Winged Spider-Spider with wings was discovered ??

Recently, photos went up with a spider having large wings, granting it the capability to fly. People with arachnophobia were probably the most affected. However, this is another hoax. There is no such thing as the Winged Spider. Its Wikipedia page was deleted after it was found to be false. A similar spider is the Yellow Winged Spider, which does not really have wings at all (just the design on its back), and cannot fly. Arachnids are not insects and thus cannot have wings. If it has wings, then it is an insect. Quote from Wikipedia:

 Monbiot spider is a vegetarian for socio-political motives, spins a sustainable number of low-carbon web and thoughts Gordon Brown can still turn it around by next June.

 Specialists have revealed that as an alternative of eating flies and having an appropriate job like everybody else, the creature organizes community outreach projects and converts floating seeds and vegetable matter into pungent, inedible casseroles.

Some people says it real --there is a type of winged spider, but it can't actually fly, it can only glide for short distances. It's called the Gliding spider, and is a member of the jumping-spider group. They can glide using wing flaps on their abdomen. They are found in the eastern parts of Australia (Queensland, New South Wales).

 

Handling Job Loss - Must Read Tips

When 44-year-old Dele lost his job just three weeks before Christmas, his first reaction was one of panic. He had worked in a construction company for 12 years and assumed that he had a stable job for many more years. Dele was his family’s main breadwinner although his wife worked part-time. They had two children under six and the usual rent and other bills to pay.

Job loss ranks as one of life’s most challenging events and it hurts at any point during the year, but during the season of “good will to all men,” it tends to have a much more devastating effect on people when it happens at such time of the year. Some of the issues involved include adjusting your finances, looking for a new job, and coping with the emotional and social impact of your new situation. But even if you failed to anticipate this sudden change in your circumstances, here are some practical steps to take with a clear positive outlook if such happens.

Don’t panic

When you think about all your bills and the monthly expenses you have to face without a steady income, it is easy to despair. Remain calm and do not rush into any major financial decisions whilst you assess your situation. Even if you are eligible, be cautious about dipping into your retirement savings account.

It would be much easier to deal with both financially and emotionally if you’d prepared for the worst by planning ahead with an emergency fund or insurance. The importance of an emergency fund becomes glaring in situations like this. Do you have any savings? How long will it last based on your monthly bills? If you have been able to set aside say six months of your income in a high yield money market account, you will be able to settle some of your bills and relieve some financial pressure while you look for a new job. But if you have always lived from month to month, this may not be an option.

What do your full entitlements amount to?

If you have no savings and is fortunate enough to receive severance pay or other benefits, use these as a bridge to get over the difficult period. Spend carefully, and do not use all of your entitlements to make large payments as you might have to live off that money for what could be an extended period of time. Don’t let such funds lure you into complacency – actively seek a new job.

Develop a new written budget to cover a period of say six months and longer based on your savings and any expected funds. How much will it cost to maintain your family, your home and lifestyle? Keep your family members fully in the picture so they too can adjust their expectations about what you can afford. Cut back on non-essential expenses. Naturally, your priority will be housing, food and utility bills. You will need to restrain yourself from adding on excessive expenses during the Christmas period.

Try to avoid taking on additional debt except for critically important expenses that cannot be delayed. Whilst more debt can temporarily disguise your true financial situation, it will only make things worse. If you are unable to fulfill your financial obligations, such as your mortgage or car loan, approach your lenders; it may be possible to negotiate new terms to adjust your payments for a limited period of time. It is better to approach them yourself rather than to fall behind with your payments. If you default on your home or vehicle loan, your bank will take steps to re-possess your property.

Stay socially connected

Some people feel embarrassed or inadequate after losing their job. Don’t withdraw and let negative feelings stop you from taking important steps; you need your network now more than ever before. Reach out to family, friends, ex-colleagues and your network and spread the word that you are in the job market. Your CV should be carefully updated and circulated. Use holiday social gatherings for networking where you might hear about new openings and connect with people who can help.

