Idols South Africa 2015 winner Karabo is out with a very lovely tune titled First Time, a single lifted from his 2016 album Matters of The Heart.
Listen to Karabo profess his love for the woman of his dream below
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As a song writer who has written several songs, Eno Michael believes in writing from her heart. Mostly inspired by her passionate love for God, she has written songs such as Beautiful, Big Daddy, Born in me, Bo Itoro, Breathe and still counting.
As a gifted vocalist and a worship leader, Eno Michael has ministered to millions of people in mega programs such as The Experience TE11, The African Praise Experience (TAPE4), Spirit Life Conference, Worship His Majesty Concert, NOW with Freke, Worship Overflow, etc.
Eno Michael, is a passionate worshiper, indeed a voice from the temple with a prophetic call to administer healing, hope and love to the universe through her music. Her desire is to see lives transformed for God and she does that by ushering in God”s divine glory and presence with her music.
Eno Michael is a worship leader, a loving wife and mother. She is married to Mr Edwin Michael and this divine partnership is blessed with two sons. She resides in Lagos, Nigeria.
Eno Michael – Breathe
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Sir: Political correctness has evolved quite interestingly, into a common media practice and a cardinal feature of journalistic writing/urban verbal expression. In recent times, you call into a radio or TV programme to air your view on certain issues of interest, and you’re confined to a restricted freedom of expression.
Your choice of words are monitored and streamlined by policies like: “Be mild and polite” or “Be objective, not offensive” regardless of how pained or aggrieved your concerns are.
You pen down expository journals that seem blunt but are truthful and incisive, and of course you don’t get published!A media person will shrug a bit at this point, reiterating in his or her mind how political correctness is very essential for peaceful coexistence, stability and world peace.
But a lot of times, we’ve adulterated our linguistic construction, using subtle words to express our dissatisfaction on issues we’re discomforted with, yet: I think it’s about time we became ‘politically incorrect!’
Almost half the population of the world at this time, breed so much disgust and contempt for President Trump because of his blunt but most of the time, truthful approach to issues. Regardless of the flattering quantity of hatred he enjoys, his ‘political incorrectness’ surprisingly won him the American presidency!
Famous American preacher Joel Osteen of the Lakewood Church, got rattled by a journalist on TV while addressing issues concerning gay marriage. In a bid to be ‘politically correct,’ he eventually succumbed to pressure, accepting the possibility of attending a gay wedding if the opportunity presents itself, without considering his office as a clergy who logically should be bound by the precepts of the Bible he preaches.
We shouldn’t be bullied by the insatiable desires of society to accept or speak mildly against what we don’t believe in. If it isn’t black, it simply isn’t black! And cannot be replaced with shades of grey!
Nimi Princewill.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lUmSBK
Rapper, Ice Prince Zamani has been unveiled as the brand ambassador for D’USSE Cognac. The Aboki singer was the toast of the day on Thursday February 16, in Lagos where he penned the deal.
An elated Ice Prince, being first Nigerian brand ambassador for the cognac is also the first Pan-African musician to represent the French premium line from Bacardi. Expressing his heartfelt thanks to the brand for the honour, Ice Prince said: “D’USSE made a movie that night in Nigeria! D’USSE made it happen and I’m grateful for the support.”
Area Director West Africa for Bacardi-Martini, Vikas Mittal, said the choice of Ice Prince was an easy one and Bacardi-Martini is encouraged, as the partnership will produce the right awareness and affiliation for consumers. “The association will increase top of the mind awareness for D’USSE amongst cognac cognoscenti,” he said at the unveiling.
Also, former Mr. Nigeria and actor, Bryan Okwara has renewed his contract with Martini as brand ambassador. While reminiscing on last year’s deal with newsmen in Lagos, Okwara noted that working with Martini was an exciting journey for him in the last one year.
He said, “I have discovered a whole new world of fun and celebration which is what Martini is about. From the enlightening visit to the steep hillside vineyards of Pessione Italy – the Martini Homeland to being part of two exciting Grand Prix in Singapore and Abu Dhabi, and celebrating every moment with Martini on board the planes, on the VIP corners and with friends; it’s all a memory to cherish for a lifetime and I can’t wait to get on the road for Martini again.
Mittal, explained that the renewal of the deal with Okwara, who is a multiple award winner in and outside Nigeria is an attestation to how he has been able to engage with the brand and carry through the essence of the Martini brand, inspiring consumers and championing a successful campaign since the relationship was consummated last year.
