The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CHECKMATE

  • ‘How Osun is using technology to checkmate farmers/herders clash’

    Osun State has taken refuge in technology to nip potential farmers/herders clash that has claimed millions of lives in some parts of the country in the bud.

    Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Oluremi Omowaye, who spoke in an interview with The Nation in Lagos, said the government has put in place an inquiry call centre and invested heavily in unmanned aerial vehicles that would gather data and relay same to the centre which would be analysed for action.

    According to Omowaye, the response of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s government to the menace of herder/farmers incessant clashes was to think out of the box for a technological solution that would allow seamless flow of information about the movement of livestocks and their owners across the state.

    He said: “We needed to set up an inquiry call centre and we needed a short code so that it will be easy for people to reach us.  We approached the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) which granted us the code after detailed presentation by our team.

    “This technology will be deployed this week using unmanned aerial vehicles that would interface with the call centre. We want a scenario whereby all livestock in Osun would have a unique individual identity so that when a livestock strays into your farm, all you need to do is text the first three digits to the short code issued by the NCC and once you do that you will get a response from the call centre to check the owner.

    “From the call centre too, the owner would be called. Aside that, we are also going to use it for other services such as ambulance services because in the call centre, you have the security operatives too so, we thank the NCC for quick response.

    ‘’I know the NCC is trying to establish a call centre at in Osun so we have an agreement that when they come up with their own, we will.’’

    On supportive infrastructure on which the technology would ride, he said the state is one of the leading states in the federation in terms of the providing infrastructure.

    He said:  “Osun is one of the leading infrastructure states in Nigeria. Governor Aregbesola has opened up a lot of roads, health and educational infrastructure. The government is even working in the area of electricity since it is the major challenge IT has. We are working on boosting power generation in the state but one thing that is unfortunate is that companies do not pay tax.

    “There is no government that can function well without paying tax. What is coming from Abuja cannot pay salaries so we enjoin the companies to cooperate with the state government and pay tax. I am sure with the level of investment in infrastructure so far, Osun is the place to be for investors, both local and foreign.

    “We are deploying IT solutions to ease tax collection but no matter the solution you deploy, computer is garbage; garbage out, if they do not cooperate, it won’t work. But we have deployed a lot of solutions that will enhance tax collection. There is always this allegation of multiple taxation by state governments too. We have also deployed solution that would end the regime of multiple taxation in the state.”

    On the monthly internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state, he said it is less than N1billion while the wage bill for both employees of the state and local governments is above N5billion, stressing that a lot needed to be done in the area of increasing the state’s IGR so that the monthly wait for Abuja would become a thing of the past.

    On the state of the art infrastructure put in place in the state, he said: “What Governor Aregbesola has done Osun is a world-class design, world class standard. The government encourages that the two ducts were built so that not only fibre optics would fly. The government is also thinking of building an industrial park so that the infrastructure would not be scattered all over the state. We are working on the industrial park. We are also talking to some Chinese investors for the industrial park and in the park, there will be a segment for IICT park,” Omowaye said.

  • How Buhari’s men plan to checkmate Saraki, Dogara, others

    Strategists of President Muhammadu Buhari are leaving nothing to chance in the event that some bigwigs of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dump the party in the build up to next year’s elections.

    The Buhari camp has in place a Plan B to mitigate the effects of the possible defection of the likes of Senate President  Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Senator  Rabiu Kwankwaso, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Senator  Aliyu Wammako, and  Senator  Ahmed Yerima, among others.

    Also tipped to defect are Senators Shehu Sani, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Magnus Abe, Dino Melaye, and some other Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

    The Buhari strategists, The Nation gathered authoritatively yesterday, have come to the conclusion that some political heavyweights of the APC are on their way out of the party.

    Citing some recent political developments, the strategists at a meeting in Abuja said the bigwigs might abandon Buhari by shifting base from APC to PDP.

    One of the likely defectors is said to have taken a secret trip to  Port Harcourt last weekend to see Governor Nyesom Wike, escaping a near mishap when the chartered jet convening his delegation ran into a storm mid-air.

    The trip was made under the cover of an official engagement.

