Nigeria: Naira Fluctuated, Depreciated Over Sanusi's Suspension - Okonjo-Iweala

Lagos — Operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) yesterday seized the travelling documents of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

This came as Dr. Okonjo-Iweala admitted fluctuations and slight depreciation of the Naira following the break of the news of Sanusi's removal but expressed optimism that the market should normalize after her assurances.

Mallam Sanusi who arrived Lagos from Niger Republic, where he had gone to attend a meeting of governors of central banks in the West African sub-region was accosted by plain clothed operatives of DSS who detained him briefly and insisted that he must surrender his passport to them.

They also insisted that he would not be allowed to leave the airport until the Lagos State director of the DSS arrived.

However, after communicating with their superior, the DSS officials allowed the CBN Governor to leave but only after his passport had been confiscated.

Upon arrival in Lagos, Mallam Mr. Sanusi's associates and friends, led by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, were on ground to receive him at the airport.

They drove out of the airport in a convoy heading towards Ikoyi. A member of the delegation said Mr. Sanusi was heading to a friend's place to relax.

Okonjo-Iweala assures on policies

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday assured that the removal of Mallam Sanusi would not adversely affect the stability of the nation's economy as the President Goodluck Jonathan administration would continue its tight fiscal and monetary policies.

She said: "Of course since the news broke there have been concerns in the markets which is not unusual. When there is movement of one of the major people managing the economy, there is bound to be some reactions but I just want to use this opportunity to focus on assuring market participants of the resolute attention that this government will be paying to managing this economy. Our objective remains to maintain macroeconomic stability. That has been the hallmark of this administration".

Nigeria: Lagos Bans Use of Mini-Skirt, Other Attires

Lagos State Government has banned all forms of dresses that expose breasts, coves and other sensitive parts of the female body, saying "they are indecent."

This was contained in a circular issued by the State Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams to entire Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, dated February 7, 2014.

Vanguard gathered that the decision was taken as a result of worsening cases of indecent dressing among the state government female public servants.

The circular however urged all Directors of Finance and Administration, DFAs, to immediately move against indecent dressing .

The circular, with the reference number CIR/HOS/14/Vol.1/022, said similar directive was issued through the HOS in 2005 in a circular number 113 mandating public servants to dress properly and decently to the office and official functions portray the good image of the state government.

The government in the circular warned that it would begin to take drastic and punitive measures against recalcitrant public servants who flout the directive.

The circular added "It has however been observed with grave concern that some officers have not been complying with this directive. The noticeable non-compliance of some officers to this directive should henceforth stop as the extant civil service rules and regulations on proper and indecent dressing still subsist and will be applied accordingly on flouters".

The HOS listed what is contained in the new dress code for female workers and that skirts that are above the knee should not be worn by public servants.

Williams explained that if female public servants must wear trousers, such trousers should neither be tight nor revealing any sensitive part of their body and must be worn with a jacket.

She also said that gowns to be worn by female public servants must be of knee level, moderate slit, not sleeveless and not body clinging, adding that if native attires must be worn, they must be worn completely.

The government also reeled out dress code for male public civil servants, administrative officers must wear suit and tie as professionals.

The junior and clerical staff they said should wear shirts and trousers and French suit while complete native wear is allowed for all cadres of public servants.

Williams affirmed that,"As a matter of necessity, all Directors of Finance and Administration are hereby enjoined to ensure that officers within their purview adhere strictly to moderate and decent dressing".

sewing thread to create artificial muscle

Zee Media Bureau

Washington: Scientists claim to have made an inexpensive artificial muscle that is about 10 times stronger than human muscles.

Applications of this new artificial muscle could be in medical devices, robotic exoskeletons and prosthetic limbs.

In the tests, scientists twisted the fibers made from polyethylene and nylon into tight coils - like you would twist the rubber band of a model toy aeroplane - to create an artificial muscle that could contract and relax.

The artificial muscles contract and relax in response to changes in temperature, which can be controlled by an electrical heating element.