With the sheer number of people looking for jobs, you need to cast your net wide, and not just for the same type of job. Be practical and flexible and don’t be fixated on a specific role or job so you can increase your chances of finding work. Consider temporary or part time work that will generate income and give you the time and flexibility to attend job interviews and actively pursue a more permanent position. This might be a time to upgrade your skills, or go back to school which will all add to your resume. Your hobbies, talents and skills and other interests may be converted to a business as they offer serious possibilities for income.

Apart from the financial issues associated with job loss, there are usually emotional and personal aspects that are too often ignored. Whether yours was the only position that was cut, or an entire unit or department, the feelings caused by being laid off are largely the same regardless of the circumstance. Many people experience a loss of self-esteem, a sense of failure and even depression after retrenchment. But it’s important to take your next steps based on clear rational thought, devoid of emotion.

As difficult as this may sound, consider the loss of a job as an opportunity to re-evaluate your future and, potentially change your career or start a new business. Losing your present employment may well be the impetus, just what you need to take a fresh look at your life and re-define your goals. Often, it is times like this that propel people into greater things. Punch

Three teenagers, charged with killing boy, 17

A 22-year-old man  Afeez Salami, and three other teenagers, Akanbi (15), Salisu (17) and Ishola (17) (other names withheld), have been arraigned before an Ikeja Juvenile Court, Lagos, for alleged murder.

 The police said the four accused persons conspired together and stabbed a 17-year-old boy, Nwosor Osita, to death.

 It was alleged that Osita was accosted by the accused persons at about 10:30pm on October 8 on Safisi Street, Alagbado, Lagos State.

Osita was said to have provoked the accused persons for allegedly putting on a black face cap suspected to be the identity of a cult group – Black Axe.

                                                            READ THE FULL STORY

Why Nigerian family businesses fail

When it looked like his two sons-in-law were going to become redundant and there was a threatening possibility that they would not be able to take good care of his daughters and grandchildren, an American grandfather called the young men, counselled the first to start making soap; the second, he encouraged to start making candles. This timely family discussion has blossomed into the business behemoth now known as Procter & Gamble, with tentacles all over the world, producing more than 300 Fast Moving Consumer Products including detergents, soaps and toothpaste. This business has become so successful that, the soap opera genre, the popular television entertainment, derived its name from the fact that soap maker, Proctor & Gamble, sponsored many of their early episodes. I once read a thriller many years ago, and so may not be very faithful in the recall of the details, but here is how it goes: A Swiss patriarch who had a global vision for his business and for his family, sent one son to Canada, to become a Member of Parliament, and another to London, to become an investment banker. He retained the third one in Switzerland to run the family pharmaceutical company. With determined efforts, the pharmaceutical company became highly successful. While the investment banker dreamt up new businesses, the manager of the cash-cow pharmaceutical business provided the funding, and the Member of Parliament in Canada gave necessary legal and political coverage wherever needed. In the end, they grew a global conglomerate. This is a classic display of vision and ability to work it out. Few Nigerian businessmen have such a vision, and when they do, they lack the know-how or follow-through.

Of a truth, not all Nigerian family businesses fail. There is a highly visible and successful family bank in contemporary Nigeria, whose Managing Director is the son of the founder. The bank decided to be even more successful simply because it was being derisively referred to as a family bank; and the founder rightfully deserves the ‘Sure Banker’ accolade with which his friends and admirers fondly describe him. To be sure, many Nigerian family businesses fail when still being managed by the founders: Some of the reasons for failure at this time may be that the founder’s vision does not go beyond fending for his family, or a simple lack of the knowledge of modern business methods necessary for building enduring businesses. Others have too many financial commitments — like too many wives, too many children, and too many social obligations — upon themselves, and it is usually the financial resources that could have been used to consolidate the company that is used to meet those private, personal commitments. Even there is no difference between the exchequer of the company and that of the founder. Most importantly, many of the business founders do not realise that they must establish a dynasty, or the sense of a dynasty, so that there could be a sense of commitment amongst their descendants, and thus ensure a long life for the business. The children usually become a disparate, un-coordinated mob.

