Category: Featured

Williams Anuku Abuja

Sequel to the presentation of the 2020 Appropriation Bill by the President to the National Assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate suspension of international travels by all Cabinet Members and Heads of Government Agencies.

The directive became necessary to enable Ministers personally lead the process of Budget defence at the National Assembly.

A statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Friday, in Abuja attributed the suspension of such travels to enable Functionaries and Agencies of the Executive Arm provide the required cooperation with the Legislature in order to ensure timely passage of the Appropriation Bill.

The statement noted that Ministers who had already secured approval to travel are by this directive, required to revalidate such approvals with Mr. President after confirming the Schedule of Appearances with the relevant Committees of the National Assembly.

The SGF also added that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are hereby directed to liaise with the relevant committees of the National Assembly for their Schedules of Budget defence.

Did you know that the leaves and root of soursop are known to boost your immune system, help soothe stomach ailments and ease hypertension.
Soursop, according to experts, said is also a powerful antioxidant and a good source of vitamin C, B1 and B2. The latter two along with magnesium help to boost your energy levels without giving you the dip that is associated with caffeine.
Soursop fruit has a pleasant taste and perfectly quenches thirst. The fruit is rich in minerals and vitamins, but there are some severe contraindications to its use. The main rule of interaction with exotic fruit is moderation of consumption. However, guanabana have one incredible property for sure — they have a delicately sweet taste. Mature soursop pulp is used in the preparation of delicious desserts and flavoured tea. It is worth trying this fantastic fruit.

Ingredients:
Ripe sour-sop
Evaporated milk
Sugar
Colouring (optional)

Preparation:
1. Wash and skin sour-sop. Rub through a sieve and reduce to pulp.
2. Pour into a deep bowl.
3. Add sugar, milk, and colouring. Whisk for 5 minutes
4. Pour into clean ice tray and place in the freezing cabinet of a refrigerator until it is solid for about 3 cm all round the edge of tray.
5. Remove and pour into a bowl, whisk again quickly until it doubles in volume.
6. Pour into ice tray and freeze quickly.
7. When completely frozen, remove from freezing cabinet and place on the coolest shelf of the refrigerator.
8. If a refrigerator is not available, dissolve 15 g powdered gelatine in a little hot water and stir well into the mixture. Pour into a glass bowl and leave in a cool place to set.

Black seed oil has health benefits and has been in use for medicinal purpose especially in the middle east. The black seed oil has anti-oxidants that have amazing health benefits.

Here are benefits of black seed oil:

1. Relieves Catarrh

Black seed oil was found to reduce the presence of nasal congestion and itching, runny nose, and sneezing after two weeks.

2. Help Fight Cancer

Thanks to its potent phytochemicals and antioxidant capabilities, black seed oil helps to treat cancer. Studies also show that black seed kill off pancreatic cancer cells and it also appears to inhibit the development of pancreatic cancer. This cancer preventative ability is attributed to black seed’s thymoquinone and its anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Treats Diabetes

Due to the low percentage of cholesterol and the presence of the antioxidant, black seed oil treats diabetes.

4. Enhances Weight Loss

Black seed oil by itself, or in combination with turmeric, produced some weight loss and reduced risk factors for diabetes.

5. Improves Memory

Researchers concluded that it should be studied for its potential to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Apples are delicious fruits that come in different colours such as red, yellow or green. Apples contain essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, including fiber, and are most commonly eaten fresh. They are used for cooking and baking.

Apples have amazing health benefits; fights against problems from heart disease, diabetes, dental problems, cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease.

The following are the various health benefits of apples:

1. Good for your Heart and Lungs

Apples are rich in antioxidants and flavanoids like quercetin that can help in lowering the risk of many chronic heart problems like heart attack, and asthma. According to research, the quercetins content in apples also provides the cardiovascular system with anti-inflammatory benefits and relieves inflammation of the respiratory system.

2. Prevents Cancer

The antioxidants and inflammatory benefits of apples can help prevent different types of cancer such as lung cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer. Numerous studies have also show that apple is one of the exceptional fruit that is so closely associated with reduction of cancer, especially lung cancer.

