ADDING A WEAVE TO YOUR NATURAL HAIR

A woman’s hair is often seen as a symbol of her beauty and personality.  For decades, women have been using hair extensions (weaves) to enhance the natural beauty and uniqueness of their hair.  Hair weaves have always enjoyed popularity among women of colour.  In recent years, as more stars and celebrities begin to experiment with new hairstyles, hair weaves have become omnipresent. Like hair colouring, a hair weave is a relatively easy and non-invasive way to change your appearance.  However, if you are considering adding a weave to your natural hair, it will be very important to explore your options and understand the different effects that certain hairstyles can have on your natural looks.  In a braided weave, your natural hair is braided along your scalp in tiny horizontal cornrows. 

These braids are done in the middle of your scalp and should not be noticeable. The top area of the hair, known as the crown, will cover the highest braid, making it invisible.  Next, the hair you have chosen is sewn onto the braids with heavy weaving thread and your own hair is combed over the extensions so that they blend in.  The number of braid rows will be determined by the amount of hair you want to add and how your stylist thinks the weave will best simulate your own hair.  A braided weave usually lasts about two months and if cared for properly can actually stimulate hair growth assuming it is not too heavy and pulls your natural hair.  Another advantage is the absence of any chemical or heating process, which can cause damage to the natural hair. It is, however, important to care for this type of weave meticulously. 

If the braids are too tight, or if the extensions are too heavy, there is a high risk of pulling out one’s own hair.  You must also be careful to keep the areas around the braids from drying out and becoming brittle.  It is advisable to apply oil to the areas of the scalp around the braids to prevent breakage and premature balding Bottom Line
although hair extensions are a great way to enhance naturally beautiful hair, they can also cause hair and scalp damage.  In addition, many women do not realize that while length can be beautiful, having long heavy extensions also puts additional pressure on the scalp.  This pressure can pull hair out, and may cause long-term damage in the form of thinning and pre-mature balding.  Therefore, if you are trying to grow your hair long, you might want to think seriously of the potential hindrances hair extensions could pose to your longhair quest. However, if you simply wish to have a new look for a few months and are prepared to possibly lose some of your natural hair along with the extensions, a hair weave can be a great solution. If you are a woman of colour, you will agree with me that weaves provide a way for you to experiment with new styles and current hair trends in a unique way. 

It is important to visit a professional before you have extensions applied.  Weaves provide new looks which are usually easily cared for, but you must be aware that these procedures have a limited life cycle. It is important to take care of your hair during this time, and to do proper upkeep while you experiment with your new look.

Symptoms of oral cancer you should never ignore.

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer is the situation whereby a tumour develops on the surface of the tongue, mouth, lips or gums. People with mouth cancer are more likely to die than those having cervical or melanoma skin cancer, however, their death can be prevented if the cancer is diagnosed at it early stage.

Most causes of oral cancer are linked to cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use and the use of tobacco. Alcohol increases the risk of mouth cancer and if an individual is fond of taking both alcohol and tobacco together, their chances of getting mouth cancer is greater. Over exposure to sunlight can also increase the risk of cancer of the lips. It most often occurs in people over the age of 40.

It is very important to know the warning signs of oral cancer. Detecting the symptoms early can help save your life from the excruciating pains and even the expenses. The signs or symptoms could be something that you could have notice but ignored it thinking that it's a minor issue. They are;

1. Swelling or thickness along gum lines, lips and flesh on your checks. The swelling can be so noticeable that foul smell can be coming out from your mouth.

2. Abnormal lumps or bumps anywhere in the oral cavity.

3. Any rough patches containing crust or eroded skin on your lips, flesh and cheeks.

4. Persistent cancer sores.

5. Difficulty chewing, speaking, swallowing or moving your jaw.

6. Chronic sore throat or hoarseness.

7. Pains in one ear without hearing loss.

8. Numbness, pains, or tenderness anywhere in your mouth, including your tongue.

9. A feeling that something is caught in the throat.

10. Dramatic weight loss.

11. Loss teeth with no apparent dental cause.      

Be aware of what is going on in your mouth and always examine yourself regularly, if you notice any unusual red or white patches, lumps in your neck or jaw area, or persistent hoarseness, these are reasons enough for you to ask the dental team  to examine you.