But when the business is successfully passed down to the descendants, many factors work against its existence beyond a few years after the demise of their benefactor. Sometimes, the beneficiaries are not emotionally or technically prepared for the demands of the business; the founder may have failed to expose his children to the business, its method and its contacts. Many times, the business founders fail to build enduring structures for their businesses. So when they die, the children have no straws to hold on to; they start guessing, and with time, the whole thing collapses. But the biggest whammy is that the dead patriarchs usually leave what looks like a zoo of many wives, many children, and other dependents of different ages, spanning many generations, and with varied temperaments, caprices and values. This leads to so much unnecessary distractions and squabbles. The responsibilities of taking care of the younger members of the family who are either in school or learning some trade immediately (and rightly) falls on the resources of the company. Unemployed wives also begin to make demands on the estate. This genuine demands on the estate affects cash flow requirements of the company for future reinvestment or new investments.

Some of the beneficiaries, who have the opportunity to operate the companies, may be dishonest, incompetent or inept, and may therefore run the business aground. Others may divert part of the commonwealth to their private use. Even professional managers, who may be more competent, end up pilfering the sources of the unsuspecting beneficiaries. Sometimes, yet other children fail to appreciate that those who work with the company have a right to a livelihood, good and adequate remuneration for services. Look at the Queen of England, who, as a bona fide member of the Royal Family, is entitled to be queen. The moment she became Queen, only she enjoys the perks and privileges of the office of the Queen of England; while she ensures that other members of the Royal Family get their dues, she will not share her remuneration, unless she wishes to. She works for the money. That is the stuff that dynasties are made of. If you read Jane Austen’s book, ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ you will see how the Old English people solved the problem of inheritance and grew their family businesses into trans-nationals: The first son gets the entire inheritance, the second goes to the military, the third goes into ministry. Anyone after that number is encouraged to be a sailor, or otherwise, just travel the world! The girls? They marry into great wealth.

Because many of the business founders die intestate, leaving no Wills or even directives, about the future direction of the company, you get a series of conflicting and contradicting claims on the estate. While some of the children see the business as an ongoing concern or an asset that could bring future returns, others merely see it as an inventory of items to be disposed of for immediate gratifications. Where some of the children that are more astute with the protocols, observances and methods of the modern business environment begin to discuss in usually more arcane and complex terminologies, the others would think that somebody is putting them on.

There used to be a legendary Nigerian business mogul whose name was Henry Fajemirokun. These days, no one hears about his equally legendary Henry Stephens Group which included more than 20 companies in his lifetime. If you visit the previously venerated headquarters of the Group in Lagos, you will observe that the premises has been farmed out to Indian businessmen and others, and the only trace of the Henry Stephens Group is a half-portrait of the ‘Great Fajem’ sitting lonely on the floor, unattended to. But luckily, ‘Fajem’ was wise enough to partner foreign firms like Rank Xerox and Johnson Wax: Those companies have endured because they have structures, and will not succumb to family pressures and intrigues. They operate under best business practices, observances and protocols, unlike a sole-proprietorship enterprise that operates only under the whims of the individual proprietor. The verdict here is that Nigerian family businesses will succeed only if they are driven by a focused long-term vision, with well-established and firmly upheld structures.

Wife of conductor killed by policeman seeks justice

Kafayat Adeoye, whose bus conductor-husband, Kazeem, was shot dead by a trigger-happy policeman on November 7, 2012, at Tipper Garage, Ketu, Lagos, over N50 change, has called on police authorities to ensure that justice is done.

Kazeem was shot dead by a policeman attached to the Mopol 50, Abuja, Corporal Oluwakiyesi Adegboyega,

Kafayat and her husband had a seven-year-old son.

 PUNCH Metro tracked down Kazeem’s wife on Saturday; at the time of the incident, no one knew the deceased’s family.

Kafayat stated that she was more devastated because her husband was killed by a policeman who is paid to protect members of the public.

While Kazeem was struggling to make end meets in Lagos, his wife and son live in Osogbo, Osun State.