UN chief calls for 3000 more troops in violence-hit Central African Republic

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 21 (APP): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the international community to urgently send another 3,000 troops and police to the Central African Republic (CAR) in an effort to stop violence between Christians and Muslims that threatens to spiral into a virtual genocide. Speaking in the Security Council on Thursday, Ban said he would report shortly submit a  report recommending a UN peacekeeping force with a robust mandate to protect civilians and promote peace and stability in the country.“The crisis that continues to unfold in the Central African Republic poses a test for the entire international community,” he said, while outlining a set of measures to address the greatest risks facing the country. 

“The situation in the country has been on the agenda of the Security Council for many years now. But today’s emergency is of another, more disturbing magnitude. It is a calamity with a strong claim on the conscience of humankind,”the UN chief said. 
He noted that over the past year, CAR has witnessed, in quick succession, the violent overthrow of the Government, the collapse of State institutions and a descent into lawlessness and sectarian brutality. The crisis has already claimed thousands of lives, uprooted almost one million people and left more than 2.5 million people in need of immediate humanitarian assistance.
The conflict erupted when mainly Muslim Seleka rebels launched attacks in December 2012 and has taken on increasingly sectarian overtones as mainly Christian militias known as anti-Balaka (anti-machete) have taken up arms.  
With whole populations being moved, Ban said a creeping de facto partition of the country is setting in, with Muslims in one part and Christians in another.This separation is laying the seeds of conflict and instability for years, maybe generations, to come.
The UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, who wrapped up a visit to CAR on Thursday, said she was ‘shocked’ by burned homes and people so scared by violence that they sleep in the bush at night. She noted that tensions between communities are high, and stressed the need for more troops on the ground to provide security and protection across the country.
Echoing the call for security and protection was Michel Sidibe, the Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), who also witnessed the desperate conditions facing the people of CAR as he traveled with Amos. 
Prior to the current crisis, the country was already struggling with its AIDS response. Since the violence began, two-thirds of people living with HIV on treatment have fled their homes and are no longer able to access the medicinesand care they need. 
The African Union and France have deployed troops to CAR to help stem the violence, and Ban voiced his gratitude to them for saving many lives and providing protection where they can. 
“However, given the scale and geographic breadth of the violence, the security requirements far exceed the capabilities of the number of international troops now deployed,” he stated. 
In places where there are no international forces, the choice for far too many civilians is to flee or be killed.
“The human family must not shy away from what is happening today in the Central African Republic, or from our responsibilities both yours and mine  under the United Nations Charter,” he stressed. 
“Events in the CAR have implications across the region, and summon us to defend universal values as well. This complex security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis demands a comprehensive and integrated response.” 
The Secretary-General is expected to report soon to the Security Council on the outlines of a future UN peacekeeping operation with a robust mandate to protect civilians and promote stability in CAR. However, he noted, the deployment of a peacekeeping operation, if authorized, will take months. 
“The people of the Central African Republic do not have months to wait. The international community must act decisively now to prevent any further worsening of the situation and to respond to the dire needs of the country’s people.”
Therefore, he proposed a six-point initiative to address the greatest risks being faced by the people of CAR, beginning with a call for the rapid reinforcement of the AU and French troops now on the ground with additional deployments of at least 3,000 more troops and police.
He also proposed that all international forces in CAR be brought under a single coordinated command, and that the mission of these forces be focused on the most urgent priorities. These include containing the violence, protecting civilians, preventing further displacements, and creating a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. In addition, the African troops that join this force should be provided with logistic and financial support.
Further, Ban called for rapid, tangible support to the Government of CAR, led by Acting Head of State Catherine Samba-Panza, to help it establish a minimum capacity to function. 
“This support should include the financial assistance necessary to get police back on the streets, judges back in the courtrooms, and prison guards back on the job,” he stated. 
In addition, he called for the acceleration of a political and reconciliation process to prevent a ‘further fraying of the communal bonds,’ as well as for urgent funding for humanitarian aid, which is currently insufficient to address the crisis.
“We know what is happening in the Central African Republic. We know why it is different from previous outbreaks of violence. We know why it matters to all of us and what we must do,” Ban said.
“Knowledge is not all we have. Through collective action, as envisaged by the United Nations Charter, we have the power to stop the killing and save the Central African Republic from its current nightmare.”
Nearly one million people, a quarter of the population, have been displaced by the fighting.
Amid such violence against the country’s Muslims, the world’s largest bloc of Islamic countries agreed Thursday to send a high-level fact-finding mission to Central African Republic and to appoint a special representative to coordinate efforts with the AU and the U.N, according to media reports.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation made the decision in an emergency meeting at the body’s headquarters in Jeddah and said it would ‘urgently dispatch’ its high-level mission to the country to visit the capital to explore the situation, express solidarity with Muslims and to contribute to any peace talks.
“It has become imperative for a collective and timely engagement of the entire international community to help the new authorities restore order and stabilize the country because of the implications of the crisis on the peace, security and stability of the wider region and even beyond,” OIC Secretary-General Iyad Ameen Madani said.
Guinea’s Foreign Minister, Lounceny Fall, will head the organization’s delegation.
The organization of 57 Muslim-majority member states also called on member states and others to step up aid to people in need. Ban also appealed for financial support to help the government ‘establish a minimum capacity to function.’
The U.N. refugee agency says it will airlift aid in the coming week that will cater to 20,000 people.

