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Don identifies stress as major cause of diseases in Nigeria

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Stress

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Malete (Ilorin), Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Adetayo Talabi, the Dean, Students’ Affairs of the University of Ilorin, has identified stress as a major cause of diseases in Nigeria.

Talabi made this submission on Wednesday in Malete while delivering a paper at the Kwara State University  (KWASU).

He said that it was important for Nigerians to know how to prevent and manage stress in order to ensure their well being.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was on a research project on creating wellness awareness and establishment of a wellness centre for staff and students of the institution.

Talabi, who was on a secondment at KWASU, said that when one failed in handling his or her body, stress could  set in.

”Stress is the reason why we fall sick and the major cause of stress is psyche disharmony because if you don’t know how to handle your body, stress comes in.

”We fall sick because of the way we live, we have raised our mental body to be alert but left our physical body to technology, which causes psyche distress,” he said.

Talabi added that the only solution was to raise the body activity level through exercise.

”Although, exercise is important in raising body level but precautions must be taken because there is a process for physical adjustment, you should go at your pace and level,” he said.

In his opening address, the KWASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, said the fitness club was a product of a research carried out by a lecturer in the university.

”We, as a university, are committed to research and one of our researchers, Dr Rufus Ajayi, is working on wellness and fitness and he has developed a centre for our community.

”People should understand their body system and the needs of the body to be well and avoid sickness because most diseases now are high blood pressure related and diabetes.

”What we are trying to do is to ensure a good and sound body through wellness, knowing the food you should eat and the physical activities to engage in,” Na’Allah said.

The lead researcher, Ajayi, at the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, said he embarked on the research, having realised that people could not understand exercise, fitness and stress.

”If people are aware and conscious of all these, job outputs will increase and the personal health of individuals will also improve.

”Exercise is the in thing throughout the world now; it helps the mental, physical and spiritual being.

”It is the physical body that is seen but the driver is the spirit and if we exercise, there will be a synergy between the spirit and the physical body,” Ajayi said.

NAN reports that the Vice Chancellor launched the Fitness Club with a sum of N50, 000.

Registration to become members of the club for students is N3,000 per annum and N5,000 for staff and outsiders while it is free for the first three months. (NAN)

BAY/HS/YEMI

Edited by Halima Sheji

Controlled by Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-H-28
Exports
By Uche Eletuo
Lagos, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Freight forwarders said in Lagos on Wednesday that they resorted to exportation of timber because it was more lucrative.

Some exporters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that there was fortune in the trade.

NAN reports that sequel to the Federal Government’s ban on some imported items which had created a lull in the industry, stakeholders now engage in timber exports.

A freight forwarder, Mr James Ejike, said that there was already a market for timber products in all the Western countries.

According to him, if other freight forwarders follow the export line in other cash crops, a lot of idle youths will be gainfully employed.

Mr Akunne Eze, another freight forwarder, who goes to the hinterland to buy logs and sends to processing plant in Ogere, Ogun, said “the business is rewarding’’.

“Apart from the monetary gains, I now feel proud to be part of the value addition in exportation of goods.

“With the high cost of the U.S. dollar to the Naira, it is very rewarding as the proceeds are paid in dollars,’’ Eze said.

A transporter, Mr Benedict Ogor, said the timber trade had turned around the fortune of his family.

Ogor said that unlike the imports driven-regime, he now hired out 10 to 12 trucks daily to exporters.

He urged the Federal Government to put in place stiff regulations on timber trade to compel exporters to adhere to global standards to avoid being black-listed by end users. (NAN)
EUC/MO/AJA
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(Edited by Morayo.Omolade and controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

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Rheumatism
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) A medical expert, Dr Ayobami Olanrewaju, has said that women were more prone to rheumatism than men because they have two X chromosomes.

Olanrewaju told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ilorin that there was a genetic association between X chromosomes and rheumatism.

He said men were at lower risk compared with women because they have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.

He explained that though women were more prone to rheumatism than men because of their X chromosomes, early diagnosis in either of them
would be very helpful.

He said “those who have it in their family history should go for early diagnosis before the pain and swelling starts developing into muscles
and joints.

“If this is known, the doctor can make a customised preventive plan as per physical therapy, as well as plan the sufferers’ diet and medications.”

He, however, advised those that had already been diagnosed with rheumatism to engage in regular exercise and healthy nutrition.

“People with rheumatism should engage in light training which should be done at least four times a week and regular daily walks
for about 30 to 60 minutes to keep the disorder at bay.

“Also, weight should be within normal range, over weight or under weight can be risky but excess weight can cause stress in the bone.

