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Tag: Benefits

  • ‘Fast has many benefits’

    ‘Fast has many benefits’

    When last did you fast?  Do you know fasting has many benefits? Fasting has been described as the oldest therapy with many benefits.

    According to a researcher at the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) at the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Chinyere Nwokeke, the benefits of fasting include anti-aging effects, better attitude, resistance to disease, and better sleep.

    Others are change of habits, clearer planning, skin, creativity, diet changes, drug detoxification, improved senses (vision, hearing, taste), inspiration, more clarity (mentally and emotionally).

    The author of  ‘Dietary revolution and herbal management’ listed other advantages of fasting as getting more energy, relaxation, new ideas, purification, allergies’ reduction, rejuvenation, rest of digestive organs, revitalisation, right use of will, spiritual awareness and weight loss.

    She explained: “Fasting will rest the digestive system, allow for cleansing and detoxification of the body, create a break in eating patterns, promote greater mental clarity, cleanse and heal stuck emotional patterns, feeling of physical lightness, increased energy, promotion of inner stillness, and enhanced spiritual connection,” Mrs Nwokeke said.

    Mrs Nwokeke further said fasting promotes healing, and fortifies the body and soul.

    “In the animal kingdom, it  fasting is done instinctively. While we, humans, make a greater effort, for animals, it remains  a biological action. Eating 24/7 is not natural. Taking a break from food allows for a rebalancing within the body, and within our psyche, affecting also our sense of connection to the world of spirit.

    “In its simplest form, fasting is abstainence from food and drink except water. Although there is a purer form called dry fasting, this is the older definition for fasting and it is in tadem what the ancient teachers, like Hippocrates, had in mind. The great medic prescribed fasting for health. Popular fasts are fruit fasting, rice fasting, juice fasting, water fasting, master cleanse  or cleansing diets.’’

    She said the Master Cleanse is practised by devoted followers, who consider it a relatively easier. Ingredients are readily available and the drink has enough calories to keep your energy level up.

    “The Master Cleanse drink is mostly water to which lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper have been added.The syrup provides some calories in the form of simple sugar; so no one enters the full state of ketosis the way you do on water fast. But ketosis is not necessary for the detoxing and cleansing or even weight loss,” she explained.

    According to the expert, starvation by healthy individuals  for political reason is not therapeutic.

    “There are those who use fasting, the denial of food and/or water, to  harm themselves. One can fast until the tissues are destroyed and leads to death.Sometimes this is purposeful, and at other times, it is not as in the case of eating disorders – it is unintentional.

    ‘’Even without such extreme intentions, we can do our bodies a disservice, if we are not careful about the process. There are those who have come out of a fast feeling worse than when they started. In these rare cases, invariably, some signals of distress by the body  were ignored. One can’t let the goals and expectations for the fasting experience override one’s connection to health and well-being,” Mrs Nwokeke said.

    She warned pregnant and nursing women against fasting. ‘’The effects of fasting on an unborn fetus are unknown, but it is apparent that an expectant and nursing mothers’ body system will contain fewer nutrients.

    A child should not fast. It is wrong for children to fast.

    ‘’However, it is permissible if the child is obese and has chosen to fast of his/her own will and is supervised by a professional. If one has certain medical problems, such as liver or kidney weakness or disease, or are extremely frail, malnourished, anaemic or exhausted, one should consult a doctor and be under someone’s care during fasting, so also if one has a weak immune system, severe high blood pressure, diabetes, or weak circulation, which causes frequent fainting.

    “With many conditions, it is possible to fast, but the more serious the condition, the more you need professional support during a fast. If you are on any prescribed medications, your requirements for that medicine could vary daily, making it necessary you have a medic. Those with eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, should not fast. After surgery or a major illness, there should be enough time to recuperate before fasting. Also, don’t fast prior to a major surgery. Annd anyone who is afraid of fasting, should not embark on it.

    “Fear does not put you in the proper frame of mind for fasting and can lead to an unpleasant experience. Strong emotions, such as fear, are known to alter the body’s physiological systems. It can shut down certain bodily functions. It also is a closed emotional state. Instead, anyone embarking on a fast should be relaxed and confident, and feeling open to the positive changes fasting creates,” she explained.

    She continued: “In summary, fasting gives the body a physiological rest and permits it to become 100 percent efficient in healing itself. The liver, which is the chemical laboratory of the body, is given time to rest and gain more energy. Sensory powers become sharper after a period of fasting, blood circulation is better after fast. Fasting permits the body to become 100 percent efficient in healing itself.

    “Fasting can be done for 12 hours, 24 hours, two days, or more. Learn to fast for at least one day in a week. Your health is in your hands. Take responsibility for it,”Mrs Nwokeke advised.

  • Benefits of Tomatoes

    Did you know that tomatoes do not have to be a deep red colour to be an outstanding source of Lycopene? Lycopene is a carotenoid pigment that has long been associated with the deep red colour of many tomatoes. A small preliminary study on healthy men and women has shown that the lycopene from orange- and tangerine-coloured tomatoes may actually be better absorbed than the lycopene from red tomatoes. That’s because the lycopene in deep red tomatoes is mostly trans-lycopene, and the lycopene in orange/tangerine tomatoes is mostly tetra-cis-lycopene. In a recent study, this tetra-cis form of lycopene turned out to be more efficiently absorbed by the study participants. While more research is needed in this area, we’re encouraged to find that tomatoes may not have to be deep red in order for us to get great lycopene-related benefits.

