DD
MM
YYYY

PAGES

DD
MM
YYYY

spot_img

PAGES

Home Blog Page 6594

Ojabanjo-Lawal on Nigerian Mothers Not Monsters, Government and Men Should Listen to Their Plights

0

Various reports and many experts have indicated and still showing and explaning the level of mental health in Nigeria. One of the experts recently hinted that six out of 10 women are suffering from mental illnesses while four out of 10 men also suffer from the same illnesses in the country. This has also explained why Nigerians and other nationals have had significant interest in understanding mental health along with women (45.30%) than men (26.07%) in the last five years, while the problem in the perinatal period has largely been viewed as tied to sociomoral concerns over gender roles and women’s position within the household.

From the south to the west and east to the north of the country, people, especially men usually view women in depressed condition as aggressive instead of being seen as non-aggressive and address their interpersonal problems. In a recent study, women in Oyo state identified husband’s lack of care, family problems, “spiritual attack”, having a female child when a male child was desired, and not resting sufficiently after childbirth as the main causes of their depressed condition.

With the continuation of the condition and stigmatization, Mrs. Adeola Ojabnajo-Lawal, the founder, Stablemums, believes that urgent actions need to be taken by the concerned stakeholders, most importantly men. Beyond identifying and dissecting issues being experienced by women, “will not help us as a people, but joining the people to work will help move faster,” she said in a recent interview. This has been the reason her organisation is having the first conference on women with a focus on mental health.

Mrs Adeola Ojabanjo-Lawal

At the conference, which will hold at the Pabokede Kids Club, Bodija in Ibadan on November 21st, 2019, speakers are expected to walk women through strategies and tactics would help them (women) managing mental health issues without compromising their expected roles in the family. Mrs. Ojabanjo-Lawal speaks further on the conference and other sundry issues. Excerpt:

You recently established an NGO that caters for women’s needs and issues in Nigeria. What have been the successes and challenges?

Our great success is that in our little way, we have been able to let women know what Maternal mental health challenges can be. We have spoken to women in some groups and some have been able to speak on their experiences as a mum. We have about 5 personal stories published on our blog. Since we started, we have delivered 2 lectures on 2 different women fora. We have had one Twitter conversation with positive responses. We also have over 100 social media posts on our various platforms (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). We have also had 1 Television interview. Our major challenge is that we have not been fully registered as a result of fund, but that is not stopping us. Others include that some women still don’t want to be identified with mental health issues such as postpartum depression. Women are not yet willing to accept their stories for fear of ruining relationships.

Apart from having your organisation in Ibadan, which parts of the country have equally benefited from the organization’s strategic intents?

Like I stated that we have had one Twitter conversation, I can say, people from different countries of the world have benefited. Because one of our speakers was a Nigerian man who resides in the US. Also, our major platforms are the social media, so we believe we have reached out to people across the globe.

You are planning a national conference for the women. Can you take us through the preparation and the kind of support you have been receiving from the public and government?

Our Conference has gotten support from friends and family. My husband has been a great support on this. Then Patricia Abokede of Pabokede Kiddies centre gave us her place to use for free. We have volunteers ready for the event. We have reached out to some people for support, we are hoping we get a positive response to support us. There is nothing elaborate about the conference, because we are talking mental health, so we don’t have to also get depressed because we want to help women. That will be defeating the purpose. The speakers are also not getting a dime for coming. As per the government, nothing yet because we are yet to be fully registered. We hope to get assistance, when we perfect all that needs to be perfected. We just can’t let registration stop us.

What informed the theme of the conference?

The theme was inspired by a lot of things. At a time, we thought it should be a Speak up conference but then we gave it time. So, after reading and going through a series of stories we have published and the stories of other women across the globe, the theme dropped “Mums not Monsters. I have heard how some women talked about how they loved their children, but because they were overwhelmed by some feelings they can explain, they thought taking their own life as well as that of the family is protecting them. Is it weird? That is how terrible, a mental breakdown can get.

What is the link between the theme and sustainable development goals linked with the women by the global leaders?

