WRONG FOUNDATION, SICK NATION

No structure placed on a poorly laid foundation dares to stand the test of time. When it comes to Nation building its important to note that any mistake made or misconception embraced right from inception will do nothing else but damage to the system.

Nigeria is an amalgamation of tribes quite right. But the problem is not the idea of forcing these tribes to share an entity, rather defining this difference that lies in their diversities.

Why is it important that Mr. A is Igbo and Mr. B Hausa? Why is it important that one has to come from a particular region to be entitled to some rights in another region? This is obtainable because the founding leaders  of Nigeria embraced tribalism as a tool for their political campaigns. And so they made it a goal to improve the lot of their tribe before any other. This has done a grave damage to the Unity of the country than any one can imagine. Believe it or not.

The call for togetherness should not just be a 1st October practice. It should be a daily routine. Somewhere in the constitution tribalism should be defined as a crime punishable by the Law as it does nothing but delay the growth of even a nation. So henceforth let culprits be punished.

No tribe should be seen as superior. No tribe should enjoy certain privileges than the other. Rather let dignity in labor, and patriotism be rewarded outrightly.

AGRICULTURE; GREEN ALTERNATIVE

With this day to day NTA TV documentaries on Agriculture I want to believe a bag of rice is less than 10k now. Kudos anyway for the effort so far in the sector though the promised Agro-grant is not yet available to grassroot farmers. Monopoly is still very much prevalent in the market.

Nevertheless, agriculture will always be a more safer alternative to oil exploration as it is environmentally friendly when the right cultivation practices are adopted. It involves zero gas flaring, generates less toxic wastes except when farm and processing wastes are improperly managed. As the human population index keeps expanding globally, there is need to invest more in food production. More researches should be carried out, and farmers empowered better.

Today, reports from across the country has it that Nigeria has become major exporter of food crops such as Maize, Wheat, Millet and cassava flour. This means more money for our foreign reserve. No doubt there is more to be done.

ZIKA

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and the genusFlavivirus. It is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegyptiand A. albopictus. Its name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947.Zika virus is related to the dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Since the 1950s, it has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia. From 2007 to 2016, the virus spread eastward, across the Pacific Ocean to the Americas, leading to the 2015–16 Zika virus epidemic.

The infection, known as Zika fever or Zika virus disease, often causes no or only mild symptoms, similar to a very mild form of dengue fever. While there is no specific treatment, paracetamol (acetaminophen) and rest may help with the symptoms. As of 2016, the illness cannot be prevented by medications orvaccines. In January 2016, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) issued travel guidance on affected countries, including the use of enhanced precautions, and guidelines for pregnant women including considering postponing travel. Other governments or health agencies also issued similar travel warnings, while Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Jamaica advised women to postpone getting pregnant until more is known about the risks. Zika is pronounced /ˈziːkə/

The vertebrate hosts of the virus were primarily monkeys in a so-calledenzootic mosquito-monkey-mosquito cycle, with only occasional transmission to humans. Before the current pandemic began in 2007, Zika "rarely caused recognized 'spillover' infections in humans, even in highly enzootic areas". Infrequently, however, other arboviruses have become established as a human disease and spread in a mosquito–human–mosquito cycle, like the yellow fever virus and the dengue fever virus (both flaviviruses), and the chikungunyavirus (a togavirus). Though the reason for the pandemic is unknown, dengue, a related arbovirus that infects the same species of mosquito vectors, is known in particular to be intensified by urbanization and globalization. Zika is primarily spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and can also be transmittedthrough sexual contact or blood transfusions. The basic reproduction number (R0, a measure of transmissibility) of Zika virus has been estimated to be between 1.4 to 6.6.

History today

I watched a recent documentary on the Duchal and found it fascinating. 

THE DUCAL FAMILY

TWO CENTURIES – FIVE DUKES: THE DUCAL HOUSE OF RATIBOR AND CORVEY

The Ducal House of Ratibor and Corvey was founded in 1840 by a decree of the King of Prussia. It goes back to the old Frankish princely family, Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst, making it a branch of the whole House of Hohenlohe. The starting point was the testament of the Landgrave of Hesse, Viktor Amadeus Rotenburg who, in 1825, bequeathed his non-Hesse possessions to his nephew, Prince Viktor of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst. At the same time, he ordered the creation of a new family in the form of the ‘Ratibor und Corvey'schen Familienfideikommiß’ (Ratibor and Corvey entailed family estate). After the death of the landgrave in 1834, the Silesian Duchy of Ratibor and the Westphalian Corvey principality came to the Princely House of Hohenlohe whose hereditary Prince Viktor was named the first Duke of Ratibor and Prince of Corvey by the King of Prussia in 1840. This was the birth of today's family.