    • Tomatoes are widely known for their outstanding antioxidant content, including, of course, their oftentimes-rich concentration of lycopene. Researchers have recently found an important connection between lycopene, its antioxidant properties, and bone health. A study was designed in which tomato and other dietary sources of lycopene were removed from the diets of postmenopausal women for a period of 4 weeks, to see what effect lycopene restriction would have on bone health. At the end of 4 weeks, women in the study started to show increased signs of oxidative stress in their bones and unwanted changes in their bone tissue. The study investigators concluded that removal of lycopene-containing foods (including tomatoes) from the diet was likely to put women at increased risk of osteoporosis. They also argued for the importance of tomatoes and other lycopene-containing foods in the diet. We don’t always think about antioxidant protection as being important for bone health, but it is, and tomato lycopene (and other tomato antioxidants) may have a special role to play in this area.
    • There are literally hundreds of different tomato varieties. We usually choose our favorite varieties by some combination of flavor, texture, and appearance. But a recent study has shown that we may also want to include antioxidant capacity as a factor when we are choosing among tomato varieties. Surprisingly, researchers who compared conventionally grown versus organically grown tomatoes found that growing method (conventional versus organic) made less of an overall difference than variety of tomato. While all tomatoes showed good antioxidant capacity, and while the differences were not huge, the following four varieties of tomatoes turned out to have a higher average antioxidant capacity regardless of whether they were grown conventionally or organically: New Girl, Jet Star, Fantastic, and First Lady. It’s only one study, of course, and we’re definitely not ready to recommend these four varieties at the exclusion of all others. But these findings are fascinating to us, and they suggest that specific types of nutrient benefits may be provided by specific varieties of tomatoes. Also, if you’re seeking good antioxidant protection and you’re in the grocery standing in front of a New Girl, Jet Star, Fantastic, or First Lady tomato, you would probably be well-served to place it in your shopping cart.
    • Intake of tomatoes has long been linked to heart health. Fresh tomatoes and tomato extracts have been shown to help lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In addition, tomato extracts have been shown to help prevent unwanted clumping together (aggregation) of platelet cells in the blood – a factor that is especially important in lowering risk of heart problems like atherosclerosis. (In a recent South American study of 26 vegetables, tomatoes and green beans came out best in their anti-aggregation properties.) But only recently are researchers beginning to identify some of the more unusual phytonutrients in tomatoes that help provide us with these heart-protective benefits.
  • Tap into the many benefits of ‘smelly garlic’

    Tap into the many benefits of ‘smelly garlic’

    I stay with my grandma who is fond of cooking with garlic. I detest the smell. For crying out loud what are the usefulness of this smelly thing?

    –Ekaete Dickson, Student. 18 years old. Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Garlic produces a chemical called allicin. This is what seems to make it work for certain conditions. Allicin also makes garlic smell. Some products are made “odorless” by aging the garlic, but this process can also make the garlic less effective. It’s a good idea to look for supplements that are coated (enteric coating) so they will dissolve in the intestine and not in the stomach.

    Your grandmother probably knows the many health benefits inherent in garlic, moreso  as she is ageing, hence her penchant for same. You can equally benefit from it if you understand its many benefits. I must add that Garlic, especially when you consume too much, can have some unpleasant side effects such as bad breath, burning of the mouth, diarrhea, body odour and vomiting. These side effects typically occur when you consume too much raw garlic. Garlic can also increase your risk of bleeding.

    Garlic (scientific name Allium sativum) is a specie in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and Chinese onion. Garlic is used for many conditions relating to the heart and blood system. These conditions include high blood pressure, low blood pressure, high cholesterol, inherited high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, heart attack, reduced blood flow due to narrowed arteries, and “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis).

    It was used in ancient Egyptian times as a traditional remedy to maintain health and treat disease. The potential health benefits of garlic reside in its natural components, which include allicin, a compound that is produced when you chew and crush fresh garlic.

    Garlic is rich in healthy compounds known as allicins that can help to protect against cancer and heart disease. Unfortunately, cooking garlic destroys the garlic’s ability to make allicin and makes cooked garlic generally not as beneficial as raw garlic.

    Some people use garlic to prevent colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma and lung cancer. It is also used to treat prostate cancer and bladder cancer.

    Garlic has been tried for treating an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia: BPH), cystic fibrosis, diabetes, osteparthritis, hayfever (allergic rhinitis), traveller’s diarrhea, high blood pressure late in pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), yeast infection, flu, and swine flu. It is also used to prevent tick bites, as mosquito repellant, and for preventing the common cold, with treating and preventing bacterial and fungal infections.

    Garlic is also used for earaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, menstrual disorders, abnormal cholesterol levels caused by HIV drugs, hepatitis, shortness of breath related to liver disease, stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori infection, exercise performance, exercise-induced muscle soreness, a condition that causes lumps in the breast tissue called fibrocystic breast disease, a skin condition called scleroderma, and lead toxicity.

  • Mimosa, dozens of benefits from Sensitive Plant

    Like the pure virgin maiden repulsed by the dirty fingers of the scraggy man, MIMOSA PUDICA (Touch Me Not or Sensitive Plant) quickly hides its face and body from the prowling fingers. The rapidity with which it does so speaks volumes and tells us something about its medicinal capabilities. It has a lot of nerve energy, is, therefore, a nerve herb and should be able to help in medical conditions which require the strengthening of nerves. One of these conditions is bleeding, when an astringent herb is required to tighten those passages through which blood leaks are occurring. This herb is found useful by women who bleed excessively during their menstrual cycles, or who are beset with bleeding uterine fibroids or endometriosis. It is, perhaps, for this reason that the Yoruba of south-western Nigeria call it PATANMO or PADIMO. Patanmo (pa itan mo) literally means hide your lap. Pa idi mo means hide your secret place. Both names indicate the astringent capacity of this plant to stop excessive vaginal bleeding.

