Best Model Nigeria (Season 6): 300 Level Banking and Finance Student of Uniben, Ejiro Joy Akpokiniovo emerges winner

Ejiro Joy Akpokiniovo, winner, Best Model Nigeria, 2016. 

The event which took place on Sunday 11^th September 2016 at the Bespoke Event centre in Lagos was indeed an evening to remember as advertised by the organizer Emmanuel Okitiakpe and Augustina Okitiakpe of Modelslink International. Guests at the event were thrilled by talented artist drawn from the Music and Comedy industry in Nigeria. The anchor of the show a well known Nigeria comedian MC Abbey was on point as there was no dull moment during the three and half hour show which draw guest from all sector of the Nigerian society. 

From left – Adedamola Iyiola Cruz (Face Of The World International 2015/2016), Faith Ogechi Nwihim (Face Of The World Nigeria 2016), Ejiro Joy Akpokiniovo (Winner Best Model Nigeria 2016), Ruth Darcy (Miss Progress Nigeria 2016), Tarere Obaigbo (Best Model Nigeria 2015)

From left – Mrs. Augustina Okitiakpe (Organizer Best Model Nigeria), Mrs Gloria Dafeta (Rep of the DG SMEDAN), Jude Onwusonye (MD/CEO Goldmoore Int’l) and Dr. Austin Izagbo (CEO Caniz Group).

Some of the special guest at the event includes, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos – Professor Duro Oni, (Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Agency of Nigeria) The Director General of SMEDAN Dr, Umoru Diko Rada who was ably represented by Mrs. Gloria Dafeta, Dr. Austin Izagbo – CEO Caniz Group,  Jude Onwusonye MD/CEO Goldmoore Int’l. Judges at the event includes renowned Model - Nollywood star and  winner Best Model Africa 2010 Bryan Okwara,  Face of the World 2016 Adedamola Iyiola Cruz, Mrs. Goodness Ugbah – fashion Designer/ Beauty Queen  and Mr, Segun Oyeyemi Best Model Nigeria 2012.

The 14 contestant drown from across the country put up an outstanding performance as they took turn on the runway in their Casual, Swimwear, Traditional and their beautify made Evening wear. The Best Model Nigeria modeling contest 2016 produce Nigerians representative to the Face of the World 2017 in the United Kingdom, Miss Faith Ogechi Nwihim, Nigerians Representative to Miss Progress International taking place in Italy, Miss Ruth Darcy Otekewebia.  Other categories of awards include, 1^st Runnerup – Pamela Orizu, 2^nd Runnerup Damilola Oreoluwa Oladimeji, Face of BMN – Chioma Naomi Wariboku, Best Catwalk – Sandra Ikegwu, Best Traditional – John Lilly, Best Social – Favour Opara, Best Talent – Mary Isioma Asia, Best Photogenic – Chidima Onwuazobe, Best Creative – Chiamaka.

The climax of the evening was the crowning of the new queen of the runway which kept the audience screaming and jubilating as contest no. 14, Miss Ejiro Akpokiniovo who was also the audience choice was announced. 

The organizers Mr. & Mrs Emmanuel Okitiakpe who were full of gratitude to guest who took time to attend the occasion, artist who performed individuals and organization who supported the “Queen Edition” of Best Model Nigeria 2016 express their thanks to SAB Miller – International Breweries Limited who refreshed the audience,  Goldmoore Int’l, Daniel Omena,  Rekato Designs, Dabinchi Global Entertainment, In and Out Entertainment, Onyika Emmanuel (MC Senator), Total Beauty, Vera Onaro, G&F designs, Diovic Kitchen, Face of Ajegunle, DMZEE ATTRAKT, Digital Paymart and all the media houses and blog who covered the event.

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Health Benefits of Bitter Kola

Bitter Kola is a tree that grows in the rain forests of West Africa. The fruit, seeds, nuts and bark of the plant have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat ailments from coughs to fever.

Basically, the nut is about 3-5 cm in length. It is ellipsoid in shape and covered with a deep brown peel which is removed before it is eaten. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when eaten and this is the reason for its name.

The scientific name for bitter kola is Garcinia kola. It is called Orogbo in Yoruba. The Hausas call it Miji-goro, while it is called Akiilu by the Igbos. It has some major health benefits:

1. It Improves Lung Functions:   

Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) has been used for centuries to treat chest colds in traditional medicine, but research has taken a look and found out why it is effective. A study in the 2009 issue of The Internet Journal of Pulmonary Medicine, performed on mice, reports that Garcinia kola improved respiratory function after 28 days of use of a Garcinia extract. Written by Simon Adekunle of the Ekiti State University in Nigeria, the study shows that Garcinia kola works by dilating the alveolar ducts and sacs in the lungs by improving the strength of the fibres in the lung tissue. Bitter kola’s beneficial lung properties are attributed to its high antioxidant content.

