The topic of this article might have triggered some elements of surprise especially when you consider the fact that, on the other side it’s someone you barely know asking to know your age. But before you draw your conclusion, I implore you to take few minutes – 4-5 minutes should do – to have a grasp of what this is about.

Though it is often said that ‘age is nothing but number' but there are yet a couple of things that could tell the story beyond that number. It is in this view that the terms such as ‘biological age’ and ‘chronological age’ are distinctively used to differentiate and/or speak volume of the changes that had occurred right from our stay in the cradle to this very moment.

While chronological reflects the number of years you have already spent on earth, biological age communicates something much more significant and this often gives an insight on the physiological status of the body. Ever wondered why some persons look older than they really are while others, even without any form of cosmetic manipulation, remain trim, sharp and may be ‘forever young’; it's all down to the biological age which can be affected by certain factors.

Besides, the decline in the physiological status that may accompany aging; there are an ample of phenotypic traits that could yet indicate the rate at which one is aging biologically. For instance, the onset of baldness and wrinkling of skin in one’s twenties could serve as markers for premature aging. However, it has to be stated that greying of hair within such age-range does not necessarily signify premature aging.

Factors influencing the aging process
It is a known fact that not all individuals age at the same rate even in circumstances whereby they share the same chronological age. There are a host of factors that affect the way a person ages in one way or another. Some of these factors are hereby discussed:

Diet: Dietary plan has so much importance in the way we age – whether poorly or in a healthy manner. So important is our diet that nutritionists have chosen to embrace the saying that “you are what you eat”. Sugary foods, as well as fruits that have high fat content – especially low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol – and junk foods are reported to speed up the aging process. Plus, these foods are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and also promote the generation of free radicals. By the way, free radicals are capable of damaging the cells thus bringing about metabolic dysfunction. It is in fighting the negative effect of such food that dietary intake of meals rich in antioxidants, proteins, vitamins and minerals becomes highly recommended.

Stress: A life of stress is bound to age prematurely. Stress further adds to the free radical load which eventually has detrimental effect on one’s body. The skin wrinkles faster, productivity slows down and in no distant time, one may be looking old even while his/her chronological age reads thirty-something. So, rather than you soaking up the stress, you should learn to make out time to ease off probably by visiting a spa, meditating or just rest without having to burden yourself with the ‘things of the world’.

Exposure to excessive UV radiation: You may have heard that the sun is good for the health of the skin since Vitamin D is made available for use but too much of it is in no wise advisable. Staying in the sun unprotected for prolonged period of time will have a damaging effect on your skin. The sun is however not the only source of radiation that can be deleterious to the cells and DNA; devices such as microwave oven, mobile phones, Bluetooth, TV and so on also give off some degree of radiation that may be injurious to an individual in the long run. If you have been victimized by the sun as it regards premature aging, you should consider using some sort of protection as from now on. You can use sunblock cream and stay off the sun-tanning routine if you are one heck of a freak at it.

Also, for their significance in collagen production, foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, green vegetables and fruits such as carrots oranges grapefruit and strawberry are good for the health of the skin. Again, it is important that one prevents dehydration by taking water regularly.

Lifestyle: On the whole, the way each and everyone of us lives his or her life goes a long way to reflect in the biological age sooner or later in life. Moreover, no law is against one living longer in sound health of mind and body. However, a sedentary lifestyle will not only make one age faster but also caused the loss of certain physiological function early in life.

Furthermore, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking are two dangerous acts that can lead to premature aging. I can vividly recall how cigarette commercial always come with the rider that “…smokers are liable to die young”. I have however come to realize that what they were saying in essence was that smokers are predisposed to accelerated aging. Imagine someone in his or her thirties having to depend on a pair of lungs looking aged like that of an elderly. The probability of survival/longevity decreases with every stick of cigarette ‘burned’ and this could also apply to the alcoholics.

In conclusion; it is quite impossible to control your chronological age but you can do something about your biological age. This, you can do by living right...maintaining an active mind, doing exercises religiously and avoiding those junk foods while eating right then you can boldly show the world that age is nothing but number.

I believe we first need to change ourselves.

Understanding" is the essence of communication. This only happens when there is mention of understanding and being understood by those involved in a communication situation. Interaction with the purpose of sharing, involves the exchange of the signs and symbols (i.e., words). In a given communicative context, the absence of them also still communicates the absence of the 'ingredients' of communication; the intention, the skills, or the presence of barriers.

Communication takes place when we are supposedly at the same level of understanding and comprehension as other interlocutors. Communication is therefore not what is said whether verbally or non verbally but what is understood. Understanding is influenced by perceptions and perceptions evolved over a period of time and color our understanding, all have personal perceptions, and therefore understanding would need a conscious and deliberate effort by us and cannot be left to chance, expecting it to happen by itself.

Ask yourself how consciously you listen to others when they are speaking; or for that matter, how conscious you are, when speaking, about how many appear to be understanding interestingly, communication, which is generally relegated to as basics when considered as ordinary human faculty is not that basic after all. It is therefore that communication can be learnt and needs to be learnt.

Communication is thus a process by which meaning is assigned and conveyed in an attempt create shared understanding. This process, which requires a vast repertoire of skills interpersonal processing, listening, observing, speaking, questioning, analyzing, gestures, and evaluating enables collaboration and cooperation.

Misunderstanding can be anticipated and solved through formulations, questions and answers, paraphrasing examples, and stories of strategic talk. Written communication can be clarified by planning follow-up talks on critical written communication as part of the everyday way of doing business. A few minutes spent talking in the presence will save valuable time later by avoiding misunderstandings in advance. A frequent method for this purpose is reiterating what one’s own words and asking the other person if that really was what it meant.

Elements and Process of Communication
Communication is a process and as such contains many elements to enable it to happen, Basically, communication process involves the source (sender), message, channel, receiver and feed-back The elements of communication-expanded process include stimulus, encoding/message, channel; decoding, and receiver.

