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  • SS1Cash disses Hushpuppi in ‘Dubai Lamba’

    US-based Nigerian pop singer, Stanley Isiguzo, popularly known as SS1Cash, has released a dismissive track titled, “Dubai Lamba,” to condemn celebrities who flaunt their wealth on the internet.

    In the high-tempo song, SS1Cash criticised social media personality, Hush Puppi and other celebs who show off their wealth but don’t support the youth as fake.

    “The song is a diss to every influential personality who does not channel their wealth to help and motivate the youth to do right. Hush Puppi is a broke guy with no Miney,” the talented singer said.

    A Ghanaian fan, Shatta Bundle, also posted a video-skit dancing to ‘Dubai Lamba’ while screaming Hush Puppi.

    SS1Cashi, who started music professionally in 2008, also sing praises to artistes like Davido, Obi Cubana, Mompher, E-Money, Jowizaza for being real.

    He, however, shared his music journey to the limelight: “The journey has not been easy but I thank God. Music has been an in-born gift. I featured in Charly Boy project titled, ‘New Nigerian’ in 2008, I was the one who took the Yoruba verse in his song. But I dropped my officially single titled, Omoalaje in 2011. Today, I thank God.

    ‘Dubai Lamba’ is a follow up to his hits single ‘OYA’ where he featured Slimcase.

  • Child model, Mildred Odige, signs ambassadorial deal

    FIVE years old child model, Mildred Odige, has signed an ambassadorial deal with Tender Heart Foundation.

    The deal, which was signed on Tuesday, will see Mildred represent the foundation which is working to empower indulgent women, orphans, among others in need.

    Tender Heart Foundation is a grassroot organisation working together to empower and support indulgent women, widows, orphans and children with educational support and continual provision of live saving services.

    The foundation was established to actively contribute to the realisation of the rights of all children to quality education and economic development and sustainable growth amongst indigent women. @tenderheartsfoundation

  • Malaria: The Environment

    Malaria is a disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Without mosquitoes, humans would not have malaria except if another biting insect takes over the vector role of mosquitoes.

    Mosquitoes have an interesting life cycle which involves laying their eggs on water and the early stages of mosquito life, the larva and pupa, are aquatic.

    The eggs hatch and become larvae in the water within 2 days.  In about a week or two, the larvae become pupae, form which adult flies emerge in about four days.  Therefore any small collection of water lying around for a few weeks may be good breeding ground for mosquitoes.

    Some natural environments are good habitats for mosquitoes.  If you live near a pond, lake, swamp, or marsh, you can be sure that you need to keep your home sealed from mosquitoes.  Some kinds of trees have tree holes in their trunk that can hold a small pool of water for long and produce a constant supply to mosquitoes especially during the rainy season.  On the other hand, the eucalyptus tree has an aroma that repels mosquitoes and other insects.

    In farmlands, stagnated irrigation water may breed mosquitoes.

    Within the city, there are many conducive mosquito habitats. Some of these mosquito habitats are within infrastructures that humans build such as in potholes in the sides of roads where cars do not pass, or in holes and gaps on foot paths, or in street gutters.  Around human habitats, mosquitoes may breed in stagnant water in roof gutters, in open water tanks, and in waste products of human activities such as old tires, tin cans, plastic containers, etc. Plastic pollution is particularly interesting to watch as this may stagnate water for long in waste dumps and clogged drainage systems.

    To control the breeding of mosquitoes around your habitat, you need to get rid of conducive mosquito habitats.  Keep your environment neat and tidy.  This includes not having water-holding litter or trash; filling gaps and cracks that can hold water  in cement works, on fences,  or on the ground, etc;  and keeping old tires sheltered  from rain water.  Trash bins should be covered to avoid rain water from entering and settling at the bottom.  Open containers left exposed to rain should be perforated at the bottom so that they do not hold water.

    If you have a swimming pool, keep it chlorinated.  This limits the growth of microbial life that mosquito larva need to live on. If you have an ornamental pond, use a pump to stir the water frequently. If you have an unused fountain or any other body of water, you can make the water uncomfortable or toxic for mosquito larvae and pupae.  You may try any of the known means:  a few drops of dish soap or shampoo per gallon of stagnant water; one tablespoon bleach per gallon of stagnant water; up to 15% vinegar for a small body of water, etc.

