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waiting for response

The deleterious effects of malaria in pregnancy is not fully appreciated by most women. Experts say one of the consequences of malaria in pregnancy is pre-eclampsia,another term for high blood pressure and protein loss in the urine, which carries high risks for both child and mother in the first pregnancy, reports Sade Oguntola.

In malaria-endemic regions, the burden of the disease is primarily borne by young children and pregnant women. Malaria affects millions of pregnant women each year, mostly young African women during their first pregnancy as a result of which they lose the semi-immunity normally found in adults.

Research shows that pregnant women attract twice the number of mosquitoes as non-pregnant women, which probably increases their risk of contracting malaria.

In these young mothers, the Plasmodium falciparum (a parasite that causes malaria) accumulates in the placenta, causing them to become short of blood. As a result, the children of infected mothers are often underdeveloped or babies with lower birth weights. Sometimes, children of such mothers with severe malaria even end up being born premature or die while still in the womb.

But, that is not all about the deleterious effects of malaria during pregnancy. One of the consequences of malaria has been shown in a new research to include pre-eclampsia (very high blood pressure and protein loss in the urine), which carries high risks for both mother and child for women in their first pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia is thought to be more common in some parts of the world where there is severe malaria problem and it has often been speculated that there might be a connection. Malaria is more common in a first pregnancy and so is pre-eclampsia.

Dr. Kayode Afolabi, a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, described pre-eclampsia as a condition in pregnancy wherein the woman has high blood pressure coexisting with protein in urine. What is obvious to the human eyes is that they appear blown up. “Looking at them, their whole body is swollen, especially their face, hands and feet,” he declared.

Dr. Afolabi said so many things could predispose a woman to pre-eclampsia. “It is a disease that is common in women that are getting pregnant for the first time or those that are getting pregnant for a new husband, even though they have had previous pregnancies or deliveries in the past.”

In addition, he declared that “it is common among women who before pregnancy have had other medical problem like diabetes, hypertension or even kidney problems. Women who have multiple pregnancy are equally prone to developing the problem.”

Dr. Afolabi described malaria and pre-eclampsia as two common problems of pregnant women, stressing that “there is a possibility of malaria contributing to cases of pre-eclampsia in women, considering the fact that a pregnant woman who has malaria could have a high concentration of malaria parasites developing in the placenta. The placental is the cord attaching the unborn baby to the mother and this cord supply it with oxygen and nutrients from the mother.”

When a pregnant woman has a high concentration of malaria parasites developing in the placenta, she is said to have “placental malaria”. This is very harmful to the mother and to the unborn baby; it leads to low birth weight and, in Africa alone, is estimated to be responsible for the deaths of about 200,000 infants every year. A woman who is pregnant for the first time is most likely to suffer from placental malaria, and will have her placenta become highly infected and extremely inflamed.

Dr. Afolabi explained that in a situation where a woman has a high load of malaria parasites in the placenta, effectiveness of the placenta in oxygen and nutrient supply to the baby would be affected. “Due to the high load of malaria parasites in the placenta, there could be damage to the placenta in such a way that it could predispose the mother to pre-eclampsia,” he said.

Even though women with their first pregnancy have a higher risk of contracting malaria, Dr. Afolabi declared that malaria in pregnancy was a serious disease. “There is the tendency for people to see malaria as ordinary, but it is a serious disease in the sense that both the mother and the baby could be seriously affected if it is not properly and promptly treated. The risk to the mother includes low blood level(anemia) in pregnancy, which could become severe and necessitate blood transfusion.

“In the case of the unborn baby, malaria could lead to miscarriage, referred to in the medical parlance as spontaneous abortion, depending on the stage at which the malaria occurs. The baby may be born premature, with a low birth weight due to retarded growth while in the womb.”

“This is why the use of malaria medications is always considered an important issue and emphasis placed on its prevention. Currently, we embark on the prevention of malaria in pregnancy with two to three doses of the prescribed antimalarial drug (sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) during pregnancy. This is commenced after the first three months of pregnancy when it is certain that the medication would not cause any deformity in the developing child in the womb.”

Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy and affects one out of every 10 pregnant women in Nigeria according to Dr. Bukola Fawole, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan. The condition which is often silent; showing up unexpectedly during a routine blood pressure check and urine test, according to Dr. Fawole cannot be outrightly said to be due to malaria.

“Right now, we do not know if there is a direct connection between malaria parasites within the placenta leading to pre-eclampsia,” he declared. “What we know is that when there are malaria parasites in the placenta, it has its own problems. It leads to reduced growth of the baby and in very severe situations, the baby may end up dying right in the womb.”

The best option no doubt should include preventing pre-eclampsia. According to Dr. Fawole, there are no definitive preventive methods for pre-eclampsia. “A number of interventions have been suggested but none of them is known to work 100 per cent. Some suggested the use of aspirin in low doses and some suggested Vitamin C and Vitamin E. From our experience in practice, just as research has shown, none is particularly 100 per cent efficient. We know if some women take low doses of aspirin, they may not develop it, but despite this some women still develop pre-eclampsia.”

