SIR: The atmosphere these days is becoming increasingly hot and unbearable. The development which has caused profuse perspiration and does not seem to have reprieve even at nights is the effect of global warming currently sweeping across the globe.
This climate change is becoming an emerging public health concerns. The high temperature coupled with humidity has led to mortality and morbidity where it continues unabatedly through the night. The body becomes exhausted and overwhelmed and may react to this situation mildly or severely from minor symptoms like psychological stress, heat rash, heat cramps, chicken pox to extreme cases like heat syncope, exhaustion, meningitis, fainting and strokes which may lead to neurological damage and even death.
This period of heightened temperature with adverse bodily effects is what is referred to as heat wave. With increase in the body’s temperature, central nervous and circulatory systems are impacted. The most vulnerable to heat waves are children, elderly, sedentary urban dwellers who do not have access to air conditioners and those whose apartments do not have windows that allow for ventilation of air. Others are obese and people with certain medical conditions, even diuretic drugs for treatment of high blood pressure and medications for mental health conditions have been found to be susceptible to heat and can worsen the condition of the patients.
Where electricity is not available especially at night hours, the tendency would be to keep both doors and windows ajar. This could be an open invitation to dangerous reptiles and men of the underworld, so care must be taken so that one does not jump from fry pan to fire.
Air conditioners have been found to be effective in cooling room temperature but fans actually aggravate such situations because of the hot air they blow.
It is reported that heat waves kill more Americans than other natural disaster like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and tsunamis.
World Metrological Organization had predicted prolonged and extreme hot weather across the world. It arrived at this conclusion after compiling data from over 80 weather agencies around the world. It is recorded that 2016 was the world hottest year, unfortunately it has so far not changed and this trend has not shown signs of abating soon.
Nigerian Metrological Agency has also corroborated this report and therefore warned that Nigerians will experience warmer nights and hotter days. Nigerians living in the northern flank of the country are already trying to adjust to this adverse weather condition. In some parts, the heat of the sun is reportedly felt as early as 7am; experts have warned that Nigerians should avoid long exposure to the sun.
But in a clime where many of its citizens are subsistent farmers who work manually and spend endless hours in their farms to either till the land or harvest their crops, such warnings are easily ignored. Effects of being exposed to the sun for a long time should rather be explained to them; so that they would limit the time they spend outside.
Similarly, vendors hawking sundry articles on busy Nigerian roads spend their days under the sun. The advice here is that they spend sometimes under shades to reduce impacts of the sun on their skins.
It is advisable to stay under shades of trees, bathe regularly and enough water should be taken in order to prevent dehydration during this period. Also, virtually all fruits are good for the body in times like this, but fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumber, leafy greens, berries, coconut water, water melon are among the best, even spicy pepper is recommended because it can stimulate heat receptors in the mouth that enhances circulation which produces sweat that cools down the body. Also, frequent checks of the body’s blood pressure are recommended. Sun screen and sun lotion with solar protection can be of help to the eyes and the body respectively.
Alcoholic drinks and beverages such as spirits, coffee, caffeinated drinks, sodas and also smoking of tobacco are more dangerous to the body during this period.
But the solution to adverse effects of global warming still remains the sustained tree planting culture. With desert encroachment in some parts of the northern part of the country resulting in depleted vegetation and wind erosion, this is the inevitable action to take in other to stay alive.
Violent criminals are no longer having a field day in Imo State as the police haul in suspected kidnappers, child-traffickers, cultists and robbers. OKODILI NDIDI reports
Crime no longer seems to be so risk-free in Imo State. But that is because the police are tightening the screw on felons. Kidnapping is no more rampant. Child-trafficking appears to be in recession, as are armed robbery and cult clashes.
•CP Lakanu
Since the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu took office, there seems to be only two options left for criminal elements in the state, especially kidnappers and cultists: relocate from the state or meet your waterloo.
The dragnet of the police has made it almost impossible for these daredevil kidnappers to execute their plans without being caught or killed in gun battle with policemen. Unlike in the past when kidnappers smiled to the bank with millions of naira extorted from family members of their victims, now they are caught even before they can open up negotiations and the victims rescued without any ransom.
It has also seized to be business as usual for notorious cultists, who had turned the state, especially Owerri, the state capital, into a killing field. Deadly cult clashes which often resulted to massive waste of live and properties of innocent people in broad daylight has also reduced significantly.
The Commissioner of Police had on assumption of duty on September 2, vowed to make the state uncomfortable for all criminal elements that hid under different guises to perpetrate crime and going by the successful bursting of notorious armed robbery, kidnapping and child trafficking syndicates, the police boss has kept his promise.
The residents, especially businessmen and hoteliers, had constantly lived with the fear of the kidnappers who attacked their victims even in broad daylight. But today the presence of police patrol vans at every corner of the state has scared the hoodlums away and restored the confidence of the people.
Showcasing the achievements of his first month in the command, Lakanu promised to sustain the offensive against the criminals until crime is reduced to the barest minimum in the state.
He attributed his achievements to a renewed strategy, re-structuring, training and re-training of personnel as well as re-invigoration of outfits and coordinated efforts.