2. Anti-malarial Properties               

Considerable experimental studies discovered that the chemical constituents in bitter kola have anti-malaria properties. Also, over the years, traditional healers have recommended bitter kola for the treatment of malaria infections. Researchers who reported that bitter kola had anti-malaria effect in the 2010 issue of Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, from a survey of plants used by traditional healers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, attributed this to its Quinone’s content. Furthermore, Kolaviron, the powerful chemical compound found in bitter kola, was reportedly tested on a malaria parasite and found to inhibit malarial activity.

3. Improves Male Fertility

Garcinia kola, also called bitter kola is sometimes believed to cure impotence. Frequent taking of bitter kola boosts a man’s performance in bed with a woman.

4. Reduces Eye Pressure (Glaucoma)    

An increase in eye pressure can lead to glaucoma, according to a report from The New York Times Health Guide. Researchers at Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria tested the effectiveness of eye drops that contained 0.5 percent extract of Garcinia kola. The results of their study, published in the January 2010 issue of Middle East African Journal of Opthamology, showed that the opthamolic solution that contained the Garcinia significantly reduced eye pressure when used twice a day.

5. Health Benefit for HIV    

Bitter kola is a potent antibiotic which could be efficacious in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. A researcher with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Mrs. Chinyere Nwokeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that bitter kola could be used in treating opportunistic infections associated with HIV. “Bitter kola is highly recommended in the treatment of HIV and AIDS because of its antibacterial, detoxification, and cleansing properties”, she said. Mrs Chinyere Nwokeke also said that the chemical, Saponin, in bitter kola is responsible for its cleansing effect. Saponin is mainly used as tonic for the liver, it enhances the functions of the liver and gall bladder.

6. Remedy For Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, characterised by pain, inflammation and limited movement in the joints, according to the National Institutes of Health. Causes of osteoarthritis can include joint injury, obesity and aging. Since many arthritis sufferers prefer natural herbal medicines to other pain relievers and medications, researchers at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria tested the effects of Garcinia kola against arthritis symptoms. The results of the study, written by Olayinka O. Adegbehingbe and published in the July 2008 issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, conclude that Garcinia kola significantly reduced inflammation and pain and increased joint movement in subjects that had osteoarthritis symptoms.

7. Cure For Cold

Bitter kola is often used to treat the symptoms of colds. It is suggested, in particular, for coughs and sneezing.

8. Commercial Benefits

Commercialisation of bitter kola brings a lot of monetary advantages. Due to its multiple benefits, bitter kola is urgently sourced for both locally and internationally, hence yielding a lot of foreign revenue. With just a little quantity in kilograms, as requested by the buyer, with good and proper packaging, one can make a lot of profit in foreign currency. One just needs to be able to get a good buyer and knowledge about the business and start reaping the benefits.

In Nigeria today, bitter kola should become an important commodity to be sourced for by every citizen for its nutritional, health and commercial benefits.

SOURCE: Leadershipng

Ambode promises to deal with sex offenders, others

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday led a walk against sexual and gender –based violence, vowing that his administration would ensure that all perpetrators of sexual crimes face the wrath of the law.

The members of the Lagos State Executive Council, members of the Sttate House of Assembly and entertainers, among others, joined in the walk, which started from the Ikeja under bridge area through Awolowo Way to the Lagos House, Alausa.

The governor, who displayed a placard with the inscription ‘Stop Rape, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse’, said men must take a stand by tackling the menace of gender-based crimes in the society.

He said, “Women are mostly the victims of sexual and gender-based violence and there is an evident trend of suppressing the voice of these victims due to the fact that these acts are perpetrated largely by men.

“We should not take for granted the effect of having emotionally and psychologically damaged women in our society, which could transcend to our children.”

Ambode said the government had initiated several programmes to assist the victims, adding that it was also pertinent to address the violent behaviour of men.

He said, “We firmly believe that the way forward is to continuously engage the men, as well as the community as a whole, to prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence.”

Ambode urged the participants in the walk to remain ambassadors in the fight against domestic and sexual violence.

“The conversation must be sustained in our workplaces, religious institutions, residential areas and the social media. If we all join hands, we can truly make Lagos uncomfortable for perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence,” he added.

The governor also commended the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, organisers of the walk, just as he said his administration would do more to ensure that the rights of the vulnerable in the state were adequately protected.
SOURCE: Punchng

Ogadinma Mgbajah Is The First Female Cardiothoracic Surgeon In West Africa

Dr Ogadinma Mgbajah is the first woman to become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon In West Africa

With no clue that that there had not been a female in the field before her in West Africa, Ogadinma only wanted a platform to help people who have heart problems, however, she has emerged West Africa’s first female open-heart surgeon .