Kafayat said, “My husband has not seen his son in the last three years, not because he did not want to, but because it has been hard for me to bring him to Lagos.

“I was planning to bring my son to see his father soon. Kazeem sent money for his upkeep, asking each time when he would be able to see his son.”

 The son would only have an opportunity to see his father’s corpse on Friday, when his remains will be buried at his hometown in Iragbiji, Osun State.

 Like many innocent people, who had lost their lives as a result of police shootings in the past, the police authorities have neither explained what happened to Kazeem’s family nor apologise.

“I only heard from relations that he was killed by a policeman. Nobody has said anything; police authorities have not sent any message or requested our presence on the matter. My husband must not die in vain, justice must prevail,” Kafayat said.

The only sympathy the conductor’s wife got came from an association, in which her husband was a member – Bus Conductor Association of Nigeria- was N38,000 donation.

National President of BCAN, Mr. Adesola Israel, said Kazeem was a member of the Kosofe branch.

“The killing of Kazeem was barbaric. This association as a law-abiding group is calling on the Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to ensure justice is done. The man who murdered Kazeem who left behind a wife, child and aged parents must not go unpunished,” he said.

Kazeem was shot in the head at close range.

Eyewitnesses had said there was an altercation between Kazeem and Adegboyega, who brought out his service pistol and shot the conductor dead.

The incident led to a riot that was later quelled by policemen. Thinking that the policeman was attached to the Alapere Police Division, bus conductors and commercial bus drivers had attempted to set fire to a nearby police station.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ngozi Braide, said she had no information on Adegboyega asking that she should be given time to find out the level of the investigation carried out.

She had said after the incident in November that Adegboyega was in custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department. But since then, nothing has been heard on the trigger-happy policeman. By punch.

Pastors in politics will liberate Nigeria’

National Vice Chairman (South-South), Action Congress of Nigeria, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on Wednesday, called on clerics and other men of God to participate actively in politics.

Ize-Iyamu, who flayed clerics absence in politics, said their involvement would help to uplift the quality of governance in the country.

Speaking ahead of the conferment of an honourary doctorate degree on him and four other Nigerians by the Benson Idahosa University, the ACN chief said it was erroneous for clerics to shy away from governance.

He said, “For me, the more Christian people come into government, the more chances of Nigeria liberating itself from the darkness that we have seen now. But if we continue to leave politics because we think it is dirty, then we should be ready to continue to remain in the dark.

“The nation’s realistic growth and development must hinge on positive encouragement of decent men to hold public offices. There is an urgent need for improvement and therefore it is expedient that Christians participate actively in decent politics, devoid of corruption, thuggery and other forms of criminality, in order to improve the living standard of the people.” by punch

Man attempts suicide twice over eye problem

Taofeek Muraina never had it good as a child. His adulthood is not even better. This, perhaps, explains why the 40-year-old bricklayer thought it wise to die rather than being put to shame by friends and neighbors.

Twice this year, he has attempted suicide. The first time, PUNCH Metro learnt, was about five months ago, while the second one was on December 5.

On December 5, he had wanted to poison himself when a neighbor arrived on time and raised the alarm.

Muraina has been battling with an acute eye condition since when he was a child. As he grows, his condition worsens, making life unbearable for him.

Explaining reasons for attempting suicide, he said, “Life is unbearable for me. I was born with an eye problem. My wife, Tawa, left me and dumped our 10-year-old son with me. I learnt that she has got married to another man.

“I attempted to commit suicide by poisoning myself while my son and neighbors were not at home but my landlady got home while I was preparing the mixture.

His landlady, Mrs. Aminat Oseni, who said that Muraina had been her tenant for five years, explained that it was the second time that he attempted taking his own life.

Oseni said, “He (Muraina) is a friend to my son, Fatai, who is a welder. My son appealed to me that we should accommodate him when he came begging for accommodation.

“According to him, he was sent packing by his former landlord on the ground that the landlord’s family wanted to make use of the apartment. But he said the landlord only ejected him because of his eye problem.”

