Thursday 31 August 2017

FEMM Launches App to Improve Maternal Health

Rebecca Ejifoma
For the Health of Women! Dr. Asogwa (right) flanked by team members
The Fertility Education and Medical Management (FEMM) Health has launched an app designed to provide an interactive platform for women to get personalised daily feedback to achieve their health and fertility goals.

The app is created to support and enhance women’s health globally. It provides a means for women to learn about their bodies, and achieve health and reproductive goals via the platform’s personalised insights. The app uses our proprietary algorithm to flag any potential issues seen in a woman's cycle. We also provide a platform for women to reach a FEMM educator or doctor when an issue is flagged.

“It is not just another period predictor. We believe a woman’s body is more than her period and know that simply predicting periods does not help women to understand their bodies and manage their health,” as disclosed in a media chat.

According to FEMM Teacher and Medical Practitioner, Dr. Nkechi Asogwa, women can track their period, monitor ovulation and other physical and emotional observations on this platform in order to understand their hormonal changes and health patterns.

“The app allows women to accomplish goals such as tracking their health, and achieving or avoiding pregnancy. It also provides additional support for women to ask a FEMM health coach questions, or get link to a FEMM trained doctor,” she expressed.
Its quest is to support more women globally, the app is now available in Android for English and Spanish speakers.

To further pursue its course and commitment to women’s health, science and research, FEMM partners the Reproductive Health Research Institute (RHRI). “RHRI conducts ongoing peer-reviewed research and study, and trains medical providers in the latest research and evidence-based protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of women’s health,” Asogwa expressed.

Mothers Have no Excuse not to Embrace Exclusive Breastfeeding

Ekoemeye breastfeeding her baby girl
The major reasons nursing mothers in Nigeria give for not embracing exclusive breastfeeding include having no breast milk, weakness while breastfeeding and lack of time among others.  Rebecca Ejifoma spoke to nursing mothers and experts, and writes on the best position and duration for breastfeeding as well as other benefits to mother and child. Excerpts:

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organisation (WHO), in a new report, observed that no country in the world fully meets recommended standards for breastfeeding; hence, introduction of it’s Breastfeeding Collective, a new initiative to increase global breastfeeding rates.

The two global health bodies said that babies and mothers worldwide have been failed by lack of investment in breastfeeding, according to facts released on World Breastfeeding Day 2017. They argued that exclusive breastfeeding will help all countries achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 3 and 4.

The Global Breastfeeding Scorecard that evaluated 194 nations found that only 40 per cent of children younger than six months are breastfed exclusively (given nothing but breastmilk) and only 23 countries have exclusive breastfeeding rates above 60 per cent, excluding Nigeria.

According to research, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months can reduce child deaths by at least 800,000 each year, almost 15% of the total 6.3 million annual child deaths in Nigeria. Unfortunately, babies – who are not breastfed – are particularly vulnerable to the leading killers of small children and are more likely to die from pneumonia and diarrhea, compared to babies who are exclusively breastfed.

Exclusive breastfeeding rates in some states 
In Nigeria today, 17 per cent of nursing mothers give their children exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, while only 11 per cent breastfeed exclusively beyond the sixth month. States like Abia have at least 36% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies. Lagos State is 28 per cent; Sokoto state is 8%; Calabar is 22.9%; Edo is 20%; In Ile-Ife, Oyo State, Nigeria, a relatively high rate of exclusive breastfeeding of 61% was reported. However, in Igbo- Ora, Oyo State only 7.5% of them knew any mother who was practicing exclusive breastfeeding.

It was in line with this that several organisations and health experts took to the  streets to demand for exclusive breastfeeding during the World Breastfeeding Week 2017, enlightening mothers that breastfeeding  is the first immunisation of new babies and an academic amplifier to babies breastfed exclusively for six months and complementarily for two years. 
Nursing mothers speak out 
Adesanya breastfeeding her son
Five nursing mothers spoke to this reporter about reasons they could not breastfeed exclusively for at least six months. For Toyin Adesanya, 32, residing at Magodo in Lagos her main reason for being unable to breastfeed exclusively for at least six months is that her breast milk does not flow despite her drinking enough water.

Adesanya’s first child is two years old and the second is two weeks old. She started the baby off with infant formula and water plus breast milk from day one.

“I breastfed my first child – a girl – exclusive for two months only and weaned her at one year and two months. For my new baby – a boy – he wasn’t getting satisfaction from my breast milk at all. He was always crying, so I had to switch to infant formula while I continued breastfeeding as complement,” she expressed.

Man Arrested for Attempting to Slaughter Toddler

Rebecca Ejifoma
The Police in Lagos has arrested Mr. Salisu Abdulahi for allegedly attempting to slaughter a four year old girl in Lagos.

The suspect was alleged to have abducted the toddler at White Sand area of Ebute Meta while she was playing with her mates in an open field.

It was gathered that the suspect, a Suya seller, had taken the victim to a planned area where he had attempted to slaughter her with a knife.

Bit unfortunately for him, he met his water loo when a good Samaritan sighted his suspicious moves and approached the scene.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the incident to newsmen yesterday August 30, said that the Good Samaritan rescued the victim from the wicked claws of the suspect.

He added: “In an attempt to disarm the suspect, the rescuer sustained minor injury on his hand.”

According to him, the suspect was subsequently handed over to the Police at Denton Police Station, Oyingbo. “But the Good Samaritan has since been treated and discharged.”

"Police investigation revealed that the suspect abducted the little girl where she was playing with her friends with the sole intension of slaughtering her. It is a clear case of kidnap and attempted murder,” Owoseni declared.

Wednesday 30 August 2017

Use of Children as ‘Human Bombs’ Rising in North East Nigeria

Young girls are most frequent victims

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is extremely concerned about an appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, as ‘human bombs’ in northeast Nigeria. Children have been used repeatedly in this way over the last few years and so far this year, the number of children used is already four times higher than it was for all of last year.

Since 1 January this year, 83 children have been used as ‘human bombs’; 55 were girls, most often under age 15; 27 were boys, and one was a baby strapped to a girl.

The use of children in this way is an atrocity.

Children used as ‘human bombs’ are, above all, victims, not perpetrators.