Researchers from the USA, UK and Tanzania, who investigated the possibility that malaria might lead to pre-eclampsia, found that for the first-time young mothers, having placental malaria increased the risk of hypertension about three-fold, suggesting that attempts to reduce the chance of such women getting malaria would have the additional benefit of lowering their chance of developing pre-eclampsia.

Pregnant women with pre-eclampsia are usually advised to take time off work, have bed rest, take medication, and sometimes even hospitalised to keep the blood pressure under control. Unfortunately, the only “cure” for the disease is delivery of the baby, but it is in the best interest of the babies to be kept in the womb as long as possible. Sometimes, it is in the best interest of the mother to deliver the baby before term. http///www.tribune.com.ng

AS optimistic Nigerians continue to make various permutations on the Super Eagles' chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, goaltender of the side, Vincent Enyeama may have given up hope of picking the ticket.

Enyeama confessed in an interview with brilafm.net that beating The Mambas of Mozambique and Harambee Stars of Kenya in their last two games would not be easy, insisting that both teams are no pushovers.

“It is going to be much more difficult. We should not expect an easy ride. It will be much more difficult because no country is an easy ride or a pushover.

“If God will help us, we can still make it. I believe God will help us. We must just put all our eggs in God’s basket and just hope he doesn’t let us crash,” the Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel shot-stopper said.

The Super Eagles, it would be recalled, recorded a 2-2 draw with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the National Stadium, Abuja, in their last World Cup qualifier to remain second on the table with six points, two adrift of the North African side.

http///www.tribune.com.ng

Written by Onimisi Alao, Muideen Olaniyi, Mustapha Suleiman, Abbas Jimoh & Francis Okeke
Yar’adua should always remember his 7-Point Agenda -Moses John, labour correspondent Government is being insensitive. The Umaru Yar’adua administration, if it truly respects the rule of law, should know that they must obey a bargain collectively made between it and ASUU. For the education minister, it is unfortunate that he who knows the rot in the universities will be frustrating the lecturers. Nigeria has the dream of being amongst the 20 most vibrant economies by the year 2020.Closed universities will not help in this. More importantly, Yar’adua should remember that he is pursuing a 7-Point agenda that includes human capital development. Without quality training in our universities, this dream will remain what it is: a dream.

22 year old man was stabbed to death following a disagreement between him and another person in Jos. The deceased, Ziya’ulhaq Muhammad, who was simply referred to as Mamman was allegedly stabbed by Mustafa (Dan Hajiya) after the deceased accused him of stealing a door and its frame at a site they were working, Mamman’s brother, Ibrahim Muhammad told our correspondent yesterday. The incident occurred at a small settlement called Yar’Kasuwa along Rikkos – Yan’ Shanu road last Thursday at about 12pm. http///www.dailytrust.com

ELECTRONICS payment experts from System Specs, a prominent Nigerian software solution provider, and about 70 bankers from 20 commercial banks in the country have commenced brainstorming on optimisation of the industry-leading Remita e-payment platform.

They held an initial session last week in Lagos during a one-day workshop organised to review the progress of e-payment in Nigeria, share experience and come up with technical and business strategies on how their current e-payment operations could be optimised in the interest and for the increased satisfaction of their public and private sectors customers.

John Obaro, System Specs’ managing director, said, “The workshop was intended to help generate fresh ideas on how best banks could be positioned to gain competitive advantage through optimisation of the Remita e-payment platform.”

Mr Ezinne Obikile, Head, Payments & Collections, First Bank Plc, said the support support for Remita from System Specs had been quite tremendous and had made the use of the solution a wonderful experience.

On his own part, Dr. Hakeem Bakare, Group Head, Financial Solutions, System Specs, said the event once again “demonstrated stakeholders’ commitment to the success of President Yar’Adua’s directives on e-payment and to position Nigeria as a leading light in Africa in the application of e-payment in financial transactions.”

Dr. Akin Oduntan, System Specs Head, Remita Business Development Group, buttressed his point of view as he enumerated what a true e-payment solution should do. http///www.tribune.com.ng

IN accordance with his wish, the remains of the fiery legal luminary, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, who died on September 5, were committed to mother earth near his mother’s graveside, within his compound in Ondo, Ondo State, on Tuesday. Fawehinmi’s burial rites took place amid encomiums from prominent and lowly-placed Nigerians.

At exactly 3:22 p.m., the remains of Chief Fawehinmi (SAN) were lowered into the grave dug beside that of his mother, Alhaja Munirat Fawehinmi, in his private residence at Oka area in Ondo town. He was buried in a gold casket after prayers were offered for the repose of his soul at the Ondo Central Mosque.