    Highly placed political sources said Thursday’s inauguration of the Liyel Imoke Committee by the PDP to work out modalities for receiving the APC bigwigs and alliances to ease out Buhari in 2019 was not co-incidental.

    The committee has its origin in what the sources called a secret agreement in Port Harcourt to hasten up the gale of defections.

    The committee was inaugurated by the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

    Responding to the PDP threat, the Buhari strategists decided  to be a step ahead of the defectors, not wanting to be caught napping like ex-President Goodluck Jonathan when high profile PDP members left him in the lurch in 2014.

    It was gathered that the strategists have devised a “state-by-state” response and what one of the more reliable strategists called a “local content” solution.

    Giving an insight into the Plan B and why Buhari supporters are prepared for ‘aftershock’, one of the sources said: “With the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the pattern is predictable for Buhari strategists. Some chieftains have shown by their conduct that they are no longer with APC in spirit. Some steps taken by these leaders are pointing to likely defection. We cannot be caught unawares again.

    “We know some of those who may defect because intelligence has indicated that some of them are already negotiating the terms of their defection with a few opposition parties.

    “We will give a peculiar local response or local content to each of the defectors. It is going to be high-wire politics.”

    Kano State

    “For instance in Kano State, it is obvious that Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso will leave APC because of his presidential ambition and irreconcilable crisis of confidence with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

    “He wants to prove a point by stopping Ganduje from earning a second term ticket. Since he is extremely popular in Kano, his candidate can become the next governor of the state in 2019 on a 50-50 per cent basis.

    “We also do not rule out the possibility of a repeat of the election of Senator Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo (of the defunct PRP) in 1983 as governor of Kano State against the highly favoured Abubakar Rimi of the defunct Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP). Kwankwaso can spring a surprise like Bakin Zuwo

    “But Kwankwaso may not go far against Buhari in the presidential race because of some hurdles. His challenge is the platform to use because he has to face a stiff competition for the presidential ticket with his local rival, ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, ex-VP Atiku, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, ex-Governor Sule Lamido, ex-Governor Attahiru  Bafarawa, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and others.

    “The permutation of Buhari strategists is that if Kwankwaso gets the ticket of PDP, it will be easier to work with Shekarau’s camp to get substantial votes from Kano.

    “Certainly, there will be split votes in Kano in 2019 but the strategists are working hard on how Buhari, who has a solid support base in Kano, can secure at least 60 to 70 per cent of the presidential votes in the state.”

    Kwara State

    The source said some PDP leaders are in subterranean alliance with Buhari’s camp in case Senate President Saraki moves to PDP.

    The Buhari camp plans to  work with PDP leaders (mostly from Kwara Central) who may ditch the opposition party in protest against the possible  return of Saraki and his anointed candidates for the governorship and other election levels.

    His words: “With the alliance, Buhari may get  between  45%  and  47% of the votes from Kwara State and the  Kwara South Senatorial seat for APC which the incumbent governor from Ifelodun Local Government Area is interested in against Saraki’s long time ally, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, the current Senator.

    “The results of the 2015 governorship election showed that the APC candidate, Governor Ahmed secured 295,832 votes to defeat the runner-up, Senator Simeon Ajibola, of the Peoples Democratic Party by 115,220 votes.

    “A major plan of Buhari’s strategists is to close the gap in 2019 by working with those who may leave PDP like former Minister of National Planning, Professor Abubakar Suleiman, Saraki’s ex-Adviser, Moshood Mustapha, ex-VC of UNILORIN, Prof. Shuaibu Oba, Yinka Aluko, ex-PDP governorship candidate, Sen. Ajibola and others.

    “If Saraki concedes the Kwara South Senatorial ticket to Offa, his camp can easily win the three senatorial districts in Kwara State. But if he allows the rivalry between the governor and Sen. Rafiu to fester, his camp might lose Kwara South because either of them can play a spoiler game.

    “Most of those against Saraki’s hegemony in Kwara State are from Kwara South where the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed comes from. Saraki is worried that Mohammed has not been forthcoming in checking the ‘rebels’ in APC.

