Category: Featured

By Joseph ETTA in Calabar

A renowned Pharmacist Obi Oyeka has stated that Herbal Medicine has no standardization and under heavy abuse by users.

Oyeka who has practice medicine for over 40 years is of the opinion that most of the kidney problem we have in Nigeria today is because of the heavy dose and intake of the Herbal Medicine.

“They do not have a standard way of determining the dosage. For instance, you hear unrealistic statement such as “Breast enlargement cream”, such things are not scientifically proven, you hear “this medicine cures all kinds of diseases and sickness”. How is that possible, he added.

The University of Ife trained Pharmacist opined that medicine is good and curative, but if it is not taken according to prescription or abuse, it may also lead to death.

“Take for instance Tramadol is a recommended drug for certain Health condition but when taken out of proportion it becomes a killer drug”.

According to him, that is why people ara adviced go to specialist who knows the right drugs for a particular sickness. Every sickness has its specific prescribed drugs, “leave the abuse of drugs, there is no where one drugs can be all purpose medicine curing all diseases.

I am not saying Herbal Medicine is bad but make it dosable”, He added.

By Joseph ETTA in Calabar

Governor Ben Ayade and his elder brother (name withheld) are flexing muscles on who will become the next Vice Chancellor of the state owned University, Cross River State University of Technology.

Daybreak learnt from a dependable source that two names are penciled down for the top Job. Prof. Emmanuel Ngwa, a Professor of Education presently in CRUTECH and Prof. Anthony from the University of Jos, a Professor of Geology.

Prof. Emmanuel Ngwa hails from Obudu,  Ayade’s home town, while Prof. Anthony hails from Yale in Ogoja Local Government Area.

The bone of contention is that while Prof. Ben Ayade prefers Prof. Anthony from Yale for the job, the elder brother who is the de facto Governor in Cross River State prefers Prof. Emmanuel Agwa from Obudu, their place of birth.

An insider told Daybreak that the reason Ben Ayade wants to bring Prof. Anthony is because of his ambition to return to the Senate after his tenure as a Governor, he wants to balance the equation. He wants to use the appointment to pacify and compensate the people of Yale in Ogoja.

He knows he has not performed as a Governor, so he needs to start now to work for the vote of the people of Yale. The source added.

However, the appointment of the interim Vice Chancellor Prof. (Mrs.) Akon Joshua which was intended for another 3 months will expires by the end of this October.

She was supposed to act for 3 months but because of the power-play, her appointment was extended for another 3 months ending by October.

Meanwhile, fresh trouble looms  as students are ready for a show-down with the authority over the harsh and unfriendly policy of no school fee, no examination. The students are lamenting that the policy of no fee, no examination. “when you don’t pay your school fee, your script will not be mark is totally wrong. It is a heavy weight on the student, some of us our parents are struggling under the present economic crunch” a student  said.

When Daybreak contacted the V.C for her command, our reporter was told arrogantly by Prof. Akon Joshua “I don’t talk to the press.”

By Joseph ETTA in Calabar

The economic crunch experience in the country is causing a screeching halt to businesses in Calabar. The traders in Calabar main township market, Watt Market and Marian Market are seriously lamenting over low sales and lack of patronage.

The traders in a chat with Daybreak stated, “money is not forthcoming, it’s getting harsher and biting harder especially after the election. Do you know at times we come to the market and borrow money for transport fare to go back home, the economy is too harsh and biting”.

The Vice Chairman of the traders Association at the Watt market, Chiguika Ihionu told Daybreak that workers in the state are not paid salaries regularly, we come to the market and will not take up to N10,000 in sales back home yet we have bills, to pay back”.

Ihionu who has been trading for the past 35 years in the market says “what we are experiencing now, we have not experience it before, the economy is very tight, let the Government open up the economy for us traders, we are now eating deep into our capital, we are not making sales nor profit.”

According to him, many traders are owing loans, some have ran away, closed their shop because they cannot pay back their loans.

He noted that the Government is not releasing money, both the Federal and State Government and not paying salary, “there is no money in circulation”. He lamented

Added to their woes is the custom special task force from Abuja, who they accuse of seizing second hand clothing from Aba as contraband, thereby causing unbearable hardship for the traders.

