Showing posts with label Edition 201. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edition 201. Show all posts
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
The secret of long life
BY REBECCA AKINMOLAYAN
EXPERTS say that the life expectancy in Nigeria is 47. This implies that those who are above 50 in the country deserve thanksgiving bash.
Why not?
With all Nigerians go through, the unnecessary stress, lack of potable water, prevalence of fake drugs (about 40 per cent of all the drugs in Nigeria are fake) and worst still, poor health care, how does one live long?
Comparatively, the life expectancy of Americans has risen to between 75 and 80 years.
And where does that leave you and I?
This is a timely issue because health is wealth. Every Nigerian should stand up for his or her health in the face of all this. You can take simple measures right now to give time the finger and lengthen your life.
Mentally, in the course of everyday life, chances are that the average human being has some millions of brain cells ‘fried’. A simple remedy to this damage is to drink lots of water and exercise at least 20 minutes two to three times a week.
Protect your heart. It’s easy to write off heart trouble as something that plagues only cheeseburger-grubbing big, fat and old people. Cardiovascular disease is a huge concern for both men and women and is a number one killer. It is possible to reduce the risk of heart disease by 82 per cent with simple lifestyle changes such as exercise in your schedule, limiting fatty foods and cutting alcohol and tobacco consumption. Prevention of CVDs starts from now no matter your age.
Learn to prioritise. One famous doctor once said that Nigerians spend more on funerals and parties than on their health. Though it is not true for everyone, it is a significant point.
Don’t self-medicate. There was a woman who died from heart attack, when the signs were coming, she preferred to buy pain relievers not knowing the real source of the pains. Worse still, she died and N40, 000 was seen in her purse!
Be versatile in first aid techniques. Accidents, whether domestic or commercial, are inevitable. Many lives have been lost because the people around are ignorant of the first thing to do with a sick patient and so by the time they rush the person to the hospital, it may be too late.
It is sad to see people moping at accident victims and when they even try to help, they are likely to worsen the situation. A stitch in time always saves nine. First aid classes could be taken at Red Cross or St. Johns; you never know when the knowledge will come handy.
Aside from following all the obvious health rules (don’t smoke, keep your weight in check, don’t overindulge in alcohol, etc.), your best measure is to stay vigilant with medical checkups to reveal the possibility.
Knowing the rules is not good enough but sticking to them and above all, valuing yourself and your health because if you do, you would do anything possible to protect it.
rubystar2004@yahoo.com, rebecca.akinmolayan@gmail.com
Why the rich get richer
(Biz tool Kids)
BY BRIDGET OLOTU
IN the late 70s and 80s, when reggae music was still the vogue for many black people, most of the artistes sang against the injustices and inequalities in the society. You will hear many of them croon lines like ‘The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer…’ or ‘It’s a rat race…’
What is baffling is: how many of these social crusaders have also tried to research the secrets of the rich and how the poor can emancipate themselves from the rat race?
So, rather than join in bemoaning the fate of the poor, I am much interested in what the poor or any interested person can do to change his or her financial story and fortunes.
After research I have tried to explain why the rich are always getting richer:
The rich are financially intelligent. They also have great financial habits that many poor people either ignore or don’t have at all. They teach their children habits that perpetuate their wealth for many generations. For instance, the rich teach their children how to make money, write business plans, negotiate business deals, start new businesses, source for business information and benefit from its use, leverage their skills and capital, survive the competition and so forth. This explains why they keep getting richer and the poor poorer.
They build businesses and are great investors. The reason the poor are poor is that most seek to work for other people. Even when there are no jobs, they are willing to stay at home, file their certificates, waiting for when the economy will improve so they can dust the certificates again and start their job hunting. This is not bad either. It’s your choice. But you know, while you are seated at home playing draught, someone is thinking of how to start that small business, run a cab business, start teaching part time or even acquiring new skills to meet with the changing demands of a changing world.
They invest first and spend later. There was this Yoruba movie I saw a few months back about a wealthy man who had a thriving and very profitable business. His MD connived with the man’s driver to steal from the company and succeeded with his plan. This MD gave the driver’s share to him. But the whole plan was later foiled due to the financial foolishness of the driver. That driver went on a spending spree. He first of all divorced his wife and lodged in a hotel with a lot of prostitutes enjoying the booty with him. It was there the police caught up with him. He made a statement that captures how poor folks think. He said in Yoruba, ‘Nina lowo’ meaning ‘money is meant to be spent’. That money would have made him for life. I’m not promoting this kind of behaviour in any guise. Don’t get me wrong, I’m only saying that what comes to your mind when you suddenly find out that you have so much money at your disposal determines your financial destiny! Do you go spending it or do you look for income-generating assets to invest in?
They leverage a lot. Leveraging means doing more or getting more with the little you have. There are many people with different business ideas, viable projects, etc, who do not know how to go about it or lack the knowledge of leveraging. By leveraging, I mean that you can tap into your relationships, contacts, use your goodwill, your banker’s money to start and grow your business, among others.
They are problem solvers. While the poor always see problems, the rich see the opportunities lurking in problems. To the rich, every problem is an opportunity to provide a service or meet a need and make some money from there. This is what makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.
They seek financial advice from experts. The rich don’t believe they know it all. They always seek financial advice from experts e.g. bankers, brokers, real estate experts, successful farmers, successful business people, etc.
So, the next time, someone starts singing, “The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer…” either walk away from the person or ask him if you can, what the poor can do to also improve their financial conditions.
Olotu is the CEO/Lead Consultant, DEAIM Innovative Resources Ltd., bridgetolotu@gmail.com
Of husbands and wives
(GOOD manners)
BY MIKE EKUNNO
THERE can be no better example of an intimate relationship than that of husband and wife — well, ideally.
Many a spouse only realise too late that even in the midst of this intimacy there is room aplenty for (good) manners.
When people have been together for long, you’d expect that they’d get to know each other’s idiosyncrasies and tendencies instinctively.
Apart from cognitive things like his brand of lager beer or her favourite salon, the test of real intimacy lies in perceiving intuitively what the other half would like or not.
At one church ministers’ retreat, it was an eye opener seeing how much couples don’t know about each other.
There were little brain teasers like how he wears his wristwatch – facing outwards or inwards? In the midst of all the self-righteous posturing, one minister’s wife impressed me with her candour. She spoke of the need for individual space even between husband and wife. She sounded like an outsider at the retreat because of her realistic position but she earned my immense respect on account of that.
Familiarity such as you find in a marriage relationship surely breeds negligence. It is negligence that makes a spouse not realise that the other deserves the same respect accorded his/her boss at work. My use of both gender pronouns should tell you that respect here does not or should not flow one way. It flows both ways.
FOR starters, any man who operates a joint account with his wife is shameless. Who said so? Me. He does not deserve the company of real men. A spousal joint account is a sign of mistrust, pure and simple. But beyond that, it speaks to the insecurity — both financial and emotional— of the man.
Even where the wife out-earns her husband, he should be able to maintain a healthy disinterest in how she manages her finances. African cultural mores and all the major faiths enjoin the husband as head to provide for his family.
The exigencies of modern society with many women in high paying jobs mean that many wives earn more than their husbands. In many families they, the women, have become breadwinners. Covetousness should not make a man condescend to run a joint account in other to keep a tab on the woman’s “runs”. By the time it gets to that, trust has gone out the window.
Where does one draw the line between intimacy and disrespect in marriage? it is difficult to pontificate for every couple. What works for one couple may not work for another.
The general rule is to start on a respectful, formal note and allow the recipient ask you to “relax”.
That way you won’t be accused of presumption. How does this work out in real terms? Don’t take his calls instead bring the phone to him; don’t open her “inbox” except she opens for you; even when you have the other’s PIN or password, let him/her know before you use his/her ATM, laptop or smartphone – this is now the modern name for hand-held gizmos.
You may consider some bit of bad manners in marriage minor while the party at the receiving end thinks otherwise.
Whose opinion should count? It is surely the opinion of the victim. For example, she may have a thing for her slippers and likes to slip into it as she wakes up and enters the restroom.
But he feels using her slippers and leaving it elsewhere is no big deal or even romantic. What to do? Let him know you consider his attitude shabby and disrespectful.
What we are loving at the moment!
(Strictly for The Young)
BY TOSYN BURCKNOR
WITH so much happening in the world, sometimes, one needs to sit back, relax, and nod when thinking about certain people, things or events! It is the ninth month and there has been so much to love already!
Music wise, we have been listening to and loving, M.I, Kel, Banky, Knighthouse, Jennifer Hudson, Colbie Caillat, T.I, and more!
In terms of singles, you have to really listen to ‘MOVE’ which has Ill Bliss, Kel and Uchie on a Suspect beat.
Then the Rooftop MC’s with their singles, which foretell a fantastic album in the offing! ‘Kokoroko!’ Who knows what it means, but Kefee and Timaya have us singing along with abandon!
Like it or not, but ‘Big Boy’ is not going anywhere anytime soon! And Sound Sultan remains ever entertaining and ever insightful with his single featuring 9ice and Lord of Ajasa — Aimo Asiko.
Previous ignored as it were, Terry tha Rapman is getting everyone’s attention with songs like How Far, and Sample, which samples Ekwe by Stereoman.
Albums are also doing well and hopefully, flying off the shelves. Or in Nigeria’s case, the vendor’s arms! Darey is Undareyted, Kel has made The Investment, Da Grin is The C.E.O.
MOVIES have also been interesting! Transporter 3, Transformers 2, and G.I Joe made for good viewing if you love action, and is this the year for the romantic comedy or what? From ‘Marley and Me to ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. But one of the best by far so far, was the very funny, very feel good, The Proposal, featuring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.
If you like television, then surely you must have caught, Tinsel, Soul Sistas, Naija Sings, Project Fame and more! Soaps, Sit-Coms and Reality Shows remain the easiest things to catch on television, but where are the talk shows?