Stimulus
This is the originating point. It is the urge that necessitates communication for the purpose of satisfying that urge. The stronger the stimulus or the urge the greater is the need to communicate, the greater the need to communicate, the more the need is for effectiveness. In other words communication is a matter of effectiveness. Effectiveness is a measure of outcome. Effective communication therefore results in the form of desired outcome.

Lady Gaga has vowed to remove a duet she recorded with R&B singer R.Kelly from streaming services and never collaborate with him again.

Her comments, in a lengthy Instagram post late on Wednesday, followed a new television documentary in which multiple women accuse Kelly of sexual misconduct, sometimes with minors.

Kelly, 52, the Chicago singer and record producer best known for hit song “I Believe I Can Fly,” has repeatedly denied accusations in recent years of abuse, including those made in the new documentary.

The Grammy-winning singer was tried and acquitted on child pornography charges in Chicago in 2008.

His attorney has not responded to Reuters requests for comment about the six-hour documentary “Surviving R.Kelly,” broadcast last week on the Lifetime channel.

It features interviews with several women making on camera allegations of sexual, mental and physical abuse by Kelly, as well as interviews with some of his former managers and producers.

Reuters is unable to independently verify the accusations.

Gaga said she believed the women and found the documentary “absolutely horrifying.”

“I stand behind these women 1000 percent, believe them, and know they are suffering and in pain, and feel strongly that their voices should be heard and taken seriously,” she said in her Instagram posting.

Gaga in 2013 released a duet with Kelly called “Do What U Want (With My Body.)”

“I intend to remove the song off of iTunes and other streaming platforms and will not be working with him again,” she wrote on Wednesday. “I’m sorry, both for my poor judgment when I was young, and for not speaking out sooner.”

A Chicago prosecutor on Tuesday urged anyone alleging abuse by Kelly to come forward so claims could be investigated.

“There is nothing that can be done to investigate these allegations without the cooperation of both victims and witnesses. We cannot seek justice without you,” Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx told a news conference.

The U.S. entertainment industry has been roiled for more than a year by scores of allegations of sexual misconduct against producers, actors and directors, many of whom have lost their jobs or been forced to step down.

To the ‘son of the soil’, the incident of being deprived of his Nigerian citizenship might not even have crossed the mind for a second throughout his sojourn – why should he be bothered? However, for those who became citizens through naturalization, questions bordering on deprivation of citizenship is one that cannot be overlooked.

Nigeria is a hospitable place, and there is definitely nothing wrong with holding dual citizenship. But then what can make an individual lose a right he/she has spent years to gain? The reasons are basically hinged on ethical grounds whereby a naturalized citizen had failed on certain moral standards and/or showed disloyalty to the state to which he/she had sworn allegiance.

Section 30 subsection 1 states thus: The president may deprive a person, other than a person who is a citizen of Nigeria by birth or by registration, of his citizenship, if he is that such a person has within a period of seven years after becoming naturalised, been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years.

Subsection 2, part a the person has shown himself by act or speech to be disloyal towards the Federal Republic of Nigeria; or

Subsection 2: The president shall deprive a person, other than a person who is citizen of Nigeria by birth, of his citizenship, if he is satisfied from the records of proceedings of a court of law or other tribunal or after due inquiry in accordance with regulations made by him, that:

Subsection 2, part b the person has, during any war in which Nigeria was engaged, unlawfully traded with the enemy or been engaged in or associated with any business that was in the opinion of the president carried on in such a manner as to assist the enemy of Nigeria in that war, or unlawfully communicated with such enemy to the detriment of or with intent to cause damage to the interest of Nigeria.

I was opportune to be at a seminar on agricultural production back in 2016 and in the course of the lecture, the Agriculture expert emphasized that the best form of fertilizer remains animal excreta. To the unlearned among the audience that sounded somewhat ‘weird’ but for anyone who has gotten a grasp of the basics [in crop production], the man did hit the nail on the head. True as the statement is however, the reality facing us is that quite a number of persons in the field [of crop production] still love to go with readily prepared fertilizer mixtures.

But as organic farming keeps gaining traction with the passing of time, it is enticingly becoming quintessential to get back to the basics and embrace the natural options that there are. Moreover, organic fertilizers are really affordable and present healthier products that are very safe for human consumption. A very good example is cow manure.

The main composition of cow dung is digested grain and grass, and it is quite rich in nutrients – chemical analysis has shown that cow dung contains 3% nitrogen, 2% phosphorus and 1% potassium among other nutrients. Additionally, cow manure helps to boost soil aeration and also enhances the water-holding capacity of the soil. This makes cow manure a potent fertilizer for enriching the soil and enhancing plant’s growth. As an aside; cow dung is also used for some other purposes. For instance, it can be used as bio-gas, insect repellent and so on. But since our focus is on how it can be of advantage in crop production, let us without further ado shed light on how you can make organic fertilizer from cow dung.

Steps in making Fertilizer from Cow Dung

The very first step is to compost the fresh cow dung that have been collected in a pit. Composting is necessary for an ample of reasons. Firstly, it ensures that the inherent (nauseating) odour is done away with and also aids in lessening or eliminating the concentration of ammonia present in the fresh faecal sample. More importantly, composting makes cow manure to be safe for use [as a fertilizing agent] since the pathogens like E. coli bacteria – a bacterial strain that can cause havoc in the gastrointestinal system of humans when consumed – contained therein, are eliminated during the process of composting.

Going ahead with the process, the cow manure should be mixed with wood ash or straw as well as organic substances such as vegetable matter, dead leaves and other garden debris. The mixing should be done in the pit that had been dug for composting purpose. Plus, note that the pit should be moderately sized for the proportion of the cow dung that will be kept in it. Again, the pit should be in a shaded area.

The manure is allowed to decompose under aerobic condition for 4-6 months. You should however turn the pile at every 3 -7 day interval. This helps to speed up the process and preserve the aerobic condition thus ensuring that you have a good return.

