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Tag: low

  • Lanre Nzeribe Keeps low profile

    POPULAR female heart hunter, Lanre Nzeribe, seems to have surrendered his charm and recoiled from the social scene, leaving observers to wonder what might have happened to the handsome dude.

    In his heyday, the owner of Davinci Fashion Lounge was the toast of many ladies. He moved in and out of women’s arms with a rapidity and ease that left some dismayed while others cheered.

    Scandal was never far from his doorsteps; it orbited his world as the earth orbits the sun. But ever since the owner of the defunct Lantana Taxi based in Abuja parted ways with Nollywood top actress Monalisa Chinda in acrimonious circumstances, less has been heard of him in the social space.

    He was allegedly involved in the recent assault of a female employee at his fashion lounge which may have made him shy away from the public eye.

    If Nzeribe has genuinely left his randy ways behind and turned a new leaf, it would be bad news for ladies who probably yearn for the days when he ruled like the emperor of the social scene.

  • Low back pain? Chiropathy to the rescue

    Low back pain? Chiropathy to the rescue

    Do you experience low back pain? You are not alone as about eight out of  10 people do. But knowing when to seek therapeutic care is what is highly important.

    According to a chiropractor, Prof Magnus Atilade of St Luke Chiropath Clinic, Surulere, Lagos, people suffer from one or more bouts of low back pain. In most cases, it is not due to a serious disease or serious back problem. This is called non-specific lower back pain.

    Chiropractic is a health care profession dedicated to the non-surgical treatment of disorders of the nervous system and/or musculoskeletal system. Generally, chiropractors maintain a unique focus on spinal manipulation and treatment of surrounding structures.

    Atilade said the usual advice is to keep active, and do normal activities as much as possible. “Painkillers can help until the pain eases. In most cases, the pain disappears within six weeks but may come back (recur) from time to time. Chronic (persistent) pain develops in some cases and further treatment may then be needed,” he stated.

     

    Understanding the lower back

    The chiropractor said the lower back is also called the lumbosacral area of the back, and described how low back pain occurs. “Lumbosacral is the part of the back between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs. Most of the lower back is made up from muscles that attach to, and surround, the spine. The spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are roughly circular and between each vertebra is a disc. The discs between the vertebrae are a combination of a strong fibrous outer layer and a softer, gel-like centre. The discs act as shock absorbers and allow the spine to be flexible. Strong ligaments also attach to nearby (adjacent) vertebrae to give extra support and strength to the spine. The various muscles that are attached to the spine enable the spine to bend and move in various ways. The spinal cord, which contains the nerve pathways to and from the brain, is protected by the spine. Nerves from the spinal cord come out from between the vertebrae to take and receive messages to various parts of the body. Once anything goes wrong in any of these, there tends to be pains.”

     

    Types of low back pain

    Non-specific low back pain, according to  Atilade, is the most common type of back pain. The majority of cases of sudden-onset (acute) low back pain are classed as non-specific. ‘’This is the type of back pain that most people will have at some point in their life. It is called non-specific because it is usually not clear what is actually causing the pain. In other words, there is no specific problem or disease that can be identified as the cause of the pain. The severity of the pain can vary from mild to severe,” he explained.

    “Nerve root pain – often called sciatica – occurs in less than one in 20 cases of acute low back pain. Nerve root pain means that a nerve coming out from the spinal cord (the root of the nerve) is irritated or pressed on. (Many people call this a trapped nerve.) You feel pain along the course of the nerve. Therefore, you typically feel pain down a leg, sometimes as far as to the calf or foot. The pain in the leg or foot is often worse than the pain in the back. The irritation or pressure on the nerve may also cause pins and needles, numbness or weakness feelings in part of a buttock, leg or foot,” he stated.

    He shed light on what slip disc is, “about nine in 10 cases of nerve root back pain are due to a prolapsed disc – often called a slipped disc. A disc does not actually slip. What happens is that part of the inner softer part of the disc bulges out (prolapses) through a weakness in the outer harder part of the disc. The prolapsed part of the disc can press on a nerve nearby. Other less common conditions can cause pressure on a nerve to cause nerve root pain.”

    The chiropractor said another is Cauda equina syndrome which is a particularly serious type of nerve root problem. This is a rare disorder where the nerves at the very bottom of the spinal cord are pressed on. This syndrome can cause low back pain plus problems with bowel and bladder function (usually unable to pass urine), numbness in the saddle area (around the back passage (anus)), and weakness in one or both legs.