Also, the customs at Ikang axis reportedly have been seizing  rice coming in from the Cameroon Republic. The traders are crying out over the high cost of rice, a bag of rice that used to go for N15,000 now goes for N22,000. The people are lamenting the high cost of rice because it’s the stable food of the people.

Daybreak learnt that; the action of customs is not unconnected with  the temporal closure of the Nigeria – Cameroon border at the Ikang axis.

Ikang is the border town in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, the town acts as a landing and loading beach that berths Boats, pontoons and trawlers coming from Tiko and Doualla ports in Cameroon Republic.

Assertiveness commands respect and improves communication skills. It’s an effective communication skill that can reduce conflict, build your self-confidence, and improve relationships.

Actually, being assertive means being direct about what you need, want, feel, or believe in a way that’s respectful of the views of others.

Asserting yourself can feel empowering and freeing without downplaying anyone else’s dignity or damaging your connections.

In fact, there are some key, straightforward ways to make yourself seen, heard, and respected daily. With practice and persistence, you can considerably improve communication in relationships, as well as your interactions and quality of life.

When your boundaries and intentions are obvious to yourself and those in your life, you gain a healthy measure of entitlement, a necessary factor in gaining agency and confidence.

To learn how to be more assertive, you’ll need to know these 5 tips for improving communication skills.

1. Prioritize clarity and share with intention
Asserting yourself is the act of making yourself and your positions plain to others. You want to be heard and understood so no one can claim that they didn’t know or understand what you wanted to communicate.

Thus, to positively assert yourself, first commit to speaking up for yourself even if it’s uncomfortable. Then, be thoughtful and clear-minded regarding the purpose of what you want to share. In other words, know what matters to you and clearly state it.

So, listen actively. As you share your needs and boundaries, expect questions or pushback from other parties. That’s OK. Simply listen with respect, hearing them out doesn’t mean you have to abandon your limits.

If unsuccessful, then switch to a form of communication that just emphasizes your own views and needs. Communication with the eyes on “I” statements close the door to discussions and engagement that does not reflect your views.

2. Keep communication succinct and on message
Remember that you are asserting yourself. This means you are expressing yourself, not convincing anyone of anything.

It’s OK to agree to disagree and attach consequences to a relationship that doesn’t honor your needs. The connection may simply not be mutually beneficial.

For relationships that you do wish to maintain, foster communication that keeps attempts to assert yourself as honest and focused on the present. Stay calm, relaxed, and speak in a neutral tone to connect well.

3. Communicate rather than complain
The most effective way to achieve respect and consideration is to be a problem solver rather than to simply lodge complaints. Take a solutions-oriented approach to conflicts or issues you want to address.

Work at seeing people who may have dismissed you before as peers you hope to inform. Then do so, firmly, without whining or animosity.

Try to stick with statements that include phrases like “I think…” or “I feel..” Avoid aggressive language such as “You always…” or “You never…” Make eye contact frequently, but don’t stare them down.

4. Be brave, not a bully
Aggressive behavior can result from attempts to be assertive if you aren’t careful and focused. Again, your goal is to honor yourself and your desire to have your personhood and needs to be respected.

Not to blame, assign guilt trips, indulge heightened emotion, or make anyone do anything they don’t want to.

Assertiveness is respectful of both yourself and the other person. Respect is key for healthy relationships to work. Simply speak up and voice your concerns as needed, whenever you feel compelled to do so. Let others know that you will hear them out as well.

5. Practice
Practice learning how to be more assertive as often as possible. Speaking clearly, adjusting your posture, and strengthening your handshake are small changes you can make to start boosting your presence and sense of control.

Work on your body language in the mirror or with trusted loved ones. Record yourself to see how others view you.

Moreover, you can review past situations and interactions as learning lessons. Don’t beat yourself up; just explore how you might prepare for similar situations going forward.

Being assertive is a skill that requires time and repetition to become comfortable. Stick with it and, in time, you’ll gain more confidence.

Uncover risk.Take action.

Many get to be advised against having a career change.

But, what if we need to make a career change? Is it okay to want a better job than what you have?

Totally, but you also shouldn’t take the decision lightly.

Work through the following 7 steps before making that career change.

1. First of all, be very clear about your money
In Worth It: Your Life, Your Money, Your Terms, Amanda Steinberg describes ignorance about finance as a “money coma” that affects women at a disproportionate rate.