In the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire, the Dukes of Ratibor played a leading role in politics, the economy and culture. After the end of the monarchy in 1918, the family devoted itself primarily to managing their agricultural and forestry businesses in the Upper Silesian Ratibor and Corvey in Westphalia. The preservation and maintenance of the castle grounds were also given a central role, such as the family seat, Schloss Rauden, with its vast landscaped park, the Stadtschloss Ratibor (City Palace) which housed the headquarters of the ducal possessions and, finally, Schloss Corvey which was primarily used by the family as a summer residence.

After the Second World War, the Silesian estates of the family fell to the Polish state. After the collapse of the Third Reich, the family fled to Westphalia where they took up permanent residence in Corvey and installed the central administration of the remaining ducal possessions. After the death of his father, Duke Viktor III, his 25-year old son, Franz Albrecht, took over the fortunes of the family business in 1945. In the turbulent post-war years, Duke Franz Albrecht not only built a modern, forward-looking economic enterprise, but also created a cultural centre in Westphalia, which today extends far beyond its borders. This he managed, largely with the help of numerous public institutions, by means of extensive and important monument renovation measures (from an historic architecture perspective); this primarily included the castle, the church and the princely library. The museum and the Corveyer Musikwochen (Corvey Music Weeks) owe their existence to him, too.

Today his son, Viktor, as the 5th Duke of Ratibor and Prince of Corvey, manages the fortunes of the family company with its buildings and businesses, thus ensuring its survival well into the 21st century.

GreenTouch visits NCF

There is no better way to learn nature than to visit the wild. By visiting a natural habitat you give yourself the opportunity to see a whole different world other than the one you come from. Today GreenTou​​ch visited Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF); a natural habitat for diverse kinds of wild lives.

Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) as the center is also known is one of Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) foremost conservation project site. Located on the renowned Lekki Peninsula, LCC covers a land area of 78 hectare. Administratively, LCC is situated in Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State. The Lekki Conservation Centre, LCC is a conservation initiative to protect wildlife found in southwest coastal environment of Nigeria in the face of sprawling urban development. This 21-year-old conservation education centre has continued to attract both local and international interests. The Centre has served, as an education and resource centre to varieties of group’s majority of which are schools and tourists.The project has promoted environmental protection and worked against poaching by surrounding communities as well as serve as a tourist centre for local and international visitors. Continuous environmental education, awareness creation and research activities are carried out in the Reserve. How LCC Started. The establishment of LCC was born out of NCF’s relentless commitment to conservation of Nigeria’s vast natural resources. This commitment was heightened by the presence of its National Secretariat in Lagos, thus warranting the need to have a conservation project site within Lagos metropolis that will serve as biodiversity conservation icon and environment education centre call the center "biodiversity in a wrap". These species of living things found there live together in harmony in an undisturbed ecosystem. A very peaceful ecosystem. For a clear picture of the scene, lets look at the meaning of "ecosystem" and the word "conservation"

An ecosystem includes all of the living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere). This very complex, wonderful interaction of living things and their environment, has been the foundations of energy flow and recycle of carbon and nitrogen. Anytime a ‘stranger’ (living thing(s) or external factor such as rise in temperature) is introduced to an ecosystem, it can be disastrous to that ecosystem. This is because the new organism (or factor) can distort the natural balance of the   interaction and potentially harm or destroy the ecosystem.

Meanwhile Conservation means....

The act of preserving, guarding or protecting; wise use.  Conservation (ethic) of biodiversity, environment, and natural resources, including protection and management.

Other usage:Conservation (cultural heritage) or Art conservation, protection and restoration of cultural heritage, including works of art and architecture, as well as archaeological and historical artifacts.

At LCC, Nature is conserved. Monkeys are seen at the entrance of the center jumping from branch to branch naturally. If you are lucky you could be welcomed by the aging tortoise slowly walking bye. Its a beautiful sight you cannot forget in a hurry. You will also see the colorful peacocks gracing the scene and so many others.