Practicing at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ogadinma Mgbajah said lecturers and examiners during the course of her training pointed it out to her that she was the first female in that field and that had encouraged her to continue.

In an interview with Punch in May, Ogadinma asserted there were competitions although very subtle from her male colleagues.

“I think the society has a way of conditioning women to think that there are some areas that do not belong to them. You cannot take away culture from us as Nigerians. We think that there is a limit to what a woman is supposed to do.  When you speak to medical students about what they want to do, they start by saying, “well, I’m a woman…” The fact that she is a woman clouds her judgement. She is her own biggest challenge. A woman needs to know that all you need to do is identify a problem and ask yourself if you have the capacity to solve this problem. If you don’t, can you build the capacity? If yes, then you go for it.” she said

Ogadinma also explained that her training took seven years and she had all her children within that period.

Speaking about the challenges of open-heart surgery in Nigeria, Ogadinma explained that providing for the care is expensive.

“Basically, the challenge with this specialty is because it is very precise. To provide cardiothoracic care is very costly. I am hoping we will get a lot of government support and health insurance to be able to help people who have this problem.”

“Nigeria has very few cardiothoracic surgeons because after the training, people ask themselves if they would actually be able to practise because most of the patients you see don’t have the finance to support themselves. A lot of patients are not even aware because a lot of cardiac problems are seen as spiritual attack. A lot of people have taken it as a death sentence when they walk into a hospital and they are told their hearts have failed. But there are so much that can be done to give such people a good quality of life.”

SOURCE: Womanng

18 Boko Haram Militants Surrender To Nigerian Military as Factions Clash in Borno

TEHRAN (FNA)- At least 18 members of the Boko Haram militant group and their families surrendered to Nigerian military after bloody clashes erupted between factions loyal to the group’s founder, Abubakar Shekau, and the ISIL-backed Abu Musab Albarnawi in Northeastern town of Monguno, Borno state.

“They are under custody of Monguno command and we believe the dual battle between Albarnawi and Shekau’s camps may have compelled them to sneak out and surrender,” Ali Mohammed, a member of a vigilante group in northeastern town of Monguno, said, 360 Nobs reported.

Trouble started within the hegemony of the sect after the ISIL terror group announced Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the son of Boko Haram’s founder Mohammed Yusuf, as the sect’s new leader to replace Abubakar Shekau.

Even though his allegiance remains with the ISIL, the undeterred Shekau insisted that he was still in charge of the Nigerian-based ferocious death cult.

Sources with impeccable cognizance of the happenings disclosed that there have been deadly skirmishes between Boko Haram’s factions led by Shekau and ISIL-backed al-Barnawi respectively.

Last Thursday, several fighters from Shekau’s camp were said to have been killed in two separate gun battles with ISIL-backed Barnawi gunmen in the Monguno area of Borno State near Lake Chad.

A source, Mele Kaka, told AFP that: “The Barnawi faction launched an offensive against the fighters of Shekau faction who were camped in Yele and Arafa villages.

“In Yele, the assailants killed three people from the Shekau camp, injured one and took one with them, while several others were killed in Arafa.”

“The Barnawi fighters told villagers after each attack that they were fighting the other camp because they are killing innocent people, looting their property and burning their homes.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military has been declining to comment on the reported in-fighting when contacted by media.

IDPs: Arewa Creative Industry On Rescue Mission

As Nigerians answer the clarion call on the misery of the internationally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country, so many governmental and non-governmental organisations, including national and international donour groups come together to render their help in restoring the IDPs. The peril of the refugees, according to reports, needs to be reflected upon and more importantly take action on the desolation of the growing numbers of our citizens, who have been forced to migrate and become either refugees in neighbouring countries or internally displaced persons (IDPs) within the country.

Few weeks ago, the Prime Minister of Niger, Brigi Rafini also visited Diffa province in his country, which shares a border with Borno State to see for himself the problems posed by Nigerian refugees. His conclusion was categorical; Niger cannot cope with the numbers of Nigerians crossing the border. The humanitarian crisis was beyond their means. He explained that after one attack by Boko Haram, 17,000 refugees turned up at Gagamari village, 20 km away from Diffa, within one week multiplying the population of the village by five. As the people of Niger are themselves very poor, they simply do not have the capacity to cater for them although they are doing the best that they can. The estimate of monthly expenditure necessary to take care of Nigerian refugees in Diffa alone is 17 billion CFA. The Government of Niger simply does not have the resources to cope he explained. There are currently over 100,000 Nigerian refugees in Niger alone. The numbers in Cameroon and Chad are also growing.

As against this background, Kaduna State government, through the Special Assistant to Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai on Creative Arts, Hajiya Halima Idris, organises series of vocational skill centres for the IDPs in the state.  Describing the situation, Hajiya Idris has said the IDPs resulting from the Boko Haram insurgency is a clear display of all the hallmarks of the highest category crises.

