in Warri April 2nd, 1984.

    He was born into royalty three years before his father became the Olu of Warri. He attended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Primary School Warri, Delta State and went to Adesoye college, Offa from 1995 to 2001.

    Prince Emiko attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Political Science with minors in History and Economics between 2002 to 2006. He obtained a degree in a Masters in Science in Management from Case Western Reserve University in 2007 and returned to Nigeria in 2008 for his NYSC.

    Read Also: Warri agog as new Olu Emiko is crowned Saturday

    Upon his return to Nigeria, he worked in several public and private enterprises to gain the foundational knowledge and experience of the Nigerian business environment.

    Prince Emiko gained experience from companies, including the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Sahara Energy, Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator (SNCFPA), where he eventually established his businesses.

    He owns and operates Noble Energy Ltd and Corral Curators Ltd. He also sits on the board of companies like Ocean Marine Security Ltd, Gulf of Guinea Ltd, and Vessellink Nig Ltd, among others.

    He married Ivie Okunbo, the daughter of billionaire Capt. Idahosa Okunbor in 2014.

    Prince Emiko was chosen as the next Olu of Warri after the death of the late Ogiame Ikenwoli Atuwatse ll PRINCE UTIEYINORITSETSOLA EMIKO .

    He will be crowned the 21st Olu of Warri today.

  • How to hide chats in WhatsApp without archive

    How to hide chats in WhatsApp without archive

    Almost all WhatsApp users have been in a situation where they have looked to hide some of their chats yet it is not always as straightforward as it seems.

    Until now, WhatsApp would allow you to hide certain conversations but they would reappear whenever a new message arrives, pushing them right back to the top of the list of messages which defeated the purpose of hiding them in the first place.

    That has all changed however as WhatsApp has revealed that it has moved to hide chats in a separate folder without archived feeds reappearing in the main section upon receiving a new message.

    READ ALSO: Four new features on WhatsApp, Instagram, by Zuckerberg

    “We have heard that users want their archived messages to stay tucked away in the Archived Chats folder, instead of moving back into your main chat list when a new message arrives,” the company tweeted.

    “The new Archived Chats settings mean that any message thread archived will stay in the Archived Chats folder, even if a new message is sent to that thread.”

    Here are steps to keep messages archived on WhatsApp:

    1. Open the WhatsApp application

    2. Tap on the ‘More options’ section on the ‘Chats’ tab

    3. Select ‘Chats’, then ‘Chats history’, and then ‘Archive all chats’

    In order to send one single chat conversation into the archive section, you must tap and hold on the chat that you want to hide.

    You will no longer receive notifications about these conversations “unless they are mentioned or replied to” according to WhatsApp.

    You can go back at any time and make changes to the settings for each chat by revisiting the “archived chats” section and follow the steps above as you see fit.

  • Healthy benefits of ginger

    Healthy benefits of ginger

    Ginger is a flowering plant that originated in Southeast Asia. It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and it’s closely related to turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. It can be used as spice, herbs, also taken as a drink (Ginger tea) and can be added to processed cosmetics.

    Here are some healthy facts about ginger:

    · Pain relief

    Ginger has been used to treat inflammation for centuries and this practice now has a body of scientific evidence behind it. It’s been shown in several studies to help relieve pain from osteoarthritis of the knee in particular.

    Ginger won’t whisk away muscle pain on the spot, but it may tame soreness over time. In some studies, people with muscle aches from exercise who took ginger had less pain the next day than those who didn’t. Ginger may also help alleviate headaches, menstrual cramps, sore muscles, and other types of pain.

    *Can help treat chronic indigestion

    Chronic indigestion is characterised by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach. It’s believed that delayed emptying of the stomach is a major cause of indigestion. Ginger has been shown to speed up emptying of the stomach.

    · Reduces the risk of infections

    Gingerol can help lower the risk of infections. Its extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria and is very effective against oral bacteria. Ginger’s antibacterial power may also brighten your smile. Active compounds in ginger called gingerols keep oral bacteria from growing.

    · Highly effective against nausea

    Ginger helps if you’re trying to ease a queasy stomach. It may help relieve nausea and vomiting. It works by breaking up and getting rid of built-up gas in your intestines and also help settle seasickness or nausea caused by chemotherapy.

    Ginger is loaded with antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA. They may help your body fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, plus promote healthy ageing.

    · Bursting flavours when added to meals

    From savoury to mouth-watering sweet dishes, ginger is among the few spices that enrich the taste in both cases. Fresh ginger is a great way to add fresh flavour to a variety of meals and recipes. Once peeled and grated, ginger can easily be thrown into various sauces, glazes, and marinades to brighten up the dish. If you want to add ginger to your diet, you can do so through what you eat and drink.

  • Eight things to know about AY @50

    Eight things to know about AY @50

    Ace comedian Ayodeji Richard Makun has been receiving tributes for clocking the golden age of 50. Here are quick facts to know about him:

    · He was born on 19th of August, 1971 in Ondo state as the oldest male child in a family of seven.
    · He attended Delta State University, Abraka.

    · He produced his first movie 30 days in Atlanta in 2014.

    · He hugged the spotlight as personal assistant and event manager of popular comedian Ali Baba.

    · He was made UN Peace Ambassador in 2009.

    · He is the most followed comedian in Africa.

    · He has won numerous awards for his comedy acts. Such as Comedian of the year (2008, Diamonds awards for comedy, NELAS Awards, United States, among others.

    · Ayo Makun wrote going “A.Y wire” as a guest columnist in The Sun (Nigeria) and Gbenga Adeyinka’s “Laugh Mattaz.