Mental Health: Increasing The Much Needed Awareness

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October 11, 2023

Mental health is a universal human right, this is the theme for this year world mental health day, which is commemorated every 10^th of October.

Mental Health has become a major concern in recent times in our modern society and yet it seem the issue is not given the much needed attention.

The world mental health day is set aside to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promotes and protects every individual’s mental health.

Individuals who have mental health issues or illnesses and seek professional care are considered to have lost their minds, not emotionally balanced or strong enough to handle life issues, weak and stigmatized.

Dr. Ehi Iden, a psychologist and a mental health ambassador and member of external review group to W.H.O on Mental Health at Workplaces said in an interview on LN247’s This Morning Show, that the awareness of Mental Health in Nigeria is still very low and much work still needs to be done to bring the issue of Mental Health to the fore, by creating avenues in homes, offices, religious and social gatherings to discuss the issue of mental health.

Presently in Nigeria, many people are going through a lot of difficulty to make ends meet coupled with the hustle and bustle of everyday activities and more, puts pressure on the emotional well being of individuals thereby putting there mental health at risk, in this light Dr. Iden states that even while life challenges may be factors that put a person mental health at risk, however, mental health is not a discriminant, meaning a person can be financially stable and may not be going through any difficult life issues but still have mental health issues, nevertheless, the psychologist said, people at the lowest financial state are the worst hit when it comes to mental health issues and are also not able to access quality mental health care because of their financial state.

Statistics shows that, one in every eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, with an increasing number of adolescents and young people affected, which can impact their physical health, well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods.

Dr. Ehi Iden, further submits that laughter and getting involve in physical activities are factors that can improve a person’s mental health. Maintaining a balanced mental health is a personal responsibility as every individual have control over what they allow in their lives and around them.

Here are some tips one can do to improve Mental Wellbeing:

Try To Relax And Reduce Stress

Try to think about what might help you to relax. If there’s something that helps you, try to find time to fit it into your day. For example, this could be having a bath or shower. Or going for a walk or listening to music.

Spend Time In Nature

Spending time in nature can help improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress and anger.

Connect With Others

Connecting with others can help us have a greater sense of belonging and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Look After Your Physical Health

Taking care of your physical health can have a positive effect on your wellbeing. These tips may help:

Drink Water Regularly

Drinking enough water or other fluids is important for our mental and physical health.

Try To Improve Your Sleep

How well we sleep can impact our wellbeing. And if you are struggling with your mental health, this can affect your sleep. Everyone’s sleep patterns are different, and it’s important to do what works for you. But here are some ideas you could try:

Establish A Routine

Try and establish a routine around bed time, to help set a regular sleeping pattern.

Think About Your Screen Time

Try to give yourself some tech-free time before sleep, and avoid bright screens that can affect your sleep. Instead of looking at a screen you could try listening to some music or a podcast.

Every Individual has the responsibility to main their mental health and at the same time a responsibility to others, such as family, friends and the society at large by showing more empathy, being more selfless and kind, always checking up on one another from time to time, as mental health should be valued, promoted, protected, and urgent action is to be taken so that everyone can exercise their human rights and access quality mental health care when needed.

Tanzanian Govt Hailed For Efforts To Uplift Reading Culture

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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October 11, 2023

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The Tanzanian government has been commended for its efforts in uplifting the reading culture among school children and members of the public at large.

Among government’s measures is to distribute children’s story books in primary schools aimed at eliminating illiteracy within communities.

Room to Read Programme Operations Manager for Kibaha Community Based office, Agripina Kadama, made the statement during the marking of Literacy Week at Mkuranga Primary School in Mkuranga district, which was attended by various education stakeholders.

Kadama said it was now up to the education stakeholders to establish libraries in all primary schools so that the books are arranged in good order to enable the children access them and borrow them for reading to support the Government’s efforts.

She said that Room to Read in collaboration with Mkuranga District Council is implementing Literacy Project in 35 primary schools while providing professional assistance to teachers on facilitation of life skills and financial education in 19 schools.

The project has also provided trainings on reading and writing to 113 teachers in the district; trainings on library supervision to 95 teachers and trainings on running library sessions to 252 teachers.

She said apart from that, the program has also managed to distribute a total of 7,906 books on reading and writing to standard one pupils and other 57,319 children’s story books as well as 242 guidelines on Library Management.