There are loads of interesting entertainment based shows for those of you who like to know what’s in, out and about!
EACH month has its flavour event wise! We started January with the Future Awards, and the Silverbird Galleria has been treating us to T.G.1st.T. A free monthly concert, which has featured, varied artistes, including Omawumi, Teeto, Jesse Jags, Ruggedman and more! Hip Hop World and Soundcity held their award shows, and there were so many seminars and workshops, including the Zapphaire Bridal Workshop, the Harambe Conference (which opened our eyes to just how much the youth need to focus on agriculture), HipHop Conference, and Rise Youth Conference!
Internet wise, we have stayed glued on facebook, but found a new addiction- Twitter. If you are already on it… hey! If you are not…. Hmmn.
There has been a lot to process news-wise and while we are not exactly loving them, we can’t help but mention Michael Jackson dying and leaving several nations in shock and disbelief for a full day and weeks after that, the Banks-Gate as it should now be termed,
With all that has happened and will happen though, life remains the one constant thing!
Life will keep teaching us lessons till we learn them!
What lesson have you learnt today?
tosinornottosin@yahoo.com
EXPERTS say that the life expectancy in Nigeria is 47. This implies that those who are above 50 in the country deserve thanksgiving bash.
Why not?
With all Nigerians go through, the unnecessary stress, lack of potable water, prevalence of fake drugs (about 40 per cent of all the drugs in Nigeria are fake) and worst still, poor health care, how does one live long?
Comparatively, the life expectancy of Americans has risen to between 75 and 80 years.
And where does that leave you and I?
This is a timely issue because health is wealth. Every Nigerian should stand up for his or her health in the face of all this. You can take simple measures right now to give time the finger and lengthen your life.
Mentally, in the course of everyday life, chances are that the average human being has some millions of brain cells ‘fried’. A simple remedy to this damage is to drink lots of water and exercise at least 20 minutes two to three times a week.
Protect your heart. It’s easy to write off heart trouble as something that plagues only cheeseburger-grubbing big, fat and old people. Cardiovascular disease is a huge concern for both men and women and is a number one killer. It is possible to reduce the risk of heart disease by 82 per cent with simple lifestyle changes such as exercise in your schedule, limiting fatty foods and cutting alcohol and tobacco consumption. Prevention of CVDs starts from now no matter your age.
Learn to prioritise. One famous doctor once said that Nigerians spend more on funerals and parties than on their health. Though it is not true for everyone, it is a significant point.
Don’t self-medicate. There was a woman who died from heart attack, when the signs were coming, she preferred to buy pain relievers not knowing the real source of the pains. Worse still, she died and N40, 000 was seen in her purse!
Be versatile in first aid techniques. Accidents, whether domestic or commercial, are inevitable. Many lives have been lost because the people around are ignorant of the first thing to do with a sick patient and so by the time they rush the person to the hospital, it may be too late.
It is sad to see people moping at accident victims and when they even try to help, they are likely to worsen the situation. A stitch in time always saves nine. First aid classes could be taken at Red Cross or St. Johns; you never know when the knowledge will come handy.
Aside from following all the obvious health rules (don’t smoke, keep your weight in check, don’t overindulge in alcohol, etc.), your best measure is to stay vigilant with medical checkups to reveal the possibility.
Knowing the rules is not good enough but sticking to them and above all, valuing yourself and your health because if you do, you would do anything possible to protect it.
rubystar2004@yahoo.com, rebecca.akinmolayan@gmail.com
Why the rich get richer
(Biz tool Kids)
BY BRIDGET OLOTU
IN the late 70s and 80s, when reggae music was still the vogue for many black people, most of the artistes sang against the injustices and inequalities in the society. You will hear many of them croon lines like ‘The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer…’ or ‘It’s a rat race…’
What is baffling is: how many of these social crusaders have also tried to research the secrets of the rich and how the poor can emancipate themselves from the rat race?
So, rather than join in bemoaning the fate of the poor, I am much interested in what the poor or any interested person can do to change his or her financial story and fortunes.
After research I have tried to explain why the rich are always getting richer:
The rich are financially intelligent. They also have great financial habits that many poor people either ignore or don’t have at all. They teach their children habits that perpetuate their wealth for many generations. For instance, the rich teach their children how to make money, write business plans, negotiate business deals, start new businesses, source for business information and benefit from its use, leverage their skills and capital, survive the competition and so forth. This explains why they keep getting richer and the poor poorer.
They build businesses and are great investors. The reason the poor are poor is that most seek to work for other people. Even when there are no jobs, they are willing to stay at home, file their certificates, waiting for when the economy will improve so they can dust the certificates again and start their job hunting. This is not bad either. It’s your choice. But you know, while you are seated at home playing draught, someone is thinking of how to start that small business, run a cab business, start teaching part time or even acquiring new skills to meet with the changing demands of a changing world.
They invest first and spend later. There was this Yoruba movie I saw a few months back about a wealthy man who had a thriving and very profitable business. His MD connived with the man’s driver to steal from the company and succeeded with his plan. This MD gave the driver’s share to him. But the whole plan was later foiled due to the financial foolishness of the driver. That driver went on a spending spree. He first of all divorced his wife and lodged in a hotel with a lot of prostitutes enjoying the booty with him. It was there the police caught up with him. He made a statement that captures how poor folks think. He said in Yoruba, ‘Nina lowo’ meaning ‘money is meant to be spent’. That money would have made him for life. I’m not promoting this kind of behaviour in any guise. Don’t get me wrong, I’m only saying that what comes to your mind when you suddenly find out that you have so much money at your disposal determines your financial destiny! Do you go spending it or do you look for income-generating assets to invest in?
They leverage a lot. Leveraging means doing more or getting more with the little you have. There are many people with different business ideas, viable projects, etc, who do not know how to go about it or lack the knowledge of leveraging. By leveraging, I mean that you can tap into your relationships, contacts, use your goodwill, your banker’s money to start and grow your business, among others.
They are problem solvers. While the poor always see problems, the rich see the opportunities lurking in problems. To the rich, every problem is an opportunity to provide a service or meet a need and make some money from there. This is what makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.
They seek financial advice from experts. The rich don’t believe they know it all. They always seek financial advice from experts e.g. bankers, brokers, real estate experts, successful farmers, successful business people, etc.
So, the next time, someone starts singing, “The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer…” either walk away from the person or ask him if you can, what the poor can do to also improve their financial conditions.
Olotu is the CEO/Lead Consultant, DEAIM Innovative Resources Ltd., bridgetolotu@gmail.com
Of husbands and wives
(GOOD manners)
BY MIKE EKUNNO
THERE can be no better example of an intimate relationship than that of husband and wife — well, ideally.
Many a spouse only realise too late that even in the midst of this intimacy there is room aplenty for (good) manners.
When people have been together for long, you’d expect that they’d get to know each other’s idiosyncrasies and tendencies instinctively.
Apart from cognitive things like his brand of lager beer or her favourite salon, the test of real intimacy lies in perceiving intuitively what the other half would like or not.
At one church ministers’ retreat, it was an eye opener seeing how much couples don’t know about each other.
There were little brain teasers like how he wears his wristwatch – facing outwards or inwards? In the midst of all the self-righteous posturing, one minister’s wife impressed me with her candour. She spoke of the need for individual space even between husband and wife. She sounded like an outsider at the retreat because of her realistic position but she earned my immense respect on account of that.
Familiarity such as you find in a marriage relationship surely breeds negligence. It is negligence that makes a spouse not realise that the other deserves the same respect accorded his/her boss at work. My use of both gender pronouns should tell you that respect here does not or should not flow one way. It flows both ways.
FOR starters, any man who operates a joint account with his wife is shameless. Who said so? Me. He does not deserve the company of real men. A spousal joint account is a sign of mistrust, pure and simple. But beyond that, it speaks to the insecurity — both financial and emotional— of the man.
Even where the wife out-earns her husband, he should be able to maintain a healthy disinterest in how she manages her finances. African cultural mores and all the major faiths enjoin the husband as head to provide for his family.
The exigencies of modern society with many women in high paying jobs mean that many wives earn more than their husbands. In many families they, the women, have become breadwinners. Covetousness should not make a man condescend to run a joint account in other to keep a tab on the woman’s “runs”. By the time it gets to that, trust has gone out the window.
Where does one draw the line between intimacy and disrespect in marriage? it is difficult to pontificate for every couple. What works for one couple may not work for another.
The general rule is to start on a respectful, formal note and allow the recipient ask you to “relax”.
That way you won’t be accused of presumption. How does this work out in real terms? Don’t take his calls instead bring the phone to him; don’t open her “inbox” except she opens for you; even when you have the other’s PIN or password, let him/her know before you use his/her ATM, laptop or smartphone – this is now the modern name for hand-held gizmos.
You may consider some bit of bad manners in marriage minor while the party at the receiving end thinks otherwise.
Whose opinion should count? It is surely the opinion of the victim. For example, she may have a thing for her slippers and likes to slip into it as she wakes up and enters the restroom.
But he feels using her slippers and leaving it elsewhere is no big deal or even romantic. What to do? Let him know you consider his attitude shabby and disrespectful.
What we are loving at the moment!
(Strictly for The Young)
BY TOSYN BURCKNOR
WITH so much happening in the world, sometimes, one needs to sit back, relax, and nod when thinking about certain people, things or events! It is the ninth month and there has been so much to love already!
Music wise, we have been listening to and loving, M.I, Kel, Banky, Knighthouse, Jennifer Hudson, Colbie Caillat, T.I, and more!
In terms of singles, you have to really listen to ‘MOVE’ which has Ill Bliss, Kel and Uchie on a Suspect beat.
Then the Rooftop MC’s with their singles, which foretell a fantastic album in the offing! ‘Kokoroko!’ Who knows what it means, but Kefee and Timaya have us singing along with abandon!