Pic: NaijaLoyal
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Having faith
Like many of us, there was a time when I had a habit of trusting people; being hurt by them and realising I could not trust them. I would be saddened by their actions or lack of. Because of this, I started to believe that if you want something done right, I should do it myself after all, if I don’t open up my heart to anyone, they can’t hurt me; this habit, belief, mindset, I had to stop as it actually in reality was a negative attitude.
For a long time, I spent many, and I do mean many, years going through so much turmoil in my life of which I spent keeping close to my chest. It used to sadden me when I’d look back at all those years. Some refer to such as wasted years spent, however I personally refer to them as “my life experiences” of which I have learnt from and in a lot of ways am thankful for the “experiences” no matter how painful at given time in my life. Please do not misunderstand, I am not saying nor implying that when anyone experiences turmoil in their life that it is that simple to move forward just like that at the snap of a finger. I always had my faith, but I spent many a time being unhappy and upset about things I felt I just could not do anything about. I did not feel at peace, I went through feelings of guilt, I felt condemned often… It truly was difficult at the time to enjoy life as we are meant to.
I am so thankful for a few years back I experienced such an amazing transformation in my life and developed the habit of actually completely trusting my faith that now I know life is truly worth living even when it may appear difficult.
Faith is trust which in turn, is simply to believe that you are loved by one who loves you back without judgement in any form whatsoever… Comforting right…. The problem is that as humans we have a tendency to more than likely to be unbelieving believers that there is such a “greater force” out there, and yet we allow ourselves to trust our friends, doctors, banks, the government, our families and so on so much more. Okay, now you just might be asking what I mean by “a greater force”? I am simply referring to God, Allah… Our Father….
When you have faith there is an indescribable wonderful and peaceful strength within you; yes, sometimes it wavers and you might question it, but that is the test you face with time and patience. I have come to realise that life is simple if we would choose not to complicate it.
What is The Art of Giving?
Mother Teresa quotes, “It’s not how much we get but how much love we put into giving.”So, what do you consider as giving? I’m sure at some point in our lives we have given it some thought and have wondered what exactly do we give and can be considered as giving.
It is already understood and accepted that giving is an act performed without any selfish desire without expectation of return thereby serving others selflessly. Such as when you give a gift to someone whether it be a friend, partner, family member, colleague, or even a total stranger. You wish them well without a second thought of them doing neither it for you or the expectation of a thank you in return just as you would pray for others without rewards to self.
Giving is not to receive; it is something done with a conscience mindset of no reward at the end of said act. It is the law of giving; a law of life. You rejoice in the happiness of the receiver and the blessing of it. “We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give.”- Winston Churchill.
In other words, what we give out, and how, comes back to us. Giving is anything from an act of happiness, help, financial, emotional support, encouragement and so on… It is not materialistic. Giving is not an act about expecting anything in return. The moment you begin to expect anything in return, you are inviting and giving rise to anger, sadness, jealousy and so on which are not and cannot be associated with the act as it is not about how much or what you can get, but about the love you put into giving…. It is not about you or your wants etc.
You cannot call yourself giver when you give what is asked, as that, in my opinion, is close to expecting something on demand from me. It is about an act performed that feels right within you and not about what they ask, but rather what they do not anticipate or ask for which is heard and seen from within you your inner being. It is a free act of action and thought. However, your answer to giving lies on your individual conscience and what you perceive as helping others without any expectation in return.
I love this quote by Princess Elizabeth Bibesco who said, “Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting.”“Keep in mind there is plenty you see in others that also exists in you” By M.H.I. Alade August 31st 2015.As the saying goes, you reap what you sow and get back in return what you give.
What are you giving today?
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The Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Lagos State, Dr. Omolola Aina Ladele, has said that there is a nexus between poor students’ foundation and the decline in teacher quality.
Ladele told newsmen during the 2016/2017 matriculation of full-time students of National Certificate in Education (NCE) that the poor teacher quality stems from the “basic level of education because when the foundation is not strong, it is difficult to build upon. The input into colleges of education comes from the secondary schools and those from the secondary schools are graduates from the basic level of education.”
She continued, “This is a build up where if the basic level of education is well taken care of, properly funded and quality assurance is guaranteed, then by the time they move to secondary school, they would build upon that. So, by the time they move to tertiary institutions, there is something already for them to build up from.