    Many studies have confirmed the health benefits ascribed to this herb by traditional medicine. These include…wound healing, anti-microbial, antifungal and anti-viral essence, anti-diabetic, anti-diarrhoea, anti-inflammatory, anti-pile remedy and anti-fertility, among many others.

     

    Wound healing

    In various concentrations with different carrier sources, Touch Me Not (sensitive plant) has been found to help wounds to heal.

    The leaves are ground with little water and the juice is extracted. At two percent concentration in methanol or water base, the juice ointment expressed significant healing abilities.

     

    Liver troubles

    People who suffer from liver troubles should be glad to learn that the herb is liver-protecting. When researchers gave a group of rats deadly meals and added sensitive plant to that diet, it was found that the poisons did not affect the livers of the rats. This is one way in which researchers determine the hepaprotective nature of herbs.

     

    Diarrhoea

    It is not surprising that this plant also controls diarrhoea. That is because it is astringent in nature. When Albino rats were fed castor oil to induce diarrhoea in them, the ethanolic extracts of Sensitive Plant they were given thereafter proved effective in preventing diarrhoea.

     

    Bleeding piles

    If this herb heals wounds, if it eases excessive menstrual bleeding, will it not similarly help bleeding piles because of its astringent nature? Yes, it should. In fact, many studies are reported in which it did when the leaves were crushed into a paste which was then applied on burning and bleeding piles.

     

    Wall gecko poisoning

    These days in Nigeria, there is so much talk about the bite and poisoning of the wall gecko in many homes. One woman has called me two times this month in respect of her children. In bed at night, the wall gecko probably crawl on their faces, arms or other parts of the body, leaving nail marks which fill up with pus in the morning. The wall gheko is present in almost every home and is chased away or killed only by fumigation. So ubiquitous is the wall gecko that the Yorubas call it Omo onile, which means child of the house.

    Some people believe it may be perilous to send them out of the house. Such people always say there is a psychic angle to their presence in a home despite all the window and door netting against the tiny mosquito. Recently videos have been flying around in WHATSAPP chat groups showing how the wall gecko licks exposed tooth-brushes and crawls on exposed raw food such as rice or beans. It, therefore, becomes necessary to protect the household against the effects of poisons from the contamination of food and other household items by the wall gecko. Mimosa Pudica (Sensitive plant/Touch Me Not Plant) can offer such protection, going by the report of studies that it curbs poisoning by cobra bite. In the experient with cobra poison, the dry root of Mimosa Pudica was used. It was boiled in water which was then administered orally.

    Because of the negative way in which many people view the wall gecko in Nigeria, I would like to make the following comment…the wall gecko is well known worldwide for different things. In many parts of Nigeria, it is associated with evil and darkness. But in Akwa Ibom State, some people see it as a guardian of the souls of children. In Japan, it is believed to be a re-incarnation of the Dragon, and is used in many rituals. The Dragon in this case is by no means the biblical Lucifer. It is that animal which thousands of years ago provided human beings the means of traveling by air, as thou they were traveling in an aeroplane, from one part of the earth to the other. Like the Dinosaur and the lost continent of Atlantis, the Dragon has gone into extinction. But it is still lovingly remembered in some Asian countries which, in fact, observe a Dragon holiday in their national calendars. About ten years ago some Nigerian Christians exhibited ignorance of world history when they rejected a herbal medicine product from one of this countries on which the image of the Dragon appeared on the package. The image was merely to show that the product combines the friendliness and the power of the Dragon. But the Christians saw it as Luciferian.

    Indonesians believe the sounds the wall gecko makes can help them to predict the future, and are thought to attract good luck to their owners.

    It would surprise many Nigerians to learn that, in China, the skin of the wall gecko is used in several traditional medicines for say, asthma, diabetes, skin diseases and even cancer. The powder of the gecko skin is offered in particular for skin diseases.

    Please do not throw up at this. The Chinese who eat anything, including cockroaches and the earthworms, believe the tongue and heart of the wall gecko can cure AIDS and other seemly incurable diseases. This is attributed to a chemical compound called Tri-Hexapentaphenicol in the wall gecko’s saliva. It is believed, as well, that it can knock out the Human immuno deficiency virus (HIV). But no scientific investigation has validated these folklore beliefs.

    While Nigerians hate the wall gecko, it is being sought for business in Malaysia and the Philippens where, due to a decline in the wall gecko population, is now being imported for use as pets or medicine from countries which are now producing it on large scale farms.

     

    Joint pain

    This is caused by inflammation. Mimosa Pudica is anti-inflammatory, one of the reasons it curbs peptic ulcer as well. For joint pain or arthritis, the leaves are crushed into a paste which is then spread over the joint overnight and washed off in the morning. The proprietary leaf powder product may be used. Some people add it to shea butter or confrey root cream or use it plain.

     

    Insomnia

    It is suggested that the leaves be crushed to a paste which is boiled, strained and drunk for about 20days to correct this condition.

     

    Asthma

    This is yet another inflammatory condition for which the leaves are juiced and made into a solution with water which is drunk two times a day.

     

    Gum problems

    How I wish that a woman whose case I learned about last week knew of Mimosa Pudica. She developed gum problems which ended in cancer of the gums to which she has lost all her teeth. Micro-organisms and their poisons as well as other poisons may be behind gum problems. This plant may also be helpful in conditions of the slurry tongue and glositis. In this conditions, the tongue becomes larger than the space it is meant to occupy in the mouth. To have a feel of this condition, bring out your tongue a little, and try to say the words…I LOVE YOU. The root of this plant is made into a decoction and gangled with to improve the hygiene of the mouth and challenge or curb tooth-ache.

