Information Commissioner Tasks Women Journalists on Mutual Support, Cooperation
As part of her campaign tour which kicked off recently in Bayelsa State, Comrade Mrs Timi Jombo Idoko, candidate for the post of Deputy National President in the forthcoming Triennial Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Information, Strategy and Orientation, Bayelsa State.
The visit, according to Comrade Grace Ijeoma Umeh, former Chairperson, NAWOJ, Edo State, DG, Timi Idoko Campaign Organization, is dual in nature, first, to inform the Honorable Commissioner and Staff of the Ministry of the aspiration of the frontline candidate and then to sensitize them on the need for mutual cooperation and support in order for her to have a successful outing at the polls.
Welcoming the candidate and her campaign team to his office at Water Board Road, Ovum, Yenagoa, the Honourable Commissioner, Mr Ayuba Duba, praised Idoko for her resilience in unionism and commitment to the NAWOJ Project, describing her as a unionist to the core.
The Commissioner encouraged women journalists in the state to rally round their own and ensure her victory, stating that it will be a crowning moment for the union and the state in general. ” There is nothing as good as home base support in elections of this magnitude, any election for that matter.
Your support will boost her moral in ensuring victory.” He stated.
Earlier, Comrade Mrs Timinepere Jombo Idoko gave the Commissioner a brief on the forthcoming Triennial Delegates Conference, informed him of her aspiration and appealed for the Ministry’s support.
Mrs Idoko reiterated her advancement in NAWOJ, stating that she has been a State Chairperson, Zonal Vice President for two tenures, stressing that with the experience gained in the course of her leadership in the State and Zone, she deemed it fit to serve at the National level to give a voice to the State and the Zone and support in rebuilding an association that is 31 years old and in dire need of stability and progress.
She promised that in going higher, she will not disappoint the State, Zone and Nigeria as a whole.
NOA APPEALS TO LABOUR TO SUSPEND PROTEST, DIALOGUE WITH GOVT.
As organised labour plans for nationwide protest on Monday, The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has appealed to labour leaders in the country to continue to engage government through dialogue in order to find a common ground on the issue of fuel and electricity price hikes.
Director General of the Agency, Dr. Garba Abari in a special message to the two main Labour organisations urged their leaders to continue to avail themselves of the platforms for debate and negotiations provided by government, especially now when government is making effort to reactivate the economy following the global economic slow down occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to him, “calling for protests and strikes at this period hardly can help in the very difficult task of navigating the nation through the challenges thrown up by the impact of COVID19″
The Agency also appealed to Nigerians to come to terms with the economic realities of the time which require aggressive revenue drive, removal of unsustainable subsidies as a way of growing the economy and attracting the needed investment funds into the country.
“ we should be talking about how to create jobs and this is the time to let private enterprises and investments determine the cost of goods and services inorder to provide jobs and services in the country. What government is doing is simply to provide the environment for huge private sector investment in the oil and gas sectors and energy sub-sector” he said.
The Director General also called on labour to inspire a new sense of productivity among workers that will ensure greater output and growth in the economy.
NOA APPEALS TO LABOUR TO SUSPEND PROTEST, DIALOGUE WITH GOVT.
As organised labour plans for nationwide protest on Monday, The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has appealed to labour leaders in the country to continue to engage government through dialogue in order to find a common ground on the issue of fuel and electricity price hikes.
Director General of the Agency, Dr. Garba Abari in a special message to the two main Labour organisations urged their leaders to continue to avail themselves of the platforms for debate and negotiations provided by government, especially now when government is making effort to reactivate the economy following the global economic slow down occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to him, “calling for protests and strikes at this period hardly can help in the very difficult task of navigating the nation through the challenges thrown up by the impact of COVID19″
The Agency also appealed to Nigerians to come to terms with the economic realities of the time which require aggressive revenue drive, removal of unsustainable subsidies as a way of growing the economy and attracting the needed investment funds into the country.
“ we should be talking about how to create jobs and this is the time to let private enterprises and investments determine the cost of goods and services inorder to provide jobs and services in the country. What government is doing is simply to provide the environment for huge private sector investment in the oil and gas sectors and energy sub-sector” he said.
The Director General also called on labour to inspire a new sense of productivity among workers that will ensure greater output and growth in the economy.
