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.’’