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Tag: mothers

  • Charly Boy advises single mothers

    Charly Boy advises single mothers

    Popular entertainer, Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy has drawn from his wealth of experience to advise Nigerian female folks on social media.

    Charly Boy who is in his 60s, said in his post on Tuesday, April 19  that he was concerned about the struggles of single mothers to provide for their families, and advised them to avoid men who were unwilling to shoulder the responsibility that comes with being men, saying they should “shun irresponsible men,” if they really wanted to be happily married.

    Decrying the dearth of ‘real’ men (and women), in the true sense of the word, the Area Fada, as he is fondly called posited: “They don’t make men like they used to anymore; and women have become something else.” Continuing in a similar vein, he reminisced on times past when the sexes recognised their roles in marriage, and lived up to them, unlike what exists today. He said, ”Long time ago, men used to be very proud being the bread winners, the sole providers in the home but nowadays, many don’t mind being a house husband. Women used to be seen, not heard.”

    He also wondered why some women were willing to put up with anything; staying in purposeless and/or abusive relationships in the name of being married. “Why do some women stay in a relationship that is not going anywhere, worse off, in an abusive, psychologically draining, and energy sapping relationship?”

    He counselled women to eschew laziness, and seek any means of livelihood, as long as it was not illegal, or criminal. He wrote: ”You cannot afford to be lazy, don’t discriminate on the kind of job you can, or cannot do because of an illusionary class. As long as the job is not prostitution, drug peddling, and trafficking in any of the vices, you must give your best at what work you find to do to earn a living.”

    Eschewing the faulty notion that single parents cannot raise responsible children, he stated that far from it, it only happened when their parents did not give parenting their best. He surmised, ”I’m sure you know that children raised by single parents only turn out poorly and terribly because those parents didn’t give their best or their best wasn’t good enough”

    He concluded his post by reiterating his stand that he did not approve of women remaining in sham relationships, when in actual fact they were the sole parent in the home. He concluded, “I am strongly against a lady pretending to be under a man when in the real sense, though her man is not physically demised, she’s the only parent in her home.”

  • Peak moments for mothers

    Mothers play unique roles in the family. They are the burden bearers. From conception, through all of life’s journeys mothers have been there. They love, care, protect and clear the mess. For these reasons and many more the global community sets aside two days in the year, third Sunday of lent which comes up every March (UK and Anglicans) and second Sunday of May (US and Catholics) to honour and celebrate mothers as well as thank them for the enormous sacrifices they make in raising their children.
    The day is used to shower love, gratitude and appreciation on mothers for their love and sacrifice in building their homes. The day is marked by special church services, such acts of kindness as giving of gifts to mothers and general merry making. Evang. Ken Nwodika says that Mother’s Day ‘is a date one has to look into one’s life, see what your mother has done in your life and show her love.’
    While the Anglican Communion, Church of England and some others join the age old tradition of UK and Ireland since the 16th century of celebrating Mothering Sunday every fourth Sunday in Lent, many other countries including the Catholic Church follow the US and celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May.
    Mothering Sunday was originally a day set aside to honour Virgin Mary, mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. During such celebrations, children who work far away from their homes were required to visit their ‘mother’ or local churches to reunite with their families and share happy moments with their mothers. With the spread of Christianity throughout Europe in the 16th century increased the scope of celebrations to an occasion of appreciating mothers and thereby firmly putting Mothering Sunday on the global calendar.
    As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s Mother’s Day today, Peak Milk has introduced special limited edition packs, specifically in honour of Nigerian mothers. Emblazoned with such words as ‘Love You’; ‘Sweet Mother’ and ‘Thank You’, Peak Milk is an exciting but nutritious gift.

  • When mothers fail to protect their daughters!