After composting has been achieved, the manure can now be turned into granulated form using a crusher. Then, it is ready for use on the farm

About a decade ago, a unique form of currency – a digital currency at that – was released by Satoshi Nakamoto, a man [or maybe woman] who has chosen to remain ‘faceless’. At the initial stage, this digital currency did not appear to garner much attention but years down the line, it has become a currency of interest among it's peers.

This currency is no other than Bitcoin (BTC) which has now reshaped [and is still reshaping] how transactions are closed. The number of persons and merchants that currently see bitcoin as a medium of exchange keeps growing by the day. According to a report from a Cambridge University study, there were between 2.9 million – 5.8 million users of Bitcoin across the world as of 2017. That figure shows that this currency is not one to be undervalued.

This is what takes us into discussing about the real cost of Bitcoin. It may interest you to know that:

1 BTC presently equals ₦1,365,449.80

But what if you don’t have up to a million plus to purchase 1 BTC?

Let’s see the amount of Bitcoin your money can buy. Here, we have some examples of the amount [or fraction] of Bitcoin you can get at various prices – in the order of unit, ten, hundreds, thousands and millions.

₦1 = 0.00000073BTC
₦10 = 0.0000073BTC
₦100 = 0.000073BTC
₦1000 = 0.00073BTC
₦10,000 = 0.0073BTC
₦100,000 = 0.073BTC
₦1,000,000 = 0.73BTC
₦10,000,000 = 7.3 BTC
₦1,000,000,000 = 73BTC

With these examples, you should be able to calculate the proportion/amount of Bitcoin you can get for a certain amount of money in Naira.

Living life to the fullest does not just happen; we have got to work it out. This means finding a balance between work and rest. And what better way is there to do this than finding a place to relax and enjoy what nature has got in place for one. Talk about somewhere you can slip into and let the pressure of life struggles off your mind.
This is exactly why beach resorts are there for you and in the light of this, we shall be looking at five (5) amazing beach resorts we have around – in Nigeria.

Abraka Beach Resort
Abraka Beach Resort is no doubt a wonder in the Niger. The resort is located along Agbor-Sapele road, in Abraka, Delta state, and it is right on the coastline of River Ethiope. The resort has got white sandy beach and the things you need to relax [there] as you sink into the tranquillity of its natural space. But should that not be enough, taking a cruise through the river or engaging in some sporting activities will ensure that you do not have a dull time-out on the beach.

Finima Beach Resort
Finima beach resort is situated on Bonny Island, Rivers State. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, and it is a choice vacation spot for a host of pleasure seekers. The extensively stretched beach and the cool sea breeze on offer at this resort make it a place to spend a day out with your family.

Inagbe Beach Resort
This resort may not be a very popular one among folks but it is no pushover when considering excellent spots for relaxation in Lagos state – and even Nigeria as a whole. It is located on Inagbe Island, and it is just a 15-minute boat ride from Victoria Island. Besides the ‘goodies’ nature has to serve you while on this island, you will also get to utilize the classy amenities provided therein. There are accommodation spaces, swimming pool, spa among other exciting add-ons. Plus, security is well guaranteed at this very (relaxation) spot.

La Campagne Tropicana
The first thought that crosses the mind of many persons when Lagos is being talked about is a busy city [filled with commercial activities]. But there is more to Lagos than that, and a visit to an exotic resort like La Campagne Tropicana will let you in on what I mean. This resort is located at Ikegun, Ibeju-Lekki along Epe Expressway in Lagos. The facilities at La Campagne Tropicana are top-notch, and there are chalets available for anyone who desires to spend the night within this beautiful natural space as he/she beholds the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean. A good zone for a couple to spend some time together.

Whispering Palms
All the way down to Badagry, Lagos state – in Iworo town to be precise – is a serene resort known to be surrounded with tremendous natural endowments, the Whispering Palms Resort. It lies on the lagoon, and it is encompassed by lush green vegetation. It provides a great getaway for those who desire to escape from routine ‘busyness’ of life. The cool, breezy atmosphere around this resort is second to none. There are also facilities as well as rooms available for vacationers’ use.

This is definitely not an exhausting list [of wonderful beach resorts] around the country; there are a whole lot more, and these, we hope to talk about in subsequent reviews.

The use of liquified petroleum gas for cooking at home is currently very rampant that it is now hard to come across a household without one. This increased embrace of cooking gas has seen the proliferation of refilling stations around the nation. The major reason for the shift may not be unconnected to the rapidity with which food is cooked on the gas cylinder. Plus, some persons see it as being easy to set up; and for the fact that generation of smoke is not a reality as one may experience with some other means of cooking.

However, while the use of gas may come with a number of benefits, it is far from being the safest method of cooking. In the past years, we have heard of numerous reports of gas-related accidents in the home. Most of these incidents have led to the death of some persons and in cases where such fatality was not recorded, victims were often left to nurse varying degree of injuries – especially burns. The truth is that most of these accidents could have been prevented if certain precautionary measures had been taken. But a lot of persons do not even know some vital details that can be helpful in saving the day and avoiding gas-related accidents. This is why we have elected to share a few safety tips [about the use of cooking gas] with you in this article.

• Avoid using a defective/bad gas cylinder: Do not try to ‘manage’ a gas cylinder that is having any fault on it – whether leaks or malfunctioning components. You should resort to other cooking apparatus while making attempt to replace the bad cylinder. Also, it is important that you always purchase the cylinder from a trusted dealer.
• Do not use any artificial source of illumination in the event of gas leakage. Avoid using illumination sources such as flashlight, candles, light bulbs and so on to check for the leakage of gas. It is also important that you do not turn on or turn off any electric switch whenever you suspect leaks. In short, do not subscribe to using anything that can create spark. Instead, open your windows and allow the gas [that must have filled the room upon leaking] to dissipate before turning on the lights.
• Avoid shaking the gas cylinder. A good number of persons are used to shaking gas cylinders to see if there’s any gas left. You should however desist from such act to prevent explosion. Whether you have got a good cylinder or not, it’s best to stay on the safe side and leave the gas undisturbed. Rather than shaking, just pour water on the side of the cylinder and use your palm to feel it. As you move your palm through the side of the cylinder, you get to feel the cool part if there’s any gas left – if not the temperature will remain somewhat constant all the way down.
• Keep a fire extinguisher close by. The need for a fire extinguisher is usually overlooked in the home. However, it is advisable to have one around in order to quell the danger in case of fire outbreak. And if you cannot afford one (fire extinguisher), you should endeavour to get a bucket of sand within reach. The sand can help [a great deal] to snuff out the flame in the event of things going awry.