“Engaging in natural therapies can also be useful like making use of steam bath or heat packs on the affected areas and hot water tub which
helps to relax muscles and joints,” Olanrewaju said. (NAN )
BAY/KM/HA
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(Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

labarans-audioFG begins screening, selection of MSMEs for grant – Project Coordinator

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Screening

By Harrison Arubu

Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government says it has begun a screening and selection of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) seeking grant under its World Bank-assisted Growth and Employment (GEM) Project.

The Coordinator of the project, Mr Yunusa Labaran, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that more than 24,000 MSMEs nationwide had already applied for the grant.

Labaran stated that some of the applicants are already being dropped for falling short of the requirements that will qualify them to receive the grant.

Cue in audio

“We have to create a BIG (Business Innovation and Growth) portal.

“This is an electronic platform where everybody who wants to benefit from this grant must first register.

“You must register and you must belong to one of the five sectors I have listed for you to even be pre-qualified for the next stage of the process.

“Many applied but some were dropped because they never belonged to ICT, entertainment, hospitality, light manufacturing and construction.

“But if they belonged to any of these five sectors, then they would now be invited for what is called induction course.

“But before the induction course there is what we call the baseline survey of those invited.

“The essence of the baseline survey is to have baseline information on their business so that we will be able to assess the impact of the intervention we are making.

“Anything that is free needs to go through this rigour. If you don’t do that, people will collect this fund and not make proper use of it.’’

Cue out audio

NAN reports that GEM aims to enhance job creation and increase growth in the five sectors selected.

It seeks to provide a minimum of 460,000 new jobs, comprising 110,000 direct and 350, 000 indirect jobs, while about 10,000 enterprises are expected to be reached.

The five-year project, which runs from June 2013 to September 2018, is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

The World Bank is supporting the project with a loan of 160 million dollars, while the UK Department for International Development (DFID) is providing a grant of 100 million dollars.

Besides administration of grant, the coordinator said that the project also involved the provision of technical assistance to benefitting enterprises.

“There are three things that the individual private sector firms will enjoy from this project.

“They will enjoy training; it could be e-training or face to face training that will be conducted by EDC (Enterprise Development Centre), a reputable training institution in this country based in Lagos.

“Sometimes, finance is not the problem of the business people. The finance may be there but they may lack the wherewithal of how to utilise these funds to make profit.

“We are also giving them business development services by engaging business development service providers (BDSPs).

“The next thing is where we are in terms of grant disbursement because that is where impact will also be made on the growth of these various businesses and the employment generated.

“Anything that is a grant is free; it is not a loan. Therefore, it requires a thorough screening, training and retraining of those who will benefit from this grant so that they will make proper utilisation of the funds that will be made available.’’

Responding to complaints among some stakeholders that the project implementation was slow, Labaran said the implementation team had been taking its time to put the necessary structures in place.

“In a project like this, you may not achieve 100 per cent implementation, but if you score above 60 or 50 per cent, it would be adjudged that you have performed.

“The delay was caused by the various structures that needed to be put in place, and we are happy to say that those structures have now been put in place.

“What now remains is training, administration of BDS (business development services) services.

“In fact, we have already engaged 27 BDS providers; they are waiting to now reach out to these MSMEs.

“Some people, like I told you, don’t need money. The money is there, but they don’t know how to utilise it.

“They lack knowledge of business management, they don’t know how to do normal human resource management, they don’t know how to do financial management and marketing.

“So, these people will be taught and at the end of the day they will get grant. So, what remains to be done in this project is disbursement of funds, providing business development services and providing training.

“That will not take as long as putting structures in place.’’ (NAN)

ARU/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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Committee postpones coronation of Benin Crown Prince to Oct. 20

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Coronation

By Imelda Osayande

Benin, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Benin Traditional Council on Wednesday announced Oct. 20, as the new date for the coronation of the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa.

Prof. Gregory Akenzua, Chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee, made the announcement at a news conference at the Oba’s palace in Benin.

According to Akenzua, who is the Enogie of Evbuobanosa/Abudu, the date for the coronation has been changed from Sept. 26 to Oct. 20, 2016.

“The change of date is sequel to the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] that they have changed the date of the Edo Gubernatorial election which was originally Sept. 10 to Sept. 28, 2016.

“As a result of this change, Benin Crown Prince will now depart finally from Uselu palace for Eko-Ohae on Oct. 8, 2016.

“And he will perform some important ceremonies connected with coronation everyday for seven to 10 days prior to the day of his final departure from Uselu,” he said.

