A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Dr Esrom Jokthan, Provost, College of Education Billiri, Gombe State, said on Saturday that the remedy to examination misconduct is for government to fully implement the laws against exam malpractice in the country.
Esrom gave this advice in an interview with newsmen at the Conference and Award Ceremony to mark the 20th Anniversary of Exam Ethics Marshals International in Calabar.
He urged the Federal and State governments to implement various laws against exam malpractice and misconduct in the country in order to tackle the degeneration in education sector.
"Only when that is done that our various institutions can effectively tackle exam misconduct.
"We have laws against exam misconduct and unless these laws are implemented, tertiary institutions will continue to find it difficult to deal with exam misconduct.
"The government should be serious in fighting exam misconduct just as they are fighting corruption,'' Jokthan said.
The provost was awarded a certificate of recognition by the exam ethics marshals for his outstanding position on the fight against exam misconduct.
He was also promoted to the highest rank of Exam Ethics Chief Marshal for his contribution to the body.
He described his promotion and award as a rewarding experience, adding that this would spur him to be more dedicated in the pursuit of ending exam malpractice in his institution and the country at large.
"I consider it a worthy honor.
"I have fought exam misconduct all my life, beginning from my years at Ahmadu Bello University to my present position.
"I will not relent until Nigeria is free from exam misconduct, '' he said.
Newsmen report that individuals and organisations were also recognised and awarded for their contributions to the fight against exam misconduct.
NAN, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Africa Independent Television (AIT) received distinguished media awards for their contribution to exam ethics.
To all our darling Mothers' wishing you a happy Mother's Day today!
Being a mother is a gift, a delight, an honour and with all its challenges a pleasure. I would say it is a job and a half like none other, filled with many surprises, lots of lessons to learn, hurdles to cross but embraced with love, laughter and life.
Are you being celebrated today? Have you celebrated your Mother today?
Whether the woman around you is your biological or spiritual mother, your aunt, sister, relative, friend, colleague or wife, this is the best occasion to give special recognition to that person. Make that person feel blessed, happy, grateful and honoured even during these hard times. Every woman is different and appreciates things in different ways. I have a few ideas regarding the Etiquette of Mother's Day that can help make it more memorable.
Ideas to Making Mother's Day Memorable
Celebratory Call
The first thing that is ideal for your mother on mother's day is not to send a message but actually make a celebratory call. Express how good your mother has been to you, and wish her well, all the good things in life. If it has been a while you spoke last do not be in a hurry to rush off the phone so plan the call in advance. If you are both tech savvy you may decide to video call through Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp or others just to give the special effect.
Gracious Gift
Sometimes it becomes difficult to get the right gift especially if you are not familiar with the art of buying gifts. The ideal gift should be meaningful to you too, relevant and respectful. The best gift is the one that can be used multiple times personally like an outfit or beautiful material. Woman also like pictures, perfume, bags or personalized items. The gift does not need to break your bank account but something that you are pleased with that will resonate with the person. Gifts should come well wrapped with a little card and if you want to be extra special flowers can accompany it.
Picture Perfect
Pictures can last a lifetime and will always be memorabilia. Treat your special mum to a photoshoot or simply take a great picture on your phone and send to her. Better still attempt to enlarge the picture and frame it as that one time personalized gift. A picture will always paint a thousand words.
Beautiful Brunch
An outing treat will always bring a smile to the face and lift her heart especially when it is out of the ordinary. A brunch works well because start and finish time is ideal with a spread of both breakfast and lunch dishes set in buffet style. This is recommended because you are not limited to any specific menu but are free to a full range of choices. Plan ahead arrange to pick up and have fun on the day.
Luxurious Lunch
A luxurious lunch should be considered like a divine dinner involving dressing up and treating your mother like royalty. It is not about the lunch itself but the precious moments together. Catch up on the good old days, reminisce on current state and look forward to the future. Let the day be full of love and laughter involving the entire family with grandkids too. Don't forget to take lots of pictures on the day too.
Relax Rejuvenate
One thing every mother needs is a time of rest and relaxation, what better way to rejuvenate than to have a 'Pamper me day'. Yes a day at the spa can be for yourself, with your adventurous mum or as a day out with the ladies. Such a day cannot be clogged with anything else, no shopping, party or stress related activity is allowed. Research on prices in advance, go for what your budget can handle you will find that there will likely be some special offers for the occasion. Don't forget to have fun and feel real good,
Savvy Skills
What is that one thing you have always desired to do or you think would fascinate your mum? Have a fun day of learning a new skill. It could be cooking, making a special smoothie, an outfit, photography makeup you name it. This is the time for that great special treat. Tale that step and go for it.
Movie Magic
Have you desired going to the movies but you just could not find the time? Make a date night out with your friends to watch the latest movie. Take mum if she is up to watching movies, eat popcorn with a fresh cold drink and feel young at heart again. The idea behind a movie is to bring humour, bond and be adventurous. We all need a lot of that in our lives today. Be sure to check details of the movie incase there is violence or unpleasant scenes. Cross check timings buy tickets in advance and be seated on time to avoid any rush.
Treasurable Time
Just incase your mother or loved ones are thousands of miles away be sure that when next you are together you spend treasurable time together. Time is indeed precious, as it flies by it waits for nobody. So while in the village, or far away destination take time out to reflect, refresh and revive memories, moments and things that truly matter. Wishing you many more celebrations.
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed that he has held talks with Chelsea wonderkid Ola Aina regarding his international future.
Ola Aina
As earlier reported, the right fullback visited the Super Eagles Crowne Plaza Hotel camp in London shortly before the friendly against Senegal on Thursday, alongside his father, for discussions with the German.
"It is normal to have this situation, when we have very good player [like Ola Aina] who can pick two teams. We always leave the door open to young talent," said Rohr, according to goal.com.
While the Nigeria Football Federation and Rohr are keen on the ex-England U-20 international, the defender has not yet made a decision whether or not he should dump England, where he was born and raised.
The 20-year-old Aina has recorded five first-team appearances for Chelsea this season.
The Edo Government says it will reintroduce the teaching of History as a subject in public schools to allow the young generation learn about the labours of past heroes.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki announced this while inaugurating the Castle of Legends Initiative (COLI), a Non-Governmental Organisation, in honour of late Chief Anthony Enahoro, a foremost nationalist, in Benin on Saturday.
Obaseki remarked that the knowledge of history was at its lowest ebb in the country, particularly among the young generation.