The remaining (bonus) tips are that you should always monitor your cooking; do not ask a child [that is yet to come of age] to operate the gas cooker and always make sure that you turn off the gas when you are done with the cooking. Finally… always think safety first and live to enjoy your meal in good time.

As police continue to probe the killing of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, sources say two principal suspects have been arrested.

According to ChannelsTV, the investigations carried out so far revealed that the suspects were directly involved in the attack that led to the death of Badeh.

The source added that three suspects had earlier been apprehended, although the police could not confirm their direct involvement in the attack.

They were, however, said to have been instrumental in the arrest of the two principal suspects.

The arrest came one week after the former Defence Chief was killed by gunmen in an attack him while he was returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road.

His death had triggered reactions from the Federal Government and its critics who called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the killing.

Consequently, some reports alleged that the deceased Air Chief Marshal was not provided with adequate security, a situation they said led to his death.

They also claimed that Badeh’s driver who was shot during the incident had died.

The Nigerian Air Force, however, condemned the reports in a statement in which it said the driver was alive.

It also faulted the claims that the former Defence Chief was not provided with adequate security, stressing that the reports were far from the truth.

“Air Chief Marshal Badeh has always been provided with the full complement of personal staff and security personnel commensurate with his status as a former Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), CDS and a 4-star general in the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the NAF stated.

Badeh served as the 18th Chief of Air Staff until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff in January 2014 and retired a year after.

The 61-year-old Air Force boss was killed on 18 December, 2018 but his driver survived and recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.

” ….. the driver is alive and recuperating extremely well at one of our Nigeria Air Froce Hospitals,’’ the Director of Public Relations and Information of Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed.

Daramola said some of the reports erroneously stated that the driver of the late former CDS, who was also shot during the incident, was dead.

He appealed to those spreading misinformation about the unfortunate incident that led to the death of Badeh to stop.

He said spreading of erroneous reports and comments in the media on the incident could have adverse effects on the conduct of ongoing operations.

He noted that other reports alleged that adequate security was not provided for the deceased Air Chief Marshal.

The NAF stated that nothing could be further from the truth.

” Air Chief Marshal Badeh has always been provided with the full complement of personal staff and security personnel commensurate with his status as a former Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), CDS and a 4-star general in the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he said.

NAF stated that substantial progress had already been made in the investigation and details would be communicated at the appropriate time.

” As mentioned by the CAS, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Dec. 19, the NAF is working closely with other relevant security agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the former CDS.’’

President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation(PMBCO) removed the gloves Wednesday night to engage Atiku Abubakar bare-knuckle and lash him over his attack on Buhari, who had blamed Nigeria’s slow system in arresting corruption.

The spokesman told Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party that had he not been a beneficiary of the slow system, he should have been sent to jail before May 2015, when Buhari mounted the saddle.

Festus Keyamo, a senior advocate of Nigeria and the spokesman of PMBCO then went on to offer a catalogue of corrupt practices for which Atiku and his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo ought to have been held to account.

“We know he is aware of this. Hence his latest diatribe against President Muhammadu Buhari amounts to nothing but disgusting grandstanding and an attempt to mock the system.

“If the system in Nigeria was indeed working, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would not have acquired substantial shares in INTELS in clear conflict of his duties as a Customs Officer whilst in office. Those shares would have belonged to the Nigerian people by now.

“If the system in Nigeria was indeed working, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would not have run a monopolistic company called INTELS all these years, ripping off the Nigerian people and the Nigerian State before Muhammadu Buhari came and broke that monopoly.

“If the system was working, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would have been prosecuted and jailed for various acts of corruption and abuse of office after he left office as Vice President, some of which are:

*For himself and his boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, granting themselves licenses to build universities as President and Vice President whilst in office in clear breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. Those Universities would have been probed, seized and transferred to the Nigeria State and the Nigerian people by now.

• Laundering slush funds to the United States of America using phoney companies, part of which was used to fund his present American University in Adamawa State through which he is also extorting Nigerians through exorbitant fees. It is public knowledge that this indictment is contained in a US Congressional Report that has led to the prosecution and conviction of his accomplices in the US, which are William Jefferson and Siemens. They were convicted under a system that works, whilst he has been walking free in Nigeria and even aspiring to the highest office in the land. It is also public knowledge that his ban from entering the United States was as a result of these indictments.

• His indictment and recommendation for prosecution by the Report of the EFCC over the PTDF scandal whilst he was Vice President.

Keyamo also referred to the court case filed against Abubakar by some public spirited Nigerians alleging that he never paid his Personal Income Taxes as at when due, yet he wants to ‘get Nigeria working again’.

“In this regard, we are also challenging Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to publicly display his Personal Income Tax receipts for the three years preceding 2018 to show that he did not just run to FIRS in 2018 to pay his backlog of Personal Income Taxes.

“For the information of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, President Muhammadu Buhari’s gallant efforts in tackling corruption headlong has led to the conviction of the President’s own party men and ex Governors who served under PDP and for acts they committed whilst in PDP.

“Seven hundred and three persons and institutions have been convicted by the EFCC under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari since 2015.

“The biggest recoveries of stolen public funds in the history of Nigeria is being carried out by President Muhammadu Buhari. These recoveries were made from principally his party men who now wish to lead Nigeria with him. Some of these recoveries/seizures/forfeitures (interim and final) are:

(a) 407 Mansions since 2015.
(b) N794 Billion, over $261 Million Dollars, 1.1 Million Pounds Sterling, 8.1 Million Euros,
(c) 259 Automobiles.
(d) A fully functional hospital, St. Solomon Health Care Centre at 24, Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja Lagos e.t.c.

