The Nation Newspaper

Tag: secret

  • Top secret?

    •No sir! The Federal Govt must publish a list of recovered properties, their owners and buyers, when eventually sold

    It is indeed perverse to run an anti-graft war with any element of secrecy. This, essentially, is the point Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State seems to want to press upon the Federal Government.

    Last week, he had issued a press release through his media aide, requesting government to publish a list of all properties it reportedly recovered from Nigerians in the course of its ant-corruption battles. He also urged that the names of the buyers of such properties should be made known to the public when they are eventually sold.

    Fayose may have earned his place as the enfant terrible of today’s politics in Nigeria and a rabble-rouser even; but on this matter he is spot on.

    Hear him: “Nigerians want to know how many properties were recovered and who bought the properties. Who authorised the sale? Nigerians want details, not propaganda because most of these properties have been sold and resold.

    “The Federal Government should create a website where all the properties recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and to whom they were sold will be listed so that by one click, Nigerians will have information.”

    That is a strong allegation against the EFCC which has not been rebutted till date but Fayose’s seeming clarion call stems from his fears that the EFCC cannot be trusted with such quantity of assets. And he cited some examples among which is that: “On November 23, 2017, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, the chairman of the Senate Committee investigating the botched reinstatement and promotion of former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pensions under the leadership of Ibrahim Maina, told Nigerians on the floor of the Senate that almost all the exotic properties recovered from alleged looters of pension funds had already been re-looted by the officials of the EFCC.”

    Fayose also pointed out what seemed like a corroboration of the above citing the testimony of Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation before the National Assembly, alleging that one of the properties recovered from alleged looter of pension funds was already sold to a Lagos lawyer.

    As noted earlier, any hint of opacity would taint even the best anti-corruption system anywhere. It is trite that in this electronic age, the EFCC does not have a website that holds comprehensive information of all its activities. The agency should require no promptings in making every fact about its work available to the public on real time basis.

    It is on record that a non-governmental organisation (SERAP) had gone to court to demand more transparency in and proper handling of recovered monies and properties but the EFCC seems to resist this call till date.

    More worrisome is the fact that it is these properties, which have not been properly accounted for, at least in the eye of the public, that President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated are to be sold off. Recall that the monies so far recovered and declared to have been properly confiscated by the government have already been captured for spending in this year’s budget.

    We restate that anti-corruption fight must be holistic, transparent and open to all. There should be nothing hidden to the public or seen to be hidden. In fact the hallmark of a successful anti-graft war is to leave nothing to the imagination of the members of the public.

    The Federal Government must hearken to Fayose this time. And as he has noted, the list should be tracked back to 2006. Fayose wants Nigerians to be apprised of the recovered properties sold by Ibrahim Magu; Ibrahim Lamorde and other previous EFCC chairmen. Those who bought the properties should also be made public.

  • Secret recruitment in NECO

    SIR: Just like Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) employment saga, the National Examination Council (NECO), with headquarters in Minna, Niger State is engulfed with another secret and privileged employment saga to family members, friends, and associates and by extension cronies and godfathers.

    This is not the Nigeria we expected to see understand President Muhammadu Buhari. He needs to stamp his authority on people who holds sway in these Ministries, Department and Agencies. Is it they don’t care about what was promised to Nigerians by the governing APC?

    A check on the examination body will reveal that the secret employment saga has been a yearly “December ritual” in the last few years. Unfortunately, such placement to fill in existing vacancies has been limited to children of the high and mighty since the coming of the present administration and, largely due to lack of coordination, respect for due process and fairness.

    Worst still, no one has been punished or sanctioned for the irresponsible and reckless disregard to the laws governing placement or employment in public service. These things ought to be advertised in any of the national dailies to give Nigerians the privilege to apply if they so desired. Only if that is done would the process adjudged fair even at that, only few would make it. Everyone is now familiar with the injustices that characterise such process in today’s Nigeria.

    Only such information like selling of examination and result cards are made to the public while other vital information that can impact on the lives of Nigerians are shrouded in SECRECY. Shame!

    It is my hope that concerned officials would be mindful of injustice, unfairness and gross disregard for due process. Meanwhile, I expect that heads would, by now start rolling.

     

    • Abdullahi Yusuf Kuta,

    Minna.

  • Criminalising secret recruitment

    •This is not the solution. What is required is enforcement of extant laws

    A bill to criminalise secret recruitment into the federal civil service and agencies of government received wide support in the senate last week. According to report, the bill, sponsored by Senator Olujimi Abiodun (Ekiti South), has been referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service for further legislative work. While we join the Senate to deprecate the unconscionable trend in the ministries, departments and agencies of government, which surreptitiously recruit the children of the high and mighty as well as those willing to pay bribes, we doubt if a criminal legislation is the answer.

    Not long ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recruited children of the ruling elite, and despite cries against the illegality, nothing happened. While a directive from relevant quarters would have punished those who did the recruitment as well as those who benefited, nothing happened. Similarly, not long ago, the Department of State Services engaged in obnoxious recruitment. Again, despite the cries that the recruitment offended the constitution and other extant laws on federal character, nothing happened.