He said the state government would reintroduce the subject, which would be taught alongside Social Studies in schools.
He also explained that state owned tertiary institutions would be equipped to teach Bini History.
The governor assured that scholarships would be awarded to Postgraduate students, who are interested in studying Bini History at doctorate level.
He described Late Chief Enahoro as a vibrant journalist and nationalist, who sacrificed his life, got jailed and went on exile in his struggle to make Nigeria better.
Obaseki said that Enahoro's contributions to the country needed to be celebrated and his name immortalised at the green chambers of the National Assembly.
The President of COLI, who doubles as the Esogban of Benin kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, presenting a lecture entitled: "Immortalising Our Heroes Past, Nigerian Nationalists in Focus''.
He said national heroes like Enahoro needed to be appreciated for their immerse contributions.
Edebiri expressed optimism that immortalising Enahoro, who fought for the emancipation of the country, would inspire Nigerians to be more patriotic.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a life-size statue of Chief Anthony Enahoro, erected by COLI at the foreground of the Edo State House of Assembly complex by the state government.
There was also presentation of awards to four national heroes, who contributed to the independence of the country.
They are Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Obi Nosike Ikpo, Chief Mbazilike Amech and Alhaji Tanko Yakasai.
A book entitled "The Role of Militant Youths in the Struggles for Nigerian Independence: Tony Enahoro as a Case Study'', written by Chief David Edeberi, was also presented at the event.
Lt.-Gen.Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, says this year's Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship will hold in Sambisa Forest to consolidate the army's grip on the area.
Buratai announced this while speaking with newsmen on the final arrangements for the event on Saturday in Maiduguri.
"We have been in the North East, fighting the Boko Haram terrorists, and you know the significance of the Sambisa Forest to them.
"It used to be one of their centres; in fact, we suspect that their command and control centre was located there before its eventual capture,'' the COAS said.
He added that following the eventual capture of camp zairo, the Army wanted to consolidate its operations by ensuring that the place was secured.
"We also want the place to be dominated by our troops and also to get firm control, so that we will continue to dominate the area''.
Buratai said that the championship was part of the training activities of the Nigerian Army, aimed at sharpening marksmanship of its personal.
"The Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship is part of the training activities scheduled for 2017.
"It is a championship among the formations of the Nigerian Army.
"The objective of the event is to sharpen the marksmanship skills of the army personnel''.
According to Buratai, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, will be represented at the opening of the event on Monday by the Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mannir Dan-Ali.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – Presidency, Saturday night, said that Nigerians would be told its position on the rejection of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC by the Senate immediately President Muhammadu Buhari speaks on the matter.
Why recalling that it had waited for the Senate to officially communicate to it, the Presidency which has acknowledged the receipt of the report now said that Buhari was yet to formerly speak on the matter.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina made the Presidency’s new position known in a phone chat.
He said: “Our last public position was that when they communicate to the president, we will respond. Now, they have communicated, just wait for the official. When the President responds, the country will know.”
It will be recalled that the Senate’s rejection of Magu was based on a security report from the Department of State Service, DSS among others.
While Magu was yet to disproof the report, the DSS on Friday released another set of damning reports, insisting that Magu was unfit to lead the anti-graft agency as its Chairman.
Mr Fatai Ibuowo has emerged as the new Lagos State Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP).
Ibuowo was elected on Saturday alongside 17 other new executives at a state congress of the party witnessed by officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The congress held at the Methodist Primary School, Oshodi, Lagos.
Newsmen report that Ibuowo polled 48 of a total of 54 votes cast to defeat Mr Olagunji Femi.
The election of the chairman was through an open ballot system while the other 17 executives were unopposed.
The National Chairman of NCP, Dr Yunusa Tanko, advised the new state executives to take the party to greater heights.
"I congratulate you all; I see, through you, prosperity of NCP, I see, through you, growth of the party. The party will grow from strength to strength," Tanko said.
In his acceptance speech, Ibuowo expressed gratitude to NCP members for the support given him.
He promised to ensure that NCP would win at least a seat in the next local council polls in the state.
"I promise to move this party forward," Ibuowo said.
He gave the assurance that he would call an emergency meeting on Monday with a view to resolving the lingering leadership crisis in the party.
Earlier in a lecture with the theme: "Nigeria in Crisis and the Need to Build NCP as an Alternative for Nigerian Masses" Tanko said that the party would not merge with any political party to be able to win elections at any level.
"NCP is a party based on ideology and integrity.
"NCP has never, will never and is not thinking of merging with any political party ahead of any elections, but may be willing to work with any party that is willing to work with it to move the nation forward,'' he said.
In his remarks, Chief Martin Onovo, the 2015 Presidential Candidate of the party, said: "This is a party of the Nigerian people, owned and controlled by Nigerians.
"We have to rise up and elect good leaders, reduce and abolish poverty."
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has paid tribute to the achievements of African diaspora, who rose above the chains and pains of slave trade to impact humanity.
Guterres, in his message to the 2017 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, expressed regret over the pains of slave trade on Africa and Africans.
According to Guterres, the theme for this year's International Day, "Recognising the Legacy and Contributions of People of African Descent," invites us to pay tribute to the many achievements of the African diaspora.
"We see those contributions in every field of human endeavour.
"The descendants of slaves have made their mark as inventors, economists and jurists; as authors and scholars; as artists and athletes; as politicians and civil rights leaders.
Antonio Guterres
Guterres said that Mae Jemison, was the first African-American woman to enter outer space.
He said Jemison was among the distinguished individuals of African descent who are being honoured in an exhibition currently on display in the UN Building, at the visitors' lobby.
"One descendant of slaves made an imprint on the United Nations itself: Ralph Bunche, the first African-American to win a Nobel Prize and one of the most respected and celebrated international civil servants in the history of this Organisation.
"It seems especially appropriate at this commemorative meeting to recall the life and work of Derek Walcott, the poet and Nobel laureate from Saint Lucia who died one week ago today.
"In poems and other writings, he confronted the brutality of slavery and the legacy of colonialism.
"In 'The Sea is History', for example, he gave us the searing image of "men with eyes as heavy as anchors, who sank without tombs.
"The United Nations and I personally attach the greatest importance to the challenge of slavery, past and present," he said.
Guterres said through the UN Remember Slavery Programme, the international body would continue shedding light on tragedies related to slavery.
He added that the UN will continue to highlight the impressive and living contributions that people of African descent are making to their communities and to the world.
Guterres cautioned that the world "must never forget this dark chapter of human history".
