GIRL CHILD EDUCATION, A NECESSITY

Over time immemorial, the concluding stands in some core areas of Nigeria, particularly the increasing figures of northerners who are majorly Islamically oriented and or other culturally and traditionally conscious terrains of Nigeria, has been that the girl-child mirrors the expected domestic responsibilities of the feminine gender. Hence, the need for their enrolment into schools for an equal education just like the male counterpart, is perceived as a waste of time and resources. The rather pessimistic view is that she-the girl-child, is better of and societally appreciated when thoroughly groomed by their mothers to be domesticated in preparation for the lifetime journey of marriage.

Disappointingly, the girl-child education taken lightly, has made the girl-child a vulnerable piece to societal ills ranging from prostitution, diseases such as HIV/AIDS, STDS, VVF , unwanted pregnancies, unhealthy abortion, negligence to self-care and hygiene, human trafficking, drug use and trafficking and other dangerous, degrading and inhumane treatments. 

The limitations of the girl-child towards academic qualifications or none at all, has given rise to the damaging impression it has placed the victims.  In today's world, women that didn't go to school are regarded by the literate and career conscious men as uncivilized progress cripplers, whom when associated with could lead to a disastrous end; bringing progress to a total halt. This impression can be linked to the shallow mindedness and the lacking attentive considerations of families towards the growth of the girl-child educationally. More so, the fear of power has further placed slow attention to the situation thereby given it a more strengthened outlook simply because the male folks fears "dominance" if the girl-child.

Up until now, females who managed to cling to academic qualifications are still not spared in matrimony. Her ranked earnings above the husband's, opens up rounds of misunderstandings. For the man feels manly reduced of responsibilities as long as that remains. In most places in the Nigeria, the girl-child is tactically tabooed to be above men in almost all angles. She is subjectively confined majorly to wifely duties with only the faintest of opportunity after fighting tooth and nail for at least the degree level in the University or other tertiary institution courtesy of the power of the modern era. With reluctant responsibilities from parents, if that goes well, she is placed on a speed dial for marriage immediately after graduation without a chance for a pursue of career. What then becomes of her qualifications and rights of self-expression?

The above mentioned wouldn't have gained such potency if the girl-child forms part of the priorities of parents and the government. As home builders, mothers, care takers, they possess inborn public relations and management qualities which can be formally strengthened if given the chance to soar higher in equals just like the male folks.

By Maryam Idris.

 

Would you leave your partner because of mouth odor know in Hausa as "Warin baki"?

 

 Have you ever thought about certain things when thinking about picking a partner for yourself? Usually people talk about specific qualities they look out for when picking a partner. Things like he/she must be handsome/beautiful/ have a great sense of humor, dress and smell nicely, and a whole lot.

But have you ever thought of falling in love with someone who has all the following qualities mentioned above but suffers from “Halitosis” also known as mouth odor ? Now when I say mouth odor am not talking about the normal early morning smell you experience before brushing, or the foul smell you perceive once in a while when you eat some certain kind of foods.

Am talking about the real mouth odor (pardon my naughtiness)

So let’s talk intimacy first:  Intimacy between spouses, especially in the modern world, is not complete without the act of whispering some sweet loving words into each other’s ears accompanied by passionate pecks or kisses. But if all of a sudden, one of the partners is afflicted with halitosis (mouth odor) such intimacy maybe strain because people are very sensitive to smell. Some mouth odor can be so bad that the moment the person talks; the whole room will be filled with an awful stench. Will halitosis (mouth odor) make you leave your partner? So I decided to ask some of our frequent readers what their views are on the topic and they have this to say, read on!!!

Aisha Tijani: who is a banker said “definitely I will leave him because mouth odor is a very serious health issue. “I won’t be able to kiss him or even come close to him, especially if the  smell is unbearable. But if he is my husband I will have to endure, and try as much as possible to find a solution to the problem. Marriage is for better and for worse so I have to stick with him and help him get rid of it”.

 Amirah: on the other hand, said; quitting the relationship is a crazy thing to do just because my spouse is having mouth odor. “There are medications out there that can solve the problem and I will make sure that I find the drugs even if it means me spending all my life savings to cure him . Once you love someone with all your heart, you just have to prove it”.

 Victoria: on the other hand, said yes!  she will leave her spouse. “I was in a relationship with someone that has mouth odor and just had to leave”. When asked why she left, Victoria said she just couldn’t stand the smell that was coming out from his mouth. He might feel offended or even think I am insulting him so I just had to call off the relationship.