One takeaway is – not being knowledgable about finances means we are dependent.

When considering a job change, be realistic about what level of income you need to support your lifestyle.

2. Find mentors and role models
You need to find people who do what you want to do.

We live in the age of social media – you can not only see where that person is now, but how they got there.

That’s a great guidance, because it gives you a road map to what you want.

Moreover, if you can talk to that person and maybe ask them for advice, you’ll be covering miles in no time!

3. Don’t feel pressured to choose a certain career
In Western culture, we look up to business owners and self-starters as brave pioneers who go against the grain.

It puts a lot of pressure on individuals to do something grand with their career, but don’t buy into it.

Don’t feel pressured to leave a “boring” job you love and also don’t feel obligated to stay in a stressful job because it “looks good.”

4. Figure out what you want, specifically, from your work life
“Everything” is not a productive answer to that.

“More security” or “independent projects” are good characteristics to look for, however.

You can see if these are in the cards at your current company (or the company to which you apply) by asking your managers how you can go about it.

Pick a job or company that’s going to give you satisfaction.

5. Consider freelancing only if you can set boundaries
There are lots of misconceptions about “working for yourself,” but this one is crucial – it’s not inherently well-balanced.

You have to set boundaries.

Regardless of what you do, you need a life that is not all ‘work,’ otherwise, you’ll burn out.

When you work for someone else, there are structures in place to keep you from doing that – even if some are more strictly enforced than others.

When you freelance, it’s easy to become chained to your laptop 24/7.

6. Figure out if you hate the job itself or just your workplace
Even non-millennials are known to change companies if they are in an environment that makes them miserable.

On the flip side, it is not unheard of to start a certain job and realize it is not for you (cold-calling, in my case).

You need to seriously consider what exactly isn’t working for you currently and what you need to change to be happy.

7. You are allowed to try different things
I write fiction and poetry, but I’m also doing a full-time research and teaching job.

Some might say I am spreading myself too thin, but I know I am the sort of person who has to see something for herself before she writes it off completely.

Maybe you have absolute certainty about what you want from life – if so, I am very jealous of you, please teach me your ways – but if you do not, it’s okay to give something a go if you have the chance.

You won’t be locked into a job forever.

Figuring out your career is not an exact science.

Be patient with yourself and understand that at some point, you’re going to take a job you don’t love — and that’s okay.

Find a mentor to speak with, learn all that you can about the careers you’re considering, and make an informed decision from there.

Just don’t compare yourself to others, because no two paths are identical and nothing is wrong with either of them.

Many believe they have to wok for free as they build up experience, knowledge and reputation. Actually that is a trap mentality.

First and foremost in order to succeed in business you must know your worth in respect to what you have to offer and financial gains.

Working for free or undercharging for your work creates frustration, you don’t give your best self, and your client doesn’t take the work as seriously as they would if they were paying well for it.

If you want to attract more money into your life and meet your income goals, then you need to get comfortable charging for your time and services.

Release the idea that it’s awkward or uncomfortable to talk about your fees or to charge for your time and services, because it really isn’t.

In fact, it actually sets an excellent example for those around you when they see someone having strong self worth, healthy money boundaries, and a constantly developing money mindset.

You are in business to help people and to create a lifestyle that works for you.

Here are some mentoring points to help you get comfortable charging well for your time.

1. Clients take work they pay for more seriously
One of my private clients is a personal trainer and recently told me about his frustration around giving friends free sessions and how they didn’t seem to take them seriously.

He felt like his time and energy weren’t being appreciated.

Have you experienced something like this?

We coached on this and I explained that people take things seriously when they invest in them and that it’s actually better for the client if they pay for your time and services.

It creates a better energy between the two of you and also means that they are much more likely to take the work you are doing seriously and benefit from it.

You are actually doing your clients a much better service when you help them to step up, invest in themselves, and take the work they are waiting to do seriously.

2. You deserve to be well paid for what you do
If you are good enough to be working with, then you are good enough to be paid for your time.

It’s as simple as that.

You deserve to be well paid for what you do and to feel comfortable charging for your time, like any other professional does.