The armed group commonly known as Boko Haram has sometimes, but not always, claimed responsibility for these attacks, which target the civilian population.

UNICEF Saddened over Denial of Baquer Namazi’s Appeal of 10-year Prison Sentence


The whole UNICEF family is deeply saddened to learn that the appeal of the 10-year prison sentence of Baquer Namazi, our respected former colleague, has been denied.

“Mr. Namazi is 81 years old and in increasingly poor health. He has now been detained in Iran for more than 18 months. After many years dedicated to serving the world’s most disadvantaged children, he deserves to be at home in the care of his family," UNICEF expressed.

“On behalf of his friends and former colleagues around the world, UNICEF urges the government of Iran to release Mr. Namazi on humanitarian – and compassionate – grounds.

More than 180 million people lack basic drinking water in countries ravaged by conflict or unrest - UNICEF


In line with the World Water Week 2017, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that more than 180 million people do not have access to basic drinking water in countries affected by conflict, violence and instability around the world.

“Children’s access to safe water and sanitation, especially in conflicts and emergencies, is a right, not a privilege,” UNICEF’s Global Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Sanjay Wijesekera, has said. ”In countries beset by violence, displacement, conflict and instability, children’s most basic means of survival – water – must be a priority.”

As disclosed in a press release, UNICEF has it that people living in fragile situations are four times more likely to lack basic drinking water than populations in non-fragile situations, according to a recent UNICEF and World Health Organisation analysis. Of the estimated 484 million people living in fragile situations in 2015, 183 million lacked basic drinking water services.

In Yemen, a country reeling from the impact of over two years of conflict, water supply networks that serve the country’s largest cities are at imminent risk of collapse due to war-inflicted damage and disrepair. Around 15 million people in the country have been cut off from regular access to water and sanitation.

Sunday 27 August 2017

Lagos DSVRT, Traditional Rulers Walk against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Rebecca Ejifoma

Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), in collaboration with two Paramount Rulers, Oba Sefiu Olatunji Adewale, Olu of Epe and Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, Olaoja of Epe, participated in an advocacy walk to end Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Epe.

Speaking at the occasion, the traditional rulers commended the present administration for its efforts to eradicate sexual and gender-based violence in Lagos through the DSVRT.

The Obas promised to give all the necessary support to ensure that not only Epe but also Lagos State is free from all sorts of domestic violence, adding that they will also educate the people in their domain to refrain from any acts of domestic violence.

NURHI 2 Remodels Okokomaiko PHC, Creates FP Unit

(Middle) Mr. Haastrup and Mr. Yaya flanked by other Officials from the LDCA at the
inauguration
Rebecca Ejifoma
Following its plans to improve reproductive health services in the country, the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative 2 (NURHI 2) has established a Family Planning Clinic at the Okokomaiko Primary Health Centre, Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos.

NURHI 2 says its effort is born out of the need to reduce the high rate of maternal and child mortality in Lagos State through the up-take of family planning. The Senior Programme Officer, Advocacy, NURHI, Lagos State, Mr. Wale Haastrup, said: “NURHI promotes the use of FP in the communities where we work.”

For us to promote the use of FP services, he continued that they have to upgrade the facility to the basic standards they should be. “This will help the providers deliver optimal quality services to clients and patients.”

Now, NURHI’s concept of 72-hour make-over is said to be targeted at 50 health facilities where it is currently working. “We are in the process of getting additional 50 facilities. The idea is for family planning service commodities to be readily available in communities,” Haastrup assured newsmen.

He, however, decried that when the right equipment are not available, quality of health delivery is affected. “The Federal Government said FP should be free at all levels. But when the facilities do not have the right equipment to help provide these services, it will affect choices and quality delivery.”

“So, NURHI has provided these commodities and equipment to facilitate all necessary services for those who want them. It will benefit mothers, children, fathers and the family as a whole," he said.

Friday 25 August 2017

U.S .Commercial Service Extols Nigerian Business Community, Honors Partners

Rebecca Ejifoma

The United States Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of Commerce, Seward L. Jones, expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic prospects as the country moves out of recession.

Hosting over 350 American and Nigerian firms at the U.S. Commercial Service’s annual Networking with the USA (NUSA) Appreciation Forum and International Partner Award Ceremony last week, Jones observed that the United States is confident that Nigeria’s economic outlook will remain positive, with further diversification from crude oil and increased fiscal transparency.

Jones, who oversees the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, added: “We understand that the commodity super cycle and the precipitous drop in oil prices brought about a fiscal challenge for the Nigerian government. So, we strongly support President Buhari’s drive to explore practical ways of fully diversifying the economy. Nigeria is the second largest destination in Africa for U.S. private direct investment. We are ready and willing to support economic reform efforts,” he assured participants.

In his remarks, the U.S. Consul General, Mr. F. John Bray, also affirmed the strong interest by U.S. firms in Nigeria. He noted that “President Trump’s Business Advisory Council for Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) has made it clear that having success in the Nigerian market is foremost on their agendas”.

The NUSA forum is organised annually by the U.S. Commercial Service to honor Nigerian business owners who promote U.S. products and services and who have contributed significantly to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria - expansion of trade and investment between the United States and Nigeria.

The U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria is the trade promotion agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce’ International Trade Administration (ITA) with the primary objective of opening market opportunities for American and Nigerian businesses.

LUTH Debunks Fake Social Media Story about HPV

Rebecca Ejifoma
The Management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba has denied and condemned a story allegedly ascribed to an unnamed “senior LUTH Doctor” purporting to have attributed the cause of death of 13 persons in the hospital to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

The Chief Medical Director, Prof Chris Bode said this on Wednesday in LUTH. “Let me state unequivocally that, no doctor made such a claim from this Institution, nobody died of any ‘strange disease’ in LUTH and HPV does not cause sudden mass deaths in humans.”

He decried that it seemed many people had discovered the freedom of expression unleashed by the new-found passion for social media, its attendant responsibilities are yet to be appreciated. “Otherwise, what does it benefit the purveyor(s) of such wickedly mischievous  falsities who unleash  such misinformation to cause mass anxiety without informing, entertaining or educating the populace?”