    “This syndrome needs urgent treatment to prevent the nerves to the bladder and bowel from becoming permanently damaged. See a caregiver immediately if you suspect cauda equina syndrome,” he said.

    There are less common causes of low back pain such as inflammation of the joints (arthritis) of the spine sometimes causes back pain. Osteoarthritis is the common form of arthritis and usually occurs in older people. Ankylosing spondylitis is another form of arthritis that can occur in young adults and causes pain and stiffness in the lower back. Rheumatoid arthritis may affect the spine, but you are likely to have other joints affected too. Various uncommon bone disorders, tumours, infections, and pressure from structures near to the spine occasionally cause low back pain. (Less than 1 in 100 cases of low back pain.)

    Atilade said Chiropathy do offer perfect treatment for any form of low back pains.  He said: “Chiropathy is used for treating musculoskeletal and spine disorders with the purpose of improving health. It can be classified as alternative medical therapy and uses spinal adjustment and other joint manipulations manually. It is basically based on the idea of spinal joint dysfunction that interferes with the proper function of nervous system, resulting in the deterioration of the person’s health.

    “There are combinations of treatments used according to the patient needs. This includes exercise, health as well as spinal adjustments and lifestyle counseling. The medical care experts state that the chiropractic disease or condition is due to low resistance power of the body. A chiropractor uses manipulations rather than surgery and medication.”

    Atilade said each chiropractic session may last between 30-60 minutes, with the number of visits needed depending on the severity of the condition. “More than 2/3s of the conditions that chiropractors treat are musculoskeletal problems, including low back pain, neck pain and headaches. It can be beneficial to an individual due to the non invasive procedure. The chiropractor emphasizes healthy lifestyle habits and there is absolute non prescription of drugs or surgery,” he stated.

     

    Tips

    To avoid low back pains, Prof Atilade gave some tips: “Whether in the office or at home make sure you take regular breaks from the computer or tablet screen, just stand on your feet and walk around for a few minutes every hour. This will relieve the stress on your back and help preserve it. Try to always sleep on your side, as this will keep your spine elongated and neutral. You should also make sure that your mattress is not too soft as this will cause your spine to bend placing stress on your lower back. Vary your footwear. Sometimes you can put on flat shoes otherwise, wear something with sensible heels and good soles to support your back. If you do a lot of walking, it will be great for you to invest in shoes with cushioned soles or a nice pair of trainers. When attempting to lift a heavy object, always lift with your legs and not your back. With this technique- you squat keeping your back straight and grasp the object e.g. a box from the bottom and rise with it. This will put the stress on your thigh muscles which are much more powerful than your lower back. Stress also causes low back pain. When you are in an emotionally stressed situation, for example, a rough day at work, or having difficulties with your spouse. It triggers a response from your body releasing the stress hormone cortisol and one of the side effects of this is muscles spasms and muscle tension, especially in your shoulders and lower back. If you already have a back ache, stress will invariably make it worse. The solution is to learn to relax and not take things to heart, you can take up exercise, or just find a person to talk to, this can help you release some of the pressure and anxiety causing you stress,” he advised.

  • Nigerian oil production at historic low, says OPEC

    Nigerian oil production at historic low, says OPEC

    Militant attacks in the Niger Delta region have pushed Nigerian crude oil production to its lowest level in more than a decade, a report from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said.

    The body, in its last month’s report, said Nigerian output slumped to levels not seen in over a decade on the back of a wave of militant activity.”

    It said the country’s crude oil production for May averaged 1.4 million barrels per day, down 15 percent from the previous month, adding that crude oil production averaged 1.8 million bpd during the fourth quarter of last yearThe International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest survey, said the challenges for Nigeria’s economy are “substantial” in view of the fact the country relies heavily on crude oil production for sustenance. The body estimates that Nigerian economy will decline for the rest of the year, while inflation runs close to 10 percent, adding the government’s deficit has doubled and total exports are down roughly 40 percent.

  • MAN rates economy low, proffers solutions

    Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed mixed feelings on the current administration’s economic policies.

    MAN President Mr. Franks Udemba Jacobs, in an interview with The Nation, said it has been a mixed bag of sorts for the manufacturing sector, with some policies favouring his members and others hurting the sector.

    Lauding President Muhammadu Buhari on containing the insurgency in the Northeast, he, however, regretted that on the economy, businesses have been forced to slow down or, in some cases, shut down because of insurgents.

    “Traditional trade routes to neighbouring countries have been cut off as was witnessed in the Northeastern part of the country, while companies have been forced out of business because they were unable to continue with their operations in the face of obvious risks of death or incapacitation,” he said.

