The sweltering heat of the sun these days is anything but pleasant; the heat is so intense that even the walls [from the inside of some rooms] are not spared. This kind of heat could make a sun-tanning freak have a rethink. The heat is certainly a consequence of the high intensity of sun as witnessed in different states. For instance, the approximate average temperature over the past few days in Lagos has been 34 degrees celsius; Kano 39; Abuja 37 and Rivers 32.

Despite this searing heat, the sun does have some desirable advantages it offers to the human. Scientists have found out that the sun can help to improve mood; alleviate stress and also provide us with Vitamin D which is one of the key elements responsible for the formation of strong bones.

But then, how much sun is too much for our well-being? – talk about the negative effects of the sun. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure of human beings to a temperature of about 32-40oc can cause heat exhaustion, which is definitely bad for human health. Heat exhaustion brings about profuse sweating, nausea, headache, a feeling of fatigue, dizziness and could even make an affected person to pass out. Heat stroke is another heat related illness that can occur when the body is exposed to a temperature of 40oC upwards for a long time. It causes its sufferers to experience a bout of confused and uncoordinated state of mind, seizures, low blood pressure and so on.

Furthermore, the long term exposure of the human body to extreme temperature can also cause other illnesses/disorders such as heat cramps, heat rashes, sunburn, accelerated ageing and skin cancer. Again, in some instances excessive heat can damage some internal organs [such as the kidney, brain, heart, lungs and liver] and also destabilize the body’s metabolic and physiological setup.

Safety tips
Since man has not been endowed with the ability to regulate the intensity of the sun, it is only logical that we seek out ways of protecting ourselves from the sun. Well, you need not be told that this is not a season for heavy clothing – light clothing apparels are ideal for this season. However, in addition to that, you should take note of the following safety tips:

• Wear sunglasses
  Sunglasses will help to block off ultraviolet rays from directly hitting your eyes thus saving your sight organ from the negative impact of the sun. But before settling for any sunglasses to use during this period, you should take cognizance of the sun protection factor (SPF) – sunglasses with SPF rating of 30 and above are the best bet. Besides wearing sunglasses, you can also find a sunhat and an umbrella quite handy.

• Stay hydrated
  Drinking water or any clear fluid [with electrolytes] is very essential to help cool the internal organs and keep the body from getting dehydrated. One thing you need to know is that you do not have to be thirsty before reaching out for a glass of water to drink in extreme temperatures.

• Take a cool shower
  If you can afford a shower at regular intervals - barring a busy schedule- you should not hesitate. This could prevent sunburn, heat rash and the build-up of heat that can eventually lead to heat stroke.

• Apply sunscreen
  Sunscreens come in form of lotions or gels, and they help to protect the skin from sunburn; wrinkling fast and also prevents skin cancers. However, as with sunglasses, the SPF rating of sunscreens should also be considered before making a purchase.

On a final note, irrespective of how ‘religious’ you may be at adhering to the tips above, it is advisable that you stay out of the sun when you can – you should make use of the shades around you or stay in air-conditioned [or well-ventilated] room. And one more thing; do not engage in workouts or physical activities that are too demanding.

The Champions League advances into the quarter-final round with some rather mouth-watering matchups as eight of Europe's best team will be battling for the four (4) semi-final spots as they fixate an eye on the trophy.
The draw brings up two English Premier League sides- Liverpool and Manchester City- up against each other for the first time in 7 years- the last all-English quarter-final match in the competition was between Chelsea and Manchester United in 2011. Manchester City has certainly been one of the deadliest team in Europe this season but Liverpool could yet prove to be a spoiler once again. The game is arguably the most anticipated match of the quarter-final round.

Looking at the other fixtures; the draw seems to have offered Juventus the opportunity to wage a vendetta against Real Madrid who claimed the trophy at their expense enroute to winning the title for the second time in succession- though the Italian side does have superior head-to-head wins over the Galacticos in the Champions League; emerging victorious on four (4) different occasions compared to Real Madrid's two (2) wins. To complete the quarter-final fixtures; the battle royale between La Liga sides and Serie A sides continues as Barcelona play hosts to Roma while Sevilla takes on Bayern Munich for a place in the semi-finals- a feat that Sevilla will be aiming to achieve for the first time.