“Since there is an extent to which we can assess the results, which they bring, we accept these results believing that they are an authentic reflection of capacity, as the output of the student in the classroom should correspond with the result that is presented. But along the way, we find out that there is a possibility that the output of the student is different from what is on the certificate, and we have to teach them some of the things they should have known at the secondary level,” she lamented.
She charged the matriculating students to be diligent and set good goals, stressing that “they should always be careful of the company they keep, as evil communication corrupts good manners.”
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Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
About 25,000 women are slated to benefit from the Sokoto State’s soft loans scheme worth N250 million, the state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said.
Tambuwal stated this in Yabo local council area when he presented cheques to 120 women as part of constituency empowerment programme of the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon Bello Garba Yabo.
He said already, the Sokoto State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SOSMDA) has compiled a comprehensive list of the beneficiaries with the mode of business they are engaged in.
“We intend to reach as many people as possible in all the nooks and crannies of the state. But for a start, we have identified 25,000 women who will get a minimum of N10, 000 and the disbursement will commence at the shortest possible time.
“Because it is loan, we will task all of you to repay it at a time to be agreed by all parties,” he added.
Tambuwal hinted that similar gesture would be extended to farmers, youth groups and other members of the public.
“We hope to enhance the capital base of our beneficiaries and for the women, we want them to become more self-reliant, while at the same time providing them with opportunity to contribute their quotas to the economic growth of the state,” he stated.
In a parley after the event, the Governor said he believes creating job opportunities, especially through construction, and injection of more money into the economy remains a sure way out of the current recession in the country.
”Ask any Economist about the way out of recession, and I am sure they will inform you that massive construction efforts, backed by release of funds, will create jobs whose multiplier effects will jumpstart the economic barometer,” he added.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lSOWEd
Ernest Onuoha
God’s word to His people Israel that is still relevant to us today, hinges on hope and encouragement. He reminded His people, as they entered the land that they should behave themselves and serve Him the Lord only and through this, His promise for them shall come to pass. For He says: “no one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfil the number of your days.” The word, “barren” means (of land) too poor to produce much or any vegetation. It can also mean showing no results or achievements, unproductive (like of a woman). It can further mean (of a place or building) bleak and lifeless. However, we can deduce that barrenness, whether of land or person or building or a thing, would attract concern and, therefore, needs God’s intervention.
God’s love for humanity is limitless. Hence, in respect to barrenness, He says: “there shall be no barren in the land.” His Words are to be taken for what it is, for He can never lie. “Has He said a thing and it did not come to pass?” (Isaiah 46:8-11). Therefore, the Bible is replete with passages of reassurance of God dealing with barrenness, (Genesis 4:27, 25:21, 30:1-22, Deuteronomy 7:14, Judges 13:2-3, Psalm 113:9, Isaiah 54:1). To the child of God, this should be reassuring and worthy of thanksgiving unto Him. Notice, our fruitfulness and abundance are His concern.
Consequently, we may have tempting or challenging situations, yet, I announce by the authority of God that somebody’s season of barrenness is over. Barrenness, whether in academics or business or marital life, name them, is over. Just claim it by faith and it will be yours in Jesus name. Amen! Did we not read from the Bible of God’s intervention on behalf of Sarah, “now the Lord was gracious to Sarah, as He had said and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age; at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him,” (Gen. 21:1-3). Also, for Elizabeth, “when it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy and they shared her joy,” (Jn. 1:57-58). The same God is at work on your behalf even now. Yes, the word of God says in Isaiah: “do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old,” (Isaiah 43:18), behold I make everything new,” (Revelation 21:5).
People of God, may I sincerely advise at this point that we should not lose hope, for God is still at work and in-charge. Therefore, as we go through this month and this year, let us be reassured of His visitation in our lives and situations. Certainly, His visitation will usher in restoration, as such will lead to unbridled fruitfulness, abundance and overflow from the Throne of Grace. May the Holy Spirit be our guide! Amen.
Ven. Ernest Onuoha
Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.
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Tijjani Sabiu
The rank, status, power and authority of monarchs is becoming more colourful by the day. People of royal rank and their families are daily being segregated by their unique lifestyle, and the way they go about it. While the majority of Nigerian royalty are quiet about the way they live, others can’t pretend about their affluence, so they flaunt it. Oba Rufus Olarewaju Ajayi Ogidiolu Obagbaja Arolagbade II, the Oba of Gbomina Ekiti said: “you can’t be a successful Oba, King or Emir in modern Nigeria, if you are not financially buoyant.”