WATER IS NOT CRUDE OIL Intended Federal Government Control of Water Resources is Going Too Far. Call to Resist the National Water Resources Bill, 2020 By Frank Tietie
The requirement for licensing is the most legally oppressive manner to take over the natural resources of a people.
The preamble of the 1969 Petroleum Act vests the control of the exploration of petroleum and ownership of all on-shore and off-shore petroleum resources in the Federal Government of Nigeria
The sad story of the impact of the above provision is clear for the whole world to see. We have witnessed over 50 years of mindless exploitation and degradation of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria by International Oil Companies (IOCs) who, in cahoots with the Nigerian Federal authorities have continued from independence to date, to mine and sell crude oil to fund the most profligate and irresponsible management of petroleum wealth so far, in the history of the whole world,
Crude oil, like water is a blessing but it became a curse to Nigeria and the people of the Niger Delta because it was poorly managed and controlled by a central Federal government which used it to fuel corruption and other nefarious interests, without caring in the least for the people and environment of the region from where the crude oil is produced.
The people of the Niger Delta region are the most conquered people in the world. They watch daily, helplessly as their environments are being degraded with the exploitation of the crude oil that is naturally deposited in their land of origin.
To ensure the free and constant flow of crude oil, in order to fund the profligacy and consumerism of the Nigerian government, the social space of the people of the Niger Delta is constantly militarized and its people brutally policed. The young people of the region are repressed and terrorised. They don’t even have a sociosphere that would enable the development and pursuits of their dreams and aspirations. I was there and only escaped the horrors of the region by sheer grace of God. The communities in the Niger Delta region are constantly embroiled in local conflicts brewed by the divide and rule mechanisms that have been put in place by conflict merchants, all in favour of continued oil exploitation of crude oil by the IOCs.
It is this horrible fate that the control and management of petroleum resources by the Federal Government has foisted on the people of the Niger Delta that is about to be replicated with the case water by the National Water Resources Bill, 2020.
Water may appear cheap and everywhere in Nigeria thus, it can easily be overlooked. But that is not true. Water is more important than crude oil in too many ways. We can do without oil. After all, it has been more of a curse to us in Nigeria. It probably would have been better if we didn’t have crude oil deposits in Nigeria.Just see how crude oil has fueled corruption, underdevelopment and bred trouble wherever it was found. Unlike crude oil, we can’t do without water and the troubles associated with water conflicts will make those associated with crude oil look like child’s play.
Section 2 of the National Water Resources Bill vests use, management and control of all surface water and ground water in the Federal Government of Nigeria, provided such water affects more than one state as contemplated by Item 64 of the Exclusive Legislative list in Part 1 of the Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution.
Not that the rivers and creeks which criss cross all of the states of the Niger Delta region are all connected. It is these that the Federal Government now aims to control by the pending bill. It is not only control of surface water but ground water inclusive, that the Federal Government now aims to control. I leave the implications of such control to your imagination, given the history of crude oil management by the same Federal Government. This will form the subject of another of my writing and a focussed advocacy subject to resources.
It is understandable that the Petroleum Act was enacted by the military and it was during the civil war so there were no many opportunities or none for that matter, that afforded the people of the Niger Delta the right to accept or reject the highly consequential provisions of the then intended law to govern petroleum resources management and control.
This time around, it should be different. Therefore, every Nigerian and particularly people and groups from the Niger Delta area must read all sections of the intended law and consider them against the backdrop of the past, present and future of the country with that of the Niger Delta region. I have therefore undertaken to send copies of the bill to anyone upon request.
When an unjust law is passed, it is very difficult to reverse its negative effects. When the people of the Niger Delta realized the inequities against them and how oppressed they are by the legal regime of the Petroleum Act, they turned to militancy as a means of liberation but it failed them. Therefore they are still in the same place as things never changed and their future fortunes are uncertain. Even political palliatives in the forms of 13% Derivatiion money, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MINDA) and Amnesty Programme have left the region still highly underdeveloped relative to where it ought to have been, considering the likes of Dubai and Rotterdam. Instead, willing collaborators from the Niger Delta have turned these political interventions by the Federal Government into cesspools of mind boggling corruption and the people of the region will continue to suffer.