    Significantly, similar illegal, lopsided and unlawful employment processes have been going on even before the advent of this administration, and while the actions are manifestly illegal, those who should sanction the culprits do nothing. Even without a law criminalising the obnoxious conducts, those who engage in secret and illegal recruitments offend extant laws, and break rules, as things stand. So, the challenge is lack of the will to bring those involved to account, not the absence of laws.

    For instance, there in the civil service, there is the General Order. There is also the Financial Instruction, as well as the general civil service rules. When a secret recruitment is done, we believe that some provisions of the extant laws and regulations must have been broken. So, what stops the relevant supervisory agencies from punishing those responsible for breaking the laws? There would also have been forgeries by the culprits, laying false claim that due process had been followed.

    Indeed, there is the Federal Civil Service Commission which should regulate the conduct of officials. There is also the Federal Executive Council which supervises the various ministries, departments and agencies. Are they all complicit or are they incapacitated by the absence of a law criminalising the illegalities? What about the Federal Character Commission, whose responsibility it is to ensure that the provisions of our constitution, with respect to the spread of federal appointments are observed? Is the commission also helpless?

    If the will to punish is there, why have we not seen any of the illegal recruitments nullified? Does it require a law to set aside such recruitments which are manifestly unlawful? For instance, when the CBN scandal broke and the names of the children and relations of the high and mighty were mentioned, did the relevant officials not begin to obfuscate and hide behind a finger to explain away what clearly offended all sense of decency? Will the proposed law cure our predilection to be tribal, sectional and even greedy; when entrusted with the opportunity to recruit?

    Will the law compel the relevant officials to wake up from their self-induced slumber, when the names of the privileged are mentioned? Will they for instance have the courage to arrest and prosecute the culprits when it is the president, governor, legislator or other high state official that sanctioned the illegal recruitment? Where they cannot do the simple act of sacking the unlawfully recruited and the recruiters, is it a criminal trial they will readily sanction? Moreover with our prisons already overpopulated, the promoters should also build new prisons for the potential offenders of the proposed law.

  • Tunde Demuren’s secret pain

    Tunde Demuren’s secret pain

    These are not the best of times for Captain Tunde Demuren, husband of On-Air-Personality, Tolu Oniru, aka Toolz.

    The couple lost their baby. Toolz confirmed the loss, laying to rest weeks of speculations about the matter. The couple announced Toolz’s pregnancy about four months ago at the introduction of their friends, Banky W and Adesua Etomi, to the delight of their fans and friends.

    Toolz’s fans began praying for her after she shared some of her photos on her Instagram page without the pregnancy in view.

  • 45 Year Old Banker Reveals His Secret of Lasting 25minutes during Sex and Getting Stronger Erections without using Viagra!

    45 Year Old Banker Reveals His Secret of Lasting 25minutes during Sex and Getting Stronger Erections without using Viagra!

    My name is Dave Taidi, and I will be sincere with you some months back, my marriage almost crashed and became a sexless marriage…

    all because of my inability to perform during sex like a real man

    Let me tell you what really happened:

    My wife and I have been happily married for about some years ago, but our sex life was disappointing.

    The major reason was due to the problem of releasing too quick during sex.

    Sometimes within 40seconds of penetrating my wife’s vagina, I would look down and see that I am already releasing my sperm all over her.

    During foreplay with my wife like caressing her, or kissing her… I would notice that suddenly I have poured out my semen.

    Click Here To See The NAFDAC Approved Supplement That Helped Me End My Shame And Embarrassment Of Releasing in 40 seconds During sex And Weak Erections!

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    But you know the worse part?

    Several times before sex, I was unable to get an erection that could last even 1 minute. And my manhood would just fall and be unable to rise again.

    It was embarrassing and shameful thing to behold because sex with my wife was so boring and always ended within 2minutes.

    At first, my wife was very supportive so I started trying several drugs from pharmacy, using sprays and depressants… just so I could get an erection or even last say 5minutes during sex, but it all came to nothing.

    My condition became much terrible.

    At a point, I thought that this condition was spiritual, I contacted my pastor and I started praying and fasting but no changes in my body system… so I gave up on that.
    The breakthrough finally came when I ran into one of my ex-girlfriend that we were very close during my university days.

    During one of our encounters, she dropped the bombshell. She jokingly asked me…

    ‘Are you now a strong man on bed or you still release even
    before the show starts?”

    I was embarrassed from her question.

    But from the look on my face, she already knew that I was still suffering from the problem.

    I explained my story to her that my condition was still the same thing and how it was almost tearing my marriage apart.

    My ex-girlfriend almost moved to tears and told me that my poor sexual performance in bed was the main reason why she broke up with me and told me to move on because she could not stand it anymore.

    But surprisingly instead of mocking me like she used to do, she gave me the contact of a men health specialist that helped her fiancée to cure him of the same sex related problem I was experiencing.

    My Ex-girlfriends Laughed at Me Because of my tiny manhood and lasting just 40seconds. After Taking This Supplement, I Now Last Over 25minutes And My Wife Begs Me to Release During Sex, Click Here To See The Solution That Worked For Me!

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/orderp

    At first, I was skeptical and later on talked with my wife and we decided to try the men health specialist.