Fawehinmi’s body was brought from the Ondo Central Mosque accompanied by the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye, National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, family members and a host of others.

From the venue of the lying-in-state, the remains of Chief Fawehinmi were taken to the Ondo Township Central Mosque where a special prayer was conducted for him by the Chief Imam, Alhaji Bashiru Alimi.

Speaking at the prayer session, the Chief Imam described the late lawyer as a God-sent helper to mankind, saying he was a pious and righteous Muslim who came to the world and accomplished all the missions assigned to him by God.

The Islamic cleric, who declared that Fawehinmi was a heaven-bound candidate, said that he was sure that the late human rights activist would definitely make Al-janah because of his numerous good deeds and for identifying with the poor while alive.

“When he was alive, some people felt he was antagonistic, but that was not the truth. Gani was always defending the truth and his good-naturedness could be seen in the number of people that have been coming to pay homage since his death 12 days ago.

“Again, the 12 days since his death and since he had been taken away from us to one place or the other can be compared to that of a man whose wife was kidnapped. One thing that he will be praying for is the release of his wife. Gani has been in the custody of his “kidnappers” in the last 12 days, but we are happy that he has been finally returned to us for proper burial”, he said.

The final burial was preceded by a lying-in-state organised by the Ondo Development Council (ODC). The Ondo Civic Centre, venue of the event was filled to capacity with more than half of the people that wanted to witness the programme unable to gain access to the hall.

Speaking at the programme, the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said Fawehinmi would not die because all the ideals that he lived for would continue to live after him, adding that the people he fought, lived and suffered for would ever remember him.

He, however, said there were still many unanswered questions about the struggles of Fawehinmi, which, according to him, included education for all eligible children in the country, free and qualitative heath care for both the rich and the poor and legal representation for all irrespective of whether the person had legal fees or not.

The governor told the human rights crusaders left behind by Fawehinmi, particularly those in government now, to ensure that they worked for an egalitarian society where justice prevailed.

Kayode Soyinka in his tribute said but for the deceased, he would have been linked with the killing of the late publisher of Newswatch, Dele Giwa. Soyinka, who was with Giwa when he received a letter bomb that killed him said: “Fawehinmi was remarkable in many ways. He was the first caller in the hospital when Giwa was killed. Gani knew the meaning of friendship; he used the only instrument he had to fight for justice. We will invoke his sprit for the battle to liberate the people from oppression and want.”

Also speaking, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, an Afenifere leader and a core Awoist, described the late Gani as a courageous, consistent and fearless leader who gave all he had to defend the defenceless.

“No encomiums will be too much to shower on Gani and what he did cannot be rivalled. He was consistent and his devotion to the cause of the common man was unequalled. He was uncompromising and he was a believer in free education and free and fair elections.

“He served the nation with all the gifts and talents God gave him, even at the expense of his health and life. Gani is a difficult person to be replaced and it will be difficult for another Gani to come; his type comes around once in a while. He is an irreparable loss to his family, the bar and the political life of the country,” he said.

In the same vein, the NBA President, Rotimi Akeredolu, said that it was not so easy to describe the late lawyer in a few words having done so many things during his lifetime, but added that he would be greatly missed by the Bar.

“He was a fire-eater, a fire-fighter, a dogged and consistent fighter. He has put his house in order and he is leaving a good legacy, opening a vista for so many lawyers through his weekly law reports which are needed instruments for any lawyer,” he added.

The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), in its tribute read by Dr. Rotimi Ademodi, said “Gani was ubiquitous, as long as hearddistress call promptly he hearkened, he had journals for the studious, scholarship for the ambitious, impatience for the mediocre and intolerant he was to the tyrant.

“He had a dream that Nigeria is paradise where there is access to essentials of life, where even the poor can engage in litigation. Gani demystified the legal world and decompartmentalised religion”.

Also speaking, the national president of the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria (ASUU), Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, said Fawehinmi would be remembered for his dogged fight for the downtrodden.

He said Fawehinmi struggled to ensure that Nigerians have free and qualitative education, adding that he also struggle against dictatorship. He said, “he struggled against dictatorship, his fight for students, for Nigerians generally placed him in a special position in the annal of this country.

“We will miss him in this struggle for genuine electoral reform because we are yet to have democracy in this country, what we have is an ordinary civilian rule”.

The chairman of ODC, Professor Ifedayo Oladapo, described Fawehinmi as a great son of Ondo town that would be remembered for his contributions to the country.

According to him, the late human rights lawyer’s life was worth celebrating as he was a thorn in the flesh of his adversaries. Also speaking, Mr. Tope Adeboyeku, a former student leader and currently working with the Ondo East Local Government Area as an accountant, described the late Gani Fawehinmi as “the Conscience of the Nation who trained us not to fear the bullet, but fear and respect our conscience.”