Prayers go up and blessings come down.

Sometimes we don't realize the blessings we have until we no longer have them. Appreciate all the blessings in your life, take none for granted. 

The Negative Effects of Vitamin A in some babies

Dr Adeolu Arikawe, a General Physician, on Wednesday, advised pregnant women to avoid the intake of Vitamin A, as it could cause abnormalities in babies..
Arikawe said in Abuja that it was important to educate pregnant women about the effect of Vitamin A, in order to have healthy babies.
“A pregnant woman should avoid the intake of Vitamin A in pregnancy as much as possible because it has been identified to be one of the causes of abnormalities in some babies,” he said.
Arikawe also explained that an expectant mother should be encouraged to take some multivitamins, to boost appetite and develop immunity.
“Folic acid is necessary for the development of the foetal nervous system, which starts forming very early in pregnancy.
“It is important to start taking multivitamins before pregnancy to correct any form of deficiency,’’ he said.
He also advised pregnant to be taking blood building drugs for blood production, noting that most pregnant women had low red blood cell concentration.
Arikawe explained that low blood cell concentration could be harmful to the foetus, if below critical point.
“Although there is no special diet for pregnant women, some food items have to be avoided.
For instance, there is risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis infection from raw or under-cooked meat.
“Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that does significant damage to the feotus than it does to the mother,’’ Arikawe said.
WebMed, the online medical journal, describes toxoplasmosis as an infection caused by a parasite, called toxoplasmagondii, that can threaten the health of an unborn child.
It says one can get the infection from handling soil or cat litter that contains cat faeces infected with the parasite.
It added that one can also get it from eating undercooked meat from animals infected with the parasite, or from uncooked foods that have come in contact with contaminated meat.

Jonathan Nominates Emefiele As New CBN Governor

President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated Godwin Emefiele to be the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This is following the suspension of Sanusi Lamido from his position as the Governor of Nigeria’s apex bank.

Dr. Sarah Alade had been installed as the Acting Governor and speculations in the public domain were that Alade would become the new Governor.

Also, the President has nominated Adelabu Adekoya to become the new Deputy Governor of the Central Bank.

Emefiele is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer at Zenith Bank Plc.

Both names have been forwarded to the Senate for screening and approval.

New Choking Baby Advice Given To Parents

New Choking Baby Advice Given To Parents

New first aid advice on how to help a choking baby has been issued to parents.

St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross and St Andrew's First Aid have updated their advice after research suggested that many parents did not know what action to take.

The new advice is to place the baby face down along the thigh while an adult strikes the child's back.

First aid experts say this gives the baby more support compared with the previous advice, which was to place the baby along the adult's arm.

A survey of 1,000 parents of under-fives found 38% had seen their child choke.

Half of the parents said they did not know the correct way to help their child or how to clear the obstruction.