Lami: Why will I leave my man simply because he is having mouth odor? I will try as much as possible to see that I can get rid of the smell by helping him to see a doctor and also getting mouth wash. If he gets angry and pick fight with me because I told him of the odor, then I will have no other option than to leave him. But if we are married I won’t leave him, rather we will work it out together and get rid of the odor.

Maryam: “Well, yes I will leave him because I can’t stand the smell that will be coming out from his mouth. Mouth odor is a chronic health problem and it will make me feel uncomfortable around him. It can also be very embarrassing in the sense that I can’t have him speak in front of my parents or even friends. Honestly for me, love is not enough.

 

Sani: who is a medical doctor with Asokoro General Hospital said when you fall in love, fall in love whole heartedly regardless of what may. For Sani he said “I will stick with my spouse and together we will overcome the mouth odor problem ” Halitosis can be treated and cured if the right medical solutions are administered correctly . It would only take time and patience. 

So going through all of the responses and views of the people on this article, what is your own view concerning todays topic?

Would you stay with your spouse and help out? Or would you rather walk away and find someone else? I will be patiently waiting to hear your views. Kindly drop your comments on the comment section below

BY MAIMUNA BAGUDU

How to Shave Correctly to Avoid Rashes

Everyone grows hair in different part of their body including the hair on your face, under arms, legs, and other part of the body which might need to be shaved.

Some people believe that the more you shave your body hair, the more it grows back. Others believe that shaving frequently brings rashes and razor burn which isn’t true once you shave correctly.

Shaving correctly is the most important while avoiding rashes, dryness, and discomfort caused by shaving.

There is no rule for how often you need to shave. It’s up to you to decide if you prefer clean-shaven skin, slightly grown-in stubble, or a more natural look. You’ll need to pay attention to how your hair grows in and how your skin feels after shaving.

Below are tips on how to shave correctly to avoid rashes: 

Don’t share a razor: 

While it might seem like your razor glides across your skin, it’s actually creating tiny cuts on your skin’s surface and picking up bacteria.

Using someone else’s razor means you’re sharing their bacteria and maybe even their blood, to scrape off your own skin. This increase the risk of infection.

1. Hydrate your skin: 

Use a shave gel, shaving cream, or at the very least, wet your skin with warm water before shaving. This helps the razor work well and also reduces irritation that comes from dragging a sharp blade over dry skin.

2. Exfoliate before shaving: 

You can do this with an exfoliating product, like a skin scrub. Getting dead skin cells off before shaving gives you a more even surface, and helps you shave closer to the actual root of your hair follicle.

Don’t shave over a wound, cut, sore, or rash

Shaving over skin that’s been compromised in any way can make healing take longer. It can also introduce bacteria into the area, leading to infections. 

3. Shave in the direction of hair growth: 

Your first shave strokes should go “with the grain,” or in the direction that your hair goes when it naturally lies flat against your skin. This cuts down on disruption and irritation to your epidermis.

You can go over your shaved skin again with strokes that go “across the grain” and “against the grain” to clean up stray hair growth.

4. Replace your razor often: 

How often you replace your razor will depend on the shaving tools you use and how well you take care of them. Any razor blade that appears to be rusting or feels dull against your skin should be tossed right away.

A disposable razor may last 5 to 10 shaves. A safety razor needs to be replaced every week or so.

Tips on How to Shave Your Pubic area and Armpit : 

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Shaving your pubic area should be done with extra care, as the skin around your genitals can be more sensitive than other areas. People who shave their pubic hair have an 80 per cent likelihood of experience itching as a side effect, according to a study.

Before shaving your pubic area spend 5 to 10 minutes in a warm shower. This will soften the hair, making it easier to shave. Shave with the grain of your hair, holding it taut as you go. After shaving, make sure to wash off any excess soap or shaving cream to prevent irritation.

How to shave your armpits: 

The skin under your armpits is another sensitive area, so it’s important to shave carefully and slowly. Spend some time in a warm shower, and wash the skin thoroughly before shaving. Hold the skin out  and shave in the direction that your hair grows.

When it comes to avoiding complications from shaving, shaving correctly is more important than how often you shave. Following best practices for personal hygiene is the best way to lower your risk of side effects like folliculitis, razor bumps, and razor burn.