So, if you have it, nothing stops you from flaunting it. For the very rich and affluent in our society, the palaces they live express their class. From Abuja to Kano, Katsina to Maiduguri, Owerri to Onitsha, Bayelsa, to Ahoda or Port Harcourt, the traditional Moroccan architecture, which is shaped by centuries of cultural and religious influence, is being experimented with in Nigeria. Beautiful archways and curved doorways shaped in the Islamic and oriental designs are some of the styles currently trending in most of these Nigerian cities. And these palaces and mansions are truly royal and breathtaking.
Out of curiosity, The Guardian Palace Watch went after the young Moroccan, who is behind these exquisite designs.We caught up with the 36-year-old Mohammed Tijjani Sabiu, a Moroccan based in Abuja. The following conversation ensued:
How did you come about this job?
THIS Company began in Morocco, and is a family business. I took it from the family. We are into royal interior finishing, because as you might be aware, Morocco is known all over the world for this type of royal finishing. What we do is an ancient work that depicts old civilization, which is very prominent in Southern Spain and Northern part of Morocco. It also depicts the African culture. Since this company was established about five years ago in Morocco, we have been executing projects in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We have equally done some jobs in Kuwait, and in almost all parts of the Middle East.
We came to Nigeria with a different business concept, but in the course of visiting the homes of the rich and affluent in the society, especially in Abuja and Kano, we noticed very poor finishing of the works in almost all the mansions and palaces we visited. We were touched about this obvious defect and we resolved to correct it. The homes of the rich in Nigeria, especially the politicians are big and of high profile, but done with very poor finishing. This made us to venture into this particular type of business in Nigeria. Luckily, since we commenced this particular business here in Nigeria, we have been able to do some very impressive works with the rich Nigerians, especially the politicians. We have done some mansions and palaces, just like we have done some international jobs within the period we arrived here in Nigeria.
So, today, we have a functional office in Abuja and a branch in Kano. We are presently making efforts to expand to the southern and eastern parts of Nigeria. We are making frantic efforts to penetrate the market in Lagos. We have done quite a number of works here in Abuja, Maiduguri, Katsina and Kano. In all these areas, we have done some mosques, churches, mansions and palaces. Without being immodest, the people we have worked for have seen the great difference between the types of jobs we do and what they were used to. Recently, we were invited to do a Mosque in Maiduguri, which we just finished. When we found that Nigeria is good and that the people appreciate good work and that they love royalty and executive finishing, we immediately decided to set up a company here in Abuja.
Which of the royal families in Nigeria has your company specifically worked for?
We have done quite some jobs for some royal families in Nigeria, just like we have done quite a number of jobs for some politicians. But I am afraid they would not like it, if we decided to disclose their identities on the pages of the newspapers.
So far, we have been engaging some Nigerians in the areas of POP and woodworks. We do general interior finishing, so we have different departments. For example, we have the department of wood works, the department of Italian paint and royal paint, as well as the department of POP finishing and royal finishing. Presently, we have engaged about 120 Nigerians in our company.
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Sabiganna of Igannaland, Oba Aguloye IV
Following recent altercation by some Yoruba monarchs that led to a court summoning an oba to appear before it, the Secretary of the Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee, and Sabiganna of Igannaland, Oyo State, Oba Soliu Azeez Oyemonla Aguloye IV, has said it is against the customs and ethics for obas to take themselves to court. In this interview with some journalists in his palace in Iganna, Iwajowa Local Council, Agunloye spoke on the activities of his committee, the root cause of crisis among obas, the social platform to bridge the communication gap, Head South West Bureau, MUYIWA ADEYEMI reports.
You are the secretary of the Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee, what are the major achievements of this committee?
We have achieved a lot. Indeed, the committee can be best described as a silent achiever. Prior to the inauguration of the committee, there were conflicts between many traditional rulers in Yoruba land, especially between the past Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. There was a serious press war between them, which bordered on supremacy. This unwholesome scenario prompted our chairman, a visionary leader, His Imperial Majesty, the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, to pioneer the setting up of the committee. Akinruntan loves the Yoruba nation very well and he has done so much with his resources to promote peace between and among obas. He saw the battle between the past Ooni and Alaafin as a clog in the wheel of progress in Yoruba land. That’s when the committee was inaugurated, and we began work immediately.
