TheNewsGuru

Tag: Water

  • NAFDAC shuts 10 water factories in Ondo

    NAFDAC shuts 10 water factories in Ondo

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed 10 packaged water companies in Ondo State over non-compliance with the regulation and standards.

    The Ondo State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Benu Philip, disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Sunday in Akure.

    Philip said the affected companies which spread across the state, had there premises sealed between January and June.

    He explained that all the affected companies were operating with expired licence and producing in an unhygienic environment.

    “In addition to locking the facilities, the companies will pay an administrative charge for late renewal of their registration licence and submit necessary documents for the renewal process,” he said

    Philip said the licence issued is not forever, adding that renewal periods should be sustained to avoid regulatory interruption.

    He advised Nigerians to always look out for the NAFDAC registration number on sachet and bottled water, batch information and date markings.

    “Our mandate, specifically, is to ensure, regulate and control the manufacturing of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and chemicals, which we refer to as regulated products.

    “What we do in Ondo State majorly is to engage the stakeholders to keep them abreast of our mandate, to ensure that they follow the rules.

    “Most of the packaged water, popularly called “pure water”, that I know of in Ondo State since I came on board, have been operating with expired licence.

    “The licence is the marketing authorisation that enables you to sell your product in the market as verified and safe for consumption.

    “Once you have that number on your certificate, it shows that you have gone through the regulatory processes to ensure that you make safe products to the consuming public but it is not forever; it has a timeline,” he said.

    He said the agency will continue to collaborate with other agencies to ensure its set goals and targets were achieved.

  • Why This Silent Water Runs Deep? – Azu Ishiekwene

    Azu Ishiekwene

    Vanguard, like many businesses, has had difficult moments and one that I remember clearly was the exit of its iconic editor, Frank Aigbogun, in 1998.

    After about seven years at the helm, Aigbogun left behind such huge pair of shoes it seemed unlikely that revered publisher, Sam Amuka, fondly called Uncle Sam, would easily find a fit.

    Toye Akiyode, Aigbogun’s predecessor, had tried to steady the brand from the teething problems of its founding days. Aigbogun built rapidly on Toye’s successes and made Vanguard a household brand, especially favoured among women.

    After Aigbogun’s tenure as editor, the task of his successor was not only how to consolidate the gains he had made, but also to broaden the appeal of the brand among other segments.

    With The Guardian newspaper making strong strides in the South South and regional hegemony hugely in play, the Vanguard also needed to tap the ancestral roots of its publisher, Uncle Sam, and establish itself as a prominent regional brand.

    The poor state of infrastructure and the business model which required every publisher to be a mini-government, owning everything from water supply to printing presses and distribution vans, did not help matters.

    These were the circumstances under which Gbenga Adefaye, was appointed Editor of Vanguard. I didn’t know him well at the time. Also, since I had my own cross to bear as newly appointed Editor of Saturday PUNCH, how people at the Canal managed their storm wasn’t my cup of tea. I would later be forced to take notice and cross swords more than once – a story for another day.

    Those were truly tumultuous days. The country was in the throes of military dictatorship. Being an editor didn’t only mean producing a newspaper that is commercially successful; it also meant providing a platform that echoed the frustrations of the people and their rising agitation for democratic rule. This was often at the great displeasure of the powers that be.

    Vanguard did not flinch. And on Adefaye’s watch, the newspaper grew in stature and reputation emerging Newspaper of the Year and Adefaye, Editor of the Year, more than once. Within a few years of his appointment, Adefaye’s performance had justified his appointment and settled anxious nerves.

    His success did not happen overnight.

    Back in 1985, he had shown signs of a promising career when he worked as a reporter for NTA Benin. One of the most outstanding DGs of NTA, Professor Tonnie Iredia, who supervised Adefaye in NTA at the time, once told me that Adefaye was “a very serious-minded intern, who took his assignments with dedication.”

    He also worked for a brief time at Newbreed, the feisty weekly published by Chris Okolie, but it was at Vanguard that he cut a path for him as a sub-editor.