Nearly half said they avoided giving their child certain foods in case they choked.

Clive James, training officer at St John Ambulance, said: 'If an infant is choking then, in the first instance, they should be laid face down along your thigh and supported by your arm, give them five back blows between the shoulder blades with your heel of your hand.

"Previously this was done along the arm but the leg is felt to be more secure and provide more support.

"Check their mouth for any obstruction. If there is still a blockage then turn the infant onto their back and give up to five chest thrusts.

"Use two fingers, push inwards and upwards against their breastbone.

"If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts, call for an ambulance and continue until help arrives."

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

"Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it."
#MotherTeresa

ex*pre*ssio~n

"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business." 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

History of St. Valentine

Feastday: February 14
Patron of Love, Young People, Happy Marriages
Died: 269

Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in the persecution under Claudius II. He was apprehended, and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome, who, on finding all his promises to make him renounce his faith ineffectual, commanded him to be beaten with clubs, and afterwards, to be beheaded, which was executed on February 14, about the year 270. Pope Julius I is said to have built a church near Ponte Mole to his memory, which for a long time gave name to the gate now called Porta del Popolo, formerly, Porta Valetini. The greatest part of hisrelics are now in the church of St. Praxedes. His name is celebrated as that of an illustrious martyr in the sacramentary of St. Gregory, the Roman Missal of Thomasius, in the calendar of F. Fronto and that of Allatius, in Bede, Usuard, Ado, Notker and all other martyrologies on this day. To abolish the heathens lewd superstitious custom of boys drawing the names of girls, in honor of their goddess Februata Juno, on the fifteenth of this month, several zealous pastors substituted the names of saints in billets given on this day.

The Origin of St. Valentine

The origin of St. Valentine, and how many St. Valentines there were, remains a mystery. One opinion is that he was a Roman martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Other historians hold that St. Valentine was a temple priestjailed for defiance during the reign of Claudius. Whoever he was, Valentine really existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in a The Nuremberg Chronicle, a great illustrated book printed in 1493. [Additional evidence that Valentine was a real person: archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine.] Alongside a woodcut portrait of him, text states that Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius the Goth [Claudius II]. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus made a strategic error: he tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't do it, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate [circa 269].

Saints are not supposed to rest in peace; they're expected to keep busy: to perform miracles, to intercede. Being in jail or dead is no excuse for non-performance of the supernatural. One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

St. Valentine was a Priest, martyred in 269 at Rome and was buried on the Flaminian Way. He is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses.

Valentine’s Day traditions around the world

Valentine’s Day is, for many people, the most romantic day of the year, a time at which couples all over the world celebrate the wonder of love by collectively spending millions of naira, dollars, euros, pounds and other currencies on Valentine’s gifts. Many countries have their own particular traditions and customs on February 14 and here’s a selection:

Italy

Originally, Italians celebrated Valentine’s Day as the Spring Festival. The young and amorous gathered outside in gardens and tree arbors to enjoy poetry readings and music before taking a stroll with their beloved.
Today on Valentine’s Day Italians prefer having romantic dinners and exchanging gifts. Also, there is a tradition of giving chocolate to loved ones and Italians believe that in this case, size does matter- the bigger the chocolate, the stronger the love you will have.

France

The French like to think of themselves as the most romantic people in the world, and it’s often claimed on Gallic shores that the first Valentine’s Day card originated in France when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his life while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415.
Today card giving is not as popular as it used to be. Instead, the French have taken to their love for their own cuisine; restaurants famously do a roaring trade on February 14, a day also considered the best time for a marriage proposal.

United Kingdom

Valentine’s cards are often sent anonymously in the UK, a tradition dating back to Victorian times. So the recipients find out they have secret admirers while the senders satisfy themselves with the knowledge that the ones they admire know they’re admired. Various parts of the country have their own ways of celebrating: in Norfolk in the west, a mysterious Jack Valentine knocks on people’s doors and vanishes, leaving sweets for children. In Wales in the east, Valentine’s Day come just a few weeks after St Dwynwen’s (January 25) after the Welsh patron saint of lovers.