    “Saraki has however taken his political destiny in his own hands to avoid any slip. He has been shuttling between Abuja and Kwara State in the past few weeks to fortify his base, and holding series of meetings and events in the state, sometimes without the knowledge of the governor who has allegedly created a political baggage for him.

    “His major headache is the choice of the governorship candidate for Kwara State in 2019 from either  Kwara Central or Kwara North which produced a governor last in 1992 (26 years ago) in the person of Senator Mohammed Sha’aba Lafiagi.

    “The Emirs and other traditional rulers in Lafiagi recently stormed Abuja to demand the governorship slot from Saraki who asked them to resolve the divisions in Kwara North first. These rulers have raised a three-man panel on how to resolve the rifts in Kwara North.

    “If Saraki crosses over to PDP, he will have the same problem of where to pick the next governor from between Kwara Central (the largest voting population area and where opposition to Saraki is unusually coming from) and Kwara North which has been deciding the fate of every elected governor in the state since 1979.

    “Those opposed to Saraki either in APC or PDP are waiting for a slip by him on the choice of party and governorship candidate before forming an alliance against him for Buhari’s camp to capitalize on.

    “As part of the Plan B, some APC chieftains are pushing for the choice of Saraki’s sister, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, as the national women leader of APC at the forthcoming national convention of the party.

    “APC leaders from Kwara South are already plotting against the current National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi by claiming that the slot was conceded to them by the party following the election of Alhaji Lai Mohammed before he became a minister.

    “Pro-Saraki leaders insisted that the office was only zoned to Kwara and not any senatorial district. But it is obvious that Sen. Gbemisola’s candidacy is meant to whittle down the influence of Bukola Saraki.

    “Kwara may end up with two national officers of APC if the proposal is approved.”

    Sokoto State

    The presidential ambition of Governor Aminu Tambuwal may  force the Buhari camp to negotiate with ex-Governor Aliyu Wammako, who is closer to a strategic member of  what is called the cabal.

    The source added: “Although Wammako shares a political bond with Saraki, those in Buhari’s camp believe his grievances can be addressed if they are given local touch.

    “There is a plan by Buhari’s strategists to return the party structure to the ex-governor in order to determine who will be the next governor of the state in 2019 and other elective posts. If the plan works out, Wammako may be able to install his governorship favourite in 2015, Farouk Malami Yabo (ex-Commissioner for Finance).

    “But if Wammako sticks to his new found political ally (Governor Tambuwal) and shifts base to PDP, the alternative for Buhari’s strategists is to strengthen a faction of APC  in Sokoto called APC Buhariyya which is propping up Dahiru Yusuf Yabo (a former Commissioner for Water Resources) as its gubernatorial hopeful. The Buhariyya group comprises those formerly in the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

    “The target of the President’s men is Wammako who has proven to be unbeatable in Sokoto State.

    “The terrain is also slippery for Wammako because the governor has planted all his loyalists in the APC structures from ward to the State Executive Committee. He has been boxed into a corner in a manner that only Tambuwal-anointed candidate can emerge as APC governorship flag bearer even if he moves to PDP.

    “It will be in the interest of Wammako to remain in APC and allow Tambuwal to wander to PDP for the presidential ticket.”

    Benue State

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State is believed to be considering switching allegiance to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) because the PDP has shut its doors against him unless he wants to be an ordinary member of the party.

    His chances as APC governorship candidate are not brighter either because his godfather, Senator George Akume, is no longer favourably disposed to him.

    But SDP is willing to admit Ortom into its camp because of his grassroots connection and the political mileage which the killings in Benue State have earned him.

    “Benue appears a write-off but strategists are relying on a change of governorship candidate to win the sympathy of the people of the state or, at worse, secure the mandatory 25 per cent of the total votes cast for Buhari,” another source said.

    “While some strategists and forces in the presidency prefer the Managing Director of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Emmanuel Jime (who was APC governorship aspirant in 2015), Akume, the kingmaker in the state, wants Mr. Titus Tartenger Zam, who is a Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to Governor Ortom.

    “It is left to the strategists to take a risk or defer to Akume who holds the ace. But Ortom’s plot to control the party machinery in the state might box Akume into a corner.

    “The likely exit of Ortom to SDP will leave three parties (APC, PDP, SDP) competing for votes in the state.”