Like it or not, but ‘Big Boy’ is not going anywhere anytime soon! And Sound Sultan remains ever entertaining and ever insightful with his single featuring 9ice and Lord of Ajasa — Aimo Asiko.
Previous ignored as it were, Terry tha Rapman is getting everyone’s attention with songs like How Far, and Sample, which samples Ekwe by Stereoman.
Albums are also doing well and hopefully, flying off the shelves. Or in Nigeria’s case, the vendor’s arms! Darey is Undareyted, Kel has made The Investment, Da Grin is The C.E.O.
MOVIES have also been interesting! Transporter 3, Transformers 2, and G.I Joe made for good viewing if you love action, and is this the year for the romantic comedy or what? From ‘Marley and Me to ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. But one of the best by far so far, was the very funny, very feel good, The Proposal, featuring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.
If you like television, then surely you must have caught, Tinsel, Soul Sistas, Naija Sings, Project Fame and more! Soaps, Sit-Coms and Reality Shows remain the easiest things to catch on television, but where are the talk shows?
There are loads of interesting entertainment based shows for those of you who like to know what’s in, out and about!
EACH month has its flavour event wise! We started January with the Future Awards, and the Silverbird Galleria has been treating us to T.G.1st.T. A free monthly concert, which has featured, varied artistes, including Omawumi, Teeto, Jesse Jags, Ruggedman and more! Hip Hop World and Soundcity held their award shows, and there were so many seminars and workshops, including the Zapphaire Bridal Workshop, the Harambe Conference (which opened our eyes to just how much the youth need to focus on agriculture), HipHop Conference, and Rise Youth Conference!
Internet wise, we have stayed glued on facebook, but found a new addiction- Twitter. If you are already on it… hey! If you are not…. Hmmn.
There has been a lot to process news-wise and while we are not exactly loving them, we can’t help but mention Michael Jackson dying and leaving several nations in shock and disbelief for a full day and weeks after that, the Banks-Gate as it should now be termed,
With all that has happened and will happen though, life remains the one constant thing!
Life will keep teaching us lessons till we learn them!
What lesson have you learnt today?
tosinornottosin@yahoo.com
Lycopene Against Cancer
Often diners miss out on the nutritional benefits derivable from tomato, perhaps, due to the common method of handling it – frying the puree. But FABIAN ODUM writes that the use of tomato ketchup provides an alternative, body nourishing ingredient, lycopene, an anti-cancer nutrient. RICH, red tomato and health have things in common. The string linking them is in the anti-cancer ingredient in tomato called lycopene. Lycopene, a carotenoid, is an anti-oxidant that helps the body to war against free radicals that can interfere with normal cell growth and activity, potentially leading to cancer, heart disease and premature ageing Instead of spending money buying anti-oxidants as food supplements, natural sources such as tomatoes could make a lot of difference. Ketchup, the processed and bottled tomato product, appeared in the local market some time ago but for one reason or the other, it failed. For this fact, an opportunity to drive this popular condiment into the menu of Nigerians suffered a serious setback. The product has now resurfaced as imported brands. Although a favorite in American kitchens, recent studies have shown that tomato ketchup (also known as catsup) can be a power tool in the war against cancer and heart disease. The recipe would disclose the inherent attributes that make this food a good item in our menu. BASICALLY, ketchup includes cooked and strained tomato, vinegar, sugar salt, onion or garlic flavour and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and cayenne. The old type ketchup used to be much thicker until the review of the standard in 1991. The Heinz Institute of Nutritional Sciences, a few years ago praised the tomato as a source of lycopene. Scientifically, it is known that one tablespoon of ketchup is just enough to make a bland meal of plain boiled yam come alive in the palate; it contains 16 calories and no fat. ON many meals like rice (jollof, fried or white), beans, dodo (Fried plantain) etc ketchup with its rich flavour derived from cinnamon, ginger, cloves as well as onion and vinegar transforms meals. The eye appeal of the product perhaps makes it a choice condiment for young people in the US. It holds no less attraction on our local dining tables. With regards to the storages of the products, still sealed, it can have a shelf life of one year. However, as usual with NAFDAC requirements and credible regulators the world over, the date of manufacture and expiration are usually indicated. Once opened, it can be stored in a cool environment, out of the sum for about a month. Refrigeration would extend the shelf life beyond one month once it is opened. Signs of fermentation indicate spoilage, change of taste and flavour. Such a product should be discarded. Take note that product will tend to darken due to exposure to direct sunlight. Tin or aluminum foil, as a wrapper for your bottle will take care of discoloration. Nowadays, ‘catsup’ and catchup are acceptable spellings used interchangeably with ‘ketchup’. Incidentally, there are workable recipes for making own ketchup at home as it presents an exciting way to present an it presents an exciting way to “tomato-up” meals at home. WFP Asks For $230M In Emergency Food Aid For Kenyans “The U.N.’s World Food Programme (WFP) last week appealed for more than $230 million to provide emergency food aid over the next six months for 3.8 million Kenyans affected by deepening drought and high food prices,” according to Reuters. The WFP reports that the main maize harvest is projected to be 28 percent below average and that “pasture and water for livestock is dwindling rapidly,” according to VOA news. The agency also says that malnutrition rates are increasing significantly. In some areas, more than 20 per cent of people are malnourished, “which is well above the emergency threshold of 15 per cent,” VOA news writes. Burkard Oberle, WFP Kenya country director, said that at least 260,000 metric tons of food are needed, IRIN reports. WFP is already distributing about 32,000 metric tons of food each month to 2.6 million people. In Kenya, food prices are currently between 100 and 130 per cent above normal, according to WFP spokeswoman Emilia Casella. “This is a country where obviously many people are buying the majority of their food and spending the majority of their salaries on food,” she said. Dealing With High-blood Pressure Nutrition experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center say there’s no better way to lower your blood pressure than by indulging in some of the season’s potassium-rich fruit and vegetables. “Melons like cantaloupe and watermelon are particularly high in potassium,” says a clinical nutrition expert at UT Southwestern and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “One fourth a cantaloupe contains 800 to 900 milligrams of potassium, roughly 20 per cent of the recommended daily value.” Two cups of watermelon contains nearly 10 per cent of the daily-recommended value. The report says dried apricots, avocados, figs, kiwi, oranges, raisins, dates, beans, potatoes, tomatoes and even grapefruit are other good sources of potassium. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that most adults get 4,044 milligrams of potassium from food and beverages each day. Smoking May Worsen Malnutrition In Developing Nations A new study finds that smokers in rural Indonesia finance their habit by dipping into the family food budget - which ultimately results in poorer nutrition for their children. The findings suggest that the costs of smoking in the developing world go well beyond the immediate health risks, according to authors Steven Block and Patrick Webb of Tufts University. The study is published in the October issue of Economic Development and Cultural Change. “This suggests that 70 percent of the expenditures on tobacco products are financed by a reduction in food expenditures,” the researchers write. That decreased spending on food appears to have real nutritional consequences for children of smokers. The study found that smokers’ children tend to be slightly shorter for their ages than the children of non-smokers. Health researchers often use height as a general barometer for nutrition in children. The poorer nutrition in smoking families comes not only because they buy less food in total, but also because the food they buy tends to be of lower quality. The surveys show that, compared to non-smoking families, families with a smoker spend a larger budget share on rice and a smaller share on meats, fruits and vegetables, which are nutrient-rich, but more expensive. The combination of direct health threats from smoking coupled with the potential loss of food consumption among children linked to tobacco expenditure presents a development challenge of the highest order,” the researchers conclude. Educating AIDS Patients About Food Safety Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health have received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to educate AIDS patients on food safety. The three-year, $600,000 award will be used to develop a better way to disseminate information to AIDS patients who are at high risk of developing infections from the foods they eat. Nearly half a million people in the United States are living with AIDS, and the number is increasing. AIDS patients whose immune systems have been severely suppressed by the HIV virus to a T-cell count below 200 cells per micro-litre are at risk of developing life-threatening infections from food-borne illnesses. In addition to their compromised immune systems, people with AIDS may have low stomach acid, which is the first barrier against germs, said Dr. Mark Dworkin, UIC associate professor of epidemiology and principal investigator of the study. Stomach acid normally kills most of the germs that enter the body through the mouth. For example, such patients can become infected with salmonella bacteria from eating fresh fruits and vegetables that are not washed properly.
Lycopene Against Cancer
Often diners miss out on the nutritional benefits derivable from tomato, perhaps, due to the common method of handling it – frying the puree. But FABIAN ODUM writes that the use of tomato ketchup provides an alternative, body nourishing ingredient, lycopene, an anti-cancer nutrient.
RICH, red tomato and health have things in common. The string linking them is in the anti-cancer ingredient in tomato called lycopene.
Lycopene, a carotenoid, is an anti-oxidant that helps the body to war against free radicals that can interfere with normal cell growth and activity, potentially leading to cancer, heart disease and premature ageing
Instead of spending money buying anti-oxidants as food supplements, natural sources such as tomatoes could make a lot of difference.
Ketchup, the processed and bottled tomato product, appeared in the local market some time ago but for one reason or the other, it failed. For this fact, an opportunity to drive this popular condiment into the menu of Nigerians suffered a serious setback. The product has now resurfaced as imported brands.
Although a favorite in American kitchens, recent studies have shown that tomato ketchup (also known as catsup) can be a power tool in the war against cancer and heart disease.
The recipe would disclose the inherent attributes that make this food a good item in our menu.
BASICALLY, ketchup includes cooked and strained tomato, vinegar, sugar salt, onion or garlic flavour and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and cayenne.
The old type ketchup used to be much thicker until the review of the standard in 1991. The Heinz Institute of Nutritional Sciences, a few years ago praised the tomato as a source of lycopene.
Scientifically, it is known that one tablespoon of ketchup is just enough to make a bland meal of plain boiled yam come alive in the palate; it contains 16 calories and no fat.