    The sub is often despised and hardly thought of as a place to find editor material. Subs do the dirty job; writers get the accolades. But proprietors who are anxious about standards, especially fidelity to good English, house style and quality, know that a good sub desk is the backbone of editorial quality.

    And I know more than one great editor who emerged from the sub: Henry Odukomaiya, Yakubu Mohammed, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Doyin Mahmoud, and Najeem Jimoh, to mention a few.

    Before computers and robots supplanted the food chain, the sub desk was the factory that regularly produced editorial stars while getting very little, if any credit at all. It was at the Vanguard sub desk that Adefaye’s talent began to show.

    If Uncle Sam had any doubts when he chose Adefaye to succeed Aigbogun, subsequent events must have cleared them. In the early late 1990s and early 2000s when the newspaper industry began to face an existential crisis what was required to stay afloat was no longer the regular editorial skill set alone.

    In fact, in one of its famous cover stories, Time magazine predicted the “death” of the newspaper. Maybe it was exaggerated. What was clear, however, was that the industry was on the throes of a major crisis. Business as usual was no longer sufficient. What was required was a knack to seize the moment and steer the editorial ship in uncharted waters brought on by the seismic changes in technology.

    Adefaye seemed made for exactly this moment. On his watch, Vanguard was transformed from the old bastion of cut-and-paste to cutting edge technology, making it one of the most commercially successfully digital platforms for Nigerian news. It has remained on this totem pole for years.

    And Adefaye did most of this without a fuss: silent water running deep.

    We were not very close until my appointment as PUNCH Editor and, later, when we both joined the Guild of Editors as members of the Standing Committee. It was here, working very close with Adefaye, that I saw, first hand, the depth of his professional commitment and benefited from his extraordinary institutional memory.

    Whenever we discussed the shortcomings of the profession and the need to inspire greater public confidence by raising the standard of practice, Adefaye would take the floor and insist that until editors set personal examples, the profession was going nowhere.

    The Guild was doing its best, Adefaye would say, but for the profession to regain its prestige and reputation, there was more to be done at the corporate and personal levels. And he would often lace his arguments rich anecdotes and historical examples.

    When there was a vacancy after Baba Dantiye’s presidency, I had no qualms rooting for Adefaye as president of the Guild and helping to execute the “coup” that brought about his successful election.

    It’s not for nothing that I call him the “high priest of the cabal”. And in my book, he remains so, many years after stepping down as two-term president of the Guild. He has excellent contacts and has managed to combine the innate stubbornness of an Ife man with the charity his Christian faith.

    If there was ever an argument about who did what in journalism in the last four decades or a grey area to be cleared, you can count on Adefaye to shed the light in an encyclopedic way that almost always settles the matter.

    He knows where the saints reside and where the dead bodies are buried. That’s why he is the high priest.

    And long may he live!

    Ishiekwene is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP

  • No country like Nigeria, By Owei Lakemfa

    By Owei Lakemfa

    WATER is life. Yet it gets scarce. Deserts are advancing. Although floods are causing havoc in some parts of the world, dry patches are becoming common. There was so much water shortage in Southern Africa over the years, that countries like Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa were gasping for breath.

    Three years ago, the water scarcity in Cape Town, South Africa was so serious, that the residents preferred their beautiful city to stink than use precious water to flush toilets, take a decent bath or wash clothes. The city banned car washing, filling swimming pools and fountains. Residents were restricted to 50 litres per day and there was also water quota for wetting farms.

    Over the years, although most of Nigeria has no immediate water problem, I have always been conscious of my water usage. A few months ago, the Water Board cut off my water supply and sent me an accumulated bill. I went to its offices, cleared the bill and asked that it restores my water supply.

    I was directed to some officers on the field who said my supply could not be restored because my water meter was faulty. I wondered why, and was told that my water consumption was so low that the meter literally switched off, and since my consumption remained too low, it malfunctioned. I had to get a new meter.