    Zamfara State

    Sources said Senator  Yerima’s next move appears unclear for now “because of his romance with Saraki.”

    However, Buhari’s  camp is banking on Governor Abdulaziz Yari, some Yarimawa like ex-Governor Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi and his running mate in  2015, Madami Dandoto, and a  former Deputy Governor in the state, Muktari Anka and others to checkmate the ex-governor.

    “The battle is likely to be a royal one because the governor is interested in installing his successor in 2019 and he wants to contest for the senatorial seat being occupied presently by Yerima,” one source said.

    “Yerima has told his political son that he is not yet ready to retire from politics now.”

    Buhari’s strategists have the weighty influence of a former National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, traditional rulers in the state and the unending killings in Zamfara to cope with.

    “We think Gusau is in league with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-President Ibrahim Babangida to stop Buhari in 2019,” another strategist added.

    Bauchi State

    Governor Mohammed Abubakar’s strong hold on the party’s structure in Bauchi State is posing immense threat to the political career of House of Reps Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who represents Bogoro/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency.

    From the look of things, it is unlikely that Dogara will get a ticket to return to the National Assembly or even have a shot at the governorship.

    Although the Speaker has reported the governor to the presidency, not much intervention seems to have taken place.

    The APC National Secretariat in August 2017 sent a Fact-Finding and Reconciliation Committee to the Bauchi State chapter but the panel which was headed by Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige could not go far.

    A source said: “The Cold War between Dogara and the governor may lead to the exit of the Speaker from APC to PDP where he will join forces with leaders like ex-Governor Isa Yuguda and ex-FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed to fight the governor.

    “The Speaker in May 2017, said: ‘It was because the people were getting so angry that they decided to take their destiny in their hands and everybody knows. You can find out from them in Bauchi that that was the direction we were heading to, a very dangerous direction and the president needed to intervene.’

    “Buhari’s strategists are aware that Bauchi State is politically fluid. The signs of the deep crisis in APC in the state were obvious at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi during the recent visit of the President to the state.

    “The strategists are relying on total reconciliation with top politicians like Dogara, Yusuf Tuggar and all the segments of the state to save the situation for Buhari. The reconciliation may involve President Buhari this time around.

    “Apart from politicians, the traditional institution is unhappy with the deposition of about 150 district heads and civil servants were shocked by the suspension of their pay for three months. In fact, of the 12 members of the House of Representatives from the state, only five Reps are with the governor.”

    A source said: “Once Tambuwal defects to PDP, Dogara will follow, I can tell you this.”

    Kaduna State

    Apart from his hometown, Daura, President Buhari is emotionally attached to Kaduna where he almost lost his life to a bomb ambush about four years ago. Well-loved and treated like a tin-god by his large support base, Kaduna is an electoral nightmare for Buhari in spite of the pretence by Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

    In an apparently frustrated tone, el-Rufai on Friday declared the three Senators representing the state as useless for allegedly blocking a $350m loan request by the State Government. The senators are Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central), Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North) both of the APC and Danjuma Leah (Kaduna South), who is from the opposition PDP.

    Beyond the loan palaver, the battle ahead in 2019 is the hidden motive behind the vituperations of the governor.

    The facts are not adding up in the presidency and among Buhari’s strategists on the logjam in Kaduna. The entire Kaduna South is almost lost due to incessant killings such that the governor has not been able to attend major events in the area lately.

    The other two Senatorial districts are not an easy ride for el-Rufai who is Buhari’s self-acclaimed 2019 polls salesman.

    The most difficult will be Kaduna North where  Hunkuyi, ex-Governor  Ahmed Makarfi, ex-Governor Ramalan Yero,  a game changer, Isa Ashiru and the aggrieved huge population of followers of the Shiite leader, Ibrahim Yaqoub el-Zakzaky hail or operate from. El-Rufai is from Kaduna North although he votes in Kaduna Central.

    Except for the influence of ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo in Kaduna Central, Senator Sani poses less political threat to Buhari because his senatorial ticket was a “consequence of Buhari-el-Rufai’s benevolence in 2015.”