Mkuranga District Adult Officer, Regina Masyole, who represented District Executive Director (DED), at the event said the Government will continue to work with different stakeholders in ensuring that illiteracy among its people is eliminated.

She said the government is working very hard to ensure friendly environment for studying in its schools and at the same time creating suitable environment for its education stakeholders to enable them to meet their objectives in uplifting education standards.

This year’s theme for Literacy Week celebrations was ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.

Education Stakeholders Urged To Invest In Digital Literacy

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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October 11, 2023

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Experts in the education sector have called on stakeholders to make more investments to facilitate the inclusion of digital literacy in the school curriculum.

This was the takeout at the just concluded September edition of Edtech Mondays, an initiative organized by the Co-Creation Hub in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT.

The panel session themed “Accelerating Digital Literacy for the Benefit of Education System in Nigeria”, moderated by the Practice Lead, Education CCHUB, Chinyelu Akpa, which featured other Edtech experts, discussed the benefits of prioritizng digital literacy in Nigeria.

According to the 2021 World Bank development report, more than 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population needs digital skills and cannot use data services.

Stakeholders agreed that digital literacy must be prioritised in Nigeria, given that it is vital to the future of work, enhances quality education and fosters socio-economic prosperity.

One of the panelists, a teacher at State High School, Oyewole, Agege, Lagos, Azeez Ojoro, stated that acquiring digital skills has become inevitable to function effectively in an increasingly digital world.

According to him, digital skills are critical for the benefit of education systems and our socioeconomic progress and advancement of the country.

Ojoro called on the government and other stakeholders to work together to address issues of access to digital devices, data subsidy and remuneration.

Strong Quake Strikes Western Afghanistan; Relief, Rescue Teams Redeployed

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 11, 2023

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A strong earthquake rattled Afghanistan’s western province of Herat on Wednesday, forcing authorities to redeploy relief and rescue teams already in the field following a series of deadly quakes on Saturday.

There were no details on casualties so far, disaster management spokesman Janan Sayeeq told Reuters, but provincial officials said hundreds of homes had been destroyed.

The office of Herat’s governor said some areas had suffered “huge losses”, without giving details.

“Mobile medical teams and officials have been working together and have transferred several injured people to hospital,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

Saturday’s tremors killed at least 2,400 people and injured more than 2,000, the Taliban-run government said, making the quakes one of the deadliest in the world so far this year.

Most of the casualties in that quake were women and children, the World Health Organisation said.

The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said the latest quake was a magnitude 6.3, and occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles).

Hemmed in by mountains, Afghanistan has a history of strong earthquakes, many in the rugged Hindu Kush region bordering Pakistan. Herat province borders Iran, which said it would send humanitarian aid.

In the central district of Rubat Sangi, which was rattled by Saturday’s quakes, at least 200 homes suffered damage or were destroyed, Governor Noor Ahmad Shahab said, adding that residents had suffered “huge financial losses”.

So far, no fatalities have been reported, he said, as many villagers were already sleeping out in the open or in tents since the earlier earthquakes.

“People need urgent aid,” Shahab said, adding that survivors were falling ill from the colder autumn weather.

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Relief and rescue efforts after Saturday’s earthquakes have been hampered by infrastructure left crumbling by decades of war and a lack of foreign aid which once formed the backbone of the economy but which has dried up since the Taliban took over.

Afghanistan’s healthcare system, largely reliant on foreign aid, has also faced crippling cuts. http://www.ln247.news

The European Union said it would provide 2.5 million euros ($2.65 million) to humanitarian partners working to provide relief, in addition to the 89 million euro humanitarian aid already allocated in 2023.

It also offered shelter kits, winter tents, and hygiene kits, as well as other relief supplies.

Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and China have already pledged to send in food, blankets, medicines, tents and funds. The United Nation’s humanitarian office has also announced $5 million worth of assistance.

ASUU Urges Govt To Raise Varsity Funding

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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October 11, 2023

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National president, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has urged the Nigerian government to retain talents and increase the budgetary allocations of universities.

Speaking on the state of the country’s education as Nigeria celebrates 63rd Independence anniversary on October 1, Osodeke maintained that only through the increased budgetary allocations to universities that the issue of fee increment across campuses in the country would be solved or reduced.