    On reconnection, the water officials advised me to use as much water as I can. I could not understand the logic that a meter malfunctions because consumption is low. So, while water management is preached across the globe, here in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, I am being penalised for managing my water consumption, and advised to use lots of water even if I have to waste it. This is uniquely Nigerian.

    In September 2016, fire gutted my house. My neigbours called the Fire Service office. When the firemen delayed in showing up, some went physically to the fire office only to be told the fire truck driver had gone to eat and was not picking his calls.

    When with the help of neigbours the fire had been brought under control, I drove to the fire station. Luckily, the driver had showed up, and I led them to my house. By the time we arrived, the fire had been completely put out but I insisted the firemen should comb the entire building to ensure there were no more flames anywhere.

    Then I asked them to help ascertain the cause of the fire. Their findings was that power surge caused it. I asked the team leader for his phone number which he obliged. But on dialling it, I observed the Truecaller gave a different name. I asked him if he was not the original owner of the phone.

    He said he was. I then pointed out that his name tag was different from the one on the phone. He said for security reasons, firemen do not wear their true name tags. I asked him if those worn by the rest of his men were fake, he confirmed they were. Until today, I cannot fathom why this was so. My only explanation is that this is Nigeria.

    In the Apartheid days, I published an article on the struggles in South Africa. Then a number of persons told me that the then President of one of the student unions was complaining that I plagiarised his piece.

    Apart from the fact that I wrote the entire article, I had never read anything he had written. When I ran into him, I challenged him to show me where he had published the piece he claimed I had plagiarised.

    He replied that he wanted to write a similar article but decided not to after reading mine as I seemed to have read his thoughts hence his complaint that I had plagiarised, at least his thoughts. I concluded he was either mentally unbalanced or had been trying to show off without thinking that this could filter into my ears. The fellow is now an international pastor, winning souls.

    A few years ago, I stopped at a popular bookshop in Lagos. A book of essays on the origins and spread of a particular religion written by academics attracted my attention. I flipped through the voluminous book and noted some articles I would love to read. In particular, there was an essay on a nationalist I had written on some dozen years before.

    When I returned to Abuja, I quickly began to read this particular essay. It seemed strangely familiar. It then dawned on me that I was reading my essay! The new ‘author’ had merely rearranged some of the paragraphs and passed it off as his own work. I had been plagiarised a few times, but not on this scale and by a man introduced as a well versed and widely published academic.

    The editor of the book, a professor, is an old friend I had attended university with. I called him to complain and directed him where he can get a copy of my plagiarised essay. He sighed. It was not just about the reputation of his new book. On this, he said he could yank off my plagiarised essay and print a new edition. His fear is about the plagiarist, a retired professor.

    He said if I persisted on pressing the case, the man’s reputation would be ruined and he is not sure, he would survive for long. I thought about it and decided to drop the case. Yes, I am wedded to the truth and against fraud in any sense, but was I ready to smash the reputation of the retired academic and possibly send him to an early grave?

    There is a serving governor who is sworn to upholding the constitution which is categorical on who is a Nigerian citizen. But this governor argues that there is a nationality in the continent who are “global citizens” and, therefore, have the right to live in any African country especially Nigeria without naturalising.

    To him, this group is above the Nigerian constitution and are automatically Nigerian citizens once they set foot on our soil. Is there any elected official in the world who can display so much disdain for the constitution? I suspect not; this is uniquely Nigerian.

    The late General Sani Abacha is the most infamous ‘lootocrat’ in Nigerian history. He looted enough not just for himself, but also for his next four generations. Some European countries have been returning what has become known as the ‘Abacha Loot’ for two decades now.

    Yet some elected officials who on behalf of Nigeria, are receiving the returned loot, swear that Abacha never stole. True, only in Nigeria do you find experienced prostitutes who are virgins.

  • Sachet water to cost N20 in Nasarawa – producers

    Sachet water to cost N20 in Nasarawa – producers

    The Nasarawa Chapter of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) has said it will soon start selling a sachet of water for N20 due to the cost of production.