     

    Sagging breast

    Women worry a lot about their breasts. They do not want it to sag and will do anything to make them buoyant like a maiden’s. That is why many bras are wired to give the breast a lift. But the wire presses firmly against the skin of the breast blocking circulation, and this may lead to chest pain underneath the breast which may not be immediately traced to this wiring. The modern bra tries to overcome this with rigid, padding stuff which gives the softened, flat or falling breast a deceptive buxom appearance. As this deception is frowned upon by many men when the chips are down, some women adopt the Mimosa option. The only contraindication against this is that Mimosa can be anti-fertility and should not be over done as a tea or as a food supplement by women who still wish to bear children. For women who do not belong to this class, all it takes is to make a paste of the leaves of Sensitive Plant, if need be with Ashwanghada paste or essential oil, and massage them into the breasts, for their upliftment.

     

    Glandular Swelling

    From time to time, we experience glandular swellings one way or the other. They may come with burning sensations and other types of pain. The glands so affected may be the liver, pancreas, salivary gland, spleen, the pineal in the brain, the testes, ovaries, thyroid, the pituitary (also in the brain) et.c. To get rid of glandular swellings with this plant, the leaves are juiced and massaged deeply into the affected areas. Some of the juice may also be added to water and drunk.

    We appear to be lazy and uninventive in Nigeria, and cry to high Heavens that the economy is bad and we do not have jobs and money. We still gather our Mimosa from the wild. Sometimes, we travel from Lagos to Ikenne almost 50 kilometers away, to search for a few hand fuls of Mimosa. We come back to base to wash it, clean it up, dry it and then grind it to powder only to discover that we do not have more than five or six tablespoonfuls of the finished product which cannot reward the cost and the labour. Imagine the prosperity in another country where a farmer cultivate one square kilometer of Mimosa farm land and cures the harvest in a factory from where the product is sold to different part of the world. There will be jobs and money in that kind of country. We will continue to dream for that day when Nigerian Agriculture will embrace plantation farming of lemon grass, Marigold flower and Mimosa Pudica, our good, old Sensitive Plant or Touch Me Not Plant.

     

    The Black Walnut, for brain power and balance

    Some readers of this column who read Mellie Uyldert account of the cosmic healing powers of the Marigold flower last week agreed with the suggestion that she is a good company to keep. The report on Marigold flower as a multi-purpose healer was culled from the book THE PSYCHIC GARDEN, written by Mellie Uyldert. This book being an old one, some of its hunters have begun an internet search. I have appealed to them for a feed-back, if they find it to buy.

    To encourage the search for it, I thought that it would be worth the trouble if those of us health seekers who wish to fortifying our home libraries with such helpful books as this one hears again from the PSYCHIC GARDEN this week, this time in respect of a nut currently in fruiting season in Nigeria…the Black Walnut.

    Mellie Uyldert says:

    “Brain Tonic. The kernel has the shape of the human brain, complete with the division to left and right. According to the doctrine of symbols, the walnut must therefore be the right food for the brain, and this is a fact. People who do much mental work should eat plenty of them. Since the damp young nuts cannot be kept long without becoming mildewed, the trade stores them in sulphur, in the course of which they become steadily drier and less tasty through the winter. They contain oil and resin and are very nutritious. The felty pith is infused in boiling water as a tea against high blood pressure. The thick peel contains vitamin C in abundance and can be used (externally) as a styptic. Since the walnut is a brain tonic, it retains man’s ego within his pole of thought in the head, even when much alcohol is drunk (which does the reverse). This reverses the human organism so that the pole of life and the subconscious part of the soul gain the upper hand, bringing the hidden truths to light in the inebriate.

    “It has been proved that walnuts keep people sober even when large quantities of wine are drunk! At the time when Austria formed part of the Roman Empire-under the name Noricum-the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus (278-282) had vineyards built for his soldiers in the foothills of the Alps since the spring water was difficult to reach in the jungles which then existed. However, when drunk, the soldiers fought so much amongst themselves that great numbers were killed. The Emperor thereupon had nut trees planted all over amongst the vineyards. A wine still exists called Nussberger after the nut-hill on which it grows. Every wine shop had to offer nuts free of charge with the wine and, in this way, drunkenness disappeared, together with it consequences. This habit still exists at the Heckenwrite where people can sit and drink wine outdoors in the autumn, plates of nuts are placed ready on the tables. And so larger quantities are always drunk.”

    The Black Walnut has more healing powers which we cannot discuss today. The green shell, sold as black walnut hull, is a great antibiotic. The leaves can be use as tea to resolve some mental problems.

    Mr. Olusegun Shoboyede, who was 80 about 3months ago, once ate far too many raw black walnut with some dire consequences which he may share with us some day. We were toying with the idea of walnut wine. This would involve grating some raw black walnut and infusing them in red wine from which a tort of the decoction can be taken atleast once a day on empty stomach. Who will bell the cat?

  • Benefits of watermelon many, says expert

    Benefits of watermelon many, says expert

    A naturopath Dr. Robert Adamu has urged Nigerians to consume water melon as has many health benefits.

    According to Adamu, watermelon, which contains about 92 percent of water, is a refreshing fruit with nutrients; each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, and lots of lycopene (about 20 milligrams per two-cup serving), antioxidants and amino acids that are healthy.

    Adamu said: “Lycopene is a phytonutrient, which is a naturally occurring compound in fruits and vegetables that reacts with the human body to trigger healthy reactions. It is also the red pigment that gives watermelons, tomatoes, red grapefruits and guavas their color.