ON many meals like rice (jollof, fried or white), beans, dodo (Fried plantain) etc ketchup with its rich flavour derived from cinnamon, ginger, cloves as well as onion and vinegar transforms meals.
The eye appeal of the product perhaps makes it a choice condiment for young people in the US. It holds no less attraction on our local dining tables.
With regards to the storages of the products, still sealed, it can have a shelf life of one year.
However, as usual with NAFDAC requirements and credible regulators the world over, the date of manufacture and expiration are usually indicated. Once opened, it can be stored in a cool environment, out of the sum for about a month. Refrigeration would extend the shelf life beyond one month once it is opened.
Signs of fermentation indicate spoilage, change of taste and flavour. Such a product should be discarded.
Take note that product will tend to darken due to exposure to direct sunlight. Tin or aluminum foil, as a wrapper for your bottle will take care of discoloration.
Nowadays, ‘catsup’ and catchup are acceptable spellings used interchangeably with ‘ketchup’.
Incidentally, there are workable recipes for making own ketchup at home as it presents an exciting way to present an it presents an exciting way to “tomato-up” meals at home.
WFP Asks For $230M In Emergency Food Aid For Kenyans
“The U.N.’s World Food Programme (WFP) last week appealed for more than $230 million to provide emergency food aid over the next six months for 3.8 million Kenyans affected by deepening drought and high food prices,” according to Reuters.
The WFP reports that the main maize harvest is projected to be 28 percent below average and that “pasture and water for livestock is dwindling rapidly,” according to VOA news. The agency also says that malnutrition rates are increasing significantly. In some areas, more than 20 per cent of people are malnourished, “which is well above the emergency threshold of 15 per cent,” VOA news writes.
Burkard Oberle, WFP Kenya country director, said that at least 260,000 metric tons of food are needed, IRIN reports. WFP is already distributing about 32,000 metric tons of food each month to 2.6 million people.
In Kenya, food prices are currently between 100 and 130 per cent above normal, according to WFP spokeswoman Emilia Casella. “This is a country where obviously many people are buying the majority of their food and spending the majority of their salaries on food,” she said.
Dealing With High-blood Pressure
Nutrition experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center say there’s no better way to lower your blood pressure than by indulging in some of the season’s potassium-rich fruit and vegetables.
“Melons like cantaloupe and watermelon are particularly high in potassium,” says a clinical nutrition expert at UT Southwestern and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “One fourth a cantaloupe contains 800 to 900 milligrams of potassium, roughly 20 per cent of the recommended daily value.”
Two cups of watermelon contains nearly 10 per cent of the daily-recommended value.
The report says dried apricots, avocados, figs, kiwi, oranges, raisins, dates, beans, potatoes, tomatoes and even grapefruit are other good sources of potassium.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that most adults get 4,044 milligrams of potassium from food and beverages each day.
Smoking May Worsen Malnutrition In Developing Nations
A new study finds that smokers in rural Indonesia finance their habit by dipping into the family food budget - which ultimately results in poorer nutrition for their children. The findings suggest that the costs of smoking in the developing world go well beyond the immediate health risks, according to authors Steven Block and Patrick Webb of Tufts University.
The study is published in the October issue of Economic Development and Cultural Change.
“This suggests that 70 percent of the expenditures on tobacco products are financed by a reduction in food expenditures,” the researchers write.
That decreased spending on food appears to have real nutritional consequences for children of smokers. The study found that smokers’ children tend to be slightly shorter for their ages than the children of non-smokers. Health researchers often use height as a general barometer for nutrition in children.
The poorer nutrition in smoking families comes not only because they buy less food in total, but also because the food they buy tends to be of lower quality. The surveys show that, compared to non-smoking families, families with a smoker spend a larger budget share on rice and a smaller share on meats, fruits and vegetables, which are nutrient-rich, but more expensive.
The combination of direct health threats from smoking coupled with the potential loss of food consumption among children linked to tobacco expenditure presents a development challenge of the highest order,” the researchers conclude.
Educating AIDS Patients About Food Safety
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health have received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to educate AIDS patients on food safety.
The three-year, $600,000 award will be used to develop a better way to disseminate information to AIDS patients who are at high risk of developing infections from the foods they eat.
Nearly half a million people in the United States are living with AIDS, and the number is increasing.
AIDS patients whose immune systems have been severely suppressed by the HIV virus to a T-cell count below 200 cells per micro-litre are at risk of developing life-threatening infections from food-borne illnesses.
In addition to their compromised immune systems, people with AIDS may have low stomach acid, which is the first barrier against germs, said Dr. Mark Dworkin, UIC associate professor of epidemiology and principal investigator of the study. Stomach acid normally kills most of the germs that enter the body through the mouth. For example, such patients can become infected with salmonella bacteria from eating fresh fruits and vegetables that are not washed properly.
RICH, red tomato and health have things in common. The string linking them is in the anti-cancer ingredient in tomato called lycopene.
Lycopene, a carotenoid, is an anti-oxidant that helps the body to war against free radicals that can interfere with normal cell growth and activity, potentially leading to cancer, heart disease and premature ageing
Instead of spending money buying anti-oxidants as food supplements, natural sources such as tomatoes could make a lot of difference.
Ketchup, the processed and bottled tomato product, appeared in the local market some time ago but for one reason or the other, it failed. For this fact, an opportunity to drive this popular condiment into the menu of Nigerians suffered a serious setback. The product has now resurfaced as imported brands.
Although a favorite in American kitchens, recent studies have shown that tomato ketchup (also known as catsup) can be a power tool in the war against cancer and heart disease.
The recipe would disclose the inherent attributes that make this food a good item in our menu.
BASICALLY, ketchup includes cooked and strained tomato, vinegar, sugar salt, onion or garlic flavour and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and cayenne.
The old type ketchup used to be much thicker until the review of the standard in 1991. The Heinz Institute of Nutritional Sciences, a few years ago praised the tomato as a source of lycopene.
Scientifically, it is known that one tablespoon of ketchup is just enough to make a bland meal of plain boiled yam come alive in the palate; it contains 16 calories and no fat.
ON many meals like rice (jollof, fried or white), beans, dodo (Fried plantain) etc ketchup with its rich flavour derived from cinnamon, ginger, cloves as well as onion and vinegar transforms meals.
The eye appeal of the product perhaps makes it a choice condiment for young people in the US. It holds no less attraction on our local dining tables.
With regards to the storages of the products, still sealed, it can have a shelf life of one year.
However, as usual with NAFDAC requirements and credible regulators the world over, the date of manufacture and expiration are usually indicated. Once opened, it can be stored in a cool environment, out of the sum for about a month. Refrigeration would extend the shelf life beyond one month once it is opened.
Signs of fermentation indicate spoilage, change of taste and flavour. Such a product should be discarded.
Take note that product will tend to darken due to exposure to direct sunlight. Tin or aluminum foil, as a wrapper for your bottle will take care of discoloration.
Nowadays, ‘catsup’ and catchup are acceptable spellings used interchangeably with ‘ketchup’.
Incidentally, there are workable recipes for making own ketchup at home as it presents an exciting way to present an it presents an exciting way to “tomato-up” meals at home.
WFP Asks For $230M In Emergency Food Aid For Kenyans
“The U.N.’s World Food Programme (WFP) last week appealed for more than $230 million to provide emergency food aid over the next six months for 3.8 million Kenyans affected by deepening drought and high food prices,” according to Reuters.
The WFP reports that the main maize harvest is projected to be 28 percent below average and that “pasture and water for livestock is dwindling rapidly,” according to VOA news. The agency also says that malnutrition rates are increasing significantly. In some areas, more than 20 per cent of people are malnourished, “which is well above the emergency threshold of 15 per cent,” VOA news writes.
Burkard Oberle, WFP Kenya country director, said that at least 260,000 metric tons of food are needed, IRIN reports. WFP is already distributing about 32,000 metric tons of food each month to 2.6 million people.
In Kenya, food prices are currently between 100 and 130 per cent above normal, according to WFP spokeswoman Emilia Casella. “This is a country where obviously many people are buying the majority of their food and spending the majority of their salaries on food,” she said.
Dealing With High-blood Pressure
Nutrition experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center say there’s no better way to lower your blood pressure than by indulging in some of the season’s potassium-rich fruit and vegetables.
“Melons like cantaloupe and watermelon are particularly high in potassium,” says a clinical nutrition expert at UT Southwestern and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “One fourth a cantaloupe contains 800 to 900 milligrams of potassium, roughly 20 per cent of the recommended daily value.”
Two cups of watermelon contains nearly 10 per cent of the daily-recommended value.
The report says dried apricots, avocados, figs, kiwi, oranges, raisins, dates, beans, potatoes, tomatoes and even grapefruit are other good sources of potassium.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that most adults get 4,044 milligrams of potassium from food and beverages each day.
Smoking May Worsen Malnutrition In Developing Nations
A new study finds that smokers in rural Indonesia finance their habit by dipping into the family food budget - which ultimately results in poorer nutrition for their children. The findings suggest that the costs of smoking in the developing world go well beyond the immediate health risks, according to authors Steven Block and Patrick Webb of Tufts University.
The study is published in the October issue of Economic Development and Cultural Change.
“This suggests that 70 percent of the expenditures on tobacco products are financed by a reduction in food expenditures,” the researchers write.
That decreased spending on food appears to have real nutritional consequences for children of smokers. The study found that smokers’ children tend to be slightly shorter for their ages than the children of non-smokers. Health researchers often use height as a general barometer for nutrition in children.
The poorer nutrition in smoking families comes not only because they buy less food in total, but also because the food they buy tends to be of lower quality. The surveys show that, compared to non-smoking families, families with a smoker spend a larger budget share on rice and a smaller share on meats, fruits and vegetables, which are nutrient-rich, but more expensive.
The combination of direct health threats from smoking coupled with the potential loss of food consumption among children linked to tobacco expenditure presents a development challenge of the highest order,” the researchers conclude.
