US-TRAINED PR EXPERT, ARSENAL FAN… MEET ISSA-ONILU, THE NEW APC IMAGE MAKER

By Chinedu Asadu

On Friday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced Lanre Issa-Onilu as its new national publicity secretary, taking over from Yekini Nabena who had been in acting capacity since Bolaji Abdullahi left the party.

The new APC image maker is a specialist in strategic public communications planning, with years of experience in corporate and political communications as well as policy analysis and development issues.

What else do we know about the man that would handle the party’s image as it strategises for the 2019 polls?

US-TRAINED SCHOLAR

Issa-Onilu studied mass communication at the University of Lagos, after which he proceeded to obtain an MS Certificate in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University in the US.

He also studied at New York University where he took courses in advanced public relations and media audience research.

He has also attended several seminars and conferences in the US and UK, including at the prestigious World Advertising Research Council (WARC) in London, UK.

PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPERT

The new APC spokesman also has years of public relations practice to his name — surely would come in handy while taking charge of communications at the ruling.

He is an associate member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and member of the Public Relations Society of New York.

He is also a corporate member of the International Communications Conference (ICC) at the Baruch College, State University of New York, and is also an associate member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

SEASONED JOURNALIST

Issa-Onilu has worked variously as a media relations executive and journalist for up to 15 years and, according to his professional bio data, he also has experience spanning over 13 years working as a policy and development issues strategist, public perception analyst and communication planner.

He joined the Comet Newspapers in Lagos as a news editor and — just like the current spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — worked at THISDAY newspapers, as an assistant editor (Sunday) and later group politics editor.

He also worked for the World Investment News (Winne), France, for the production of a special report on Nigeria’s democratisation process, published in the June 1999 edition of Forbes International Business magazine.

PUBLIC LECTURER

Issa-Onilu has written many papers and delivered lectures on public communication, crisis communication and reputation management as well as integrated marketing communications.

He also delivered a paper on ‘How to prepare a marketing plan’ at similar workshop in 2008.

Outside the shores of Nigeria, he has also spoken at various lectures and conferences regarding communications and public relations, including at the Baruch College, State University of New York, US, where he spoke on crisis communication and reputation management, before an international audience.

ARSENAL FAN

The new APC image maker is a supporter of Arsenal Football Club in the English Premier League. He is also an amateur golfer. His hobbies include reading and travelling.

Source: TheCable

FOR THE FUN OF GARRI

 

By Owoyemi Agbejule

It's really a life saver.

You don't need a first class degree to know how to 'soak' Garri, all you need is a cup or bowl. If you are scared of your stomach, don't forget spoon or if you are like me, a typical Ijebu boy, then your hand is enough to do the trick. You can add sugar if you like but, I love that tingling feeling without sugar that elicits an exciting frown when the Garri comes in contact with the taste buds.

If you grew up like me you take it with either eran dindin (fried meat) or eja dindin (fried fish). You could also take it with Kuli-kuli which usually gives the satisfaction of hearing your teeth crunch it with ease. Coconut can also do the trick. If you don’t know how to do the Garri well, all you need do is just add cold water and have a lot of ice playing Merry-go-Round in the cup or bowl. Mind you, I advise that you go with Ijebu Garri, but if you don't have access to that my brothers and sisters make do with what you have. 

For ages it has been a very useful companion as it plays different roles to different individual across the social strata. Garri does not discriminate. The rich, the not-so-rich and the poor turn to it as in-between meals, main meal or to replace some kind of exotic snacks.

If you don't have enough in that pocket of yours don't panic just buy twenty naira (N20) garri. Pour it into your bowl, add water to a very reasonable level, cover it and go visit a friend or go see a movie. By the time you get back you would think you added yeast.

My brother and sister I can go on and on but let me stop here. Continue to enjoy your garri and be creative about it.

NAOMI OSAKA: SUCCESS TURNING THINGS AROUND

By Emma Ugolee

Unlike Nigeria where mixed race people (half Caucasian, Asian or Caribbean) are often easily admired and preferential treatment almost guaranteed, the exact opposite is the case in a lot of countries. Apartheid South Africa called then Coloureds. The Government in Zambia and Zimbabwe didn't go easy on the Goffal, which was the outcast term for mixed people

The Japanese are probably the worst of all at maltreating the biracial. They called them Hafu.