"The legacy of slavery resounds down the ages. The world has yet to overcome racism. Many countries still suffer from economic patterns and decisions set in motion long ago.
"Many families still feel keenly the trauma imposed on their forebears. We must continue to recognise the persistent pain of this legacy even in the present moment.
"Moreover, we know that while some forms of slavery may have been abolished, others have emerged to blight our world, including human trafficking and forced and bonded labour.
"Heeding the lessons of yesterday means fighting these ills today," Guterres said.
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Republic of Ireland skipper Seamus Coleman has had surgery following a horrific leg break in Friday's goalless draw against Wales, team officials disclosed on Saturday.
The 28-year-old Everton full-back suffered tibia and fibula fractures in his right leg following a bad challenge from Neil Taylor, who was consequently given a red card.
"Seamus suffered a serious leg injury and has undergone surgery," said Republic manager Martin O'Neill.
Newsmen report that Coleman was given oxygen before being carried off at the Aviva Stadium where both sides played in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier..
The Donegal man was taken straight to St Vincent's University Hospital immediately after the incident and had surgery on Saturday morning.
"Captain Seamus Coleman, who went off injured during the game, underwent surgery on Saturday morning after fracturing his right tibia and fibula, under the care of the FAI's orthopaedic surgeon, Professor John O'Byrne, and Mr Gary O'Toole, consultant orthopaedic surgeon," said a Football Association of Ireland statement.
O'Toole is well known in Irish sporting circles as a former Olympic swimmer.
Coleman's serious leg break happened midway through the second half of the World Cup qualifier.
"He has had an exceptional season with both club and country, and he will be a big loss," added Republic boss O'Neill.
"But Seamus is so mentally strong that when he has fully recovered he will be as brilliant as before."
Wales manager Chris Coleman said defender Taylor was "despondent" following the game.
"First and foremost, the most important thing is Seamus Coleman," he said. "We are told that it is not so good, which we are sorry for.
"Neil Taylor is not really that type of player, but it's a tough one for Seamus. Our thoughts are with him. I have not seen it again."
Everton return to Premier League action with the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, 1 April.
Everton midfielder James McCarthy was scheduled to start for the Republic, but was withdrawn from the team-sheet before kick-off because of a hamstring injury.
McCarthy has been released from the Republic squad for Tuesday's friendly with Iceland along with John O'Shea, Glenn Whelan and Jonathan Walters.
O'Shea needed stitches in a leg wound after being injured in a sliding challenge from Gareth Bale, which resulted in the Real Madrid star receiving a booking.
It is a booking which will rule him out of Wales' next qualifier in Serbia on June 11.
The draw in Dublin meant the Republic missed out on returning to the top of Group D, after Serbia beat Georgia earlier on Friday, with Wales four points behind in third.
The Republic's next Group D qualifier is at home to Austria, also on June 11.
•Blame rate of crime on govt, poor health institutions, environment •Suicide not the answer to depression— Religious leaders
Chioma Obinna, Ebun Sessou, Olayinka Latona and Gabriel Olawale
Last Sunday, a young medical doctor, Dr Allwell Oji reportedly committed suicide by jumping into Lagos lagoon on Third Mainland bridge. His body was recovered three days later by the police while investigations are on going as to the cause. Same day, a woman was also said to have attempted suicide by jumping into the lagoon at Maza maza area of Lagos but she was rescued by fishermen who saw what happened. There was another case of a 500 level student of Tai Solarin University College of Education who committed suicide last week. He refused to go for lectures with his friends and when they came back, they saw him dangling, he had committed suicide. Some time ago, there was a story of a very wealthy politician from Epe area of Lagos, Abanikande who also committed suicide by jumping into the river in Lekki after he instructed his driver to stop and park his jeep. Similarly, a young man who boarded a bus from Mainland and was said to be going to Obalende also jumped into the lagoon. He simply told the commercial driver to stop and before the rest of the passengers knew what was happening, the young man had jumped into the lagoon.
Committing suicide is not a new phenomenon, there was a recorded case in the Holy Scripture, the Bible of one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot who committed suicide. Down the ages and in all climes, suicide cases abound but it appears to be on the increase these days which is a disturbing trend. What could therefore prompt a man or a woman to take his /her own life?
Psychiatric disorder major cause
Reacting to what could make someone commit suicide, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State; Dr. Obagaye Olukunle who said suicide is a deliberate act undertaken by someone with intention of taking his or her own life explained that 80 percent of people who commit suicide have psychiatric diagnosis.
Olukunle who decried that Nigeria has not paid attention to mental health over time explained that psychiatric disorders are the major cause of suicide cases and that a larger percentage of those who committed suicide suffered depression. He said depression is the major cause of suicide among other psychiatric disorders while the remaining percentages are caused by other psychiatric disorders including drug abuse.
"So if there is increase in suicides then there is possibility of increase in psychiatric disorders or decline in the care which psychiatric patients get in the country."
He maintained that national problems have over-taken other issues so much that no one pays particular attention to mental health issue. He noted that we seem to be having more suicide cases now merely because the Dr Orji's case took place in the open, adding that if it had happened in the closet, it would not have made such headlines.
"Suicide has always been with us, look at the case of LAUTECH student who hung himself in the hostel. Obayage identified three major causes to include biological, social and physiological.
He further noted that an increase in economic stress can lead to increase in psychiatric disorder among people who are pre-disposed to have psychiatric disorders.
"People who are genetically pre-disposed may not develop it if they do not find themselves in the environment but when they are pre-disposed coupled with economic problem, then there is tendency that they will have psychiatric disorders.
The Consultant Psychiatrist stressed the need for Nigeria to begin to pay attention to causes of suicide. "I am worried at the response from the National Assembly, I expect the National Assembly to summon stakeholders in mental health to discuss ways to improve mental health in the country. People who are suffering from psychiatric disorders, how do they access care, how many people are likely to commit suicide in the next few days, how do will screen them out, we must start paying attention and it needs to start from the top. Government must respond to medical issue of the citizens."
He urged Nigerians to look out for signs of psychiatric disorders. According to him, "We must know the signs. When there is increased tension in an individual, when people change from the normal person that people used to know in terms of mood, and inter personal relations, then we are supposed to ask what the problem is. It's ideal to be sad for some moment, but when it persists for more than two weeks there is a problem. If you have people who have not been sleeping well you should pay attention to it before that person breaks down to the point of crying or soliloquizing."