    “Lycopene has been linked with heart health, bone health and prostate cancer prevention. It’s also a powerful antioxidant thought to have anti-inflammatory properties.

    To maximise lycopene intake, experts advise consumers to allow the watermelon to be fully ripened.”

    He said the redder watermelon gets, the higher the concentration of lycopene becomes. “The fruit’s beta-carotene and phenolic antioxidant content also increase as the watermelon ripens. Beta carotene is an antioxidant found in red-orange fruits and vegetables. It helps with immunity, skin, eye and the prevention of cancer. Based on scientific tests, antioxidants contained in watermelon are an effective cure for oxidative stress that is inevitable in the human body,” he said.

    Besides, watermelon, he said, lowers blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which is a very common pre-condition to heart attack, strokes and other fatal diseases if not early treated. “Watermelon reduces kidney disorder, which can lead to kidney malfunction.

    According to him, the fruit has abundant supply of both potassium and calcium each of which helps to flush out the toxin in the body. ‘’The extra calcium reduces the concentration of uric acids in the blood. And the fruit helps in these processes of body maintenance,” he explained.

    He listed other health benefits of this wonder fruit to include fostering a well-mechanised, uninterrupted timely digestion, helping in prevention of gastrointestinal problems e.g. constipation, which are commonly caused by poor diet and inadequate fluid consumption.

    Adamu said watermelon helps in skincare since it contains vitamin C and E, which help in prevention of skin diseases and infections and smoothens the skin.

    “Besides, it has been proven to help in hair growth and hair maintenance. I recommend watermelon for muscles and nerves support. This is because it is rich in potassium, which is highly beneficial to muscles. It determines the degree and frequency with which muscles contract and relaxes.

    “Watermelon consumption has also been recommended as a curative measure for physical and external wound-healing incurred in the course of daily activities. The presence of ascorbic acids or vitamin C is involved in all phases of human wound-healing. It is recommended that about 60 mg or more of vitamin C should be consumed daily,” he stated.

    • Jasini is in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.
  • Benefits of digitalisation

    Benefits of digitalisation

    President Muham-madu Buhari may have put Nigeria on a stage for a profound shift towards huge wealth creation when on April 30th 2016, when he made possible the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Jos. By December 2016, the present government made sure that Nigeria had reached a point of no return when the Abuja phase of the project (transition from analogue to digital broadcasting) was successfully launched. But why are Nigerians not celebrating President Buhari for opening this channel of wealth, which without prejudice past administrations struggled but failed to achieve?

    There seems to be a lack of full understanding of the implications of switching from the ageing terrestrial broadcasting to digital terrestrial broadcasting in terms of general wealth creation in Nigeria. That precisely is the object of this article. Having a cerebral engagement with my team was incumbent when the reality of digital television comes knocking like never before in the history of this country. By that, I was able to see huge opportunities in Digital Terrestrial Television for young and upcoming entrepreneurs, engineers, software developers, writers, script writers, film and video producers, computer game producers, graphic artists, animators, costume designers, advertising and the list goes on and on. Although, I have a background in accounting and later a Masters in Legal Studies with specialisation in International Law and Diplomacy, I have invested in the creative industry so much that I pay passionate attention to its growth.

    While I agree with the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, when he spoke at the DSO launch at Mpape hills, Abuja, that the switch over will grow the advertising revenue of broadcasting organisations by $400 million per annum and create a ?100 billion per annum free TV distribution network for Nollywood; I dare to declare that the overall figure for the entire creative and digital sector runs into several billions of dollars per annum if properly tapped.

    To get a sense of how these huge benefits will come to Nigerians, we need to look at the digital value chain in order to enumerate the advantages to broadcasting companies, the consumer and the government.

    In the first instance, broadcasters will benefit immensely in cost savings on equipment purchase and maintenance, salary and other human overhead costs. They will also be able to carry up to four or six channels on the same frequency, and digital programmes can be syndicated. In other words, under the analogue system, if you are watching NTA at 9pm, you will only be able to watch the News only, whereas, with Digital Television, you can watch up to four or six programmes on the same NTA at the same time.

    Technically speaking, digital broadcasting standards automatically increase the capacity of networks by improving spectrum efficiency, that is, more data can be transmitted per unit bandwidth. Convergence of media on the digital television allows between 4 and 18 services to be accommodated. You can text, send email, etc.

    Another benefit is the much announced high quality signal quality which rejects noise, interference and lower energy consumption. With these, we see a load of diesel consumption removed from the shoulders of broadcast stations.

    As for content producers, by that, I mean independent programme producers, film producers for both radio and television; the opportunity is extremely huge. The fact is, as the broadcast stations increase their channels, they will need contents to fill the space every hour of the day and night, so demand for good and quality content will increase just as the competition will inevitably increase.

    What are the benefits to consumer? Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) offers the consumer very wide range of benefits to include wider choice of programmes and services, high definition TV, fast data services without internet and little or no signal interference plus great picture quality.

    There is also what I call great convenience in DTT. You can order ‘video-on-demand’- this catch up service allow viewers to watch programmes at a time of their choosing. And parents can lock the screen either by programme classification or the full channels. My research confirms that there are young software developers of Nigerian descent who are already perfecting more applications for a richer TV viewing. I am also aware that more advance services like voting can be enabled in cases where a return channel is available and there is political will to execute it.