    If you must live around a large body of stagnant fresh water, you may need to create your own environmental balance or ecosystem.  You need to have predators that feed on mosquitoes, their eggs, larvae, or pupae. Such include pond fish, insects and birds that eat mosquitoes. The  mosquito fish or gambezi (Gambusia affinis)  eats mosquito larvae but may be harmed by sprays and chemicals therefore the two solutions are not compatible.  If you breed fish that feed on mosquitoes, avoid spraying and adding chemicals to the water. Many larvae eating fish feed at the water surface, however catfish that is a bottom feeding fish may also eat the larvae. Ducks and geese may filter the water for larvae and pupae and can help control mosquito populations.  They also eat mosquito fish, therefore both solutions are not compatible. If you breed fish, you may have to leave out ducks and geese. Some frogs eat mosquito larvae.  Amongst insects, dragon flies are well known to eat mosquitoes and are nicknamed mosquito hawks. Many birds will also feed on mosquitoes around ponds, therefore make the environment peaceful and inviting for them.

    Selected bacteria can be used to kill mosquito larvae.  Some manufactured products containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis are available for selectively killing mosquito larvae and not other water life such as fish and frogs.

    Spraying the water with insecticides such as cypermethrin kills not only mosquitoes, but also other insects which may affect the availability of food for frogs and other animals.  Garlic juice is also known to repel mosquitoes and may be sprayed in an enclosed environment.

    Climate change can affect the life cycle of mosquitoes and the transmission of malaria and such changes need constant study.   However, it is known that some mosquito species are adaptable; the eggs, larvae, or pupae may lay dormant through unfavorable conditions and rejuvenate when conditions are conducive for them.

    Overall, making the environment non conducive for mosquito breeding is very important for limiting the transmission of malaria parasites.

    Dr. Theresa Adebola John is a lecturer at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and an affiliated researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis.  For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635

  • When you’re the other woman

    Life as a mistress or the other woman generally is not fun all the way. Some ladies become secret lovers to their men not really by choice, but by chance. For all you women out there that always have something negative to say about the mistress, please  wait until you know what the situation is before you judge.

    Speaking on this,  a friend who I will simply call Agatha had  this to say: “I am not a home breaker or a seductress. The man I am dating now has been married for 18 years. We have been in this relationship for two years. He has an extreme case of obligation to his wife. I know he loves her and our relationship does not in any way distort or threaten his marriage.

    “At my age, it is difficult to get a single man to date and keep myself happy. I have continued with this guy. He and I were best of friends before we became intimate. Sometimes, he is there for me. Most of my nights are cold and lonely because of his obligation to his family. He only sees me when he likes or when he has a misunderstanding with ‘madam.’ He would be at my place to cool off. For now, it is okay by me.”

    Another lady, Funmi, spoke in a similar vein. “I am a lady who has been having an affair with a married man who is deeply in love with me. We met many years ago as good friends when I was 23. Then I was married. I later broke up with my violent and abusive partner. I  moved away and tried to rebuild my life. Years later, I heard through our mutual friend that this man still adores me. He married his wife because his family put pressure on him because she got pregnant in the course of dating.

    “He always told anyone that cared to listen that I am the woman he would have loved to marry. He is very handsome and women loved to flock around him. Now that we are back together, that deep attraction is still there. My life as a mistress is lonely and very unfulfilling. Love making is great and that is the only benefit of the relationship I enjoy.

    “I know he listens to me. He has promised that we might have a future together. I told him in the beginning that I would rather walk away than to hurt his family, and I mean it because his happiness is important to me. I am sure that soon, it will all be over.”

    For Helen, the story is not much different. “Yes, I am dating a married man and I know the society does not agree with it, but I know why I’m doing it. I truly believe we are meant for each other and I would stay in the relationship for as fate permits. He is my best friend, but fate has not designed us to be  husband and wife and sometimes life can be really unfair. I still have single male admirers and who knows may be one day I will find someone else. But it has really been a bitter sweet relationship and I hope we can remain friends for life”.

    Kate said: “There is no big deal about being the other woman. Sometimes, it is heaven on earth and sometimes it could really be hell. My man friend is every lady’s dream. The most memorable thing he did for me was when he brought me a detachable bungalow in the heart of Surulere and guess what. He bought it in my name! The nightmare, however, started when his wife got to know about our relationship. She has since been threatening fire and brimstone.

    “When her threats became unbearable, I had to put the house up for rent and I have since relocated to Ikeja. We still see from time to time. It is  not the best thing but I have decided to stay on because half bread is better than none”.

    Although  Chi acknowledges the fact of her relationship, to her, it does not necessarily have to end in marriage. “I would never compromise the children of a marriage nor would I convince a straying husband into deserting his family. We mistresses don’t get the best part of the deal. We get the lies and false promises and in most cases, insecurity”.