There is probably nothing seriously wrong with you, but an early diagnosis can save your life.

To ensure that your mouth stays healthy, quite smoking and as a common saying says “Smokers are liable to die young”. If you don’t want to die young, then quit smoking  as it is the best decision you will never regret making. You can also cut down your alcoholic intake, eat balanced diet  and healthy food with at least fruits and vegetables a day.

Facts your Nails Can Tell You about Your Health

Your nails are holding a lot of secret and can be an indicator of something you and your diet are lacking. Clair Rose head of cosmetics says that just like your skin and hair, your nails are also at the mercy of your diet and lifestyle. Just as your body has a way of letting you know when something is wrong, your nails too are no exception. Their shape, texture, colour, and overall condition can give you a clue on what is happening with your health.

We often spend too much time trimming, shaping, and painting our nails or have someone do it for us, but we probably don’t spend much time looking at them bare, which mean that we are missing spots, stripes and odd colours that is indicating that something is wrong with our body.

Checking your fingernails for the following abnormalities can help you spot early warning signs, so, why not wipe off that nail polish on your nails and take a glance for the following signs.

Pale Nails- Peeling nails can indicate that your body is unable to absorb minerals properly. It can be that you are not chewing your food properly or you have a low amount of stomach acid, meaning your food is not digesting properly. It may also mean that you have anaemia which is characterized by a low red blood cell count. More seriously, pale nails could also be a sign of early diabetes or liver disease, both of which can lead to impaired blood flow. When you notice this sign, try and avoid processed foods with refined sugars and eat more of fibre, vegetables, whole grains and beans.

Yellowing Nails- As the name implies, your nails will have a subtle or dramatic yellow tinge. It could be a number of things, such as, nails fungus, or stains from smoking. On a lighter note, your affection for dark nail polish or wearing nail polish too often can also be blame. Try to give your nails a few days without nail polish and always use a clear base coat to avoid staining the nails. If the problem doesn’t improve see your doctor.

Brittle, Thin or Lifted Nails- Breaking a nail can be normal, but if your nails seems to crack or break at the slightest touch, it could be down to your thyroid or liver. Too little thyroid hormone often leads to hair loss and brittle nails that grow extremely slow. When this happen, give your nails time to breathe, and if you are a frequent washer, be sure to replenish the moisture in your hands with a rich nail conditioner. If that doesn’t help, visit a dermatologist.

Dark Lines- Dark brown or black lines on the nails should never be ignored. These can be a hallmark sign of melanoma, which requires early detection and treatment. If this dark line is notice, leave your nails bare periodically so you can examine them.

If your nails have grooves- which is also known as pitting of the nail bed, small dots or cracks in your nails can be a sign of psoriasis, an inflammatory disease that leads to scaly or red patches all over the body, or trauma to the nail bed.

If your Nails have White Spots or Lines- these can indicate that your daily intake of sugar is too high. If you see white marks on your nails, try to update your fibre, vegetable and whole grain intake and also give them some time to grow out and fade. But if they are not going away, see your dermatologist.

Why talking to your baby is very important

Do you know, talking to your baby from a day old is very important? Every word you say builds your child’s brain. During the first year and a half of life, children spend most of their time with their parents. Interactions between parents and children provide the main opportunities for small children to learn about the world around them. But just how important is it to talk to babies before they even understand what you are saying? Does the number of words said to a child during the first three years of life really matter to the development of language skills? Your baby's first year will be a flurry of changes - and not just diapers. From the first smiles, gurgles, and coos to learning to say "mama" or "dada," babies love to communicate with their own form of baby talk. And they hope you will "baby talk" right back.