We (obas) are the representatives of God on earth, we are arbitrators; we are the ones that settle disputes for our subjects. Will God come down to settle rift between the obas? No. It is an indictment on the obas to have open confrontation, or use strong words against ourselves in public, or on the pages of newspapers. The committee did well by visiting the traditional rulers and made them to understand that for the Yoruba race to move forward, they have to sheathe their swords. In fact, it is improper to wash our dirty linen in the public. God sent us to this world to be a role model and ensure peace and tranquility among our people, not to engage in supremacy battle. All the major traditional rulers approved of the committee and since then we have been mediating and resolving issues in royal ways. Our roles have significantly reduced press war between Yoruba monarchs.
How do you react to the issue of the Oluwo and Oluwo Oke?
That is rather unfortunate. I was not happy with that development. The traditional institution has its own ethics, rules and regulations. A situation where two brother obas will be fighting on the pages of newspapers is not the best, more painful to note is that they even dragged themselves to the court. It is unbecoming and abominable for obas to take themselves to court. Our committee is already planning to intervene in this matter.
One of the reasons for the problem we are witnessing is because some of us do not know why God put us on the throne. We are not politicians, we are natural rulers, we have to be God-like in our behaviour and administration. But we must all know that whatever we do here on earth, we will be held accountable for when we get to the supreme being that put us on the throne. It is unfortunate that obas will choose the courts to settle their disputes when we are arbitrators; we are courts ourselves. Before the advent of democracy, we were the legislature, the judiciary and the executive, we delegated all these functions to our sons and daughters while we remain there as custodians. We are not expected to go to them for justice or to kowtow for them. Though, we have not really studied the cause of the rift between them but all what we read is that it is a dispute between two brothers, which I think they should be able to settle amicably. But our committee will intervene. In fact, a committee was set up in our last meeting in Akure, Ondo State to give us a preliminary report on the cause of the dispute.
Ironically, your chairman, Oba Akinruntan and the current Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, recently exchanged tirades over the indigenous people of Ile Ife and the statue of Moremi?
That is another dimension to the whole issue. Crises are like plants; they have roots. So if you want to solve a problem or crisis, you need to look at the immediate and remote causes of that crisis. But let me say this for the general public to note, there is no crisis between Olugbo and Ooni of Ife. It is just a question of putting the records straight. In the course of our research into some of the crisis in Yoruba land, we discovered that the seed of this discord was planted by the First Republic politicians for some reasons best known to them. The truth is that the authentic Yoruba history has been tampered with and mutilated.
That is why we charge all the history professors to put the records straight. If we are able to have an authentic history of a race, it resolves the crisis on its own. That is what Olugbo is trying to do. As traditional rulers, we are custodians of history.
How can you juxtapose the account of Oduduwa migrating to Ife from Mecca, with the popular belief in Ife that he descended from heaven?
That is a myth. It is not a fact. How could somebody descended from heaven? That is why we are charging academic historians in our universities, especially in the South West to do this as a real project. They have a great role to play in resolving the crisis of history in Yoruba land. This has made us a subject of ridicule by other races. We deserve a sacrosanct history. We cannot be using myth to cause crisis, we need history that will be based on fact and that would be acceptable to everybody. If you hold on to your history and it clashes with mine, how do we resolve it, and that is why everybody is claiming supremacy. What Olugbo has published in his book should be read and let there be a reconciliation of fact if anybody has any reason to dispute any account, and let there be a research to clarify issues.
Again, when Ooni granted an interview to a national newspaper recently, he was quoted to have mentioned Igbo people, not Ugbo, as earlier settlers in Ife that Moremi revealed their secret, what is your view on this?
That is an error, he would not have said that Igbo have such ancient link with the Yoruba. The error must come from somewhere. If you are saying the Igbo inhabited Ife at that point of our history, he is simply saying that Igbo own Yoruba land, and you know the implications in the future. So, it is an error of omission or commission. It is not true.
Which way forward for the Yoruba obas now?
As obas, we must understand our assignment here on earth; it is a divine call, we are natural rulers. Our assignment is to make peace, so that progress will come forth for the humanity. God is in the heavens making peace among the angels, that is why God appointed us as natural rulers to make peace amongst our people. We should not desecrate the stool and turn our office to that of a political post for ego ride. We also urge the press to stop sensationalising issues concerning monarchs.