    Reputed as a human rights activist, Sani is not a natural or typical Nigerian politician. Although he is gifted with oratory skills, he will have to lean on big politicians like the ex-VP and the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki (who can negotiate his exit from APC to PDP) to realize his governorship or senatorial ambition.

    But with the control of party machinery by el-Rufai, there were indications yesterday that Sani, Hunkuyi, Ashiru and other stalwarts might be PDP bound.

    Six options open to the strategists of Buhari on Kaduna are relying on old and stale love for the President by his mob supporters; appeasing Kaduna South with enhanced security and development; granting automatic second term tickets to all House of Reps members and the state Assembly members from Kaduna State;  immediate reconciliation with Hunkuyi and Sani by conceding automatic Senate tickets to them;  factoring Ashiru into consideration with a better package and resorting to aged fault lines of ethno-religious politics to win votes in 2019.

    A top source said: “Capitalizing on the age-long fault lines will make the politics in Kaduna in 2019 messier and Buhari might have the upper hand. The same factor will not make the Christians in Southern Kaduna to vote for Buhari.

    “El-Rufai’s offer of automatic second term tickets to House of Reps members and the state Assembly members from Kaduna State is an ingenious political masterstroke which can make each of them to defend their frontiers.

    “To knock out Sani, one of the propaganda stunts emanating from the fault lines against him is the fact that he is from Niger State and as a non-indigene, he should be disallowed from taking the slot of a native.

    “Also, if Buhari’s camp can strike a deal with Ashiru and Hunkuyi, he can comfortably win Kaduna with a better margin. But Ashiru, whose ambition is to be a governor, might prefer following his political friend and ally, Governor Aminu Tambuwal to PDP. It is becoming too late to win.

    Adamawa State

    The strategists of Buhari and followers of the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari have been trying to hijack the party structure in Adamawa State with a view to clipping the wings of ex-VP Atiku Abubakar who has tremendous influence on Governor Jibrilla Bindo.

    The outcome of Saturday’s congresses will determine and define where APC stalwarts in the state like ex-Governor Murtala Nyako, SGF Boss Mustapha, ex-SGF Babachir Lawal, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Sen. Binta Mashi, Hajiya Aishatu Dahiru Modibbo Binani and others are headed.

    A source said: “Adamawa is a heterogeneous state and the politics of 2019 is still dicey as I am talking to you.

    “While Atiku is still pulling the strings in APC through the governor, all the leaders are divided. Governor Bindo has visited the Presidential Villa many times to assure the President of support but the strategists of Buhari are still suspicious of him.”

  • How to checkmate cardiac arrest

    How to checkmate cardiac arrest

    OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes on natural ways to prevent cardiac arrest.

    Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart beat stops suddenly for some time. Every year, thousands of people suffer from cardiac arrest and not all are lucky enough to survive the fatal condition. Cardiac arrest can be prevented or one can at least avoid it by bringing a few changes in one’s daily life.

    But one may ask, what is cardiac arrest? Cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have diagnosed heart disease

    According to Professor of Medicine/Cardiology at Babcock University, President and CEO of Tri State Cardiovascular Institute, and Chief, Division of Cardiac Catheterisation and Interventional Laboratory at University College Hospital in Ibadan, Prof Kamar Adeleke,  Cardiac arrests affect more than 4,000,000 people globally on a yearly basis and is caused by the sudden stopping of the heart. Cardiovascular conditions, electrical disturbances in the circulatory system, abnormal rhythm of the heart and heart attacks can create the grounds for a cardiac arrest.

    “The term ‘heart attack’ is often mistakenly used to describe cardiac arrest. While a heart attack may cause cardiac arrest and sudden death, the terms don’t mean the same thing. Heart attacks are caused by a blockage that stops blood flow to the heart. A heart attack (or myocardial infarction) refers to death of heart muscle tissue due to the loss of blood supply, not necessarily resulting in the death of the heart attack victim,” explained Prof Adeleke.

    Prof Adeleke said Cardiac arrest is caused when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions. In cardiac arrest, death results when the heart suddenly stops working properly. This may be caused by abnormal, or irregular, heart rhythms , “Most of these deaths can be postponed if people ate healthier foods and quit smoking. Men develop it sooner than women. However, an increasing number of women are experiencing heart disease but they are not being diagnosed soon enough. Decades of progress in the United States on reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking are being counteracted by rising obesity rates,” he explained.