The Fixtures in Full
First Leg
April 3, 2018
Sevilla Vs Bayern Munich
Juventus Vs Real Madrid

April 4, 2018
Barcelona Vs Roma
Liverpool Vs Manchester City

Second Leg
April 10, 2018
Roma Vs Barcelona
Manchester City Vs Liverpool

April 11, 2018
Bayern Munich Vs Sevilla
Real Madrid Vs Juventus

Osamu Tsukimori TOKYO (Reuters)

Oil prices were set to fall this week, with both benchmarks dropping slightly on Friday, on concerns among investors about rising supply from the U.S. and other nations threatening to undermine efforts by OPEC and other producers to tighten the market.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil futures for April delivery fell 3 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $61.16 a barrel at 0354 GMT, after settling up 23 cents on Thursday. WTI is set to fall 1.4 percent this week, reversing the previous week’s 1.3 percent gain.

Brent crude futures trading in London fell 7 cents to $65.05 a barrel after settling up 23 cents. Brent is down 0.7 percent for the week.

Several reports this week renewed investor focus on the potential for rising supply to overwhelm the expected gains in crude demand for 2018.

On Thursday, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said global oil supply increased in February by 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) from a year ago to 97.9 million barrels per day.

The IEA also said supply from producers outside of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), led by the United States, will grow by 1.8 million bpd this year versus an increase of 760,000 bpd last year.

The supply increase is more than the IEA’s expected demand growth forecast for this year of 1.5 million bpd.

The agency also reported that commercial oil inventories in industrialized nations rose in January for the first time in seven months.

That directly undermines the efforts of producers led by OPEC and Russia, the world’s biggest oil producer, to cut supply in order to reduce global stockpiles.

“The fact that the inventories rose despite intensifying output curbs led by OPEC shows how much non-OPEC supply has risen,” said Tomomichi Akuta, senior economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting in Tokyo.

“Crude prices have been checked by the increase in U.S. supply.”

OPEC and other producers began cutting supply in January 2017 to erase a global crude glut that had built up since 2014.

On Wednesday, the U.S. government reported that crude stockpiles there increased by a more-than-expected 5 million barrels, rising for a third straight week.

Oil prices got scant support from the equities market. Asian stocks declined on Friday, following a four-day losing streak in the S&P 500 a day earlier, amid concerns about more changes in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Recently, crude futures have moved in sync with equities.

SOURCE: Reuters

Stephen Hawking, who sought to explain some of the most complicated questions of life while working under the shadow of a likely premature death, has died at 76.

He died peacefully at his home in the British university city of Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday.

“We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today,” his children Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a statement.

Hawking’s formidable mind probed the very limits of human understanding both in the vastness of space and in the bizarre sub-molecular world of quantum theory, which he said could predict what happens at the beginning and end of time.

His work ranged from the origins of the universe, through the tantalizing prospect of time travel to the mysteries of space’s all-consuming black holes.

“He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years,” his family said. “His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world.”

The power of his intellect contrasted cruelly with the weakness of his body, ravaged by the wasting motor neuron disease he developed at the age of 21.

Hawking was confined for most of his life to a wheelchair. As his condition worsened, he had to resort to speaking through a voice synthesizer and communicating by moving his eyebrows.

The disease spurred him to work harder but also contributed to the collapse of his two marriages, he wrote in a 2013 memoir “My Brief History.”

In the book he related how he was first diagnosed: “I felt it was very unfair - why should this happen to me,” he wrote.

“At the time, I thought my life was over and that I would never realize the potential I felt I had. But now, 50 years later, I can be quietly satisfied with my life.”

Hawking shot to international fame after the 1988 publication of ““A Brief History of Time”, one of the most complex books ever to achieve mass appeal, which stayed on the Sunday Times best-sellers list for no fewer than 237 weeks.

He said he wrote the book to convey his own excitement over recent discoveries about the universe.

“”My original aim was to write a book that would sell on airport bookstalls,” he told reporters at the time. ““In order to make sure it was understandable I tried the book out on my nurses. I think they understood most of it.”

He was particularly proud that the book contains only one mathematical equation - relativity’s famous E=MC squared.

“We have lost a colossal mind and a wonderful spirit,” said Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web. “Rest in peace, Stephen Hawking.”

Hawking’s popular recognition became such that he appeared as himself on the television show “Star Trek: Next Generation” and his cartoon caricature appeared on “The Simpsons”.

A 2014 film, The Theory of Everything, with Eddie Redmayne playing Hawking, charted the onset of his illness and his early life as the brilliant student grappling with black holes and the concept of time.