    Udemba underscored the association’s belief that the economy did not perform up to expectation during the period under review. He said macroeconomic indicators showed that the economy declined from what it was before the inauguration of the administration.

    According to him, this may not be blamed completely on the administration but on the downturn in the prices of crude oil by nearly 70 per cent.

    The MAN boss praised the government on the planned diversification of the economy into agriculture, solid minerals and the manufacturing sector.

    He criticised the non-release of fiscal policy measures by the government within the period under review, noting that it has created a vacuum. Fiscal policies are supposed to be released yearly to harness incentives and other measures and adjustments approved by the government.

    Jacobs cited pharmaceuticals where raw materials and inputs attract higher duty than finished products, and has been accepted for adjustment by the Tariff Technical Committee (TTC).

    He stressed that the absence of the adjustment was affecting local pharmaceutical companies, which are unable to compete. Some, Udemba noted have  had to close shop or downsize.

    Jacobs regretted that the Gross Domestic Domestic Product (GDP) declined to 0.36 per cent in the first quarter of the year, down from 3.96 per cent of the same quarter the previous year. “This negative growth, if not urgently and seriously addressed, could drag the economy into recession,” he warned.

    On the exchange rate, he said during the period under review, it depreciated from N191.10/US$ in the first quarter of 2015 to N200/US$ in the same period of 2016 at the Interbank Forex market, while it hovered around N320/US$ at the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the market.

    “The deregulation of the forex market may be seen as a partial solution to the forex challenge the country is facing, but in reality, the scarcity of forex is unabated.

    “Consequently, manufacturing companies found it extremely difficult to source foreign exchange for the importation of essential raw-materials and this has led to a number of closures of affected companies,” he said.

    Jacobs, therefore, called for urgent measures by government to lift the manufacturing sector out of the woods by coming up with policies that will make the manufacturing sector robust.

  • HIGH & LOW TREND

    HIGH & LOW TREND

    These days, high and low outfit is a must have for women of style, who need to look classy and different. This well-tailored, trendy dress for women is another women’s fashion that have come to stay. The length and style of the outfit may vary but the style remained the same. They are everywhere and vibrant in different colours: from striking and vital black, cream, and white to alluring blue.

    It is so interesting the various ways you could wear your high and low. High and low have come a long way, and they seem to have come to stay too.  It can be worn for any occasion.

  • Why power contribution to GDP is low

    Infrastructural bottlenecks, such as obsolete gas pipelines, vandalism, inability of the turbines to access gas for production, dismal state of hydro power equipment, and irregular power supply, have hindered job creation in the electricity and other sectors.This is also affecting the industry’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Head, Oil and Gas Department, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Olufunke Jones has said.

    She mentioned other issues to include poor funding of the sector occasioned by the reluctance of banks to lend to the power firms, and faulty distribution equipment, adding that the output of the sector has remained low, despite its privitisation a few years ago.

    Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos,  Jones said unlike the petroleum industry, which  provides 70 per cent of the Federal Government’s earnings  and further contributes over seven  per cent to nation’s Gross Domestic Product,  the power sector has not.

    She said: “The Federal Government, the Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the power firms, and other relevant stakeholders need to develop a template that is robust, adaptable and good enough to facilitate improved power supply.  When this happens, the potentials of the sector would be galvanised to create employment. Anything short of this means the sector would not be able to contribute greatly to the GDP.’’

    She said  renewable energy would provide more than 40 per cent of electricity requirement in the West African region by 2040, urging the Federal Government to maximise the opportunities in the renewable energy.

    “By 2040, the region is expected to generate 40 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy.  Nigeria needs to localise power, by using available natural resources. Where there is sunlight, coal, wind and other renewable energy sources, the country should make use of them. The combination of  both the off-grid and on-grid  means of  generating power would help in improving power supply, as well as contribution to the economy.’’ she added.

    According to her, improvement in the operation of the West African Gas Pipeline project, and others initiated to develop power and petrochemical industries is key to the growth of the region.

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had in December 2014, inaugurated an 11-man advisory board that would manage deployment and use of the regulation in every facet of the power sector.  NERC’s former Chief, Dr Sam Amadi said the development was aimed at creating opportunities for Nigerians to participate actively  in the sector and further improve contribution to the nation’s GDP.

  • Why back-to-school sales are low

    Traders at the Mushin Ojuwoye market in Lagos  have decried the low demand for  Back-to-School items.

    They said items, such as stationery, backpacks, school shoes/sandals , socks, etc have not been in demand since school resumed last week unlike in the past when sales would start topping demand two weeks to resumption.