Akenzua said that the ban on the use of coral beads by those entitled to use it, would be lifted once Edaiken N’Uselu leaves Uselu palace for Eko-Ohae.

He said the current use of the traditional ” Omo N’Orhue”, the White Beads, would be discontinued.

Akenzua further announced that burial ceremonies have been prohibited throughout the period of the coronation process. (NAN)
IMEL/KOO/MZA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

Lawyers advocate policy on accountability, transparency
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Corruption
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016. (NAN) Some lawyers in the Federal Capital Territory have advocated a policy that will ensure transparency, accountability in tackling corruption.

The call is coming on the heels of the alarm raised on the handling of relief materials allocated to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps in some states.

The lawyers in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that answerability and transparency could minimise corruption in the country.

A lawyer, Austin Nwosu, said the political will to enforce accountability and transparency, would make people entrusted with responsibilities and care of a state to be mindful.

“It is difficult for public office holders to give account of their stewardship because those that are to call them to give account are themselves guilty.

“They are not transparent in their stewardship and can never give account. It is not right that some people are placed in the positions where they can do nothing than to deprive people of what belongs to them.

“They should not be allowed to go just like that, they must be called to give account and be penalised where it is necessary and praised when it is due.

He said the check would serve as deterrents to other people who might wish to commit the same offence.

Nwosu said that when the policy of transparency and accountability were in place, men of integrity would be encouraged to vie for elective posts.

He also warned that the bold display of wealth by public officials, who could not explain the source, showed the extent of corruption in the society.

Another, lawyer Mr, Joel Ali, said public officers should be made to be accountable in their areas of jurisdiction.

“In fact it is unheard of that people are placed in positions of authority where they do nothing but loot the public treasury.

“They should be made to return such loots and their properties confiscated in a way that others would take a lesson home.

“Public office holders should be made to be accountable, that would make the system transparent and less corrupt.

“It is time we stopped playing politics and making business out of the pains of the citizenry.

“The sole responsibility of a leader, caretaker or a head is to serve, not to impose more suffering on the people under his care.

“We should learn, even enforce culture of accountability and transparency to curb this madness we created and called corruption,’’ he said.

He expressed worry that the lukewarm attitude of enforcement authorities like judiciary, police and public officials could also lead to people engaging in corrupt behaviour. (NAN)
NEO/LAB/OFN
Edited by Lydia Beshel//Felix Nwadioha

Kano Govt. urges cooperatives to modify activities to survive current challenges

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Cooperative
Kano, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government has urged members of cooperative groups in the state to modify their activities in order to withstand current economic challenges.

Alhaji Rabiu Ahmad, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism, gave the advice in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kano.

The statement was signed by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Shehu Sani.

Ahmad said during the annual interactive meeting with cooperative officers and senior officials of the ministry, that the government would modify and improve the cooperatives, to compete with others across the globe.

The commissioner directed the officials to compile a comprehensive list of functional cooperative societies across the 44 local governments areas of the state, to facilitate intervention.

Ahmad said that 50,000 people from the state would benefit from the General Empowerment for Enterprises Programme handled by the Office of the Vice President.

He said that the programme, which was aimed at improving the economic wellbeing of the people, would be channelled through cooperatives.

The commissioner explained that under the programme, individuals registered under cooperatives would receive an interest-free loan of between N20,000 and N100,000.

Alhaji Muktar Minjibir, the state Acting Director Cooperative, listed problems bedevilling cooperatives societies in the state to include lack of office accommodation, logistics and poor training opportunities.

He also said that the members were finding it difficult to register their products with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.(NAN)

BO/GOM/MZA

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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

Poor construction: Residents appeal to Gov. Ambode to halt inauguration of new road

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Road

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Some residents of the newly constructed road in Kalejaye Street, Mafoluku Area of Lagos, have called on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to halt the inauguration of the project due to its poor construction.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government, has fixed Sept. 24 for the inauguration of the 736-metre road, which is part of the 114 road projects across the state.

However, some of the residents told NAN that the road, which was designed to serve both as exit and entry ways to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, was poorly constructed by Jumbo Engineering Limited.

One of the residents, Mr Olalekan Akintunde, observed that the road was already having failed portions, adding that it showed that the contractor did a shoddy job.

“This is a very strategic road, which is plied by heavy duty vehicles but with how it is now, it will not be long before we start seeing potholes on the road,’’ he said.

Another resident, Mrs Yemisi Akinogun, who lauded the government for using an indigenous contractor, urged government to ensure that the project is up to the required standard.