    The Men health specialist gave me a natural supplement (NAFDAC approved) that contains 50 capsules, to be used twice daily as a curative measure for my quick ejaculation and weak erection issues.

    Truth be told, on the 5th day of using the herbal supplement, I noticed that my erections became stronger and harder in the morning when I woke up.

    Before, I used to wake up and my manhood would just be like that without any erection… like a dead manhood.

     

    But that day, it was different. I had much stronger
    erection without any stress at all.

    I continued using the capsules for 3more days. My wife and I decided to have sex, and I did not release the normal time before of less than 1minute.

    Instead, we made love and had sex for good 15minutes before I released my sperm.

    But even with that, my sexual stamina all through was so much and my wife was unable to stand up immediately after the sex.

    My wife was overjoyed and she confessed that I have
    never handled her that way in bed ever
    since we got married.

    She praised me that during the sex, I performed like a strong, young guy in his early twenties.

    I was still in much doubt, so I decided to give the same capsules to my very close friend that was complaining about his quick release issue and watery sperm.

    After 7days, he too came back again that his condition has improved and he was lasting 20minutes plus in bed with a much stronger erections.

    Click Here to Get The NAFDAC Approved Supplement That My Friends Used To Last 20minutes Extra In Bed With Their Wife Without Any Side Effects!

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    Fast forward to today, am now a strong man in the bedroom, and command the respect that my wife is suppose to give me. Just because I can satisfy her sexual needs completely.

    Listen, whether you like it or not, if you cannot satisfy your woman in bed and just last for 2 – 5minutes, very soon she will leave you for someone that can do the work.

    It’s the main reason why both married and unmarried women cheat on men. Sadly, it also leads to broken marriages.
    Are You Tired Of The Shame Of Lasting Just 2minutes Or Few Seconds
    In Bed And Want To Become A Complete Man That Go For More
    Than 25minutes During Sex With Very High
    Sexual Energy And Stamina?
    If you answered yes, then am ready to give you access to the exact same amazing natural solution that saved my marriage and restored sanity to my sex life.

    Here’s the herbal supplement that worked for me, and over 1,300 Nigerian men that have been struggling with the problem in the past…

    The NAFDAC approved supplement known as Mascum herbal pride contains 50capsules and it helps men to restore their sexual stamina, boost libido (also known as sex drive) and permanently cures premature ejaculation and poor erections.

    NO SIDE EFFECTS – APPROVED BY NAFDAC REG. NO = A7-0887L
    It’s the exact herbal supplement that changed me from a 40seconds man in the bedroom to performing for over 25minutes.

    Get the Premature ejaculation killer (Mascum herbal pride) at a special discount price here

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    And the best part about Mascum herbal pride is that…

    – it’s 100percent natural, it has no side effect on you even if you are a diabetic or hypertensive patients.

    – Also, it’s safe for Nigerian men no matter how old you are.

    – Even though you have been struggling with these problems of premature ejaculation and weak erections for years, it will surely help you permanently cure it.

    – Just 1 container of mascum herbal pride is enough to cure you of your sexual problems and end the miserable life of living with poor erections and quick ejaculation

    – Once you start using it, you no longer have to suffer from watery sperm, just use mascum herbal pride with natural honey to cure watery sperm

    – To be taken 1 tablet morning, and 1 night as a permanent cure to weak erection, low sperm count and quick ejaculation.

    Click Here to Order for the Mascum Herbal Pride (The Natural Supplement that restores your sexual stamina and Boosts Your Manpower)

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/orderp
    All thanks to mascum herbal pride, the shame and embarrassment I used to experience during sex is now a thing of the past.

    Right now, my wife and I are enjoying sex like we are young couples again. No more fights and quarrel anymore in our home because I satisfy her like a real man should do.

    It’s not about being rich or being handsome… it’s about how your manhood down there can perform during sex.

    Also Have You Ever Wanted To Increase The Size Of Your Manhood Using A Natural Method That Works, And Does Not Have Side Effect Of Any Kind?

    Talking about having a small penis size, the good news is that there’s an enlargement oil that helps you correct this issue of having a small manhood and releasing too fast.

    The enlargement oil imported from Japan works for increasing the length and girth of your manhood without any side effects.

    It’s known as MK Essential Oil, and it has helped over 1,300 Nigerian men to increase their manhood size up to 3.5inches within 3 weeks

    What you simple do is to use the enlargement oil to massage your entire manhood and testicles before going to bed.

    To order for Your Bottles of the MK Enlargement oil, Click Here Now to Place order and Get the Products at a Discount Price!

    Once I started using the enlargement oil, I was surprised at the results I got. To ensure it is real, I had to take out a measuring tape to measure my penis size, which was 3.2inches when flaccid but now up 5.5inches.

    And you know the best part about the MK enlargement oil, the results are permanent. No shrinking of penis or any side effects of any kind.

    Yes, your manhood can become BIGGER just like my own when you start making use of the oil.

    My manhood is now increasing in size and getting longer, we measured it recently and it has added 3.4inches in 4weeks of using the mk oil

    My wife now plays with my penis and gives me blowjob, sex is exciting and much better!

    Bottomline is, these 2 products (Mascum & MK Oil) recommended for me helped permanently cure my quick ejaculation problem and it also increased my manhood size (no side effect at all).