3. Controls Diabetes

Apples contain powerful antioxidants. It also contains soluble fiber that help in slowing down the digestion of food and lessens the absorption of glucose into the blood stream, which is good for diabetic patients. Hence, apples are good snacking food for diabetic patients.

4. Reduces Stroke Risk

Researchers found that the phytonutrients found in apples may help reduce the risk of stroke. Therefore, to prevent stroke, eat apples daily, as it’s benefits are more likely towards people who consume apple regularly.

5. For Healthy Gums and Teeth

The malic acid in apples has been scientifically proven to whiten teeth. Malic acid is commonly used in many commercial tooth-whitening products because it safely dissolves stains from the surface of teeth. It also helps reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease by lowering the levels of bacteria. So chew on an apple everyday to improve the health of your teeth and gums.

6. Lower your LDL cholesterol

The soluble fiber content present in apples has been linked to lowering levels of LDL or bad cholesterol. Studies have shown that eating of apples daily can lower levels of bad cholesterol and improve levels of good cholesterol, without causing any weight gain.

7. Skin Health

Eating an apple a day can help maintain a healthy skin.Apples are good source of nutrients such as vitamins, hence they work wonders when it comes to skin health. Apples also protect against UV sunrays and help immature skin develop into mature and functional skin tissues.

8. Fights Obesity

Studies have shown that ursolic acid, a natural substance found in apple skin, can help increase muscle mass and also stimulate the production of brown fat, a type of fatty tissue that is associated with body weight reduction.

9. Lowers Alzheimer’s Risk

Apples are antioxidant-rich foods that are good for overall health. A recent study shows that consumption of antioxidants-rich foods such as apples can help reduce problems associated with memory loss and promote brain health. Hence, eat an apple a day or have a glass of apple juice daily for a healthy brain.

Apart from complementing our dishes, tumeric also complements our health, it has amazing health benefits. Herbal practitioners hold it in high regard in respect to being a remedy for quite a number of diseases.

Here are the amazing health benefits of tumeric:

1. It prevents cancer

In a world where everyone seems to be concern about the dangers and threats of cancer, it is important to state here that turmeric is one of the best herbal approaches to the treatment or prevention of various types of cancer.

As a matter of fact, a number of laboratory studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin, which is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, does have anticancer effects.

It has been observed to have the ability to kill cancer cells as well preventing more from growing. In addition, turmeric also has the best effects on breast cancer, bowel cancer, and stomach cancer and skin cancer cells.

2. It takes good care of the skin

There are many ways turmeric helps keep take care of the skin and top on the list is that it keeps pimples at bay by inhibiting the growth of pimple-causing bacteria as well as reducing the oil secretion by the sebaceous gland.

When turmeric is constantly used, it helps clears acne scars; thereby making the skin flawless and glowing. It also accelerates the healing of a cut and soothes skin irritation through the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies have also shown that turmeric help fights signs of aging like wrinkles and pigmentation by curbing the growth of free radicals.

3. It helps treat menstrual issues

You might want to start making use of turmeric if by chance you suffer from severe menstrual discomfort, cramping, bloating, excessive bleeding, or mood swings.

Because the anti-inflammatory and soothing nature of the herb’s natural compounds can relieve most symptoms of menstruation.

After all, one of the more widely accepted properties of curcumin in scientific communities is its ability to manage pain.

4. It increases the antioxidant capacity of the body, dramatically

In as much as there are numerous mechanisms behind aging and many other diseases, it is strongly believed that oxidative damage ranks high on the list. And this is because it involves free radicals that tend to react with important organic substances, such as fatty acids, proteins or DNA.

Be that as it may, it is important to note that our bodies can be protected from free radicals based on the body’s capacity of antioxidants.

And curcumin, which is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, happens to be a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals due to its chemical structure as well as boosting the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes.

5. It helps to detoxify the body

The body system is known to experience a malfunctioning when the level of toxicity in the body is high. To prevent this, the importance of turmeric cannot be overemphasized.