3. You do your best work when you are being well paid
When you feel well paid, respected, and valued for your time and energy and are working with clients who are engaged and proactive, you are naturally going to do your best work and give more of yourself.

4. The best experience in business is real time
Working for free isn’t actually a good experience, because it’s not work being done in a professional or formally agreed setting, it often gets a bit messy and confusing and one person usually benefits a lot more than the other.

I’ve had clients lose friends over this and get themselves into sticky situations.

When you are building your business, it’s important to get into good business habits from the start.

Not only for yourself and your income, but for the clients you are going to be working with as well.

Everyone benefits when there are clear boundaries and money is being exchanged for services.

You can choose a cause that is close to your heart and donate time, money, or services every month or choose a pro bono client as a way of giving back.

You definitely want to make a huge impression on those investors or project supervisors with a mind blowing presentation.

Well, whether you are a student or a Human resource manager, we are all aware of the preeminence of Microsoft Powerpoint to help us earn some extra brownie points and its huge list of benefits that can transform you from a non-designer to a designer within seconds.

However, there are a few things that you must keep in mind before you start the journey ahead:

1. Say NO to built-in themes
Built-in themes sure as well do a pretty decent job, in fact it was a savior in the good-old college days. But here is the thing, to leave a mark, you need to stand apart, operate differently.

The reason why I suggest you, that while working on the aesthetics of your slides, add a touch of your own creativity. It will immediately grab viewers’ attention. Plus, you will end up leaving a stronger statement too.

There are a few portals that give you access to customized themes and templates. For instance, you can visit Pslides for free PowerPoint templates.

They have got a huge range of templates categorized for various purposes. The intricately designed layout, templates, diagrams, charts, diagrams and so on, can prove to be your USP on the D-day leading you to the win!

2. Look for Quality Photographs
Quality photographs are undoubtedly a major determinant for a stunning presentation. None of us want to scroll through those white background slides.

And now since the visual game is all that matters, photography is all the more important. Use the best quality photos exclusively design pictures instead of the same old ‘business-people on the white background.’

Trust me, it will instantly put you on a scale of one of the best presentations from the one in the many! For example, if you need 5 pictures for your presentation, don’t just go online select any 5 pictures and attach them.

Instead, brainstorm, take your time and then pick the best available. You can also surf through online portals like Flickr, Pexels, Freepik for royalty-free images.

3. Don’t take Typography for Granted
Presentations are a visual way of communicating your thoughts and ideas, so everything counts, including the font, size, formatting of your text.

Typography is the visual component of any text. It’s not just a means to improvise the text on your PPT, it is a way to communicate a specific mood, purpose, and even your goals.

So, before you type in all upper case for your headings, remember all-caps also resembles screaming! (and you surely don’t want to scream at your investor!)

4. Keep it Simple
A PPT is definitely the conversation-starter, but without the speaker, it’s already a fail. Thus, if you think that you can cram all your content in one slide and let the speaker rest – well, then that’s already sending the investors home.

Both the speaker and the PPT need to strike a balance between too little and too much. A solid PPT will distract your audience from what you are speaking. So instead, keep it simple with eye-pleasing visuals – it helps them focus on your speech.

5. Draft Concise Focal Points
Whatever you are working on, in your presentation; you certainly want your viewers and audience to garner special attention on a few points. That is what is termed as ‘focal points’.

It’s always advisable to highlight them in your PPT, tactical use of typography can serve the purpose – but remember there’s a thin line of difference between highlighting and screaming, you don’t want to cross that.

You can pick, something as simple as a different color for those few points, or a different font, size or simple ‘bold’. Apart from this, photography and visual illustration is also a great way to embolden the focal points.

If you don’t narrate your focal points clearly, your audience and users can lose interest almost immediately. None of us like to be beaten around the bush.

6. Create an Attractive Cover
Most of you might be thinking, how will the cover make a difference. It is usually played for less than a second, sometimes skipped, so why should you direct your efforts to create a cover.

Here is the thing, a beautiful cover with captivating images gives you a psychological advantage. As you begin things in a positive note, people know that they should pay attention. This step will also help the audience know what to expect from this PPT.

I am sure by now you must have understood that you necessarily need not be a designer to create masterpieces. Even non-designers can do great work. Nevertheless, I hope you make effective and stunning presentations. These measures are easily implementable.