Adeboyeku was rusticated from the Yaba College of Technology, along with seven other students in 1991 for spearheading a protest against the decision of the then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), to buy a fleet of limousine cars for the African Heads of State who were in the country that year for the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) summit.

Recalling that the late Fawehinmi took up the case, which lasted four years without taking a kobo, the former student leader who carried a placard (along with one student) itemising the travails of the late lawyer, said; “some of our leaders today have dead conscience but are still living.”

Major market and shops in Ondo were closed early in the day as a mark of honour for the late lawyer, while major roads and street between Gani’s house in Oka area and Ife Motor Park were also closed by security men with broken wood and chairs to prevent the movement of vehicles and motorcycles, in compliance with the directives by the monarch of the town, Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Festus Kiladejo that the markets should be closed.

On the major roads commuters were stranded as students of the Ondo Boys High School and other schools in the community lined up the road to pay their last respects to the late human rights activist and beggars in their scores filed into the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre venue to perform pay their last respects.

The body of late Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) was at exactly 10:40 a. m., conveyed in a gold casket into the centre for his final farewell by kith and kin and was accompanied by the children, led by his eldest son, Mohammed.

Other dignitaries included Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to Federal Government, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, ex-governor Kano State, Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, leader of Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC)

Also at the Civic Centre were Senator Femi Okurounmu; Dr. Dan Anyanwu, National Chairman, Labour Party; Mr. Yomi Shokoya, representative of Major-General Mohammed Buhari, while the Osemawe of Ondo town, Oba Victor Kiladejo, was represented by his wife, Olori Adeyinka Kiladejo. http///www.tribune.com.ng

By Wale Ojo-Lanre just back from Ghana updated: Wednesday 02-09-2009


Queen Irene Cole- Queen Island Resort

- 18 Golf course -Residential plots

- 5-Star hotel

- Multi-building condominium

- Shopping malls

- Amusement park

GREAT Ningo is a peaceful beach- community located on 22 miles east of Tema and 35 miles East of Accra, Ghana.

The indigenes are always proud to tell whoever cares that there are only two great countries in the world; The Great Britain and Great Ningo.

The greatness of the community is not only embedded in its being located along the sea but blessed with pristine flora, exotic palm trees, trees, local lush grasses and utmost serenity never found anywhere in Ghana.

The indigenes thus revel in this natural wonders and always show off that, they are specially created by God to enjoy the most temperate environment in Ghana.

This indigenes protect their land jealousy from hungry land speculators who are just out to acquire it for spurious purpose.

Over the years, they have rebuffed several offers just because “our land can only go for that person who has vision to translate it to an eldoraldo.”

Consequently, a Nigerian-American Queen Irene Cole walked into the palace of the Nene, paid obeisance and unveiled her vision:

“I am here not to buy your land and resell. I am here to acquire your land for something that will not only benefit the land but indigenes, Great Ningo, Ghana in particular and West Africa in general.”

Her tone and conviction of purpose was so real in her face that the Nene had no choice than to call his people in agreement for the handling over of 441 acres of land to the Queen.

She went further, “My vision for this place is to create the best resort in the world sub-region, where you can have access to everything.

“My father, I want to put that little bit of heaven from each country of the world which I have visited here on Queen Island Resort. That part of the exclusive London residence, that part of the Disney World Park, the bit of joy of Sea World Universal Studio, the romantic bliss of the Mediterranean and the blowing glitz of Las Vegas. All combined will make Queen Island Resort a unique haven in Africa.

Speaking with TTH on the Island in Ghana, Queen Irene Cole, pointed to the 221 acres of land “This project is being designed to be an exclusive master-plannet golf course community that upon completion shall become a world-class resort community for residents and visitors alike. The golf course shall be the centre piece of the resort and shall be developed to provide a challenging and breathtaking experience for golfers of all experience levels. Each of the 18 holes of this prestigious championship golf course shall be created with its own signature design that combines the natural terrain, and foliage with the oceanfront views and breezes.

“Surrounding the golf course shall be high-end residential home sites of various sizes. The core resort complex shall be at a minimum of four or five-star 500-plus room hotel and convention/multi-use centre complete with restaurants, club house facilities, pro shop, retail shopping, meeting rooms, and other support facilities.

“Additional resort amenities being planned include: timeshare and condominium buildings, athletic facilities, additional hotels, swimming pools, health and wellness centre including complete spa facilities, amusement park and tourist visitor’s centre, marketplace with community cultural centre, and a variety of oceanfront destination resort amenities.

“The golf course shall be designed to be environmentally-friendly by utilising select landscape designs that minimize water usage. All water used for irrigation and water feature purposes shall be reclaimed water from the resort’s wastewater reclamation facilities effluent. “Solar power generation shall be incorporated into the project’s residential and commercial structural designs. All efforts to create designs similar to LEED-certification standards for Green facilities shall be maximized.” The overall complex shall be designed to meet the international golf course requirements of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) including minimum tournament requirements.”
http///www.tribune.com.ng

A new gospel act, Olubowale Oluwafunmilayo will on 19 September roll out the drums to launch her debut album entitled Mumi Dele.