Muraina, whose left eyeball gorge from the socket, said, “This is causing acute pain for me. I have been living in pain since I was born. It became worse during the crisis within the National Union of Road Transport Workers three years ago at Moniya. I was hit in my eyes by an object and since then it had been worse.”

His relatives, according to him, came with a promise that they would help him but they never showed up again.

Muraina’s landlady said, “When they saw him they burst out crying. They said that they would take him to the hospital but they could not do so for lack of funds.”

A Mass Communication Student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Yusuf Oseni, said Muraina had not been having any medical attention as a result of poverty, adding, “That is why five months ago he attempted to commit suicide by hanging.

“Having tried all available means to help himself, he decided to take his own life. He has no money to treat himself in the hospital. He is alone with his problem. When he went to the University College Hospital, he was asked to pay N10m.

Muraina, a resident of Gunwin Akingbile, Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State, said the excruciating pains he experienced on a daily basis had made life difficult for him.

He said, “I am a bricklayer and I mould blocks. People in the neighborhood always make jest of me. I take native treatment because I cannot afford the cost of surgery.

“I decided to end it all because I could not afford the cost of surgery and no one wishes to help me. With my condition, I still manage to work to feed myself and my son but people hate me.”  by punch.

Premature Pregnancy Love Making Threat

It's actually safe to have sex during pregnancy. Your man’s penis can't penetrate beyond your vagina, and the baby cannot tell what's going on. It is normal for your sex drive to change during pregnancy, though. Don't worry about this, but do talk about it with your partner

Sexual closeness and sex are safe during pregnancy, all the way to end. It cannot hurt the baby, who is not aware of what you are doing. Having orgasms does not cause you to go into labor or have a miscarriage. Orgasms can sometimes cause uterine contractions, though. In an otherwise-normal pregnancy, this poses no risk. However, if your pregnancy is at high risk for premature labor or delivery, it is not clear if orgasms that cause contractions may pose a risk; you should speak with your health-care provider.

One worry couples might have is that oral sex might bring up bacteria into the vagina.  This is really only a concern if your partner could have an STD.  If you are in a monogamous relationship and there are no risks of getting an STD from your partner, oral sex is really not much different than the exchange of fluids that happen during kissing.

As you move into the third trimester, however, you may find even simple movements—such as getting in and out of bed, bending forward, and even standing, walking, or sitting—to be very awkward and difficult. This physical clumsiness may keep you from enjoying sexual intercourse. On the other hand, increased pelvic congestion may arouse sexual desires, which are limned by orgasm. Your partner may also feel some restraints in enjoyment. He may be uncomfortable feeling the baby moving while he is making love to you. He may also initiate sex less frequently as he assumes a more protective role. Do not misinterpret this as rejection.

Elliot unveils the skeleton in his cupboard

 Gone were the days when number, in terms of the volume of films produced, worked for Nollywood. The reality of growth has dawned on practitioners: you either step up professionalism or simply fall by the roadside.

Part of the ways out of the volume syndrome, the film makers have been advised, is to explore themes that are hitherto considered a no-go area. The fact that Nigerian films also have to compete globally means that they have to enhance the technical outlook of the works. The question is: What is a story if it is not well told? Or what is a film if the cinematography is not right and arresting?

Some of the movies recently produced in the country have been taking care of this. A good number of people have, for instance, applauded Tade Ogidan’s Family on Fire, Kunle Afolayan’s Phone Swap and Kalejaye Paul’s Married But Living Single.  Another film that promises to impress the market is In the Cupboard, produced by popular actor, Desmond Elliot. While approaching the questions of death and inheritance from a fresh perspective, it also takes on the controversial subject of lesbianism.

In the Cupboard is a story that revolves around the lives of six siblings born into the rich, aristocratic De Souza family; a name synonymous with wealth and power. Everything seems perfect in their lives until their father dies unexpectedly and all of them gather from different parts of the world to be with their mother, the elegant matriarch Veronica “Ronnie” DeSouza,  played by Biola Williams. What ensues is a series of events that threatens to shake the family to its very foundations.