    BIOLOGICALLY, mothers have been given the super privilege to bear children and usher in the next generation. Because they nurture the developing child in their own bodies, they almost always feel a compelling drive to protect the new, entirely dependent life they’ve given birth to. These many hours of care each day make mothers most often the person closest to their children and the person with greatest influence. Experiences with mom powerfully shape a child’s perspective, attitudes, and sense of self. Now what happens when in a world as hostile as this, a mother cannot be relied upon for emotional, physical and mental support?

    Dear Aunty Temilolu,

    Kudos to you. Your write-ups have changed so many things in my life most especially my mindset but now I am facing a problem. A month ago, I was raped by my mum’s closest friend’s son. He has threatened me in so many ways not to tell. I am scared. I am just 16 and in S.S.3. I’m even scared of telling my mum and causing a family feud. I am depressed and confused with life. Please help me.

    Anonymous

    Dear Mum,

    I am 20 and was recently raped by my brother’s friend. I have always wanted to remain a virgin till my wedding night. Now that I’ve been forcefully deflowered, I’m so incredibly hurt and ashamed. Can I still be a virgin again? Please help, I don’t know who else to confide in but you.

    Anonymous

     Dear Aunty Temilolu,

    I am a 17-year-old girl and a few months back, I was raped by a guy who walks freely on the street while my heart breaks anytime I come across him. The guy who raped me lives down our street and we exchange pleasantries whenever we see. He invited me for a birthday party in his house and I obliged him. When I got there, he told me he wanted to show me something in his room. Believe me, in my stupidity or do I say naivety, I followed him not suspecting any foul play since his friends were in the living room. He left me on the bedroom and told me he wanted to get me something, I later discovered he went back to the living room to send his friends away. When he returned to the bedroom, he pushed me on the bed. I tried to escape but he held me tight and even when I screamed no one came to my help. Then, after forcing his way inside me, he began apologizing saying he didn’t know I was still a virgin. I cried a lot knowing that my pride was gone and I was scared of getting pregnant. He assured me that he would accept the pregnancy. Eventually, I took in and he bought a small drug and gave it to me to drink. After drinking it, I bled for a week before he finally told me that it was an abortion drug he gave me. I don’t know if God would forgive me for unconsciously killing an innocent soul and if my future partner would ever forgive me. I’m so ashamed to tell anyone this, not even my mum because she could call me a whore which I am not.

    Cynthia

    Dear Nigerians,

    I thought mothers always knew when something goes wrong with a child? I grew up hearing “orisa bi iya kosi” (there’s no god like a mother) which honours the bond between a mother and a child and that special support which guides us through life. I also hear “iya l’alabaro omo” meaning a mother is a child’s confidant. So, what’s the problem here? A non-chalant attitude, lack of real presence in a child’s life due to work and social activities, lack of empathy?

    My darling sisters,

    In the first instance, I just wish you had some piece of evidence so we can nail these guys. As for the 16-years-old who was raped by her mum’s closest friend’s son, she must tell her mum without delay! Those threats are empty. You cannot die in trauma. You are too young for this.

    On the other hand, you are encouraged to remain chaste not to please man but to follow God’s principles and live a good, unpolluted life. Stop moaning or groaning about what any man has done to you. God sees your heart, He knows your thoughts, He knew even before you were raped and deflowered. Little do you know that if you stay glued to Him and remain chaste, there’s a super-duper compensation waiting for you around the corner. He has the final say. He has the power to restore you, to make you greater than you would have been in your former state. This is the time for you to cry out to Him and make heavy demands for a beautiful life that would make you forget your pain. Stop bowing your spirit low, stop hanging your head low….

    “This is but a light thing in the eyes of the lord…” 2 Kings 3:18

  • How to protect expectant mothers, others from Zika virus

    Zika virus broke out in Brazil a few weeks ago. It has spread throughout the Americas and to some parts of Europe. There are fears that it may spread to Africa, where the virus was discovered in Uganda in 1947.  OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes on how to stay safe.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) is not keeping quiet on the face of the geographic spread of Zika virus from Brazil to virtually  all parts of the globe.