Recently, universities across the country have increased obligatory fees astronomically, which led to several protests by students whose parents earned less than N40,000 per month and claimed it would be difficult to afford the newly introduced huge fees.

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He said the issue of fee increment is a major issue as many students will drop out of school.

Most parents will not be able to afford their children’s fees. Since the government says don’t increase fees and universities are increasing fees, they should intervene as part of their palliatives because the vice-chancellors are being pushed to the wall so they have no choice but to increase fees.

He added that government should increase budgetary allocations to universities so that VCs will have enough funds to run the universities.

While describing the state of education in Nigeria at 63, he said It is almost collapsing.

He specifically advised the Ministry of Education to ensure it retained talents in the country.

He said, “Specifically for the Ministry of Education, we need to ensure that we do everything to retain talents in Nigeria. We are losing so many talents. Too many people are moving abroad. We must do everything to ensure that this is done. We need to pay attention to primary and secondary school education.”

Cole described students’ inability to pay high school fees in government-owned universities as an economic challenge, saying the government should increase purchasing power by ensuring importation of goods was reduced.

Minister of Interior, UNILAG Seek Education Partnerships

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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October 11, 2023

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The University of Lagos, UNILAG and interior ministry have called for a seamless global partnership in the higher education systems.

Speakers at the opening ceremony of the International Week of the University of Lagos, titled, ‘Breaking the Borders of Partnership,’ noted that collaboration was key in recording faster progress in higher education.

In her welcome remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development Services, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, said it was the third UNILAG International Week.

Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola explained that the theme, ‘Breaking the Borders of Partnerships,’ was chosen so as to devote some attention and strategize on how to overcome the impediments to the effective implementation of Memoranda of Understanding.

She said, “However, while we celebrate the achievements of higher education internationalization agenda enabled by robust partnerships and collaborations to date, we cannot ignore that more still needs to be done to bring down the high walls of different borders to these partnerships – the challenges that pose barriers to the optimization.

“This situates our theme for this year’s International Week – Breaking the Borders of Partnerships and we expect that we will devote some attention to strategizing to overcome the impediments to the effective implementation of Memoranda of Understanding, some of which are internal to our respective institutions,” for example our institutional academic regulations and institutional culture and some of which are external e.g. governmental strictures arising out of fiscal policies and immigration rules that impede smooth transnational mobilities, which I dare say is the major lever for internationalization.

”We need to proffer new ways to address this challenge to allow for a seamless internationalization.”

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, explained that by respecting each other’s perspectives, valuing differences and fostering a spirit of inclusivity, partnerships that were not bound by limitations but empowered by possibilities could be built.

He implored the university to continue the invaluable work and not only within the walls of the institutions but also in the broader context of our society through innovative research, academic recommendations and a forward-thinking curriculum.

In his presentation, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Dundee, Prof. Iain Gillespie, who was the keynote speaker added that partnership has the ability to bring together expertise and capacity, saying the core purpose of Universities would be enhanced through partnership.

He said partnership was important because of Capacity building, student choice and opportunity, maximize development and growth, encourage brain circulation, create an enterprising culture, address shared challenges, create accessibility of education, contribute to the quality of education and experience.

Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Chris Maiyaki, explained that the theme of the event was consistent with the cardinal goals of NUC.

He advised UNILAG to review its strategies, saying it had the potential to become the best university in Nigeria and among the top 100 in the world.

Also speaking, Executive Secretary TETFUND, Sonny Echono, reiterated that there was a need to embrace internationalization and create the right atmosphere.

Australia’s Abandoned SS Ayrfield Shipwreck

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 11, 2023

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SS Ayrfield Shipwreck is an abandoned ship located in the Homebush Bay, west of Sydney, Australia.

This shipwreck is just one of the many abandoned ships, who were decommissioned in the bay, but what makes it different is the incredible foliage that adorns the rusted hull.

Originally the ship was launched as SS Corrimal, and was built in the UK in 1911. It was a steel-hulled, single crew, steam collier of 1,140 tones and 79 meters (259 feet) in length.

After its construction, the ship was registered in 1912 in Sydney as a steam collier which was later used to transport supplies to American troops stationed in the Pacific region during World War II. In 1950 it was sold to Bitumen and Oil Refineries Australia Pty Ltd who kept it only for a while.