    President Buhari must be seen as an early adapter and adopter of technology. We know that by BVN and TSA which has made huge difference to the economic landscape of Nigeria. With the crossover from analogue TV to Digital Terrestrial TV, more and greater benefits will accrue to government. For example, interactive application will evolve to robustly provide a very low cost way of delivering public services to over 30 million homes who do not have broadband access. Things like early warning systems for natural disasters, CCTV system in the neighbourhood against robbers and hoodlums and faster information on terrorism are easily broadcast in real-time.

    There are also some wider benefits to Nigeria’s economy which the government can engineer. For example, the experiments on digital broadcasting started in 1940, and by the first day of November 1998, the first digital signal were transmitted in the United States. Thereafter, the Congress directed their regulating body, FCC, the equivalent of our own NBC to forbid all stores to sell TV’s without an internal tuner within a given time frame. Although the external set-top-boxes (STB’s) are currently imported for expediency reasons and the Minister, Mr. Lai Mohammed promised that the rest millions will be manufactured in Nigeria, the government should compel the manufacturers of TV sets with integrated digital tuners (IDTVs) to make them in Nigeria and definitely aerials and other components should be made in Nigeria considering the multiplier effects of such local initiative on the economy. Consider the number of jobs that will be created and technology transfer advantage for our upcoming technicians.

    As you read this article, the creative and digital industries is one of the fastest growing sectors in the United Kingdom and internationally. In the UK creative employment is totaled 2.9 million jobs and rising. It is said that the creative industries are worth more than £10million an hour and the export services of creative industries accounted for 8.7% of total export services for UK in 2013 alone.

    The benefit of the emerging Digital Terrestrial Television is truly huge both in terms of job and wealth creation. We must salute the courage, thoroughness and smart moves of the present government for enabling the roll-out of the DSO. Equally we all must recommend the leadership of NBC, especially Mr. Edward Amana for National honours for scaling all manners of hurdles, red-tapes and bureaucratic landmines to deliver the project. We must also continue to put pressure on the government until all the nations is covered.

    • Tella is CEO of Tributes

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  • Benefits of Jalingo town hall meeting

    Benefits of Jalingo town hall meeting

    In this piece, Inuwa Sahihu examines the merits of the town hall meetings held by Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku in Jalingo, the state capital, and how the governor intends to sustain the dialogue for the purpose of getting a feedback on the perception of his programmes.

    It was a rare gathering of distinguished personalities and critical stakeholders in the rescue agenda of the government.  Darius Dickson Ishaku, governor of Taraba State, was there as the chief host. His deputy, Haruna Manu, an engineer, was also there. And so was Mr Anthony Jellason, Secretary to the Government and other members of the State Executive Council, some members of the National and the state assemblies, some foreign partners in the various on-going development projects in the state as well as other men and women of the moment.

    They all came in respect of a no less important subject – water – how it can be made good enough and available in sufficient quantity for the people of the state. And the occasion was a Town Hall meeting organised by the Taraba State Ministry of Water Resources recently in Jalingo, capital of Taraba State to review what has been achieved so far by the Ishaku administration and also search for a new way forward in the quest for effective and efficient management of water in the state.

    Water problem in Taraba State is a profound tale of perplexing contradiction. It is akin to the global irony where rivers and seas occupy three-quarters of the surface of the earth and yet there is no water good enough for domestic consumption. That was the situation which the administration of   Ishaku inherited on assumption of office in May 2015. Taraba State has many big rivers and streams. There is no local government council area in the state that is not blessed with rivers and big streams, all of them helping to sustain dry season farming and the thriving fishing industry that are also part of the success story of food production in the state. In fact, it is the reason most people felt that Taraba by which the state was called from the time of its creation is the most fitting name for the state. It is the name of one of the major rivers in the state. Yet the state never had sufficient treated water for domestic use. The provision of water has never really been a critical area of intervention by previous administrations in the state.

    That explains why the coming of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has been hailed as a defining moment in the effort to make water available in the state. He had vowed from the onset not only to radically address the problem of water scarcity in the towns and villages in Taraba State but to ensure that water that is produced is effectively and efficient managed. Today, the provision of good drinking water is a priority on the rescue agenda of the administration. The Ishaku administration has invested more money in the provision of water in its 22 months in the saddle than any other previous administration since the creation of the state. For the government, the attitude which has already produced remarkable impact on the water situation in the state is that every major town and village in the state must have a sustainable source of good water. This attitude informed the provision of 100 boreholes in major towns and villages in the state. It is also the reason provision has been made in the 2017 budget for the sinking of additional 150 boreholes in other areas of the state. Jalingo is already a gigantic construction site, all in the drive to develop a sustainable source of water for the people of the town. The projection for Jalingo is that by the time on-going projects are completed, the city will have water that can last up to year 2035.

    The commitment of the administration to radically address the water problem in the state was also the reason a Town Hall meeting was convened recently in Jalingo where Governor Ishaku and various stakeholders from in and outside the state shared ideas on the new way forward for achieving government’s dream of self-sufficiency in water. It was, as the governor had openly admitted in his speech at the occasion, an milestone event for drawing the attention of the public to what has been achieved so far in the provision of water and what new strategies were being adopted for faster and more fruitful results from the government’s approach to the problem.

    In less than two years, the administration has taken several remarkable steps that have taken the state closer to the actualisation of its dream for water sufficiency in the state. For example, all broken down plants, pumps and equipment in all water supply stations in the state have been repaired and put to use. Jalingo has experienced a positive reversal of the ugly tale of water scarcity of the past. Water has been restored to the city and 39 other towns and villages in the state through consistent release of funds to the state water agency for the operation and maintenance of water supply machinery. A new contract has been awarded for the development of the Jalingo primary water source. This is likely to be completed by the end of the year. That new source of water is to augment exisiting water supply infrastructure that are already serving the people.