Lagos based Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Ogunnubi Oluseun Peter,
Physicians have been known to rank high in suicide cases. Most doctors are stressed and depressed because of their workload, poor remuneration, family expectation and friends. Also, the rigor of training to become a specialist, examination stress and its high failure rate are enough to frustrate an average doctor. Also, the disappointment that the profession is not as glorious and as comfortable as one has been made to believe while in medical school. Hence, it makes the 6-8 full academic years spent in school and another 6-9yrs of specialization more or less a colossal waste of time. Many doctors are going through a lot but hardly have time to attend to their health. This they continue to manage till the breaking point.
Nigeria as a system has failed its medical doctors. People are migrating everyday out of this country because the environment is very terrible. It's only in this country that doctors will be massively sacked for demanding for their legitimate wages. It's only in this country that a non doctor will be grandstanding to have all the assets of doctors and want to be this or that without willing to go through the rigor of medical training.
It's only in this country that medical doctors will be owed for six months to one year. It's only in Nigeria that people will finish in medical school and getting housemanship (which is the compulsory one year training after medical school) will be much more difficult than it is for a camel to pass through the needle's eye. It's only in this nation that doctors will spend 6-9 years to specialize only to be jobless afterwards as no hospital is willing to employ such if he or she does not have the right connection. It's only in Nigeria that medical doctors work an average of 28-36 hours per day!
The environment is hostile, frustrating and unproductive for the younger ones, hence the reasons for the recent surge in those that are leaving the shore of this country for a better place.
Unfortunately, those who don't have the means to do so will continue to cope with the system until they get to the breaking point.
Unfortunately, when they are at this point, there is no adequate provision through a strengthened mental health system to assist them. The government has continued to pay a lip service to the development of the mental health system. Mental health policy has been ignored, mental health bill which should serve as an avenue to provide succour to the emotionally ill by ensuring that certain percentage of the health budget goes into provision of more mental health facilities, counseling centres, suicide prevention units, drug subsidy etc has been lying fallow in the national assembly since 1982/83.
The pressure from some of us as individuals as well as Association of Psychiatrist in Nigeria (APN) for the passage of mental health bill had fallen on deaf ears.
Unfortunately, the World Health Organization (WHO) has projected that depression will be the second commonest cause of illness worldwide come 2020. This means it will be far ahead of cancer, stroke, HIV/AIDS etc.
The world is moving towards incorporating psychological care into all facets of care rather than the usual dogmatic focus on physical care, failure of which we may have more deaths in our hands. Most Nigerian doctors are practicing abroad because we pay lip services to issues of psychological illness, stigmatization and attribute it to either personal weakness, evil spirit or payment for one's sins.
Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Adegbohun Abosede
I would like to divide this into two major factors: work related factors and personal factors. The challenges of practicing medicine in Nigeria are enormous. Most doctors' view of what life would be after studying medicine is far from today's reality. To say the work is huge and stressful is an understatement; more importantly for a doctor working in most of the ill equipped hospitals we have in this country. So, witnessing avoidable deaths can be a major stress for a doctor. By the virtue of our training, we know a lot can be done for a patient, but one is caught in a situation of not being able to help because of lack of infrastructure or basic hospital needs such as oxygen, and this could later predispose the doctor to develop depression or commit suicide.
The work load is huge; a doctor gets to do more than ideal on a daily basis. Some doctors attend to 120 to 150 patients daily as against the standard practice of about ten in some countries. The work environment is not too conducive for a more thorough work to be done because of the factors earlier mentioned. They are tired and may suffer all sorts of humiliation in the course of carrying out their duties.
The level of job satisfaction is quite low and the quality of services rendered is sometimes not as expected as a result of poorly equipped facilities. As we speak, some doctors are being owed five month's salary and can't even fend for their families nor take care of themselves.
The demand from some others is quite high. Doctors are viewed as 'super humans', even when ill, so far they can still talk, others would continue to make demands of them.
It could also be due to personal factors in the doctor: A doctor is like any other human being, he may be faced with life challenges that could tip him to depression. The country is presently in recession and this could tip people to commit suicide. He may also view life as being unfair to him after the rigors of medical education and as such resort to end it all.
He or she may be suffering from chronic medical illnesses such as cancer and may resort to suicide as a result of this. It may also be that the doctor has depression which got complicated with suicide. Those with some psychotic illnesses may also commit suicide in the course of their illness.
Any of the factors listed above or combination of any may predispose a doctor to commit suicide. All hands must be on deck to make sure the physician is well.
Physicians who are experiencing high level of depression should be encouraged to seek help. Those who sought help should not be stigmatized. There should be awareness on suicide among physicians, society and the government.
The issue of suicide is not limited to this environment alone, even in abroad you find out that physicians have high level of suicide and they use several means to carry out such act because they have access to series of drugs in which they knew how to use but such issues are under reported.
There is need for high level awareness among communities, depressed people should be encourage to seek help like every other normal person.
Dr. Ajayi Bolanle, Chairman Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba
There are several issues that lead to such action, but stress is the number one thing that can make a doctor or even anybody break down. It's a known fact that medical profession can be stressful due to workload. Several studies have shown that doctors have high tendencies of breaking down which are objective studies that have proven that doctors have possibility of coming down with a psychiatric illness. Some doctors could have a genetic history of psychiatric illness which is actually weighty. Someone who has a genetic history may come down with it later in life especially when exposed to stress.
Again, we know that there is economic recession and the stress in the country, coping mechanism for stress in the country is poor, some people cannot cope well. We all have different body chemistry so some people are coming down with depressive illness because of the economy status, unemployment, nothing to do, carrying burden of family. So a lot of people are coming down with depression now.
Dr. Oladipo Ishola, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH
The comatose situation of the country's health sector such as incessant strikes, decaying infrastructure which made doctors look incompetent when materials to render some basic services at the hospital are not available and the patient eventually died, at night you will have to cope with the trauma.
Doctors are one of the groups of professionals that are mostly exposed to poverty and the helplessness of the common man in our society, and when you care for another human being, their problems become your problem as well, hence you share in their laughter, sorrow or frustrations.
It become worse when you see your colleagues who travelled overseas faring far better despite your waning patriotic zeal that Nigeria will be better.
But the worst of it all is professional rivalry, when the people around you do not want you to succeed. Patients should also learn to appreciate their doctor. This is the sole joy of a Doctor that no one can take from them. Their service to humanity shouldn't only be rewarded in heaven but a simple thank you can go a long way to making a doctor's day. These are the worst of times to be sick in Nigeria and it's also the worst of times for health personnel. I know so many who are without a job and are struggling to survive. Even those with a job are living from hand to mouth.