    Uche dated a man for more than six years before she eventually got married. “I was a mistress for well over six years, but thank God today, I am somebody’s wife. I have many reasons to thank God. I am grateful to God because though the six years were fulfilling, my guy’s marriage was threatened. But God saved it, else I would have lived to regret it.  So many times, I tried to call it off but to no avail.

    “He paid my fees throughout my university years. He was really nice to me and my family, but he was really possessive. He would not see me with any male friend or course mate. In my quiet moments, I used to pray that one day, an end must come to the affair. Don’t get me wrong. I really had a wonderful time; but as a woman, with conscience, I became worried about his wife. In my sober reflection, I used to wonder what she was going through since her husband spent practically all his spare time with me.

    “Well, finally, God answered my prayers. His young nephew from US visited the country on a wife hunting mission and he consulted my sugar daddy and my man recommended me to his nephew. Thankfully, today we are married with a baby on the way. I say thankfully because my guy almost ruined the whole show. During my wedding, he could barely take his eyes off me and when he gave us a car gift, he personally ensured he gave me the keys with a hug and a seductive wink at me which unfortunately my husband noticed. We argued about it for weeks before I was able to talk  my way out of it. I have since kept my distance from my former guy because I don’t trust that we will be innocent when left alone”.

    Kenny is now a born-again Christian and believes her past should stay that way. “I am a born-again Christian. Whatever I did in the past belongs to the past. It is over. My affair with my married lover was not originally planned. You see, he did not tell me he was married initially. I was in a higher institution, while he was a senior lecturer in the school. Let me spare you the details of how we met, but it was really love at first sight. Unknown to me, his family was based in far way Warri.

    “Our affair became so deep that we became live-in-lovers. It was on one of my usual home-keeping chores that I stumbled on his wedding album. Again I will spare you the details of how he explained it away with tears streaming down his eyes.

    “What finally brought me to my senses was when I attended a vigil with some friends. As if the pastor was talking to me directly, he started preaching on the consequences of adultery. He went further to say that if you are a woman and you are living with a man that is not your husband you should leave. Well, the rest as they say is history”.

    Christy said she had been in both situations. “The wife and the mistress as  adults  are responsible for your actions. As a wife, it was very easy for me to become over emotional and be filled with hatred for the mistress to justify staying with my ex-husband who hurt me deeply.

    “It is always easier to stay when someone else is to blame. Mistresses are the hidden ones. We are not treated the way men treat their wives. Since we have accepted to be mistresses, and always stay in the shadows, it can be really lonely and frustrating”.

    For Folake, being mistresses is such an easy role to play if you understand the rules. “You get all the sweet, flirty romantic part. You have great sex, then they go away and you don’t have to deal with their bad moods or wash dirty socks and so on. Being a mistress is really fun for me.

    My comment

    Ladies, as difficult as it is to keep that other woman away completely, there are things you can do. If you don’t want your man to cheat, never let him get bored. Always make yourself attractive. The minute he realizes that you are always putting effort into looking attractive, that alone will keep him on his toes and his mind always on you. It’s about a mental challenge. It may be a game, but it’s what needs to be done, if you want to keep him from straying from home.

  • Son burns down dad’s house

    A middle-aged man, Mr. Okon Samson Udofia, has appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government and individuals to help him.

    He alleged that his son has burnt down his house.

    Udofia, an oil palm tree tapper and an indigene of Ikot Nya village in Nsit Ibom Local Government, said he is homeless and in need of a roof over his head.

    Narrating his ordeal to The Nation, Udofia said his 20-year-old son, who is suspected to be mentally-deranged, torched his house at about 9pm on Wednesday when he was asleep.

    He said his son was a threat to him and the community, adding that he had appealed to the police to save the situation, but to no avail.

    Read Also: Court remands applicant for burning his father’s favourite chair

    ‘’My son, Iniobong, is mentally unwell and I have been crying and asking the police to apprehend him and take him to a psychiatric hospital, but they (police) keep telling me it is not their responsibility to arrest mentally-deranged people.

    ‘’My son has been very violent to the extent of threatening to kill me and other villagers. Last night he set ablaze my house while I was sleeping at about 9pm.

    ‘’The fire burnt the house and my belongings worth over N500,000. It is by the grace of God that I managed to escape. This is not the first time he has committed this kind of atrocity,” Udofia said.

    He said his predicament was a warning to other Ikot Nya residents, as his son, if not arrested and taken to a psychiatric hospital, might kill somebody very soon.