The album, a well-packaged stuff for both listening and party pleasure has been enjoying quality airtime since the promo copy was released to some selected broadcast houses.

The launching of the album which comes under the Chairmanship of AVM Ben Obadn (rtd) comes up at the Adegboyega Hall, Maryland Business Plaza along Ikorodu Road, Maryland.

Also expected at the A-list event include Pastor R. Oluyole (Chief launcher), Messers N. Shobowale and Simeon Babatunde Adenekan are fathers of the day respectively.

The launching will have as royal fathers, Oba Akinlolu Joseph Ogunde (Abowa of Agbowa) and Oba Samuel Adegboyega Osunbade (Olugbon of Orile-Igbon).
Activities starts from 1.00pm. http///www.tribune.com.ng

Jamix, seemingly the most sought after Abuja-based music producer is about to release a compilation CD which includes songs from various top Nigerian hip hop artistes. he said in a chat recently that his yet-to-be titled album will be a release with the highest hip hop content ever. He also said that it will be the first time since his career started that he will be lending his voice to his productions.

Jamix whose real name is Lawrence Emmanuel, has produced songs for virtually all the major hip hop artistes in Nigeria. Though, not based in the music capital, Lagos, he has had his name in a lot of music hits including those of Terry da rap man, Mode 9, Tuface and a lot of other top artistes. He is also the number one choice for all Northern based hip-hop artistes. “They can’t resist coming to my studio anytime they are in Abuja, they always want a track from me” he said.

A single in his yet-to-be released album is already on air, and true to his words, he has been able to pull together heavy weights in the hip hop scene. The Omo Naija song which has been on radio features Terry, 9ice Rap phenomenon and M.I. The song preaches patriotism and enjoins the Nigerian youths to be proud of Nigeria where they come from. Jamix who put together the song explains that this move is strategic in order to assist the Information minister in her campaign for Re-branding Nigeria.

Although, smoking per se does not cause the TB disease, experts warn that those infected with the TB bacteria run a greater risk of developing the disease if they are smokers, reports Sade Oguntola.

It may sound far-fetched that smoking can lead to severe brain damage. That smokers may exacerbate the problem of malnutrition because they tend to finance their habit by dipping into the family purse may also sound outrageous. But, the finding that smoking increases the risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB) disease, which would require daily intake for eight months to get rid of this disease, is really a cause for concern.

Although, smoking per se does not cause the TB disease, a new report by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, stated that those infected with the TB bacteria run a greater risk of developing the disease if they are smokers.

The researchers, when they compared the likelihood of active TB among ever, never, and current smokers, found that smokers are two times more at risk of developing active TB compared with people who never smoked. Infectious tuberculosis is known as active TB. There was a strong association between increased risk and the number of cigarettes smoked per day, years of smoking, and pack-years.

Interestingly, they also found that younger smokers were more likely than smokers older than 65 years to develop active TB, relative to their non-smoking counterparts.

The report analysed data on smoking data and exposure to second-hand smoke at home from almost 17,000 people, aged 12 years and older in Taiwan taking part in that country’s National Health Interview Survey.

About 3,900 were current smokers(people who were smokers at the time of interview) and about 13,250 had never smoked. Active TB occurred in 24 current smokers, compared with 30 in those who had never smoked.

Meanwhile, the researchers took into consideration factors such as sex, age, living in a crowded home, household income, marital status, alcohol use and employment, which could have affected the outcome of the finding of the study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

They noted, “Based on our analysis, 17 per cent of incident TB cases in this population were attributable to smoking. When extrapolated to the national population, this translated into 2,841 cases among the 16,580 reported in Taiwan in 2005.”

Dr. John Osho, Coordinator, Disease Control, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Ibadan, explained that the person who smokes has greater affinity to develop active TB disease since smoking is a very important predisposing factor to active TB disease. “The reasons are not far fetched. Tobacco smokers inhale smoke and the tar content of the smoke gets into the lungs. The tar causes some inflammatory response in the lungs. It is this inflammatory response that weakens the lung tissues. Basically, what TB needs to thrive and destroy the lung tissue is an unhealthy lung where it can thrive.”

Even though, everyone that leaves in a TB endemic environment like Nigeria has been exposed to the TB germ, he stated that the implication is that when people smoke, the possibility of the germ manifesting itself is higher.

Dr. Osho stated that people who were passive smokers might equally be affected, depending on the amount of smoke they were exposed to and the duration of exposure. He declared, “In the case of a passive smoker, the amount of smoke and the duration of exposure, all these things matter. However, passive smoking does not put at a level of risk that is comparable with what obtains in actual smokers. “

Meanwhile, Dr. Osho declared that not all smokers would end up having TB disease. “Not necessarily in medicine, you cannot say that all smokers would end up with TB disease. However, such people may be prone to other airway diseases

He opined that TB, all over the world had been declared by the World Health Organisation(WHO) as a global epidemic and so, the focus and funding to combating TB, AIDS and Malaria globally under the Global Funds for TB, AIDS and Malaria.