A member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Abiodun Tobun, said "the truth is that, there is tension in the land and it seems people feel there is no more hope and when you look at them, you wonder why a man should kill himself. The husband of one of my younger sisters committed suicide because he owed his company one million naira. His company wanted him to pay the money but he could not so he committed suicide. That is to tell you how bad the situation in the country is.
A lecturer in Yoruba language in the department of African Languages and Asian Studies, University of Lagos, Mr. Deji Medibu, believed the medical doctor's action could have emanated from curse(s) place on him for whatever reason.
In his own view, a traditional leader in Abule-Onipanu community in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos argued that
"it was not natural, it has spiritual explanation. For those who were poor and frustrated, it is understandable but what can we say about those who were rich. It is just to tell you that, there is evil power, I pray that God will deliver us from the evil people. The doctor in question could have offended those who decided not to forgive him. They promised to punish him and they did. Another reason is that, the doctor could have done some evil to some people in the past and later backfired on him".
Religious clerics speak
Most suicide cases are not spiritual — Ahmad
The Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Olanrewaju Ahmad in his opinion described those who commit suicide as worst criminals explaining that God gave life to man as 'trust' hence man has no right to take his or her life.
In his words: "Before anybody could get depressed there must be signs that things are not well with him or her. There would probably be a change in his social habit, maybe such person has marital problem or a lot of debt hanging on his neck, silent medical ailment or such person has been betrayed by a close friend. But the Islamic system is structured in a way that we pray five times daily and it is the responsibility of the congregation to ask after anyone who has not been consistent to find out what is wrong with him or her. However, depression is a psychiatric problem, it is not necessarily madness and clerics do not have the expertse to single handedly on their own handle the problem of depression but in our own case we have a referral system in areas outside our expertise. Nigerians believe that everything is spiritual and they go to their Imams and Pastors before they go to hospital, some religious leaders even tell their congregations not to use medication but in our own case we believe that if someone gets to the stage of depression or there is likelihood that the person is heading towards depression, we do referral and we have referred people to Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba and to hospitals for health related case.
"It is unfortunate that the rate of suicide increases in Nigeria in spite of the fact that Nigerians are very resilient set of people, it is strange now hearing of people committing suicide, Nigerians don't take their lives, we love life and hate death either as Muslim, Christian or whosoever, the larger percentage of our daily prayer is against misfortune and death. For people to now take their own life voluntarily then we are dealing with a lot of negative transformation in our society. Sometimes, it has to do with internet exposure for the younger ones because they read and see it happening in the western world"
"For religious leaders, these are the things that we look out for, we should involve in special counseling before it gets to the stage of depression for people to know and believe that nothing is beyond the power of their creator and all problems can be solved. If it is medical problem, it can be solved or whatever case it may be. There is an adage that says if there is life, there is hope. It is unfortunate that most people are going hopeless maybe because of the economy but I tell you that one of the greatest sins in Islam is to take one's life because this is a life that doesn't belong to you, no matter what the problem is, life is given to us as trust, the owner of life is the only one who has right to take it when He wills. Suicide, whether as individual suicide or those who are suicide bombers, they are the worst criminals, they do not only kill themselves but also kill other, Islam condemns suicide and it is not acceptable. The Society must come together and find out why people increasingly resort to suicide and there should be collaboration between psychiatric experts and religious leaders. The referral system should be strengthened so that as soon as religious leaders see the sign of depression, such person will be referred to health experts. We know that prayers are efficacious but when there is need to take very proactive measures medically, we should not substitute it with prayers"
Suicide not answer to man's problems —Bishop Sola Ore
Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Bishop Sola Ore said
"various reasons could be responsible though some people talk about recession but I think that is not the major issue. From the cleric perspective, I will say failure to know who you are in the Lord and to believe that God is still in charge of your life can lead one to take some wrong steps. Although things are hard and terrible, there could be domestic problems or emotional trauma but that should not lead to taking one's life. Almost everybody is prone to suicide but it depends on how one manages depression. I have gone through depression before, every human being no matter who you are, can be depressed but it depends on who speaks to you during your depressed mood.
"As a nation, we should believe that our best is yet to come, God is in control and suicide is not the answer. There is an adage that says if one is not yet dead, there is still hope and that means that there is still hope for someone who is still alive than the dead. What is bad today could be the best tomorrow
There is need for people to guard their thought, if you dwell on the negative, you get negative result. We should stop comparing ourself with others, move closer to God, believe that things will get better for us and realize that there are some people whom we are better off out there.
Allah is against suicideê —Akorede
Chief Imam of Akure, Sheikh Yayi Akorede on his part argued that, "it is a great offence before Almighty God for someone to commit suicide because whatever condition you find yourself, one should accept that everything is known to the Almighty God and you cannot use your own imagination. Allah (SAW), said in the Holy Q'uran that one must not kill oneself either because of poverty or for any reason, and thinking that committing suicide is the solution to one's problem is a great sin"
It is unfortunate that we are experiencing high rate of suicide in Nigeria, although the current recession we are passing through in Nigeria and the world at large is causing lot of trauma to most people but that is not an excuse for one to commit suicide. It is painful that a very promising young medical doctor could just end his life by jumping into the lagoon
"I will encourage that we speak positive things into our life, if we profess negative it will come to pass later in life. We should always pray for ourselves, family and the nation even though we are in a very terrible condition, Almighty God knows how to intervene and change it for better. But if we continue to curse ourselves or leaders, such curse will reflect later in the future. Some might say it is the work of evil ones but I believe if one is closer to God, God's power is superior to all forces of darkness.
Nigerians should endure—Apostle Bamgbola
Chairman, Lagos chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Apostle Alexander Bamgbola however counseled that "Nigerians should endure the hard times, challenges or trials that come our way. Time changes because God changes time and seasons, and when we do not like the times we are, we should pray to God to help, uphold us and help us to endure because there is always a change ahead. No matter how bad the situation maybe today tomorrow will surely be another day. The Bible says 'Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning'.
"I will encourage every Nigerians to hold on to God, as Christians, we know that anyone who commits suicide is heading to hell, so why would a man choose to commit suicide? No matter the pressure on him, if it is about the economy, we are all in it together, we should pray to God and He will change the time for good for us in Nigeria. We are still better off than some other countries but we still have hope.