In the cast are celebrated figures that include Ini  Edo,  Big Brother Africa winner Uti Nwachukwu, Alex Ekubo and  Ghanaian actress, Lydia Forson. It has received five awards since its release in August – including, Best Original Story, Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actress at the 2012 GIAMA Awards in the US and the Most Promising Actor at the 2012 Best of  Nollywood Awards. By punch

Acid attack: Accused charged with attempted murder, granted bail

David Sulaimon, who allegedly bathed his estranged fiancée, Chika Egbo, with acid in Igando, Lagos State, has been charged with attempted murder.

He was arraigned on two counts of attempted murder and “causing grievous bodily harm” at an Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos a week ago.

The police stated in the charge sheet, a copy of which our correspondent obtained on Thursday, “That you (Sulaimon) on November 5 at Bakare Street, Ikotun, Lagos, bathed Chika Egbo and Sunny Daniel with liquid substance suspected to be acid, to wit; attempted murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 228 (1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos 2011.”

Magistrate O. Olatunji granted him N500, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate stated that the sureties must be blood relations and must present evidence of tax clearance.

The case was adjourned till December 20.

But, Egbo family lawyer, Mr. Nnabuike Edechime, has berated the police for neither informing him nor any member of the victim’s family that Sulaimon was going to be arraigned.

Edechime said, “Why did the policemen who investigated the case at the State Criminal Investigation Department not inform us? I was informed only after the court hearing.

“They could not even give us the copy of the charge sheet. I was directed to get it at the court.”

The lawyer also expressed surprise that Sulaimon was granted bail.

He said he would have tabled his concern before the magistrate if the police had informed him about the date of the arraignment.

Edechime said, “For this kind of charge, the defendant should not be granted bail, at least not on liberal terms.

“The victim (Chika) is still in danger. Right now, she is at the point of death. What if he (the accused) absconds? God forbid, what if the girl dies?”

Our correspondent visited the Burn Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where Chika is receiving treatment, on Thursday but could not see her because she was being prepared for a second round of surgery.

She had undergone a surgery to remove the dead skin on her body last week .

Her father, Matthew, told PUNCH Metro that his only prayer is to see his daughter get better.But he said he was financially handicapped.

He said, “Even transporting myself here and there and eating is becoming very hard right now. But my relations have been really helpful. They are the ones who have been paying for her treatment.

“Chika has not been able to eat solid food. A pipe was passed through her to allow her breathe.”

Our correspondent also learnt that she had been feeding on liquid nutrient through a drip.

Chika, a student of the Enugu State College of Education, was allegedly bathed with acid by, Sulaimon on November 5.

Their relationship reportedly went sour after Chika gave birth to a girl said to be fathered by Sulaimon.

According to Chika’s father, Sulaimon invited her to Lagos from Enugu under the pretext that his mother wanted to see her and he poured the substance on her on their way to his mother’s home.

The okada rider (Daniel) who took both Sulaimon and Chika on his motorcycle before the alleged attack sustained some burns in the process. By Punch

Buhari loses 40-year-old daugther to sickle cell

Zulai, the first daughter of former  Head of State and a former presidential candidate, Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is dead.

She died on  Thursday evening after delivering a baby in Nasara Hospital,Marafa Estate in Kaduna.

Nigerians only got to know the 40-year-old lady after her death.

Zulaiha, who was  born on December 5, 1972, studied at the Department of Economics Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

She left behind Amira, Moh’d and the two-day-old  baby girl.

The former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nasir el-rufai, said, “May the soul of Zulaihatu, the eldest daughter of General Muhammadu Buhari, rest in perfect peace.”

The spokesman for the Congress for Progressive Change, Rotimi Fashakin, described the death as sad. 

By Punch 

Unprotected sex causes cervical cancer

An Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Consultant, Dr. Olaleye Olalekan, has warned women against unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners, saying it causes Human Papilloma Virus, which always leads to cervical cancer..

