Blog

Sweet potato helps regulate blood sugar – Nutritionist

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Potato

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) An Abuja based nutritionist, Mrs Simisola Adebola, says the consumption of sweet potato helps improve blood sugar regulation especially in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Adebola disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

According to her, the natural sugar in sweet potato is slowly released into the blood stream thereby helping to ensure a balanced and regular source of energy without spiking up the blood sugar.

She added that the soluble fibre in sweet potatoes such as pectin may increase satiety, decrease food intakes and also reduce blood sugar spikes by slowing down the digestion of sugars and starches.

Adebola also said that sweet potatoes are packed with several mineral and vitamins such as Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Fibre, potassium, magnesium, Iron and Vitamin D, among others.

The nutritionist noted that sweet potato is enriched with vitamin B6 which helps reduce the chemical homocysteine in the body which caused heart attacks.

She also stated that consuming sweet potatoes helps ward of cancer cells and as well as protect against the effects of ageing due to its rich contents in beta carotene.

“Consuming sweet potatoes helps strengthen the eyesight, boost immune system, regulate heartbeat and nerve signals and reduces swelling.

“It also helps in controlling the activities of the kidneys, production of red and white blood cell, metabolises protein as well as helps resist stress.

“Consuming sweet potatoes decreases fasting blood glucose and LDL – cholesterol levels as well as increase insulin sensitivity.

“Consumption of sweet potatoes also helps reduce risk of blood clotting and considered an excellent food because it does not contain any toxins,’’ Adebola said.

However, the nutritionist advised that sweet potato should be consumed in moderation due to its high contents in oxalates, cautioning that it can increase the risk of kidney stones formation. (NAN)

CSO/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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Security
By Yahaya Isah
Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Muhammad Dan-Ali has charged Defence Advisers and Attachés at Nigeria’s foreign missions to focus on matters relevant to the country’s security.
Dan-Ali gave the charge in his keynote address at the 2016 Defence Advisers and Attachés Annual Conference in Abuja on Monday.
“It will be unacceptable for Defence Attachés to report just anything; you will have to focus on matters that are relevant to Nigeria’s security.
“You must develop a new outlook as the realities of the 21st century mandates that Defence Attachés play a wider overt and covert role in ensuring national security,“ he said.
He said that reports generated by the attachés and advisers would be an integral part of the ministry’s strategic assessment and decision-making.
He said that the defence attaché system had contributed to upholding the country’s national security, adding that Nigeria would continue to collaborate with international partners for the desired transformation.
“The focus now is to provide more clarity and perspective so that much more can be achieved,“ the minister said.
Dan-Ali noted that with the complexity and uncertainty of present day’s security environment, there was a need for innovations to provide sustainable military and political outcomes.
He said that the recent successes against terrorism signified that the military could achieve much more through the right attitude.
The minister noted that the insurgency in the North East and pipelines vandalism in the Niger Delta constituted the biggest challenges to national security.
He said that the emerging security threats in the world necessitated the country’s military to articulate new and effective means of tackling these challenges.
“Our ultimate end should therefore be to ensure the peace, security, stability and prosperity of the people of Nigeria,“ he said.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, AVM Muhammad Usman, urged the participants to address the issues of security seriously.
He said that the conference was aimed at addressing security challenges with emphasises on national security, defence and development of the country.
Usman said the theme – “Harnessing Potentials of the Defence Attaché System for improved National Security in Nigeria’’ – would position the country on a path of sustainable peace and security.
According to him, the security challenges facing the country were growing increasingly unpredictable and terrifying. (NAN)
YI/JPE/WOJ
(Edited by Joseph Edeh / Wale Ojetimi)
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Communities

Gujba (Yobe), Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) Residents of communities in Gujba and Gulani Local Government Areas of Yobe who returned to their communities after staying for three years as Internally Displaced Persons in other places, have started picking their pieces.