The link between the theme and SDGs links for women by global leaders till hinges on Health for all. Especially, maternal health. Maternal health is incomplete without mental health. A mother’s functioning is largely dependent on her mental health. Right now, the world is talking about safe delivery for mothers, it doesn’t end there, the mental health of the woman after delivery is also important. The mother needs to be mentally healthy before we can talk about exclusively breastfeeding a baby.

What are your expectations after the conference?

My expectations after the conference is that we have more women talking about their mental health and seeking help. Also, that mental health is a public health issue and should be treated as one. We want to see more women knowing that they are not alone. It is not just a woman thing, because studies have revealed that 1 in 5 women have post-partum depression. There is so much work to be done, we just move little by little.

 

Shell Nigeria Goes Innoson Motors, Chevron Nigeria Selling Some Oil Fields

0

Yesterday, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) signed a partnership deal with Shell Nigeria Gas Ltd, according to a statement signed by the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Cornel Osigwe.

The partnership means that Shell will henceforth use Innoson Vehicles for official and operational purposes. The development has given a boost to the drive to patronize local contents. Innoson has been looking for such partnershipS to expand its market base and has assured of its readiness to meet the supply demand.

In a brief address, the Founder and Chairman of Innoson Group, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, said IVM, being the first wholly indigenous and leading vehicle manufacturing company in Nigeria, has established themselves as leaders in major markets across Nigeria and West Africa, due to its high safety standards, dynamic and exhilarating performance, ruggedness, durability, absolute reliability and affordable prices.

“Today in Africa, we are witnessing a revolution in car manufacturing led by Innoson, to produce the best vehicles that meet international and Standard Organization of Nigeria’s standards,” he said.

The Shell Nigeria Gas MD, ED Ubong, said that Shell has over the years been passionately showing a patronage example to others when it comes to local content. He said that the efforts of Shell in promoting locally made goods and services has not gone unnoticed: Recalling that this year, Shell won the International Oil Company with the most impactful Local Content Initiatives in the upstream category at the 2019 edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) held in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenogoa, in April.

Ubong promised that Shell will do more than patronize Innoson, that it will help the company to get better by pointing out areas of improvement.

The contract purchase agreement by the two companies has been commended as precedential encouragement to other corporate organizations in Nigeria, to patronize local contents.

Chevron is Selling Its Oil Fields in Nigeria

Chevron is seeking to sell many of its oil fields in Nigeria as the company is trying to focus on its U.S. shale output, banking and industry, Reuters reports.

Nigerian oil field has witnessed reduction in activities by oil giants like ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell, who have decided to cut their presence in Nigeria to the barest minimum.

Chevron is the third largest oil producer in Nigeria. However, it is believed that the turn of events in the oil industry, especially in the Niger Delta region has pushed the California-based company to look for buyers for quite a number of its on the onshore and shallow offshore fields.

In 2018, Chevron Nigeria was producing 194, 000 barrels of crude oil per day, 233 million cubic feet of natural gas per day and 6, 000 barrels of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) per day.

Currently, Chevron’s subsidiary in Nigeria operates and holds 40% stake in 8 blocks in the onshore and near-onshore regions of the Niger Delta under the partnership of the Nigeria’s National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The report said that discussions are being held directly with potential buyers and Chevron is not planning to launch a tender process for the assets at this stage.

However, the recent development has but stirred concern for Nigeria. The security challenges in the Niger Delta region was fingered as the major reason behind the decision of Chevron, Shell and ExxonMobil to sell a number of their oil fields, but experts are suggesting that there could be more.

The dwindling future of oil based energy is a reality that the oil giants cannot deny. Therefore most of the oil companies are trying to reduce the cost of production especially in risk-filled places like the Niger Delta.

Data based economy is growing with threatening speed that oil companies have to brace up for the impact. And that means, cutting cost and saving up for whatever alternative there may have to stay in business.

It is believed that the development is a sign that Nigeria needs to diversify its economy and find practical alternative to her oil based economy.

