The Nation Newspaper

Tag: prevented

  • ‘How we prevented rigging in Osun’

    ‘How we prevented rigging in Osun’

    Osun State Governor  Rauf  Aregbesola has revealed how the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in monitoring and reporting of events as they unfolded during the August 9 governorship election in the state prevented falsification of results.

    The governor, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, was quoted as stating this while delivering a keynote address titled: “Broadband: Oxygen for Digital Economy” at the Africa Digital Forum and Award 2014 organised by the ICT Watch Network at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Aregbesola pointed out that ICT was put to use by the various situation rooms set up by the government to monitor, get results and happening across all the units, wards and Local governments in the state helped in no small measure.

    He bemoaned the situation of the country at this jet age, because it lacks the capacity to deploy Internet and other advanced technologies to locate the whereabouts of the Chibok school girls, several months after their abduction by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The governor noted that Nigeria has a new opportunity for economic resurgence in the digital economy age, saying that the nation has the requisite infrastructure both material and human.

    He said: “We have a huge human population (167 million) with equally immense needs. This is a potentially immense market with which we can trade our way from poverty to riches. Added to this is the demography of that population.

    “Our population is predominantly composed of youths who are energetic, enthusiastic, and innovative.”

    Aregbesola noted that the Osun experience in the use of modern technology and the use of Internet could be a model for national ICT development on a non-partisan basis.

    The governor pointed out that the use of ICT will enhance greater deployment and consumption of broadband.

    According to Aregbesola, “In Osun, without being immodest, we can say that ICT has been a major plank of governance. We pioneered e-learning with the invention of Opon Imo. We have also been able to provide card based e-credit for farmers. Of course, we have also deployed e-based payroll and staff ID card on MasterCard platform directly connected to the holder’s account.

    “We have also devised e-ID Card for all pupils in public schools and the card will now serve as payment instrument for our home-grown school feeding and health programme (O’MEALS).

    “We set up the OYESTECH, an institution for training youths in the use, assembly and repair of electronic gadgets from plasma television, computers to mobile phones.”

    Aregbesola maintained that the country has a great potential for enhancing development in this information age through the digital economy.

    He noted that there are still huge potentials in road traffic monitoring and control, CCTV camera, weather monitoring and forecast, national population database among others.

    He said: “What this means is that there is power and potential in numbers. A great number of people mean a potentially great variety of needs to be met.

    “The good thing is that in meeting these needs, a self-reinforcing cycle is created in which people have access to employment, are productively engaged, earn income, create wealth, and spread prosperity with accompanying prospect of material uplift and satisfaction.”

    The governor added that any human mass is a potential source of wealth generation from which positive developments can spring, stressing that what is required therefore is creativity in turning the potential into public good.

  • ‘Constipation can be prevented, treated’

    ‘Constipation can be prevented, treated’

    Constipation can be a serious problem to a healthy lifestyle. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes on tips to prevent it.

    You are what you eat, goes the popular cliché. And when you eat more than  you can conveniently accommodate, what follows is better imagined than experienced. What sets in is discomfiture of the stomach as a result of constipation. Constipation is an irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels, which usually is a symptom of intestinal obstruction.

    Unfortunately, most people have failed to understand what causes constipation, not knowing that not paying much attention to what they eat and the need to exercise are imperative.

    However, there are helpful tips in preventingconstipation. According to a trado-medicine practitioner, Dr Segun Fahuwa every one experiences  constipation at some point in life due largely to poor diet.

    He said: “Irregular bowel movements or constipation can be a very irritating complaint to deal with and is one of the most common conditions associated with the digestive system.”

    Constipation, Dr Fahunwa said, is defined as having bowel movements less than three times a week, often painful and accompanied with straining, bloating and the sensation of a full bowel. “If you feel the same way when you don’t have a bowel movement everyday; you could be suffering from constipation,” he said, adding: “People should be aware that there is no ‘right’ number of bowel movements. Normal passing of stools can occur three times a day or three times a week, depending on their system. It all depends on contributing factors that include the food that is eaten and how much you exercise.”

    He continued: “Every one experiences being constipated at some point in life due largely to a poor diet. Though it is usually temporary and not serious, understanding what causes constipation can help you take steps to prevent it.”

     Causes

    According to Dr Fahuwa, constipation occurs when too much water is absorbed by the colon or when your colon’s muscle contractions are slow, causing the stool to move slowly. As a result, stools can become hard and dry. “The main causes of constipation can be attributed to a variety of factors such as low amount of fibre in the diet; low intake of water; lack of physical activity; some types of medication; changes in routine such as pregnancy, aging or travel; abuse of laxatives or ignoring the urge to use the toilet,” he added.