All through this first year, you can do a lot to encourage your baby's communication skills. And it's easy. All you need do is smile, talk, sing, and read to your baby. Why focus on communicating with your baby? Because early speech and language skills are associated with success in developing reading, writing, and interpersonal skills, both later in childhood and later in life. Read on and find out whys to talk to your baby :

Smile and Pay Attention

Long before they can speak clearly, babies understand the general meaning of what you are saying. They also absorb emotional tone. Encourage baby's early attempts to communicate with you with loving attention. Smile often at your baby, especially when he or she is cooing, gurgling, or otherwise vocalizing with baby talk. Look at your baby as he or she babbles and laughs, rather than looking away, interrupting, or talking with someone else. Be patient as you try to decode your infant's baby talk and nonverbal communication, like facial expressions, gurgling, or babbling sounds that could signal either frustration or joy. Make time to give your baby lots of loving attention, so he or she can "speak" to you with his or her baby talk, even when you are busy with other tasks.

Imitate Your Baby

Right from the start, baby talk should be a two-way thing. By imitating your baby, you will send an important message: what he or she is feeling and trying to communicate matters to you. Have back-and-forth conversations in baby talk to teach your baby the give-and-take of adult conversation. Imitate baby's talk- "ba-ba" or "goo-goo" - then wait for him or her to make another sound, and repeat that back. Do your best to respond, even when you don't understand what your baby is trying to say. Reinforce communication by smiling and mirroring facial expressions. Because gestures are a way babies try to communicate, imitate your baby's gestures, as well. This will make them feel loved and happy too.

Talk Often to Your Baby

Babies love to hear you talk, especially to them, and especially in a warm, happy voice. Babies learn to speak by imitating the sounds they hear around them. So the more you talk to your baby, the faster he or she will acquire speech and language skills. Many adults use a special tone of voice when talking baby talk -- a high-pitched voice with exaggerated expression. Engage your baby's listening skills by talking often to him or her throughout the day, narrating your activities together. Talk as you are feeding, dressing, carrying, and bathing your baby, so he or she begins to associate these sounds of language with everyday objects and activities. Repeat simple words like "mama" and "bottle" often and clearly so your baby begins to hear familiar words and associate them with their meaning.

How Babies Learn to Talk

Parents often wonder where their child's speech ability is on the learning curve. The timeline for each child varies greatly: Some babies can say a few words at 12 months, but others don't talk until they're 18 months old -- and then spout short sentences.

At 1 to 3 months: Babies already love to hear the sound of your voice and may smile, laugh, get quiet, or get excited and wave their arms when on seeing you or when you talk or sing to them. Your baby talk usually starts with cooing and making a bubbling sound, with some vowel sounds, like "ooh," appearing at around two months. It's not too early to start reading to your baby. Being read to helps stimulate the developing brain. Many babies are soothed by music, and begin to recognize simple songs by reacting with smiles, waving arms and legs.

At 4 to 7 months: Babies now realize that their baby talk has an impact on their parents. They make more noise and watch for their parents' reaction. Babies experiment with more sounds and intonations. They begin to raise and lower the pitch of their voices as they babble, just as adults do when asking a question or adding emphasis. As you introduce your baby to simple, short words like "cup" and "ball," hold up the object to show that it's related to your speech. Read colorful picture books to your baby. Point to the pictures, and name simple objects to reinforce his early development speech and model the importance of language and reading. Practice using short words and then pausing. This will allow your baby to respond with his or her own baby talk and encourage the give-and-take interaction that's needed for adult conversation.

At 8 to 12 months: It's a unique joy for parents to hear their baby say "mama" or "dada" for the first time. But the first few times may actually be accidental. Baby talk at this age is still primarily a hit-or-miss playing with sounds like "ga-ga", “da-da," and "ba-ba”. Smile, face your baby, and continue to repeat simple words clearly throughout the day. This will help your baby's growing brain to store the sounds and meanings of words for everyday objects. At this age, babies love one-on-one interaction with you. They also love games and songs with language, like "like ba ba black sheep” or if you are happy and you know clap your hands”.

See Your Baby's Doctor If...

During the first year, baby should respond to your baby talk by cooing, gurgling, and beginning to babble back. He should respond to "no", to his or her own name, and to simple requests like "come here".