In this new era where the calls for restructuring are loudest and the Federal Government is being told to divest itself of needless control of legislative items so that Nigeria can indeed develop as a true federation, where the peoples of states can harness their resources for their perculiar development, it is therefore unthinkable and in fact amounts to direct provocation for the Federal Government to aspire to control local water resources to the extent of having to travel to Abuja for example, to obtain a license from the Federal Government just to drill a borehole. The Federal Government by the implications of the intended law can also grant control of iverine areas to persons and companies of its choice to conduct livestock business irrespective of the sensitivities and concerns of the people of the region. The pending National Water Resources Bill, 2020 is indeed, going too far and must be resisted! The bill should be dropped forthwith.
Frank Tietie Human Rights Lawyer & Executive Director Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER) Writes from Abuja
WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED…. New CAMA is No Threat to Religious Freedom in Nigeria
By Frank Tietie
It is not compulsory to register a church or mosque in Nigeria. Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to freely associate as a group of persons provided, not as a secret cult or for any other criminal purposes.
Any group of persons either Moslems, Christians or Traditionalists like the Igbe cult prevalent in Urhobo land, that I am familiar with, can actually operate legally without having to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). That is a fundamental right of every Nigerian which has the force of law that is fundamental to the existence of Nigeria itself.
However, the law provides for the optional, twin benefits of corporate personality and perpetual succession to any group who so wish, only on the condition of registration with CAC.
When therefore, any group of persons decides to be registered, it means such a group has submitted itself to be regulated by the law applicable body corporates. It remains optional anyway.
Groups cannot continue to claim the twin benefits of registration and reject the corresponding responsibilities to such benefits.
Thus, for example, many persons including institutional donors won’t give money to an organisation, whether a mosque or church if they knew such an organisation is owned by one man who lays personal claim to all the property of the group.
Again, other persons won’t support a religious organisation that doesn’t have a clearcut succession plan. Many members of some organisations have often grumbled when its leadership is passed onto either the wife, son or daughter of the founder, upon his passage to the other dimension.
Any group of persons that holds out itself to be registered either as a church or mosque must operate according to the minimum standards of transparency, accountability and predictability in the management of its property, particularly financial resources.
There have been recent cries against some of the provisions of the new CAMA which many claim are meant to detract from religious freedom. That cannot be correct.
Firstly, the controversial provision of Section 839 of CAMA which enables CAC to suspend trustees on certain conditions and in conjunction with the court, appoint interim managers for the association, deals mainly with the property of such an organisation.
Property is at the heart of the matter, not religious freedom. A good example in the application of the said provision is the recent suspension of the trustees of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles in the United Kingdom for failing to file its financial reports on time and for other financial discrepancies by some of its past leaders. In the place of the suspended trustees was appointed interim managers whose primary duties include reviewing the financial and governance processes of the church. This does not in any way affect the objects and activities of the church in terms of worship, including preaching and teaching of the reverred Word of God. The UK authorities, reasonably did not have to appoint a sheikh or mulah to superintendent over the church. Only persons with knowledge in such areas as accounting, management, administration etc were likely appointed.
Recently, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) was accused of receiving money from a terrorist organisation to prepare Southern Nigeria for an invasion under a radical islamic agenda. MURIC would require not much defence if it has always run all of its finances so transparently as the new law now demands.
CAC has always enjoyed such wide discretionary powers in the repealed law that it could transfer the property of one defunct organisation to another that it considers to have similar objects.
There has been clearly, a regime of abuse in the management of the property of religious organizations in Nigeria. Apparently, requirement for full financial disclosure will be seen as a threat by religious leaders who live insidiously lavish and opulent lifestyles where they didn’t have to account to anyone. In some of these groups, the finances are so opaque and no member would dare to ask questions or else he or she could be considered to be possesed of the devil.
Also, many Moslem clerics will be very uncomfortable to be required to constantly document and declare their sources of income together with expenditures when they weren’t used to doing so, all in the name of preventing the possible funding of terrorist activities in Nigeria.
Some churches and Islamic groups have been reported to be engaged in money laundering and terrorist related financing respectively.
Recently, a bank paid 575 million Naira to a church pastor in Abuja which was believed to be laundered money for onward passage to the embattled suspended acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu. The allegations against MURIC are also quite instructive on how these organisations can be conduit for laundered funds.
The requirements for transparency in the Not- for- Profit sector as contained in the new CAMA are not strange to our legal environment. Similar provisions are contained in the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) Act of 2015. Thus, when Jim Obazee, as executive secretary of FRCN tried to apply those provisions on Pastor Enoch Adeboye, he was seriously attacked by Nigerian Christians (including me) and he was severely punished with an outright suspension and an ultimate sack.