Dr. Wole Lawal, Coordinator, TB/Leprosy Programme, at the Oyo State Ministry of Health, explained that as advertisements of cigarettes read, smoking in dangerous to health. According to him, one of the dangers of smoking was that it reduces the ability of the lining of the airway to filter infection and lead to activation of latent TB germ in the body.

Dr. Lawal added that given that addicted smokers may easily substitute balanced meals with smoking, this could affect their body’s resistance to diseases as well as predisposing them to developing active TB. “Some of the things we tell our patients that are on anti-tuberculosis medicines or confirmed with TB is that they must stop smoking so that the habit would not further complicate their problem. This is because smoke is an irritant to the lung and as such would make the person that is exposed to it produce more sputum.

He pointed out that smoke, irrespective of its source was bad for the body as it could also predispose to allergic diseases like asthma and chronic airway diseases.

Several studies have shown that smoking is a risk factor for developing the tuberculosis disease. But there has not been any large-scale study in the general population to understand this association as most studies looked at high-risk individuals to understand how smoking makes a person develop the disease.

Tuberculosis (TB), which has 9.3 million new cases and claimed the lives of some 1.8 million in 2007, is still a leading cause of death in the world. One in every three individuals in the world is infected with TB; only 90 per cent, however, will develop active TB at some point in their lives due to their weak immune systems.

One in three people in the world is infected with TB but 90 percent of these will remain latent infections. The remaining 10 per cent will develop active TB and fall sick at some point in their lives because of weak immune systems. For example, many people who are infected with HIV/AIDS fall sick and die from TB.

Only a doctor can diagnose tuberculosis whose signs and symptoms include persistent cough, constant fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, coughing up blood and night sweats. A skin test will be performed. If the person reacts to the test, the person has only been exposed to the disease. It does not mean that the person is infectious or has tuberculosis.

The researchers wrote, “Smokers may have reduced ability to fight intruding viruses and bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis, in their lungs. When these normal defence mechanisms are compromised, the development of TB might ensue upon exposure to the TB pathogen.”

Based on the result of the study, they urged policy makers and authorities to add tobacco cessation as part of their programmes for controlling the spread of tuberculosis. Campaigns should also reach others affected by the smoke that is likely to benefit from the cessation of smoking among those around them.

http///www.tribune.com.ng

Hot in demand producer cum artiste, Gabriel Amanyi a.k.a Terry G is about now plotting a grand script for the music video of his hit single entitled Free Madness.

Speaking more about the yet to be shot video, Terry G revealed that the video will be shot in his the hood where he grew up and his fans should expect nothing but a mad concept.

”The video for the single Free Madness will be shot in the hood where I grew up and it will be directed by me while Igho will produce the video. It will be shot in two weeks time and the concept is nothing but a mad one,” he added.

He also talked about how the inspiration for the song came about: ”It’s a beat I did for my friend, his name is Black. I was making the beat for the song which we were supposed to do together. And as usual, before I begin every recording session in my studio, I usually test the microphone. I always test the microphone to get all the settings right, so that when you start voicing the voice of the artiste sounds right and clean. While they were outside, I was inside, trying to get the sound settings right and all of a sudden, I was in the mood and I decided to free-style on the beat I prepared for him. I took the song straight from the beginning; with no harmony and no back up. And it is surprising that the song is causing a lot of stir in the industry today,” he enthused.

Also speaking about his rumored deal with Mo’ Hits Records Terry G says: ”I am not signed on to Mo’ Hits Records. They are my colleagues and I respect them a whole lot, especially Don Jazzy’s productions. That is why you see me hanging around with them. They know their onions and the artistes on record label are the most packaged acts in the industry at the moment. But I am not signed on to the record label; I am doing my own thing called Terry G’s Production (TGP) that I currently run.”

Finally, the artiste spoke about his forthcoming album; ”It’s actually package from my first album. I am about to promote a new image and it is even more than what people expect. I have a variety of songs that will please ears and the album is a commercial album. There will be 12 tracks on the album and I am producing all the songs on the album. I am also working on my younger brother’s album. His name is D’ Money.”




http///www.terry g production.com

A review of Richard Harwood’s book, Make Hope Real: How We Can Accelerate Change for the Public Good, by Folorunsho Moshood.

Hope is an unquantifiable feeling of expectation and desire for a change that succors to occur. It is that glimpse of light that transcends all things in every gloomy situation.

Authentic hope strives to sustain courage until the expectation is met while false hope destroys courage because the supposedly glimpse of light will fade quickly and pave the way for a gloomier situation.