    Click Here Now to order for your bottles of the Mk Enlargement oil and Mascum today and start using it!

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/orderp
    Below are testimonies from real people like you who have used these products and what they saying about it

    “Your enlargement oil is working”

    I’ve been using your MK oil for 2 weeks now. Need to let you know that your products are really working. I only use the mk-oil 3 times in a week because am not really chanced due to the nature of my job.

    Since then I have gained about .5 inches and my penis is becoming thick. Now my girlfriend is experiencing a new me, and am also able to last for 20minutes using your mascum herbal pride.

    I know with time my penis will become bigger using this enlargement oil. Thanks for your help bro.

    I will order the product for one of my colleague and friend soon. Thanks for your help bro.

    Tunde (Zaria, Kaduna)

     

     

     

     

    Another testimonial….

     I need to say a big thank you for helping me get this Mascum product. For 3 and half years I had this quick ejaculation problem and it really affected my life. I was reluctant to try this your product because I lost hope after several attempts.

    But when I showed my wife, she encouraged me to order for it, and give it a try.

    I use to last only 2 minutes when having sex with my wife, but now we have it for like 20 minutes and she enjoys the sex. Am really happy I can now make love to my wife like a real man.

    Mr. Chukwudi, Port Harcourt.

     

     

     

    I could load this page with testimonials but it will be saying the same thing… these 2 products are proven to help you transform your sex life and ensure that you can satisfy your woman in bed.

    Fortunately for me, I do not have to go through any humiliation or embarrassment of releasing in few seconds and having a small manhood anymore.

    My manhood is now bigger and normal like a matured man.

    To top it off, my wife and I are experiencing exciting sex and we make love like young couples now. She’s no more irritated by my small manhood because now it is much bigger and makes her scream and moan.

    What about you?

    Are you still suffering from this embarassing problem of having small manhood that makes women run away from you or even deny you from having sex with them?

    Then you should get the 2-in-1 solution Mascum and Mk oil to transform your sex life starting from today!

    Click Here to Get the Mascum Herbal Pride that made me last extra 25minutes in bed with my woman!

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/orderp

    Here is a breakdown of the price…

    Here is a breakdown of the price for the Mascum Herbal capsule and MK enlargement oil

    Mascum herbal pride only – N15,000

    MK Enlargement oil only – N13,000

    If you are ordering for both (that is, Mascum and MK OIL) – N22,000

    (That is you will get a discount of N6,000… instead of paying N28,000 … So, you will pay N22,000 only for BOTH)

    Go Here Now To Get The Mascum And MK OIL That Has Helped Over 1,300 Nigerian Men To Last Up To 35minutes And Give Their Woman Mind-Blowing Sex

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/orderp

    But to Make It Even Better, When You Order Today,
    You will Also Get a FREE BONUS ENCLOSED
    to Your Parcel
    *NOT available anywhere Else

    Here’s how to get it: When you order for BOTH products today
    at N22,000…     you will get your own free bonus of the
    herbal capsule that cures sexually transmitted infections like
    staph, gonorrhea, chlamydia etc.

    FREE BONUS: REISHI CAPSULE

    Reishi Herbal capsule is premier tonic for anti-infection, anti-virus, anti-toxin, stable blood pressure and also treatment for female infertility. NAFDAC REG NO. A7-0444L

    One of the main causes of premature ejaculation and weak erections is due to sexually transmitted infections in the body system. And you need to treat them as soon as possible to completely cure your erectile dysfunction. Reishi contains 30capsules for completely cure of sexually transmitted infections and to flush off toxins from your body system.

    When you order today, you will get the Reishi herbal capsules for free.

    Remember, the free bonus is ONLY available to those that place their order right away. Don’t procrastinate, else you may not get it.

    So the deal is, place your order for the 2 products, today, and you get access to the extra BONUS, absolutely FREE!

    Without wasting time, let me show you how to order for these 2 products (Mascum and MK enlargement oil) that will transform your sexual life and make you experience much better sex with your woman.

    To order for the mascum herbal pride and mk enlargement oil at the discount price today, follow the instructions below…

    You will pay for the products only when it has been brought down
    to you face to face by our courier service agent.
    Pay on Delivery Option Available to All States in Nigeria

    Here’s How to Order for Your own Mascum Herbal Pride & MK OIL at a Discount Price today

    Depending on the product that you are ordering for…

    *If you are ordering for only “Mascum Herbal Pride”… indicate the code MASCUM in your text message…

    *If you are ordering for only “MK Enlargement Oil”… indicate it “MK OIL” in your text message…

    *If you want to order for the 2 products together… text “Mascum AND MK OIL”…

    MASCUM ONLY – N15,000

    MK OIL ONLY – N13,000

    MASCUM AND MK OIL – N22,000

    Here’s what to send to us…

    Text the CODE with the following information below…

    1. Your Full Name
    2. Your Phone Number
    3. Delivery Address

    Send This Information as a text message to 08034920365

    Please Note: Your address Must Include Local Government and State. Detailed Enough to make it traceable by our courier company that will come around to deliver to you.

    You will get a SMS and Call from us within 24 hours to confirm your Order Before we Parcel It Across to You.