Bode added that for quite some time, it has been a regular feature on social media and mass email messages to put up some spurious claims and then give it traction by attributing it to “a senior doctor in LUTH”. He described their hospital as esteemed and did nothing to attract such a reputation. “We should check popular sites such as Wikipedia to verify any such spurious claims and establish the truthfulness of any unhelpful and misleading information.”

According to the CMD, medical literature informs us that the human papillomavirus causes a number of diseases in man, and the ordinary wart is the commonest of these. The virus is also known to cause cancer of the cervix in females, genital cancer and cancer of the throat.

Thursday 24 August 2017

Police to Deal with Parents for Cutting Son’s Hand


Rebecca Ejifoma
Alade Police Station in Shomolu Lagos has vowed to deal decisively with Mrs. Moji Lawal and her husband for lacerating the right hands of her 14 years old Lateef Lawal with blade for returning home late from church.

Mrs. Lawal, a typist at Yaba College of Technology and her husband a commercial bus driver, lacerated his hands with razor blade yesterday Wednesday as reported by the Child Protection Network Coordinator of Shomolu local government, Comrade Toyin Okanlawon, who took up the case and reported it to authority. “My neighbour alarmed me of this. She even followed me to the Shomolu General Hospital. The office of social welfare assisted us with hospital card and free drugs were given to the boy, with an injection to prevent infection.”

Mother of the boy and perpetrator, Mrs. Lawal
According to Okanlawon, Lateef and his two sisters Adiat, five years old, and Halimat aged two lack good parental care and were being  neglected by parents.
He added: “After his treatment, I took him to the Alade police station and bought food for him with water.”

Although, Lateef has been attended to medically, the DPO of Alade Station, CSP Segun Ajao, promised to deal with the parents to serve as deterrent to others. He is expecting Lateef's parent to come to the station to say why the boy was so much abused to such extent.

Wednesday 23 August 2017

US Consulate Nigeria to Honour Seven Delegates from US

John F. Bray
Rebecca Ejifoma

The Consul General, Mr. F. John Bray and the Public Affairs Section of the United States Consulate General, Lagos is set to hold a reception in honor of a Congressional delegation led by U.S. Senator Christopher Coons of Delaware on Wednesday August 30 at the Consulate General’s Residence (CGR), 25 Ikoyi Crescent at 6p.m.

With U.S. Ambassador W. Stuart Symington as host of the reception will welcome the seven members of the Congressional delegation as well as senior government officials, business leaders and young entrepreneurs from Nigeria.

Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Small Business and Entrepreneurship, will deliver remarks on U.S.-Nigeria relations and evolving partnerships in the areas of business and social entrepreneurship.

Dangote Signs $450million Jumbo Sugar Production MoU with Niger State

(Right) The President Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello and his Deputy, Ahmed Ketso, at the signing of a MoU between the state government and Dangote Group at Government House in Minna on Wednesday August 23
The Dangote Group in Minna, Niger State today August 23 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Government for the establishment of a jumbo $450million state-of–art and fully integrated sugar complex.

According to the President of the Group, Aliko Dangote, the project will generate over 15,000 jobs in the state and bring about a complete economic turn-around for the state on completion.

The $450million pact, which was signed in the government house, will see the company producing raw sugarcane on 16,000 hectares of land at Lavun Local Government through an out-grower scheme.

The company, which is currently operating out-grower scheme in rice production in a number of states, has  Africa’s largest sugar refinery in Lagos and a sugar cane plantation in Numan, Adamawa State.

In a press release issued to pressmen, Mr. Dangote said his investment was informed by his Company’s firm belief in the potentials of the Nigerian economy, adding that the new outlay will add value and create jobs for Nigerians.

He commended the state Governor, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello for his foresight and efforts to woo investors to Niger State noting “The Dangote’s Integrated Sugar Project in Niger State will also include the establishment of integrated sugar mills, generate power, produce molasses, ethanol fuel, biomass and produce animal feeds.”

In his remarks, the Governor said the deal will revolutionize agriculture in his state and Nigeria. Expressing joy that the MoU was signed during his own administration, he described Dangote as the liberator of the Nigerian economy and a dependable partner.

He, however, urged Dangote Group to explore other investment opportunities available in the state, just as he announced that the state was opened for multi-sectorial investments.

SCI Trains Health Workers, Calls for Policy Change on Healthcare Delivery in Lagos, Kaduna, Gombe

Rebecca Ejifoma
Participants at the 3-Day Workshop Health Workers Capacity Building in Lagos State
Save the Children International (SCI) has kicked off a three-day Health Workers Capacity Building (HCB) Project to improve the capacity of health workers for prompt quality health service delivery in Lagos, Kaduna and Gombe States from 23 to 25 August at the Amber Residence Hotel, GRA Ikeja Lagos.

The project, which began since 2015, aims to build capacity to collaboratively develop policy advocacy briefs and develop other tools, as well as, birth plans for advocacy and consolidate their common efforts in support of the delivery of quality Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) services for children and their mothers.

The Project targets to train 5,000 workers in the three states: Lagos, Kaduna and Gombe with 1,900 to be done in Lagos. “Our approaches include improving access to basic MNCH services in communities through training of health workers to treat common childhood diseases and to educate mothers on the prevention and home care (key family practices) to ensure the early detection and prompt case seeking,” says the MNCH Adviser, Opeyemi Odedere.

He expressed that HBC project is meant to solve challenges facing the health care sector today. “That is why to achieve this, we have to enable that health workers are correctly applying improved skills and knowledge in the provision of MNCH services in the targeted states.”

Now, SCI is an International humanitarian and development organisation working for the survival, protection and development of children, globally. And it has been on for over 80 years. SCI’s work in Nigeria started in 2001 with head office in Abuja and branches in the following states: Bauchi, Katsina, Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Gombe, Kano, Lagos, Enugu and Kwara. The organisation’s focus is on the critical areas of child survival, newborn care, and child protection, nutrition, education, and participation.

According to the Advocacy Officer, Ms. Adetokunbo Lawrence, explained that SCI under the auspices of HCB project- one of its collaborative interventions with the state government targeted at strengthening the skills of health workers to be able to deliver efficient MNCH services as well as push for the creation of a sustainable enabling policy environment for the delivery of quality MNCH services in Lagos state believes this training is important to achieving sustainable engagement and policy influencing by stakeholders.