Saudi Arabia

Perhaps the the only country in the world where Valentine’s day is banned. In 2008 Saudi officials told florists and gift shops to remove all red items until after Valentine’s Day, calling the celebration of such a holiday a sin as it «encourages immoral relations between unmarried men and women».

Estonia
Valentine’s Day celebrations in Estonia have their own twist: February 14 is called «Friend’s Day», so single, lovelorn people don’t feel left out. That means everyone’s a winner thanks to nice presents offered between friends and family members.
That doesn't mean there’s no romance; shops, restaurants and even streets are decorated with hearts and other symbols of love. On this day single people also get the chance to take a ride on a special “love bus” where they can meet others looking for love.

Nigeria

February 14th, the day for lovers, is absolutely crazy in Nigeria, Lagos in particular. Entire streets, hotels, stores, restaurants are covered in red, pink and white streamers, with big heart shaped signs wishing passerby a Happy Valentines Day. Fancy and fast food restaurants are filled with couples eating out for the holiday.

While it seems that the exchange of "valentines" is more the result of secular custom rather than the memory of St. Valentine, and that the celebration has been further paganized with cupids and the like, there is a Christian message that should be remembered. The love of our Lord, depicted beautifully in the image of His most Sacred Heart, is a sacrificial, self-less, and unconditional love. Such is the love that each Christian is called to express in his own life, for God and neighbor. Clearly, St. Valentine—no matter which one—showed such a love, bearing witness to the faith in his dedication as a priest and in the offering of his own life in martyrdom. On this Valentine's day, looking to the example of this great saint, each person should offer again his love to the Lord, for only by doing so can he properly love those who are entrusted to his care and any other neighbor. Each person should again pledge his love to those loved ones, praying for their intentions, promising fidelity to them, and thanking them for their love in return. Never forget Jesus said, "This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (Jn 15:12-13). St. Valentine fulfilled this command, and may we do the same.

Central Africa children killed, mutilated: UNICEF

Bangui: The UN children's agency on Friday said it was horrified at how children are being maimed and killed, including by beheadings, in the sectarian violence engulfing the Central African Republic. 

"There is no future for a country where adults can viciously target innocent children with impunity," said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF regional director for west and central Africa. 

UNICEF officials in the region "are horrified by the cruelty and impunity with which children are being killed and mutilated" and are "increasingly targeted because of their religion, or because of their community", the organisation said in a statement.

At least 133 children have been killed and maimed, some of them in horrific ways, in the past two months and UNICEF has verified cases of children intentionally beheaded and mutilated. 

"Impunity must end," Fontaine said. 

Many wounded children have often not been able to get to the hospital for treatment because of the violence. 

The CAR has been steadily descending into chaos ever since a coup by the Seleka rebel coalition a year ago installed the first Muslim president in the majority Christian nation. He has since stepped down.

International troops deployed in the country, including from former colonial power France, have failed to halt the violence that according to Amnesty International has grown into an "ethnic cleansing" campaign over the past weeks. 

The UN refugee agency has described the situation in the resource-rich but poor country as "a humanitarian catastrophe of unspeakable proportions".

Nigeria: AIDS control body warns Valentine Day's celebrants

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria's National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has warned against activities that could heighten the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), as the country joins the rest of the world to celebrant Valentine's Day, which is observed annually 14 Feb.

The day is usually marked by exchange of gifts, profession of love and amorous activities.

“Valentine Day as good as it may be has, however, brought up a worrisome aspect festering this celebration of love season. This is the high rate of indiscriminate sexual and other negative activities which are perpetrated on this day leading to uninformed decision making among adolescents,'' the local media Friday quoted NACA Director General John Idoko as saying.

“In our quest to actualise a generation free from HIV/AIDS, NACA is advising that at this season of love, Nigerians should make informed decisions about their sexual engagements in order to halt the spread of the virus,” he said.

He cautions against unprotected sex in this period of love sharing, saying the consumption of alcohol had become a worrisome aspect and catalyst in the spread of HIV/AIDS among sexual active partners.