Educating AIDS Patients About Food Safety
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health have received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to educate AIDS patients on food safety.
The three-year, $600,000 award will be used to develop a better way to disseminate information to AIDS patients who are at high risk of developing infections from the foods they eat.
Nearly half a million people in the United States are living with AIDS, and the number is increasing.
AIDS patients whose immune systems have been severely suppressed by the HIV virus to a T-cell count below 200 cells per micro-litre are at risk of developing life-threatening infections from food-borne illnesses.
In addition to their compromised immune systems, people with AIDS may have low stomach acid, which is the first barrier against germs, said Dr. Mark Dworkin, UIC associate professor of epidemiology and principal investigator of the study. Stomach acid normally kills most of the germs that enter the body through the mouth. For example, such patients can become infected with salmonella bacteria from eating fresh fruits and vegetables that are not washed properly.
Young people loving the new media
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DECEMBER 17, 1999,the United Nations’ General Assembly endorsed the recommendation of World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 1998) that August 12 be declared an International Youth Day (IYD), thus affirming the need to celebrate the contributions of youth to world development. Every year, IYD is celebrated with young people engaging in various activities such as rallies, parades, community volunteering projects, environmental awareness, free Medicare, advocacy campaigns and other developmental programmes. One of such was the New Media Conference held recently at Magrellos Eatery, Ogudu G.R.A, Lagos. Organised by Positive Development Foundation (PDF), a not-for-profit organisation that aims to help young people develop their skills using modern technologies, in collaboration with Committee of Relevant Art (CORA) and Dream Art Design Agency (DADA), the conference was a platform to bring young people together to discuss the applications and challenges of the New Media and the various creative ways Internet can be optimised. While explaining to participants reasons for IYD, Miss Adenike Fagade, founder PDF, said the conference was initiated to help youths explore the benefits of Internet, especially in their businesses. She said such a programme promotes individual’s social and economic development. FACILITATED by Deji Toye, a member of CORA, the conference featured discussions on blogging/ e- mail, social networks/ sites, online research via search engines, online freelancing/ schooling. Tosyn Bucknor (Top Radio), Niyi Tabiti (gistmaster.com), Chude Jideonwo (Future Youth Award), Anwuli Ojogwu (Fate Foundation), Shakiru Taiwo-Jalupon (Nigezie) and others, who work with Internet, anchored these discussions. Mrs. Olufunke Fadugba, Executive Director, Media Ethics Organization, encouraged young people to use their time and energy meaningfully while Mr. Ogbo Ogbo, CEO Giantthoughts International, dwelt on financial freedom. About 138 youths drawn from different parts of the state were in attendance. Also present were Opeyemi Bamidele, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy and Mr. Bolaji Uthman, Director General, Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau, among others. 
Bank of resources for the fresh onesBYCHIJIOKE IREMEKA
AS part of efforts to positively channel the energies and resources of the youths, a new initiative, the YouthBank was recently launched in Lagos. The organisation is a small business incubator designed to connect street youths between ages 15 and 25 in the urban developing world with the skills, mentors, and resources they require to set up their businesses and pull out of poverty. Speaking at the launch of the programme at the US Consulate in Lagos, Clara Chow, president and chief executive officer, Youthbank International, said, “our ‘community hub’ model trains and evaluates street youth as they work in a core business, makes targeted investments in the most innovative ideas from the most promising young entrepreneurs. Successful entrepreneurs repay their in-kind loans and commit to hiring and investing in other YouthBank graduates.” She continued: “Built on the principles of microfinance, venture capital and community development, YouthBank is financially sustainable, scalable, and impactful for its young entrepreneurs and their communities. We will take the young people to the next level of life. We welcome quite a number of people to be part of this programme. We don’t train youths to be employees, we train them to be employers of labour.” However, the President, YouthBank Nigeria, Mr Victor Gotevbe said the core social strategy of the initiative involves a two-step process. The first step is on-the-job training and experience through employment in the YouthBank core businesses, while the second is the provision of a small microcredit loan on successful completion of the employment programme to start a micro-enterprise. He said, “we would give them soft loan and buy them the equipment they need to do the work. They will later repay the money collected. We want them to grow from business managers to business owners in the country. People are suggesting we take the initiative to the Northern and South-South geo-political zones to enable them benefit from the programme.” With this, he continued, “we can fight corruption to barest minimum in the country, fight against robbery and other social vices. This will also change the idea of people searching for job instead of developing their own businesses. Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries of the project, Fagbemi said she was grateful she was selected along side other eight people. Another beneficiary, Oluwatobi Oke said he would pass on what he learnt to others, adding that Youthbank has brought a light to his situation.
Friday...Dreams great inventions
MICHAEL Friday is not your popular guy. But silently, the Benue State-born man has been inventing modules that will ease the pains of Nigerians. Born on August 3, 1979, he attended LGEA Primary School, Onicha-Igo, Kogi State. For his secondary education, he was at Ochaja Boys Secondary School. He later got admitted to Yaba Collage of Technology (YABATECH), but dropped out due to financial difficulties. Today, he, however, holds a master’s degree in Information Technology from the University of Liverpool. He tells BOLA OLAJUWON and GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR all about his inventions, award and dream for Nigeria.Working experience
I worked for Deeper Life Bible Church for two years; later on, I moved to Living Faith Bible Church for another three years before Vividglobal came into existence in 2006. I was into media productions, recording and video coverage in these churches while I was working on my various inventions. In fact, this was one reason I could not work for too long. I have been passionate about invention from childhood after my strange encounter and name resemblance with one of the great inventors, Michael Faraday, from whom I derive so much inspiration. We have achieved so much by our successful partnership with Eazytrade to achieve our dream in changing the world of technology through re-engineering and fresh inventions. Vividglobal received its boom in technology after Eazytrade bought shares into it, early 2009.
Inventions
We have a lot of inventions that are sure to put Nigeria on the same pedestal with others. Vivid car came into existence in 2005, when I was on queue for fuel for about two days; and was given a query for not coming to the office for the sake of fuel that we produce. Thereafter, thought of inventing a car that will not consume fuel. Today, Vivid electronic car stands out. It is charged both electrically and through gasoline generator before usage. Our car generates its current through a module developed here, which sustains the car energy for up to 2000km per day on 2.3 litre engine. Its kind in other parts of the world can only go for just 100km. Also, looking at our critical challenge faced by our country, it’s of necessity to have an alternative to our power generation and distribution. We have developed a 5 KVA generator that requires no fuel or any form of charging to power your house for at least 10 years. You need minimal daily or monthly expenditure to keep the generator working for 24 hours in a week non-stop. It’s the first of its kind in the world and it is developed in Nigeria and will be out before December, this year. Our TV is a revolutionary one that has all the functions in one. With its LCD led panel, it can work for minimum of six hours after power supply is off; it plays DVD VCD and audio CDs and has AC out for charging phone. For the Vivid eazy safe, we are talking of the fastest copying mini flash drive with 16 GB. It is one of the largest and smallest in the world today. We achieved this by the use of micro chip/liquid technology to build it. The Vivid GPS Navigator is a multimedia navigator covering all nooks and crannies of Nigerian roads and villages, with live traffic report and detour services, play movie, game, e-book, Bluetooth and phonebook backup.
Business environment
In Nigeria, we do business with less commitment and if we can be more committed to our businesses, work and technology, we will become the giants that we have craved for and, which we are referred to in Africa. We have the potentials in us and we can do it. If a foreign investor can ask me to name any price I want, to become the head of his company research and development, then I will say there’s something here that needed to be studied in the world over. There are many more out there, who are doing great things. The truth is, we should get back to work and forget cutting corners or the so-called short form of getting rich formulae.
Foundation
I have been very passionate about the poor all my life due to my humble upbringing and the ugly experience I had while growing up, where I had to drop out of school because of finance. Let me tell you this, I lacked everything and was always in want. The childhood experience has made me to stand and fight poverty with everything in me. Since I began to earn a living, I have taken time to commit certain amount of my income to help the poor. This, in fact, started when I was still earning N16,000. I started this foundation for widows with just a bag of rice monthly. Now, the foundation is very big with a membership of over 400 people, who receive my gift every month. Also attached to what the foundation gets is appointment with pastors and doctors, who minister to their physical and spiritual needs. Fifty per cent of the medical care of members of the foundation is borne by me. There are about 55 orphans and less privilege children in both secondary and universities on full scholarship. While an elders forum takes care of the elders and full time gospel ministers and imams. These people get paid a token amount on monthly bases. The elders in the forum enjoy 100 per cent medical care from what God provides me from my current earning.
The Award
The award came at a time I felt so challenged in my various inventions. This happened barely a week I turned down an offer of $30 million by a Chinese businessman to get the patent right for the car. I told him I would never do that because Nigeria has everything needed to build the car here. He told me we don’t have the money neither the technology, but I stood ground and refused his offer and returned to Nigeria. I planned to meet my governor and other business men for immediate take off of the factory, having consulted with mould company in Europe to provide the various mould we need. The fortunate thing was that I had not even seen those I planned seeing about my decision, when the award came. Had I sold the idea to the Chinese business mogul no one would have known that a Nigerian developed the car here. So, the award is an encouragement to me.
Future expectations
I see great conglomerates of businesses springing out of Vivid and Eazytrade soon, and an outstanding manufacturing firm that will at least bring out new inventions every three month.
The street mentor
Her sweet, sonorous voice and clear dictions on the phone raised doubts if I was indeed talking to someone born and bred in one of Lagos’ notorious settlements — AJ city (Ajegunle). Helen Atim Sosu, the vice chancellor of The Street University, speaks with REBECCA AKINMOLAYAN about her project and her vision for the Nigerian youths.Background I’m Helen Atim Sosu from Badagry, Lagos State. I studied English Language at the University of Lagos. I have done a bit of TV presentation, acting and writing of books, which include mine. I am into The Street University Project (TSUP).