She added: “Our quest is to improve strategic engagement work for policy change by CSOs and Health workers which are critical to healthcare service delivery and in recognition of your passionate work in promoting healthcare delivery, government accountability and other dimensions of development in the state, we cordially invite you to participate in a 3 day non- residential advocacy tool development workshop.”

Issues being addressed on the day one of the ongoing workshop include: SCI's theory of change, Johns Hopkins Smart: (What is Advocacy and Theory of Change?, Building Consensus to determine broad goal, SMART objective and Decision Maker and Focus Efforts on External opportunities and challenges among others.

Tuesday 22 August 2017

Consequences of Sex During Mensuration

So, here is the deal. Your sexual preferences, orientation, practices are  entirely a choice thing!

Some people do have sex during period. Some don’t engage in sexual intercourse during menstruation.

Is anything wrong with this practice?
Here is what Dr. Chudi Godson has to say. “It is all relative, medically speaking there are few conditions you must be aware of while indulging in sex during period.”

You MUST understand you have increased risk of:
1. Transmitting and contracting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV during this period.
2. You can also become pregnant if you have a short cycle.
Some women actually ovulate during their period and can only achieve fertilisation during this period.

There is no scientific evidence against love making during period! If you and your partner are cool with it, so be it! It is a private lane, your sexual preference is entirely your prerogative!

By Dr. Chudi Godson

Role of Folic Acid in Pre-Pregnant Woman

Folic acid is an important water soluble vitamin. The naturally occurring form of this vitamin is called folate. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate.

Folic acid is a known vitamin that has been added to Cold cereals,  Flour, Breads, Pasta, Bakery items, Cookies and crackers.

The addition of folic acid to these food items is required by federal law in the US. Natural foods that contain high folate include:

Leafy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce), okra, asparagus,
Fruits (such as bananas, melons, and lemons) Beans, Yeast, Mushrooms, Meat (such as beef liver and kidney), orange juice, and tomato juice.

Uses
Folic acid is used for so many purposed including: Preventing and treating low blood levels of folate (folate deficiency),
2. Treating inability of the bowel to absorb nutrients properly.
3. Folic acid is also used for other conditions commonly associated with folate deficiency, including ulcerative colitis, liver disease, alcoholism, and kidney dialysis.

Role of Folic Acid in Pregnancy and Baby Development
Generally folic acid is very important and plays an active protective role in proper development of the fetus.

Generally, it is recommended that ALL women who are trying to become pregnant and who are currently pregnant should take folic acid daily to prevent neural tube defects in the baby and also prevent miscarriages.  

Neural tube defects are birth defects such as spina bifida that occur when the fetus’s spine and back do not close during development. Folic acid helps in normal development of neural tubes.

Folic acid is involved in producing the genetic material called DNA and in numerous other bodily functions in the baby.

Dr Chudi Godsons
References & Photo Credit
WebMD
Mayo Clinic
Amazon

Monday 21 August 2017

Clinical Practice Guideline Nutrition for Pregnancy


Studies revealed that less than 50% of pregnant women meet the recommendations for dietary guidelines in pregnancy.

Women should be advised to take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (400µg/0.4mg) folic acid at least 4 to 12 weeks prior to conception and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Iron, calcium, vitamin D and long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are particularly important nutrients throughout pregnancy.

Starchy carbohydrates, such as whole grains and fibre rich foods including breads, cereals potatoes, pasta and rice, six or more servings a day from this group; (Where one serving is 1 bowl of cereal, 1 slice of bread or 1 medium potato • Fruit and vegetables, at least 5 or more servings a day; 1 serving is 1 medium sized fruit e.g. 1 apple or 3 dessert spoons of vegetables.)

Diary Foods
Dairy Foods as milk, cheese and yoghurt, three servings a day from this group; one serving is 125g yoghurt, 25g of cheese or 200ml milk.

Protein Foods
Protein Foods include Meat, poultry, fish, eggs or legumes, at least 2 servings a day: Where one portion is 50-75g (2 -3oz) cooked meat, 100g (4oz) fish, 2 eggs or 6 dessert spoons beans.

Fats & Oils
Fats and oils are needed in small amounts. Limit to two portions a day: one portion is one heaped teaspoon of spread. In addition, one teaspoon per person of oil can be added in cooking (rapeseed oil or olive oil).

FOOD TO AVOID
The expert advised that pregnant women should avoid foods high in Fat and sugar.
Macronutrients
Adequate energy intake is essential to promote full development potential of the unborn baby, while providing adequate energy for the mother.
Inadequate maternal energy intake will result in reduced maternal weight gain during pregnancy, which in turn may result in restricted fetal growth and later infant development.

Inadequate weight gain during pregnancy is associated with small for gestational age infants and preterm delivery.

Conversely, excessive maternal weight during pregnancy is associated with large for gestational age infants, macrosomia (big babies usually more than 4.5kg on scan), a higher caesarean section risk, in addition to a greater incidence of neonatal infection, hypoglycaemia and respiratory distress.

Additionally, large for gestational age infants are at a greater risk of developing childhood obesity, and hence a wide range of metabolic complications in childhood and later life.

PAAI Returns as Autism Parents Association Intern'l, Charges Society to Include Autistic Children in Education

Autism Parents Association International (APAI), formerly known as Parents against Autism Initiative (PAAI) will be launched on International Literacy Day, Friday September 8 this year to emphasise the need for society to include children with autism in their educational programmes.

In a press release issued by Nneka Obiagwu, APAI expressed that it is not-for-profit, Non-Governmental Organisation with objectives to speak up for the Autism Community in Nigeria, spread and reinforce the message of hope to family members and caregivers, create awareness about autism through our activities, Support poor families living with the challenges of autism, provide a pivot where families, therapists and caregivers of people with autism can resort and source information and other relevant support.

More objectives include: to provide training center(s) where Autism service providers are equipped with best practice and cutting edge methods to bring out the best in persons living with Autism, explore, generate and promote indigenous knowledge and contribute to the global search for the cause and cure of Autism.