“Either good or bad, alcohol intake does influence an individual’s judgments and perceptions. It is widely observed that drinking alcohol leads to increased risky sexual behaviour, like not using protection to prevent HIV/AIDS, or having sex that you will regret you had.

“As we celebrate love at this period of Valentine Day, it is good to note that safe sex is not just about protecting oneself, but however protecting those we love. As a nation, we must all come together with our partners and loved ones to discuss HIV/AIDS epidemic and above all get tested, NACA boss said.

Valentine: NACA warns against HIV, STIs

AS Nigerians today join the rest of the world to mark Valentine’s Day season of love activities, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, has called for caution against activities that could heighten the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections, STIs.

Love1Making the call in Abuja, Director General of the Agency, Professor John Idoko, recognised Valentine Day as a period where gratitude of love is demonstrated between individuals through gestures of affection such as flowers, perfumes, cloths among other gift items.

His words: “Valentine Day as good as it may be, has however, brought up a worrisome aspect festering this celebration of love season. This is the high rate of indiscriminate sexual and other negative activities which are perpetrated on this day leading to uninformed decision making among adolescents.

“In our quest to actualise a generation free from HIV/AIDS, NACA is advising that at this season of love, Nigerians should make informed decisions about their sexual engagements in order to halt the spread of the virus.”

Reminding Nigerians on the need to be principled and to abstain, or indulge only in protected sex at this period of love sharing. Idoko remarked that consumption of alcohol had become a worrisome aspect and catalyst in the spread of HIV/AIDS among sexual active partners.

“Either good or bad, alcohol intake does influence an individual’s judgments and perceptions. It is widely observed that drinking alcohol leads to increased risky sexual behaviour, like not using protection to prevent HIV/AIDS, or having sex that you will regret you had.

“As we celebrate love at this period of Valentine Day, it is good to note that safe sex is not just about protecting oneself, but however protecting those we love. As a nation, we must all come together with our partners and loved ones to discuss HIV/AIDS epidemic and above all get tested, he said."

World Bank Grants $80 Million Research Facility To Universities

Ten universities have been granted eight million dollars each from the World Bank as part of efforts to increase research capacities of the country’s ivory towers to meet international standard.

At a meeting with the Nigerian Universities Commission in Abuja, lead economist on the World Bank Team, Andrea Blom said the aim is to fast track rapid development within the African sub-region through the Africa Centres of Excellence Project (ACE) in the schools across Nigeria.

Mr Blom, who identified poverty as a major challenge facing Africa, told the Supervising Minister for Education, that Nigeria has once again taken the lead among other African nations through the ACE Project that would drive greater solutions to the challenges in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okogie said the universities achieved this benefit from a competition among other African countries clearing the pathway for a major boost in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

The officials from the World Bank however stated that researchers at each centres of excellence would be expected to come up with knowledge related to critical sectors of the economy such as oil and gas, productivity and agriculture.

Many have in the past blamed the country’s low global academic ranking to poor publications of research achievements but with grant like this, the target would hopefully begin to come to realization in the near future.

Sport: English Premier League: Wenger backs Arsenal to shine in crucial spell

POSITIVE RECORD: Arsenal have already beaten Liverpool in the league this season and head to Merseyside looking for a fourth win in their last five visits to Anfield. 

LONDON: Arsene Wenger has challenged Arsenal to seize control of the Premier League title race as the leaders kick-off a vital period with a trip to Liverpool on Saturday.

Arsenal, who are two points clear of Manchester City and third-placed Chelsea, have repeatedly been written off by pundits who do not believe they have the mental strength to end the club’s nine-year trophy drought.

But Wenger is confident his players are ready to finally put some silverware in the Emirates Stadium trophy cabinet and sees their next two fixtures as the perfect opportunity to send a message to their title rivals.

Arsenal, who host Manchester United next weekend, have already beaten Liverpool in the league this season and head to Merseyside looking for a fourth win in their last five visits to Anfield.

“This is a massive month for us,” said Wenger.

“When you are in a good position to fight for something, the closer you get to the end of the season, every game becomes vital and every point is important.”