    DELIVERY TIME        

    Once we received your order, and your details are correct, you will receive an sms or call confirmation from us. Your products will then be sent to our courier service partner and the items should get to you within 2-5 Days.

    Note: The product will be packaged discreetly and no one else will know what’s inside, and every other information will be kept private and 100% confidential.

                                    Option 2                               

    If you live in Lagos, or nearby, you can also walk into our marketing department office to pick up the products.

    You will meet our team ready to give you these products at same price…

    That is you Pay at our office, and get it instantly

    Vantagesoft Marketing Enterprises

    Block B, Suite 9, Primal Tek Plaza, Beside ECO centre,
    by Mokola Bus stop, opposite Gowon Estate Market,
    Egbeda-Idimu road, Egbeda, Lagos.

    or

    Suite 3B, First Floor, Shopping plaza beside NNPC Filling station,
    Ilo awela road, opposite Toll Gate Bus stop, ota
    off Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

    (Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm)

    Customer support line: 08034920365

    That is all you have to do to place order and get your own bottles of the mk enlargement and mascum herbal capsules.

    Remember, if you procrastinate on this, two things are bound to happen:

    • Either the prices for the product goes up pretty soon and you pay the normal price which is times 2 or,

     

    • Your sexual performance continues to worsen because you refuse to use something that actually helps transform your life

    Don’t procrastinate, go ahead and get access to the 2 products and start using them to become a better lover in the bedroom.

    Here’s How to Order for Your own Mascum Herbal Pride & MK OIL at a Discount Price today

    (Payment On Delivery Option Available In All States In Nigeria)

    Depending on the product that you are ordering for…

    *If you are ordering for only “Mascum Herbal Pride”… indicate the code MASCUM in your text message…

    *If you are ordering for only “MK Enlargement Oil”… indicate it “MK OIL” in your text message…

    *If you want to order for the 2 products together… text “Mascum AND MK OIL”…

    MASCUM ONLY – N15,000

    MK OIL ONLY – N13,000

    MASCUM AND MK OIL – N22,000

    Here’s what to send to us…

    Text the CODE with the following information below…

    1. Your Full Name
    2. Your Phone Number
    3. Delivery Address

    Send This Information as a text message to 08034920365

    Please Note: Your address Must Include Local Government and State. Detailed Enough to make it traceable by our courier company that will come around to deliver to you.

    You will get a SMS and Call from us within 24 hours to confirm your Order Before we Parcel It Across to You.

    DELIVERY TIME

    Once we received your order, and your details are correct, you will receive an sms or call confirmation from us. Your products will then be sent to our courier service partner and the items should get to you within 2-5 Days.

    Note: The product will be packaged discreetly and no one else will know what’s inside, and every other information will be kept private and 100% confidential.

    Here’s full details of how to order now and Get the Mascum & MK oil within a few days at your doorstep

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/orderp

    Right now, all you need to do is get access to the 2 products; and start using it to get a much bigger manhood and cure your premature ejaculation within the shortest time you ever thought possible.

    You have the opportunity to get these 2 products now at a much affordable price and save yourself from embarrassment and frustration that you are suffering in the bedroom.

    Over 2,300 Nigerian men have used these 2 products to improve their sexual performance and they have wonderful testimonies to give about it.

    Go Here Now to order for the products and start using them

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/orderp

    Damilola & Dave Taidi – 08034920365

     

     

  • Skin Diseases: Your open secret that needs care

    Skin (otherwise called dermatological) diseases along with respiratory (breathing) and gastrointestinal (food related and its ingestion) disorders are the commonest illnesses that somehow and somewhere and at any time, we will all get either as individuals or together as a community. The reason why these three categories are sources of common diseases include the fact that as humans, we interact with each other via contact through the skin, we breathe air that are common to all and we share food that we, as individuals prepare or share food meant for the community wherever that we may belong. We cannot run away from getting any of the three disorders irrespective of our age or individuality.  It does not matter your position in life, your wealth or your colour. There is no escaping it. It’s almost a destiny that a human being will fall prey to any and all of the three classes of illness that I mentioned above.

    While gastrointestinal illness may be hidden and to some extent, respiratory disorder may be concealed, the same thing may not be true of skin infirmities. Even when the skin illness is in veiled areas of our body such as our armpit and “private parts”, expect if we failed to socialize with friends and families, can we truly hide our dermatological disorder:  Shame of the skin illness may in fact, make us a recluse.  In that way, one can argue that a person can “hide” his or her skin illness.

    What is so unique about skin illness is the fact our skin is the largest organ and the most exposed as well as the most visible part of our body. We are lucky as human beings that unlike the animals, we do wear clothing to cover our bodies. Even despite this obvious fact, for most people who are not under any obligation to cover up, our face or hands reveals our skin concerns as well as our likely infirmities.

    Women, by virtue of their glamour, self-awareness and their biological needs to be desired by men are especially more concerned about their appearance and men, in general, are less so. This is not to say that men don’t look after their skin. They do have every reason to, in fact, look after their entire body.  Thus, significantly more than men, women are often intolerant of any blemish on their skin.