Halima, who spoke after a visit to 270 IDPs currently taking shelter in Barakallahu, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis when she led members of the Arewa Creative Industry to donate assorted items, has convincingly extended Kaduna State government’s efforts in eradicating crime and social vices. The state government, according to her, has stepped up its rehabilitation programme which is not only limited to the IDPs, but for all those in need of rehabilitation.

“We have decided to come for ourselves to check what is happening. We want everybody to be self-employed so that subsequently they would be providing for themselves and others,” Hajiya Idris who is also the founder of the Arewa Creative Industry said.

She noted that the civilians, including children, leaving newly liberated areas, bear the signs of advanced malnutrition, and of deep trauma, having been caught in a conflict that has cost them their homes, their livelihoods and often their family members.

She said that the IDPs created by the Boko Haram insurgency were not only a problem for the North-East, but for the entire country. She therefore calls on the Nigerian government and the international community to take urgent humanitarian measures to save lives and ensure the protection of the multitude of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the country.

In addition, Hajiya Halima Abdullahi, popularly known as Uwar Marayu also noted that Nigeria currently has over four million IDPs who have been forced to leave their communities and homes due to violent conflicts. “It is quite disheartening that Nigeria is currently having millions of IDPs making the country the third worst countries in the world ranking of IDP numbers. Worldwide, the number of IDPs according to International Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) in 2013 stood at 33.3 million people. Their spatial distribution shows that 63 per cent of IDPs are located in only five countries affected by conflict – Syria (6.5 million), Colombia (5.7 million), Nigeria, (3.3 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (2.7 million) and Sudan (2.4 million).

“Because these figures change in response to the conflict situation within countries, the caseload and therefore the ranking of the countries also change over time. The number of IDPs in Nigeria has grown considerably since the 2013 estimates and is today over four million,” noted Uwar Marayu.

Hajiya Halima conveyed Governor el-Rufai’s pledge to continue supporting the IDPs in the state as measures to curb the danger of compatriots becoming totally dependent of others for help. She said the state government is worried about the hardship and the trauma the IDPs are going through and urge them to be confident and support the initiative for a sustainable development.

As part of the activities of the august visit to the camp, top Kannywood actress, Nafisah Abdullahi, as well as other top creative Hausa Hip-hop artistes; Sadiya Yarima, Khalid and Bangis thrilled the IDPs with their performances.

SOURCE: Leadershipng

In Nigeria, There Are 20 Fistula Surgeons to 120,000 Patients

A clinical Associate, Fistula Care Plus, Dr.Suleiman Zakariya has decried acute shortage of Fistula Surgeons in the country, lamenting that with a population of 170 million, Nigeria has only 20 fistula surgeons.

Speaking during a media round table discussion on Fistula intervention with the theme, "Service Availability; Access to service", in Sokoto, Zakariya expressed worry that the few number of fistula surgeons in the country does not match the over 120,000 Nigerians affected with the disorder every year.

He said that due to the acute shortage, only 5,000 out of a total of 12,000 new cases diagnosed each year are treated.

"Worldwide over two million women live with untreated obstetric fistula."

Advocating urgent intervention in fistula treatment, he said: "In Sub Sahara Africa, 1 in 16 women has the chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth while in developed countries, 1 in 4,000 is at risk.

"In Nigeria, it is estimated that between 120,000 and 150,000 are living with Fistula and about 12,000 new cases are diagnosed per year. The most vulnerable group is the young, poor illiterate and rural women who are economically disadvantaged." Noting that although, all doctors know about fistula, he explained that not all surgeons can repair fistula because it is a specialised area of surgery.

Explaining why Nigeria may continue to witness shortage of fistula experts, he said: "Fistula repair is a specialized area of surgery that does not attract financial gains as most of the surgeries are done free of charge. As a result, many of the doctors are abandoning it to specialized in other lucrative areas.

"Fistula experts are not recognised. The pressure of being a fistula surgeon will drive them alone. It is difficult to retain doctors in the system. There is no money because it is done free of charge. Salary does not increase. There is no recognition, retaining doctors in the system is a problem," he further explained.

He said Engender Health under the Fistula Care Plus has trained a pool of doctors and nurses to boost the available pool of doctors and nurses in Nigeria. Further stating that obstetric fistula is a manifestation of sub-optimal healthcare, Zakariya called for the upgrade of emergency obstetric care in the country to prevent obstetric fistula.

The Clinical Associate stressed the need to increase political commitment to health through creating budget line for fistula. "Government should increase and improve health infrastructure and promote gender equity and reduce violence against women.

Identifying family planning as a factor in the treatment and prevention of Fistula, he said: "We need to improve access to family planning, provide safe and quality caesarian section, client friendly affordable services in the various hospitals as well as apply the use of catheter and partograph to monitor labour.

SOURCE: Vangaurdngr