In 1998 a hafu girl was born to a black father. Mr Francoise. For loving a black man, her mother was ostracized from her family for a decade. The experience the child brought was one to be remembered for life so they named her Osaka by the city of her birth. Naomi Osaka.

That was the same name inscribed on the trophy for the winner of the U.S Open. With a cash prize that raised her worth to $7.3m outside an Addidas and Nissan deal. But that's just half of the story.

The main gist is that the whole of Japan is now "claiming relationship" with this 20-year-old who had to migrate to the US with her family at age 3. 

Nissi foods Japan has endorsed with millions of dollars. Others are negotiating. The news got her Japanese grandpa crying with pride on tv that his grand child is the 1st Japanese in history to win this. This was the same man that orchestrated the 10year long family ban on her and her family.

Success and her many relatives vs Failure the orphan. 

Lesson for me and you. Those who disassociate themselves from you when you are down should never be a cause for despair. Thier disloyalty has no business with your ability to find your feet again. In their trade mark shamelessness, they remember ties once you rise.

I was at the video shoot some 13years or so ago when my bro @uzodinmaokpechi shot this Nkem Owohs rendition of Stanley Okories song. As we all laughed at the comic side of his act, I remember Nkem Owoh saying. "Success na still the best answer anyday".

His words are still as potent today. Ignore how many are in your corner. Eyes on the prize and win. It changes everything.

OBITUARY: RAS KIMONO, THE REGGAE APOSTLE AND LIFELONG CRUSADER WHO KEPT DREADLOCKS FOR 36 YEARS

By Chidi Chima

Wielding his blunt message as a weapon, Ras Kimono, while he held sway, dominated the Nigerian music scene and cultivated many-a-acolyte with his conscious songs.

The dreadlocked legend lived and breathed reggae in all of its entirety. He used the genre to speak, without ceasing, of the ills of the land and to fight the cause of the oppressed.

Even towards the last years of his life when reggae waned and dancehall blossomed in the Nigerian music industry, Kimono firmly bore the touch like a blind loyalist, continuing to charge the young ones to use the genre to speak truth to power.

He once famously said: “As long as Ras Kimono lives, then reggae is still alive in Nigeria” but now that he’s dead, what becomes of the genre made popular around these parts by the departed icon?

‘SUPERSTAR OF SUPERSTARS’

Ras Kimono inspired many musicians, some of which include Austin Peter, Daddy Showkey, and Kenny Saint Brown who once described him as the “the superstar of the superstars when we were growing up”.

During Kimono’s 60th birthday, which would be his last, Showkey spoke of how the Rastafarian hugely impacted and inspired his music and lifestyle.

He was effusive in praise of the man he called “father”.
“He gave me the platform that made me the Showkey that I am today. He is my father, I carry dreadlocks because I want to be like him,” Showkey had said.
Born in May 1958, Ras Kimono, real name Okeleke Elumelu, had his first musical exposure with The Jastix, a group which comprised Amos McRoy, Black Rice Osagie and Majek Fashek.

The musician would later, on his own, release a debut album Under Pressure, led by the single ‘Rhumba Stylee’, a massive hit in 1989.

Under Pressure was released on the Premier Music label, earning Kimono continental stardom and acclaim.

During the course of his career, Kimono toured Africa, Europe and the United States with his Massive Dread Reggae Band.
‘ADVOCATE OF THE PEOPLE’ 
Kimono was a mouthpiece of the people in principle and in practice. To have a firsthand feel of the tribulations of the downtrodden, he never strayed far from them, no matter what fame brought his way.
In multiple interviews, he listed his musical inspirations as Jehovah and the suffering of the common man.
“I live where the people live so I can see the tribulation they are going through; suffering and the humiliation, so we can put it into our music and expose it.”

Kimono was no self-serving, all mouth no action conscious reggae musician. He truly believed in what he preached and lived by it.

He once said If he does not expose hardship and injustice, “who will do it for the people?”

‘LEGEND PISSING ME OFF’

Legendary status is attained through years of consistent success and longstanding influence, and while Ras Kimono can be rightly considered a legend, the late singer will protest at being given the title if he were alive.