    Children are often afflicted by skin disorders too. This affliction frequently compel their caring parents and guardians to bring them to the medical doctors.  Similarly, significantly, a worrying group are the teenagers that though neither yet an adult nor children, are highly concerned about their look.  We will take a detail look at skin diseases of children and teens under “The Skin Disorders in Children and Teenagers” in the coming weeks.

    In the weeks ahead, we shall be looking into and also discuss common skin illnesses that are peculiar to us and our environment. Environment do have a lot of impact on development of skin diseases.  Due to our location such as resulting from the effect of the Sun (weather in general) and parasites do affect the way we look and the appearance of our skin—for good or for ill. Our occupation (or if you prefer, a person’s profession) such as factory workers, chemical workers, farmers, our conducts, what we eat, the way we look after the rest of our body, what we apply to our skin and whom we associate or mix with do have a lot of impact on the health or otherwise on our skin.  Similarly, internal illnesses such as cancer of other body organs or even illness affecting internal organs (such as liver disease) may have its first and major manifestation in the skin. It does matter that we do not dismiss a particular appearance simply because we look upon it as a “minor thing” on our skin.  Such “minor thing” may be a sign of “bigger thing” inside.

    In coming weeks, we will take a look at such illnesses as the common disorders that frequently bother individuals such as pimples, allergy, other rashes (eruption), wrinkles, skin swelling, skin ulcer, excessive sweating, body odour and skin colour changes including skin bleaching. It could also be that a truly doctor-prescribed medication may produce undesirable side effects leading to a skin disorder.  We will also deal with more serious illnesses of the skin such as cancer and benign or what can be termed as “innocent” growths.

    Amazingly (though not such a surprise to qualified medical doctors), skin may also suffer from and be afflicted by sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as HIV and syphilis to mention a few. We will take a look at this in the coming days under (Skin Manifestation of Systemic Diseases).

    For a start, next week, let us deal with common complaints of the skin such as pimples.

  • Labour warns against ‘secret’ concession of NRC

    Labour warns against ‘secret’ concession of NRC

    Labour has backed the Federal Government’s plan to concession the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), demanding transparency in the process.

    It, however, kicked against the privatisation of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), calling for its effective funding. It regretted that the FHA has been neglected by the government.

    Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), President Comrade Mohammed Yunusa, who addressed reporters in Abuja, warned against secret concession of the NRC.

    He pointed out that the union will support the planned concession of the NRC, only if there is a high level transparency in the process. He also added that privatisation of FHA will take away the ability of low-income earners to own houses of their own.

    The SSASCGOC chief warned against the government picking a favoured company behind the door, saying that the earlier attempt by the government to singlehandedly pick a company from the United States as a the concessionaire was not acceptable.

    Comrade Yunusa explained that the ideal thing to do is to advertise the concession and make it open for interested people to apply before the highest bidder with capability to run the corporation is picked.

    He said: “SSASCGOC is not averse to the change mantra of the present administration, particularly in its effort to bring back the rail networks in Nigeria to its lost glory.

    “It must be noted that Nigerian workers contributed immensely to the glorious performance of the rail sector up till 1984 before it started having problems. It must also be noted that workers of NRC were not in any way responsible for the demise of the then rail sector.

    “As a matter of fact, some of our members patriotically worked to the point of death.

    “We salute the courage of our heroes in the railway sector some of whom lost their lives in the quest to making the railway a pride of place for the nation. No thanks to irresponsible leadership.

    “Nobody should therefore attempt to discredit staff of the NRC just because of the failure of successive governments and its managers in NRC. To this end, we make bold to say we shall resist any form of reform aimed at discrediting and sending staff of NRC into the labour market, under whatever guise be it concessioning, franchising or public private partnership.

    “We have learnt our lessons from NITEL’s experience. Never shall we allow such again. According to Albert Einstein, we cannot solve our problems using the same thinking with which we created them.”

  • I rejected suggestions to marry secret wife —Pastor blessed with twins after 16 years of waiting

    I rejected suggestions to marry secret wife —Pastor blessed with twins after 16 years of waiting

    •Despite long delay, I didn’t lose hope—Wife

    There was animated joy penultimate Sunday in Ikere Ekiti as friends, family members and well-wishers celebrated with a couple, Pastor Michael Sunday Ajala and his wife, Mrs. Helen Folasade Ajala, who were blessed with a set of twins; a boy and a girl.

    Pastor Ajala and his wife, Folasade, were joined in holy wedlock on August 18, 2001, at Emure- Ekiti, but their hope for early childbearing was dashed after the woman suffered stillbirth at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife in Osun State, a few months after their marriage was consummated. Doctors at the hospital attributed the loss of the baby to a cardiac arrest Folasade suffered during pregnancy.

    It was a long wait for Folasade, as efforts to procure another pregnancy proved abortive even as the couple was subjected to medical tests and visited gynaecologists in various hospitals amid fasting and prayer. The couple’s prayers were eventually answered in July 2016 when Folasade began to see signs of pregnancy.

    Medical tests later confirmed that the she was pregnant and their joy knew no bounds. Nine months later, precisely April 2, 2017, Folasade was delivered of a set of twins (a boy and a girl). The news of the birth spread round Ikere Ekiti like a wild fire in the harmattan.