Enumerating the achievements recorded by the Command, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, disclosed that “on the 21/09/2015, following a tip-off, eagle-eyed operatives of the command nabbed an armed robbery syndicate connected with the robbery of N47 million on 07/09/2015 from one Prince Francis Ogbuji ‘m’ of Ukoromi filling station Amakohia Owerri.
•The suspected kidnappers
“The suspects arrested in the well coordinated operation at Mile 1 Diobu Port Harcourt include; One Ifeanyi Henry Anyaegbu ‘m’ 36 years of age of Amaimo Ikeduru L.G.A but resides at 96 Emenike Street Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt, Ogadi Nwaka ‘m’ 32 years of age of Awo-Mbieri, Mbaitoli L.G.A, Chukwuemeka Anyanwu ‘m’ 35 years of age of Amorji Isiala Ngwa L.G.A Abia state but resides at No. 32 Nnanka Street Mile 1 Diobu Port Harcourt and Ede Ogechukwu Samuel ‘m’ 26 years of age of Akpugo Nkanu L.G.A Enugu state but resides at No. 22 Okwelle Street, Mile 2 Diobu Port Harcourt.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include; one Toyota Carina with reg. No. SPR – 872 – PB which was used as the operational vehicle and one Nissan Wagon with reg. No. FST – 897 – DY. The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation for possible prosecution.
The statement continued that, “on the 8/09/2015, following a tip-off, operatives of the command busted a child trafficking syndicate which uses Comfort Orphanage/Child Care Centre, located at Ngerem Estate, Irete, Owerri West L.G.A to carry out their nefarious activities. During the raid at the hideout, the following persons were arrested including pregnant women and children.
“Those arrested include Chizoba Obiagwu ‘f” 20 years of age from Umuduru Umunoha Mbaitoli L.G.A, Happiness Iheanacho ‘f’ 27yrs of age from Umuokenga Eziobodo Owerri West Local Government Area, Chidinma Iheanacho 7 years and Chioma Iheanacho 5 years.
“Others were Ihusaa Chinedu ‘m’ 47 years of age from Umuodetu Nekede Owerri West L.G.A, Patience Azuoma ‘f’ 20 years of age from Umuahu Orji, Owerri North L.G.A, Sunday Ihusaa ‘m’ aged 30 years of No. 5 Bus-stop, Nekede, Owerri West L.G.A and Victor Filian ‘f’ of Nnarambia, Ahiazu Mbaise.
“Also on the 18/09/2015 operatives of the command following a tip-off from good spirited members of the public arrested an armed robbery syndicate at Pinewood hotel along Orlu road Owerri.
“Members of the syndicate which specialised in snatching and selling of cars came into town from Port-Harcourt and include Joseph King ‘m’ aged 26yrs of No. 1 Alfa Garden Akpajio road 1 Eleme Port Harcourt, Wisdom Labari ‘m’ aged 18 yrs of Zina road Agbonchima Port-Harcourt, Rivers state,
John Miracle Goke ‘m’ aged 18yrs of No. 1 Chief John Goke close Akpajio Eleme, Rivers state, Okolie Paschal ‘m’ aged 19yrs of No. 91 Odami road Elelenwo, Rivers state.
Others were, “Sunday Enyeribe ‘m’ aged 27yrs of Dunamic Lodge Umuerim Nekede Owerri. Hope Uche Apuah aged 20yrs of No. 1B Education Road, Oyibo, Rivers sate. Chima Anene aged 27yrs of Jake bus stop by Arise and Shine Abjo, Rivers state, Isaac Gbunka aged 22yrs of No. 38 Old road, Port Harcourt.
“One Toyota Corolla with car registration number. EF – 964 – FST and one Ford Explorer XLS Jeep with reg. No. APP – 987 – BZ were recovered from the suspects”.
Also in Police arrested within the period under review according to the Command’s spokesperson were members of the Vikings Confraternity, “on the 16th of September, 2015, operatives of Imo State Command with the aid of good spirited individuals arrested two cultists one Friday Umeibe ‘m’ of Ohafia L.G.A in Abia state and one Samuel Eke ‘m’ of Amaekpu Ohafia L.G.A in Abia state.
“The two boys who are both National Diploma 2 (ND 2) Public Administration students of Federal Polytechnic Nekede were arrested inside the school premises and have made useful statements to the police admitting to be members of a cult group known as Vikings Confraternity. One silent stainless steel pistol was recovered from the cultists.
“Also on the 13th of September, 2015, operatives of Imo State Command acting on a tip-off arrested one Chizoba Nnadogu ‘f’ 25yrs of age from Umuaka Imo State who gave birth to a baby boy on the 19th of June, 2015 at Onyebuchi Maternity Clinic, Umuhu Okabia in Orsu L.G.A and thereafter conspired with one Ijeoma Eboka ‘f’ 42yrs of age from Okporo Orlu in Orlu L.G.A and Lovelene Okereke ‘f’ 33yrs of age from Orlu in Orlu L.G.A and sold the baby boy to One Chinwe Chukwuka ‘f’ 46yrs of age from Umuoma Ihioma in Orlu L.G.A at the cost of N750, 000 while the sum of N200, 000 was given to the mother of the child”.