    ‘’I am taking this opportunity to call on the police and the government to arrest Iniobong and take him to a psychiatric hospital, otherwise he will wreak more havoc.”

    One of the villagers, Udeme Uyoatta, told our correspondent that the community was no longer safe, as Iniobong was on the rampage.

    He said the community had appealed to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to arrest Iniobong, but he kept saying it was not the responsibility of the police to arrest mentally-deranged people.

    Attempts through calls and SMS to reach the DPO proved abortive at press time.

  • Man arraigned for stealing N157,000

    A 28-year old man, Desmond Ovoke Onovaibirhi, has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court, Edo state for stealing the sum of N157,700.

    Desmond was alleged to have conspired with one Elisabeth Augustine to steal the money from a new generation bank on January 12, 2019.

    Police Prosecutor, ASP Patrick Agbonifo, informed the court that the money belonged to one Loveth Tijani.

    The suspect was arraigned on two count charges of stealing and conspiracy.

    Read Also: Man, 51, jailed for using expired ATM card to buy drinks, fried meat

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    ASP Agbonifo said the offences were punishable under sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code vol ii laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria now applicable in Edo State.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Ivie Akhere, granted bail to the accused person to the sum of N50,000 and a surety in like sum.

    The case was adjourned to September 9, 2019 for hearing.

  • IG issues red card to kidnappers, bandits in Southwest

    The Inspector General (IG) Mohammed Adamu has issued a red card to kidnappers and bandits in the Southwest.

    Adamu said his men are battle ready to combat headlong the spate of kidnappings, banditry and attendant killings with the deployment of special forces in the region.

    The IG, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, during a security stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti capital city, warned those criminals terrorising the region to surrender or meet their waterloo.

    Adamu added that the country’s policing system have been redesigned and rejigged to be community-based, so that Nigerians can see the issue of security as their responsibilities.

    “Our strategy for policing has changed. The community is now working with us and we are going to ensure that all the communities are represented whether you are traditional rulers or you belong to any socio cultural group.

    “We are going to train people from each community who will have the power of the police and power to arrest. They will be deployed to help the police in fighting crimes. When it comes to recruitment, we will come to your communities.”

    Read Also: Special patrol vehicles on highways soon, says IGP

    On why the police decided to interact with the stakeholders, Adamu said: “There are isolated cases of robbery, kidnapping and cultism in the Southwest of recent and we believe the traditional rulers and the state governors must show commitment and we are ready to do anything to mitigate the security problems.

    “We believe that if we all work together by way of robbing minds and sharing ideas. Our society will be free of crimes.”

    The IG added that the government is seriously concerned about the welfare of the officers, saying: “We have bought patrol vehicles and with the state of the art technology that can checkmate crimes.

    “We believe no officer should die in the course of fighting crimes. To this end, body armours have been procured to protect us while confronting the evil doers. If you kill one police officer, the government has lost the money spent to train such man.”

    Ekiti State Police Commissioner Asuquo Amba said the police have been able to reduce crimes in Ekiti State due to hard work displayed by his men.

    Adamu, also on Thursday, said the community policing strategy would bridge the gap between the police and the citizenry in a manner that will enhance optimal, cost-effective and sustainable law enforcement service delivery by the police.

    He spoke in Akure while addressing men of the force in Ondo State.

    Adamu hailed the strategies the state police command have put in place in fighting crimes.

    He urged the command to redouble its efforts in ensuring that the lives and property of the citizens are protected and safe at all times.

  • Govt urged to intervene in LASPOTECH crisis

    The Joint Action Committee of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics

    (ASUP), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), LASPOTECH branch, on Thursday held a peaceful rally at the Lagos State Government House, Alausa, Ikeja.

    Their motive was to get the attention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to resolve the crisis at LASPOTECH.

    The Vice Chairman, ASUP LASPOTECH chapter, AbudulSalam Olugbenga, said the rally was to remind the governor of his promises to LASPOTECH, including the setting up of a visitation panel, and to let him know that the promises were yet to be fulfilled.

    Read Also: Groups seek end to LASPOTECH crisis

    “With the rally, we are here to remind the Lagos State Government of the pronouncement made on July 11 on the crisis that has engulfed LASPOTECH for several months. We expect that the governor’s pronouncement will be implemented to end the crisis that has engulfed the institution for months. Unfortunately, nothing has been done.”

    He drew the governor’s attention to reinstatement of the NASU forum that was “illegally disengaged, the constitution migration which has torn the polytechnic apart, misappropriation in the polytechnic and other issues which the visitation panel will look into, to resolve the crisis.”