    The home of the couple located in Oke-Igbe area of Ikere Ekiti was filled to capacity as neighbours, relations, family members, church members and other members of the public trooped there to congratulate them and welcome the new babies. A lavish naming ceremony was held on April 9, at the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Hephzibah Cathedral, Kajola, Ikere Ekiti, where the couple worship.

    At the ceremony, thousands of well-wishers rejoiced with the long suffering couple. The baby boy was named Philip; Sunday; Taiwo; Temitope; Abimbola; Oluwapamilerin and Ayomide, while the girl was named Delight; Bisola; Kehinde; Iyanuoluwa; Bosede and Modalayo. In his sermon at the ceremony, Ikere District Pastor of the church, Pastor Olumide Fred Akinrotohun, described the birth of the twins as a reward for the faithfulness of the couple in spite of their plight during the long wait. Quoting from the books of Genesis Chapter 30 Verse 1, Psalm 127:3-5 and Psalm 128:1-6, the cleric said nobody can by his own power produce children except God grants him the grace saying worrying and anxiety can’t do it but only faith in God.

    Pastor Akinrotohun said the story of the Ajalas was a testimony that God still answers prayer commending the couple for soldiering on in faith when every hope seemed to have been lost. Giving testimony before the congregation, Pastor Ajala, 52, who hails from Ikere Ekiti, said he felt a sense of relief when God spoke to him on July 31 that He has done it and in a matter of months his wife would put to bed. He said: “The Lord is good, the Lord is wonderful.

    At times, God may delay it to answer you better. We serve a God who turned impossibility to possibility and who reversed the irreversible. “Some people were spreading false rumours about my wife, others gave me suggestions that I should marry another wife which I rejected. I had a strong belief in God that He would do it at the right time.

    “I never allowed the problem of childbearing to show on my face. In fact, some people used to tell me that is the God you are serving not able to do it for you? But I thank God that He has done it today and this has become a reality. “There is no problem too big for God to solve, there is nothing impossible for God to do. This is an evidence of what God can do and this should encourage couples still going through similar problems that God will answer them.

    “God made the delivery of the twins easier for us during this period of economic challenges as God raised people for us who supported us financially. This is a wonder from God and we will continue to praise God for answering us at last. “It has been almost nerve-wracking experience but we thank God that He eventually saw us through because we have been believing in Him for all the 16 years we were expecting.

    And God proved Himself beyond all reasonable doubts.� “We believed in the efficacy of the power of God. We were praying and we believed that God can do all things. We believed in the grace of God, that there is nothing impossible for Him to do.” In an interview with our reporter after the christening service, Ajala who is also a senior officer in the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, said he held on to God and resisted attempts by some individuals to arrange a “secret wife” for him by those who had given up that his wife could bear him a child. He further disclosed that some suggested a visit to witch doctors to unravel the mystery behind the long delay in childbearing and get a solution which he rebuffed because of his faith in the living God. Ajala said:

    “So many people came to me and gave several advice. Some said that I was getting much older to the point of having grey hairs. They urged me to marry another woman. “Some even arranged a secret wife for me but I refused all these overtures because I believed in the promise of God that it would come to reality. Others suggested that I visit herbalists and other spiritualists but I refused because I believed only in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believed that there is a living God in our church, the Gospel Faith Mission International that answers prayer. “We are both ministers in the church, by God’s grace and we held on tenaciously to our faith in God.” On his advice for barren couples, Ajala said: “If I were to advise other couple still waiting on God for fruits of the womb, I will simply urge them to be just a little patient. This is because God has a better package for them.

    “He wants to answer their prayers in a better way. They shouldn’t be moved by pressures from both families, friends, relatives and what have you. It is only God who can answer their prayers. “His gifts are perfect and add no sorrow. By the time they wait on God, He would answer them in a bigger way and they will give all glory to Him. “For us to have been able to hold on till this time that God answered us, it has been by God’s grace and our closeness to His word which kept assuring us and the church has really helped us a lot.’’ Giving her testimony before the congregation, Folasade, 46, an indigene of Emure Ekiti, said the birth of the babies had put an end to her long wait for the fruit of the womb and given her a testimony. She said:

    “This is the handiwork of God and it is an evidence that God still answers prayer of those who wait on him. Despite the long delay, I didn’t lose hope and I never gave up believing that one day, my prayers will be answered. “During the period of waiting, some people used to wonder that they never saw me in a sorrowful mood. In fact, somebody asked my mother-in-law that what is wrong with me that whenever they were celebrating occasions, I was the first person that would be there. “The fellow said why am I so swift to celebrate with other people and also assist them to cook food to celebrate ceremonies and what is making me to be happy despite not being a mother yet.

    “But I told my mother-in-law that I have to celebrate with others so that they will celebrate with me. I told her that I must celebrate others so that they can celebrate me as well, that as I go to other people’s occasions, they will come and celebrate my own with me. “I told Mama that the person was reminding God to answer my prayer. That person was spurring God to answer me swiftly and I thank God for answering my prayer; God has done it for me eventually.

    “I want to thank God for giving me in-laws who stood by me throughout the difficult period. They supported me, encouraged me and prayed for me and today, we are all celebrating together. “I want to encourage couples that are still waiting for their children not to lose hope, if God can do it for us, God can also do it for them because children comes from God. They should hold on to God who has the power to turn around their situation for good.”