     Prevention

    To prevent constipation, Fahunwa  said dietary and lifestyle changes, such as what one eats, drinks and how much exercise done will help relieve and prevent it.

    “It is good to also eat more fibre as it helps form soft, bulky stools. It can be found in many vegetables, fruits, whole grains (whole-wheat bread and oaths and legumes, such as beans, peas and nuts. But make sure you add fibre to your diet a little at a time, to get your body used to it gradually.

    “It is advisable to drink plenty of water and other fluids. Drinking plenty of water and other liquid, including pepper soups, fruit and vegetable juices, will help prevent constipation. Liquid adds fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making bowel movements softer and easier to pass,” he said.

    “Also getting enough exercise helps the digestive system stay active and healthy. You don’t need to become a great sprinter. Simply taking a 20 or 30-minute walk everyday will help a lot. Give yourself time to relax and recreate, as our hectic schedules keep us feeling in a hurry all the time. This hectic life style doesn’t help us pay attention to our body’s needs, especially to the urge to have a bowel movement. Allowing yourself enough time in the toilet will ensure that you ease your constipation troubles too,” Fahuwa said.

  • ‘Constipation can be prevented, treated’

    Constipation can be a serious problem to a healthy lifestyle. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes on tips to prevent it.

    You are what you eat, goes the popular cliché. And when you eat more than  you can conveniently accommodate, what follows is better imagined than experienced. What sets in is discomfiture of the stomach as a result of constipation. Constipation is an irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels, which usually is a symptom of intestinal obstruction.

    Unfortunately, most people have failed to understand what causes constipation, not knowing that not paying much attention to what they eat and the need to exercise are imperative.

    However, there are helpful tips in preventingconstipation. According to a trado-medicine practitioner, Dr Segun Fahuwa every one experiences  constipation at some point in life due largely to poor diet.

    He said: “Irregular bowel movements or constipation can be a very irritating complaint to deal with and is one of the most common conditions associated with the digestive system.”

    Constipation, Dr Fahunwa said, is defined as having bowel movements less than three times a week, often painful and accompanied with straining, bloating and the sensation of a full bowel. “If you feel the same way when you don’t have a bowel movement everyday; you could be suffering from constipation,” he said, adding: “People should be aware that there is no ‘right’ number of bowel movements. Normal passing of stools can occur three times a day or three times a week, depending on their system. It all depends on contributing factors that include the food that is eaten and how much you exercise.”

    He continued: “Every one experiences being constipated at some point in life due largely to a poor diet. Though it is usually temporary and not serious, understanding what causes constipation can help you take steps to prevent it.”

     Causes

    According to Dr Fahuwa, constipation occurs when too much water is absorbed by the colon or when your colon’s muscle contractions are slow, causing the stool to move slowly. As a result, stools can become hard and dry. “The main causes of constipation can be attributed to a variety of factors such as low amount of fibre in the diet; low intake of water; lack of physical activity; some types of medication; changes in routine such as pregnancy, aging or travel; abuse of laxatives or ignoring the urge to use the toilet,” he added.

     Prevention

    To prevent constipation, Fahunwa  said dietary and lifestyle changes, such as what one eats, drinks and how much exercise done will help relieve and prevent it.

    “It is good to also eat more fibre as it helps form soft, bulky stools. It can be found in many vegetables, fruits, whole grains (whole-wheat bread and oaths and legumes, such as beans, peas and nuts. But make sure you add fibre to your diet a little at a time, to get your body used to it gradually.

    “It is advisable to drink plenty of water and other fluids. Drinking plenty of water and other liquid, including pepper soups, fruit and vegetable juices, will help prevent constipation. Liquid adds fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making bowel movements softer and easier to pass,” he said.

    “Also getting enough exercise helps the digestive system stay active and healthy. You don’t need to become a great sprinter. Simply taking a 20 or 30-minute walk everyday will help a lot. Give yourself time to relax and recreate, as our hectic schedules keep us feeling in a hurry all the time. This hectic life style doesn’t help us pay attention to our body’s needs, especially to the urge to have a bowel movement. Allowing yourself enough time in the toilet will ensure that you ease your constipation troubles too,” Fahuwa said.

  • I prevented communal clash, says emir

    EMIR of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari yesterday said he prevented a clash between Yoruba and Fulani two months ago.

    The emir spoke at the annual national delegates’ conference of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) in Ilorin South Local Government.

    The clash occurred after a fight between a herdsman and a Yoruba man in Alapa. It reportedly degenerated into violence.

    The emir said some people alleged that after the death of a Yoruba man, members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) were mobilised to attack the Fulani.