A correspondent of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited Gotala, Ngurbuwa, Goniri, Katarko, Gujba, Buni Yadi and Buni Gari towns of the local government areas, reports that normalcy has returned fully.

In most of the communities, residents were seen harvesting their crops as most of them were able to engage in farming activities this year as a result of improvement in the security situation.

Malam Bukar Tela, a farmer in Gotala, said that harvest in his community was generally good and encouraging, thereby reducing the challenges of food scarcity in the community.

“Now that normalcy is gradually returning to these communities, we are ready to partner with organizations to go into irrigation farming to rebuild our lives” he said.

Kalli Ibrahim and Mohammadu Bakabe, farmers in Katarko village said they had already commenced irrigation farming and therefore appealed for assistance from government through the Fadama scheme.

Modu Wanzam, a traditional barber and farmer in Buni Yadi, town,said “the farmlands have regained fertility after they were abandoned three years ago; we need the support of government to exploit the rich soil,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Fadama lll agricultural project in the state has shortlisted 103 communities in the state for assistance under the Additional Financing ll Scheme to promote agricultural activities.

Alhaji Musa Garba, Yobe Coordinator of Fadama lll, disclosed this on Saturday while receiving the Fadama lll Desk officer, Ibrahim Alkali, in Damaturu.

He said the new project was aimed at improving the lives of victims of insurgency in the state through agriculture.

The coordinator said the state project office had adequate facilitators to provide technical support to the benefitting communities to boost production and promote food security.

Responding, the Desk officer, Mr Ibrahim Alkali, assured that the National Fadama office would support any move aimed at improving the living condition of victims of insurgency.

Alkali commended the Yobe government for settling its share of  N20 million counterpart fund to facilitate take-off of the programme in the state. (NAN)

MM /ASH/ASH

Ondo Guber: Oke imports crowd for rally, APC alleges
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By Tayo Ikujuni
APC
Akure, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The APC in Ondo State has alleged that Chief Olusola Oke, the AD Governorship Candidate in the forthcoming election, was mobilising supporters from Lagos and Osun states for his campaign flag off.
The AD governorship campaign flag off is scheduled for Akure on Monday, Nov. 14.
APC said in a statement on Monday by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Abayomi Adesanya, that Oke had hired over 500 luxury and mini buses to bring in supporters from the neighbouring states to the rally to deceive the people.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Nov. 26 for the Ondo State Governorship Election.
Adesanya said: “Some of our members have been receiving calls from APC members in Osun and Lagos states informing them of the planned mass mobilisation for the AD’s flag off campaign in Akure.
“We are reliably informed that Bola Ilori, the Director- General of Oke’s Campaign Organisation, who also doubles as an aide to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has concluded plans with some APC leaders from Lagos and Osun states.
“The arrangement is to hire over 500 luxurious and BRT buses, among other mini buses, to ferry people from these two states to deceive the general public and the good people of Ondo State.
“Other desperate tricks being employed by Olusola Oke is generation of fake bulk SMS purportedly from EDO APC sent to people to deceitfully invite them to the flag off campaign.
“The reality on ground in Ondo State is that the APC Candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), is the most popular in the hearts of the good people of the state.
“The AD candidate is a third force that has no place of reckoning in the present Ondo State politics.
“The party, therefore, urges the people of the state to disregard whatever crowd seen at the AD flag off campaign as hired.
“Crucial issue about this election is about evolving a home grown governor for the state; one in tune with the cravings of the people, not one thrown up by political and business merchants outside Ondo State for the promotion of pecuniary interests of Lagos and Osogbo jobbers.”
In his reaction, Mr Kolawole Olabisi, the Chairman, Media and Publicity of Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, advised APC to mind its problems and face its campaign like the AD candidate had been doing.
“Is it not an irony that a party that specialises in the importation of people from Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states where the party currently rules is now accusing a party that it described as an orphan?
“AD will not engage in such underhand methods that the APC is noted for. Our people from the nooks and crannies of Ondo State are the ones on ground now for our flag off rally.
“Oke is the headache and sole manifesto of the APC in Ondo State and we are aware of their shenanigans and evil plots to stop him from contesting.
“When these numerous plots are failing one after the other, they can merely heckle us,’’ Olabisi said. (NAN)
IKU/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

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Intervention

Argungu (Kebbi), Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) West Africa Cotton Limited (WACOT), has renovated two blocks of classrooms, and provided furniture and instructional materials to Magajin Rafi Primary School in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi.