“There are so many other instances too numerous to mention. These are a world apart from the few instances of the reluctant fight against corruption that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar claimed happened under his watch as Vice President. During his time, there was a competition for corruption between himself, his boss and public officers.

“We also urge the PDP to stop making wild, unsubstantiated allegations of corruption without a modicum of proof. We have no time to respond to any allegation by the PDP without the backing of some kind of document or proof. When we see some scintilla of proof, we shall respond appropriately. And that is how we have treated the recent allegation of acquisition of shares in Etisalat and Keystone Bank by some supposed ‘family members’ of the President. No name was mentioned and no document was shown.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar latest adventure in trying to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in matters of integrity with President Muhammadu Buhari is a political suicide mission from which we thought his handlers would have tried to steer him away. But alas! They have decided to test the waters.

“Locally and internationally President Muhammadu Buhari stands several miles away from Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in matters of integrity. When the President used all his life in public office building a reputation and a name, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar used all his life in public office to build mansions and acquire personal wealth. Now Judgment Day has come when the credential needed by the Nigerian people for the highest office are not the buildings and wealth but the simple quality of integrity.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar cannot eat his cake and have it”.

A company as it is known is an artificial person that is a creation of law. There are processes which must be fulfilled before a company can be said to be in existence. In other words, there are different activities involved in the formation of a company. There are persons behind these activities and such persons are known as PROMOTERS.

Promotion activities are usually more evidenced when a foreigner is involved in the incorporation of a Nigerian company. Under the Nigerian law, a promoter is determined by promotion activities, that is, it is only when promotion activities relating to a company can be identified before such person can be called a promoter. S. 61 of CAMA provides that any person who undertakes to take part in forming a company with reference to a given project and to set it going and who takes the necessary steps to accomplish that purpose, or who with regard to a proposed or newly formed company, undertakes a part in raising capital for it, shall prima facie be deemed a promoter of the company.

From the foregoing, it means that a promoter is a person involved in promotion activities for a proposed or a newly formed company. Promotion activities involve the following:

1. Raising capital for a proposed or newly formed company
2. Finding directors for a proposed company
3. Acquiring properties on behalf of a proposed company
4. Preparing prospectus for a proposed company
5. Personality shopping for the proposed company
6. Obtaining requisite permits
7. All activities towards incorporating a company, although CAMA did provide for raising funds/capital for a newly formed company

Thus the necessary determination of who a promoter is, is to ask the question WHAT DID HE DO, if the person was involved in promotion activities, then he is a promoter. It is pertinent to note that a company can be a promoter of a proposed company. Also a person who took no active part in the formation of a company nor raised capital for it but left others to form the company on the understanding that he would profit from the formation of the company would be a promoter.

Emma Silver Mining Co ltd v. Lewis - a lawyer who incorporated the company at CAC and in lieu of his professional fees decides to buy shares in the company is a promoter of the company. All subscribers to the memorandum and articles of association are promoters of the company. Note NOT SHAREHOLDERS BUT SUBSCRIBERS. However, the proviso to s. 61 CAMA is to the effect that a person acting in a professional capacity for person engaged in procuring the formation of the company is not a promoter. For instance, a legal practitioner acting in his professional capacity in relation to a proposed company is not a promoter- Re Great Wheal Polygot Ltd. Should the legal practitioner be a subscriber to the memorandum and articles of association, then he is a promoter. Also, a lawyer who negotiates property for the proposed company at a profit is promoter of that company. Twycross v. Grant.

• N.B professional capacity for a legal practitioner would include preparation of necessary documents like memo and articles and registration of company at CAC.

Legal relationship between promoter and the company
The legal relationship which exists between a promoter and a company is neither an agency relationship nor is it a trust relationship as held in GARBA V SHEBA INTERNATIONAL (Nig.) Ltd. This is because as it relates to agency, there is no principal in existence and ordinarily, the act of an agent binds the principal, thus a promoter is not the agent of the company. In agency, the contract is between the principal and third parties. As it relates to trust relationship, a promoter is not the trustee of the company because in trusteeship, the legal title is vested in the trustee.
The legal title of any property acquired by a promoter is not vested in the promoter to hold in trust for the company. Hence, the legal relationship between the promoter and the company is FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP. This is because fiduciary relationship entails the concept of utmost good faith. It is pertinent to note that prior to incorporation of company, both investors and those running around for the incorporation of the company are promoters of the company. It should be noted that a person becomes a promoter from the very moment he begins to take part in forming a company or in setting it going. The fiduciary relationship between the promoter and the company implies certain duties and liabilities of the promoters - s. 62(1)&(2) of CAMA.

Actually, it is the promoter that stands in fiduciary duty towards the company. Section 62(1) CAMA. In a fiduciary relationship, there is always a presumption that one party is superior to the other. In this case, it is the promoter.

Duties of a promoter

1. Duty to account to the company for money or properties received in the course of promotion activities.
2. Duty not to make secret profit:. This is based on utmost good faith underlying fiduciary relation. Any secret profit made must be returned. The rule is that the promoter should not make secret profit. They can make profit but it should not be secret.
3. Duty not to exploit confidential information obtained on behalf of the company in course of promotion activities for personal use. Section 62(2) CAMA
4. Duty to disclose any conflict of interest in transaction with the company. As a fiduciary, once a promoter has any interest in the transaction, he should give full disclosure to the company. The law did not say promoter should not trade with the company, only requires full disclosure.
5. Duty not to expose the company to loss. As a fiduciary, the promoter is expected to scrutinize every transactions on behalf of the company and ensure that there is due compliance to the law so as to avoid any loss resulting from failure to perfect transactions during promotion activities
6. Duty to be diligent and honest in its dealings on behalf of the company.

Liabilities of promoters
The above duties are owed to the company and not any individual investors, also the duties are not for decoration as where there is a duty there is liability for its breach. Thus the breach of any of the above duties would result in the company upon incorporation taking any of the following action.

• Action to render account: the company can bring an action for the promoter to render account for properties and money received on behalf of the company in the course of incorporation.