So while normal language development has wide variation, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your child's growth. Have your baby's speech evaluated at each well-baby check-up, and talk with your baby's doctor if you're concerned about delayed speech or a hearing problem. And remember: Your baby loves to hear your voice, so don't be embarrassed by your own "silly" baby talk.

Ugly truth about your toothbrush

As you reach for your toothbrush every day, you may not realise what’s hanging out on its bristles.  A lot of germs that cannot be seen with the naked eyes will be smiling at you. They will be saying “yes put me in your mouth and brush your teeth”. Most people don’t give much thought to their toothbrushes – and if they do, they assume that, because it is used to clean the teeth and mouth every day it is also clean.  Wrong! Toothbrushes can actually harbour some germs that pose as a danger to your mouth and teeth. Toothbrushes can become contaminated with oral microbial organisms whenever they are placed in the mouth. Not to mention toothbrushes don’t have to be sold in sterile packaging, so they may have bacteria right out of the box. Viruses and bacteria from an infected person’s mouth can live for weeks on a toothbrush surface. They have an ugly truth that most people know about it but don’t adhere to it.  They are as follows:

Bacteria and Plaque

The human mouth is and always has been a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria. The problem can begin, however, when an imbalance happens between the beneficial and harmful bacteria in the mouth. This imbalance can lead to the formation of plaque and eventually to gum disease.

Does Brushing Make the Problem Worse?

So, bacteria in the mouth are a fact of life, but as long as a certain balance is kept, generally there is no problem. However, sometimes brushing can actually cause problems because it can push the bacteria beneath the skin in your mouth, where it can foment serious infections. They can lead to recurring illnesses if your immune system is low or somehow compromised.

Toothbrushes and Illness

Toothbrush does harbour large concentrations of bacteria. However, they do caution that people think about how their brush is being stored, including how close it is to the toilet. When the toilet it flushed, it can send a spray of water and bacteria into the air, bacteria you do not want near your toothbrush.

Toothbrush Holders

Toothbrush holders, particularly if they are close to the toilet, can harbour whole colonies of bacteria. Oddly enough, even though people rank the toothbrush holder as a place that it likely to harbour germs, it often gets overlooked when the bathroom is getting cleaned. It is important, though, to clean and disinfect the holder regularly to prevent this problem.

How to keep a germ free toothbrush

Toothbrushes are a lot dirtier than many people believe. However, following a few important safety tips can keep them healthier and safer for you and your mouth!

Toothbrushes and Germ Reduction

Now that it has been established that toothbrushes are bacteria magnets, what is there to be done? Rinse the toothbrush after use, dry it, store it in an upright position and, don’t use toothbrush covers, since they, too, can become harbours for germs.

Toothbrush Sanitizers

There are several products currently on the market that will sanitize a toothbrush. However, while some of these products have been shown to actually be effective at cleaning bacteria, there remains no evidence to show that keeping the toothbrush sanitized will prevent you from becoming ill.

Keep It Clean

You may not give much thought to cleaning your toothbrush, since you are wetting it every day to brush your teeth. However, it’s important–and easy– to do. Give your toothbrush a thorough rinse with tap water to remove debris. If you are ill or have or immune disorder, you may want to soak it in antibacterial mouthwash or run it through the dishwasher. There are many types of toothbrush sanitizers on the market. Just go and get it, you don’t have to break the bank to buy it.

Store it properly

After use, don’t pop that wet toothbrush back into your medicine cabinet, drawer, or bathroom cup and forget about it. Store it upright, in a rack or cup, where it can dry out. Look for a cover that lets air circulate and prevents mold, but isn’t completely sealed. The lack of air can foster bacteria.

When to Call It Quits

How long should you keep a toothbrush to prevent the bacteria from building up? Here are a few useful tips: Know when to let go. Replace your toothbrush about every 3 to 4 months, or when it shows sign of wear. Frayed bristled will not clean the teeth and gums adequately. Toss toothbrushes after illness. Throw away a brush you or anyone in your home used while sick. Yes, that means all toothbrushes.