Speaking at a health awareness seminar on the theme, “Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer,” organised by Lagoon Hospitals in Lagos on Friday, Olaleye said the disease is sexually transmitted and  peculiar to women.

According to him, abnormal menstrual bleeding, bleeding during sexual contact or after menopause remain the symptoms of cervical cancer over the years.

“Human Papilloma Virus, which is responsible for cervical cancer, genital warts and vaginal, vulvar, anal and penile cancers is the most common sexually transmitted disease, infecting about 80 per cent of young women within five years of becoming sexually active. An estimated 630 million women worldwide are infected.

“This virus is spread during sex from contact with the sores, or lesions, that develop around infected cells.

“Often, the virus is killed by the immune system, but in some people HPV can take hold and cause lesions that can turn cancerous years later,” he noted.

Olaleye, however, urged women observing symptoms of HPV to seek medical attention early to avoid complications. He added, “HPV vaccines are always recommended in pre-pubertal girls.

“Also surgery and radiotherapy are other remedies that are suitable for cervical cancer if the victim seeks medical rescue as early as possible.”

Earlier, the Managing Director, Lagoon Hospitals, Ikeja, Dr. Olajide Ojo, stated that the hospital decided to intervene and educate the public on salient health issues due to increasing late presentation of terminal diseases.

Ojo admonished Nigerians to priorities their health and not allow the cost of medi-care  to discourage them from seeking quality care.

“In this country, screening services are readily available and accessible. So, why should our women continue to die of cervical cancer,” he added.

Also speaking on Prostate Cancer, a consultant urologist, Dr. Andrew Mene, said the disease only affect men above 50 years of age but some cases have been recorded in younger men.

Mene noted that though smoking increases the risk of developing the disease, the cause of prostate cancer has not been established.

He noted that prostate cancer is yet to be linked with sexually- transmitted disease. “Most prostate cancer cases are growing slowly. The symptoms include blood in the urine, seizure in urine flow, loss of appetite, weight loss and bone pains.

“Patients with these symptoms must visit medical experts or a hospital on time for either surgery or radiotherapy,” he added. By Punch

Jonathan promises to end Nigeria’s overdependence on oil

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised an end to the nation’s over dependence on oil.

His administration, he said, would do anything possible to diversify the nation’s economy.

Jonathan spoke during a command performance/dinner held at the Presidential Villa in honor of participants of the Abuja National Carnival on Monday.

The President was represented by his deputy, Namadi Sambo, at the event.

As a way of diversifying the economy, Jonathan said the Federal Government would continue to promote sustainable growth in the nation’s tourism and culture sector.

He said the sector was capable of providing economic development, employment opportunities, poverty reduction as well as good returns on investment.

According to him, Nigeria has the potential to be the number one tourist destination in the world.

Acknowledging the support of the private sector for the Abuja national festival, Jonathan promised that government would continue to provide favorable investment climate as well as business incentives to both local and foreign investors in order to boost the economy.

He said, “The laudable dreams that gave birth to the carnival have continued to motivate its annual celebration, anchored on the recognition that there exists a nexus between culture and the economic and technological growth of a nation.

“The Abuja Carnival has proven to be one successful step in directing attention to the untapped huge investment opportunities in Nigeria’s exceptionally rich and diverse cultural and artistic heritage.”

In his remarks, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mr. Denzil Douglas, commended President Jonathan and Nigerians for strengthening socio-cultural ties between his country and Nigeria.

He also thanked the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, for inviting him to participate in this year’s carnival.

Earlier, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mr. Edem Duke, had expressed the hope that the carnival would contribute to the economic growth and transformation of the nation.

The occasion featured special performances by national troupes from Egypt, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and China alongside selected Nigerian troupes.

Selected from punch

40 gunmen attack Abuja police detention facility

                                                    

Forty gunmen suspected to be terrorists in the early hours of Monday stormed  the office of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Abuja, where  suspects  were being held.Two policemen and one of the gunmen were killed in the incident, the first of  its kind  in the Federal Capital Territory which had in the past recorded three bomb blasts.