To avoid rashes and infections in these areas I advice you use hair removing creams , I assure you,  they can easily do the job and without paying the price of using razor and shaving  stick . 

Let's have feedbacks on how you think we can improve on our research and which topics do you think we should dwell on ? 

By: Firdausi musa dantsoho 

Magical Lactation-Boosting Recipes for Breastfeeding Moms

 

No breastfeeding mum need to be told that breastfeeding is a hard work and also by now you already know that your body needs to be nourished properly in order to keep your milk supply flowing for your baby.

At this stage eating healthy may be the last thing on your mind but still it is important to take care of yourself and stomach so that you can feel your best.

Luckily, there are many easy recipe packed with lots of nutrients that may help provide your milk supply as a breastfeeding mother.

Below are some tasty recipes that can help keep you energized and may give your milk supply a boost.

1. Herbal nursing mom tea

Staying hydrated while breastfeeding is important. This homemade tea blend can help you get the job done. It uses herbs and spices like fennel, which has been trusted to help boost milk secretion. 

Recipe 

Ingredients

½ cup red raspberry leaf

¼ cup alfalfa leaf

½ cup nettle leaf

¼ cup fenugreek seeds

¼ cup fennel seeds

¼ cup chamomile flowers

¼ cup dandelion leaf

Instructions

Mix herbs and store in a glass jar. To brew, add 1 Tablespoon herb mix to 2 cups of boiling water and simmer on stove for 10-15 minutes.

2. Strain and serve.

2. Healthy lactation cookies

Let’s face it, everyone needs a cookie now and then. Especially breastfeeding parents! This recipe combines nutritious ingredients like oats, flax, brewer’s yeast, and spices to create a delicious and nourishing cookie. 

Recipe 

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 cups quick cooking oats

3/4 cup oat flour

3 Tablespoons brewer’s yeast

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

½ cup melted coconut oil

1 cup coconut sugar (organic brown sugar works too)

2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed + ⅓ cup water*

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips (dairy-free, if needed)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Make flax eggs by whisking together ground flaxseed with water. Set aside.

Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray or line with parchment or Silpat and set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together oats, oat flour, brewer’s yeast, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl mix together oil, sugar, flaxseed eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently stir in chocolate chips. 

Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Press each cookie down with a fork a bit.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. The cookies may seem a little soft, but do not over bake or they’ll get too crisp. Remove from oven and let cool on sheet for about 5 minutes or until they start to harden up a bit. At this point you can transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Nursing omelette

Don’t be afraid to eat plenty of healthy fats while breastfeeding. This omelette combines multiple sources of healthy fats like avocado, cheddar cheese, and eggs. Throw in some greens for an extra nutrition boost.

Recipe 

2 free range eggs

1 tablespoon of organic butter

1 tablespoon of organic whipping cream

1 diced organic turkey sausage

½ an avocado sliced

¼ cup chopped chives & cilantro

¼ cup grated sharp cheddar

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Salsa to garnish

Instruction 

 

Chop and sauté sausage in a cast iron skillet until soft.

While sausage cooks, crack eggs into a bowl & add cream & a touch of salt (Cream protects the fragile nutrient in the egg, and the fat in the cream aids absorption of vitamin A from the yolk and butter).

Whisk eggs & cream lightly  (Do not too long or omelet will be tough).

Add butter to skillet and coat entire surface, tip skillet and add in egg mix slowly.

Reduce heat to medium and wait for underside to lightly brown.

When cooked add chives, cilantro, avocado slices and cheese to top, switch temperature to low.

With a spatula flip omelette in half. Allow one side to cook and flip. Beware to not overcook.

Slide omelet on to plate and enjoy.  You may garnish with salt and pepper, salsa or eat with sprouted grain toast, don’t forget the butter.

4. Turmeric and kale chicken soup

Your whole family will enjoy this hearty, nourishing soup. It’s full of nutritious ingredients like chicken and fresh veggies that will give you the energy boost you need to breastfeed.

Recipe 

Ingredient

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

1 medium onion, chopped

2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

½ cup pearled farro

6 cups roast chicken bone broth (see Instant Pot recipe here)

½ tsp fresh thyme

1 1x1 inch piece of rind for good quality parmesan cheese (optional)

½ tsp ground turmeric

2 loosely packed cups kale, stemmed and chopped

Salt & pepper to taste

Direction 

Set Instant Pot to “Sauté” and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add chicken and sauté in pot for until browned on both sides (does not need to be cooked through).