Source: Reuters

Maybe on another day, this article would have been titled: ‘the many sins of the IGP’- that should serve as a pointer to the direction this write-up is tilting- but permit me to stick with that which I have chosen

Firstly, the Nigeria Police Force has faced a lot of backlash from the Nigerian populace at various times, and most of these criticisms have been as a result of the slipups perceivable from the way officers of the NPF carry out their activities. Recall the issues that led to the #ENDSARSNOW# crusade; how the spokesman of the NPF, Jimoh Moshood [while being interviewed on a national TV] called a sitting governor, ‘a drowning man’ amongst other unprincipled conducts.

However, before I get wholly engrossed with the general affairs of the police force, let me try to remain on track [by staying in line with the objective of this very discourse]. The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris might have scored good remarks in some quarters but there is no denying the fact that he has been in the office for the wrong reason(s) of late. To start with, his handling of the massacres perpetrated by the terrorist herdsmen across different states in the north- especially Benue- does not speak well of his reputation as the chief law enforcement officer of a nation such as ours. Aside having men on ground, shouldn’t there have been modalities in place to help curtail future occurrences [after the incident that had 73 innocent indigenes of Benue killed]? The perpetrators of that evil act have gone on to kill more persons thus causing panic in the hearts of citizens amidst the trails of blood, tears and sorrow left behind, and it remains to be seen how much more havoc will wreaked before the police bring things under control.
It could be argued that the IGP [as well as the Nigeria Police Force] is incapacitated to deal with a problem as ‘magnanimous’ as the terrorist herdsmen but his utterances have often reflected an iota of insensitivity or maybe lack of priority. For instance, he (the IGP) was proposing that governors of the states affected by the onslaught of the herdsmen need to establish grazing ranches before implementing anti-grazing laws, and this makes me ask: ‘ought the IGP not have known that it is not in his place to make or propose a law but to enforce it? Making such proposition only indicates either of these two things: that he lacks the wherewithal to occupy the office he is currently holding or that he is being sentimental and advancing the course of the herdsmen which is certainly not good for the credibility of the office of an IGP.

The last- or maybe latest- straw that broke the camel’s back was President Buhari’s revelation of being unaware of the IGP’s refusal to move to Benue in the wake of the violent attacks of the herdsmen on some Benue communities. Ought the IGP not have known [and/or respected] what is meant by an executive order? And that the failure to act on an executive order could jeopardize the security of the (Nigerian) state? At this point, I do not think it will be wrong to pass of no confidence on the IGP. He cannot continually do things that are against the oath of the office he holds and be left without being reprimanded. Letting such be without any form of penalty is dangerous for the security and polity of the nation as it would encourage disorderliness and nonchalant attitudes towards responsibilities among other public office holders who have the inclination to go wayward. In the light of this, Nigerians are looking up to know the President’s next line of action as it concerns addressing the IGP’s disregard and/or negligence of one of his primary assignment.

Aside the apparent reality of corruption, some other factors that affected the standings of countries in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) recently released by Transparency International include delayed prosecution of corrupt officials and the government's inability to map out effective anti-corruption mechanisms. These are not unfounded in the Nigerian context safe one decides to sweep the facts that are before us under the carpet. There is a high tendency to heap the blame on the executive arm of government- rightfully so in some circumstances- but the judiciary cannot be left out. The justice system in Nigeria does seem to be exhibit some sort of slagness when it comes to giving final verdicts on a number of high-profile cases; many are cases that are presently inconclusive, and some- despite the evidence of law violation- do not get to be taken to court.

To start with, the trial of kidnap honcho, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (popularly known as Evans) is rather taken too long. Evans has been arrested by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on the 10th of June, 2017, and a final court ruling is looking still far to come by as a series of adjournment, reassignment [on the case] keeps buying the self-confessed kidnapper more time. The gaffe committed by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, in not presenting a valid proof of evidence for the murder allegation levelled against Evans could have also played a part in the protracted delay in giving a final verdict. It can be argued that the complexity of the Evans' case is not making process easy but the justice system appears to lack the fluidity to put cases to rest in quick time. It is worth noting that the Chief Justice of Nigeria has [at various points in time] charged judges to see to it that trials are speedily concluded. The rigmarole surrounding Evans looks to have given the audacity to file suits [through his counsel, Mr. Oluyinka Ogungbeje] against the police on two different occasions as he hopes to escape the wrath of the law.