The Fighting Spirit of Tiger Woods

0

The 27th of October was not a regular day in the world of Professional Golfers Association (PGA), it was a historic one. Holding the golf club and hitting the last stroke that got the entire PGA world excited was Tiger Woods. Renowned Champion whose good tie with clubs is shown by the way he fills the holes with less strokes.

Although he wasn’t new to the glory of reaching the holes in the quickest time, on Sunday, he equaled 32 years historic record of Sam Snead, and there is hope of surpassing it. Late Golfer, Sam Snead held the PGA record of 82 all-time wins, a historic feat he attained at the age of 52, in 1987.

But Woods cut time some slack, winning at the nick of 43 years old, sparing nine years, maybe, to set his own record.

The ecstasy that followed the 82 all-time wins equalizer isn’t centered on the record only, but where he, Tiger Woods, was coming from to equal it.

Turbulent times that altered the glory that Woods once basked on created a dim hope, a near impossible belief that he would get out of it standing on his feet, muchless being celebrated again.

It was a bone-breaking knock down of a family misfortune, emanating from his own doing that set the uncertainties right into his career paths. Woods had a career flop following his wife’s divorce from him, owing to his own infidelity. In his struggle to emancipate himself from the mental torment and social stigma, he took a long break from the game, though injury was going to beckon despair upon him.

From back to knee to shoulder, he went under the knife and it kept him on the sidelines for a chunk of career time, dimming some hope of record he has set previously. Woods had admitted on Sunday, in Japan, that he began eyeing the all-time victories record when he inched “north of 50 wins” on the career list. But it was after his No. 79 victory, at 2013, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, that things became more interesting.

The mountain of injuries that followed made the hope of chasing Sam Snead’s record, a mere dream. And then there was a five years drought after the injuries, compounding the woes. It was until 2018 that fortune beamed its smile on him once again, and there’s a recipe for victory to be tasted after the hunger. He said:

“I went through some rough patches with my back and didn’t play for a number of years, so that record seemed like it was out of reach.

“Having had my fourth back procedure and being able to come back and play at a decently high level again, it put the number back in the conversation once again. Lo and behold, here we are tied with Snead.”

A few years ago, many would have laughed at the suggestion that Woods would be making the above statement. But the tide turned and fortune beckoned the sweet wind, not even his fourth surgery could stop him.

He started the week with three consecutive bogeys and appeared headed to what would understandably amount to a rehab start following nine weeks of competitive inactivity. His final 69 holes received touches of his inward resilience – opening a two stroke lead with back-to-back rounds of 64, enduring a grueling 29-hole Sunday to set up Monday’s spirit.

The charisma that glued millions of eyeballs to the TV screen whenever Tiger’s playing has been rekindled, and his mates can’t help but applaud the prodigy.

Gary Woodland, who was grouped with Woods for the final two rounds saw the history from a professional viewpoint and has this to say:

“The ball striking exhibition I’ve seen the last two days is a joke. I don’t see him stopping anytime soon. 82 is pretty special, I think there’s a lot more in store.”

Others didn’t reserve their excitement: As players took their positions around the TV in the clubhouse to watch the finish, one of them, Joel Dahmen, who couldn’t leave because he wanted to witness the history said.

“How many times are you going to get a chance to see this? Never, right.”

The correct answer should be “a little time” because it will take just one more win for Woods to set his own record. Meanwhile, the club wielding arms in cage have found its way to freedom, and once again, the Tiger roars in the Woods.

Understanding Why Women Talk The Way They Do

1

Men say women talk too much. Well, they are right. Even women tell men that are quarrelsome that they “talk like women” (go figure). But women don’t ‘talk too much’ they only ‘talk differently’. Just hang on, more light will be thrown on this later.

If I’m asked, I’ll say that the way women talk has something to do with the societal influence (you know the ‘talk like a woman’ thing?) and hormonal make-up. If you have noticed, a woman has a cycle that she passes through within each month. In a month, a woman completes this cycle by passing through different stages, which ends where it started. Each stage of this cycle brings a different personality in her because of the different dramas played by her hormones – she has the lamb stage, tigress stage, snake stage and the dove stage (please don’t quote me). So, the stage you meet a woman in determines the type of response and reaction you get from her. Just stating this here because a priest just advised a man to know when to balk if her wife brings up the ‘woman’s madness’ in her. So, don’t blame women when they all of a sudden act ‘somehow’ because it technically isn’t their fault.