    A lot more was achieved within this period of 22 months of the administration. The government paid counterpart funds for the JICA drilling rig which has been lying dormant for more than two years and purchased cutting-edge and modern laboratory equipment for water quality control. A government delegation led by Governor Ishaku also made a study and benchmarking visit to Nairobi City and Sewerage Corporation. A team of experts from that water giant has been here in Taraba and submitted a diagnostic investigation on how water can provided on a sustainable basis and managed effectively and profitably. Government also purchased 500 water pumps to support irrigation and dry season farming in the state in addition to the construction of two boreholes dedicated to the three-kilometre water transmission pipeline to the Greenhouse site at the College of Agriculture.

    The Town Hall meeting was also an occasion for Ishaku to share the vision of the government on water resources development and management with the people. In the months and years ahead, according to the governor, government will be engaged in capacity building towards the operation and maintenance of water system in Taraba State. To achieve this, 50 staff members of the Taraba State Water Supply Agency are to be sent to Nairobi, Kenya for a “Hands-on-training” programme. Water supply in the state is to be developed into a huge source of revenue generation with a new and modern system of payment for water by consumers to be developed. This may lead to the development of scratch cards that will be similar to what the telecommunication service providers are doing at the moment.

    The event also provided ample opportunities for the audience to ask questions on how the new dispensation of regular water supply and new payment system will work. Governor Ishaku took time out to explain the system in English and Hausa to the audience. The event was an eye-opener in various ways. It ended as a vote of confidence for what the government in doing to ensure the supply of quality water regularly. The Nairobi model of water development, distribution and billing system which government plans to adopt was widely acclaimed as the right step by participants at the meeting. Governor Ishaku also had the opportunity to listen to suggestions and complaints of the people on water and the people went away happy with his assurances that the new way of doing things being developed by  his administration in all areas of utility services, including water supply and management will turn things around for the better soon.

  • Health benefits of mango

    Health benefits of mango

    Mangoes are here again. It’s the season. Fresh and juicy mangoes are sold now. However, apart from being tasty, do you know that this fruit referred to as the king of fruits and love fruit also offers a number of health benefit.

    Nutrition chart

    One cup of mangoes (225 gms) contains the following percentages that apply to daily value.

    105 calories

    76 percent vitamin C (antioxidant and immune booster)

    25 percent vitamin A (antioxidant and vision)

    11 percent vitamin B6 plus other B vitamins (hormone production in brain and heart disease prevention)

    9 percent healthy probiotic fibre

    9 percent copper (copper is a co-factor for many vital enzymes plus production of red blood cells)

    7 percent potassium (to balance out our high sodium intake)

    4 percent magnesium

    1. Fights cancer

    Antioxidants like quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat present in mango protect the body against colon and breast cancers.

    1. Keeps cholesterol in check

    Mango has high level of vitamin C, pectin and fibres that help to lower serum cholesterol levels. Fresh mango is a rich source of potassium, which is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to control heart rate and blood pressure.

    1. Skin cleanser

    Mangoes help you unclog your pores and add freshness to the face. Mangoes are applicable to any skin type. They help clear clogged pores that cause acne. Just slice a mango into thin pieces and keep them on your face for 10 to 15 minutes and then take bath or wash your face and see the results.

    1. Alkalises the body

    According to natural health school.com, mango is rich in tartaric acid, malic acid and traces of citric acid that primarily help in maintaining the alkali reserve of the body.

    1. Weight loss

    Mango has a lot of vitamins and nutrients that help the body feel fuller. Also, the fibrous fruit boosts the digestive function of the body by burning additional calories, helping in weight loss.

    1. Regulates diabetes

    Not only the fruit but the leaves of mangoes are healthy too. For people suffering from diabetes, just boil 5-6 mango leaves in a vessel, soak it through night and drink the filtered decoction in the morning. This helps in regulating your insulin levels.

    Mango has a low glycemic index (41-60) so going a little overboard will not increase your sugar levels.

    1. Aphrodisiac

    Mango has aphrodisiac qualities and is also called the ‘love fruit’. Mangoes increase the virility in men. Vitamin E, which is abundantly present in mangoes, helps to regulate sex hormones and boosts sex drive.

    Additional information from Mae Chan. She holds degrees in both physiology and nutritional sciences. She is also blogger and technology enthusiast with a passion for disseminating information about health.

     

     

    1. Eye care

    Did you know that mango is rich in vitamin A. One cup of sliced mangoes equals 25% intake of your daily need of vitamin A. Mangoes help in promoting good eye sight, fights dry eyes and also prevent night blindness.

    1. Helps in digestion

    Mango contains enzymes that help in breaking down protein. The fibrous nature of mango helps in digestion and elimination. It is rich in pre-biotic dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.

    1. Heat stroke

    When the sun is bogging you down, just chop of a mango in a juicer; add a little water and a table spoon of  honey. This juice will instantly cool you down and prevent heat stroke.

    1. Strengthens your immune

    The deadly combination of vitamin C, vitamin A and 25 different kinds of carotenoids keep your immune system healthy.

    1. Body scrub

    Make a paste of mashed mango, honey and milk and use as a body scrub, you will feel that your skin is tender and smooth.

    1. Aids concentration and memory

    Studying for exams? This fruit is rich in glutamine acid– an important protein for concentration and memory. Feed mangoes to children who find it difficult to concentrate on studies.

    1. High iron for women

    Mango is rich in iron, hence it is a great natural solution for people suffering from anaemia. Menopausal and pregnant women can indulge in mangoes as this will increase their iron levels and calcium at the same time.