People’s authentic hope in politics should transcend the expectation of dividends of democracy and should encompass democratic practices that people are using to govern themselves. Richard Harwood’s Make Hope Real, a sequel to Hope Unraveled, is divided into three chapters — The Bottom Line, Getting To A New Reality and The Centrality Of Authentic Hope.

The book shows the practical way of executing what Ernesto Cortex Jr. and Robert Putnam have expressed in their various works on how to create social capital for change. Chapter one reveals Harwood’s deep concern about the foundation — the capacity, conditions, or collective will — necessary to produce the widespread change that does not exist. But people’s yearning for real and long-term change exist.

Having realised that there are pockets of change here and there, Harwood uses chapter two to ask the reader a two-in-one question, ‘How can we understand the important change that is occurring and help accelerate it in the right direction?’ He explores five key ideas for public thinking and action towards answering the question; ‘Focus on the Sweet Spot of Public Life’, ‘Embrace Citizen-Based Values, or Lose Relevance’, ‘A New Breed of Leaders –Who Will Stand Beside Them?’, ‘Activity Happy, yet Action Deprived’ and ‘Create Civic Mind-share’.The first idea reveals where Harwood found the people’s yearning for real change.

On the tour of Hope Unraveled, he found “Sweet Spot of Public Life” that addresses pressing public issues and builds community by strengthening local norms, relationships, networks, organisations, and leaders. In the nurturing process, this brings a demanding two-part challenge.

First, the pockets of change need to be connected to become a deeper force to accelerate progress. Second, the meaning of these pockets should be connected to the broader aspirations within people for public life and politics. The second idea is centered on the re-engagement around citizen-based values.

These are not values that demand ‘do-or-die’ victory and unity at all cost rather they are values that demand simple courtesy rooted in two basic principles of life; an acknowledgement of others even in the face of sharp disagreements, and a mutual understanding of our interdependence. These values have components that call for total commitments of people in discharging their duties and responsibilities to politics and public life taking into consideration integrity, honesty, sincerity, discipline, trust, respect and good attitude.

The third idea opines that followers should always stand beside their good leaders in the face of unwarranted public criticism. It evolves from the fact that politics is now booming with new breed of young and dynamic leaders. Harwood believes that, “Too many of our good leaders are left standing alone naked in the public square just at the moment when they most need us to stand beside them and vouch for their worthiness”.

Even in Nigeria, people kill some of the good ideas of our leaders right from the conception stage. Uniquely public knowledge by the people will nudge good ideas into great ones. The fourth idea reveals how to build a community from the scratch. Building a community from the scratch should eschew setting of unrealistic goals. When people think big and act big, they become a heavy pendulum that gets stuck in the middle.

This is usually characterised by ‘Anti-norms- a lack of positive norms to support and sustain civic work over time’, ‘Lack of knowledge on how to pursue civic engagement’, ‘Lack of political will to support public issues’, ‘Insufficient Boundary Spanning Organisations’ and ‘The impulse to be mechanistic’. The last idea touches on one of the ‘Broken Covenants’ in Hope Unraveled, ‘Materialism and Consumerism Run Amuck’. In Hope Unraveled, Harwood reports how this broken covenant led to the frustrations of people in politics.

But in Make Hope Real, he reports a new dimension, ‘People are not only talking about this mindset as it affects them; they are now talking about their own inability to create room in their lives for meaningful relationships and connections that will address it’. Though people have retreated from politics because of the ‘Broken Covenants’, they do not wish to remain in retreat.

The last chapter warns against peddling the false hope. The path of setting ambiguous and big expectations and exaggerating success can only lead to false hope, which will pave the way for a gloomier situation. Building, spreading and connecting pockets of change, and designing them to accommodate all the five ideas will bring about the authentic hope that sustains courage.

Harwood has written an inspiring and thought-provoking book that scratches beneath the surface of what is required to institute an enduring foundation to make hope real. It is a must read for advocates who will like to sharpen their skills on democratic practices that people are using to govern themselves
http///www.tribune.com.ng

MESSRS Olowolade Tope and Kupolati Charles are not only good friends, they are also graduates of the University of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, with masters degrees from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

Recently, Tribune Agriculture had an encounter with the duo in Ibadan during an agricultural-development programme/seminar, in which the two young men lectured a group of farmers on what to do to increase food production.

The programme duelt on reasons farmers in the country must adopt sustainable system of agriculture, the modern agricultural equipment to use in order to banish the drudgery associated with farming and most importantly, the type of fertilisers to use for different crops and soil type, as well as what farmers can do to guarantee bountiful harvest and agricultural youth developmental programmes aimed at reducing poverty in the country.

According to Mr. Charles, we are into fertiliser production and packaging and this is a project we believe will go a long way in solving some of the agricultural problems in many rural areas and as an indigene of Ekiti State, we want the state governor, Olusegun Oni, to give us a chance of contributing our own quota to the agricultural developmental programme of his administration”, he stated.