Whether it is hormone or society, the major thing is that men and women talk differently. These two different genders have been discovered to relay the same message using different languages or varieties of a language – men use more formal language while women stick to informal tone.

Now, I want to give a brief example of this assertion. If you tell a man and a woman (you are close to) that you like their outfits, their responses will be more like this:

Man: Thank you. (end of discussion)

Woman: Wow! Are you serious? Thank you. You just made my day. Are you sure you are not pulling my legs because you did it the other day? This clothe is cheap o, I just bought yesterday from …… (story continues and may even bring on more unrelated stories).

All these stories by the woman don’t make her vain, brainless or talkative, like most men assert, it’s just the way she was programmed. If you cut her short she will think you are insensitive or something; so just allow her to flow because it’s her way of telling you that she appreciates your kind gesture.

Well, below are the characteristics of women’s speech and writing patterns (like some of you must have noticed in mine – lol).

  1. Embellishments: Women embellish their expressions; they don’t use plain language. They use lots of idioms, innuendos, similes, ‘codes’ and some imaginative details in their speech and writing. For example, where a man will say “walk fast”, a woman will say “walk like you’re in a hurry”, or “don’t walk like a snail” and things like that. The thing is, women don’t talk plainly. Whatever they tell you isn’t the real message because it is just the surface meaning; look deeper and you will understand what they truly mean (sorry I can’t explain further than this).
  2. Use of Adverbs: I read somewhere that people should minimise the use of adverbs in their speeches and writings because it makes them sound unsure. Well, I didn’t blame the writer because he’s a man, and wouldn’t understand why women will say things like “the food was just so, so hot” instead of saying “the food was hot”.
  3. Use of Informal Language: I stated this earlier. Women use more of casual expressions than men. I don’t really know, but I think that’s one of the reasons children are closer to their mothers – they make conversations easier. Women are chatty in their discussions because they make greater use of everyday language in speeches and writings. They are more comfortable with ‘unserious’ languages than their male counterparts. Now you understand why most women don’t like discussing business ideas with men unless the man doesn’t sound too technical.
  4. Verbosity: Women ‘talk too much’ because they use lots of words to explain a simple phenomenon. A man will go straight to the point and hit the nail on the head but a woman will take her time, beat around the bush and employ all the words employable to explain that concept. This quality makes women better teachers and mentors. It also makes them sound more polite.
  5. Endearments: Use of terms of endearment is characteristic of women’s speech. I can’t explain why but it is true. You may notice that even as an adult your mother still calls you ‘nwa m’ (my child), ‘dear’, and other endearing names. If you greet a man he will just answer you back and maybe add a passive “How are you?”; but a woman will embellish the response with endearing terms.
  6. Use of Descriptive Language: Women describe rather than prescribe. In prescription, you go straight to the point to tell the person what to do. But in the description, you employ lots of words to paint images in the mind of your listener or reader so that he will understand what needs to be done. I don’t know if this makes sense.
  7. Request: Men command (or rather, demand) while women request. If you have tasted both male and female bosses, you will understand. This is the reason a male boss will say “you” while a female one uses “we”.
  8. Questions: Yes, women ask lots of questions while talking. It takes other women and men that understand the language of women to know that those aren’t questions, but statements in question forms (you may call it rhetorical questions). So when next a woman asks you if you went for a meeting, don’t just tell her ‘yes’ and wait for more questions. What she’s actually saying is, “tell me what happened at the meeting” or “why you went for the meeting”.
  9. Use of Emotive Language: If you leave a woman to handle the affairs of the world alone, she may cause World War III. This is because she has this innate gift of using words to create strong emotions that can cause people to act (positively or negatively) against their wills. So, when next a woman tells you something that ‘scatters your head’, pardon her, na the way she was programmed o. Mind you, every woman has this quality; that you haven’t seen it in the woman around you is because she has not been given the opportunity to use it. The only problem I see here is that this quality prevents most women, if not all, from seeing things objectively. So I think we women need to work seriously here so we can only use this special gift positively.
  10. Uncertainty: Women always sound uncertain when they talk. They cover this up sometimes by using hanging sentences and expressions like “I don’t know …”, “I think …”, “it could be …” and so many others that expose them for being less dogmatic. Note that this doesn’t mean that you can impose your own opinion on them; this quality only makes them look submissive when they may not really be so. I think this quality is influenced by the society.