The current name it has was given to the ship in 1951 when it was sold to the Miller Steamship Company Ltd and operated as a collier between Newcastle and Miller’s terminal in Blackwattle Bay.

Eventually in 1972 the retirement for the ship comes, and Homebush Bay was chosen at the time due to the fact that it served as a ship-breaking yard.

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Although, there are many ships in the Bay, SS Ayrfield is the most unique, due to the bunch of full-grown mangrove trees that now call this rusty partly-submerged piece of metal home, creating a new and unique attraction that allures in photographers from all over the world. http://www.ln247.news

The most striking of these disaster areas is the SS Ayrfield, which has wonderfully grown a rich backwoods of mangrove trees.

The parts of the flourishing trees spill from the sides of the boat, gradually separating the structure of the seemingly perpetual boat which was initially worked in 1911.

The trees have so totally overwhelmed the boat, it is a marvel that it actually still floats. The SS Ayrfield might have endured The Second Great War, however nothing can battle the infringing hand of nature.

Once Upon A Time – October 11 – 1138 – Seismic Tremor In Aleppo, Syria, Kills About 230,000

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 11, 2023

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1138 Seismic tremor in Aleppo, Syria, kills about 230,000

Aleppo is located in northern Syria. The region, which sits on the boundary between the Arabian geologic plate and the African plate, is part of the Dead Sea Fault system. In the early 12th century this ancient Muslim city was home to tens of thousands of residents.

On Oct. 10, 1138, a small shock shook the region, and some residents fled to surrounding towns. The main quake occurred the following day. As the city walls crumbled, rocks cascaded into the streets. Aleppo’s citadel collapsed, killing hundreds of residents.

Warm water fuels Hurricane Katrina. This image depicts a 3-day average of actual dea surface temperatures for the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, from August 25-27, 2005.

1634 Burchardi flood – “the second Grote Mandrenke” kills around 15,000 in North Friesland, Denmark and Germany

1737 Seismic tremor kills about 300,000 and obliterated portion of Calcutta in India. Presently remembered to have been a misrepresented record of a storm which guaranteed 3,000 of the city’s assessed 20,000 inhabitants.

1797 Skirmish of Camperdown (Kamperduin): English naval force routs Dutch armada

1945 Chinese nationwide conflict starts between Kuomintang government drove by Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong’s Socialist Faction

1962 Second Vatican Committee (21st ecumenical) assembled by Pope John XXIII

1986 Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev open discussions at a conference in Reykjavik, Iceland www.ln247.news

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1975 “Saturday Night Live” made by Lorne Michaels debuts on NBC with George Carlin as host

1983 “Can’t Dial Back” second studio collection by Lionel Richie is delivered

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2000 South African Cricket Board issues previous captain Hansie Cronje with a daily existence boycott because of match-fixing charges. https://www.britannica.com/event/Aleppo-earthquake-of-1138

Nigeria Among Highest Consumer Countries of Sugar-sweetened Drinks – Study

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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October 11, 2023

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A new study carried out by researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and published in the journal, Nature Communications, has indicated that between 2005 and 2018, highly educated adults in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, tend to consume more sugar-sweetened beverages than their counterparts in the Middle East/North Africa.

It was also discovered that the highest consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in the world occurred in Nigeria, Mexico, Ethiopia, and the United States of America over the same specified period on a national scale.

The study showed that the global consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increased by 16 per cent with sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the largest increase – 41 per cent, while Latin America and Caribbean, and high-income countries showed decreasing trends.

Experts have always linked sugar-sweetened beverages to debilitating health issues, but a lack of national estimates on their consumption has hindered effective interventions and targeted population groups in need.

In carrying out the study analysis of sugar-sweetened beverage intake trends in adults aged 20 and above across 185 countries for 1990, 2005, and 2018 was carried out.

Data was sourced from the Global Dietary Database, which provided subnational stratification based on factors like age, education, sex, and urban or rural residence.

Sugar-sweetened beverages were defined by their caloric content, including soft drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks, lemonade, punch, and aguas frescas.

They excluded non-caloric artificially sweetened beverages, 100 per cent fruit and vegetable juices, and sweetened milk.

According to the researchers, there were 12.4 servings of sugar-sweetened beverages per week recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 8.5 servings per week in Latin America/the Caribbean, which were among the highest per capita consumption of sugary drinks among urban, highly educated individuals in the world.