    Noting that they were tired of the crisis, Olugbenga said they were yet to see anything achieved by the visitation panel directed by the governor to resolve the crisis.

    “I want Nigerians to know that this disengagement has no space in law because the affected people were not charged for anything, they did not face any panel, they did not commit any crime except that they joined their union in fighting for their right. They were just disengaged like that; issuing letters to people who have put in over 27 years in service and declaring that their services are no longer needed in an organisation governed by law. This we see as an affront, even on the union itself. But despite that, we have written an appeal letter as directed by the governor, but nothing has been done about it,” he said.

  • Buhari gave me N30.8b to pay salary arrears, says Bello

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari gave him a bailout of about N30.8 billion to clear salary arrears of workers in the state, insisting that his government is presently up to date in the payment of salaries.

    The governor, who spoke with reporters after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC and all those who contested the party’s governorship primary, also asked the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to look inward in the search for those who attacked the venue of their primary election rather than blaming him.

    He said: “As regard the issue of news making the round that Kogi State is owing salaries, I want to categorical state that, my two predecessors inherited salary arrears.

    “It is a problem I inherited when I assumed office. But I want to announce to you today, that Kogi is not owing any worker’s salary at all. We have been able to clear all workers’ salaries and we are up to date. As a matter of fact, the last primary election that was held on August 29, we paid the salaries of August. That is to tell you that we are up-to-date as far as salary is concerned.

    Read Also: Yahaya Bello wins APC ticket

    “The issue of us owning up to 38 months’ salary arrears before we cleared it was all false and lies. We did owe up to that, what we were owing at that time was between four to five months.

    “As I speak with you now, Mr. President graciously approved a bailout of N30.8 billion for us and our national chairman seated help me to facilitate the release.”

    The governor said he had fully applied the bail-out fund to clear salaries and pension arrears. “We are not owing any salary,” he said.

    On the allegation by the PDP that he was behind the attack on their primary, Bello said: “I am a member of the APC and not PDP. We gave a level playing ground to all the aspirants from all political parties to carry out their activities freely within the state. They moved around the entire state and we provided security for them and ensure that they were safe.”

  • Five top trending Big Brother Naija housemates

    By Praise Olowe

    The fourth season of Big Brother Naija, “Pepper Dem” is still taking Nigeria by storm.

    While the housemates struggle for the grand prize of sixty million Naira, fans have been scouring the net to find out more about their favourite contestants.

    Below is a list of the most-searched Big Brother “Pepper Dem” housemates on Google Nigeria.

    According to Google Search, the top trending Big Brother Naija 2019: Pepper Demhousemates since the commencement of the competition are

    Mercy :

    The 26-year-old video vixen and businesswoman based in Lagos loves cooking, swimming, travelling and dancing. Her on-screen relationship with fellow contestant Ike, as well as her fashion sense and good looks, keep Big Brother Naija fans wanting more and searching for her online. Mercy is the most-searched Big Brother Naija 2019: Pepper Dem contestant on Google.

    Tacha :

    The 23-year-old social media sensation loves to show herself to the world and the Big Brother Naija stage is the ideal platform. The businesswoman has grown her popularity on social media through the show and is the second most-search Big Brother Naija 2019: Pepper Dem contestant. Her stern character adds to the excitement of the reality show.

    Read Also; BBNaija: Esther, Sir Dee exit house

    Mike :

    Mike Edwards stunned Big Brother Naija 2019: Pepper Dem fans when it was revealed that he was married. He is also a CEO and an athlete with a resilient spirit. Founder of the first Black-owned cigar brand in the United Kingdom, he has been able to position himself as a guru in the Big Brother Naija house and his accent has made quite an impression on the audience. Mike is number 3 on the list of most-searched Big Brother Naija 2019: Pepper Dem contestants on Google.

    Seyi :

    Popularly referred to as the grandson of Awolowo, he has indeed made his mark in the Big Brother Naija 2019: Pepper Dem household. From being head-of-house to having a heated argument with Ike at one point, he has a strong personality that has stood out since day one of the show. The bubbly entrepreneur is also a medical doctor who has stated his commitment to his journey of self-acceptance, his girlfriend and his belief.

    Ike:

    The 26-year-old Steve Ikechukwu Onyema, originally from Imo State, is said to be the look-alike of Marvel’s Black Panther actor, Michael B. Jordan. His relationship with fellow housemate, Mercy, among other activities in the house, has made him one of the contestants to watch out for. He ranks fifth position among the top searched Big Brother Naija 2019: Pepper Dem housemates according to Google Search.