• Action to account for proceeds of secret profit: upon discovery by the company that a promoter has made secret profit an action for proceed of secret profit can be made.

• Action for damages for wrongful exploitation of confidential information obtained in course of promotion activities. Note the following:
  (1) This kind of action is an hybrid between general and special damages
  (2) This is done because the extent of exploitation of confidential information is not yet known.
  (3) Once a breach is established, then liability will be determined by the court
  (4) Extent can then be sorted out

• Refusal to ratify pre-incorporation contract tainted with conflict of interest and abuse of fiduciary duties.

• Action to rescind contracts or transactions which are yet to be perfected by the promoter, and damages where recession becomes impossible because of third party interest.

It is pertinent to note that s. 62(4) CAMA provides that period of limitation does not apply to proceedings brought by the company to enforce any of its right relating to breach of fiduciary duties. However the court can in part or whole grant relief to the promoter from liability. Because of activities involved in promotion activities, promoters can enter into contract with the proposed company with the option to ratify such contract upon fulfilment of certain conditions or rescission of the contract, with regard to remuneration for expenses incurred by the promoter in the course of promotion activities. This kind of contract falls under pre-incorporation contract and subject to rules regulating same.

RATIFICATION- Section 62(3) and 72 of CAMA

Prior to Ratification: The promoter cannot maintain an action against the company for any expenses or remuneration incurred in the course of promoting the company. However, the promoter can maintain an action for breach of contract in damages against any person who purported to act in the name of or on behalf of the company and in the absence of express agreement to the contrary, such persons shall be personally bound by the contract or other transaction and entitled to the benefit thereof. Section 72(2) CAMA.

Implicit in this is that the persons can exclude liability to be personally bound. Such person is entitled to the benefits of the contract where the person is personally bound.

RATIFICATION: However, where the company ratifies the company will remunerate the promoter. Section 72 CAMA. If the company does not ratify cannot claim the benefits of the contract.

WHO RATIFIES:
Section 62(3) CAMA is to the effect that if the company is to ratify a transaction between it and a promoter, there must be full disclosure and any of the following can ratify it on behalf of the company:

• The Board of directors of the company independent of the Promoter
• All members of the company(present and voting in practice)
• By the company at a general meeting at which neither the promoter nor the holders of any shares in which he is beneficially interested shall vote on the resolution to enter into or ratify that transaction.

Ratification is usually by a formal resolution which is passed by the company. The resolution must show in clear terms what was ratified.

Terms Used:
CAMA: Companies And Allied Matters Act

In a world that has become so digitally inclined, it is quite forgivable to think that there is no one that has not been caught within the web of social media frenzy. But in reality, there are individuals who are not given to socialising on these platforms. For some persons, it’s about embracing the lifestyle of a naturist or simply attaining to the life of an ‘internet ghost’. More realistically however, some persons may just want to go off social media in order to attend to other ‘important’ issues of life or may be get rid of some ‘internet stalkers’ that have found way into their social life – albeit digitally – over the course of time.

And just in case you are thinking of joining the league of those that have stayed off social media, the following piece of information should be for you. The three (3) major social media platforms under perspective [in this article] are Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Deactivating your Instagram Account
Instagram is arguably the most used photo and video sharing site with loads of users logging into the platform on daily basis. You can take a temporary break from Instagram by disabling your account for whatever duration of time you wish. However, you should follow these [underlisted] steps to deactivate your account permanently:

• Log into your Instagram account using a (desktop or laptop) computer – not smartphone

• Go to ‘Delete your account’ page

• Provide reason(s) for wanting to opt out

• Then click ‘permanently delete my account’ option

With this, all your data – photos, videos, profile and so on – will be removed from the platform and you will not be able to log on with that very username ever again.

Deactivating Twitter Account
To do this, you need to first log into your Twitter profile page. After this;

• Select the navigation menu icon on the profile page and then tap ‘settings and privacy’

• Now select ‘Account’ and tap ‘Deactivate your account’

• Enter your password and then tap ‘Deactivate’. Tap ‘Yes’ to confirm and/or complete the deactivation process

Deactivating Facebook Account
Facebook generates millions of traffic on daily basis with a barrage of updates flooding in. Amidst all the ‘hustling and bustling’ taking place on this platform, a couple of persons have sometimes expressed concerns over the security of their data and some of these individuals have not hesitate to call it quit.
So, if you are willing to let go your Facebook account, there is an option for you to permanently delete your account. Here are the steps:

• Go to ‘settings and privacy’ on your Facebook page

• Click on ‘Facebook Information’ or ‘Personal Information’ and select ‘Manage Account’

• Click on ‘Deactivate’ and enter your password [upon being prompted] to complete the process

Deactivating your Facebook account means your data will be taken off the site and you will not be able to sign in or register using the account on any website where such option is usually permitted.

Like Twitter, Facebook also offers anyone who wishes to restore his/her (deactivated) account a 30-day grace period to do so – just saying though as this wouldn’t be necessary for one that has resorted to call it quit.

Shortness of breath – which is medically termed ‘Dyspnoea’ – is a condition in which the flow of air into the lungs is adversely affected. Ordinarily, it could occur when one does certain strenuous physical activities or have difficulty acclimatizing to an area of high altitude. Obesity, smoking and extremely chilly temperature are also risk factors. However, there are some underlying diseases [affecting the lungs and heart] that could trigger the incidence of shortness of breath. It may be accompanied by symptoms such as tightness in the chest, fever, cough, rash and of course, breathlessness.

Notwithstanding, the purpose of this write-up is to discuss how to manage or treat this condition. So, without further ado, I share with you 5 tips to help you curb shortness of breath.

• Deep breathing/Diaphragmatic breathing: Generally, most of us do not make conscious effort to engage the diaphragm while breathing but this can be very valuable for someone experiencing shortness of breath. All you need to do is lie down comfortably on a flat surface – or sit in a chair while relaxing your head, neck, spine and shoulders – and place your hands on your belly; then take a deep breath through your nose. At this point, you should feel your abdomen expanded. Hold your breath for 5 seconds and then slowly breathe out through your mouth. You can repeat the process over and again – probably for about 5 minutes. Do note that your muscles have to be tightened while breathing out.