APAI was founded in 2012 as a Blackberry chat group among four friends who have children on the Autism spectrum. They are: Mrs. Angela Emuwa, Mrs. Bolanle Adewole, Mrs. Dotun Akande, Mrs Nneka Obiagwu and Mrs Toun Okunoren. The group was first launched as Parents Against Autism Initiative (PAAI) at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island Lagos on Saturday April 18, 2014, where it acknowledged and gave appreciation awards to pioneers and veterans of autism support services in Nigeria.

According to the president of the Association, Emuwa, the event was tagged “An Unwinding Evening for Parents. Following the successful launch which added more members to the group, there arose growing concerns about the group’s name which seemed to be ‘against’ the very people it was created to serve. Consequently, the group filed for a change of name with the Corporate Affairs Commission which eventually materialised towards the end of last year.

“Henceforth, we are to be known and addressed as Autism Parents Association International (APAI). Our objectives remain the same,” she said.

Emuwa further highlighted the reasons for the relaunch on International Literacy Day. “It is to create awareness of our new name among our members, who have patiently endured the lull we were plunged into while waiting for our new name to get registered.”

The groups aims to invite new members to its fold, formally launch their website, www.apai-ng.org where interested persons can learn about them and their activities. “To read our highly informative articles on autism and related issues, and download our Newsletter and membership form, launch our Facebook chat group for parents where we can share information and support one another, announce our scholarship award to two indigent children with autism who are undergoing therapy and uncover our programmes for the year to the media and the general public.”

Thursday 17 August 2017

Edo Govt to Partner FG on HIV/AIDS Management

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Edo State Government is not resting on its oars as it set to partner the Federal Government to close the existing gaps in the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

The Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, disclosed this on Wednesday when he played host to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, who led a delegation of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and implementing partners on an advocacy visit to the Government House, Benin City on Wednesday.

Obaseki said his administration was committed to strengthening health systems to allow for effective management of diseases which include HIV/AIDs, and added that a committee with representatives of NACA would be set up to come up with an Action Plan on the models and strategies for the effective management of the disease in the state.

Ifelodun Launches Operation kick Disease out of Ifelodun

Rebecca Ejifoma

In a bid to maintain a healthier people and a cleaner environment, the Executive Chairman Ifelodun LCDA, Hon. Shuaib Fatai Ajidagba, has launched Operation Kick Out Disease of Ifelodun today being Wednesday 16th August, 2017.

Ajidagba, who is also a health specialist, said when addressing the participants that the exercise will not only engender a sustainable, cleaner and healthier environment for the good people of Ifelodun, but will also kick out disease in the enclave.

Wednesday 16 August 2017

Argungu Series 6 Set for Kano

Rebecca Ejifoma
A two-phased solo art show, featuring about 44 recent paintings of fine artist Moses Oghagbon, will hold on September 3rd at the Alliance Francaise,  Ado Bayero Shopping Mall in Kano State at 9am.

The show, which will run till September 10, is tagged ‘Argungu Series Art Exhibition Series 6’. It aims to disseminate the rich cultural and traditional heritage and ideals inherent in the Argungu Emirate through creative/visual representations.

Oghagbon holds that the bedrock of meaningful development in any society or community has been identified and established as the conscious and passionate appreciation and respect for prevalent cultural trajectory.

For the artist, Argungu series documentation and representations are an idea born out of his tour Nigeria Project documentation of the need to engender positive propagation and promotion of the rich cultural artistic heritage of the Argungu Emirate of Kebbi State, Nigeria, for generational developmental consciousness in sustainable manner.

“It is important to acknowledge that visual documentation and representations are very potent tools of communication. Information disseminated there from re- vibrates indelibly in the recipient’s sub-conscious perpetually,” Oghagbon said.

Now, the two phased programme – Alliance Francaise Kano and Argungu Emirate will be the seventh phase of the documentation. This series came alive in 2011, ‘Scapes from Nigeria’ Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Lagos, Nigeria; 2013, 'Argungu Series 1’ Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria; 2016: Argungu Series 2' Moorhouse Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria; 2016 ‘Argungu Series 3’ with Alliance Francaise Lagos In Celebration of Kebbi State Silver Jubilee, Moorhouse, Ikoyi Lagos Nigeria.

Terrakulture Opens First Geometric Art Show of Ikpoza

Rebecca Ejifoma 

A solo art exhibition of a high analytical geometrism will feature over 40 recent art pieces of abstract painter, Jonathan Ikpoza, as the fifth annual showcase by Faces and Phases on Saturday August 19 at the Terra Kulture art Gallery in Victoria Island, Lagos at 4pm.

The exhibition, which will sweep through August 28, spans more than two decades of Jonathan's career. It will include new mixed media, oil, fabric, acrylic, prints, charcoal, plastic disc and pastel on various surfaces. The presentation of this serial works will be characterised with flow of geometric, rhythmic movement of lines and shapes enveloped into creative colour orchestration.

Ikpoza’s arrays capture the quest of human for eternal freedom which governs the act of human and the effects on victims and beneficiaries. He projects the necessity to hanker for peace in a violence filled society and security in an insecure environments.

Interestingly, as the only selected Nigerian artist among 55 international artists, who exhibited in Santorini Biennale Greece tagged: ‘Peace Mechanism’ 2014, he has continued to create works that focus on how positive energy and peaceful cohabitation towards a violence-free society.

With over 40 national and international exhibitions in his credit alongside many masters and great artists, the fusion of his experiences have carved a niche for him; hence, added to his unique surface quality and contextual renditions which evokes thoughtful positive reactions. The fascinating interlocking shapes, illusion of three dimensionality and transparency empowers the spirit of his abstract and figurative images.

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Maternal, Child Deaths: Obaseki Distributes 2.6m Insecticidal Nets in Edo

Obaseki giving out nets to nursing mothers and pregnant women 
FG, WHO, Catholic Body Laud Effort
Rebecca Ejifoma
In line with saving mothers and babies, thereby reducing the rate of maternal and infant deaths to malaria, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has flagged off the distribution of 2.6 million long lasting insecticidal nets with a call on households to ensure they sleep under the nets to eradicate malaria from the state.