Mr Anuj Bahatia, the company’s Head, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, made the disclosure in Argungu on Monday when he addressed farmers in the area.

Bahatia said the company had also rehabilitated six classrooms and donated similar materials to Mairuwa Community School in Katsina State.

He also said 1,000 free notebooks were distributed to pupils in the area to encourage them in their pursuit for quality education.

The official disclosed that WACOT had been providing support in different areas includng health, women empowerment, economic activities, and other capacity building programmes.

According to him, the focus is largely in poor communities located in Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, Kaduna and the FCT.

In a remark, WACOT Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr Sadiq Kassim, disclosed that the company would set up a 100, 000 metric ton rice processing mill in Argungu.

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu-Mera, commended the company for its intervention, saying the various projects would promote education and well being of local people.

The Zonal Director of Education, Alhaji Muhamadu Manuga, who represented the state Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Muhammadu Magawata, said the company had made “vital contributions” to education in the state.(NAN)
BKD/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

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Community
By Justina David Auta
Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) Residents of Kpaduma Community of Asokoro Extension in the FCT on Monday appealed for more security presence to curb incessant criminal activities in the area.

The residents made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

They said increased security presence would reduce cases of theft, child molestation,
rape, ritual killings and other criminal acts disrupting the peace of the area.

Mr Sunday Moses, a resident, said that despite the fact that the community was situated not far from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Headquarters in the FCT, a lot of criminal activities persisted in the area.

He, therefore, appealed to government to come to the aid of the community, as the vigilance group alone could not handle the many security threats and other vices in the area.

He said “government should please assist us, so that all these crime would reduce because even though we have a vigilance group, members of the group are not properly trained and do not have tools.”

Similarly, Mrs Deborah Ishaku, another resident, stressed the need for parents, particularly mothers, to be more vigilant in protecting their children from harm and danger.

She said “gone are the days when a parent will allow children to roam around the area without proper supervision even if the child is with neighbours because some atrocities like rape, molestation and ritual killings are usually carried out by people close to the victims.”

She, therefore, urged parents to be security conscious first, instead of relying on security personnel to protect their lives and property.

She said that “the security of our children should be our paramount concern as parents. We shouldn’t just leave it to the police or security operatives as they too need the cooperation of residents in order to do their job effectively.”

On his part, Mr Sunny Iliya, stressed the need for landlords to have detailed information about their tenants and their neighbours for effective coordination. (NAN)
JAD/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Commissioner urges Lagosians to maintain good sanitary environment

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Waste
By Chidinma Agu
Lagos, Nov, 14, 2016 (NAN) The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, on Monday called on Lagosians to maintain good sanitary and clean environment.

Adejare made this call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, maintaining clean environment is the only way to avoid being in confrontation with environmental law enforcement task force.

“The ember months are here again.

“As the yuletide approaches, people should endeavour to dispose waste properly, cultivate and maintain good sanitary attitude.

“Nobody should contribute to the degrading of the environment as this is the only way one can avoid being object of environmental law enforcement,’’ Adejare said.

The commissioner restated that the State Government was committed to its policy on cleaner and sustainable environment.

He said that the government was also committed to the removal of all environmental infractions.

Adejare said that the government would not relent in bringing about a sustainable environment and enhancing aesthetic beautify of the state.
He said that the government had pursued with vigour, its policy on cleaner and sustainable environment through dogged application of its all-year-round de-flooding programme.