The statement also revealed that “on the 05/09/2015, the Command got intelligence report that two rival cult groups known as Vikings and Black Axe were engaged in a fight at Njemanze Street, Owerri. In a coordinated operation, operatives of the command were quickly drafted to the scene where one of the suspected cult members was found dead and others wounded.
“Those arrested include Chukwuma Anuga ‘m’, Lucky Ekpefua ‘m’, Kalu Aji ‘m’ , Chukwuma Peter ‘m’, Uche Felix ‘m’ and Uju Anukam ‘m’. The suspects who are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation have made useful statements to the Police on their involvement on the robbery attack at No. Sir Njoku Street, Area ‘M’ World Bank Owerri on the 1st of September, 2015 during which properties worth millions of naira were carted away.
“There was also the case of unlawful possession of firearms.
On 04/09/2015, eagle-eyed operatives of the command while on surveillance patrol arrested one Ifeanyi Nwadike ‘m’ of No. 71 Douglas road Owerri, items recovered from the suspect include a locally made pistol and one live cartridge”.
Meanwhile residents of the state have continued to laud the efforts of the police in pruning down the alarming rate of crime in the state. Dr Okwusinachi Moses, stated that, “at last we can go about our business without the fear of been whisked away by gunmen. We commend the efforts of the Police and we urge them to do more until these criminals are sent packing”.
•Some recovered arms and ammunition
Also at Ohaji-Egbema, a riverine community, which has been the haven of hardened criminals and cultists, a notorious gang of armed robbers has willingly surrendered their weapons following the recent onslaught against criminal hideouts by the Police.
Chief Samuel Ibecheodo, a member of the Police Community Relations Commission (PCRC), who lauded the achievements of the CP, however urged the residents and stakeholders to partner the Police in fighting crime in the state.
He posited that with credible information and cooperation from the people, the police command under the current leadership will restore peace and order in the state, “we have all seen what the new CP, Mr. Lakanu did in just one month, the kidnappers and armed robbers are relocating the state and we should support and encourage him to do more”.
The breakdown of the number of arrests made under the period include; 17 suspected armed robbers, nine suspected kidnappers, eight suspected cultists, 14 suspected child traffickers The items recovered include seven vehicles, arms and ammunition, while eight kidnap victims were rescued.
Anglo American Platinum Ltd. said it has started buying power from a venture that uses the heat generated by its smelters to produce electricity.
Amplats, as the world’s largest platinum producer in known, will source 4.3 megawatts (Mw) from the 150 million-rand ($11 million) plant that was built by Vuselela Energy at the mining company’s smelters in Rustenburg in the North West province, it said in a statement handed to reporters at the site. The facility captures about 20 percent of the thermal heat energy that a converter generates, said Jacques Malan, a director of Vuselela.
“We can probably squeeze out another 10 percent, but that will take time,” Malan said in an interview. The power is about 10 percent cheaper than what Amplats currently pays to Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., South Africa’s state-owned utility, Malan said. Cost increases are capped at the nation’s annual inflation rate, which was 4.6 per cent in August, he said.
Mining companies in South Africa, the world’s biggest platinum and chrome producer, are seeking to reduce their reliance on Eskom, which is struggling to maintain regular supply while prices have almost quadrupled since 2007.
Vuselela is in talks to build another 12 similar plants in South Africa and neighbouring countries, Malan said.
The facility “is the first of its kind in the world in terms of being connected to a converter at a metallurgical plant,” he said. “A significant amount of novel work was done to design the integration of the technology into the smelter complex.”
South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry contributed 30 million rand toward the project as an incentive, Minister Rob Davies told reporters.
Great Britain forward Luol Deng has completed his move to the Miami Heat as a free agent.
Deng, who featured for Team GB at the London Olympics in 2012, has spent 10 years playing in the NBA.
He joins the Heat following spells with the Chicago Bulls and recently at the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 29-year-old’s move follows hot on the heels of LeBron James leaving the Heat to return to the Cavaliers last week.
“Luol Deng is one of the most important free agent signings that we have ever had in the history of the franchise,” Heat president Pat Riley said.
“He is a proven All-Star and quintessential team player, both as a scorer, as well as an All-NBA defender.
“He brings the attitude of a warrior and competes every single night against the very, very best. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Heat family.”
Meanwhile, guard Dwyane Wade has re-signed with the Heat and will join Deng in Miami.
Deng is missing from Great Britain’s squad for this weekend’s friendlies against Latvia, but British Basketball remain hopeful the NBA star could figure in this summer’s EuroBasket qualifiers.
Deng was absent from a 17-man group named by coach Joe Prunty on Wednesday, meaning none of the NBA players included in the provisional 22-man group last month have made the final list.
But while Joel Freeland and Byron Mullens have been ruled out for the summer, talks are continuing with Deng.
Freeland has chosen to focus on playing for the Portland Trail Blazers’ summer league team, while Mullens, a free agent after leaving the Philadelphia 76ers, is seeking a new employer.