No Sharing

Tempted to lend a toothbrush to a family member? Don’t! Toothbrush sharing can transfer saliva and bacteria — even the kind that causes tooth decay. Tooth decay is considered an infectious disease.

JOKES

Nigeria Government

Nigeria government recently announced to pay men with five (5) children one million naira monthly salary. A man heard the news and said to his wife, Eunice! I have a kid with my girl friend. I am going to bring him home so we can add him to our four children to make them five.

When he came back, he saw only one of his kids at home and asked the wife  where are his other children. His wife replied, “You are not the only one that heard the news. Their fathers had come for them too”.

Pay Attention

A teacher came to the class and shouted, “you must pay attention to what I am about to say”. A boy in the class started crying. When confronted he said, “Aunty, I have paid my school fees, where will my parent get money to pay for attention ma”?

Husband Vs Wife

Wife: Since we married, we don’t go out, we don’t eat at the restaurant. You don’t give me money for my hair, you are not romantic anymore. You don’t say I am beautiful anymore.

Husband: “gives out a long laugh……….” Darling, have you ever seen a politician campaigning after winning the election?

Men please be very careful during your campaign and try to be real.

ANGEL

A five-year-old girl asked her mother: ''Mummy shebi all angels use to fly?''

Her mother said. ''Yes, they do, and why do you ask?''

The girl said: Yesterday when you went to the saloon to make your hair, Daddy called our housemaid ANGEL. Mummy will she fly?

Mummy replied, ''Yes! She will fly to village tomorrow and she will never return.''

The pathetic state of roads in Nigeria

Road accident in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Why? It is because road accident constitutes a menace in our modern day. The deplorable state of roads in Nigeria has certainly become a national shame and an unnecessary embarrassment as there is hardly any part of the country that can boast of motorable roads. The problem of bad roads in the country has become an embarrassing stigma. In many parts of this country, normal interaction has been frustrated by bad roads. Vehicle owners are in distress as their vehicles are not used optimally. Moreover, the very many potholes and detours mean that vehicles keep breaking down so that on many of Nigeria's roads emergency mechanics have sprung up to assist stranded commuters sometimes with disastrous consequences. People are hurting that despite the fact that they pay road taxes to the Federal Government little is being done to repair it. The state of the roads has become worrisome that many lives are being lost on a daily basis. There are some factors that constitute the problems that we are facing concerning our roads which have turned it to be a killing field. They can be outlined are as follows:   

1. Armed robbers: they are a constant threat particularly at night and some can even attack during the day time.  It is common for thieves, rapists and other miscreants to wait comfortably because one would hardly see security personnel patronising some isolated roads and late in the night close to the bad side of the roads where all vehicles virtually come to a halt. Commuters are in trouble whether in the city of Lagos or Abuja or highways as bad roads make it impossible to plan a journey or predict arrival time. Commercial activity is suffering as goods and services are now in short supply leading to price increases in practically all consumer items. Transporters are lamenting the loss of revenue. They can only operate skeletal services during the day and cannot operate at night because of the menace of armed robbers.

2. Roads not big enough: Another problem besetting Nigerian roads is that they are not designed for expansion. As the volume of traffic increases, road construction should be seen to be keeping pace accordingly. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway, for instance, can do with further expansion. Corporate organisations should also assist in managing and contribute toward roads expansion  as part of their social responsibilities

3. Decaying infrastructure: The lack of maintenance of roads in Nigeria has become a public issue as Nigerians are daily lamenting this failure of leadership. Good roads are a basic component of good governance. Nigerians are routinely being put at risk everyday as a result of the failure of the state to provide adequate amenities for its citizens. All the authorities involved in road construction and maintenance should buckle up and do something to remove this blot on Nigeria’s image.

