Saturday 22 October 2011

Did You Know? by Dr. Okogwu - Nwonye


It’s raining. It’s cold. It gets damp.

“So what?” you may ask?  “It’s raining season!” you say.
Well…did you know that the dust and dirt present in indoor 
spaces provide enough nutrients to support growth of 
microorganisms?

Exposure to microbial contaminants is associated with 
respiratory symptoms, allergies, asthma and immunological 
reactions. Evidence shows that exposure to mold and other 
dampness-related microbial agents increases the risks of rare 
conditions, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic 
alveolitis, chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic fungal sinusitis.

Excess moisture on indoor materials lead to growth of 
microbes. 
These microbes (mold, fungi and bacteria) emit spores, cells, 
fragments and unstable compounds into indoor air. 
Dampness initiates chemical or biological breakdown of 
household building materials, which also pollutes the air inside. 
Dampness has hence been suggested to be a strong, consistent 
indicator of the likelihood of developing asthma and respiratory 
symptoms (e.g. cough and wheeze).

Dampness could also support growth of bacteria and the 
survival of viruses. It is also an indicator of poor ventilation, 
resulting  in possibly increased levels of an extensive range 
of potentially harmful indoor pollutants.

While mold thrives on all materials, selection of appropriate 
building materials can prevent dirt accumulation, moisture 
penetration and mould growth.

Dust mites and fungi favour damp environments. They have 
been found to play a major role in the development of 
respiratory symptoms.
Believe you me; once you’ve seen a dust mite under the 
microscope…you are NEVER the same. Aghhh! You start 
airing those pillows and blankets and dusting and sweeping…

Thinking of living microscopic bugs in your pillows…….can 
definitely do a number on you. I even have slides with dust 
mites given to me by my Parasitology teacher at London School 
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I threaten to show it to my 
non-compliant asthmatic sister when she acts up. Works wonders!

Guidelines formulated essentially say to avoid dampness. I can 
hear my sister laughing. Her comment to this would be “Ha!.. 
during raining season? You must be dreaming! Do you know 
the definition of raining season? Rain! Dampness!”

So….how to avoid the dampness? Try and ventilate the rooms 
as much as possible. If you see any sign of wetness/dampness 
on walls, most likely molds are your unwanted guests. And 
they mean to stay!  See a building expert (no… there is no 
Mold expert but hey in this country… anything goes).

 See your physician if you have had dampness or a mold 
problem for awhile and have respiratory symptoms such 
as coughing, wheezing, sneezing or frequent allergies.





LINKS
Alliance for Healthy Homes
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Thursday 20 October 2011

Muammar Gaddafi is dead

Muammar Gaddafi is dead, Libya's new leaders said, killed by fighters who overran his home town and final bastion on Thursday. His bloodied body was stripped and displayed around the world from cell phone video.


Senior officials in the interim government, which ended his 42-year rule two months ago but had laboured to subdue thousands of diehard loyalists, said his death would allow a declaration of "liberation" after eight months of bloodshed.

Born 7 June 1942, commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi; was the autocratic ruler of Libya from 1969 to 2011 after seizing power in a military coup.

As a result of the 2011 Libyan civil war and the creation of the National Transitional Council, Gaddafi has lost almost all domestic and international recognition, and has lost control of the majority of Libya.

He abolished the Libyan Constitution of 1951, and adopted laws based on his political ideology. His 41 years in power prior to the Civil War made him the fourth longest-ruling non-royal leader since 1900, as well as the longest-ruling Arab leader. He variously styled himself as ‘the Brother Leader’, ‘Guide of the Revolution’ and ‘King of Kings’.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, who with French President Nicolas Sarkozy was an early sponsor of February's revolt in Benghazi, said: "People in Libya today have an even greater chance after this news of building themselves a strong and democratic future."

The new national flag, resurrected by rebels who forced Gaddafi from his capital Tripoli in August, filled streets and squares as jubilant crowds whooped for joy and fired in the air.

In Sirte, a one-time fishing village and Gaddafi's home town that grandiose schemes had styled a new "capital of Africa," fighters danced, brandishing a golden pistol they said they had taken from Gaddafi.

Accounts were hazy of his final hours, which also appeared to have cost the lives of senior aides. But top officials of the National Transitional Council, including Abdel Majid Mlegta, said he had died of wounds sustained in clashes.

Friday 7 October 2011

Steve Jobs - life and death

Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies at 56
Tech Innovator Had Been Battling Pancreatic Cancer for Years

Oct. 5, 2011 -- Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc. who revolutionized the way we use technology, died after fighting advanced pancreatic cancer since 2004. The death was announced by the company he helped found.

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being," Apple stated in a note on its web site. "Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

Unlike many famous people diagnosed with cancer or other fatal illnesses, Jobs revealed few details about his health after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

That was also true when he resigned from the company in August 2011.  Jobs’ shed little insight on his condition in this excerpt from his letter to the Apple Board of Directors:

“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.”

He was, however, willing to talk about death, as he did in this 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University. He shared his relief at the time that he was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer -- one did not mean an immediate death sentence.  Yet he was realistic about his future:

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

 
Legendary Career

In his nearly four-decade career, Jobs oversaw the development of some of the most iconic tech products of the past half century.

He co-founded Apple Computer Inc. in 1976. Based in Cupertino, Calif., the company developed one of the first commercially successful personal computers, the Apple II. Less than 10 years after its founding, though, Apple’s business had lost its momentum, and, in 1985, Jobs was forced to resign.