“It is good to use local contractors but the job should be properly done. Although, I am not an engineer but from what I am seeing now, I think this is not properly done,” she noted.

However, Mr Musilimi Folami, the Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, after inspecting the project, expressed satisfaction with the pace of work.

Folami told newsmen that the contractor had been directed to rehabilitate the failed portions of the road ahead of the inauguration on Saturday.

He disclosed that the government had spent N19.4 billion in constructing 114 roads across the state in order to ease both human and vehicular movements.

On his part, the contractor, Mr Sadiq Oluwaseyi, stated that he was satisfied with the quality of work and promised not to let the government down.

“I am very satisfied with what we have done. It is not the contractor’s responsibility to do a driveway for individual houses but we are doing this for them with our own resources,’’ he said. (NAN)

ASO/FF/YEMI

Edited by Fela Fashoro

Controlled by Yemi Idris-Aduloju

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Infidelity
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) After several unsuccessful interventions to save a  16-year-old marriage, an Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Wednesday dissolved the union, citing the husband’s infidelity.

The marriage between a food vendor, Adejoke, and her bricklayer-husband, Musiliu Omotosho, was dissolved the President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola.

He said the petitioner (Adejoke) was adamant despite several mediations from the court and family members.

“Since the petitioner wants a divorce after several interventions, the court has no choice than to dissolve the union despite the fact that the husband claims he still `loves’ her.

“The court hereby pronounce the marriage between Adejoke Omotosho and Musiliu Omotosho dissolved today; both parties henceforth cease to be husband and wife.

“They are free to go their separate ways without any hindrance or molestation.”

The petitioner, Adejoke, 39, had approached the court to end her 16-year-old marriage over infidelity on the part of the husband, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

She said her husband was in the habit of bringing his lovers to their one-room apartment to spend some days or months with them.

“I always leave the bed for them and sleep on floor and on four occasions, I had reported him to both families.

“Recently, he came home with a woman who stole my pants and brassiers I discovered after she had left.

“I told my husband to retrieve my underwears from his lover, he later came home with a bra and pant that was not  mine,” she told court.

The mother of four boys accused her husband of being fetish, saying he married her with charms.

“When I was single, my husband approached me that he wanted to marry me, I told him that I had a fiancé and that our marriage was near.

“Musiliu came back the following day and touched me, I did not know how I got to his village, and I started having babies for him. As an orphan nobody looked for me, but now I am back to my senses,” she said.

“My husband had also threatened to kill me and my hair dresser had confided in me that my husband also asked her to give him strands of my hair.”

Adejoke said she was the one feeding the family, paying the house rent and the children’s school fees.

She urged the court to dissolve the union, saying “I am scared of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from him due to his unfaithfulness”.

The estranged husband,  47,  told the court that he had been paying some bills contrary to what the woman said.

“I usually pay the bills, I give my wife N500 per day for feeding, but she also assists me as any good wife will do.”

Musiliu said he had returned the under wears his lover took away from their house.

He, however, denied that he never approached his wife’s hairdresser for her hair.

In spite of his alleged unfaithfulness, Musiliu still urged the court not to dissolve the marriage, saying “I still  love her.”  (NAN)

DOA/EOB/DA
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(Edited by Edith Bolokor & controlled by Dele Akinsola)

NAN-H-46

Peace

By David Adeoye

Omuo (Ekiti), Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) A cleric, Rev Jacob Ajayi, has appealed to the Niger Delta militants and other dissident groups in the country to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

The cleric made the appeal on Wednesday in Omuo, Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, while speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to mark the International Day of Peace.

Ajayi, who is of the Mountain of Victory Apostolic Church, said the activities of Boko Haram in the North-East, militant groups in the South-South and kidnappers in the South-East zones of the country were a major source of concern.

He added that the violence unleashed by the rebellious groups was slowly destroying the harmonious relations and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

“It is also grievously damaging the economy of the country,’’ he said.

He also appealed to sponsors of the dissident groups to have a rethink and give peace a chance by engaging in dialogue with the government.

According to him, unrest and chaos can only destabilise the country and deter it from achieving the greatness it is targeting.

The cleric, therefore, urged the Federal Government to create an atmosphere conducive for meaningful dialogue with such dissident groups across the country.

He advised Nigerians to shun all acts capable of jeopardise the peace in their respective families, saying that it is the harmony at the family level that can engender peace in the society.

NAN reports that the World Peace Day is observed on Sept. 21 of every year as declared by the United Nations.

The Day is often devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace globally.

The theme for the 2016 World Peace Day is: `The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for peace’. (NAN)

DAK/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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