    Usman Diggi, Chairman of ATWAP in Keffi-Mararaba, made the disclosure on Saturday in Karu Local Government Area (LGA) at the end of a two-day workshop organised for their members in the area.

    He said that because of the high cost of production materials, it was no longer feasible for them to continue to sell sachet water at the cost of N10.

    The chairman attributed the reason for the proliferation of substandard table water in the state to high cost of production materials.

    Diggi described as unfortunate the attitude of some members who have reduced the quality of their products due to the cost of production.

    “It is better to increase the price of pure water and maintain the quality than to produce substandard products given its health implications.

    Diggi, however, appealed to the government to do something urgently to reduce the prices of the materials so that sachet water would still be sold for N10 in the interest of the common people who were already going through a lot.

    “The cost of nylon per kilogramme used to be N450 but at the moment it has gone up to N1,200, which is over 100 per cent increase and yet a bag of table water is sold for between N60 and N70.

    “We are running at a loss, that is why some of our members are cutting corners to enable them to run the business,” he said.

    Diggi added that the association was doing its best to discourage the practice while appealing to government to come to their aid.

    He said a lot of their members have closed their factories due to high taxes, double taxation and high cost of materials in the market.

    Diggi assured the public that the association, in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), would ensure the production of quality table water.

    Also speaking, Mr. Dadi Nantim Mullak, State Coordinator of NAFDAC, appealed to consumers to inform the agency of any illegal table water production in their area.

    The NAFDAC coordinator said the agency has been going round to ensure that producers abide by safety standards.

    He said they were also partnering with traditional rulers to ensure that only quality table water is produced and sold in the state.

  • Ronaldo ‘drink water’ push wipes $4B off Coca Cola’s market value

    Ronaldo ‘drink water’ push wipes $4B off Coca Cola’s market value

    Juventus ace Cristiano Ronaldo wiped $4 billion off Coca Cola’s market value after rejecting bottles of the soft drink at Portugal’s pre-match presser on Monday.

    Ronaldo removed the two bottles out of camera shot as he sat down for his Euros media conference before holding up his bottle of water and declaring ‘drink water’.

    The Sun reports Coca-Cola’s share price promptly dropped from $56.10 (£39.80) to $55.22 (£39.19).

    At one point during the day 1.6 per cent of the company’s value had been wiped off – although there was a late recovery, with the price back up to $55.44 (£39.38) at closing.

    Ronaldo, 36, has a famously strict diet and avoids sugary foods, eating clean up to six times a day to maintain his incredible physique while he ages.

    While still at Real Madrid, the club doctor said he had the body of a player ten years younger and could continue playing at the top level into his 40s.

    Ronaldo scored twice for Portugal in last night’s victory over Hungary in Budapest.

  • TNGLifestyle: 10 health benefits of water you shouldn’t ignore

    TNGLifestyle: 10 health benefits of water you shouldn’t ignore

    To function properly, all the cells and organs of the body need water. Keeping hydrated is crucial for health and well-being, but many people do not drink enough fluids each day.

    In no particular order, TheNewsGuru takes a look at 10 health benefits of drinking water.

     

     

    1. It lubricates the joints

    Cartilage, found in joints and the disks of the spine, contains around 80 percent water. Long-term dehydration can reduce the joints’ shock-absorbing ability, leading to joint pain.

    1. It forms saliva and mucus

    Saliva helps us digest our food and keeps the mouth, nose, and eyes moist. This prevents friction and damage. Drinking water also keeps the mouth clean. Consumed instead of sweetened beverages, it can also reduce tooth decay.

    1. It delivers oxygen throughout the body

    Blood is more than 90 percent water, and blood carries oxygen to different parts of the body.

    1. It boosts skin health and beauty

    With dehydration, the skin can become more vulnerable to skin disorders and premature wrinkling.

    1. It cushions the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues

    Dehydration can affect brain structure and function. It is also involved in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Prolonged dehydration can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning.

    1. It regulates body temperature

    Water that is stored in the middle layers of the skin comes to the skin’s surface as sweat when the body heats up. As it evaporates, it cools the body. In sport.