How the school started
It was borne out of passion and desire for a change. It started about three years ago in Ajegunle, the neighbourhood where I grew up, when we admitted some young and promising Nigerians. Two years ago, we came out with the book, The Street University: A compilation of poems meant to get to the youths. They welcome it and expressed the desire for change. This desire enabled the group to organise its first workshop at the All Seasons Plaza in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, which outside coming to monitor the workshop, brought public schools students. Our first workshop had speakers such as Jahman Anikulapo; Azuh Arinze; Talal Wehbe, MD, DigiPrints; and Orits Wiliki and others. Our workshops, normally titled Our Story, creates interactive fora between students and speakers.
Selection of students
It is a project that many youths want to be part of. After applying, they undergo a selection process to ascertain those it would really be of help to. We are particular about those youths with little or no opportunity to improve on themselves or do things that would empower them to the next level of life.
The Street University
The university is segmented in three stages; red, yellow and the green stages. It is free. The red light stage is the workshop segment called Our Story; it’s where motivational speakers meet with the youths and talk to them about life. The average Nigerian youth is thinking about yahoo-yahoo, aristoism, runs and other vices as a way to make it in life. Even those in secondary schools are into all of that. At the workshop, speakers reveal how they were able to make it in spite of challenges. Since it is an interactive session, the youths bare their minds on this country and the environment; but at the end of the day they are motivated to set positive goals for themselves and set agebda to achieving them irrespective of their ugly past. After this, those that are still interested in the project will move on to the yellow light stage, where they are taught beads making, arts, drama and leather crafts according to their choice. Beads making is a short course that takes weeks while the lengthy ones such as drama and leather craft takes about six to eight months. We had a green white green carnival some time as ago as a means to showcase our products. The green light stage is where they can start earning money for themselves; they are encouraged to make money and take entrance examinations into higher institutions to further their education. While doing this, they can use what they have learnt to earn money and see themselves through school. It is at this stage, we allow them to be on their own, knowing they have learnt much and can fend for themselves. We start with them in their impressionable age, that is, from 13 years to 25. Though there are times we accept those who are older, but such a person must be willing to change and also to learn a skill.
Challenges
It’s been challenging all the way because we depend on personal funding and support from individuals, who believe in the project. So, funding is our main problem, though some corporate bodies and indivials have made promises, they are yet to materialise. We believe with focus and persistence, people will see the reason for the project and partner with us. Black Image, a theatre and dance company run by Mr. Ola Thompson Tabi, has been very supportive. They saw the vision and decided to support us through their acting school. The Lagos State Ministry of Education has also been very co-operative. The ministry has brought students from different public schools to attend our workshops. The last one was in April at UNILAG and the turnout was wonderful. Salvador Vocational Centre handles the leather and crafts classes while the DigiPrints is planning to train our students in printing. We also have few companies providing us with materials. We are looking for more partners as a tree cannot make a forest. The youths are the leaders of tomorrow, so, we need to help them to give us a better tomorrow. We are putting all hands on the deck so we have to partner with those that mean well for this country, who are ready to support our youths. We believe that since what we have is not a flash in the pan, we will definitely make more people to see why they should be part of it. When you are accosted on the road by some idle youths or attacked at home, you should ask yourself, “if I had sponsored these youths would they have had time to do this?” They are doing that because they are idle. If we get the support we need, we believe that many youths will not be idle. Because what we do in the TSUP are things that will engage them positively. Apart from training them in different crafts, they also learn from many avenues outside such things as commentaries, TV programmes that entertain them.
Plans for the future
We are working towards creating more awareness through TV, radio programmes and magazines, so, that everybody can see what we are doing and get the chance to showcase his or her talent. We are working towards having microfinance banks support our graduates financially in business and other things. Later on, we want to put up reality shows, so, we are calling on corporate bodies, government parastatals and well-meaning individuals to be part of this; it’s going to be entertaining, educative and informative with live speakers.
Your motivation
I grew up in the heart of Ajegunle. It was a challenge to get to where we are. Life was not a bed of roses for us, I remember treking long distances to and fro school. We had a strict mum, who did not allow us to play much with the kids around, so, we had enough time to read. We were lucky because our parents told us, we must read to pass common entrance exams to enter the good secondary schools. When I was growing up, I had a lot of children from more privileged backgrounds as friends. When I visited Ajegunle (sometime in the past), I still met some of my mates there, and it dawned on me that only a handful of us came out of the place with success stories. I realised that a lot of my peers had not changed much because of lack of encouragement. This was what led me to start TSUP, to effect the right change on the youths.
With more resources
We hope to have a vocational centre, where we can do all the training and workshops. Also, by the time some of the students finish with TSU and their education, they will also see the need to support the upcoming ones. We want continuity even after our death.
The Treasure of Airwaves
BY CHUKS NWANNEThe original plan was to put a call across to her and possibly fix an interview for a later date. But as it turned out, Funke Treasure Durodola was very considerate.
“You can come around now since you are already on the Island,” she says willfully on phone.
Anyone who lives in this part of the country, must be aware of the usual Lagos traffic jam, especially shuttling from the Mainland to the Island.
Truly, Funke saved lots of hours that would have been wasted on a second trip to her office, possibly.
She was about entering into a meeting when I arrived her office in Ikoyi. However, the award-winning presenter/producer had to squeeze out time for the interview.
An alumnus of the School of Media and Communication of the Pan African University, Lagos, having done an executive course in Media Enterprise in the institution, Treasure Durodola has been working as the country focal point (Nigeria), on the WANAD/ALCO Corridor Project on HIV/AIDS and she oversees the production of features and programmes on six partner radio and TV stations in Lagos on the project.
A Principal Announcer with Radio Nigeria with 13 years experience as a broadcaster, describing her persons seems a difficult task for the Oyo State native; she’s a woman of many parts.
“I’ve been here since 2000,” she says, beaming with smiles.
Before joining FRCN Lagos, Funke had a stint with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), where she actually cut her teeth.
“I did my youths service in Abia State, where I handled the Orientation Broadcasting Service in camp. After NYSC, I got a job with BCA and I spent about four years with the station; that’s where I started from,” she muses.
Funke’s efforts and versatility on the job landed her the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association/Thompson Foundation Fellowship for International Broadcast Journalism programme in 2005, which opened a new chapter in her already flourishing career.
“It was a three-month summer course in Cardiff, Wales,”she says.
From the onset, Funke had always wished for a working experience with the BBC and that opportunity provided itself during her fellowship programme in the Wales.
“There were these journalists from Jordan; they were sponsored by the BBC. So, one of the officers in charge of training for BBC, Dian, came around to find out how they were fairing. I happened to be the producer of a programme we did in Wales; it was an agricultural show. We had packaged it and we were going to do a critic of it in class and Dian was part of the panel that listened. All the while, I had been telling one of the coordinator that I would like to have a work experience with the BBC; we had been talking about it. So, Dian came and listened to something I had produced for the first time. After that, it was easy for her to say, ‘oh, great, come on in and have the BBC experience.’ That was how it happened,” she recalls.
While other participants for the fellowship were heading back to their countries, Funke left for the BBC office in London.
“I was a guest at BBC for two weeks. I spent one week with the programme, Outlook. It’s a great show, with more than 30 years running. They were about repackaging that show then, so, they needed my insight. I was there for a week, understudying the production; I was also a guest on that show.”
the highpoint of Funke's visit to the Queens's country was during her one week of understudying Network Africa, a BBC programme, where she also featured as a guest.
“that was my dream show," she enthuses. "I had always listened to the programme before anything while I was actively a continuity announcer with Metro FM. I had information on my fingertips then. At that time, a lot of people loved listening to me because then, I was breaking everything to them before they get to work. I’ve always loved Bola Mosuro. I saw her as an idol and role model; I had always wanted to meet her. So, working with her for a week was a dream come true.”
Funke believes that hard work is the watchword for practitioners.
“The loopholes are there, but the idea is for you to go an experience such a place and then see how you can translate whatever you’ve seen there, and add value to what we have here. Though it can be tough in a civil service setup, I’ve been lucky in the sense that I handle a programme on the network service of Radio Nigeria now; it took me time to get there,” she notes.”
What’s the name of the programme?
“It’s called Nigerian Pride; it has to do with our image abroad. People always say, ‘oh Nigeria is a 419 country, oh check their bags…”
Is it part of the re-branding process?
“No, It’s not; we started way back before the re-branding. We started planning in 2007 but airing commenced in 2008. We saw a need … I’ve traveled to a couple of places and I’ve met Nigerians abroad. Yes, we have bad eggs just like every other country, but we are under reporting Nigerians home and abroad. My boss then saw a need for us to showcase these people to the international community.”
Her nomination as one of the finalists for the CNN Journalist Award held in Cape Town, South Africa, paved way for the take off of the programme aimed at highlighting the achievements of Nigerians living in the Diaspora and celebrating them.
“We were to have a week workshop organised by those who sponsored that particular category. My boss, the DG of Radio Nigeria, Ben Egbuna, was there; he was invited as a media executive. He said to me, ‘Treasure, we are thinking of a programme on Nigerians in Diaspora; there are lots of them, who are professionals, contributing to the economies of the countries where they are.’ That was how we started; we were in Pretoria, Johannesburg. Since then, we’ve been to other countries such as Germany.”
To Funke, Nigeria is not all about bad new. “For example, if you get to a place like the UK, there are so many Nigerians that are doing brilliantly well there; I’ve not even done the UK edition of the show and I’m really preparing very well for it. Look, Nigerians are very credible people. I’ve met a lot of them and some of them have returned. There’s a woman who I got in touch with; she was trained as a nurse and she’s into anti-skin bleaching. She has dual citizenship, with children over there, but she’s back in Nigeria now. When she was coming, she called me and said, ‘I’m coming back; Nigeria needs us.’ She was so excited coming home to execute her project here,” she says.