• Pursed-lip breathing technique: Keep your neck and shoulders in a relaxed position and breathe in through the nose. Then with your lips pursed – as though in readiness to blow a whistle – slowly let out the air [through the mouth]. This technique is effective in freeing up the air that has been trapped in the lungs overtime.

• Sitting or leaning forward: Simply sit in a chair while ensuring that your feet is flat on a levelled platform and lean forward. Since it is important that you relax the muscles of your neck and shoulders, you can place your forehead on a table – just like you are taking a quick nap at work.

• Standing against a wall: Stand with you back against a wall and also ensure that hips are resting on the wall. Plus, your shoulders should be relaxed while leaning slightly forward.

• Using a fan: Sitting in front of a fan and allowing cool air to blow directly on your face can also help curb shortness of breath to an appreciable extent. This basically aid in alleviating the hunger for air that could arise from dyspnoea.

Other means of managing this condition include [but definitely not limited to] the following:

• Quit smoking

• Losing weight if you are obese

• Staying away from environments laden with toxins or pollutants

• Avoiding doing strenuous exercises especially when you are in a high-altitude area. Do light exercises instead.

• Drink coffee

• Use steam + peppermint oil

• Eat ginger

To wrap this up, it is necessary to state that the tips shared here [in this article] should not take the place of medical check-up. You should not hesitate to seek medical advice if the situation become worrisome and/or persists over a period of time.

The National Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress sent from Abuja to monitor the party’s governorship primary in Lagos State has nullified the exercise held across the 20 local government areas of the state on Tuesday.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Clement Ebri, who addressed the press around 4.30pm at Protea Hotel, Alausa, said the election could not have held because the committee was still expecting the list of representatives of one of the two aspirants.

The primary is being contested by Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

Ebri, however, did not mention the camp that defaulted on the modalities for the election.

Nigeria has indeed come a long way from being a nation with just over forty-five million people in 1960 to one that is now brimming with a massive population size of 190 million. The nation has seen huge growth in the number of citizens it accommodates but this has not really translated into measurable progress in terms of development. It has been many steps backward with regards to the economy as well as the polity of the state.

The reason is not however far-fetched when one considers the level of misadministration [of human and natural resources] that have befallen our beloved nation. And surely, it is not inappropriate to point a finger [of accusation] at the ever-present cankerworm [as empowered by its vitalizer] that has bury itself deep into the fabric of the nation since years gone by – corruption is the tag we have given it and it remains a great menace to national development.

But while some of us may feel the situation is irredeemable, and with the ‘power-grabbers’ making it appear as though the labour of our heroes will end up in vain, our beloved Nigeria is still looking to you and I for her survival.

Today marks our 58th year as an independent nation, and going by the mood on the streets, there seems to be no reason to celebrate – quite understandable you mat say. Notwithstanding, the fact that the nation is still standing amidst the ills she has been [and is still being] subjected to, should give us a reason to be thankful for this very moment.

Though there may be ‘gold-diggers’ within the coffers of power that are bent on sucking the nation’s wealth dry…though the sacredness of life may be lost in the consciousness of some malevolent individuals; Nigeria is far from being over.

And while we are thankful, there is a need for us to make a resolve to stand up and be counted as being a critical part of the change that Nigeria longs for. A change that sheds light – no matter how little – unto the dark path around you. A change that disregards partisanship in favour of nationalism in order to ensure that the goods of the land are left within the reserves of some ‘anointed’ few.

We may not have the Nigeria of our dream yet and though the hope of having one may seem dashed, we have got to stand strong – not against one another but against the forces that are out on putting us apart.

Technically, we are free from our colonial master but the ultimate independent Nigeria is yearning for will only come when those within her bound start living for her goodness. There is still much to desire if only we look inward and make concerted efforts to right the wrongs of the past. Rescuing Nigeria from the abyss is a good fight we need to undertake and that should begin from this very day.

Nigeria needs YOU!

The land flows with ‘milk and honey’ but the irony is that the people rarely get to taste of its sweetness – well, it is important to state that this is not about having a share of the ‘national cake’. Owing to this, lamentations have not been far from the mouth of the masses as they hear and watch the wealth of the nation corralled by a selected few. The situation has however not been made better by the economic policies that are in place neither has the wastefulness of resources evident in the land done us any good. And it is yet worrying to hear some persons solely attribute the complaints about the way things are to the fact that the avenues for corrupt practices have been limited. They may be in some sense but that definitely does not paint the whole picture.

While some of us might have not fully come to terms with the reality before us, the watching world has got the facts to nail a certain descriptive on Nigeria – this descriptive clearly gives an insight to the true state of the nation’s economy. Recently, British Prime Minister, Theresa May was quoted as saying that Nigeria is home to the poorest people in the world. That statement appeared to cause a stir but there should not be any surprise considering the statistics made available by the Brookings institute earlier in the year. According to that report, about 87 million Nigerians are said to be extremely poor; a figure that saw Nigeria overtook India as the No. 1 on the world’s extreme poverty ranking. The report did draw the ire of some government officials who termed it as ‘damning’, and one wonders how this crop of officials will take Theresa May’s comment. However, while there may be argument over Nigeria’s position on the world’s poverty ranking, there is no denying that the citizens’ standard of living has been experiencing a plunge in these past years.

Well, it would be helpful to know what the term ‘extreme poverty’ really means. According to the United Nations, extreme poverty simply means ‘’a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to services.’’ So, now how many of the sectors included in this definition are working effectively in this nation. Even where accessible, only a few persons can afford quality services as the cost could be sometimes prohibitive.

The definition above does not however touch upon unemployment rate – which has been scarily on the rise in Nigeria – and that about 50% of the Nigerian population are presently living below the poverty line of US$1.90 per day. And with little being actualized by way of development and a considerable number of Nigerians entering into the poverty line with every passing minute – 6 to 7 Nigerians into poverty line every minute – it remains to be seen if the tide will turn around anytime soon.