And to bridge the communication gap among us, there is a WhatsApp group, His Royal Majesty Heritage Forum, I just joined the group and we have over 500 obas as members. It is one of the platforms being used to chat to relate our history, culture and development in our respective towns and villages. Though, it is an elitist approach, but we are exploring it to bridge the communication gaps. The truth is that once you are an oba, no matter the size of your domain, you have a divine calling, and that call is service to humanity, to bring peace and progress to your community. We should relate to ourselves as brothers.
Will you say the current political dispensation accord traditional rulers their rightful place in administration?
Certainly not, but it did not start with this dispensation. As I said earlier, the major problem we have among Yoruba obas was created by the politicians of the First Republic. It should not be so. Democracy in Nigeria has not treated traditional rulers well. We were colonised by the Britons, and in Britain, the Queen of England is part and parcel of their democracy. No Queen, no democracy in Britain. When the colonial masters were around, traditional rulers were accorded right values and honour. But immediately they left, the politicians see us as threats. It is so prominent in the South West.
That is not the case in the North. One fact I always tell people is that the traditional institution is the nucleus of human existence. What I mean is that through us everything revolves. That is why all politicians will visit us during election in our various palaces for mobilization, because we are the grassroots mobilizers. They cannot remove us from this democracy and our democracy is not yet at its best because they do not place us where we ought to be, I mean the right honour we deserve. Why can’t they emulate the Britons that give right honour to the Queen and everything is working perfectly well there. That should be a lesson to our politicians.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lwzL7C
Security agents yesterday intercepted five persons, including a lady, suspected to be ritualists with four fresh human heads, along the boundary between Ebonyi and Enugu states.
Though the police and Department of State Service (DSS) have denied the report but an eye witness at the scene of the arrest said the suspects were caught during a stop and search operation conducted by the security operatives, who must have been on their trail after they beheaded the victims.
According to him, the suspects might have left Enugu to Cross River State through Ebonyi State border.
It was discovered that when the suspects made attempt to run away from the scene after the fresh human heads were discovered in their possession, the security operatives shot them on their legs to stop them from running away.
An eyewitness revealed the security agents were seen in bulletproof vests while the inscription of DSS was written on their vests.
According to him, the four human heads were displayed on the highway before the unsuspecting public and motorists, who had crowded at the scene to discuss the incident.
The security operatives later whisked the suspects away to an undisclosed destination.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kZolIl
The Catholic Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese, Most Rev. Augustine O. Akubeze has called on Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption just as he condemned the senseless killings and human rights abuses in many parts of the country.
He stated this during activities to mark this year’s Marian Year and the Centenary of Fatima Apparitions.
He said in his homily that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, belongs to everyone in the Catholic Church. She, who is the mother of the Redeemer, cannot but intercede for the children her son has redeemed through his death on the cross.
“Let us call on her to help us overcome this endless and senseless killings of people. Let us ask her to help us bring an end to armed robbery, kidnapping and corruption. We will be able to know and appreciate Mary more when we listen and contemplate her message at Fatima”, he reiterated.”
The Coordinator of the Fatima Apostolate in Africa, Prof. Michael Ogunu said the Marian Year is a very significant to all Catholics because faithful are given an opportunity to express their dedication to blessed virgin Mary, the mother of God.
“This year was, in fact, gave an opportunity to all Catholics and indeed, Christians to celebrate the centenary of the apparitions of the blessed virgin Mary and Fatimam which took plac in 1917.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2luaoiL
The Huffington Post
*Removing your kid’s appendix is waste of time: Three quarters would be fine with just antibiotics, study finds
First-born children are smarter than their younger siblings, according to new research.
Economists at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (U.K.) have waded into the age-old debate and concluded that first-borns have a higher Intelligent Quotient (I.Q.) test score than their siblings as early as age one. Researchers said the findings could be explained by first-born children receiving more mental stimulation and support in developing thinking skills from their parents during their early years. The findings, published in the Journal of Human Resources, could help explain the so-called birth order effect when older siblings in a family enjoy better wages and more education in later life, according to researchers. The study, conducted in partnership with Analysis Group and the University of Sydney, examined data from the US Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth collected by the US Bureau of Labour Statistics.
Almost 5,000 children were observed from pre-birth to 14 years old on their family background and economic conditions. Every two years they were assessed on skills including reading and picture vocabulary. The tests included reading recognition, such as matching letters, naming names and reading single words aloud. Researchers applied statistical methods to the economic data to analyse how parental behaviour such as smoking and drinking during pregnancy was related to their child’s test score. It was found that mothers took ‘higher risks’ during the pregnancy of latter-born children.