The event tagged, ‘Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) Replacement Campaign’, organised by the Edo State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Catholic Relief Service (C.R.S), attracted both local and international stakeholders in the health sector, who lauded the Obaseki-led administration for putting health care on the front burner.

Assuring Edo people of “well articulated policies on public health issues”, the governor stressed that “a healthy society is a wealthy society”. He advised that a proactive approach like sleeping under the nets was cheaper than treating the disease.
He further said that his administration had set a 100 per cent distribution target for the insecticidal nets from the current 86 per cent.

Now, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, said Edo State had been in the fore front and continues to make giant strides in keeping up with malaria elimination intervention. “The presence of Governor Obaseki at the event showed his resilience in the fight to eliminate malaria and improve the health of the people in the state.”

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, his wife Mrs Betsy Obaseki and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu at the flag-off of the distribution of insecticidal mosquito nets in Benin City on Friday.
Represented by the Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr. Evelyn Ngige, he added that the state occupies a strategic position in the country and maintained that “If we succeed in the replacement of the LLINs in Edo State, it will translate to rapid scale up of our overall national coverage target.”

The minister assured the indigenes that the federal government would continue to collaborate with Edo State to win the war against the disease and promote the use of modern technology to fast-track distribution of LLINs.

Speaking at the flag off, First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who was installed as the Ambassador of the Roll Back Malaria campaign in the state, expressed that the LLINs was an effective way to control the spread of malaria by mosquitoes.
Drawing from her personal experience, she said she was taught by her parents early in life to always sleep under nets and that the practice kept her and her siblings free from malaria for the most parts of their childhood.

(Right) The First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; The governor of the state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; The Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. and one of the moderators during the flag-off of the distribution of insecticidal mosquito nets in Benin City on Friday.
“From the time I started opening my eyes as a child, I have always slept under mosquito nets and I remember that my father at that time will go round all our beds where we slept as children to ensure that our nets were well tucked under the mattresses. This did not only keep us free from malaria, it also created a strong bond between us and our father,” Mrs. Obaseki said.

The Edo State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Ms Faith Ireye, said that efforts by Obaseki’s administration in the health sector have ensured that young children and pregnant women have access to life saving prevention tool such as the LLINs.

She, however, decried that malaria remained a daily threat and noted that with commitments from governments such as the Edo State Government, private sector and communities working together with development partners, the disease would be eradicated from the country.

In his remark, Acting Country Representative of CRS in Nigeria, Dr. Emeka Anoje, said Edo government has demonstrated that it is a dependable and reliable partner in the campaign against malaria through the provision of operational funds to support planning and logistics of the distribution of the LLINs.

The Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Dr. David Osifo, said prevention was key to the reduction of the burden of malaria which accounts for approximately 11 per cent maternal mortality and 30 per cent mortality in children of less than five years.
He added that health officers would be at all the distribution points in the state to teach people how to use the nets that would last three years.

Thursday 10 August 2017

Pfizer Celebrates 60 Years in Nigeria, Moves to New Office

Rebecca Ejifoma

Leading pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, Nigeria is marking its 60th year milestone with several exciting initiatives and programmes. The anniversary is a perfect occasion for Pfizer to look back at the brand’s achievements and reputation for setting the pace in the pharmaceutical industry.

The Country Manager, Mark Wagstaff, said: "It is exciting to see Pfizer mark 60 years in Nigeria this year.  As we honor the past 60 years, we are looking to the future and expect the remaining part of 2017 to be full of renewed vision, passion and commitment. "We have made substantial investments to strengthen our development and capabilities in order to better support our communities”.

As part of the activities to mark this anniversary, Pfizer in Nigeria is pleased to announce that it has moved to a new, ultra-modern office to accommodate its growing business operations base.  The new office is located at Heritage Place, 7th Floor, 21 Lugard Avenue, Off Alfred Rewanne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos state.

“The office has been designed with advanced technology and green initiatives to better serve our clients and accommodate our staff more effectively and efficiently,” the Corporate Affairs Director, Margaret Olele, said.

Committed to working together for a healthier world, Pfizer has assured Nigerians that it would continue to partner relevant stakeholders to advance the medical community in Nigeria and drive advocacy in the markets.

UNICEF, Lagos Charge Police, Judges to End Child’s Conviction

Rebecca Ejifoma 
Following the release of 80 children - all boys - from Badagry prison recently, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Lagos state government have cautioned police and judges across the nation on the need to end conviction of children who are in conflict with the law and calls for release of the other 70 boys left.

They gave this call at a media briefing organised by the Lagos state Ministry of Youth and Social Development in collaboration with Grace Spring rehabilitation home. The state government and UNICEF noted that punishing child offenders is an offense against the law which must not exist again. It was also said that offending children are meant to be referred to rehabilitation home where they will be privileged to behavioural correction for the benefit of their society. 

According to UNICEF Child Justice Consultant, Dr. Wilfred Mammah, “A high number of offending children are already languishing in Nigeria prisons, thereby a quick need for programmes to forestall such occurrence and divert offending children for rehabilitation”. 

"For those children released, we were able to locate 30 parents. We first rehabilitate them, checked their health status then handed them over to their families. Although some are yet to remember their residences or their last names, we shall continue to help them remember," he said.

Although he lamented and expressed displeasure over the 70 children still in prison, he was certain that they would be freed shortly. "And we are calling on the police and the judges to put an end to child conviction in the state. They are just children."

Speaking on the Community Rehabilitation Programme which was intended to prevent children from offending and re-offending, Wilfred added that UNICEF is in support of Lagos state government alongside Grace Spring Rehabilitation home on the programme. 

Meanwhile, the Lagos state Ministry of Youth and Social Development, noted that the community rehabilitation programme provides police with an option to divert children in conflict with the law from going through the criminal justice system. 

A Chief Social Welfare Officer with the ministry, Mr. Yakubu Jubril, maintained that “The programme is planned to have offending children referred from various referrals such as police, prosecutors, family court judges and magistrate, social welfare officers at LGAs, court assessors and others, rehabilitated instead of punishment”. 

Now, the coordinator of Grace Spring Rehabilitation Home, Mrs Lara Odubote, said the community rehabilitation programme is an alternative to traditional measures and punishment, such as the trial process, corporal punishment and custodial sentences. She added that the programme focuses on addressing root causes of offending and preventing re-offending by working closely with child and the child’s family. 