Remove chicken from pot and place on a plate.

With Instant Pot still on “Sauté” add the second tablespoon of olive oil and sauté onions, celery and carrots until soft, about five minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for one minute more.

Add chicken back into pot along with farro, bone broth, parmesan rind and turmeric. Lock the lid in place and cook soup on high pressure for 12 minutes.

When cooking time ends, natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then quick release.

Set Instant Pot to “Warm.” Remove lid and discard parmesan rind. Use a fork to shred chicken into bite sized pieces. Stir in kale and allow the soup to sit for 2 minutes to allow the kale to soften. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

By: Firdausi musa dantsoho

DISCOVER TUMERIC AS A SKIN GLOW INGREDIENT

 

Turmeric manages microorganism growth on the skin, helping ward off acne-causing acne bacteria, and it prevents other infections from spreading, It also contains powerful antioxidant properties, balances sebum secretion, and helps clean out pores. Not only does this spice have amazing healing properties but it’s also a great beauty product.  

It turns out kanuri and some Hausa brides often use turmeric as a head-to-toe body scrub and face mask to brighten skinbefore their wedding ceremony. It's generally known in this part of Nigeria as ''gairan jiki

Turmeric beauty benefits

-Turmeric is high in antioxidants that slow down cell damage

-It’s widely used as a skin exfoliate and improves the texture of skin

-It helps with inflammatory skin conditions, such as ache dry skin, psoriasis, and eczema

-It helps reduce pigmentation and even out the skin tone

-It is also said to diminish wrinkles

-Turmeric’s texture provides excellent exfoliation, and it helps regulate skin’s oil production, making it great for acne-prone skin.

 

BY: STEPHANIE E. HEMEN

SLEEP PARALYSIS / DANNAU

 

My mum always talks about a very scary incident that happens to her most night when she is asleep.  It's somewhat a kind of a sleep disorder that she had been experiencing almost every night. In the Hausa tradition is known as "Dannau" and it's believed that it caused by the jinn’s.  It’s an unimaginable and confusing situation to those that experienced it. It feels like someone you can't see is strangling and pressing your neck down at night/day during your sleeping hours. Although you cannot see or feel the person presence but you feel the weight and you sometimes struggle to wake up but difficult, it goes after minutes or seconds of struggle. It always leaves you confused as to what just happened to you!  It kind of wired feeling!    Being that my mum is half Igbo and Edo, my siblings and I were always making jests of her that is the demons in her village that have come to visit her at night.   What started as a joke, overtime, started to make sense to her after the continues attack in her sleep.  She started to believe that some demons are really after her life.  She began to pray seriously about it   but the attack like feeling continues - She often feels when sleeping as if someone is choking her neck at night. Whenever that happened, she won’t be able to move, shout, and speak during that period until someone touch her. The touch usually brings her back from the dark journey.    As time goes by without much solution to my mum's problem, one day I stumbled upon a documentary that narrates exactly what my mum was experiencing and I was so marveled and I needed to know more about it so that I can share the knowledge with my mum. I couldn't wait to tell her that her night /sleep experience had nothing to do with any demons or bad dreams, rather it is called "Sleep Paralysis"   Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep. During these transitions, you may be unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Some people may also feel pressure or a sense of choking. Sleep paralysis may accompany other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is an overpowering need to sleep caused by a problem with the brain’s ability to regulate sleep. Sleep paralysis usually occurs at one of two times. If it occurs while you are falling asleep, it’s called hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis. If it happens as you are waking up, it’s called hypnopompic or postdormital sleep paralysis. As you fall asleep, your body slowly relaxes. Usually you become less aware, so you do not notice the change. However, if you remain or become aware while falling asleep, you may notice that you cannot move or speak. Hypnopompic Sleep Paralysis is when your body alternates between REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. One cycle of REM and NREM sleep lasts about 90 minutes. NREM sleep occurs first and takes up to 75% of your overall sleep time. During NREM sleep, your body relaxes and restores itself. At the end of NREM, your sleep shifts to REM. Your eyes move quickly and dreams occur, but the rest of your body remains very relaxed. Your muscles are “turned off” during REM sleep. If you become aware before the REM cycle has finished, you may notice that you cannot move or speak.   Up to as many as four out of every ten people may have develop sleep paralysis. This common condition is often first noticed in the teen years. But men and women of any age can have it. Sleep paralysis may run in families.  Other factors that may be linked to sleep paralysis include the following: •       Lack of sleep •       Sleep schedule that changes •       Mental conditions such as stress or bipolar disorder •        Sleeping on the back •       Other sleep problems such as narcolepsy or nighttime leg cramps •        Use of certain medications such as those for ADHD •       Substance abuse If you find yourself unable to move or speak for a few seconds or minutes when falling asleep or waking up, then it is likely that you have isolated recurrent sleep paralysis. Often there is no need to treat this condition. Check with your doctor if you have any of these concerns: •       You feel anxious about your symptoms •       Your symptoms leave you very tired during the day •       Your symptoms keep you up during the night Your doctor may want to gather more information about your sleep health by doing any of the following: •       Ask you to describe your symptoms and keep a sleep diary for a few weeks •       Discuss your health history, including any known sleep disorders or any family history of sleep disorders •       Refer you to a sleep specialist for further evaluation •       Conduct overnight sleep studies or daytime nap studies to make sure you do not have another sleep disorder It is important to note that most people need no treatment for sleep paralysis. Treating any underlying conditions such as narcolepsy may help if you are anxious or unable to sleep well. To help control sleep paralysis, start by making sure you get enough sleep and always do what you can to relieve stress in your life especially just before bedtime. Try new sleeping positions if you sleep on your back. And be sure to see your doctor if sleep paralysis routinely prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep. BY MAIMUNA BAGUDU