Even though Nigeria has been so badly governed by successive administrations, there is nothing wrong in seeking to apply international best practices in the management of the Not-for-Profit sector.
As an ardent fan of conspiracy theories from George Orwell, HG Wells to David Icke who purvey dystopic worldviews, I quite understand the fears that are associated with this new CAMA but I think it should not be much cause for alarm as another contemplated law that seeks to empower the Federal Government to acquire and control natural creeks, rivers and streams across Nigeria, including the Niger-Delta.
Frank Tietie Human Rights Lawyer & Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER) writes from Abuja
Inauguration of the National Technical Working Group on Review of National Policy on Social Protection anchored by the Fed. Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning ( FMFBNP) . ToR include : incorporation of relevant& emerging national & global issues; dev of a clear ,inclusive, measurable & acceptable Social Protection policy to address vulnerabilities/ poverty in Nigeria; development of strategic mechanisms for institutionalizing the policy as step to legislation of social protection policy ; dev of strategic implementation road map etc. National Tech Working Group is Multi- sectoral- MDAs, International Agencies & other stakeholders’ reps.
Kano state government says there is no going back on its intention to access loan for the construction of Light Rail Transit Project in Metropolitan Kano, a project conceived after due consultations with major stakeholders in the state.
Kano state government also inisists that the light rail project, apart from other benefits, is designed to expand commercial activities, and ease transportation of agricultural goods and services across the state for the benefit of the good people of our dear state.
A press release issued by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, in a swift reaction to a statement by the Kwankwasiyya Movement on the project, indicates that no amount of criticism will deter the government from carrying out laudable projects that aim at transforming Kano to a Mega City.
Earlier, Aminu Abdulssalam, running-mate of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 elections, who has now taken another job as the spokesman of the Kwankwassiyya Movement, addressed a Press Conference in Abuja, where he made an attempt to discredit the dynamic initiative of Kano state government, which initially covers a total of 75.02 km, but has now been reduced, in view of its capital intensive nature (considering the economic realities occassioned by the COVID-19 pandemic), and the need to ensure a well-planned execution.
Malam Garba points out that since the foreign loan has already been approved by the China Export-Import Bank, government would go ahead with the projects and the state lawmakers have recommended the contractor Messrs CR18G-CRCEGJV to commence with lot I which starts from Dawanau Graiins Market-Bata, being Phase I of the project and to be completed within 20 months.
Malam Garba states that all the due processes are being followed which include getting approval from the state House of Assembly and clearance from the relevant federal agencies and the National Assembly.
The commissioner further explains that the Kwankwasiyya position on the project is not in any way surprising considering that the movement never appreciate any thing no matter how well thought out by the APC administration in Kano.
He says the Kwankwassiyya Movement, which has been overawed by the uncommon achievements of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje administration in all facets of development, and particularly, the initiation and execution of mega projects, is now afraid of its shadows. They have embarked on a smear campaign in a desperate move to bring the state government into disrepute.
The Commissioner, however, says that no amount of blackmail will stand as stumbling block for the APC government to initiate people oriented policies and programmes in the overall interest of the state.
MALAM MUHAMMAD GARBA Hon. Commissioner, Information, Kano State
Where do I begin from to show my deepest appreciation to everyone and I mean everyone who showed up to celebrate the faithfulness of God upon my life.
You never know how much you have gained until you give others a reason to express it.
I am in awe of the love, care and honesty expressed by you in every call, every post, every comment and every share. Even those who usually shy away from social media, where out to celebrate with me
Words are never enough to show the depth of gratitude but I am truly overwhelmed
The children of the TRANSFORMATIONAL Parenteen Academy, my Parenteen support group, classmates, school mates, friends, colleagues, media associates, women groups Teens Ministers, Deacon Assembly, LCF worldwide, my Pastors, JmtFamily , my family, children, brothers and sisters Greatest Josites, great mothers, wordpainters, the list plenty o
.
Thank you all. I celebrate you all. I tried responding one by one but kai, I am overwhelmed. God bless you bountifully in Jesus name.
Mother In Israel Faith Ifeanyichukwu Aina, Chairperson ESOCS Women Association Abuja Province.
BY OGONNAYA UMEHAM,ABUJA
Literally, women empowerment is the process of empowering women to be independent in all aspect of their lives. It means feeling to make your decision create a sense of empowerment.