    The traders told The Nation Shopping that sales were usually in September when the children were starting a new session. According to them, there is  high turnover for them during the period because parents will need to get new books, sandals, shoes, socks, uniforms, backpack, and other  items to replace the old ones.

    Manufacturers, they said, produce more in September than in other months.

    A trader at the market, Mr Uche Ndubuisi,who sells school bags, complained of low sales, saying the items are expensive from the manufacturers, leaving him with nothing to take home after selling.

    “I’ve not sold anything today because customers are refusing to buy. They walk away when the prices of items does not favour them. I cannot wait for September  when i make huge sales daily,” he said.

    Perhaps because of high prices, Mrs. Folashade Adebowale  could not buy a lunch bag and backpack. Instead, she bought one. According to her, she would buy the other next term.

    Owner of Emmy Bookshop Mushin, Mr.Emmanuel Umechukwu said the only Back-to-School items that are in high demand now are stationery, adding that they do not yield much income.

    He said textbooks are expensive directly from the manufacturers. “A textbook that we used to buy at the rate of N650 is now N730, meaning we would not be making profit, not even the N30 gain  we used to make.

    Madam Kofowola, who  sells wholesale school rubber sandals at the market, said: “We have not sold much this year, maybe because it is the beginning of a new year and most people are not back from their hometowns.”

    She added: “However, we sell more of our goods in June and in September when there is downpour and parents  would try to manage resources.”

    Optimistic that sales would pick soon, she said:  “I believe that by the end of this month when rain would have started, things would go back to normal as parents would opt for alternatives for their wards’ leather shoes.”

  • ‘Mobile insurance working for low income earners’

    Mobile insurance remains the easiest means to sell insurance to the low income Nigerians who may not be able to buy the comprehensive insurance cover, Managing Director, Val Ojumah, has said.

    He spoke at the media parley that kicked off the fifth anniversary of FBNInsurance

    He said when FBN Insurance introduced mobile insurance in partnership with Etisalat and Airtel in 2013, many felt it was not viable.

    He said Sure4Life and Padi4Life, the two mobile insurance products of the firm, were introduced into the market to make insurance available to all.

    “As you are very much aware, there are more than 100 million mobile lines in Nigeria. So, the easiest way to reach out to them is through mobile insurance because this product fits a large proportion of the populace, he said.

    The first claimant under the Sure4Life mobile insurance product, Taofik Yahaya, who got a text from his network, Etisalat, to purchase the policy by sending ‘LIFE’ to 48433, said he followed an instruction he was given and was glad he did.

    He said: “A few weeks ago, I needed urgent medical attention and FBNInsurance responded with a N10,000 medical expenses benefit.

    “As a beneficiary of Sure4Life, I feel very happy and excited that insurance now works in Nigeria, particularly because FBNInsurance responded and paid my medical claims benefit very fast. The payment I received from FBNInsurance helped to reduce my medical expenses and I am so delighted they came to my rescue.’’

  • Sandra Solebo adopts low profile

    Sandra Solebo adopts low profile

    Sandra, the beautiful wife of Femi Solebo, is a woman who exudes a lot of confidence and strives to stand tall among the Nigerians elites.  Sandra, who runs the much talked about Homeshop, does not blow her own trumpet. And this is not because she feels it would not yield a melodious tune.

    The elegant woman has an enviable pedigree for which many have described her as one of the most respected silver spoon kids. One would expect that a woman with such lofty status will grace the social scene for decades, but events have proven otherwise. Gone seems the days when Sandra graced high society events with enviable grace and aplomb. She has withdrawn into a shell of isolation, choosing to stay away from the limelight.

    In effect, Sandra no longer appears at parties and has kept away from the prying eyes of the media.  No one knows how long her self-imposed exile would last.

  • Mohammed Abacha adopts low profile

    Mohammed Abacha adopts low profile

    Although the Nigerian political scene has been a beehive of activities in recent times, many elites are still feeling the wrenching emptiness that has been caused by the absence of Mohammed Abacha on the socio-political scene.

    The presence of Mohammed Abacha has not been felt on the nation’s political scene for quite some time, provoking speculations about the whereabouts of the man whose name once inspired awe and opened doors. The eldest surviving son of the late former head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, seems to have recoiled into a shell of anonymity for reasons known only to him.

    A few years before the 2015 general election, he was touted as the heir to the seat of the Kano State governor. It was almost certain that nothing would come between him and the governorship seat of the state until he was booted out of reckoning by master political tacticians. Since then, he has maintained a low profile.