    He said it was also alleged that after the OPC members killed some Fulani herdsmen, they stole their cattle.

    The monarch said this allegation made a group of militants from the North to march on Ilorin to avenge the killing of their kinsmen.

    He said on hearing of this plan, he told the people that the progenitor of the head of Ilorin Emirate was from the Sokoto sultanate and that both the Fulani and the Yoruba are one.

    Alhaji Sulu-Gambari said he thanked God that his intervention worked.

    He said the displaced Fulani herdsmen were put in a camp, where he gave N1million for their feeding.

  • ‘Hypertension can be prevented’

    When our forefathers ate roasted corn with its husk; drank pap with its chaff or cooked plantain with its skin, they knew what they were doing. It was not because they were crude. They were actually preventing hypertension.

    They were actually eating more of potassium than sodium (salt).

    According to the Health Coach/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Seaduck Nigeria Limited, Sam Ayeni, hypertension is rare in populations with low sodium intake, but sodium alone is not the problem, it is the combination of much sodium and too little potassium.

    “When potassium is depleted, the body’s cells look for sodium to make up for the loss. We should be eating about five times more potassium than sodium (5:1). To prevent and treat hypertension, the Institute of Medical recommends a daily intake of 50 to 50 mmol of sodium, and a minimum of 120 mmol of potassium rich foods including potatoes with skin, banana, milk, orange, milk, orange juice, tomato juice, cooked spinach, avocados, raisins and red beans.”

    Ayeni said: “Magnesium works with potassium to activate the sodium/potassium pump, which pumps potassium into, and sodium out of the cells. Magnesium also widens the blood vessels and high intakes lower blood pressure readings from research. Magnesium rich foods include seafood, legumes, kelp, wheat bran, wheat germ, almonds, cashew, and peanuts. Fruits and fruit juice, leafy green vegetables and sunflower seeds are also good dietary sources of magnesium.

    “Researchers have observed that calcium supplementation appears to reverse the blood pressure raising impact of salt, especially in salt sensitive individuals. Blood pressure is the force of the bloodstream against the walls of the arteries as they send blood from the heart to the rest of the body.”

    Explaining how hypertension is developed, Ayeni said: “At the end of each artery, tiny blood vessels called arterioles deliver blood to all the tissues. When the wall of the arterioles tighten, blood pressure goes up. When those walls relax, blood pressure goes down. And the higher number refers to systolic blood pressure, which refers to the pressure exerted when the heart contracts. The lower number, the diastolic pressure, measures the rests between heartbeats. “Gestational hypertension” may occur during pregnancy, and is implicated in low birth weight and early delivery.

    “People with a lot of calcium in their coronary arteries are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes and these outcomes might be avoidable by keeping blood pressure low when one is young. We can not do anything about our age, race or gender. But we can control many of the other risk factors for hypertension, such as obesity, poor diet and lifestyle choices and lack of proper medical care. Being overweight can cause or worsen kidney disease and the kidneys help regulate blood pressure.

    “High blood pressure can damage the kidneys. Kidney damage further raises the blood pressure, and the vicious cycle continues. Our fat tissue and kidneys generate a complicated system of hormones. These hormones determine the width of the arteries and, therefore, the pressure of the blood in the arteries, in addition, abdominal fat leads to a heightened production of the hormone insulin. If salt must be taken, it is advisable to go for unrefined salt, sea salt in its naturalness is the best.”

     

    What you should know about hypertension

    • Have your blood pressure checked and monitored regularly.

    • Maintain a healthy body weight. Carrying too much weight increases your chances of developing high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association.

    • Exercise regularly. Aim for two hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every week. Lack of physical activity can contribute to high blood pressure.

    • Eat more fruits and vegetables. Include potassium and whole grains and less saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Read nutrition labels. Reduce sodium intake — most of the sodium we eat comes from processed and restaurant foods.

    • Don’t smoke. According to the American Heart Association, smoking temporarily raises blood pressure and increases risk of damaged arteries.

    • Watch how much alcohol you consume. Alcohol contributes to high blood pressure. Generally, men should keep it down to less than two drinks a day, and women should have no more than one drink per day.

    • If you have high blood pressure, take your medication as directed. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing side effects.

    •Source: www.care2.com

     

     

  • Families of slain policemen prevented from seeing bodies

    Families of slain policemen prevented from seeing bodies

    FAMILY members of some of the 12 policemen killed by unknown gunmen in Bayelsa State were prevented from seeing their bodies yesterday.

    They had thronged the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa, where the remains of 10 of the slain police are being preserved.

    They were turned back by policemen keeping surveillance.

    The recovered bodies were said to have been burnt beyond recognition.