Parents also offered less mental stimulation to younger siblings and took part in fewer activities such as reading, crafts and playing musical instruments. The findings showed that advantages enjoyed by first born siblings start from just after birth to three years of age. Parents changed their behaviour as subsequent children were born.
Also, a landmark British study suggests that operating on children with acute appendicitis may be unnecessary in the majority of cases. Removing an appendix is the most common form of emergency surgery performed on children in the UK. One in 12 people develop appendicitis at some point in their life, and it is most likely to strike between the ages of ten and 20. The problem occurs when the appendix, part of the digestive tract, becomes infected and inflamed.
Removal has been the standard treatment for appendicitis for more than a century.
But experts at Southampton Children’s Hospital have now found simply treating the problem with antibiotics can be just as effective.
They found that among children with a common forms of acute appendicitis, called an ‘appendix mass’, three quarters could be safely treated without surgery.
Avoiding an operation would mean children could avoid the pain of surgery, would not have to undergo general anaesthetic, and might not even need an overnight stay in hospital.
And although it is a relatively straightforward operation – and has become safer over the decades – any invasive procedure carries risks. The researchers found severe complications occurred in six per cent of cases. Currently most doctors treat an appendix mass with antibiotics, but then remove the organ to ensure the infection does not return – a procedure known as an ‘interval appendicectomy’.
But the researchers, writing in the Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal, said this ‘surgical dogma’ should now be changed in light of their findings.
Dr. Ana Nuevo-Chiquero, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Economics, said: “Our results suggest that broad shifts in parental behaviour are a plausible explanation for the observed birth order differences in education and labour market outcomes.”
Since families are shrinking, with fewer parents having more than two children, a greater proportion of people today are firstborns than in the past. So if firstborns are more likely to be overweight, that will push up obesity rates.
The scientists also said there is mounting evidence that firstborns are more at risk of health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure in later life than their siblings. But the underlying causes for these differences are far from clear, they added.
Writing in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, the team said: “Our study corroborates other large studies on men, as we showed firstborn women have greater BMI and are more likely to be overweight or obese than their second-born sisters.”
Study leader Nigel Hall, a consultant paediatric surgeon at Southampton Children’s Hospital, said: “Up until now more than two-thirds of surgeons were routinely recommending interval appendicectomy. Yet the justification for this surgical intervention has never been prospectively challenged.”
He said experts had previously assumed roughly a fifth of cases of appendicitis would return if the appendix was not removed. “But we have shown that figure is much lower,” he said.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kZ1nkC
sickle cell
The Edo State Sickle Cell Board Chairman, Prof. (Mrs.) Caroline Edijana Omoti, has called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to urgently wade into the crisis brewing at the centre for the ailment. This followed allegation of misconduct by some members of the Sickle Cell Club, who she said, have a penchant for blackmailing board members.
Omoti, while calling on the governor to check their excesses and actions, alleged that some members of the club in the board in December 2016 organised a protest at the Sickle Cell Centre to protest the removal of Dr. Peter O. Iyawe from its service.
She alleged that her investigation showed that the club members were acting unethical and providing sickle cell patients opioids drugs that are considered dangerous to the health of patients. She warned all those involved in the nefarious acts to desist just as she sanctioned members directly involved in the administration of the dangerous drugs to sickle cell patients.
Omoti alleged that her decision to stop the use of opioids for patients did not go down well with those members sanctioned by her, hence, the call for her removal. She wondered why some members of the sickle cell association are in the habit of blackmailing the authorities and had held several public protests against the former Commissioner for Health and the Edo State Government.
Reacting to the allegations, members of the Sickle Cell Club in a petition against Mrs. Omoti, signed by its president, Gregory Asekome Aigbonoga, alleged that the board chairman lacks emparthy, respect and dignity towards sickle cell sufferers and their relatives in the centre. They added that under her watch, drugs that were supposed to be administered to patients by donor-agencies are either sold at exorbitant prices to sickle cell sufferers or allowed to expire completely.
Aigbonoga stated that the immediate source of the crisis brewing at the centre was the purported sack of Iyawe, a medical practitioner and one of the old hands in the centre. He urged the governor to regularise the employment of Iyawe and other members of staff of the centre such that their employment would be regulated by extant civil/public service rules.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kZiing