4. Over speeding: Nigerian economy is no doubt a road-driven economy, and so, 80 to 85% of commercial activities in Nigeria, are done via road transportation, because lots of people cannot curb with the expenses of going by air. It is no doubt that drivers over speed without caring less about their lives or even their passengers all in the name of they want to get to their destinations on time. But what are the government and the road safety doing to enforce a road speed limit? We need a fast solution. More and more people are dying daily along our national highways, tankers and trucks are all driving beyond their speed limits, every car plying on the highways are on the excessive speed, We should  do something before we keep losing  the lives of our valuable citizens. 

5. Reckless drivers: Some drivers, not just those driving commercial vehicles but also personal car owners throw caution to the wind once they are on the highway. They seem to forget the fact that this life is just one. When an accident occur, some end up death, some come out without a scratch and others end up having a life threatening injury that might even leave them bedridden for life. When you enter a vehicle and the driver is not ready to limit the way he or she is over speeding, simply tell him or her to stop and come down because your loved ones at home are waiting for you.

6. Another area of unhealthy development to watch is the fact that road projects in Nigeria are about the most costly in the whole world. Road construction contracts are excessively inflated and yet the quality of roads often delivered fall far below global standards. The meaning of this trend is that Nigeria spends more on road construction and maintenance and gets no value for it.

But all this is happening in a country where there are several agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Works responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads. Every state and local government is charged with the responsibility of construction and maintenance of roads.  Although the government had built train stations to salvage the situation but more stations should be built since train   is safer than travelling by road. Statistics of such deaths are frightening indeed. In 2009, for example, the nation lost 7,000 people to road accidents, 969 of them were children. The figures dropped slightly to 5,279 in 2010. In 2012, 11 persons were killed each day through accidents on the roads, according to statistics from the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC. More than 20,000 people sustained various degrees of injuries, some of the injuries bad enough to render the victims invalid for the rest of their lives, from about 6, 269 cases of road accidents recorded that year by the FRSC. Goods worth billions of Naira perish frequently through accidents. Roads like Lagos-Ibadan-Shagamu expressway, Abuja-Lokoja, Nyanya-Mararaba, Maiduguri-Monguno-Marte-Dikwa, Makurdi-Otukpo and Benin-Ore-Shagamu roads are in the worst state of maintenance.

It is a pity and quite painful that out of 193 countries in the world Nigeria is rated second highest in road accidents. Trillions of Naira are been spent to repair the roads and yet we have nothing to show for it. Monies that are meant for the maintenance of road are spent on election campaigns and some politicians have even diverted it for their own personal use. They buy expensive cars; build houses both at home and abroad, going for vacation abroad with their families and so on.  Although, road accidents happen in both developed and developing countries but it is more in developing countries, most especially in Nigeria. For instance, in April 2016, not less than 142 people died in motor accident in just 15 days.

More so, according to Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) public education officer in 2013, between December 19, 2012 and January 15, 2013, Nigeria had over 480 traffic crashes and about 1600 people were injured and not less than 280 people died from these crashes.

Nevertheless, it is worthy to note that high rate of road accident in Nigeria is not acceptable because it is fast depleting human capital base. To further justify this assertion, below are the 13 notable road accidents in 2016.

1. On January 21, 18 people were killed in a fatal road accident that occurred in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo state. The accident involved a trailer, a car and a 14 seater Toyota Hiace bus. The trailer rammed into a Volkswagen car and the bus after its brake failed, killing 12 of the passengers in the bus.

2. On February 8, no fewer than 30 passengers died in the Adeosun area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after a trailer conveying over 50 people from Kaduna state tumbled down the road. Others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash, while two rams were killed.

3. On February 10, 10 people have been confirmed dead in a road accident which occurred at the Four Square Camp, Ajebo Area of Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun state, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Six others were critically injured. The accident was caused by dangerous driving by the driver of a Mazda bus who rammed into an Iveco truck at a road division along the expressway.

4. On March 6, the honourable minister of state for labour and employment, Barrister James Ocholi, his wife and son died in road accident. The crash occurred at Kilometre 57, along Kaduna-Abuja highway. The car had a burst tyre before somersaulting, leaving its occupants dead.