Funke adds, “there’s another medical doctor I interviewed recently. He was in the UK but he returned to Nigeria to set up a health scheme for low-income earners, such that you could be able to pay for your health expenses. He brought his colleagues from different parts of the whole world to Nigeria for a medical mission in the Niger Delta area. He’s settled in Nigeria now.”
For young Nigerians, who queue at embassies from morning till night for visa, the land is not as green at it sounds out there.
“People see travelling abroad as the ticket to wealth, fame and greatness in life. So, when we meet our people there, we talk to them on how they cope with their finances, racism… and how they’ve been able to attain the level they are now. The idea is to paint a picture to Nigerians at home that things are not really as easy as they look.”
Funke is of the opinion that the Nigerian media has a vital role to play in rebuilding of the already battered image of Nigeria, which mostly comes from the Western media.
“The media can help to position ourselves in such a way that we report credible people to let the world know that we have able people. Soludo (Chukwuma Soludo) was in the Diaspora before he came to Nigeria. Somebody discovered that the man can do something, and we’ve seen what his contribution has been in the banking sector. We have Nigeria in Diaspora, who you can beat your chest any day and say, ‘thank God I’m a Nigeria.’ We need to let people at home know that we have people like this abroad and also let people abroad know that we have credible people among us here,” she says.
According to the producer, no country is free of fraudulent people.
“A colleague of mine from the NTA said her bad was stole abroad; the bag was stolen right in a place that’s supposed to be secured. And she said to herself, ‘this can never happen in Nigeria, not in a place like this.’ The minister for information (Dora Akunyili) was on a programme on the NTA recently, and she was talking about how her handbag was stolen at the airport abroad and the French press did not report it. But if it was in Nigeria and it happened to a visiting minister, we would have gone to town with it. The point is that we have credible Nigerians out there and I believe they are much more than the ones, who engage in fraudulent acts abroad; we need to showcase these people. We need to have a voice as the media”
Though there’s need for objectivity in the media, Funke insist that the interest of the country should also be considered in the process of information dissemination.
“The media is really not that objective anywhere in the world; there’s some form of subjectivity in the media. CNN will tell you they are objective, but they have their agenda. Who is our voice? What’s the agenda the Nigerian media is pursuing internationally? How are we positioning ourselves abroad? It’s not about reporting people, and events, what are we doing proactively to position Nigeria.”
But it seems the Nigerian media is in some sort of loggerhead with the government, if not, what is delaying the freedom of information bill (FoI) for years?
“I don’t think because we don’t have the FoI bill, we should do whatever we want to do,” she says. “I think it should get us to think creatively on how we could work; we are going to get it anyway, but I know the lawmakers are just trying to remove one thing or the other or put one clause here and there. But we as media people, we got to have an agenda; we need to have common front internationally. What do we stand for? Yes, Nigerians are fraudulent people; they are being deported every now and then, but where are the success stories,” she says.
But how can we achieve that when politicians and businessmen, who think less of national agenda, mostly control the media in Nigeria?
“Well, you can’t stop anybody from setting up shop as a broadcaster, but the regulators can insist on good content. Apart from the business, everyone has a corporate social responsibility; somebody has to ensure that these media organisations have corporate responsibility. It doesn’t have to be public owned stations. It’s our responsibility to hold the torch of excellent for Nigeria. We might not look excellent now, but we have credible people all over the world.”
The 2008 Nigeria Media Merit Award winner, Funke, has also won the Child to Child Producer of the Year, FRCN Excellence Award 2008 and Best Radio Feature 2007 - JAAIDS Red Ribbon Award. She won the Bournvita Education Reporter of the Year Award 2007 and was a category finalist (HIV Journalism) at the 2007 CNN /Multi Choice African Journalist of the Year Award in Cape Town, South Africa.
In Nov/Dec 2008, she co –organised and facilitated a reporting skills exchange workshop between German and Nigerian TV journalists with Human Trafficking as its theme. The workshop held for two weeks each in Benin, Nigeria and Berlin, Germany, with a total of 12 TV journalists from the two countries participating.
Colour me pink… and cool’
Rufai Modinat Abolore is Miss Ogun State. Born on April 21, 1987, the Ijebu-Ode native attended Mary Claire Nursery and Primary School, Agege, Lagos. Her secondary education was at Folatek Model High School, Ipaja, Lagos. The 400 level student of Industrial and Labour Relations at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, who is a model, tells DAMILOLA ADEKOYA what she feels about fashion.
Family background
I’m from a polygamous home; the fourth of my dad’s children, though the last from my mum.
Definition of fashion
It is something that defines us in our day-to-day activities. It is anything that we put on, to make us look good. It is style.
Style of dressing
My style of dressing is very unique and simple. Most of the times, I’m always on jeans.
Favourite piece of clothing
I do not have a favourite piece of clothing. I just know that I have to look real good and be myself; that’s all!
Favourite body products
I love Neutrogena; and at times, I use Mary Kay.
Favourite colour
I love pink because I always look cool and good in it.
Most cherished possession
I cherish my life so much because I came to this world to accomplish a mission and it must be accomplished.
Most expensive item
It’s my education, right now. I can give everything I have, but for my education, no way!
Turn on
I love honest, reliable and hardworking people.
Turn off
I hate deceit; it really turns me off.
Happiest moment(s)
It was the day I gained admission to a higher institution in the country; it was a favour. The day I was also crowned Miss Ogun State is also one of my happiest moments.
Most embarrassing moment
I do not have any.
Favourite food
I love plantain, rice and fish.
Describe yourself in three words
I’m simple, willing to learn and very creative.
Inspirations
In everything I do, God has really been my inspiration. No other person, not even my parents.
As an ambassador of Ogun State, what are your projects and which ones have you accomplished?
I actually have a lot of plans to carry out, but due to some constraints such as getting responses from sponsors, it’s been very challenging meeting up with some. However, on my part, I have been able to reach out to the needy; assisting the less privileged and the physically challenged, I give out foodstuffs. I also want to do something on poverty alleviation. It’s a big project kind of, which will involve giving out free books on poverty, prostitution, cultism, rape, destitution and all social vices that really affect our society as a whole.
If you were given an opportunity to change something in Nigeria, what would it be?
I’m concerned about issues concerning leadership. I will really change the way we are ruled and governed. I will also look into the nature of politics because in this country, it’s really terrible!
Philosophy of life
Life is full of ups and downs; make hay while the sun shines; make use of it wisely, because it’s not forever.
ECOWAS struts for peace
ARRANGEMENTS are in top gears to ensure that this year’s Miss ECOWAS Peace Pageant holds successfully. The pageant is slated for the Garden City, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday November 14. The Rivers State government supported the last edition, which held on December 20, in the state capital. Last year’s winner was Miss Fatoumata Diallo, the 22-year-old former Miss Senegal. Born in Dakar on October 28,1986, she speaks French and English. The Fulani lady stands at 5’10in. She is a student at the University Cheikh Auta Diop – Ecole Superieure Polytechnique, studying Marketing and International Trading. The current Miss ECOWAS is also a model who has participated in many fashion shows in Dakar and more importantly moved around West-African states to further preach peace agenda and support other ECOWAS Peace initiatives that tends to build the culture of peaceful co-existence. Fatoumata said, ‘’it has been a wonderful experience in the last one year, both as a Senegalese and an ambassador of the commission. We have been able to communicate and preach the message of peace around locality within Senegal and across West-African sector. My community and my country have benefitted from my tenure from the peace question, image building and practical intervention in people’s lives.” She added, “I want to thank my parents, 702 productions, ECOWAS Commission and specially the Rivers State governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and the people of Rivers State for hosting the event and giving us a warm and spectacular reception. I know that this year’s event is going to be bigger and better in terms of quality and participation given the state of preparation.” The objectives of the pageant include building platforms aimed at communicating and building the culture of peace and development in the sub-region, creating brand awareness, brand recognition and ultimately to use it to sell Rivers State’s tourism and business potentials. The Executive Director, Maxine Menson, said, “this year’s theme is Peace and Development in diversity. This is basically to communicate peace and unity in the Niger Delta area, within West Africa and the entire Africa as a whole. This edition will be bigger in terms of more participation from member countries.” This year’s event is expected to have a female American artiste, three other African artistes. The event will be broadcast live to millions of viewers across the world. The event’s director, Chris Ondokor, said, “by hosting the event in the Garden City for a second year in a row, the commission seeks to join the government of Rivers State in sending a clear and unambiguous message to the world that Rivers State is enjoying peace and is a great destination for tourism and investment. This year’s event is expected to have two representatives each from the fifteen African countries and this is being done through an open and transparent process in all the participating countries. The Pageant is beyond beauty… I promise you a swell time.” Last year’s event had in attendance Joe Thomas, the United State R ‘n’ B sensation, Slim Buster & Dancers (Ghana), J’Town, Lady Iby, Mama G, Duncan Mighty and some other artistes from Nigeria. Also present was Dr. Mohamed IBN Chambas, the president of ECOWAS, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Governor, Rivers State with his wife, captains of industries, members of the diplomatic corps and a host of celebrities.
NY week.. steams up for Nigerian creatives BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL IN recent times, Nigerian designers and models have been making remarkable statement on the world fashion scene. Designers such as Joan Okorodudu of House of J’ola, Lanre Da Silva of LDA, Zizi Cardow and Frank Osodi of Bruno Creazioni Designs will be unveiling their latest collection at the New York Fashion show, which holds from September 10 to 17. Nigerian models, who will be on the runway, are Best Model of the World, Olubunmi Ademokoya, Isi Atagamen and Bryan Okwara. Speaking on the reason the designers were chosen, Okorodudu says: “You know most of these designers are award winners and; of course, I sent their designs to New York and they accepted them to showcase at the show.” The designers will be flauting the versatility of African fashion. According to Okorodudu, “my designs for the fashion week are going to be for both male and female. The designs will be spiced with aso oke and lots of frills. And for the men, we are showcasing a lot of appliqué for the jackets adding that 2010 fashion will feature lots of colours.” OKORODUDU is not relenting on her next plans as she says, “after New York show, we are doing Nigeria’s Next Super Model in Tinapa, Calabar, Cross Rivers State. And for Isis models, we are on recruiting drive worldwide — Russia, Croatia, America, Brazil and Cape Town among others.” She states, “for House of Jola, you will expect the best. We have now gone into international market and we are looking forward to it. My jackets are now sold overseas and we hope to go into mass production soon.” What inspires her? She says, “I think life inspires me, the quest to excel and the fact that we need to start doing things right. Look at where we have reached after Nigeria’s Next Super Model.