 

Mr. Eazi Sets Eyes on Arewa Talents

The Nigerian sensation, Mr.Eazi is hitting the skies; betting heavy with the northern artists, transiting and expanding his reach with his outstanding initiative geared towards nurturing African talents through "emPawa Africa." Recently, northern musicians DJ Abba and Namenj joined emPawa Africa's family.

DJ Abba is a native of Kaduna and has been on the emPawa Africa's watch for quite some time now. Starting his musical career in 2011, the singer, rapper, producer and songwriter has rose to become one of the most sought after artistes in the northern part of country because of his hit songs, namely "Su Baba ne,Yar Boko and Babarsa". 

Abba has numerous awards including the 2019 northern Nigeria Best Singer of the year and Arewa Artiste of the year.

On same limelight, the discovery, Namenj who have had a geographic adventure across Jos, Maiduguri and Kano have also registered his personality and presence in the Arewa music industry in 2015 with a soul mending cover to Adekunle Gold's "Orente" . He had also released his debut single "Rayuwa" in July 2020 with visuals directed by the avid Adasa Cookey. Namenj is a clear manifest of Mr.Eazi's emPawa30 Artiste Talent Program.

 The signing of DJ Abba and Namenj is geared to give Arewa music a massive pace and transition into global entertainment. The emPawa Africa remains Mr. Eazi's forte and catchment strategy channelled towards discovering rising Africa artistes hidden in the nook and crannies of northern Nigeria.

 

 

NIGERIAN FISH ROLL

Fish roll is a popular snack in Nigeria that no one can resist. Delicious Nigerian Fish Roll is crispy, crusty, flavourful and filled with fish

 

INGREDIENTS

* Flour

* Sugar

* Salt

* Baking powder

* Butter

* Egg 

* Water

* Vegetable oil

* Onion

* Pepper

* Ginger

* curry

* seasoning cubes 

* Sardines

STEPS ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR FISH ROLL

1. In a clean bowl add your flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and stir together.

2. Then add your butter to the flour mix and add your egg and mix.

3. Add water and knead to get a smooth dough, then keep aside to rest for 10 minutes.

4. In making your fish roll fillings add vegetable in to a hot sauce pan, add your diced onion and pepper then stir.

Add ginger, curry, seasoning cubes stir then add your sardines stir to break your sardines into pieces.

5. Add water and salt, allow it to cook for few minutes. When your fillings is done,  allow it to cool for 5 minutes. 

6. Roll out your dough and cut it into square shapes, flatten and add your fish fillings then roll up your dough repeat same step for all the dough.

7. Put your vegetable oil and allow it to heat up, deep fry your fish roll  till golden brown. Your Nigerian fish roll is ready to be serve . It's usually a snack that's is serve at occasions . 

By: Firdausi Musa Dantsoho