Liverpool don’t fear anyone, warns Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool now expect to beat the big guns as they prepare to face leaders Arsenal.

The Reds boss believes his side have the confidence to take on any team, a belief which was sorely missing when he arrived at the club in 2012.

“We are confident going into every game and the big change for us is to expect to win these games now,” he said.

“When I first came under pressure to win, it was difficult for us. We were maybe never that confident to do it consistently.

“Now because of the level and consistency of our work, we actually go into every game expecting to win and none more so than at Anfield.”

City aim to bounce back after Chelsea setback

City will look to get their title challenge back on track when they face Norwich at Carrow Road.

City’s 20-match unbeaten run, which had yielded 18 victories, came to an end with their 1-0 defeat to title rivals Chelsea on Monday.

While City boss Manuel Pellegrini defended his team’s performance, the result was a major blow to their hopes of winning the title as it stopped them returning to top spot and allowed Jose Mourinho’s third-placed side to move level on points with them.

As they look to bounce back from the disappointment against Chelsea, the trip to Norwich and a home match with fellow strugglers Sunderland will be seen as a major opportunity by Pellegrini and his players.

Best foods for cancer prevention

3

About 35 percent of cancers are related to nutritional factors. To help prevent cancer, experts have looked at a variety of foods rich in nutrients that individuals can easily incorporate into their diet and hopefully will keep them healthy for many years to come. SADE OGUNTOLA reports.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables daily is one of the tried and true recommendations for a healthy diet, and that for many good reasons. These ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure, prevent some types of cancer and guard against poor sight due to cataract.

Over the past 30 years or so, researchers have developed a solid base of science to back up this recommendation. In fact, eating varieties of fruits and vegetables daily, numerous studies have revealed as protective against cancer.

A report by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research suggests that non-starchy vegetables—such as lettuce and other leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage, as well as garlic, onions, and the like—and fruits

“probably” protect against several types of cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, voice box, oesophagus, and stomach.

Specific components of fruits and vegetables, experts believe, may also be protective against cancer. For example, a research recommends increased consumption of tomato-based products (especially cooked tomato products) and other lycopene-containing foods may reduce the occurrence of prostate cancer.

 Lycopene is one of several carotenoids (compounds that the body can turn into vitamin A) found in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, and research suggests that foods containing carotenoids may protect against lung, mouth and throat cancer.

Cancer is not a disease whose origin is principally genetic, as many people continue to believe, said Professor Femi Ogunbiyi, Director, Ibadan Cancer Registry.

According to him, it is a disease that is closely linked to a range of lifestyle factors, but which evidences are now suggesting simple things like increased consumption of certain fruits and vegetables and lifestyle modifications that include avoidance of smoking and obesity could be helpful in preventing.

Ogunbiyi, Vice President, African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AOTIC), declared that eating varieties of fruits and vegetable is advocated because many contain fibre and other cancer-fighting substances.

He, however, cautioned that people should not assume that only foreign and expensive fruits and vegetables are protective against some cancers.

Ogunbiyi said: “We have enough fruits and vegetables in Nigeria that have similar things in them like apples, cucumber and cabbage that individuals could consume.

“Of course, eating fruits and vegetables would provide fibre to help increase the bulk for stool and increase transit time within the guts. This ensures that the guts are not exposed to cancer-causing substances that can make changes in the lining of the
guts.

“Fruits also provide vitamins, which are antioxidant substances that help to stabilise the body metabolism, so the most important thing is that people should eat the varieties of fruits and vegetables that are available because they are as useful to the body as those that are imported.”

Professor Ogunbiyi, however, declared that it was better for individuals to eat more fruits and vegetables in order to meet their mineral and vitamin body requirements rather than rely on the use of multivitamin supplements.

Here are fruits and vegetables evidences suggest are particularly good at protecting from cancer:

Carrot
Some studies suggest carrots protect against cervical cancer, perhaps because they supply antioxidants that could battle HPV (human papilloma virus), the major cause of cervical cancer.

 In fact, a substance called falcarinol that is found in carrots has been found to reduce the risk of cancer, according to researchers at Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences (DIAS).