    Some scientists have suggested that when there is too little water in the body, heat storage increases and the individual is less able to tolerate heat strain.

    Having a lot of water in the body may reduce physical strain if heat stress occurs during exercise. However, more research is needed into these effects.

    7, The digestive system depends on it

    The bowel needs water to work properly. Dehydration can lead to digestive problems, constipation, and an overly acidic stomach. This increases the risk of heartburn and stomach ulcers.

    1. It flushes body waste

    Water is needed in the processes of sweating and removal of urine and faeces.

     

     

    1. It helps maintain blood pressure

    A lack of water can cause blood to become thicker, increasing blood pressure.

     

     

    10. It prevents kidney damage

    The kidneys regulate fluid in the body. Insufficient water can lead to kidney stones and other problems.

  • Pure water and rising hardship in the land – Dakuku Peterside

    Pure water and rising hardship in the land – Dakuku Peterside

    By Dakuku Peterside

    The sachet water, commonly known as ‘Pure Water’ all over Nigeria, is the most popular source of drinking water in most cities and villages. Last week, reports emerged that the price of a sachet of water has jumped from N10 to N20. The doubling of the cost of sachet water is very symbolic. Over the years, as inflation made the mess of the value of the Naira and the spending power of Nigerians, the sachet water had held firm.

     

    As the saying goes, ‘water is life’. Biologically, water is essential to the human body. Every one of our cells, organs, and tissues use water to help with temperature regulation, keep hydrated, and maintain bodily functions. Besides, water acts as a lubricant and cushions our joints. Drinking water is excellent for your overall health. And it is not a luxury but primarily a need. The desire for water is not like a craving for sweets, chewing gums or alcohol. It is as essential as eating food and it is also vital while eating food.Scientifically, 60% of the human body is made up of water. While the brain and heart are 73%water, the lungs are about 83% water.

     

    These may explain why the price of water has been relatively inelastic. The cost of sachet water held firm while other goods caved to inflation, perhaps because of the catastrophic consequences of this critical item becoming unaffordable to most Nigerians. Now the price of ‘Pure Water’ has finally doubled. This issue is a severe problem for the Nigerian masses and symptomatic of Nigeria’s economic crisis. It is no longer a point of argument that hardship has overtaken the land .

     

    According to official statistics, Nigerian inflation hit a four-year peak in February as food prices jumped to more than 20 per cent, putting enormous financial pressure on households already faced with biting unemployment, weaning purchasing power and a stagnant economy at a time of mounting insecurity.

     

    Inflation in Nigeria has remained in the double digit category since 2016 but seems to have gone berserk since February 2020, probably, driven by the impact of a coronavirus epidemic that has also induced a drop in the price of oil, Nigeria’s main export, and weakened the Naira.

    According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), food prices, which make up the bulk of the inflation basket, rose to 21.79 per cent in February 2021, a jump of 1.22 percentage pointsfrom January 2021. The recent inflation rate was the highest since the 17.78 per cent rate in February 2017.

    Further analysis of the recent NBS report makes for dire reading. It states that consumption expenditure of Nigerian households fell in full-year 2020, while that of the government increased during the same period. Disposable income declined in Q4 of 2020. At the time consumption expenditure dwindled among Nigerians, that of government rose by 61.58% in 2020 . A puzzle that is not difficult to explain given the increased debt profile of the country.

     

    Additionally, the report states that on a month-on-month basis, the core sub-index increased by 1.21% in February 2021. This report was down by 0.05% when compared with 1.26% recorded in January 2021. The highest increases were in prices of passenger transport by air, medical services, miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling, hospital services, and passenger transport by road. It also includes pharmaceutical products, paramedical services, repair of furniture, vehicle spare parts, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, motor cars, dental services and Hairdressing salons, and personal grooming establishment.

    Neither urban areas nor rural areas are exempt from negative inflation. The urban inflation rate increased to 17.92% (year-on- year) in February 2021 from 17.03% recorded in January 2021. The rural inflation rate rose to 16.77% in February 2021 from 15.92% in January 2021.