…Just before the Theatre of absurd
BY AYODELE ARIGBABU
THE latest hoopla over the fate of the National Theatre with the change of management by the ministry in charge of the edifice got me thinking recently. It is no more news that the structure went into disrepair in the 90s with the leaking roof turning the main bowl into a habitat for different kinds of wildlife and the complementary spaces such as the cinema halls and other exhibition halls looking like caves. The real news is that given the right empowerment, staff of the National Theatre and National Troupe under the direction of Prof. Ahmed Yerima, painstakingly resuscitated the facility till it came back to life with lush lawns, functional cooling, a restored roof, humane interiors, and engaging programming to boot in a feat comparable to the unearthing and restoration of an ancient Egyptian pyramid by Nigerian standards. With the politricks that have currently converged dark clouds over the National Theatre at the moment, the Design Sleuthe finds it expedient to salute the courage and sense of purpose that has guided the custodians of the facility till date in renewing in some of us, the faith that things, even gigantic buildings bequeathed to us by a previous government, can be made to work in this country with determination and clear headed thinking. NOT being quite sure if the building will survive into the next decade, the Design Sleuthe recommends that you drive down there today with your family or that lady or gentleman that you always wanted to spend quality time with. There you will see people sprawled on the expansive lawns picnicking or posing for photographs, riding horses or just enjoying the view. There is likely to be a stage play or comedy show going on in one of the halls and at the world famous mammy market style watering hole called abe igi, there will be pepper soup with different types of meat and fish and a variety of drinks to sate your thirst. Mr. Biggs has a presence right there at the theatre’s entrance C and Tetrazzini is there at the gate for those who prefer fast foods. There are toilets-a-plenty and the police don’t give vagrants a chance to cause trouble. Why the public service announcement? Just in case this is the last chance you get to see what the National Theatre looks like with a decent buzz for a long while, with the way things happen in this country, you just never know.
ASUU: Students protest in Ibadan
BY KAYODE BELLO
STUDENTS of the University of Ibadan under the aegis of Students Union Transition Committee (SUTC), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Nigerian Youths in Motion (NYM), during the week in Ibadan, protested the lingering face-off between academics and government.
The police, who ensured that the protest was peaceful, accompanied the students round Ibadan metropolis, last Tuesday.
According to the students, the strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) should be resolved to enable them go back to school.
The Federal Government had approved 40 per cent salary increase for the striking varsity lecturers, but that was rejected by ASUU.
According to the lecturers, they are not only fighting for salary increase, but also agitating for adequate funding of Nigerian universities; and to prevent the incidence of brain drain in the educational sector.
Commissioning galore in UI
BY ABRAHAM OLADIPUPO
DESPITE the delapidation and decay in the nation’s educational sector, the University of Ibadan community has continued to witness improvement in its facilities. The high point being commissioning of a solar station, car parks, Gamaliel Onosode Park, a fountain centre, and renovation of facilities in Mellanby Hall, among others.
The campus, which had been deserted since the commencement of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, came alive on August 26, as Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, in company of his wife and friends, visited the school to commission the projects.
The relaxation centre built for students is named after him in commemoration of his 50 years of graduation from the university. The edifice, which is built with stockbroker’s fund, is a beautiful garden that will not only serve as a relaxation centre or park, but as a tourist centre for visitors.
Onosode had earlier in company of Zain officials, representatives of stockbrokers and principal officers of the school, commissioned the new car park at the main gate and the solar station before visiting Mellanby Hall, where he lived as a student, to commission the renovation exercise carried out last year.
abrahamprecious@yahoo.com
Non-academic staff protest in LASU
BY REBECCA AKINMOLAYAN
LAST Monday, striking members of the Lagos State University (LASU) chapter of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) held a ‘rally’ to protest the alleged high-handedness of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lateef Hussain, who was recently re-elected.
The protesting staff said their action had nothing to do with the strike called by the national body. They claimed that the vice chancellor is autocratic and until he is ready to dialogue with them and address the issues on ground, they would continue their strike.
In a similar rally two months ago, the non-academic staff had reportedly locked the VC in the administration block and also deflated the tyres of his official car.
The VC, according to sources in his office, has not been to the school for about seven weeks, though he has called on members of staff through the media to resume their duties since they have nothing to do with the national strike embarked upon by their parent body.
RIVCAS celebrates cultural heritage
BY GODSWILL ODEKU
THE culture of a people draws their attention to their homeland, causing them to forge bonds of unity, peace and harmony among themselves, the President of National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS) chapter, Comrade Ikpeorluorlu Christian, has said.
The students’ union leader also called on the Federal Government to address the demands of the striking lecturers “so that Nigerian students could go back to school.”
Christian, who spoke at the cultural day of the institution’s Rumuola campus, said, “culture draws our attention and spirit home because culture is the norm of our life.”
While decrying the adverse effects of the ongoing ASUU strike on the educational system in the country, Christian said, “the strike is not affecting the children of politicians and the elite as they have their children schooling abroad.”
The President of National Union of Ogoni Students (NUOS) of the school, Comrade Vincent Kpegbara Baritosa, who also spoke at the cultural fiesta, said the rich cultural heritage of the people provides a platform for discussing critical issues, resolving conflicts, and promoting peace and harmony in the society.
Calling on government to properly fund educational institutions in the country in order to scale up their capacity to deliver qualitative education, the Gbenemene Dookpa I of Ogoni House in the institution urged the students to support the management of the institution in its quest to make it a centre of academic excellence.
The students showcased Gere-gere (special traditional drums), Yeb kurute, Yeb piakane, Yeb piamene, and Gbene-kere and Gbagba-kere (large and small drums) alongside different dance styles for the youth, elders, chiefs and traditional rulers respectively.
Explaining the significance of the drums, Elder Beesor said they are used to introduce and salute dignitaries, heralding special days, and disseminating information.
The cultural day, which is a part of activities marking the Students’ Week, showcased cultural dances, songs, attires, and foods of the Ogoni, Ibani, Orashi, Kalabari, Wakirike (Okrika) and Ikwerre. Others are the Igbo, Middle-Belt, Effik and the Ibibio.
odekuga@yahoo.com
Spring Bank gives AAUA water
BY DAMILOLA ADEYEMI
AS part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Spring Bank Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the authorities of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), Akungba Akoko, on the provision of drinkable water for the community.
Estimated to cost over N38m and coming under the auspices of AAUA Spring Water, the project will, among others, package water in sachets and plastic bottles.
Commending on the bank, the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oladele Awobuluyi, said, “there are lots of corporate organisations here that do not have any CSR programme for this institution.”
Mr. Tope Okunola, the bank’s regional head, expressed optimism that the project will be of immense benefit to both parties and the communities.
The bank’s Ikare branch manager, Mr. Jimoh Azeez, while taking the team on a tour of the facility said the equipment procured for the factory were the latest technology according to NAFDAC specification.
He added that the factory would not only provide good water on specification for members of the university community, but also job opportunities for many.
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation for physically challenged students in the country, Better Living Foundation of the Disabled (BELIFOD) has congratulated the newly appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, who until recently was the CEO of Intercontinental Bank. He was appointed to head the 10-year old institution following the dissolution of the previous board by the state government.
In a statement signed by its president, Samson Ogowewo, it described the appointment as the best that could happen to the institution, which had been bedeviled by a series of crisis in recent times thereby leading to its closure.
The organisation mentioned some of the CSR activities of the bank, which includes a 1,500 seater multipurpose hall, 500-bed hostel and yearly scholarship awards for several indigent students. The statement, however, called for support at making life pleasant for the physically challenged in the institution.
adedammy7@yahoo.com
OAU honours New Horizon boss, Akano for role in ICT developmen
By Adeyemi Adepetun
For distinguishing himself in the cause of national development through his exemplary works and achievements in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Mr. Tim Akano, Managing Director of New Horizon has been conferred with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Association, Lagos Branch.
The event which held recently at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos saw Akano alongside other eleven other OAU Alumni honoured.
Akano’s award was handed over to him by the Vice Chancellor of the school, Professor Michael Faborode, who was apparently elated by the leading role the OAU Alumni were playing in the field of ICT IN Nigeria.
In a citation read on behalf of the Alumni, Akano was described as running one of Nigeria’s leading ICT skill acquisition enterprises.
A graduate of International Relations from OAU, Akano has since moved up in pursuant of more knowledge and educational career; he is now, also an alumnus of three other top universities and business schools including the IMD, Louisane, Geneva, WITS Business School, Johannesburg, South Africa and the Lagos Business school.
He was selected as one of Cocacola’s 50 “Future Leaders” in CCHBC to attend a one-year Senior Executive Program in IMD.
He was ICT Personality of the year 2009, of the National ICT Merit Award Committee One of the best 15 Innovative Techno-Preneurs in Nigeria, 2008 TELL Magazine 2008 one of the best 50 Corporate Movers in Nigeria.
Akano pioneered the integration of professional ICT-based training in Nigerian Universities, the integration of professional ICT-based training in Nigerian Secondary Schools Awarded over 20, 000 tuition free scholarships in the last four years.
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Every week, LIFE CAMPUS reports on events in students’ communities across the country. You can contribute by sending stories, gossips, reports on events and your pictures for Campus Faces to us at templer2k2@yahoo.com and gbenny22@yahoo.com
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