     

    Likely causes

    Prof Adeleke  breaks it down:

    Stress and anxiety

    A stress-filled life, including work stress, does seem to raise the odds of heart disease and stroke. Emotional stress may be a trigger of otherwise unexplained cases of cardiac arrest. Those with cardiac arrest are likely to have been through a highly stressful event the day before. Men with stressful jobs may already be at risk of early artery disease by their early 30s. In addition to normal life stressors, the physical demands, such as hard labour, a person experiences in the workplace can independently increase their risk as well.

    Poor sleep patterns are a cause. Also, people who work a mix of day and night shifts face a greater risk of dying from heart disease than those who work fixed days or nights only. People with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome—in which airways become blocked periodically during sleep and breathing stops for brief periods — experience a relatively high number episodes of irregular heart rhythm.

    A family history of heart disease. If either or both of your parents have it, your risk is higher.

    Young adults exposed to adverse experiences as children have greater signs of unhealthy blood vessel function than young people without a traumatic past.

    Prof Adeleke suggested that the best thing to do is to start off with an exercise routine today. “You can begin slowly by only walking on the treadmill for about an hour each day. One can prevent cardiac arrest by awaking every morning before anyone else in the house and drinking a glass of water. The next step is to get into exercise gear, begin stretching and start with the daily activities. Keep moving the body until a good sweat is developed. It is also extremely important to follow a healthy balanced diet.”

     

    Roles of diet

    Prof Adeleke said Heart conditions and ailments such as cardiac arrests can be avoided by having a healthy breakfast including oatmeal, boiled eggs and orange juice daily. As far as possible include a midday snack like an energy bar. You can have a good lunch based on salads (without the dressings), followed by another snack in the evening like fruit and end the day with a wholesome dinner including chicken or fish.

    He said: “It is highly recommended that you consume foods that reduce the risk of cholesterol and which control blood pressure. You should ensure that you avoid the consumption of foods with a high content of saturated fats and tropical oils as these are one of the primary factors responsible for increasing the risks of a cardiac arrest. A diet high in oils and fats hastens the development of disorders such as coronary heart disease, arthrosclerosis and obesity, all of which are contributing elements to heart related health problems.

    “If natural activities like a healthy diet and plenty of exercise are not effective in ensuring unacceptable cholesterol level, it is highly advisable to seek expert medical opinion. Based on the doctor’s diagnosis of your condition, he/she may prescribe cholesterol lowering medication.”

    He added: “Another thing to do is to check on your habits and give up any detrimental factors to health such as smoking and the consumption of alcohol. Avoid smoking cigarettes or cigars completely. Avoid secondary smoke as well. You must also restrict the consumption of alcohol and reduce its quantity substantially if you are an avid drinker. It would also be beneficial to your health if you can bring down the level of emotional stress that you experience in your day-to-day activities.”

     

    Further tips

    Prof Adeleke said exercise is considered to be an effective tool in the battle against heart diseases. It is also useful in improving the quality of life in those individuals already suffering from heart diseases,  “Regular exercise can lead to reduction in weight, resulting in greater energy. Exercising is beneficial in ensuring better sleep at night. It is also believed to be effective in reversing the process of atherosclerosis. Moreover it is helpful in lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol and even in eliminating stress.”

     

    Way out

    According to www.raysahelian.com/heartdisease, You should prepare your meals with very little sodium or salt. Too much salt in your regular foods increases blood pressure risk which can lead to cardiac problems and cardiac arrest. Those who suffer from very high pressure should try and completely restrict the use of sodium (salt)  to prevent cardiac arrest. Try to maintain a healthy weight by balancing your calorie intake. All health problems like diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure should be treated and monitored.