    1. Reduces kidney stones 

    In Chinese medicine, mangoes are considered sweet and sour with a cooling energy also capable of reducing the risk of kidney stone formation.

    1. Stomach tonic 

    Before going to bed put some 10 or 15 mango leaves in warm water and close it with lid. The next day morning filter the water and drink it in empty stomach. Do this regularly.

    Additional information from Mae Chan. She holds degrees in both physiology and nutritional sciences. She is also blogger and technology enthusiast with a passion for disseminating information about health.

     

     

  • Kaduna pensioners to get benefits

    Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Pension Bureau Mr. Dan Ndackson said yesterday that payment of pension benefits to 2017 retirees would begin today.
    Ndackson, who addressed a news conference yesterday, lauded Governor Nasir El-Rufai for passing the Kaduna State Pension Reform Law 2016, confirming that the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state began January 1, as scheduled.
    According to him, the new scheme remedies the problems and failures that characterised the 2007 pension law, adding that the new arrangement will protect the earned pension rights of workers and end the problems that unfunded pension schemes created for the pensioner and government alike.
    “The government has nothing to gain from the contributory pension scheme, but it has raised its own contribution, as an employer to 13 per cent, while the worker pays 7 per cent monthly. This is a pro-people decision taken to improve the welfare of pensioners.
    “Kaduna State has moved all public sector workers to the contributory pension scheme. With this scheme, pensioners are spared the hardship, delayed payments and fraud that bedevilled the old scheme.
    “The new system is so efficient that public servants who retired in January and February can start earning their pension,” Ndackson said.

  • Benefits of exercise. Your solutions to manifold diseases (5)

    Pain relief: Apart from the use of exercise in rehabilitation of persons with surgical, mental health and other physical illnesses, exercise can help banish or reduce psychological pain whatever its origin: such as grief, divorce and life failures. This is because exercise produces endorphins in the brain. Endorphin is a powerful pain killer like morphine.

    Sleep: exercise generally speaking, improves sleep for a lot of people. It also alleviates sleep disorders such as insomnic illness. However, the best time to exercise may be four to eight hours before bedtime. Vigorous exercise which is done close to bed time may impair sleep as it may cause alertness.

    Other Circumstances: Fibroid is a common disorder in women more especially so in African women wherever they may be on earth. As mentioned earlier, inactivity and obesity may cause the body to require or produce excessive estrogen hormone. Thus, a lean body mass will require less. Exercise is therefore a non-medical way to prevent development of fibroid.

    Further, women who are pregnant and anticipating delivery are encouraged to exercise from mid-pregnancy. This is so, to prepare the birth canal and the entire body of the woman for labour. A well toned muscles of the pelvis and thoroughly prepared body will be less tiring and will be able to cope with the rigours of labour.

    Warnings/Cautions: As in any form of medical treatment, there may be unwanted side effects. Exercise is not different even though it’s free (or supposed to be) and is not a medication.  I cannot over emphasise the fact that exercise may not necessarily be suitable for everyone.  Anyone with heart disease, physical disability,  hypertension or a person who has not done exercise for a long time should exercise caution especially at the initial stages. I will caution that anyone with the illnesses of hypertension, heart problems, diabetes along with obesity or any illness for that matter should first consult with his or her doctor for a check-up. An ECG may also be ordered to cross-check the heart activities ahead of proposed scheduled exercises.

    Also, as in everything in life, too much exercise can be harmful. Moderation and reasonability are called for. Excessive, unrelenting, prolonged exercise may cause heart diseases because of work overloading of the heart.  Excessive exercise in individuals with distorted overweight perception of themselves may lead to excess weight loss which may cause such person to look emaciated.

    Unguarded exertion of muscle and joints may cause physical injuries and also diseases such as rhadomyolysis (muscle damage). In addition, overtraining may suppress your immunity leading to such illnesses as frequently having respiratory infections. Wrong exercise can do more harm than good, with the definition of wrong varying according to the individual concerned. For many activities, especially running and cycling, there are significant injuries that may occur with poorly regimented exercise schedules. Injuries from accidents also remain a major concern, whereas the effects of increased exposure to air pollution seem only negligible: Not everyone exercises outside or on the streets.  Some do so in their private spaces and some do exercise in commercial centres (gym, as it’s popularly called).

    In the female adult, excessive training may cause amenorrhoea (absence of the menstrual periods).  If this continues and or untreated, amenorrhoea may lead to infertility. However, amenorrhoea of this nature is reversible once a correction is made to the underlying cause.

    However, while exercise should be a lifestyle for the duration of one’s life, exercise should if so desired, be stopped gradually. Sudden stoppage of exercise can lead to downward shift in the mood of the individual.

    Suitable nutrition and hydration (water intake) are important to health as exercise. When exercising, it becomes even more important to have a good diet and rehydration to ensure that the body has the correct ratio of macronutrients that it needs while providing ample micronutrients as well, in order to aid the body with the recovery process following strenuous exercise. We should remember that we should not overload or reload the excess food or fat that has been lost through exercise. You should also have adequate rest in intervals. This will allow the body to recover from previous exertion.

    Finally, while exercise is to be encouraged for individuals (children and adults) as well as the communities, caution should be exercised and note should be taken that one person is not the same as the other. If Mrs Z can tolerate 30minutes, it does not imply that Mr B can do the same. Every person should find their own level according to one’s ability especially within the recommended regime. As I have indicated before, do seek the opinion of your medical doctor and clinical adviser if you are considering engaging in exercise for the first time. All the same, you can banish illnesses by the choice of your lifestyle. Good luck.