But cooked carrots is the best as it supply more antioxidants than raw, according to a report in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.

Broccoli
Broccoli and other green leafy vegetables such as cauliflower, lettuce and sprouts are also rich in indole? compounds - plant chemicals which seem to modify oestrogen metabolism, decreasing the risk of breast cancer.

Two out of three studies examining the relationship between breast cancer and green leafy vegetables found that high consumption decreased the risk of breast cancer by 40 per cent.

According to research at Liverpool University, broccoli and other leafy greens contain a fibre rich in the sugar galactose, which could help prevent proteins called lectins from binding to the lining of the colon, and so decrease our risk of colonic cancer.

 Cabbage
An American study showed people who ate cabbage more than once a week reduced their chance of contracting bowel cancer by two thirds, though other studies haven’t shown such conclusive results. Some scientists think cabbage is particularly good at protecting against colon cancer and breast cancer.

Watermelon
Tomatoes, watermelons, guavas and grapefruit are rich in lycopene. More and more evidence is stacking up to suggest that lycopene might be a useful tool in the fight against a wide range of life-threatening conditions, including prostate cancer.

Garlic
Garlic battles bacteria, including H. pylori (the one connected to some ulcers and stomach cancer), and it reduces the risk of colon cancer. Several population studies show an association between increased intake of garlic and reduced risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast.

Also, an analysis of data from seven population studies showed that the higher the amount of raw and cooked garlic consumed, the lower the risk of stomach and colorectal cancer.

In fact, an Iowa Women’s Health Study said in the 1994 American Journal of Epidemiology that women with the highest amounts of garlic in their diets had a 50 per cent lower risk of certain colon cancers than women who ate the least.

But crushed garlic cloves are more effective than whole ones, as crushing helps to release the beneficial enzymes.

Tomatoes
The red colouring in tomatoes makes it a potential weapon against cancer. That red hue comes from a phytochemical called lycopene, a powerful antioxidant; several studies suggest reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

In laboratory tests, lycopene has stopped other types of cancer cells from growing, including breast, lung, and endometrial (in the lining of the womb). And they suspect lycopene stops the growth of tumours by interfering with abnormal cell growth, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Tomatoes are also a good source of vitamins A, C, and E, all enemies of cancer-friendly free radicals.

Spinach
Spinach is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that remove unstable molecules called free radicals from your body before they damage it. Some studies show these chemical substances could protect against cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, and stomach.

An NIH/AARP study of more than 490,000 people found that those who ate more spinach were less likely to develop oesophageal cancer. Some studies suggest the carotenoids in spinach and other foods reduce the risk of ovarian, endometrial, lung, and colorectal cancer, too.

Beans
Beans, especially black and navy beans, increase levels of the fatty acid butyrate, which in high concentrations has protective effects against the growth of cancer cells.

According to a study from Michigan State University, black and navy beans significantly reduced colon cancer incidence in rats.

Another study, in the journal Crop Science, found dried beans particularly effective in preventing breast cancer in rats.

Walnuts
Phytosterols (cholesterol-like molecules found in plants)in walnuts  have been shown to block oestrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, possibly slowing the cells’ growth, says Elaine Hardman, PhD, associate professor at Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia.

Sweet potatoes
Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant. Among premenopausal women, one study found that eating a lot of vegetables that include beta-carotene, folate, vitamin C, and fibre – like sweet potatoes — reduced the risk of breast cancer by about half.

Studies have shown that people who eat a diet high in beta-carotene have a reduced risk of cancer, particularly of the lung, colon, and stomach.

Soy beans
Soy beans help prevent prostate cancer by protecting the prostate from oestrogen which is harmful. Soy beans may be consumed in tofu, soy milk, or just regular soy beans.

Pineapple
 A delicious fruit, pineapple is a strong breast and lung cancer fighter. This fruit is an easy way to incorporate cancer fighting foods into your diet.

Apple
An apple a day keeps the doctor away is a phrase that is especially true when looking at the cancer-fighting and preventative powers of the apple. The apple helps prevent lung cancer and helps slow down the growth of prostate cancer.