She mourned that the psychological effect of such harm on children had much effect on the children, their parents and the society, too; hence, the rehabilitation centres are sited in Mushin and Ilupeju Local government areas of Lagos state, Odubote expressed that the areas were selected due to their proximity to Kosofe Local government where UNICEF is piloting a child protection system strengthening model. 

Therefore, the coordinators of the community rehabilitation programme, however, unanimously called on media across the state for adequate partnership for successful execution of the programme in Lagos state. 

Obaseki Inspects Edo State-Saro Maize Farm, Urges Youths to take Advantage of Initiative


...Fertiliser plant ready for commissioning

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on today inspected the 450 hectare maize farm, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative of his administration with Saro – Agro Sciences Ltd to accelerate the mainstreaming of agriculture in the state’s economy.

Speaking to journalists after a tour of the farm located in Sobe, Owan West Local Government Area, Obaseki who was accompanied by top government officials and the Managing Director of Saro AgroSciences, Mr. Oluwole Adeyegbe, charged youths in the state to embrace the initiative to enhance their socio-economic status.

He expressed satisfaction that the first phase of the agriculture initiative was a success, noting that the second phase would commence in other parts of the state in the next planting season.



According to him, the Acting President has promised to commission the fertilizer blending plant in Auchi which is an integral part of the Accelerated Agriculture initiative designed to create jobs in the state.

“We flagged off our Accelerated Agriculture initiative three months ago and this maize farm is a product of the initiative. There were few challenges encountered by the farmers and we will go back to the drawing board to ensure that there is significant improvement in the next phase," he said.

He further affirmed that his administration adopted the PPP business model so that the youths for whom the programme was created could leverage on the expertise of major players in the agricultural sector and grow into big players themselves.

Wednesday 9 August 2017

Obaseki Approves Special Bursary for Visually Impaired Students

Member of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Edo State Chapter, Iyamu Joseph (1st left), Secretary of the Association, Lucky Imafidon (2nd left), Chairman of the Association, Nosakhare Asemota (Centre), Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki (2nd right) and the commissioner for Women Affairs, Magdalene Ohenhen (1st right) during a courtesy visit at Government House.
The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the payment of special bursary for visually impaired students of Edo origin studying in tertiary institutions in the state.

Obaseki gave the approval on Monday when the executive members of the state chapter of the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB) paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

“Persons with disabilities are part of the society and it is obligatory on the part of government to ensure that their welfare is well taken care of,” the Governor said as he urged the association to compile the names of its members who are students in tertiary institutions for onward transmission to the ministry of education to enable them benefit from the scheme.

He stressed the need to have an educational system of high standard for persons living with disabilities and promised that a special education department would be established in either the College of Education, Abudu or the Tayo Akpata University of Education, Ekiadolor.

Obaseki, however, pledged his administration’s support for people living with disabilities and donated N1 million to the association. He assured that a brail press that would assist persons with visual impairment transcribe normal script to brail, would be established in the state.

Chairman of the state chapter of NAB, Mr Nosakhare Asemota, commended the governor Obaseki-led administration for his developmental strides, especially in the education sector.

Asemota said that the visit was to solicit the state government’s support in addressing some of the challenges confronting members of the association.

Sunday 6 August 2017

Nollywood Stars Celebrate Aneke Twins


Nollywood divas like Mercy Johnson Okojie and Queen Nwokoye, have taken turns on their Instagram handle to wish the twin screen goddess, Chidinma and Chidiebere Aneke, a lovely celebration, happiness and much love in life as they are plus one today August 6th.

The Anekes with Queen Nwokoye

Saturday 5 August 2017

Ugwuanyi: Our Resolve to Offer Quality Healthcare Unchanged


Rebecca Ejifoma

In line with its vision to make Enugu State the choice destination for medical treatment in the country, the State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has reiterated the commitment  of his administration towards providing more qualitative, affordable and accessible healthcare service and delivery to the people of the state.
Ugwuanyi said this when the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who was at the alongside Heads of Federal Government  Health institutions paid a courtesy visit in the State Government House. 
The governor, who described the visit as “most pertinent and timely”, expressed that it coincided with the efforts of his government to improve healthcare delivery in the state “particularly through the maintenance of strategic cooperation and collaboration with Federal Health Institutions and facilities in the state”.
He, however, promised that his administration would continue to promote and lend firm support to the efforts by the federal government to upgrade the equipment and facilities and the services available in the affected institutions.
“On our own as a Government, we have taken steps to review the health policy of the state in order to ensure more efficiency and effectiveness. To this end, we are making efforts to upgrade, re-equip and reposition existing state health institutions including the ESUT Teaching Hospital”, Ugwuanyi added.
Meanwhile, the Minister who was in Enugu on an oversight visit to all Federal Ministry of Health Facilities in the state to see and seek ways of improving the facilities to serve the people as well as enhance the collaboration between the federal government and the state, lauded the governor for the warm reception and good governance in the state. 
Ehanire pleaded: “We seek the collaboration and assistance of the state government towards the improvement of the federal government health facilities, which provides very useful services that help all of us.”

Four Points Best Brews Kicks off International Beer Day

Rebecca Ejifoma
One of Marriott International’s Fastest Growing Hotel Brands Celebrates Beer Around the Globe – with Events to hold from August 4th to October this year in New York City, Cancun, Kelowna, Melbourne, Nairobi and Barcelona Spain.

Four Points, a booming Marriott International hotel brand known for its love of beer, is embarking on a global trip discovering the world’s Best Brews. The journey kicks off at the new Four Points Manhattan Midtown West on the eve of International Beer Day and will continue across the globe before culminating at the Four Points Barcelona Diagonal in October.

Mr. Labeodan Olusakin, Executive Director, Leadway Pensure PFA Ltd, Mrs. Olulonyo, Director Admin & Human Resource, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Ms. Tola Adegbayi, Executive Director,  Leadway Assurance Ltd and Dr. Olasimbo Davidson, MD/CEO Pinewood Medicare at the launch of Nolly Health Insurance in Lagos recently.