    Diets rich in saturated fats and simple sugar are likely to increase cardiovascular risk. Beneficial ingredients that research has consistently shown to reduce the risk include fish, fruits, berries, vegetables, garlic, onions, wine, and cocoa or dark chocolate. Eat more whole grains— such as oatmeal, brown rice and some breakfast cereals with bran. Focus on vegetables and fresh vegetable juices, omega-3 fatty acids, cold water fish, whole grains, fibre, legumes, a little bit of wine (if it cannot be done with), and nuts such as almonds and walnuts. Nuts have a good range of healthy fatty acids and, in moderation, are a good addition to one’s diet. As much as possible, eat raw nuts since their fatty acid profile is altered when cooked, heated, or roasted. If men and women add these beneficial ingredients to their daily diets, they might increase their life expectancy by several years. Consume fresh garlic when you can since it dilates blood vessels and can improve circulation.

    Regularly eating fish and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may lower your risk of fatal heart disease.

    Eating bacon, sausage, hot dogs and other processed meats raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Eating unprocessed beef, pork or lamb does not appear to raise risks of heart attacks and diabetes as much. It is likely that salt and chemical preservatives may be a major cause of these two health problems associated with eating meat. Eating more fruits and vegetables decreases levels of C reactive protein, an inflammatory marker for vascular disease.

    Teenagers who consume a lot of sugary foods and drinks have an increased risk in the future.

    Too much salt and too little potassium in your diet may boost your risk for cardiovascular disease and death.

    Eating beans, lentils and other legumes will help you cut down on LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol and lower your risk for heart disease. Eat more garlic and onions.

    Cholesterol or egg intakes have not been associated with a higher risk of heart disease in most studies. Replacing refined sugars with egg, protein and unsaturated fats helps improve heart health.

  • WHAT I LEARNT FROM CHECKMATE –NOLLYWOOD ACTOR PAUL ADAMS

    WHAT I LEARNT FROM CHECKMATE –NOLLYWOOD ACTOR PAUL ADAMS

    Paul Adams is a household name in Nollywood having featured in several award winning movies and soaps including the hit TV series ‘Checkmate’. The veteran actor spoke with ADEWOYIN ADENIYI on diverse issues.

    WHAT was the experience like when filming Checkmate?

    It was quite unique in many ways. The standard in terms of content and production was high in a sense. There were not many options and power was quite stable in Nigeria at that time compared to now so viewers had the guarantee of consistent followership.

    How did you get the role in Checkmate?

    I was relaxing at home when a friend came over to inform me that he was coming from an audition nearby and suggested I give it a shot. I went over to Moving Movies office in Victoria Island and it turned out they were hunting for a Kunle Ajayi, after my audition I got the role that my friend went for. I felt it was cool.

    There must be some lessons you learnt in the series even as a major cast member.

    I guess one of the lessons I learnt as lead actor was knowing how to handle celebrity status without letting it get into your head. The producer had predicted that by the time Checkmate hit the airwaves we would have become larger than life and that’s what actually happened.

    How close were you to the late producer Amaka Igwe?

    Actually, with Amaka Igwe, I enjoyed a bit more than the cordial relationship between actor and a friendly producer. We were very cool. We often rubbed minds on matters of our faith in Jesus Christ. She was rich in the knowledge of the scriptures and its interpretations. She was simply a sweet person and I admired her tenacity and drive for success. She was quite thorough and sincere. She remains the only Nigerian producer that I know to have paid artistes royalty after paying artistes’ fees, and she paid us in Pounds.

    Between Ripples and Checkmate, which would you say brought you to limelight?

    I would say both of them, but it was largely Checkmate. Its success was phenomenal. Remember, they were both broadcast on national network. That was a tall order back then. At one time, I was on both as they aired weekly, that is, they were running concurrently. I don’t really know of any artiste that experienced that.

    In your opinion, is there any TV series now that can be compared with Checkmate or Ripples?

    Yes and No! When we try to compare, few factors have to be considered. At the time there were not as many soaps running concurrently. A big one comes with a bang and it makes waves and then it either ends or fades away. Then another comes and goes the same way. So basically, people didn’t have to struggle with their minds on what station to watch. The stories were quite thorough and well treated. There are a few like that now as well. Technically today is better than yesterday. Artistes, cast and crew are better paid. Production is better organised.

    How is your relationship with the other casts of checkmates today?