An interviewee once called him a legend and he replied, saying: “If you’re calling me legend, then what will you call Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey who are alive? The ones that are dead, Sunny Okosun, Oliver De Coque, Osadebe, what will you call them? Icon?

“Nowadays everybody is saying he is a legend, legend, legend and that word is pissing me off. So, at the end of the day, people don’t even know the worth of a legend. When people call me legend I’m indifferent about it.”

Kimono may have been indifferent about the word, but when the cap fits… the cap fits.

REGGAE vs DANCEHALL

Like a mother hen protects her chicks fiercely, jealously and lovingly, so did Kimono care for and tend to the genre called reggae.

His was a life of sacrifice; sticking to pure reggae and churning out pro-masses songs, defeating the temptation of crossing over to the dancehall of luxury.

Hence, he made sure to succinctly and effortfully point out the difference between reggae artistes and dancehall artistes — at any given chance.

“A lot of reggae musicians like us, were not rich because we don’t sing what they want us to sing.

“Reggae artistes are Ras Kimono, Majek Fashek; apart from that, other youth dem are dancehall artistes. They just want to have fun and make money.

“But reggae, you have to deal with truth and wrong and face the government squarely.”

KEPT DREADLOCKS AND DIDN’T TASTE ALCOHOL FOR DECADES

Ras Kimono has a discipline worth emulating. All his life in music, he never tasted alcohol or smoked despite being surrounded by both.

He often told anyone who cared to listen that “I have never smoked and I don’t drink alcohol”.

Kimono said he never partook in the sexual orgies and booze benders associated with the celebrity life.

The peer pressure and overwhelming urge to indulge never broke Kimono. Such was his discipline.

The same discipline could be seen in his devotion to his locks, which he maintained for over 36 years.

The dreadlock was in existence for as long as his career as an entertainer lasted, and throughout that period, Kimono was an ardent vegetarian.

FELA-INSPIRED HIT SONG

Kimono, a few years ago, revealed that one of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s many incarcerations inspired ‘Natty Get Jail’, a major hit song of his.

On how the song came to be, Kimono said he wrote it when Fela was locked up, but the Afrobeat maverick secured bail before he could put out the song.

It was originally titled ‘Fela Get Jail’ but had to be renamed after Kimono insisted on its release.

In 2017, after 36 years in the music industry, Kimono remained unyielding, sticking to conscious music which he said had “brought me fame and fortune”.

Even then, Kimono maintained that “present day reggae artistes are scared of singing about crimes, corruption, killing, rape and other bad stuff, so many of them are shying away from the truth”.

Kimono, who now takes his place among Jah’s soldiers in Zion, was a fiery champion of the masses who used reggae music to fight a lifelong battle for equal rights and against injustice.

Source: thecable.ng

13 THINGS MENTALLY STRONG PEOPLE DON’T DO

1. They Don’t Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves
Mentally strong people don’t sit around feeling sorry about their circumstances or how others have treated them. Instead, they take responsibility for their role in life and understand that life isn’t always easy or fair.

2. They Don’t Give Away Their Power
They don’t allow others to control them, and they don’t give someone else power over them. They don’t say things like, “My boss makes me feel bad,” because they understand that they are in control over their own emotions and they have a choice in how they respond.

3. They Don’t Shy Away from Change
Mentally strong people don’t try to avoid change. Instead, they welcome positive change and are willing to be flexible. They understand that change is inevitable and believe in their abilities to adapt.

4. They Don’t Waste Energy on Things They Can’t Control
You won’t hear a mentally strong person complaining over lost luggage or traffic jams. Instead, they focus on what they can control in their lives. They recognize that sometimes, the only thing they can control is their attitude.

5. They Don’t Worry About Pleasing Everyone
Mentally strong people recognize that they don’t need to please everyone all the time. They’re not afraid to say no or speak up when necessary. They strive to be kind and fair, but can handle other people being upset if they didn’t make them happy.

6. They Don’t Fear Taking Calculated Risks
They don’t take reckless or foolish risks, but don’t mind taking calculated risks. Mentally strong people spend time weighing the risks and benefits before making a big decision, and they’re fully informed of the potential downsides before they take action.