Because the organic compounds of turmeric do not only improve liver function, it also reduces the levels of toxicity in the body by stimulating the lymphatic system and ensuring that toxins are removed efficiently.

Love is a beautiful thing, it is really admirable to see two people who are obviously in love. Although, some love stories are not that admirable, they are riddled with infidelity, abuse and ill feelings.

Anyway, it is better to leave a relationship when love is no longer served on the table. Here are tips on knowing when to leave an unpromising relationship.

1. When you feel abused or unconcerned

If you constantly feel that you do not receive the due respect and concern, instead get abused; then it is advised to leave the relationship and stay away from the person. The prime goal of entering into relationship is to be more jovial and satisfied. Each of the partners should care for the other and try to maximize the comforts each other in a relationship. Emotional or physical abuses are to be resisted in a relationship and one has to leave immediately if the partner goes on engaging in abusive behavior pattern. Modern relationships do not bind any person to suffer lifelong with a person incompatible.

2. When the love meter dips down

Romance is the sum of all the struggles and tensions undergone in relationships. People get into relationships to enjoy the romantic presence of the partner and accomplish the human tendency of loving and being loved. If one of the partners doesn’t understand the importance of affection in relationship, it cannot go further in effective manner. You need not compromise your life for a partner who is less affectionate or rude to you. Lack of romance is the obvious sign of lack of interest. When the love meter dips down perpetually, then one has to understand it as the right time to go away from the partner.

3. When the trust is broken

Trust is a very delicate and must to have string that binds the partners in a relationship together. As soon as you realize broken trust in a relationship, without hesitation, leave the relationship. Mutual trust is essential in every relationship and both the partners need to adhere to the commitment. Trust is the way of expressing the love, concern and importance one feels for the other person. If any one of the partners doesn’t care for maintaining the trust in relationship, then it is always better to hold back from the relationship.

4. If you feel depressed or unhappy all the time

When the relationship infuses into a sad feeling always, then the relationship is not beneficial for you. Thirst for happiness is said to be the driving force behind every action in human life; so is relationships. When the relationship offers you depression, rather joviality and peaceful life, then going ahead with the relationship is not meaningful; leave it aside as soon as possible. Analyze if the said depression is the result of your own mentality or caused by the instances in the relationship. If it is ignited by the relationship issues, then the relationship is, of course, destructive for you and deprive of it at the very first instance.

By Joseph ETTA in Calabar

It was  high drama when one of the foot soldier and thugs of Cross Rivers governor Ben Ayade, in the last election, Ekpang Ogar, wept publicly, before the governor at a stakeholders meeting in the state.

Oga was lamenting  the  total neglect by Ben Ayade, whom he claimed to have helped to have won overwhelming in six wards in Ogoja Local Government area during the last Governorship Election.

Ogar, narrated how his wife who was pregnant, had a  still birth because of the rigors and pressure they went through to deliver his wards to the governor during the Election.

He accused the Governor of total  insensitivity and indifferent towards his and others plight after winning the election.

The Governor who was visiting the Council Area since he won reelection for the first time for a stakeholders meeting,  however assured him that help was on the way

“please don’t weep again, I did not know, now that I know, I will do something about it” he said.

Ogar who was the first Electoral Chairman of the Ogoja area council also lamented over the collapsed of the Bridge linking his village to Ogoja town which has become unmotorable.

“The people are suffering, they are in total hardship as they cannot bring their farm products to the market”

He noted that the only road linking Yale to Ogoja and Obudu  was very deplorable,

“the road is so bad that it has become a death trap. Every week people die on the road, yet the people of Yale and Ogoja gave the Governor the highest vote. The people voted massively for Ben Ayade”. He noted.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders meeting which was supposed to run throughout the month of October was suspended indefinitely on Wednesday, because the Governor, the convener of the meeting was as usual out of town when the meeting reconvened. It would have been  the turn of the central district which include Boki, Ikom, Etung, Obubra, Abi and Yakurr.