     

    The Covid-19 Pandemic, spiralling unemployment, shrinking fiscal space, burgeoning external debt (currently estimated at $32 billion), exchange rate volatility, and acute insecurity challenges experienced in the country contribute to the worsening inflationary trend in the country. Nigeria is yet to come out of the impact of last year’s lockdown and severe restrictions owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, which virtually paralysed the economy. Neither has it exited from the severe worldwide economic global implications of a debilitating, once-in-a-lifetime scourge.

    Insecurity has taken a toll on agricultural activities, with grave implication on food inflation driving the other indices. The unending Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and herder-farmer crisis have displaced millions of farmers from their farmlands, making it difficult for them to produce adequate food. The states ravaged by insurgency and banditry have witnessed an ugly situation whereby the displaced farmers now mostly live permanently in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps threatening Nigeria food security.

     

    Most of the North Central geopolitical region states, regarded as the country’s food basket, are currently engulfed in farmer-herder crises and reprisals as well as banditry. From Benue to Plateau to Taraba, Niger and the Kogi States, farmers have abandoned their farmlands out of fear of being kidnapped, maimed, or killed by bandits, herders or other armed criminal elements that have infested the area. Additionally, some unscrupulous elements procure food and stock to create artificial scarcity to increase the prices.

    The deplorable state of our roads and multiple tariffs imposed on trucks that convey foodstuffs add to food insecurity, fuel inflation. Bad roads lead to frequent breakdowns of vehicles, constant replacement of vehicle parts and repairs. The transporters naturally shift these costs to the consumers, thereby making the prices of foodstuffs go over the roof.

     

    The alarming inflationary rate in Nigeria is mainly a consequence of the depreciation of the Naira and the concomitant increase in the price of the imported good. Other reasons may include a rapid rise in net import, expansion of public expenditure, rapid growth in money supply and expansionary fiscal policy. There is also the problem of the frequent budgetary deficit.

    The Nigerian economy is currently witnessing a decline in the value of money. This results in the ambiguous losses and gains of lenders and borrowers and sellers, and buyers. Furthermore, increasing uncertainty owing to spiralling inflation does not encourage savings and investments, leading to economic decline due to low investment. All said and done , rising inflation is a challenge of economic thinking that requires bold measures to tackle.

     

    As prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities increase, the long-suffering Nigerian masses are pushed further into the dungeons of poverty and misery, and the gap between the rich and the poor continues to increase. Pensioners and other fixed- income earners are badly affected as the purchasing powers of the Naira are drastically weakened.

    These economic pressures have reached alarming rates and require bold emergency actions. Nigerians are going through so much stress and strain with no end in sight. People are angry against society, and some are confused and perplexed. Their anger is unchanneled, unfocussed and has reached an explosive point. One can boldly posit that the killings and violence in Nigeria are expressions of the level of anger and frustration people have.

    Violence and anger are now statements to attract attention and satisfy the desire to be heard. Little wonder, non-state actors are popping out everywhere and challenging Nigeria’s sovereignty. Poverty has been weaponised, and ‘stomach infrastructure’ is almost becoming the primary reason for government expenditure as most states in Nigeria spend over 85% of their revenue on recurrent expenditure.

    Managers of our economy need to take urgent steps to arrest the alarming inflationary trends and ease the burden on hundreds of millions of Nigerian masses suffering from the current economic malaise. If the tension burst into the streets at the level of pure water consumers we are in real trouble and democracy will be under threat .

    The government should block income leakages due to corruption, mismanagement, wastages, and inefficiency in public expenditure while deploying strategic policies to enhance disposable income of Nigerians .

    The Central Bank of Nigeria should urgently come up with creative policies to tackle inflation. Control of money supply, policies to increase the competitiveness and efficiency of the economy, putting downward pressure on long-term costs (supply-side policies) and fiscal policies like higher income tax rates could reduce spending, demand, and inflationary pressures.