    WHO Director-General Mrs Margaret Chan has said scientific findings showed that people catch the virus when bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito – the same type of mosquito that spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.

    According to her, only female Aedes mosquitoes bite; they are intermittent feeders and prefer to bite more than one person. Once the female mosquito is fully fed, it needs to rest for three days before it lays eggs. The eggs can survive up to one year without water. Once water is available, and small quantities of standing water are sufficient, the eggs develop into larvae and then adult mosquitoes.

    Mrs. Chan said there was  no treatment at the moment because there is no vaccine available. “Zika Virus disease is usually relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika Virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice,” she said.

    According to the organisation, there are two types of Aedes mosquitoes capable of transmitting the the virus. In most cases, Zika spreads through the Aedes aegypti mosquito in tropical and subtropical regions. The Aedes aegypti mosquito does not survive in cooler climate temperatures.

    The Aedes albopictus mosquito can also transmit the virus. This mosquito can hibernate and survive in cooler temperature regions. The Aedes mosquito is a weak flyer; it cannot fly more than 400 meters. But it may inadvertently be transported by humans from one place to another (e.g. in the back of the car, plants). If it can survive the temperature of the destination, it may theoretically be capable of reproducing itself there and introduce Zika Virus to new areas.

    WHO said Zika Virus usually causes mild illness; with symptoms appearing a few days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people with the virus disease will get a slight fever and rashes. Others may also get conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, and feel tired. The symptoms usually finish in two to seven days.

    Health authorities are  investigating a potential link between Zika Virus in pregnant women and microcephaly in their babies. Until more is known, women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should take extra care to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

    Expectant mothers

    If you are pregnant and suspect that you may have Zika virus disease, consult your doctor for close monitoring during your pregnancy. If not, the baby when born may develop microcephaly.

    Microcephaly is a rare condition where a baby has an abnormally small head. This is due to abnormal brain development of the baby in the womb or during infancy. Babies and children with microcephaly often have challenges with their brain development as they grow older.

    Microcephaly can be caused by a variety of environmental and genetic factors such as Downs syndrome; exposure to drugs, alcohol or other toxins in the womb; and rubella infection during pregnancy.

    For most people diagnosed with Zika virus disease, diagnosis is based on their symptoms and recent history (e.g. mosquito bites, or travel to an area where Zika virus is known to be present). A laboratory can confirm the diagnosis by blood tests.

    What can you do to protect yourself?

    The best protection from Zika virus is preventing mosquito bites. Preventing mosquito bites will protect people from Zika virus, as well as other diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes such as dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.

    This can be done by using insect repellent; wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible; using physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows; and sleeping under mosquito nets. It is also important to empty, clean or cover containers that can hold even small amounts of water such as buckets, flower pots or tyres, so that places where mosquitoes can breed are removed.

    WHO advised that travellers should stay informed about Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases and consult their local health or travel authorities if they are concerned.

     

  • Council gives health materials to mothers

    Council gives health materials to mothers

    Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has distributed medical equipment worth N5 million to nursing mothers, pregnant women and health care centres in the council area.

    The items include cartons of soap, pampers, baby clothes, dettol, powder, baby food, 60 units of hospital beds, seven giant electricity generating sets, 12 units of weighing scales, 20 units of baby colts, deep freezers and delivery couches, among others.

    The Chairman of the council, Mr. Eni Uduma Chima said the exercise was not only for the smooth implementation of the health policies of the present administration but also for the revival of primary health care centres in the area.

    The exercise took place during the inauguration of the second round of this year’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week at Egbebu Central School play ground, Ekoli Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area.

    While inaugurating the exercise, Governor David Umahi, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, expressed the determination of the present administration towards improving the health of the people.

    He urged other Chairmen of Caretaker Committees to emulate the gesture demonstrated by Afikpo South Local Government Area in the area of primary health care, stressing that improved health care delivery was necessary for the sustainability of any society and its future.

    Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezurike stated that the aim of the Health Week was to ensure reduction in maternal mortality and improve child survival ratio in the state.

    He said the exercise entails antenatal care, health education and immunisation, among others.

     

  • TBWA concept introduces Write Mothers

    TBWA concept introduces Write Mothers

    To give mothers the opportunity to express their creative spark, TBWA Concept, a creative advertising agency, has unveiled five creative mothers who emerged the overall best in what the agency described as a ‘disruptive’ initiative, Write Mothers.

    According to the agency, the women will be engaged to work for the TBWA from their homes or wherever.

    TBWA Managing Director Kelechi Nwosu said the advertising industry had always experienced a dearth of women.

    “The initiative was, therefore, an opportunity to motivate, stimulate and challenge our mothers who are outside of the industry but who, nonetheless, are specially talented to write for us from wherever they are. And, you all know we are looking for copywriters in the (advertising) industry,”Nwosu said.

    He said the initiative is flexible so that it draws from the multi-tasking capabilities and skills that women are known for and that his agency opted for mothers because “that itself, brings a particular perspective that is missing from the  experience of motherhood,” adding that the profiles of several mothers across our land reveal women who are well-educated, skilled and talented but who, perhaps, because of the challenges of society and motherhood, are not working.

    On the selection of the women, he explained that his agency placed an advert on some online platforms which requested mothers to simply “Tell us two interesting things about you” and that they (TBWA) opted for on-line platforms because they wanted women who are on-line savvy.

    Meanwhile, a Co-founding Partner of LTC/JWT advertising and first female president of the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (AAPN) now Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) Mrs. Bola Thomas urged the selected women to remain strong in the face of obvious challenges.

    He said the society tends to under-estimate women but women with great zeal will surely break the seal. She, however, urged women to trade cautiously while aspiring for greatness.

    Mrs Thomas urged them with the inspiring story of her successful  life, assuring them that in spite of the challenges, women can be the best in their career.

  • ‘Diabetic mothers risk giving birth to children with brain defect’

    An Abuja-based gynecologist, Dr Kola Osibote, has said mothers with diabetic conditions are at risk of giving birth to children with brain defects.

    Osibote told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday that diabetes increases pregnancy related risks and causes lots of negative effects to the mother and child.

    He explained that brain, spinal cord and heart problems associated with diabetes could be identified at the early stage of pregnancy.

    He said that blood sugar was the baby’s source of food which passes to the child through the placenta.

    “When a woman has diabetes and her blood sugar is poorly managed, excess amounts of sugar are transported to the baby.

    “In this case the baby does not have diabetes and can increase the production of insulin substantially in order to use this extra sugar,” Osibote said.

    The gynecologist stressed that the existence of the abnormal cycle result in diverse complications.

    He said one of the complications associated with diabetic pregnant mothers is giving birth to over weight babies also known as “macrosomia”.

    “Diabetic pregnant women stand the chance of been delivered of over weight babies weighing more than 3,500 grams or be born greater than the 90 percentile of the gestational age.

    “This happens because the baby responds to the excess sugar which the large amount of insulin produced by the baby is converted to body fat.

    “We can just say that the baby is been overfed while still in the uterus,” he said.

    The expert said the delivery of such a baby could be more difficult for both the baby and the mother; adding that caesarean delivery would be required.

    He observed that most obstetricians conduct an ultrasound to approximate the weight of the baby before delivery so as to determine if vaginal delivery could be attempted.

    Osibote warned against delivering a large baby through the vagina when the mother is diabetic.

    He added that it could be life threatening and exposing the woman to the most frightening obstetrical emergencies.

    He also said that such a delivery could expose the child to a shoulder dystocia (where the baby’s head delivers but the shoulders are too large to fit through the birth canal).

    Osibote further said that a child could also have low blood sugar after birth, which is “neonatal hypoglycemia”.