Four Points’ Best Brews Around the World celebrates the brand’s signature initiative, a dedicated program in which each of the brand’s 225+ hotels around the world showcases a local, craft beer which has been chosen based on taste, popularity, quality and proximity to the property. A Best Brew is available on tap at each Four Points, offering travelers an authentic taste of local beer culture wherever their travels may take them.

To add further authenticity and credibility to the Best Brews programme, Four Points is enrolling select associates at each “Best Brews Around the World Brew Off” hotel in the globally recognised Cicerone Certification Programme, which is highly regarded in the food and beverage industry and is instrumental with the development of expert beer servers. Each of the selected Four Points associates will train and complete the first of four levels of the Cicerone Certification Program, becoming a Cicerone Certified Beer Server and on-property beer aficionado.

At each stop during the Best Brews Around the World tour, two beers from local craft breweries will go “head to head” (pun intended) for bragging rights and to claim the winning spot as the hotel’s newest Best Brew. The beers will be presented by the breweries and judged by the crowd, comprised of local beer lovers, each hotel’s newly certified Cicerone, and hotel guests. Every “Best Brew Off” competition will be hosted by an influential “beer expert” who will help educate the crowd and cast the final vote.
At tonight’s kickoff event at Four Points West Peekskill Brewery and LIC Beer Project will square off. The evening will be hosted by Bella of “One Hoppy Lady”.

Other stops on the tour this year include: August 9 at the Four Points Cancun Centro (Mexico);  August 23 at the Four Points Kelowna (Canada); September 6 at the Four Points Melbourne Docklands (Australia) and in Kenya on September 20 at Four Points Nairobi and Four Points Barcelona Diagonal in October.

According to the Vice President, Global Brand Manager for Four Points, Callette Nielsen, “Four Points has a love for locally crafted beers, which is why we’re traveling to the far corners of the globe to discover the best brews the world has to offer.”

He expressed that they know the perfect pint has universal appeal, which is why we’re celebrating International Beer Day with the launch of our ‘Best Brews Around the World.’ From Manhattan to Barcelona and Melbourne to Nairobi, we are taking our love of beer on the road. We invite local beer lovers and thirsty travelers to join us as we discover new Best Brews.

FG Endorses Health Insurance Scheme for Movie Industry

Rebecca Ejifoma 
Mr. Labeodan Olusakin, Executive Director, Leadway Pensure PFA Ltd, Mrs. Olulonyo, Director Admin & Human Resource, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Ms. Tola Adegbayi, Executive Director,  Leadway Assurance Ltd and Dr. Olasimbo Davidson, MD/CEO  Pinewood Medicare at the launch of Nolly Health Insurance in Lagos recently.
Following the death of several Nollywood actors to chronic diseases and heart failure in the country, the Federal Government has endorsed a new unified Healthcare and Life Insurance Scheme for the movie and creative industry as efforts to enhance access to affordable health services by its members and avoid preventable deaths to chronic illnesses.

This came as a call for a preferred provider of health organisation for implementation of universal health coverage requirements of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Nigeria without further delay. 

The Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, expressed that the unified insurance scheme was a bold and commendable initiative. He said this while addressing participants at the recent launch of Nolly Health Insurance, comprising Life Insurance and Pension Scheme for the practitioners in the creative industry in Lagos.

"On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the launch of the unified Health/Life Insurance and Pension Scheme (LIPS) is a thing of joy and it gladdens my heart to be associated with it.”

He further assured participants that “We shall compliment and back it with full faith and credit of the government under the auspices of Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC)”.

According to the Lagos State's Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, the scheme was long overdue in view of the health challenges including Kidney and heart problems which had claimed many lives in the industry  due to lack of fund for medicare.

Friday 4 August 2017

Artists Speak with Different Strokes

Rebecca Ejifoma
On Saturday 17 June this year, a group of aesthetic artist and realistic sculptor from the Niger Delta region – Gab Awusa and Philip Nzekwe – successfully wove their recent thoughts into a basket of 30 realistic art pieces to contain their message of hope to the world on the environmental factor and the exqusite being called woman.

With ‘Different Strokes' as the theme, they painted on their large canvases splattered with water colours and bronze of sculptures in a group art exhibition held at the Terra Kulture Art Gallery in Victoria Island Lagos.

Using the symbol of palm trees, the  five-time solo painter pens with his brushes and colour’s on his canvas the livelihood of the Deltans, their source of education and stream of wealth before the discovery of crude oil, which the country is drooling over today. "People who are not from the South, do not know about the palm tree in Delta.

Most of us who wanted to school got sponsorship from the resources of the palm tree. Most of us have not enjoyed the money from crude oil, directly," Awusa enthused.
Through 'Habbitat' he depicts palm tree as resourceful with financial gains to the average Delta man. "But as a result of the exploitation of the environment, crude oil has caused so much tension in the country."

Awusa and Nzekwe
His works of paints include: Habbitat (120x150cm), Tropical Vibes (120x150cm), the Bride (60x90cm), The Retailer (122x152cm), The Music Maker, Memo of Elizabeth (30x38cm), Nursing Mothers 4 (20x24cm), Bsuy Hands (20x24cm) and Cuddle (30x38cm) among others.

Interestingly, although the Delta state born artist began his illustration with palm trees, he delved swiftly to women - a class of humans he likens to life and beauty. Hence, a cursory look at his works, an art connoisseur would notice the female figure taking the limelight. Awusa simply expresses his love and appreciation for the woman as an epitome of beauty and continuity.

From his statement, the evocative painter made it clear that his subject and theme are drawn from nature and the female body. In nature and woman, God's omnipotence is flaunted. The female figure is the symbol and strength of the family, continuity and the survival of humanity rest squarely on her shoulder. "Without her, the divine mandate to mankind to be fruitful and multiply will not be fulfilled. There is more to this complex human being called woman than her physical attributes.

The painter appreciates the woman's appealing self. He hails her prowess. He adores her carriage and package and he admires her divine mandate, "be fruitful and multiply".  Indeed, it is no gainsaying then that if the woman is not involved in any home that seeks such continuity, then it is a futile journey.

Now, Nzekwe's Crush series is the talk in town. It expresses freedom. It is our feelings and views bottled. We use these children to drive home our points - love and hope that can't be expressed.