7. They Don’t Dwell on the Past
Mentally strong people don’t waste time dwelling on the past and wishing things could be different. They acknowledge their past and can say what they’ve learned from it. However, they don’t constantly relive bad experiences or fantasize about the glory days. Instead, they live for the present and plan for the future.

8. They Don’t Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over
Mentally strong people accept responsibility for their behavior and learn from their past mistakes. As a result, they don’t keep repeating those mistakes over and over. Instead, they move on and make better decisions in the future.

9. They Don’t Resent Other People’s Success
Mentally strong people can appreciate and celebrate other people’s success in life. They don’t grow jealous or feel cheated when others surpass them. Instead, they recognize that success comes with hard work, and they are willing to work hard for their own chance at success.

10. They Don’t Give Up After the First Failure
Mentally strong people don’t view failure as a reason to give up. Instead, they use failure as an opportunity to grow and improve. They are willing to keep trying until they get it right.

11. They Don’t Fear Alone Time
Mentally strong people can tolerate being alone and they don’t fear silence. They aren’t afraid to be alone with their thoughts and they can use downtime to be productive. They enjoy their own company and aren’t dependent on others for companionship and entertainment all the time but instead can be happy alone.

12. They Don’t Feel the World Owes Them Anything
Mentally strong people don’t feel entitled to things in life. They weren’t born with a mentality that others would take care of them or that the world must give them something. Instead, they look for opportunities based on their own merits.

13. They Don’t Expect Immediate Results
Whether they are working on improving their health or getting a new business off the ground, mentally strong people don’t expect immediate results. Instead, they apply their skills and time to the best of their ability and understand that real change takes time.

Source: www.lifehack.org

ENVIROFIT BRINGS SMART COOKSTOVE TO NIGERIA

By Vwede Overah

Envirofit International Nigeria has pioneered the introduction of the Smart Cooking Technology for better living in Nigeria.

Envirofit was founded on the idea that enterprise principles can transform the development of household and commercial energy technologies for people living in energy poverty. In 2003, Envirofit set out to change the way energy products were developed for people living in energy poverty. With a goal of improving harmful traditional cooking methods, Envirofit innovated a product line of aesthetic, high performance cookstoves tailored to the needs of customers in emerging markets. Years of consumer research and product development proved that people who lack access to electricity and clean cooking solutions do desire and will buy high quality products that will improve their lives.    

Across Nigeria, household and commercial meals are typically prepared using three stones fire, which are known to be inefficient as they consume large amount of firewood to prepare a single meal, are harmful for the health of the cooks/food vendors (mostly women), as well as time consuming for cooking and gathering of firewood. In urban areas, women usually purchase firewood/charcoal from the local market while in rural areas; firewood gathering is generally a woman’s work. In many areas where the local sources of firewood are completely depleted, women get firewood regardless of deforestation and its environmental impacts. Fuel supplies are quite expensive and women and food vendors have also noted the procuring fuel consumes a great deal of the income and time. 

Some households have been introduced to the Fuel Efficient Stove and have confirmed the end of harmful smoke fumes (complete combustion and chimney), low carbon emission, easy maintenance, low fuel consumption and energy efficient. 

One of the company’s fast selling products widely referred to as the SuperSaver Premium Charcoal stove, it is the most powerful, fastest boiling charcoal stove in the market. With unparalleled durability, this stove is easy to light, clean, and simmer foods on. Cooks traditional Nigerian foods like beans, rice, yam and plantain in under 20 minutes.

Envirofit West Africa provides biomass (charcoal and wood) cookstoves to Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Gambia, and several other countries. According to Biodun Olaore, the Country Director for Nigeria, every stove is designed in their research laboratory in the United States and created to meet the needs of those living in energy poverty in West Africa.

“We manufacture energy efficient smart cooking technologies. Most traditional ways of cooking are actually inefficient but here, our cooking technologies are more efficient. Along with emission reductions (SDG 13), the cookstoves will contribute to other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the following ways:

·        For households and institutions to reduce the money spent for purchasing cooking fuel (firewood, charcoal, kerosene) - (SDG 1)

·        For women/children in the kitchen to reduce respiratory illness caused by indoor air-pollution (SDG 3)

·        To decrease unsustainable deforestation and environmental degradation (SDG 15)

·        Help mitigate climate change and contribute positively to SDG 13, by stabilizing forests, increasing biodiversity, enhancing soil fertility and water retention, as well as preventing soil erosion (SDG 15).

