The Nation Newspaper

Tag: feet

  • Asking Jonathan to his feet

    It is a rare occasion for a lady to ask the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was already seated at a public gathering, to not only rise to his feet but remain standing for about five minutes.

    But, it actually happened at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday last week when the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh led a delegation of the Anglican Communion to the State House.

    The delegation was at the Villa to confer the “Primatial Award of Excellence in Christian Stewardship” on the President.

    The way the President was asked to stand up for about five minutes before a medallion was hung on his neck and the award plaque and a copy of Holy Bible were handed to him took some top officials and journalists in the hall by surprise.

    The lady, Augusta Maduegbuna, who came with the delegation and read part of the procedure for the conferment of the award on behalf of the Primate, did not only ask the President to stand up but also asked him to remain standing.

    But she did it with the authority and on behalf of Most Revd Nicholas Okoh.

    She said: “And the authority of the Primate of all Nigeria is this, the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, I now invite his Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to please rise and remain standing.”

    Many in the hall felt it would have been appropriate for the President to have been allowed to sit while the lady read through the conferment programme and the President should only stand up for the conferment proper.

    They expected the President to feel offended and to remain on his seat.

    But the President was not ruffled as everything has to do with the church that has touched his life right from his primary school days to date.

    So, as a gentleman, he obeyed the feminine voice and stood up for about five minutes as the lady, assisted by another church official, read out from the award conferment programme.

    After the conferment, Jonathan said: “I sincerely thank the Anglican Church for finding me worthy to be so recognised. I’m most grateful for this honour. I grew up as a member of the Anglican Church. At that time, it was only Anglican Church that was in my tiny village. But now, I don’t know the numbers of churches that are there, almost all the classrooms are churches.

    “I have been part of the church from the beginning; I attended Anglican primary school as a pupil. So, I have to be very grateful to the Anglican Church that brought me up. I am what I am today because of the Anglican Church.

    “I therefore thank you our Bishop, fathers and to use this unique opportunity to thank Christians and all the religious bodies that constantly pray for this country.”

     

  • Ogundaisi back on his feet

    FOREMOST film industry commentator and promoter of the Censors Board New Distribution and Exhibition framework (NDEF), Mr. Yinka Ogundaisi, is back on his feet. The old man who had earlier cried out for help for some hernia and orthopedic surgeries, had a successful operations. He expresses gratitude to those who came to his aid in the cause of the travail.

    In a letter to The Nation, the filmmaker said: “I thank everyone for all they did to get me restored to normal health. I am now back on my feet.”

    He recalled a recent article in The Nation on the film distribution framework and expressed delight that some filmmaker who had earlier criticized the idea are now toeing its line he had always canvassed.

    “I have always said that while cinema is good and essential as a supporting line, it is not the real market for our movies. No doubt after experiencing the situation first hand with his own movie; TANGO, Mahmood Ali-Balogun for example, has now found enough reasons to agree that for the Nigerian film industry to move forward, the shortest and the most viable route is through the cleansing and strengthening the DTH (direct to home) distribution, which of course means getting the NFVCB to complete the implementation of the NDEF.”

    He emphasised that the film industry in Nigeria has perhaps, the last opportunity to get its acts together, using the bulk if not the entire N300 Billion FGN’s grant to focus on the development of DTH distribution infrastructure.

    “There are abundant potentials in the industry for us to be financially self-dependent, if only we can correct all the anomalies in our distribution system. Even the persistent cries of the stakeholders for a new law on piracy are misplaced because all the loopholes that encourage piracy to flourish and which invariably do not allow for successful prosecution of those arrested are adequately taken care of in the NDEF.”

    The only problem, he noted “ is that most people are yet to take the trouble of reading through the provisions of the NDEF, and the few who did appear not to have fully grasp its far-reaching objectives.”

    Now that he is well, back on his feet and ready to continue the course, Ogundaisi said: “I am earnestly praying that we will not again allow politics of immediate self-interest to blind and divert us from doing what is right, not only for us but for generations yet unborn! I hope we can see soonest to do a comprehensive review of the happenings in the industry, particularly how the NDEF seeks to eliminate all the problems that the stakeholders are now battling to resolve without success.”

  • Why feet are easily infected during rains

    Why feet are easily infected during rains

    DURING the rainy season, the feet get easily infected because germs thrive in a damp environment, Registrar, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) Dr Bodunrin Oluwa, has said.

    According to him, infection of nails during such season is not peculiar to Nigeria; it is worldwide.

    He said nail infections and Athlete’s foot, among other infections caused by bacteria, can be prevented and treated.

    To manage the nails, he enjoined people to identify at what level they are growing, especially those infected.

    He said there are many don’ts that should be observed when it comes to nails, even when the salon is visited. “Resist the urge to shave your legs before receiving a pedicure. Freshly shaven legs or small cuts on your legs may allow bacteria to enter. If you are receiving a pedicure and manicure, don’t use the same tools for both services as bacteria and fungus can transfer between fingers and toes.

    “Although certain salons offer this technique, don’t allow technicians to use a foot razor to remove dead skin. Using a razor can result in permanent damage if used incorrectly and can easily cause infection if too much skin is removed. Don’t round the edges of your toenails. This type of shape increases the chances that painful ingrown toenails will develop,” he added.