Though not in the same class as Evans' case but another saga that got people talking is the one involving ex-pension boss, Abdulrasheed Maina. Court proceedings on Maina's case may not have really taken flight- a situation brought about by the evasiveness of the ex-pension chief whose alleged abettors have since appeared in court- but the indictment of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) does not only create a crevice in the government's anti-corruption framework but is also a dent on the justice system in the country. Maina should be made to stand in court [like the others have done] to prove his innocence and be acquitted or get convicted and served the the appropriate punishment by the law demands.

Well, Maina's case may not even command so much attention if we are to dig the grave and unearth the several high-profile cases [involving former governors and other top public office holders] that are still pending in court, awaiting the judge's final ruling. Some of these cases are spanning 5 - 10 years and they remain stalled till this very day.

For any groundbreaking result to be recorded in our justice system, the judiciary has got to mop up these cases; resolving them in all fairness without any fear or favour. An anti-corruption fight without a trustworthy justice system is not different from beating a dead horse.

William Blackstone, a reputable English jurist of the 18th century, defined Law as “a rule of conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a state, commanding what is right and prohibiting what is wrong”. This definition connotes that a law is established to serve as a moral compass that guides the citizens of a particular state on the ways they ought to conduct themselves thereby ensuring orderliness in the society.

A law is set in place to benefit the state, and also curtail chaotic occurrences that could endanger the lives of the citizens. The purpose [for which a law is established] is however defeated without the enforcement of such law. In fact, the non-enforcement of certain laws could make them appear non-extant with those who are meant to abide by these (‘inactive’) laws not even having knowledge of them.

It is in view of the above that I wish to beam light on the enforcement of laws in Nigeria. The enforcement of laws in Nigeria has not been so impressive, I must say; day in day out, we see and hear of individuals, flouting the law in different cases, without being apprehended- a situation that has brought about the flawed perception that we are living in a society where ‘anything goes’. A common example is the rampant disregard for the law on our roads as motorists keep violating traffic laws over and again even under the nose of law enforcement agents. Is it about drivers moving their vehicles against the normal flow of traffic or those that see no reason to move in synchrony with the traffic light? And what about the abject negligence for speed limit signs and other road insignia? These are just a few among the several unlawful misconducts motorists count as ‘minor’ offences simply because the enforcement of the law has not been efficiently enacted.

The remissness exhibited by law enforcement agents in the course of carrying out their duties has been one of the major reasons why laws are being violated at an alarming rate. Moreover, in most cases of violation of traffic laws; some officials of these agencies are in the habit of collecting bribes from the lawbreakers who are let off the hook without paying the appropriate fine or punishment the offence [they had committed] warrants. The slackness and unethical conducts of some law enforcement agents have not only given prospective offenders the leeway to continuously go against the laid down precepts but also watered down the efficacy of the law, and what we now see is a state of untamed disorderliness in some instances.

Looking at it from a different angle; our poor data management culture could have also contributed to the state of affairs in the area of law enforcement. This brings me back to the faulty systems we have in Nigeria; the lapse makes it easy for serial offenders to bypass security agencies and not get caught. keeping records of offenders in a digital base will go a long way in helping law enforcement agencies keep track of the number of times they have committed a particular crime hence bringing them to book, and in effect, strengthening the hand of the law.

You must have heard of the saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ a couple of times- this is one essential fact that is simply undeniable. And if there’s any medical reality where one ought to hold this statement in high regard, it will be in the area of taming chronic illnesses. This is simply because of the stubborn nature of this group of diseases; they are not easily cured, and in most cases, they can only be managed. But let me quick to say this: suffering from a chronic illness should not be viewed in the same light as being served a ‘death sentence’ as this could lead a patient into a depressive state- depression can be more damaging than the chronic illness itself.
So, let’s see the things you have got to do in order to live a healthy life and put chronic diseases in check. Before I proceed with that, I will like to say that it is probable you have heard about this before but I will be listing [and discussing about them] as a matter of emphasis.

Rest
It is recommended everyone gets up to eight (8) hours of rest every day. While rest and sleep are often used interchangeably in some instances, it is important to state [for clarity sake] that there is a difference between the two (2) terms though sleep can be taken as a form of rest. So, the hours one ought to use in resting encompasses the period of sleep- a good sleep as a matter of fact- and the break you have while at work. However, owing to the demanding nature of the corporate world, it might be difficult to make out time for a break but a little here and a little there can do one’s health a great deal of benefit. By that, I mean easing off for some minutes- say 5 minutes- every hour even without necessarily leaving the desk. Plus, it is also good to ensure that the work area is ergonomically set up.