"The young man who committed suicide made a choice although a very wrong choice because every choice has consequences. He could have been going through some psychological challenges but that is not enough for one to take his or her life. I pray that God will continue to uphold us in His right arm of righteousness to endure and pray that the Lord will change our times".
By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South and Festus Ahon
COMMISSIONER of Police, Delta State, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, spoke to Saturday Vanguard shortly after a town hall meeting with Fulani herdsmen at Asaba, the state capital, on his efforts to contain rampaging herdsmen, weeks before the latest saga with Hon Evance Ivwurie, the lawmaker representing Ethiope East Local Government Area in the Delta State House of Assembly, over alleged helicopter supplies to herdsmen in Ovre-Abraka.
Zanna Ibrahim, CP Delta
How police are tackling herdsmen menace
We are doing a lot in terms of proactive approach to the situation in the sense of visibility policing in decoy patrol, response to distress in the flashpoints we have identified in the state. But most importantly, the community approach to it, community partnership, just like we did this afternoon, we believe that the carrot and stick approach will be more successful that outright use of force.
We have invited the herdsmen with a view to identifying their problems, the entry points into the state because the belief is that it is not the herdsmen resident in the state that create the problem, but the infiltrators from neighboring states. So when we identify the points of entry, the perpetrators will now be known and we will be able to track them, so that is exactly what we are trying to do.
Flash points
The next step is the host communities of those flashpoints; we will go to those flashpoints and interact with the resident-herdsmen and the host communities so that we will be able to understand each other. We want to keep communication alive; it is not when there is problem that you do fire brigade approach. We want to keep the dialogue alive so that by the time the communities understand the herdsmen, you know the communication gap will not be there again and better understanding and peace will thrive in the state.
Herdsmen can't overpower police
On the allegation that herdsmen appear to have overrun the police in the state, he laughed, saying: "I think that is an over statement, we do not believe that the situation is as overwhelming as it is being painted. Most of those we have arrested with arms were in possession of locally made weapons that are manufactured locally and purchased locally."
"So the situation is not as overwhelming as it is being speculated. Some of them are armed quite alright, we just had an encounter with them where two of our men were missing, we found one dead, not as a result of shooting or whatever, but as a result of drowning. I think he got himself drowned in the stampede; quite alright they are armed, but not as sophisticated as being said. So the situation is not really overwhelming, we are on top of the situation.
He dismissed allegation that some security agents were providing weapons to the herdsmen, saying it was not true. His words: "It is not possible that myself for instance as a Commissioner of Police from the North, you do not expect me to relinquish my firearms, how do I account for them."
They purchase arms locally
"These are things that you will sign for, you must account for it, and if I am on transfer from Delta to another place I have to handover the weapons that I have collected from Delta, so how do I account to it if I gave it to another person. That allegation is not tenable at all. These arms are purchased locally, and we have got some of these arms. So it is not true, they may be in possession of one or two arms that were forcefully taken away from security agents, that one I agree with you. But for you to say that those arms are willingly relinquished to them to perpetrate atrocities cannot be true," he added.
Policemen drown with firearms
Mr. Ibrahim also told Saturday Vanguard that the insinuation that the police lost three rifles to herdsmen in an encounter in the state was not true. The commissioner asserted: "Oh no, that is not true, like I told you, two of our men were declared missing, we have just found one that got drowned and we believe too that he got drowned with his firearm, we have recruited the services of local divers to see if we can retrieve it from the depth of the river. The other person, who has not been seen, is also in possession of firearm. So we assume that we lost two rifles and not three, but we are still hopeful that the second person will be seen.
We have information about gun manufacturers
Asked how many suspects were in custody, he said 22, adding: "We have one gun manufacturer in our custody, but we have information about others not within the state, but somewhere outside the state."
Saturday Vanguard also inquired from the commissioner why the police have not been able to track down the sponsors at least from the confessions of the 22 herdsmen, Ibrahim asserted: "Investigation is ongoing; these are some of the things that you may not need to divulge until you conclude your investigations. But I want to tell you that it is not herdsmen/community crisis per se, but this cuts across crimes generally, it is either kidnapping, armed robbery and the herdsmen themselves. They are being held for various crimes and not particularly herdsmen/community problems."
No cause for alarm
He told Deltans not to panic on the alleged invasion by herdsmen, saying: "As I said earlier, we are on top of the situation; we will not rest on our oars until we ensure that peace thrives across the state. And this one in so many attempts we are making to reduce crimes and criminality in the state. I am not saying we will banish crime entirely, no it is not possible, and provided human beings exists, there will be pockets of crime. All we need to do is to reduce it to the minimum, which is what we are striving to do in Delta state."
"So, I want to assure the good citizens of the state that they should have confidence in what we are doing, they should have trust in what we are doing, they should provide us with credible information which is very important because we are not magicians and we do not pretend to know everything. We do not have the capacity to fight crime without credible information from members of the public, so we are going to rely on good Deltans to give us information and the confidentiality is guaranteed.
We are not going to expose anybody, who gives us information," he said.
A total of 12,388 persons bagged various certificates at the 16th and 17th combined convocation ceremony of the Benue State University, Makurdi, on Saturday.
According to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Msugh Kembe, 10,248 bagged first degrees, 1,522 had Masters Degrees, while 159 got Doctorate degrees.
He said that 469 others bagged post-graduate diplomas.
Kembe also announced that seven persons came out with first class degrees.
He said that the university, which took off in 1992 with a student population of 305, had grown to 24,079 students over the years.
According to Kembe, the carrying capacity has been expanded with more facilities such as lecture halls, hostels and other infrastructure.
"We have also increased academic faculties from four to seven, while a Post-Graduate School and College of Health Sciences were established in 1998.
He called for additional funding to enable the institution executes its programmes.
Gov Samuel Ortom, in his speech, praised the founder of the university, the late Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, Benue Governor in the third republic, for his foresight.
He promised that government would place the institution on its first line charge to enable it enjoy special attention, and challenged the graduates to be innovative and creative.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday lauded his predecessor in office and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola for his achievements during the eight years he spent as Governor of the State.
Governor Ambode, who spoke when he received Fashola and some top officials of the Ministry on a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, described the visit as historic, adding that it was gratifying to receive the Minister for the first time at the Lagos House, Ikeja since he left office on May 29, 2015.
He said: "On behalf of the people of Lagos State, I would like to wholeheartedly welcome Mr. Babatunde Fashola, my predecessor and now Minister for Works, Power and Housing and especially back to the Alausa office where he actually left about 22 months ago.Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Minister of Works, Power & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule during the Minister's courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Saturday, March 25, 2017.