     

    On the part of Nigerians, from our leaders to the masses, this unique period calls for greater patriotism and sacrifice. It is time to appreciate the depths of our problems, and there should be a realisation that the country currently titters at the brink of disintegration. With rising insecurity, ethnic tensions and tribal clashes, and anomie that permeates Nigeria, further unpatriotic acts may be the unfortunate spark that ignites the flame that may finally consume Nigeria as a corporate entity. The current generation of Nigerians should ensure that we are not the ones that sang ‘Nunc Dimittis’ on a once-great country.

    The challenge for leaders is how to protect the masses from worsening inflation and attendant drop in living standards. The leaders should demonstrate accountability, integrity, empathy, and passion demanded by these challenging times. On their part, the masses should eschew all acts capable of worsening an already bad situation. They should strive to be responsible citizens and should not engage in acts capable of sabotaging government efforts to get the country out of the woods.

    There is no doubt that poverty bestrides our land. Many people are genuinely suffering. We have returned to the times of hyperinflations, low standard of living, and economic dilemma. Everyone wants solutions to the hydra-headed financial and economic problems. But it is not easy. We have no choice but to come up with solutions before it is too late. A stitch in time saves nine.

     

     

  • Another massive water shortage to hit Abuja residents

    Another massive water shortage to hit Abuja residents

    …as water board notifies residents of impending shortage

    After a two-week water shortage in Abuja that was restored barely a week ago, Abuja residents are expected to go through another three-day massive water shortage.

    During the two weeks shortage a Jerry can of 25litres sold for N250 and some Abuja residents had to fetch water from streams to survive.

    TheNewaGuru.com (TNG) reports the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Water Board in a letter to residents pleaded for understanding as it’s carrying out major repairs in one of its trunk lines.

    Read statement below:

    FCT Water Board wishes to inform the general public that its team of engineers will carry out urgent maintenance of its main trunk line that conveys water to Kubwa, Airport, Gwagwalada and their environs.

    The maintenance work is scheduled to take place from the early hours of Saturday morning the 10th of April and completed on Monday morning the 12th of April, 2021.

    Consequently, there will be disruption of water supply to the residents of Kubwa Airport, Gwagwalada and environs from the evening of Friday 9th April , 2021.

    In view if this development, the general public especially our esteemed customers, are advised to store and manage water ahead of the maintenance work to avoid any inconvenience.

    The FCT Water Board wish to assure the general public that normal Water Supply will be restored on Monday evening the 12th of April, 2021.

    The Board regrets any inconveniences that might be experienced within the period.

  • How regular water intake can help fight depression

    How regular water intake can help fight depression

    A General Physician, Dr Peter Atangwho, on Sunday, said drinking enough water everyday was one of the ways to avoid depression.

    Atangwho, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of TeleMed Online Clinic, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Awka, that not drinking enough water would result in dehydration, a condition that could affect or damage the human brain.

    He described dehydration as the loss of body fluid due to illness, sweating or inadequate water intake, explaining that not drinking enough water can make the brain cells suffer enough to produce symptoms of low mood.

    “Dehydration stresses your body and slows down energy production in your brain. Dehydration also decreases the brain’s production of Serotonin, a chemical that affects the mood. All these work together to make you depressed, if you do not drink enough water.

    “So, one way to avoid being depressed is to drink enough water every day, “he said.

    Atangwho highlighted hot weather, excessive activity, low water intake, excessive sweating and some drugs like Furosemide, as some of the factors that could make the body get dehydrated.

    He said that dehydration was dangerous as it could also damage body organs such as the kidney, the skin and even the heart.

    “For people with no kidney problems, drinking three litres of water a day is fine.

    “If you have a kidney problem or any other health issue that may warrant a reduction in the amount of water you should drink daily, please, consult your doctor.

    “The amount of drinking water needed to maintain good health varies and depends on your physical activity level, age, health-related issues, and environmental conditions.

    “Drink enough water to stay hydrated. Drink at least three litres of water a day, if you are generally healthy, to keep your organs healthy too,” he said.