The report, which also examined the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among adults from 1990 to 2018 in 185 countries, revealed that Mexico consumed the most sweetened drink servings per week with 8.9 servings, followed by Ethiopia, 7.1; the United States, 4.9; and Nigeria, 4.9; whereas India, China, and Bangladesh consumed the least of 0.2 each.

Findings from the study further indicated that global intakes were higher in males versus females and in younger versus older people, but the impact of education and rural/urban residency was influenced more by region of origin.

According to the researchers, the study highlighted the critical role of diet and beverage consumption in health outcomes, and that unhealthy dietary habits contribute to conditions such as obesity, malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.

The research, it was noted, has significant implications for public health policies and interventions, given the adverse effects of high sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dental problems, and cancer.

The study’s findings can inform guidelines, interventions, and policies to limit sugar-sweetened beverages intake within recommended limits, including measures like warning labels, taxes, nutrition education, and marketing standards.

Age, gender, and urban/rural residence played roles in sugar-sweetened beverages consumption trends with younger adults in specific regions identified as higher consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages.

Rural areas in certain regions had higher sugar-sweetened beverage intake than urban areas, while education level and socioeconomic status influenced consumption patterns in diverse ways. The study also revealed a correlation between sociodemographic development index (SDI) and sugar-sweetened beverages intake, indicating disparities in sugar-sweetened beverages consumption at the national level.

The results of this study show a rise in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption worldwide, with susceptible categories including young individuals and people with less education showing greater intake.

According to the researchers, in order to lessen the worldwide burden of health problems related to sugar-sweetened beverages consumption, it is important to address these discrepancies through targeted policies and initiatives.

They, however, said the study serves as a basis for further research and the development of policies to address health-related issues associated with sugar-sweetened beverages.

Super Eagles, Bafana Bafana May Face Morocco In AFCON Group Stage

By

Emenike Agu

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October 11, 2023

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The draw for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will hold tomorrow in Abidjan, Ivorian economic capital, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria likely to face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, as well as the Atlas Lions of Morocco in what could be the group of death.

The Super Eagles, who crashed out in the group of 16 at the last AFCON in Cameroon, is among the second seeds for tomorrow’s draw, while South Africa has a place among the third seeds.

Morocco, who created history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by becoming the first semifinalists from Africa, is among the six top seeds. If The Gambia, who surprised many by reaching the 2021 Cup of Nations’ quarterfinals, is drawn in the same group, it would be a striking “group of death,” the term given to particularly tough sections. The Gambia is among the teams in the fourth pot.

Nigeria, a three-time winner of the premier African football competition, and former champions, South Africa, were unlucky not to be seeded higher.

The Super Eagles lie sixth in the continental rankings and, ordinarily, would have been a top seed, avoiding Morocco, title-holder Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt in the group stage.

But host countries not only automatically qualify for the two-yearly tournament, they are also always among the first seeds. To accommodate ninth-ranked Cote d’Ivoire, sixth-placed Nigeria had to give way and now share second-seed status with Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Democratic Republic of Congo.

South Africa had been ranked above DR Congo for some time but, in the rankings that decided the seedings, they were placed one place below the Congolese.

It was an ironic change of positions as South Africa defeated DR Congo in a friendly match just a couple of days before the rankings were released.

The other third seeds are Cape Verde, Guinea, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania, while the fourth seeds include Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Gambia and Tanzania.

Zambia, who were 2012 champions thanks to a penalty shootout victory over Didier Drogba-inspired Cote d’Ivoire, are back at the Cup of Nations after three straight failures to qualify.

Zambia and Mozambique, whose last appearance was in 2010, are the only qualifiers who have not featured in at least one of the last two tournaments.
Despite a poor Cup of Nations record, Morocco is set to be installed as favourites to win the January 13 to February 11, 2024 competition.

It has been champion just once in 33 editions — topping a 1976 group in Ethiopia in one of only two editions where a mini-league determined the champions.

At the 2022 AFCON, Morocco was eliminated by Egypt in the quarterfinals. All six top seeds plus Nigeria, Cameroun, Ghana, DR Congo, South Africa and Zambia have won the Cup of Nations. The other champions — Ethiopia, Sudan and Congo Brazzaville — did not qualify.