Adejare said that in greening the environment, the state had planted over 800 trees including 700 coconuts along Lekki-Epe Express way and another 100 trees at Orile Agege LCDA.

According to him, the importance of trees in our environment cannot be overemphasised.

He said the government had continued to manage trees planted in the state by pruning 56 trees and felling seven to improve the aesthetics of the Environment. (NAN)
ACA/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Tanker
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Osun Police Command said it had recovered a tanker laden with 36,000 litres of petrol hijacked by armed robbers.

A statement by SP Folashade Odoro, the command Public Relations Officer, said the tanker, with number plate MKA 887 ZF, was hijacked along Ife/ Ilesha expressway by a gang of armed robbers.

The statement was made available to newsmen on Monday in Osogbo.

The PPRO said the driver of the tanker and his motor boy were rescued by the police.

She said that the Safer Highway Police Patrol team 014 led by Insp. Oyeogbe Ojekere, responded promptly to a distress call by the driver when the tanker was hijacked.
She said that the team recovered the tanker with its content intact.

Odoro said the hijackers escaped into the bush on sighting the police team.

She said that the state Commissioner of Police Mr Fimihan Adeoye while commending the police team for its doggedness, assured the people of the state that the robbers would be arrested. (NAN)
VE/KOO/AEA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Archbong Asuquo

NAN-H-45

Quacks

By Okeoghene Oghenekaro

Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), FCT Chapter, says it is taking proactive measures aimed at weeding out quacks from public relations practice.

The Chairman of the chapter, Dr Tayo Hasstrup, made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Cue in audio (Hasstrup)

“By our set up, we are expected to get rid of quacks.

“So what we are doing is creating more awareness, writing letters to organisations and visiting them to say that if they have anybody there that is practicing public relations but is not a professional and a member of NIPR, such person cannot be there and should be sanctioned.

“That is the message we are going round with because we want NIPR to be professionalised and people that are practicing it to be our members because we train and also certify them and license them as practitioners.’’

Cue out audio (Hasstrup)

Hasstrup stated that it is the duty of PR practitioners to project the image of the country positively in order to attract foreign investors.

The chairman further said the institute is working closely with the presidency towards projectting the country’s image in positive light.

“As PR practitioners it is our duty to encourage the government, the private sector and every Nigerian to have positive communication in the aspect of promoting things about Nigeria and speaking well of the country.

“We have invited the special aide to the president to come and discuss with us the issue of packaging this country and we know that President Muhammad Buhari is in the fore front of this.

“He has travelled round the world  trying to speak the truth about this nation and when you  speak the truth, people will recognize and respect you and people have started doing that.’’

He said the institute planned to visit embassies in the country with a view to sensitising the officials to the vast resources available in Nigeria.

According to him, this will help woo foreign investors to the country and revive the economy. (NAN)

OKE/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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Board
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Rector of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, Capt. Abdulmumini Abdulkareem, has expressed optimism that the newly-constituted governing council for the college would inject new innovations for its development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kwara Government had last week reconstituted a new governing council, led by Capt. Edward Boyo, for the institution.

Abdulkareem, in an interview in Ilorin on Monday, said that the constitution of the new council was to reposition the college to world standard.

“I’m privileged to be a member of the council and I believe that we now have technocrats with the requisite knowledge to transform the college.

“As you can see, we have gone beyond the training of commercial pilots. We have helicopter training for our pilots and flight dispatcher courses for people with keen interest in Aviation.

“We have well-equipped facilities for both ground and life schools, and our students easily get employment with commercial airlines in the country,’’ he said.

The rector reassured the public that the council was geared towards injecting new policies for the growth and development of the college.

The institution started as a Public/Private Partnership between the Kwara State Government and a private investor in Dubai and it formally commenced training activities in January 2013. (NAN)
AUO/PIO/PIO
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Edited by Idonije Obakhedo