  • 10 essential health benefits of drinking enough water

    10 essential health benefits of drinking enough water

    As with most things, the amount of water each person needs is very individual, but if your pee isn’t a light yellow color, you might not be getting enough H2O.

    How much water is enough? Always listen to what your body needs. Since 20% of total fluid intake comes from food, here’s the 80% we need from fluids (1 cup = 8 ounces):

    • Women: 9 cups
    • Men: 12.5 cups
    • Pregnant women: 10 cups
    • Breastfeeding women: 13 cups

    If you don’t care much for the taste of water, then you can add a squirt of lemon, a squeeze of lime, a few sprigs of fresh mint or a cucumber or orange slice. You can even be so bold as to add a few berries or watermelon. What ever gets you to drink it up.

    Speaking of benefits, the reasons to hydrate are numerous, but below are 10 of them. Cheers to your good health!

    Top 10 Benefits of Drinking Water: Hydration for Health

    1. Body Water Balance

    Homeostasis of water content in the body is dependent on water gains and losses. Normal daily water losses occur through breathing, sweating, and urination. These losses are also a natural detox method to flush out toxins. Finally, through this delicate body water balance (which requires adequate, daily hydration), the body is able to maintain and optimize temperature control (i.e., thermoregulation).

    2. Immune System Function

    Getting enough water may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of immunity. It should. Higher water losses can occur when we are sick (e.g., diarrhea) fighting a bug, so pay close attention to fluids when you’re under the weather.

    Hydration is involved in lubrication of mucous membrane barriers in our mouth and nose (our first defense against most pathogens), lymphatic draining, clearance of cellular waste, and transporting nutrients (I see you, vitamin D), antibodies, and much more. And 2020 research indicates that less-than-optimal hydration may even be a risk factor for COVID-19 severity and death.

    3. Weight Loss

    H20 = zero calories. So, there’s that. Also, drinking more water, swapping out calorie-laden beverages with water, and drinking water before a meal are all good strategies, and the research says they can achieve weight loss. Water intake has also been shown to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation, especially in situations of obesity.

    4. Kidney Love

    Higher fluid intake reduces the risk of getting kidney stones and also helps them recur less if you’ve had them already. And although more research is needed, some studies indicate that higher fluid intake is effective in preventing urinary tract infections (UTI).

    5. Skin Hydration

    The most economical anti-aging strategy there is, water intake is linked to better skin hydration and less dryness, both key factors in beautiful, youthful-looking skin.

    6. Digestive Regularity

    There’s a reason it’s called a “bowel movement,” because the bowels should be moving. For some people, that’s not always the case. Inadequate water intake is associated with greater constipation, so hydration might be an easy answer to digestive woes.

    7. Help With Headaches

    Not getting enough fluids is thought to contribute to headache etiology. In a clinical trial where patients with headaches drank more water (1.5 liters more, which equals 6.3 cups), they experienced improvements in their symptoms.

    8. Physical Performance

    Inadequate water intake and repletion of losses during exercise (through sweating, for example) will mean worse performance. Failure to hydrate (and repletion of electrolytes is key here, too) can translate into less blood flow to muscles, reduced cardiac output, less endurance, and more fatigue.

    9. Mood and Brain Function

    Research demonstrates that dehydration has a negative brain impact, specifically on our mood, cognitive alertness, and fatigue.

    10. Eye Health

    Our eyes have a high water content, and dehydration is associated with eye conditions like dry eye, cataracts, and retinal vascular disease. If that’s not motivation to drink up, I don’t know what is.

    Bottom Line, Drink Up!

    Water is a critical, daily lifestyle choice that supports the health and function of every cell in our body. In addition to the 10 health benefits above, water is also involved in the metabolism of the foods we consume, the transport of various compounds across cellular membranes, the balance of many different cellular activities, and circulatory functions.

    We are literally made up of water. Being mindful and intentional about hydration is one of the easiest strategies to improve your health and well-being. The good news is water is free. Even if you choose bottled/filtered water, it’s still cheaper than that high sugar and fat-filled latte!