    We remain good pals as long as we can still locate ourselves and keep in touch, but you know what we say, as in politics, there are no permanent foes or friends. Soldier go, soldier come! Life rolls on!

    Television lovers will love to see the series again; are there plans to bring it back for the new school to have a feel of the oldies?

    That is actually asking for a lot. Firstly, as with everything with us, we are not good custodians of our heritage. Many works that graced our TVs back then don’t exist anymore due to lack of proper storage. Plus the medium back then has no guarantee of longevity. The tapes have a limited lifespan. Preservation was zero. Truth is as the scripture says, ‘old things have passed away, behold all things have become new’. The old for the old, the new for the new! The show must go on!

    The young ones are gradually taking over the industry, are you not scared they might send the veterans packing?

    That’s not gradual because it’s already happening and that’s the prayer of every leader or anybody who is a trailblazer, the one who will always believe that the younger ones will come behind you and do just as well if not better. That’s why we say in Nigeria, the young shall grow. So let the young grow as we look forward to them.

    You’ve not been acting for some time now; why is that?

    Well, I’ve always been a part of acting; it’s just that I stepped out to do a few other things. You know, I’m an explorer, I like to explore. I am adventurous, I like to venture into other things and besides that, I have been into other things.

    Other things like what?

    I produce and I direct as well. I also do a lot of compering and I am working on my music. I like to keep that under wraps for now, but it will all come out at the right time.

    What kind of music are you working on?

    Gospel music of course. I had to get involved with ministry work so I set up a foundation which is Christian-based and all of that takes a lot of your time. But pretty soon, you will be seeing all the results of all the works.

    Back to movies, you seem to prefer soap operas to home videos…

    I’m sure that is very clear about me. I started out with soaps because I like the way they are organised. The stories are well written, time is taken out for proper planning and execution rather than the rush jobs. I’ve done a couple of movies and I see myself in it at the end of the day I regret. I tend to ask myself, ‘what am I doing here? I don’t belong in that movie.’ So I like soaps for another reason, and that is that they keep you wanting to see the series, they keep you expectant.

    In monetary terms, which pays more, home videos or soap operas?

    Home videos will pay more for those who are commercial minded and I give them kudos for it. Some of us came into acting out of passion and somehow we have retained that standard. I’m not saying we are not getting paid but our approach is quite different from that of the commercial based new entrance. From the onset, they demand to know how much they will get paid and its good for the industry but then there is a lot more fulfillment you can get than just payment. There is something you get out of the passion that you sow into the work that gives you more satisfaction.

    Do you still get scripts from home video producers since they know you prefer soaps?

    Not that I don’t love home movies but I have to be choosy and when you are choosy some people don’t like it. And when they don’t like you they blacklist you. They tell themselves, ‘don’t go to him’ but when I see a good story I do. I’m running away from being ethnic because some people actually form a clique based on their tribe and they think anybody who doesn’t belong in that circle is an outcast. So I shy away from even discussing them.

    Most times when they bring their jobs, the language is not right, they story is not right and then when you try to correct it they get offended and they say leave it for me. This is the way I want my story.

    Some people don’t consider Yoruba movies as part of Nollywood. Some are also against the name because they feel it was dubbed from Hollywood. What’s your take on that?

    To start with, everything Nigeria is divided. We are talking about a united nation but we are not united. We are believing God that one day, we will be united but we are so ethnically, and culturally divided that it has carved into what we call Nollywood and that is why you hear some people say they are Yoriwood, Kaniwood. I mean it is annoying.

    In the first place, we didn’t coin the name Nollywood so you can excuse us with that.

    It was coined by a New York Times reporter after their own Hollywood, but the truth about us is that we Nigerians we are extreme in everything. Did we have to create another name? Nollywood covers everybody so there is no need to say you are Kaniwood or Yoriwood. It’s absurd. Some of us are trying to do things that can unite us and see each other as brothers. Division is destructive but we don’t know it.

    Are any of your kids into acting?

    I have only one daughter and she’s not artistically inclined because she’s engrossed with her IT work.

    What if she later finds love in acting?

    She doesn’t have the talent. Maybe I will give birth to another child tomorrow who will have the talent (Laughs).