Nigeria Banks Brandishing Sticks

Most Nigerian   are furious at their banks for several reasons, risky behavior of bankers who have given unsecured huge loans (small customer’s monies) to the Nation’s fat cats and their businesses which have gone belly up, lack of lending to hard working small and medium scale entrepreneurs, non refund of government bails outs to the banks, huge bonuses to the CEOs and lastly the introduction of stamp duties and other sundry charges on their customers.

PRODUCT RECALLS IN NIGERIA

A recall is an action taken by a government regulating agency like the Consumer Protection Council, (CPC) to protect the public from products such as food, medicines, cosmetics, toys, vehicles over health or safety concerns. Some recalls lead to the banning of these items while others may involve repair or replacement of the item, under the CPC act all consumer products must be safe and meet consumer guarantees.

Companies are mandated to ensure that all products or product related services comply with relevant mandatory standards before they are offered for sale. Consumers have the right to a refund if a product is unsafe, where this right is not complied with the customer has a right to take action against the company.

BIRD FLU RESURGENCE AND POULTRY CONSUMPTION

The recent out breaks of bird flu in some states of the federation creates cause for concern. Plateau and Kano States are said to be hardest hit as a result of the concentration of cluster farms in these states.

Since the resurgence of bird flu last year in 24 States, it is estimated that about 491 farms have been affected and  thousands of birds have been culled in the affected states.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza is a viral disease that is commonly spread among domestic poultry such as chickens, ducks, and geese. In as much as most strains of the disease do not infect humans, certain strains like (H5N1) cause severe infections in humans, majority of these human infections have been associated with direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry.

The country is currently in the grip of the Lassa fever epidemic, and in tackling this menace, avian flu outbreak has taken a back seat. The importance of putting in place effective machinery to forestall the spread of Avian influenza cannot be underestimated.

BENEFITS OF EATING SEEDS:

Chia Seeds: - They are extremely potent and packed full of fiber, protein, and various antioxidants, studies show that Chia seeds stabilize the blood sugar and promote healthy heart function, they also create a sense of fullness when eaten and aid in weight loss. They are also an excellent source of omega 3 oils.
Pumpkin Seeds:- These seeds are high in antioxidants known as carotenoids a  special plant derivative that enhances immune activity and disease fighting capacity, they are a good source of magnesium, which aids in lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Sunflower Seeds:- They are rich in foliate , a very important nutrient for women , they are packed  full of good fats , antioxidant rich vitamin E , selenium, and copper, all crucial for a healthy  heart,  they  promote healthy digestion and increase  fiber intake.
Sesame Seeds:- They are high in calcium, magnesium, zinc, fiber, iron, B1  and phosphorus.  They are unique in their chemical structure, they possess cholesterol   fighting fibers, and studies have shown that they lower blood pressure as well as protect the liver from damage.

Weights and Measurement: The Nigerian Experience

It is difficult to buy goods and services in the traditional markets across the country without worrying that the retailers are not taking advantage of you.

There are no standard measures in the country for selling loose grains, liquids, food items and other articles that are not pre packed.

Across the length and breadth of the country, traders use assorted plastic, aluminum cups and containers as measuring instruments, these are sometimes stuffed at the bottom to shortchange customers, because these measures vary from one place to another, consumers are often defrauded and dishonest practices are often rife in these markets.

The “Modu” is the traditional measuring instrument for measuring cereals, grains, powdery substances, fruits and vegetables whilst  bottles and plastic containers are used in measuring liquids. The size of the modu varies from one market to another, thus creating a condition for unfair business transactions.

 It is unacceptable that Nigeria which is a member of the France based, SI, International system of units still lags behind in terms of application of the metric systems of weights and measures.

Most countries in the world with the exception of the United States of America and 2 others, have adopted the metric system. It is accepted that the status of a country’s measurement system is a good indication of its development level.

GEL MANICURE CONCERNS

In a fast paced world of up and coming mobile women, manicures are no longer a luxury for special occasions but a staple for women of all statas of society. There are thousands of nail studios in beauty shops across the country.

 Gel nail polish is a new trend in the manicure business. It is  the process of applying a gel like nail polish on the nails, which are then placed under ultraviolent light for a few minutes to harden. The finished product looks flawless and lasts sometimes up to 3weeks

. The nails dry quickly and do not smudge like regular manicures, they are chip resistant and have a smooth, glossy professional finish. Some experts have expressed concerns about the safety of gel manicures, the UV light poses concern as it emits harmful rays which increases the risk of developing melanomas and other skin cancers, also skin aging. However some experts in the nail industry have allayed these fears due to the low dosage of the UV light and the short period the nails are exposed to the light.

CALABAR CARNIVAL: - GAIN OR DRAIN

To say the Calabar carnival is the life blood of Cross Rivers State is putting it mildly. I am looking at the Calabar carnival as it is the most successful in the country and has undergone several changes since it’s inception.

The economic downturn in the country has raised calls for diversification of the economy from the Oil and gas sector. The shrinking dollar inflow makes it necessary for the government to shine its spotlight on alternative revenue generation activities.

Tourism is a very easy way to earn foreign exchange and a quick fix in creation of thousands of jobs. It also boosts services ranging from travel, accommodation, catering, local arts and crafts, infrastructure development, increased income for the locals, improved leisure facilities, revival of urban spaces, conservation of local history and cultural heritage.