He said: "On behalf of the people of Lagos State, I would like to wholeheartedly welcome Mr. Babatunde Fashola, my predecessor and now Minister for Works, Power and Housing and especially back to the Alausa office where he actually left about 22 months ago.
"I want to say that this is a historic moment for us, notwithstanding that the Honourable Minister lives in Lagos, this is the first time he is stepping his feet into the Alausa premises and we need to honour him for that and say a big thank you for coming back home."
Governor Ambode also lauded Fashola for serving the State meritoriously, saying that his administration improved on the template already laid down during the previous administration.
"We want to say that whatever it is that we have done in the last 22 months is just more or less a fall out of the great achievements the former governor had already put in place.
"We have decided that we would carry on with a sense of continuity in all the things that have been done. I had always said that what we wanted was this continuity of the last 18 years, but continuity with improvement and we are happy that all that has been done in the last 22 months is just a continuation of the template the former Governor left behind.
"We are happy that the sense of collaboration that we have expressed here is what we believe can carry whatever it is that Lagos stands for, moving forward. As you may be aware, Lagos is celebrating its 50 years of existence this year.
"The last 18 years has been so dramatic and historic in terms of the growth and development that we have seen in Lagos, commencing from 1999 when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into office and the eight good years spent by you and the two years we have done. So, obviously, there is a remarkable change between 1999 and now," Governor Ambode said.
The Governor also pledged to expand the existing collaboration with the Federal Government, saying that it would not only benefit Lagosians, but Nigerians in general.
He assured that the requests made by the Minister in regard to Housing projects of the Federal Government and other road construction would be accelerated, while also expressing optimism that the debts owed Lagos would be refunded.
"I continue to say that we would support the Minister in every way that is possible, everything that we have actually talked about in terms of debt by the Ministry as it relates to projects, the Minister is actually more vast than me in these areas and in this agitations having done the same thing for eight years, obviously he is not somebody that we would want to convert to our passion or our request because he used to be part of what we have always asked for," Ambode said.
Earlier, Fashola who described the visit as home-coming for him, said he had come with his team to Lagos as part of a nationwide project monitoring exercise to inspect the job done so far on Federal Government projects.
He assured that the Ministry had made representations to the Federal Executive Council on modalities to pay debts owed State Governments including Lagos State for rehabilitation of federal roads over the years, saying that the debts would be paid through bond instrument.
The Minister also expressed readiness to assist Lagos State power initiative, especially in the rural areas.
It would be recalled that Governor Ambode recently set machinery in motion to attain 24-hour power supply through generation of 3,000 megawatts of electricity by 2022.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola has commended the Ogun state government on the quality of the newly constructed and rehabilitated roads across the state.
Fashola gave the commendation after touring some roads constructed by Gov. Ibikunle Amosun administration in some parts of the state on Saturday.
The Minister, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of roads and flyovers inspected, commended the governor for a job well done in infrastructural development.
Fashola
He assured that President Muhammadu Buhari would adequately reimburse the state and every other state in the same category.
"I want to commend the state government on the quality of roads constructed so far; plans are on the way to refund the money used in constructing Federal roads to state governments, " he said.
Fashola urged the governor to take ownership of the Federal roads constructed or rehabilitated, saying that it would not affect the repayment plan of the Federal government to the state.
Speaking on housing sector, Fashola disclosed that his ministry has started the construction of Federal Housing units along Ajebo road in Abeokuta while another at the media village was on-going.
Newsmen report that the minister was on a two-day inspection and assessment tour of the federal roads, power plant and the ongoing housing project of the Federal Government in the state.
Amosun, who took the Federal delegation round the state, thanked the Federal government for 'working its talk' especially as regards the ongoing construction of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway.
He called on the Federal Government to intervene on some Federal roads that needed urgent attention in the state which included Papalantoro – Ilaro road, Lafenwa – Ayetoro road, and Lagos – Abeokuta old road.
Participants at the just-concluded public hearings on the anti grazing bill have expressed support for a law banning open grazing in Benue.
The participants also endorsed the provision that open grazing be replaced with ranches, but declared that such ranches should be established by individuals, and not by the state government as proposed in the executive bill.
They also rejected the provisions of the draft bill suggesting that the state government should establish a Livestock Development Agency.
Newsmen report that three public hearings, organised by the Benue House of Assembly, were held simultaneously in the three senatorial districts, to gauge the feeling of the people on the bill.
Grazing land
The hearings, held at Oturkpo, Gboko and Katsina-Ala, were concluded on Friday.
The bill was submitted to the House by Governor Samuel Ortom, as part of efforts to curb the persistent clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
The participants unanimously agreed that a law banning open grazing by herdsmen was key to tackling the clashes, and called for its quick passage.
Rev. Moses Iorapuu, who represented the Bishop of Makurdi Diocese,Wilfred Anagbe, opined that the ban on opening grazing was long overdue, adding that land owners should be consulted before any ranch was established.
Mr Terngu Tsegba, a former member of the House of Representative, said that ranches should be created and managed by individuals, just like farmlands.
He rejected the provision mandating government to establish the ranches that would serve as the alternative to open grazing.
"The money to be used to establish the ranches should go into other critical sectors such as health and education," he argued.
Tsegba emphasised the need to categorically state how the herds would be transported into the ranches, to guard against cattle roaming through township streets.
Mr Moses Anagend, a first class chief, said that no one's land should be forcefully confiscated to serve as a ranch.
"Just as the herdsman' economy depends on the cows, so does the farmer's economy depends on the land. No one should be denied of such inheritance," he said.
Mrs. Margaret Igbetar, a former President of the Appeal Court, advised government to listen to the voice of the people, pointing out that majority could not be wrong.
Other groups who spoke included tribal unions, religious associations, professional groups and NGOs.
President Macky Sall of Senegal has thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention in The Gambian political crisis which led to the restoration of democracy in the country.
Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday that the Senegalese leader conveyed his gratitude to Buhari in a communication between them.
"Thank you again for your support in The Gambia. May Almighty Allah give you greater health and energy to conduct the destiny of Nigeria,'' Sall said.
President Macky Sall
The Senegalese president described himself as Buhari's "younger brother" and prayed that Allah would bestow good health and wisdom on him to lead.
Mr Yahya Jammeh had refused to accept his defeat in an election in December, 2016, and hand over power to Mr Adama Barrow, the winner, as President of The Gambia.