 “That is why we say it is smarter cookstove for smarter living. With this, carbon emission is drastically reduced, and the fuel consumption is very low.” According to him, the stoves are produced in Nigeria 

The Envirofit Smart Stove have won several awards. Among the numerous is the Times Magazine’s Heroes of the Environment (2009) award for proving to be the most innovative and influential protectors of the planet.

4 IMPORTANT BLOOD TESTS FOR WOMEN-AND WHAT THE RESULTS MEAN

Here's why every woman needs to know her numbers.

When your doctor orders blood tests during a routine check-up, the goal is to learn how well your body is working and to diagnose diseases such as diabetes or heart disease that might not have obvious symptoms. A blood test is like a gauge, revealing measures of disease inside your body.

You might have any number of different blood tests during your check-up. Four blood tests in particular are important to determine the state of your health. If your doctor hasn't recommended one or more of these blood tests, ask whether you need to have them done.

1. Blood sugar test

What it measures: The level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. Elevated blood sugar is a sign that your body either isn't making enough insulin—the hormone that moves sugar into the cells to be used for energy—or isn't using insulin efficiently. High blood sugar levels can indicate that you have diabetes or prediabetes.

How often you need it tested: Your doctor should check your fasting glucose level or your HbA1C—an average of your blood sugar over the last three months—once a year, or more often if your blood pressure is high.

What's healthy: Less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) on a blood sugar test and an HbA1C of less than 5.7%.

What to do if your levels are high: If you're in the borderline, prediabetes range of 100 to 125 mg/dL, lifestyle changes can prevent you from progressing to full-blown diabetes. Eating a healthy diet, losing weight, plus getting at least 150 minutes of exercise per week can cut your risk of getting type 2 diabetes in half.

2. Lipid panel

What it measures: Levels of unhealthy cholesterol and triglycerides to assess your heart disease risk.

How often you need it tested: Women who are at increased risk for heart disease or who have diabetes should get tested once a year. Those who are at normal risk should ask their doctors about testing frequency.

What's healthy: total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol of more than 50 mg/dL; LDL cholesterol of less than 130 mg/dL (less than 100 mg/dL for women at high risk for heart disease); and triglycerides of less than 150 mg/dL.

What to do if your levels are high/low: Limit unhealthy fats from red meat, whole-fat dairy products, and fried foods. Also watch high-cholesterol foods such as egg yolks, cheese, and shellfish. Eat more of foods that lower unhealthy cholesterol—including nuts, fish, oatmeal, and vegetable oils.

3. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 test

What it measures: The thyroid is a gland in the neck that produces hormones that regulate metabolism. Women are more likely than men to have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). The TSH and T4 tests measure hormone levels to make sure your thyroid is working correctly.

How often you need it tested: If you're over 60, talk to your doctor about getting tested. Also get your levels checked if you have symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, which include

fatigue

fast heartbeat

increased appetite

greater sensitivity to cold

muscle weakness

brittle hair and nails

weight gain or loss.

What's healthy: TSH of 0.4 to 4.0 milli-international units per liter (mIU/L) and T4 of 4.5 to 11.2 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).

What to do if your levels are high/low: Hypothyroidism is treated with synthetic thyroid hormone taken daily by mouth. Hyperthyroidism is treated with radioactive iodine, antithyroid medicine, or surgery.

4. Vitamin D (25 hydroxyvitamin D) test

What it measures: Levels of vitamin D in your blood. Vitamin D is essential for bone strength and other important functions in the body. Older women are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency, because our skin doesn't produce this vitamin as efficiently from sun exposure as we age, and because we spend less time outdoors.

How often you need it tested: Ask your doctor whether you need this test based on your age, diet, and level of sun exposure.

What's healthy: More than 30 nanograms/milliliters (ng/mL)

What to do if your levels are low: Eat more foods containing vitamin D, such as dairy and fortified orange juice. Ask your doctor if you need to add a vitamin D supplement.

Source: www.health.harvard.edu