It creates power in individuals over their own lives, society and in their communities. People are empowered when they are able to access the opportunities available to them without limitations and restrictions such as education, profession and life style.
It includes the action of raising the status of women through education, raising awareness, literacy and training. It is all about equipping and allowing women to make life determining decisions through the different problems in the society.
Empowering women over the years has been the major task of the present Chairperson of ESOCS Women Association, Abuja Province, Senior Mother-In-Israel Faith Ifeanyichukwu Aina.
Her contributions towards empowering women in the province has been very impressive and encouraging.
After her election as the Chairperson of the Association in 2018 part of the promises she made in her acceptance speech is to empower women in the four Districts that make up the province.
In 2019 during the Women Association Annual Anniversary Thanksgiving Service she empowered a Dorcas with Sewing Machine that is worshipping at the Provincial Headquarters in Kubwa, Abuja.
Also plans are on to empower another Sister from Nyanya District in this 2020 Women Association Anniversary Thanksgiving.
May God continue to bless, protect and preserve our beloved Senior Mother in Jesus name amen.
In an interview with WEEKENDERS MAGAZINE Senior Correspondent, Ogonnaya Umeham recently in Abuja, she reiterated her commitment towards empowering the women of the Province saying that empowering women especially ESOCS women has been her major priority since she emerged as the Chairperson of the Association and the process she noted is still ongoing.
So far, she said she has empowered not less than 100 women through skill acquisition programme in the Women Wing of the Organization of African Instituted Churches(OAIC), FCT Chapter, ESOCS Women Association, NHAC, Abuja and ESOCS Women Association, Abuja Province in bead making, makeup, soap making, tailoring and catering.
“I care for my women and will continue to empower them as it pleases the Lord” she explained further.
Asked what advise she has for those empowered? She called on them to be faithful, hardworking, honest, religious, and make judicious use of what has been given to them in order for them to help others in future.
She also commended the efforts of the Chairman of ESOCS Abuja Province, Senior Apostle Bereni Iyaye, the Secretary of the Province, Supervising Apostle Dickson Chigbata , Mother-In-Israel Demuren, the Chairperson of ESOCS Women Association Worldwide, Senior Mother-In-Israel, Elizabeth Iwerima, Secretary of ESOCS Women Association Worldwide, Mother-In-Israel, Bunmi Akinde, the members of Eternal Sisters Association (ESA), Abuja Chapter, and and other good spirited individuals for their support and financial contribution towards assisting a member of the Association who is going for surgery.
She prayed the good Lord would continue to replenish their pockets and protect them from evil plaques and grant them long life in the land of the living.
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“EMPOWERING ESOCS WOMEN HAS BEEN MY MAJOR PRIORITY”
SENIOR MOTHER-IN-ISRAEL FAITH IFEANYICHUKWU AINA
BY OGONNAYA UMEHAM,ABUJA
Literally, women empowerment is the process of empowering women to be independent in all aspect of their lives. It means feeling to make your decision create a sense of empowerment.
It creates power in individuals over their own lives, society and in their communities. People are empowered when they are able to access the opportunities available to them without limitations and restrictions such as education, profession and life style.
It includes the action of raising the status of women through education, raising awareness, literacy and training. It is all about equipping and allowing women to make life determining decisions through the different problems in the society.
Empowering women over the years has been the major task of the present Chairperson of ESOCS Women Association, Abuja Province, Senior Mother-In-Israel Faith Ifeanyichukwu Aina.
Her contributions towards empowering women in the province has been very impressive and encouraging.
After her election as the Chairperson of the Association in 2018 part of the promises she made in her acceptance speech is to empower women in the four Districts that make up the province.
In 2019 during the Women Association Annual Anniversary Thanksgiving Service she empowered a Dorcas with Sewing Machine that is worshipping at the Provincial Headquarters in Kubwa, Abuja.
Also plans are on to empower another Sister from Nyanya District in this 2020 Women Association Anniversary Thanksgiving.
May God continue to bless, protect and preserve our beloved Senior Mother in Jesus name amen.
In an interview with WEEKENDERS MAGAZINE Senior Correspondent, Ogonnaya Umeham recently in Abuja, she reiterated her commitment towards empowering the women of the Province saying that empowering women especially ESOCS women has been her major priority since she emerged as the Chairperson of the Association and the process she noted is still ongoing.