Jammeh's action ignited a political crisis in the tiny West African country, prompting the sub-region's leaders, under the inspiration of Buhari, to force him to leave.
He reluctantly quit power and went into exile and Barrow, who had run away from his country to Senegal for safety, returned home to assume office.
Senegal is The Gambia's closest neighbour that offers it access to the outside world.
Former governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola payed an official visits to the Lagos state Governor today.
From right: Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of Power, Works & Housing and & former Governor of Lagos state and Dr. Idiat Adebule, Deputy Governor of Lagos, during the minsters courtesy visit yesterday. Photo: Bunmi AzeezFrom right: Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of Power, Works; Housing and former Governor of Lagos state during the Minister's courtesy visit to Lagos state Governor in Alausa, Ikeja, Saturday. Photo: Bunmi AzeezFrom right: Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of Power, Works; Housing and former Governor of Lagos state during the Minister's courtesy visit to Lagos state Governor in Alausa, Ikeja, Saturday. Photo: Bunmi AzeezFrom right: Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of Power, Works; Housing and former Governor of Lagos state during the Minister's courtesy visit to Lagos state Governor in Alausa, Ikeja, Saturday. Photo: Bunmi AzeezGov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state[7th right], Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola [8th right], Dr. Idiat Adebule, Deputy Governor of Lagos[6th left] and others, during the Minister's courtesy visit to Lagos state Governor in Alausa, Ikeja, Saturady. Photo: Bunmi Azeez
Service providers in Nigeria's telecommunications networks lost 1,275,573 internet users in February, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.
The NCC made the disclosure in its internet subscribers' data for February.
Journalists obtained the data on Saturday in Lagos.
The publication indicated that internet users on both Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks dropped from 91,304,755 in January to 90,029,182 in February.
It also showed that, of the 90,029,182 internet users in February, 89,998,873 were on GSM networks, while 30,309 were on CDMA networks.
It equally showed that the GSM service providers lost 1,275,573 internet customers as they recorded 89,998,873 users in February as against 91,274,446 they recorded in January.
NCC
The CDMA operators retained 30,309 internet subscribers in February as recorded in January.
The data revealed that MTN had 30,300,705 subscribers browsing the internet on its network in the month under review.
The data also showed that MTN recorded a drop of 714,700 internet subscribers in February after recording 31,015,405 in January.
According to the data, Globacom had 26,932,485 customers surfing the net on its network in February, revealing a decline of 143,787 users from the 27,076,272 who surfed the internet on the network in January.
Airtel had 19,468,684 internet users in February, reducing by 149,801, the number of customers in its January record of 19,618,485.
The data also showed that Etisalat had 13,296,999 customers who browsed the internet in February. It recorded a decrease of 267,285 users from the 13,564,284 users it recorded in January.
The NCC data revealed that the CDMA operators, Multi-Links and Visafone, had a joint total of 30,309 internet users on their networks in February, maintaining their January record.
According to the data, Visafone had 30,305 customers surfing the internet in February, while Multi-Links had four.
Acouple of years ago, Sarah, now in her 40s found herself living the life of a single woman after her marriage of 15 years hit the rocks and she had to find accommodation suitable for her and her two children. "I didn't for one minute regret the break-up of my marriage," confessed Sarah an IT Consultant. "My husband and I were not compatible and it was a mutual agreement for us to terminate a marriage that felt more like co-habiting. After the split, I felt liberated, excited and young.
"But that's not to say that I don't envy Bola, my best friend, for managing to keep her marriage intact, not the least for her children, who get to grow up under one roof. It's the little things I truly miss – the daily routine of married life. When I see Bola and her husband working as a team, and the comfortable, companionable love they share – him bringing her her favourite glass of wine without being asked for example – it can bring a lump to my throat. Being the only adult in the house can be a real struggle, and sometimes lonely. And there are the practicalities too – my children are still too young to be left alone, so when I run out of salt or find there's no bread for breakfast, I can't just pop to the shops.
11 As a result, I am constantly planning ahead, never letting my domestic guard down. I remember how nice it was to share those little tasks. As for the daily grind of coping with young children, I've found it easier to parent them on my own. I'm more inclined to be spontaneous and a bit more fun. There's no other grown-up to take into consideration – so why shouldn't we head out to the eatery to have lunch when it's convenient? But if I am to be honest, I miss the back- up of another parent and a voice of reason to help when I'm stressed. When I'm screaming at the children to get dressed for school – and getting nowhere – I don't have the 'Daddy will deal with you' card to play.
"Bola and her husband do a kind of parenting give-and-take. If their youngest is having a tantrum and one parent is struggling to contain it, the other will step in with a distraction and diffuse it. I'm proud of myself for coping on my own, but would love an ally sometimes. Who wouldn't. And I know Bola thinks my social life has had a boost since I've been single – and to a certain extent, she's right – but as one social door opens, another shuts firmly in my face.
"Dinner parties and formal get-togethers dominated my week-days. But these days, I don't get invited to many. People don't know what to do with a lone woman at the table. Do they think I'm threatening? Or that I'll get drunk and misbehave? Who knows? But my diary is suddenly very clear of those cosy intimate dinners. There's an easy, automatic social life and status that comes with being married. And since I've become single, I've missed being part of that world.
"Finances are a squeeze too. I've always worked and been responsible for the family running expenses with my ex's input, now it's tough learning to manage my new, much smaller budget. I know married women, like Bola my friend, have their own financial challenges, but it feels as if theirs are on an altogether more grown-up level. While they're buying new houses or flashier cars, I'm hunting for small changes to buy a newspaper. It's as if I've regressed to my student days, whilst they're still forging ahead.
"Perhaps the thing that bothers me the most is that Bola doesn't have to explain her domestic situation to anyone. She's married that's it, all questions answered. But the word, `I'm a single mother' throw up so many variables. Was the father ever on the scene? Do the children still see him? Who finished with whom? And on and on it goes. Meeting new people, I often find myself talking about' my children's dad', hoping they'll understand and that I won't have to tell the whole story.
"My friend doesn't have people feeling sorry for her or have to answer that loaded question'. 'How are the children doing?' It's as if she's doing things right and I'm somehow not. Bola my friend tells me she envies me for that' delicious, intoxicating excitement' of a new relationship. She confesses she's completely forgotten what it's like to worry about what underwear she's wearing or if it matches her bra.
" At times it feels like I am in a different world to her. Our friendship used to be one founded on familiar rhythms – we were bonded in the same daily routine. Now it's all so different. And I sometimes miss the feeling that we were once on the same side … "