The healing in herbs

Traditional cures from plants and herbs have been used by herbalists and apothecaries throughout the centuries. Herbs do more than simply adding flavour and colour to your favourite dishes, their healing and restorative powers are pretty impressive too...

According to the UK's leading organic herb grower Jekka McVicar the healing power of herbs is grossly underestimated: "We are what we eat. We don't doubt that fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts contain a range of vitamins, minerals and cancer-fighting properties, yet the nutrient content and medicinal properties of herbs are often overlooked."

With that in mind, here's the lowdown on herbs and how they may help...

What is a herb?

According to The Concise Oxford Dictionary, ‘a herb is any plant where the leaves, seeds or flowers are used for medicine, flavour or scent.’ There are thousands we never see in supermarkets but could buy as plants in a garden centre or grow from seed to use at home.

To ease digestion

Often it is only when herbs are heated that their full aroma is released - that's what makes your mouth water. This aids the release of saliva, which prepares your stomach for food. It's the enzymes in saliva that trigger the digestive process, helping the body to break down fats and starches. If this doesn't happen before food reaches the stomach, then it isn't processed properly and digestive problems such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, wind and irritable bowel may result.

What to use: Thyme, rosemary, oregano, mint.

BasilHerbs with anti-cancer properties

Many herbs contain flavonoids; nutrients widely available in fruits and vegetables and thought to help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. According to Dr Winston Craig, Professor of Nutrition at Andrews University in the United States, flavonoids help vitamin C work more efficiently as an antioxidant, mopping up the free radicals that cause cancer.

What to use: Onions, rosemary, sage, thyme, chamomile, dandelion, ginkgo, green tea, milk thistle.

To help prevent tumours

Some herbs contain phytochemicals called terpenoids which are potent antioxidants, thought to inhibit the growth of tumours.

What to use: Caraway, spearmint, dill, coriander, lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemongrass, chamomile, basil, rosemary, mint, cardamom, celery seed, fennel and peppermint.

ThymeAs natural antiseptics

There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that some herbs have antiseptic qualities.

Jekka McVicar says: "Before refrigerators were invented, large households stored cold meats in their cellars, covered in salt and wrapped in fresh sage leaves to preserve it. After shooting, fresh game was left to hang to tenderise along with bunches of fresh thyme, not only to add flavour, but also because thyme's antiseptic properties helped prevent stomach upsets when the game was eaten."

What to use: Thyme, sage, rosemary and bay leaves

To boost the immune system

Herbs high in flavonoids may also have mild anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic is known to be good for the immune system and may stimulate cells which attack invading organisms. Echinacea is the best-known herb thought to have immune boosting qualities. It stimulates the immune system promoting the activity of lymphocytes - types of cells which circulate in the body ready to eliminate foreign 'invaders' such as viruses.

What to use: Onions, rosemary, sage, thyme, chamomile, dandelion, ginkgo, green tea and milk thistle

GarlicTo promote heart health

Garlic, like onions, is not normally thought of as a herb but according to Jekka McVicar it is one. Research suggests garlic may protect against heart attacks and strokes because it helps lower bad cholesterol.

Substances called catechins have also been shown to have cholesterol-reducing properties.

What to use: garlic, green tea

Reduce cholesterol

Some herbs contain anthocyanins - the pigments responsible for the red, pink, purple, and blue shades of some fruit and flowers. Anthocyanins can also help reduce the formation of harmful cholesterol, so they may provide some protection

What to use: rosehip tea

LemonHerbs which may heal

Many herbs are reputed to have healing qualities. Jekka McVicar keeps a pot of aloe vera on her kitchen windowsill as she's prone to burning herself when cooking. She just breaks off a leaf and rubs the glutinous gel on the burn to help prevent blistering. Jekka suggests making your own teas with one teaspoon of dried or two teaspoons of fresh herbs per cup of freshly boiled water.

What to use: Chamomile for insomnia; dill or peppermint for indigestion; elderflower for relief from a cold; lemon balm for tension and headaches; rosemary to improve concentration and bad breath.

Take care

Some herbs should not be used if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or if you suffer from certain medical complaints. Excessive use of some herbs (such as rosemary, sage, sorrel and thyme) may be harmful to health. Consult a professional medical herbalist for more information.

credit: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/