So far, she said she has empowered not less than 100 women through skill acquisition programme in the Women Wing of the Organization of African Instituted Churches(OAIC), FCT Chapter, ESOCS Women Association, NHAC, Abuja and ESOCS Women Association, Abuja Province in bead making, makeup, soap making, tailoring and catering.
“I care for my women and will continue to empower them as it pleases the Lord” she explained further.
Asked what advise she has for those empowered? She called on them to be faithful, hardworking, honest, religious, and make judicious use of what has been given to them in order for them to help others in future.
She also commended the efforts of the Chairman of ESOCS Abuja Province, Senior Apostle Bereni Iyaye, the Secretary of the Province, Supervising Apostle Dickson Chigbata , Mother-In-Israel Demuren, the Chairperson of ESOCS Women Association Worldwide, Senior Mother-In-Israel, Elizabeth Iwerima, Secretary of ESOCS Women Association Worldwide, Mother-In-Israel, Bunmi Akinde, the members of Eternal Sisters Association (ESA), Abuja Chapter, and and other good spirited individuals for their support and financial contribution towards assisting a member of the Association who is going for surgery.
She prayed the good Lord would continue to replenish their pockets and protect them from evil plaques and grant them long life in the land of the living.
Recently, the Women Association of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS), Abuja Province, led by its Chairperson, Senior Mother-In-Israel Faith Ifeanyichukwu Aina organized a One-Day Prayer Summit with the theme “Rehoboth” Genesis 26:22.
Part of activities of the programme includes; teachings, prayer sessions, seminar and health talk on menopause which is our major focus on this write up.
The word menopause is like a time bomb to most women. Some women do not like to discuss the issue but it an important aspect in a woman’s life worthy of discussion.
In her paper presentation entitled ” menopause” Special Mother-In-Israel, Esther Adelesi (JP) a Retired Chief Nursing Officer, defined menopause as a process when the reproductive activities of a woman start reducing and finally stop functioning.
According to her it is a natural decline in the reproductive hormones when a woman reaches the age of 40-50 years.
Biblically, she defined menopause as when God’s fulfilment manifest in a woman’s life as a wife , mother and organs start declining gradually arguing that in the case of Sarah Abraham’s wife, this definition was wrong, because of God’s miracle was upon her life, she explained.
” At the age of 90 she became pregnant and had a son called Isaac our father” she pointed out.
Menopause she explained further affects every woman differently, each woman she noted has her own unique signs and symptoms and they are never the same.
“Periods or menses stops naturally while you are aging. It means that as a woman at a certain age, you would stop being fertile that is you cannot be pregnant or have babies anymore” she explained further.
She enumerated some of the symptoms of menopause which includes; irregular menses, vaginal dryness, hot flushes, chills/cold, night sweats, sleeping problems, mood changes and weight gain and slow metabolism.
She noted that when menopause happens before 40 years of age it is called premature menopause but if it happens before 40/50 and above for twelve good months it is called menopause but if it happens by biological body changes e.g. after hysterectomy, it called postmenopausal period.
The only way to treat menopause or address problems associated with menopause is to indulge in hormone therapy that is estrogen therapy because it is very effective in relieving hot flushes, she said.
Other remedies she explained further includes; vaginal estrogen treatment,low dose of antidepressants, medication to prevent osteoporosis e.g. intake of calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D supplements and consult your doctor for further treatment.
Still on addressing the issue of menopause, in her talk on Menopause presented at the just concluded Annual Convention of Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria ( WOWICAN) held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Mrs Ekaette Akan, Director of Nursing and Principal School of Midwifery, Anua, Uyo advised women who are under menopause to avoid the following.
She called on them to avoid smoking, or inhaling second hand smoke, stop wearing tight clothing, using heavy blankets or sheets to cover, drinking alcohol or caffeine and eating spicy food.
Also they should stop being in a hot room, and stressors.
Due to changing moods, a woman she explained could be less affectionate towards her spouse or others because of discomfort ” and there is need for understanding” but cautioned women should not use menopause as an excuse to be nasty to people.
According to her many factors influence the timing of menopause and this includes; ovarian health, genetics, general health, culture/ethnicity and emotional state of the woman.
Occasional sicknesses, heart or blood vessels diseases, osteoporosis, urinary/ stress incontinence, painful intercourse, gynaecological issues may arise, weight gain, loss of confidence, eye conditions she concluded are all complications of Menopause but advised women should enjoy their menopause.
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