Although population growth is a factor that cannot be ruled out but with India, which about 7 times more than Nigeria, being able to work its way out of the extreme poverty top spot, it is important that all hands be on deck to seek a recourse out of this impoverished state.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has apologised to elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark over an unauthorised raid carried out by some policemen on his house in Abuja.

Idris, who has already detained the informant and the four policemen who carried out the illegal raid, sent a delegation, led by a DIG and some commissioners to convey his apology.

The team was led by DIG Habila Joshak, who is in charge of operations at the headquarters.

A statement by Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood said Idris was not aware and did not also authorise the search.

He said Joshak “apologized on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force and the IGP for the misconduct of the said Police Personnel and the attendant embarrassment the search has caused on the Elder Statesman and his family”.

“The delegation was received by Chief Edwin Clark and the apology was accepted by him”, Moshood said.

Moshood said the the four policemen, after investigation, will be tried within the Force Disciplinary Procedures before appropriate punishments are meted out to them.

“The IGP has directed the immediate parade of the informant(Suspect) on Wednesday 5th September, 2018 in the presence of the press and the public, before his prompt arraignment and prosecution in Court”, he added.

A relationship is formed or built by two individuals who decided to embark on a journey set on emotions. At the start, in most cases, each of these individuals hardly see an end in sight except, of course, if there’s an ulterior motive behind their coming-together. Love is the foundation upon which every union [that is bound to last] ought to be set – I speak for the serious ones though. But along the line, love does not just seem to be enough, and then the two lovebirds grow weary of sharing each other’s company; a boundary is set in between as the ‘love bond’ is broken. This doesn’t just happen; there are a number of factors that could mar a relationship, and some of these I shall henceforth discuss in this article.

Dishonesty: Trust is the bond of love; it forms the basis upon which your partner shares her intimacy with you. However, in cases where dishonesty thrive, the flow of vivid emotions suffers a momentary breakdown which could signal the beginning of an end. And the truth is; the more dishonest a person is to another [in a relationship], the more far apart they are from one another even if they decide to continue with the relationship.

Lack of commitment: It is often said that it is one thing to get to the top and another thing entirely to stay right there. That a lady finally agreed to your advances does not mean you should ‘step off the gas’- what’s the need of the pursuit if you do not have the intention of following it through? A lady, for the emotional being she is, desires compliments – though she might never ask for it. Aside that however, setting apart time to be together – on a date, to the movies…or you name it – is an indicator to your level of commitment. Plus, such acts help you to know each other better thus setting the foundation for a thriving relationship.

Communication breakdown: There’s a likelihood that two persons (that is, the partners) are together but yet far apart; this is what I term “wall between walls, and it is usually down to communication gap. Without effective communication, misunderstandings are bound to keep coming up and this could serve as a primer for a breakup. So, there’s a need for you to mean what you say and say what you mean without any form of ambiguity. You have got to make sure that your partner understands what is being said; putting the contextual meaning into perspective and always drive your point home clearly. Again, the lack of communication simply signifies negligence which could make the other person feel ’unwanted’.

Violence: This is certainly not something that should be treated with kids’ gloves, and it is quite pathetic to see certain individuals subject their partner to torture. But the irony is that some ladies feel helpless and flow along with such healthy relationship. A ‘flash of violence’ [from one’s partner] is enough warning sign that should tell anyone to disembark from an ‘emotional plane’ no matter how high into it he/she might have gone.

Technology never ceases to present us with something to cherish – from gadgets down to various apps that enable us do certain things that might have been somewhat arduous or unachievable. You will however agree with me that Nigerians, resident within the country, still lag behind when it comes to creating innovations that would leave indelible imprint in the lives of people. Some may argue that the conditions within the nation are not very favourable to actualize such feats but kudos must be given to those who have thus far weathered the storm.

The beauty of technological efforts is to bring about solutions that will make lives better. And talking about a platform that has been developed for Nigerians in order to address specific issues within our societies; today, I will like to take a look at ‘Tracka’. Tracka.ng was developed by BudgIT in 2014 to keep track of government projects across the nations. Though it may not register among the most sophisticated of technological output – since it may be viewed as just another social platform – but it is yet result-oriented. Through the platform, over five hundred projects have been tracked, and it currently covers 17 states of the federation plus the Federal Capital Territory. Beyond the platform however, the Tracka app has also been designed to make it more interesting.

In the setting we find ourselves, Tracka not only help to follow up on government projects but also unravel cases of non-performance and bring uncompleted projects to limelight. Indirectly, it serves a purpose in checking corrupt practices that could be engaged in by political office holders [as well as contractors] who are saddled with the responsibility of constructing infrastructures within their constituencies.

Furthermore, it presents avenue through which citizens can send in reports about roads and public edifices that are in bad state. Bad roads are an eyesore Nigerians have ostensibly become weary of, and one cannot but wonder if those that ought to take care of these roads ever know anything about them at times. But with the collaborative efforts of the project tracking officers and the citizens, ignorance will definitely not be an excuse raised by public office holders. So, it surmises to say that (Tracka) platform/app bridges the gap between the citizens and their elected government. And it’s not just about the reporting, the personnel behind the operation of the platform have been really active in getting the government effect corrective measures.

Looking ahead

Long before now, it would have been nearly impossible for individuals who barely know places around a particular state render a commercial transport service. But thanks to apps like Google map, many youths now have a means of sustenance by delivering ride sharing services via Uber, Taxify and the likes. This only goes to show the impact technology is having on our society. Now, imagine many Nigerians leveraging on such a platform as Tracka in order to get a message [as it relates to fixing things in their communities] across to the government. The number of registered members is still under a hundred thousand which means many are still left out; here’s a call for you get on board – if you haven’t – by signing up now.

It’s important to state here that asknigeria.com.ng is in no way affiliated to Tracka.ng, but it’s needful to let the word out on an innovation that is geared towards making things right in the nation.