5. On March 6, 18 people were burnt to death in a fatal motor accident at Buzaye Village along Bauchi-Jos road. The accident occurred in the late hours of Sunday. Two vehicles involved caught fire, burning all the 18 passengers as there was no rescue team on hand to free them.

6. On March 7, the deputy governor of Yobe state, Abubakar Ali was involved in an auto accident along the Kaduna- Kano expressway. The SUV he was travelling in had a head-on collision with a Toyota Avensis vehicle.

7. On March 8, a senior rank officer, who was chief of training and operation in the Nigeria Army, Major General Yushau Mahmood Abubakar, was involved in a road accident. The former commander of Operation Lafiye Dole died in the crash which occurred along Maiduguri-Damaturu. Another senior rank officer, the acting general officer commanding 3rd division in Nigeria Army, Brigadier General MSA Aliyu, was also involved in the accident.

8. On April 1, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) confirmed that Nigeria recorded 98 road crashes and 77 deaths nationwide during the Easter holidays.

9. On April 24, six members of the Ekiti state branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), including their driver, died in a fatal motor accident along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. They were on their way to Sokoto state to attend 56th Annual General Meeting of the NMA. The rear tyre of the vehicle burst while the driver was speeding which set the vehicle on a ghastly somersault, killing the six medical doctors and the driver while others occupants were seriously injured.

10. On May 3, some secondary school students were involved in a fatal accident along Lagos-Ibadan Express way. The students, who were conveyed in a vehicle belonging to Government Girls Secondary School, (Dala) Bulukiya, Kano state were said to be on their way from Lagos state back to Kano where they had gone to represent their school in a national quiz competition. Scores lost their lives while others were injured following the tragic incident.

11. In May, Major General Gabriel Kpamber, a serving general in the Nigerian Army was crushed to death in a fatal road accident at Uchi in Tarka local government area of Benue state. He was said to be returning from a burial he attended in his Ushongo village when he met his untimely death.

12. The convoy of Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state was involved in a fatal accident at Mikang, in Mikang local government area of the state on June 3. The accident claimed the lives of two security aides of the governor.

13. On June 19, an accident occurred at the busy Lagos -Ibadan expressway killing no fewer than 19 persons. The accident involved a truck, a fuel tanker and a commercial bus. It occurred at the Fidiwo-Ajebo, Ogun state stretch of the popular expressway.

14. On August 5, 17 Maiduguri-bound passengers were killed in an auto crash along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway when an 18-seater bus collided with a fuel tanker. Ngari Modu, a resident of Benisheik, told PREMIUM TIMES that “the bus was going on high speed when it suddenly skid off its lane and ran headlong towards an oncoming fuel tanker which”.

“The tanker ran over the bus which immediately caused the two vehicles to catch fire. Seventeen out of the 18 persons in the bus burned to death, while only one person managed to come out alive,” he said. Among them was a corp member serving in Gombe State that lost her life.

Nonetheless, in Nigeria today, hardly will you see a day that is free from road accident. In other words, a day hardly goes by without the occurrence of a road accident in Nigeria. Some of these road accidents that get to media stations are announced publicly, but majority of them goes unreported.  In view of the foregoing, majority of the accident that happen on our roads are not part of statistics given because they are not reported to the authority. You can then imagine the high rate of accidents in the country beyond the given statistics. In view of this it can be rightly said that deplorable conditions of some of the Nigeria roads are not responsible for the high rate of accident in Nigeria. However, to a very large extent, high rate of road accidents in Nigeria are due to the carelessness and negligence of the road users. This should serve as a call to the Federal Government, the Federal Road Safety Corps and also to the road users. May the souls of the departed Rest in Peace.

Always keep these five things Near the Stove

Becoming a better cook is all about fine-tuning your habits, whether it's kicking old, unhelpful habits or forming new, better ones. One big thing that falls into the latter category is what you store near the stove. If you don't already keep these five things easily accessible from the stove at all times, now is the time to start!