    “If the baby’s pancreas is making large amounts of insulin in response to the mother’s high blood sugar, it will continue to do so for a time after delivery.

    “Since the sugar supply from the mother is no longer present once the baby has been delivered, blood sugar can drop too low,” he said.

    Osibote advised that it was important that babies born to women with diabetes should be monitored very closely for the first few hours of life to check their blood sugar.

    He added that such babies might require more frequent breast milk or bottle feeding to maintain their blood sugar at a normal range.

    The expert said that birth defects could be recognised within the first six months of pregnancy, adding that infecting the child at that stage could be preventable.

    “The most common birth defects to a diabetic mother are brain, spinal and heart defects, and some of these defects can be detected during the first half of the pregnancy.

    “This can be diagnosed through ultrasound checks and prenatal tests,” he said.

  • Senator donates supplements, milk to mothers

    The Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District,  Solomon Adeola, has donated  supplement to enhance the nutrition of expectant and nursing mothers in the 28 Local Council Development Areas of his district.

    Making the donation of over 3000 tins of Frisomum Milk in his Senatorial Office in Ikeja, to some primary health care centres’ representatives, Adeola said the gesture was part of his programme to ensure that he impacted positively in areas of need of his constituents, adding that proper nutrition for pregnant and nursing mothers is a preventive measure against illhealth and diseases, particularly the expectant mothers and infants.

    The Senator who was represented by the Director General of his campaign organisation Hon. Kehinde Joseph said he is concerned about the health of his constituents particularly women and children adding that as much as possible, he will continue programmes that will impact positively on the lives of his constituents.

    Lauding the gesture of the senator, Mr. Jimoh Yusuph, the Council Manager of Olorunda LCDA, said what senator Adeola did is a blessing as he is starting his constituency programmes from the womb where we have unborn children that cannot talk while the medical officer of Otun Awori LCDA Dr. Okonma Anne expressed appreciation and joy that a legislator has the interest of pexpectant women and unborn children at heart.

  • Stray bullets kill two mothers at funeral in Edo

    Stray bullets from a policeman’s gun at the weekend killed two nursing mothers at the funeral of an indigene, Mr Itu Joseph, at Ivhiokhile Quarters of Fugar, headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

    The policeman and his colleagues were said to have accompanied a traditional ruler in Uzaire clan, Imonike Omogbai, to the event.

    But one of them, whose identity could not be ascertained, reportedly started “shooting” without reason.

    A two-month-old baby strapped to the back of one of the victims, Mrs Sandra Imhaku, was almost hit. The bullet that hit its mother on the neck was few inches from the baby.

    The late Mrs Imhaku was said to have lost her husband last year when she was expecting the baby.

    She was rushed to Irrua Specialist Hospital, where she died on Sunday morning.

    The other victim, simply identified as Mrs. Saliu, an indigene of Fugar, reportedly came from Warri, Delta State, with her husband to attend the funeral of her in-law, Mr. Joseph.

    She was said to have collapsed and died instantly, following the gunshot.

    It was learnt that the policeman held a rifle with one hand and attempted to open the car door for the monarch with the other hand.

    His gun was said to have started firing; the innocent women were hit, as guests were leaving the venue.

    A source said the policemen were almost lynched by the mob.

    A cousin of one of the victims, Mike Imhaku, said the incident had been reported at the Auchi Police Division.

    Police Commissioner Samuel Adegbuyi, who confirmed the incident, said a case of accidental discharge in which two women were killed, was reported to him on Saturday.

    He said the police officer had been arrested, adding that investigation into the incident had begun.

     

     

  • How we battle fuel scarcity, blackout by schools, mothers

    How we battle fuel scarcity, blackout by schools, mothers

    How have homes and schools been coping with fuel scarcity and blackout?

    It has been terrible, many said yesterday as they relived their experiences.

    Taking the children to schools and  back has not been easy, some mothers told The Nation.