    Oluwa, a Podiatrist, called attention to the use of tools in the care of nail. He said: “Emery boards are extremely porous and can trap germs that spread. Since they can’t be sterilised, don’t share nail files with friends and be sure to bring your own to the salon, unless you are sure that the salon replaces them with each customer. Don’t use any sharp tools to clean under nails. Using anything sharp makes it easy to puncture the skin, leaving it vulnerable to infection.

    “Be sure that you don’t leave any moisture between toes. Anything left behind can promote the development of athlete’s foot or a fungal infection. Because cuticles serve as a protective barrier against bacteria, don’t ever cut them. Cutting cuticles increases the risk of infection. Also, avoid incessantly pushing back cuticles, as doing so can make them thicker.

    “If you suffer from thick and discolored toenails, which could be a sign of a fungal infection, don’t apply nail polish to cover up the problem. Nail polish locks out moisture and doesn’t allow the nail bed to ‘breathe’. Once you fix the underlying issue, then it is safe to paint nails. If the problem persists, be sure to visit your podiatrist. Cut each nail across and soak cotton in antiseptic. Then lift the nail and cut it. But there should not be friction.”

    And if you are experiencing itching between the toes, he suggested: “Before going to bed, sufferers should get lukewarm water; add sodium chloride (salt), not ordinary salt but crystal salt, to it. Let the water get to the ankle. Then one can soak his feet in the solution for 25 minutes daily. A towel can be used to wipe it after the expiration of the time or they may allow it to get dry before they apply a mixture of Shea butter and coconut oil on their feet. This should be applied gently in between the toes and the rest should be light massage on the feet. During dry season, it should be done once weekly.”

    Oluwa said the feet are prone most to infection during cold weather and it usually lacks ventilation across and in-between the toes.

    Berating people’s negligence of their nails, he said: “Majority of people also walk bare-footed. That is why they get infected easily during rainy season because there is water everywhere. People’s inability to cut their toenails properly often results in infections and other diseases. The feet are moist most of the time during this season.”

    The Podiatrist said athletic or sore foot is common because people put on open shoes, such as slippers and sandals. This makes them susceptible to diseases. “Sandals, slippers and other kinds of open shoes are not advisable during wet season. Majority of those who put on open shoes do so because they couldn’t afford a cover shoe,” he added.

    He advised: “Whenever people are cutting their nails, they should cut each of them across to avoid cutting the cuticles, which cause in-growing nails and infection. In-grown nails grow into the flesh and cause discomfort to the sufferers. When people wear tight shoes, there is pressure on the nails. There can be ingrown nails as a result of that. And they can grow into the flesh and cause inflammation.”

  • Dos for feet

    Whether you like to get a pedicure in the nail salon or at home, follow these easy dos to keep your feet looking and feeling their best.

    If you have diabetes or poor circulation in your feet, consult a podiatrist so he or she can recommend a customised pedicure that both you and your salon can follow for optimal foot health.

    Schedule your pedicure first thing in the morning. Salon foot baths are typically cleanest earlier in the day. If you’re not a morning person, make sure that the salon filters and cleans the foot bath between clients.

    Bring your own pedicure utensils to the salon. Bacteria and fungus can move easily from one person to the next if the salon doesn’t use proper sterilization techniques.

    When eliminating thick, dead skin build-up, also known as calluses, on the heel, ball and sides of the feet, use a pumice stone, foot file or exfoliating scrub. Soak feet in warm water for at least five minutes, then use the stone, scrub, or foot file to gently smooth calluses and other rough patches.

    When trimming nails, use a toenail clipper with a straight edge to ensure your toenail is cut straight across. Other tools like manicure scissors or fingernail clippers increase the risk of ingrown toenails because of their small, curved shape. See a podiatrist if you have a tendency to develop ingrown toenails.

    To smooth nail edges, use an emery board. File lightly in one direction without using too much pressure, being sure not to scrape the nail’s surface.

    Gently run a wooden or rubber manicure stick under your nails to keep them clean. This helps remove the dirt and build-up you may or may not be able to see.

    Maintain the proper moisture balance of the skin on your feet by applying emollient-enriched moisturizer to keep soles soft.

    Use a rubber cuticle pusher or manicure stick to gently push back cuticles. If toenails are healthy, you can use nail polish to paint toenails. Make sure to remove polish regularly using non-acetone nail polish remover.

    When trimming nails, use a toenail clipper with a straight edge to ensure your toenail is cut straight across. Other tools like manicure scissors or fingernail clippers increase the risk of ingrown toenails because of their small, curved shape. See a podiatrist if you have a tendency to develop ingrown toenails.

    To smooth nail edges, use an emery board. File lightly in one direction without using too much pressure, being sure not to scrape the nail’s surface.

    Gently run a wooden or rubber manicure stick under your nails to keep them clean. This helps remove the dirt and build-up you may or may not be able to see.

    Maintain the proper moisture balance of the skin on your feet by applying emollient-enriched moisturizer to keep soles soft.

    Use a rubber cuticle pusher or manicure stick to gently push back cuticles. If toenails are healthy, you can use nail polish to paint toenails. Make sure to remove polish regularly using non-acetone nail polish remover.

    Source: www.apma.org