The blasts were  on  October 1, 2010;  June 16, 2011;  and  August 26, 2011.At least 30 detainees, including  some Boko Haram members,  were said to have escaped during the Monday attack on  the detention facility.

But the police denied that terror suspects were among the escapees. They also said that 25 of the 30 detainees had so far been rearrested.

The attack occurred barely 24 hours after twin car bomb blasts at  the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.

The army authorities had on Friday  declared 19 Boko Haram leaders wanted and offered rewards of between N50m  and N10m for information that could lead to their capture.

A source in the police told one of our correspondents that the surprise attack on the detention facility, located around Abattoir, Garki in  Abuja was carried out around 2am.

It lasted for some minutes during which heavy weapons were allegedly  used by the gunmen. The senior police officer put the number of the attackers at about 40. “The attackers numbering about 40 came from the bush and attempted to overrun the facility but the valiant policemen on duty repelled them.” the source said.

According to him, one of the attackers was killed and two others arrested.

A mobile police officer,  whose name could not be immediately ascertained  and a police Inspector,  Fakat Zaremi,  were killed during the exchange of gunfire.

Emmanuel Domsing, a lawyer, said he was informed early in the morning that his brother, Zaremi,  was killed by the gunmen.

He said, “I was called that my elder brother was killed during the attack, but information is scanty on what actually transpired; the family is waiting for a formal report from the police.”

Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, visited the facility around 1pm on Monday. He  was briefed by the SARS Commander and the Federal Capital Territory  Commissioner of Police, Ade Shinaba.

Abubakar, then ordered a high-powered  panel headed by a Senior Police Officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Some senior military officers were also said to have paid visits to the facility to commiserate with the police on the attack.When one of our correspondents visited the detention facility, security around the complex was tight as armed policemen turned back all visitors.

A photojournalist with Daily Independent, Jide Oyekunle, was arrested and detained  by the police for attempting to take pictures of the SARS office after the invasion by the gunmen.Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba,  in a statement  said   that about 30 suspects had broken out of their cells and attempted to escape  but  that 25 of them were rearrested through “tactical and coordinated efforts.”

He said, “In the early hours of today, November 26, 2012,  gunmen in large number attacked the premises of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad  of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command. 

Policemen on duty responded swiftly and engaged the gunmen in a gunfire that lasted for some minutes, at  the end of which the gunmen were successfully repelled.

 “However, in the confusion that ensued, about 30 suspects in the detention facility of SARS broke out of the cells and attempted to escape.  Tactical and coordinated efforts to re-arrest the fleeing suspects yielded instant result. So far, 25 of the suspects have been rearrested, while five suspects originally held in relation to robbery  are currently at large.

 “Two policemen died during the operation while two of the attackers have been arrested. It needs to be emphasised here that no suspect held for terror- related charges, escaped from SARS detention facilities. No explosives or IED-related materials were used in the botched attack. “Meanwhile, the IG has personally visited the scene of the incident to asess the situation and has ordered water-tight security around all government and Police-related facilities nationwide.”

The police appealed for calm and assured the public of  their  preparedness to protect  lives and properties.

After the attack, security, which had been relaxed in Abuja following a reduction in bombings was hurriedly beefed up.

At the Villa Junction, near  the Federal Secretariat, about 10 soldiers were seen by our correspondent  checking vehicles plying the area.

Also, many of the gates which were previously manned  by non-uniformed security personnel, were guarded by policemen.Policemen guarding the force headquarters were also  on the alert as they thoroughly searched visitors.Security was also beefed up at the airport road, where soldiers searched vehicles.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, last Thursday had said that inter-agency collaboration helped security agencies to foil a terror attack in the country recently.

The COAS, who  visited the  Force Headquarters in Abuja,  said,”Within the last one week, we have recovered nothing less than 30 assorted weapons; we have recovered money  hidden in the engine  compartment of vehicles by these terrorists.“We have recovered both vehicles prepared for bombing and attacks. So I want to tell you that the military and police are very professional.”

Selected from Punch;