What do you intend doing for farmers and youths like yourselves in Ekiti State and how do you wants to go about it? Tribune Agriculture asked and Kupolati replied: “We can produce quality but cheap and affordable inorganic fertilisers for farmers in Ekiti State. The materials that will be used for the fertiliser production will be locally sourced for.

Apart from producing fertiliser, we also believe that the fertiliser production and packaging scheme will also generate employment for the jobless youths in the state which pride itself as the Fountain of Knowledge. In other words, we want the state government to give us a chance of contributing to the agricultural development of our state”, he further explained.

And for his partner, Mr. Olowolade, he told Tribune Agriculture that Ekiti State is known for large and massive production of food crops like yam, maize, rice, etc. and as such, the fertiliser production and packaging scheme they intend to do for rural farmers will reposition the state in terms of food production.

“I also believe that it would solve the problem of fertiliser scarcity, diversion, as well as the problem of high prices of the chemical inputs. Not only that, the scheme will also solve the problem of the total reliance on the federal allocation of fertiliser and untimely release of this agricultural input. We also believe that if the state can adopt the fertiliser production scheme, it will also guarantee exportation of the fertiliser to other parts of the country”, he emphasised.

The duo, however, appealed to Governor Oni, to encourage the setting up of what they called mini fertiliser plant in the state, which they believe, other states of the federation, will definitely emulate after they might have started hearing the good news that will be emanating from the state.

Do you have a testimony for all your claim? Tribune Agriculture asked, and they replied: “This is a programme that has attracted patronage from various quarters, including private individual and organisation and even some state governments. So we want farmers in Ekiti State to enjoy similar benefit considering Governor Oni’s commitment to agricultural development.

obansanjo is a guy let him join mohit if possible self make him join bluemoon obj carry go jooo

Since his sad and painful death was made public penultimate Saturday, several leading Nollywood stars and practitioners have been mourning and weeping over the irreparable loss of Chief Abdul-Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi.

The thespians also unanimously concurred that Fawehinmi was and still remains a legal icon and the last hope of the oppressed masses, who will forever miss him.

According to top actress, Oby Gold Edozieh, as a lawyer, the late legal luminary was very vocal and fearless, while as an activist, he was consistent and always on the side of the masses.

“In fact, Gani was irreplaceable and unrivalled. I don’t think we can ever have another Gani in our generation. He was a true national icon, leading light and a shining example. I wept like a baby when I heard the sad news that Saturday morning. Death or not, Gani lives on in our minds”.

Also lamenting, Nollywood enthusiast and entertainment guru, Edi Lawani, has this to say on the late masses lawyer: “Gani is an icon. An epitome of what a truly conscientious human being should be, a fearless and selfless defender of the common man, a defender of the sacrosanct principles of the rule of law, a true Nigerian to the core”. Dear readers, kindly keep a date with The Sun, on Tuesday, the day he would be buried, for more tributes on Gani, from top Nollywood practitioners.

Meanwhile, it would be recalled that Fawehinmi, one of Nigeria’s most outspoken lawyers/activists died in the early hours of last Saturday at Lister Medical Centre, Lagos, after a protracted battle with lung cancer. He was aged 71.



http///www.nollywood.com

Following her lead role in the popular movie, Jenifa, star actress, Funke Akindele’s life has not just got flipped on its head, her celebrity status has skyrocketed. She said about how she struggled to cope when she gets spotted by fans on the streets since she became one of the Glo Ambassadors.

What then is the making of Jenifa? “It all started when my younger sister, who is still in the University of Lagos, got home one day and said; “Sister can you imagine, some girls in my school wanted to attend a party in Abuja and while they were at the airport about to board a plane, a text message was received in one of their phones and they discovered the text was from the girl who was organising them for the party, she actually wanted to send it to the organisers in Abuja.”

The message read in part, “I have sent the girls and please, make sure you send my money and keep everything coded o.” After reading the text message, the girls discovered that it was mistakenly sent to their phones and they found out that they were actually ‘organised’ for rituals.”

I asked my younger sister; “Are you sure this thing really happened?” And she said “yes;” and I tried to figure out how best I could tell this story, because the issue of “read your books, don’t do ‘aristos’ and HIV issues,” have all been overflogged in the media, seminars, churches and mosques.

So, I said “why can’t I bring in comedy into it?” I concluded that the comical scenes would draw more audiences to listen and see the story and learn a few lessons from it.

It was at that point that I remembered this Igbo girl who was a wannabe while I was in school but she was so local with this strong Igbo accent. So, I gave birth to the character, Jenifa, but decided not to use the Igbo angle to it. I stayed within my Yoruba roots knowing that if they wanted to deal with me, they would not be too harsh since they will remember that I am one of their own.

That was how I married the wannabe character and the critical issue of those girls, blended it with comedy, and Jenifa was born.”

http///www.nollywood.com