A year later, Jobs helped found Pixar, the independent animation studio that produced Toy Story and its two sequels, Monsters Inc., Ratatouille, and a host of others Academy Award-winning computer-animated films.

Jobs returned to Apple in 1996. The following year he was named CEO, a position he resigned in August 2011.
During his second tenure at Apple, the company introduced the iPod, the iPhone, and, most recently, the iPad. The popularity of each propelled Apple into its current position as one of the world’s most valuable technology companies.

Meanwhile, its Macintosh line of personal computers has, over the past several years, transformed the company from an also-ran to a top seller in the PC market.

But as Jobs was reviving Apple, his own health was suffering.

Jobs' Pancreatic Cancer

In 2004, Jobs was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when a neuroendocrine tumor was discovered in his pancreas. This type of tumor accounts for 3% of all pancreatic tumors.

The distinction between types of pancreatic cancer is an important one. Whereas the most common form of pancreatic cancer is quite aggressive and deadly, neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer typically progresses slowly and is often treatable.

“Neuroendocrine cancer has a much better prognosis,” says Rodney Pommier, MD, a surgeon at Oregon Health and Sciences University and an expert in neuroendocrine cancer. Pommier did not participate in Jobs’s care.

Jobs had surgery in 2004 to remove the tumor, after which he returned to work. Five years later, though, he took another medical leave of absence from Apple. This time, he underwent a liver transplant at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

Throughout his illness, Jobs preferred privacy over public disclosure of the details of his condition, and the reason for the liver transplant was never disclosed. There was speculation at the time that it was done because his cancer had spread to his liver.


Lifestyle

Bachelor days
Before his marriage, Steve Jobs was a real workaholic. He would spend far more time at work than home, where he would only show up for a quick dinner in the kitchen and a short night.

Family life
All of this changed after he married Laurene in 1990. Humbled by NeXT’s failure, he spent increasingly more time with his newborn son Reed, followed by daughters Erin and Eve. His then-teenage daughter Lisa also joined the family.
In 2005, he said in an interview: “That was one of the things that came out most clearly from this whole experience [with cancer]. I realized that I love my life. I really do. I've got the greatest family in the world, and I've got my work. And that's pretty much all I do. I don't socialize much or go to conferences. I love my family, and I love running Apple, and I love Pixar. And I get to do that. I'm very lucky.”
Steve's family? Steve was obviously very protective when it came to his children so we can only guess as to their identity

Food habits
Ever since his teenage years, Steve has been a militant vegan. The root of it all can be traced back to when he was 19 in Reed College, and started exploring strange diets that he pretended would allow him to eliminate all mucus and therefore the need to shower. At one point he was a “fruitarian” i.e. he ate only fruits. He also started a habit he kept a very long time: that of fasting. He was convinced digestion was burning too much of his energy, the energy he needed at work when he stayed up several nights in a row.
Nevertheless, Steve is still a strict vegan to his death, like his wife Laurene. He was known for lecturing his guests about eating meat, and made no concession to himself, apart from eating fish (sushi especially). One of his favourite meals was known to be raw carrot, without any kind of dressing.

Clothing habits
“I don’t give a shit what I look like,” Steve once confided to friends. This is why he was always seen in his Levi’s blue jeans and black mock turtleneck, even for public occasions. It was a bold change from his dashing days at Apple and NeXT, where he would wear the most expensive Brioni suits.
Steve's last days
Steve and his wife Laurene Powell in better days

Sunday 2 October 2011

NIGERIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION


Various churches today celebrated the independence day in colour and style

Word Assembly, 29A Bishop Oluwole was not left out.


During the service, opportunities were given to individual members how they see Nigeria or in other words, how they expect Nigeria to be in the near future

A country where development reigns
-Mr. Tom

Where the anthem will become a reality
-Pastor Adegbite

Where mothers are mothers and our young girls are off the street
-Sis. Christy

The service was presided over by Pastor Gbenga Banjo. He reminded Nigerians that we all have a part to play in our countries development. he pointed out that nothing will ever change if we as Nigerians do nothing to change it.

Word Assembly as a body has decided to contribute to our public education system .

He advised that everyone can start today in making Nigeria a better place to live by contributing our quotas in making our society better.

He admonished that talk is cheap and reminded all that nothing changes just through talking.

THE TWIN CONTINENT TOUR; SPIRIT OF DAVID GDC


Spirit of David aims to re-define dance through shows and projects like Explode, Throw, D2BD TV, CB Radio, 2cool, A-light e.t.c. and trainings like the Better Dancing program.

Currently, the club is on tour visiting ten countries around the world. According to pastor Segun Lawal, the chief co-ordinator, the Twin Continent Tour aims to take the message of the Gospel in dance to five countries in Africa and five in Europe. Already, Burkina-Faso, Ghana, Kenya, South-Africa and Scotland have been visited with amazing reviews and testimonies.





Spirit of David will be in Cameroun in November, 2011 and aims to round it off with a tour of the remaining countries in Europe in 2012.

50 Nigerian delegates will be in Douala, Cameroun from 18th to 25th November, 2011 to stage an epic yet timely story of sacrifice, titled “A Convenient Day” holding at Castell Hall, Douala on the 19th November, 2011.
Spirit of David will be collaborating with the Ministry of Culture of Cameroun and the Lions’ Club Paradise, Douala.

Details can be found on our information portal, www.3dancingmen.com, www.facebook.com/sodgdc, www.twitter.com/sodgdc.