    Speaking on her challenges during the long wait, Folasade, who is a staff member of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said: “There were many challenges. One of them and very painful was during December period when I see other mothers buying many gifts for their children for the festivity. “In my place of work, I would see many parents buying gifts for their children. Many would be talking about what they are buying for their children and some would be saying that if one has no child in this world, his journey on earth is in vain. “So, I had heard so many unpalatable things about our condition from friends, colleagues at work and even church members. But I wasn’t discouraged or moved through the grace of God.

    “I wasn’t moved with such mockery and insults because I believed in God’s power, I have been praying and He had assured that He would do it. So, whenever I hear those things, I hold on to God’s promise. “That way, I didn’t entertain so much worry. Fortunately, there were no pressures from my in-laws. They supported us and were praying for us. They are very loving people.’’� Advising women who are still in her former condition, Mrs. Ajala said:

    “For women out there who are still expecting this bundle of joy, they should stick to God, strengthen their faith in Him. “They should therefore depend on God for their own miracle because, from my experience, I have come to know that there is no impossibility with God. Whatever He says He would do, He would surely do it.

    “The year we got married, God assured me that I would never be barren, so when this delay came, I didn’t doubt Him, I held unto His word and kept faith with it.

    “To those who have mocked us, derided us, and given wrong advice to us, we enjoin them to come closer to God and seek to know Him better, because if they had come to the knowledge of Christ, they wouldn’t have done such.”

  • Adetunji reveals goals scoring secret

    Adetunji reveals goals scoring secret

    Sunday Adetunji has revealed the secret of his scoring prowess for Abia Warriors, the club he joined at the beginning of the season after scoring a brace to take his season tally to nine.

    Adetunji told SportingLife that his eagerness to surpass last season’s goals haul of 10 is the motivating factor and that having scored nine already, he hopes to get up to 20 league goals this season.

    The former 3SC striker thumbed up ABS for their display in Umuahia but praised his teammates who never gave up despite the goals coming late in the game.

    Abia Warriors are now fifth on the log with 25 points from 17 games.

  • ‘Real estate is secret to wealth creation in recession’

    Nigerians seeking wealth need not look too far. This is because the real estate industry provides the secret to wealth creation for those that can key into it. Besides, the sector is the most viable to get the country out of its present recession, if the right things are done.

    These were the views of real estate consultants at a home ownership empowerment programme organised by Pertinence Nigeria Limited- a firm of real estate managers. Renowned realtor, Mr. Olumide Emmanuel, in an exclusive chat with The Nation, explained that for an individual to get to his desired financial destination, the right vehicle must be chosen.

    “The real estate is the secret to wealth creation. We want people to understand that getting to the desired financial destination requires choosing the right vehicle; and one of the best vehicles you can choose is real estate and that’s what we are pushing down today: the power of real estate,” he said.

    Emmanuel advised Nigerians on the need for a change in their mindset to overcome the challenges of recession. According to him, there is a need to understand the concept of recession and how it affects the individual. This, he explained, is because in spite of the recession, people still earn same salary and income, just that the value is lower.

    “The value of what your money can give you in the market is reducing because of the vehicle you choose. You choose the vehicle of salary, somebody else chooses the vehicle of real estate. Now, at times like these, realtors and landlords increase their rent, meaning tenants suffer more and then they enjoy more. So it’s all a function of understanding that what the economy of your geographical location is; it does not have to affect you if you have the financial intelligence and you know how to navigate your way,” he explained.

    In similar vein, the Founder of Pertinence Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olorunseyi  Sunday, agreed that real estate is the solution to Nigeria’s recession problems, saying that recession is a thing of the mind that could be overcome through a change in the mindset.

    Sunday, who spoke at the launch of his firm’s “International Business Mega Summit,”  said: “Everything in life is about mentality, it is your mindset. For us, our mindset cannot accommodate recession even though they say there is recession. An entrepreneur should thrive in all seasons. He does not see a dry season. What you look at is how can I take advantage of that season? And that’s what we are doing now.”

    Co-Founder and Managing Director of the organisation, Mr. Wisdom Ezekiel, also pointed out the opportunity his organisation sees in recession.

    “We see recession as an opportunity. A lot of people see recession as a drawback but we see it as an opportunity because most countries in the world that have become developed today thrived during recession. Recession helps people to start thinking outside the box and that is what it is helping us to do in Nigeria,” he said.

    He said recession is actually an advantage if properly managed by all. He explained that when there is recession, people want to invest in something that is tangible- in asset not liability.  This, he said, is why real estate will continue to thrive and provide a bailout for the country’s economy at this period.

    Ezekiel noted that the launch of the firm’s international presence is a way of contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. He, therefore, called for government’s partnership in the real estate industry in order to spur its growth and contribution to the economic development.

    To stimulate the market and encourage people to invest even at this time, the firm gave out free plots of land, an all-expense paid trip to Dubai and a two bedroom apartment to loyal customers.

    “We are giving because when you give in times of recession, when people have plenty, they will remember you and they would want to come to you; because when they had nothing, you were out there supporting them. So that is the strategy… when seasons like this come, innovation will be what will make you different,” he said.