Aerobic exercises
As you are already aware; exercises help us to stay fit. But beyond fitness, exercises can be of immense advantages in reducing the chances of one suffering a chronic illness. Aerobic exercises [which aid the supply and/or circulation of oxygen throughout the body system] are especially good for putting cancer at bay since cancerous cells have been observed to thrive more under anaerobic condition- this creates a relatively high level of alkalinity within the body hence an avenue for cancerous cells to multiply. Again, aerobic exercises help to boost the functioning of the heart, and also prevent obesity if done on a regular basis.

Healthy diet
There are certain foods one needs to cut down on in order to make sure one is in charge of his/her health and keep chronic diseases some distance away. Consumables like red meat, alcohol, sugar and foods- such as processed foods, whole milk, butter and so on- with low density lipids (LDL) i.e ‘bad cholesterol’, etc should be avoided like plague. Healthy options such as vegetables and fruits as well as foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids should form the core of one’s daily diet. Certain fruits and vegetables contain high amount of antioxidant which are very effective in fighting or preventing cancer, and also help to improve the immune system. Additionally, cigarette smoking and/or the inhalation of any form of smoke- for example from exhaust pipe, generator, etc- should not be tolerated.

As earlier emphasized; it is not that people have not heard about the aforementioned measures, the discipline to adhere to them has always been the issue. But since this is about one’s well-being- present and future- it would be really wise to start acting on these things as soon as possible. More so, bearing in mind that it is hard to find anyone suffering from a chronic illness functioning at an optimal level, it is expedient that attention to paid to one’s health while one still have it. A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has it that hundreds of millions of dollars are lost annually in Nigeria as a result of chronic illnesses. You don’t have to contribute to that figure- and no one should in an ideal world- and you can live long and in good health too but the journey must be consciously undertaken from today onward.

‘Deplorable’ is the word that readily comes to mind when one considers the state of some of the roads motorists ply on daily basis. The word may even be an understatement on sighting the level of structural degradations on these roads. These degradations- which are usually accelerated or made more profound during rainy seasons- have left some of these roads in a state of abandonment thus making a shipwreck of a route that is meant to benefit the masses. This, in effect, results in traffic congestion on certain routes as motorists are limited to the pliable routes that there are. And in situations where the damages are repaired, they are sometimes finished to a substandard quality and it takes only a few years- or months- before the roads give way again.
More disheartening is the fact that some of these bad roads have led to multiple accidents and loss of lives and it remains to be seen how long these wastes [of lives and resources] will go on for as those saddled with the responsibility of putting things right turn blind eye. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) identified bad roads as one of the three (3) causes of accidents on Nigerian roads- the others being ‘error of judgment’ and disregard for traffic regulations.

But things could have been better
About 10 years ago, I remember seeing dignitaries making their way to a conference centre around the Faculty of Engineering in the University of Lagos. After probing to know what was up in the air, I realized that an erudite scholar in person of Professor Ebenezer Meshida, has done something laudable in seeking a way to ensure the stabilization of the roads in Nigeria. In layman’s term as I understood then, his finding- or shall I say product- is such that will not make soil to dissolve in water. I later got to know that the product is called ‘Lateralite’. Further check on Professor Meshida showed that he had been carrying out his research on Nigerian roads for over twenty-five (25) years as at then; having put a particular route- which was said to have lasted over 100 years- in the UK into consideration.
What is however puzzling is the manner with which some of the politicians [in office then] whom he (Prof. Meshida) had met on the need to incorporate Lateralite into the roads, made light of the suggestion. The reason for that- as you might have guessed- was based on protecting their selfish interest.
Years have rolled by, and the state of our roads has rarely been improved upon; notwithstanding, we keep hearing of recurring expenses on infrastructural developments- of which the construction and maintenance of roads are major aspects- that do not stand the test of time.
Professor Meshida eventually got a consolation for his efforts by winning the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Prize for Science in 2008 but I sternly believe that the Professor of Engineering Geology would have taken more pride in seeing that the roads around the country are devoid of any dent or structural collapse thereby making the destabilization of our roads a thing of the past.
It is obvious that the continual existence of bad and/or degrading roads is not because of the lack of resources or manpower [to do a perfect job on them] but rather due to the failure and/or short-sightedness of some persons- who are meant to put the masses first- to do what is right.