    One of the victims, who was said to be a bachelor, Lucky Ebebi, 31, a corporal, hailed from Esama, in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

    He served the police for seven years.

    Lucky’s elder brother, Victor, who led five members of the family to the morgue, wondered why the policemen did not allow the relatives to move close to the mortuary.

    Victor lamented that his younger brother, who he described as a “jolly good fellow”, died unmarried and without leaving behind a child.

    Victor described the incident as pathetic, even as he expressed optimism that Lucky might later rejoin the family alive.

    Omire identified the slain policemen as two inspectors, four Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and six constables.

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday continued to comb the creeks of the oil-rich state for the remains of two policemen. It also intensified the manhunt for the killers of the officers, who were ambushed last Friday.

    The Executive Director of the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL), Anyakwee Nsirimovu, urged the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Kingsley Omire, to either resign or be sacked immediately.

    He accused Omire of dereliction of duties and not acting on intelligence report that the 50 policemen on escort duty might be attacked or ambushed by aggrieved Niger Delta militants.

    Nsirimovu, in a telephone interview, said the fate that befell the policemen, who were killed on the waterways of Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, could have been averted, if the police chief was alive to his responsibilities.

    He wondered the rationale behind the deployment of 50 policemen in Azuzuama for the burial of the mother of an ex-militant leader, Kile Torughedi.

    Torughedi (aka Young Shall Grow) is a Special Assistant to Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson on Maritime Security.

    According to the activist, there was no way the militants could have planned such attack without the police commissioner knowing, saying he ought to have been more proactive.

    Nsirimovu also wondered where other security personnel were when the militants took away the bodies of the officers from the waterways to the bush, where they were burnt and mutilated, with their arms, ammunition and uniforms stolen.

    “The Bayelsa police commissioner should not be told that the right thing for him to do will be to resign. If he does not want to do the right thing, he should be sacked forthwith, for others to always take their jobs seriously,” the activist suggested.

    But the police commissioner, who spoke through the command’s spokesman, Alex Akhigbe, dismissed the information from Nsirimovu as incorrect.

    He, however, described the incident as “very unfortunate” and declined further comment.

    In a telephone interview yesterday, Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said his men were still combing the creeks for the bodies of the two remaining policemen.

    Nwachukwu, who said the JTF was intensifying its manhunt for the killers, insisted that there would be no hiding place for them.

    Relatives of the victims, who thronged the FMC to have a glimpse of the remains went back home disappointed.

  • ‘How Lam prevented another civil war’

    ‘How Lam prevented another civil war’

    • Ex-CPS recalls the late gov’s encounter with Buhari

     

    But for the maturity and wisdom of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina, Nigeria could have been plunged into a second civil war.

    A former Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor, Chief Kehinde Olaosebikan, yesterday said in Abuja that a conflict between Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani would have thrown the country into another war.

    He told our correspondent that a former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, had led a combative delegation of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to meet Adesina in 2000 in his office.

    According to him, “Precisely on the 13th of October, 2000, former military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, in company with former Military administrator of Lagos State, General Buba Marwa, had led a heavy team of Arewa Consultative Forum in a combative mood to the office of the governor in protest against the alleged killings of over 69 Fulani cattle herders in Saki Area of the state.

    “General Buhari whose arrival to the Secretariat complex was preceded by scores of lorry loads of Hausa men and boys said pointedly at the executive council chambers of Oyo State that his team came to meet the governor to seek reasons why the people of Saki should not be dealt with for killing Fulani herdsmen. He did not stop at that, Gen Buhari accused Governor Lam Adesina of complicity in the killings and using his position as governor to pervert justice.

    He quoted the former Head of State as accusing the former governor of shielding the culprits. According to the General, they therefore wanted immediate stoppage of the killings, justice and compensation for the mass killings of the Fulanis or vengeance across the country.

    Olaosebikan added: “As weighty, indicting and provocative as the General’s allegations were against the governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina remained unperturbed as he only fired back with his own well-coordinated arsenals in form of refined strategy, robust explanations and effective engagements.

    “Lam Adesina identified all the points raised by the General and simply asked the heads of the organisations directly involved to respond.”

    He quoted Lam Adesina as saying: “ Before I thank you for this visit, you have come to tell me something, I also want to tell you something and that something is to make an appeal. General Buhari has been a former Head of State, Brigadier Marwa has governed Lagos for some time and with credibility… so you are national leaders of this country. Even though, by accident of birth, you are from the North, so you can be born anywhere, may be next time when I am coming to the world I will be born in the North or the South South.’

    He attributed the manner in which frayed nerves calmed to the level-headedness of the late governor, thus preventing what could have led to another civil war.