So, next time you talk to a woman, give her speech to write, or a business letter to produce, remember why she sounded the way she did. And women, I believe you have gained a little insight into why you just can’t sound like your male colleagues despite how hard you’ve tried.

Choosing The Perfect Lighting For Your House

0

Have you ever visited a friend and fall in love with the lighting in the house?

I could remember when I visited a friend in Port Harcourt, the house is simply a heaven on earth. I could feel the warmth and beauty surrounding his home. The lights outside the building are so well combined that everything contrasts perfectly.

The lighting in the house actually caught my eyes and melted my heart. Indeed, we do not need much to have a beautiful home. The beauty of his home really captivated my heart, so I decided to write about it for anyone who is trying to set up his or her house. 

Lighting within the house is one amongst those things that we do not tend to continuously notice; once it has a decent presence. However, when the lighting is poor and we are attempting to perform a task, we notice it now. Lighting is for ambiance, aesthetics, tasks, and seeing better within the home. Why not think about your home and brainstorm all the lighting qualities you need. Perhaps, you can add more beauty to it, therefore, making it lovely for you to stay and also welcoming for anyone who wants to visit you.

If you have been looking for a way to beautify your new home, perhaps you are planning to move house this December and you don’t have a proper answer yet; here are some tips to think about on a way to select the perfect lighting for you and your family:

  • Determine what your lighting goals are: Ambient or lighting features are employed for ambiance and for the lighting of an area. Once chosen, you’ll begin to settle on lighting choices. Each room in your home should have a mood you want to set, as well as a function you want your lighting to serve. For instance, the reading room should have very bright lighting. The rooms should have both the bright and dim lights. 
  • Give lighting for safety and security on the outside of your home: Most homes in Nigeria do not have lights outside. It makes it easier for intruders to break in. Walkways, sidewalks, the perimeter of your house, and also the front entry ought to be lit with close lighting. Too dim of lighting on the outside may be a welcome sign for intruders. Whereas too bright of exterior lighting is expensive and distressing to neighbors. Take into account putting in floodlights at the outside corners of your home that are motion activated to further deter intruders. 
  • Inside your home, make use of multiple light sources for one space: For rooms like bedrooms and living areas, multiple lighting sources can assist you to attain a range of functions and activities therein house. Within the kitchen, and underneath, counter lights will give nice task lighting. Whereas in a very front room, pick a lamp next to a couch or favorite reading chair. In bathrooms, the lighting at the mirror ought to be free from shadows and obtrusive light. Remember, it is your home. It must look like a heaven on earth. 
  • Research chandeliers wisely for Informal living and dining areas: In areas that a proper chandelier is taken into account, select one which will not make your house outdated. Usually, time’s chandeliers are bought doltishly for the house and the interior decoration that surrounds them. Chandeliers are available in very simple styles that embody candles, tiny bulbs, or a couple of lights to the ornate and expensive crystal varieties. Whichever is your interior decoration selection, decide the house, and ceiling height before ordering, to make sure enough headspace is on the market below the hanging chandelier.

Final Word

Don’t be afraid when selecting lighting for your home, it will facilitate your ambiance and mood within the house. Similar to the color of your rooms, lighting ought to enhance your house and build it, to feel heat and welcoming.

You often heard of the word, ”see Paris and die.”

This simply means everything about Paris is beautiful. When I actually made a research, I realized that the beauty of these lovely state is down to the lighting that surrounds it. No wonder, it is regarded as the most beautiful place in the world.