1. Salt Can

This kitchen staple should never be far from the main cooking action, so you can easily reach over and grab a pinch when needed. Still keeping your salt far from your stove? Pour it into a small bowl or container instead. This is not only more convenient; it can also help you become a better cook. The real aim of adding salt to a dish while cooking, is not to make the dish salty, but rather to make it tasty, as well as bring out the other flavours in the food. This trick of science will not work when you make your salt difficult to reach while cooking.

2. Cooking Oil

This should be your most regularly-used, which for many is probably olive oil. Keep it next to the stove in a bottle or a small plate well covered and don't worry about storing olive oil close to a heat source. You're likely using it so frequently it won't have a chance to spoil.

3. Wooden Spoons

Is there any tool more indispensable in the kitchen than wooden spoons? We use them for almost everything, so they have to be easily accessible. Store them in a utensil crock on the countertop next to the stove. As we all know, wooden spoons are used for virtually all kinds of cooking, they are as important as the stove itself.

4. Pot Holders

Whatever you use to grab hot pans, a glove, a bar towel, just make sure it's always handy. You don't want to have to rummage through a cupboard when it's time to take something out of the oven, or lift a hot lid. It is advisable to always put a pot holder close to your stove in case of emergency. Lest you drop a hot pot on your legs, it is said “prevention is better than cure”.

5. Fire Extinguisher

Do you have a fire extinguisher? If not, it's time to get one in case you have a kitchen on fire.  But don't keep it in the sitting room or just in your car. You should have one in the kitchen, the sitting room as well as another one in your car. Make sure it's very easily accessible from your stove so you don't waste any time when there is an emergency in your kitchen. Do not take these five things for granted; always make sure they are easily accessible during cooking.

Kajuru Castle: Say hello to paradise

Located at about 45 kilometres from Kaduna on the Southern Kachia road is the Local Government of Kajuru. Right there in the local government it’s a Castle that was built by a German. Contrary to speculations, the Kajuru Castle located in Kaduna is not an ancient monument. Interestingly, it was built in 1978 by a controversial German expatriate who lived in Kaduna at the time. This breathtaking architectural master-piece is a tourist wonder of sorts. The style is very European and clearly German with a baronial hall, complete with suits of amour. Who could have imagined seeing such a magnificent sight in Nigeria and in Kaduna to be precise? Who would have thought that something like this exists in this side of the world? At first when you sight this beautiful building you will think your eyes are deceiving you, but guess what? They are not.

This exclusive villa includes a guest tower of 4 rooms, looking like dungeons and several towers with crenulated walls. A central building with an authentic knight’s hall and a master suite (landlord’s residence) as well as a dragon tower can also be found there. Beware; there are also, the crocodiles in a pit protecting the huge castle like gates! The views of the surrounding mountains and fascinating Inselbergs are simply enthralling and terrific and obviously why it was built there. The castle is made up of a magnificent large stainless steel swimming pool that makes the hot days more pleasant. The BBQ spot beside the pool offers a wide range of grilling, baking, roasting and barbecuing opportunities. There is also a well equipped kitchen (it is self-catering for those who can gain entry). It is Private Property, and entry to this place is not so easy. You will need to have permission from a German lady (some say a dragon) who looks after the place. 

Pictures cannot do justice to this magnificent building until you visit it and see for it. This place can serve as a honeymoon spot for newlyweds and even serve as a place for you to go and relax with your family and friends. Do spend a lot going abroad, because right here in your country and in Kaduna State is a sight to behold.

Be modest with a beautiful veil

Scarves and veils of different colours, shapes, materials and designs have come a long way in the world. They are used for religious purpose but it has become a fashionable piece for many fashion trend setters. Not every woman wants to show off her curves, or her body in skimpy clothes. Covering yourself with a beautiful veil add more glamourous look to your ensemble. It is more common to see a northern woman always having a veil.

 Do you want one? Get one for yourself, so that when next you are going for an occasion or a Hausa wedding you will rock it. Make sure the veil is of the same colour with your outfit. Or at least let the veil match one of the colours to your outfit. You can stay both active and covered, without losing your sense of style. Make sure you get a bright colour and also the one that will make you look beautiful.