    A teacher, Hajia Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade, said she could not go and pick her children from their school in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, for midterm holiday yesterday because she had no fuel in her car.

    She hopes to get fuel today for the trip.

    “We can’t pick my children from school for midterm break. The vehicle expected to go to Vanguards Academy in Ijebu-Ode could not get fuel. The driver had been on the queue since 8am. Now, as at now (3pm), the queue has not been dismantled, no thanks to the unscrupulous motorists who couldn’t demonstrate civility for once. He was quite close to the entrance when the queue got disorganised. I have been looking forward to having the children today (yesterday) but nay, I hope and pray we will have a different story tomorrow Insha Allah,” she posted on Change Monitor, a WhatsApp group chat.

    Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade, who teaches at As-Siddiq Schools in Ketu, Lagos, said the pupils shouted Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) when light came up after the school got fuel for its generator.

    “For some time now, we have not had electricity from the distribution company. Thank God female factor got us 50 litres of fuel at N87 today (yesterday) at Conoil filling Station opposite Centre for Management Development (CMD), Shangisha. Two of my colleagues went there with two 25-litre gallons and explained to the officers coordinating the crowd that the school needs fuel, after lamenting the ordeal the kids in the Creche and classes are facing because the generator has no fuel, they sold for them and under one hour they were back in the school. The neighbours who informed us of the availability of fuel in the station were left on the queue. When they returned and put on the generating set, the children in the classes shouted Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) and within a few minutes, the ones at the Creche slept off. The school management and staff felt relieved,” she said.

    Mrs Lydia Omotosho, who lives on College Road, Ogba, Lagos, said her children have been going to school late because of fuel scarcity and blackout.

    According to her, she has not been able to pump water at home because of the blackout.

    She said she had been going to the frozen foods shop on her street with others on the neighbourhood to fetch water.

    Mrs Kikelomo Amusa, who also lives in Ogba, said: “Thank God my children’s school, Solid Gate Montessori School, College Road, is not too far from the house, so since there is no longer fuel and light, we trek together to school. It is very stressful because I have three children; two are going to the school, while the last one is still a baby. I have to wake up earlier than usual and look for water to bathe them.

    “We all trek to their school and I back the baby because I cannot leave my baby at home alone; my husband would have gone to work.”

    Mr Samuel Ojo, the Administrator of Claridge Schools, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos said fuel scarcity did not hit the school too hard because it got petrol from the black market at a higher price.

    The school, he said, shifted mid-term break, initially scheduled for next week to this week.

    Mrs Wunmi Rajh-Label said her three children could not go to school, because they could not  have their bathe, adding that her family’s two cars are at home with no fuel to run them.

    Mrs Uju Ifeakor, Headteacher of Hallmark Nursery and Primary School at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, said her school’s close ties with a filling station enabled them to get petrol at the normal price. The school buses, she said, operated without hitch, adding that academic activities went on smoothly. But, the school recorded scanty turn out of parents at its open day yesterday.

    A parent at the open day, Mrs Uche Okoye, said she had confined her car to taking her children to school to manage fuel.

    She lamented the high cost of petrol at the black market which she patronises to preserve her foodstuff.

    Headmistress of Right Choice Divine Schools, Ogba Mrs Nike Peters said the school recorded low turnout of pupils this week, because it could not fuel its bus.

    “We had to call parents on Sunday to apologise to them that our school bus would not be available to pick them in the morning, so they should bring their children to school themselves. Those that stay close to school were able to make it but most pupils were not able to come to school. The school is very scanty and uncomfortable because we were not able to power the generator to put on fan and air conditioner for them. And we had to buy at the black market to fuel our generating set to pump water,” Mrs Peters said.

    At Al-Wasi Schools in Mushin, the story was not different. “Our school bus did not work due to unavailability of fuel,” said Hajia Zaynab Ahmad-Taiwo, the Headteacher.

    Academic activities, she said, were partially affected because teachers came late.