Lagos Palaver 2

Helen and Princess.

I have been in Lagos since the last week of August and to be honest to God, there is too much heat and stress in Lagos. The sight of commuters stranded at the bus stop and the traffic congestion make me uncomfortable, because it is not easy to re-adjust to the hustle and bustle of living and working in Lagos after my long stay on Bonny Island where I was really comfortable until the Niger Delta crisis made many of the residents afraid to cross the dangerous Bonny Channel or to even live in the towns of Bonny and Finima.


Most people in Lagos are really "suffering and smiling" as the legendary Afrobeat musical icon Fela Anikulapo-kuti sang in one of his classic songs in the 1970s. But do beggars have a choice? Most of the poverty-stricken majority, suffering and smiling in the mega city of Lagos are living like beggars since their meager wages cannot even provide the daily three square meals to feed one man!


It has not been easy for me to re-adjust to the crowdy and rowdy environment of the mainland of Lagos even if you live in any of the so called Government Reserved Areas (GRAs). The roads in the suburban ghetto of Shomolu are even better than many of the roads in Ikoyi and Victoria Island where many of the streets even stink. So, no where in Lagos can really be compared to the beautiful estate of the Nigeria LNG RA 1 on Bonny Island. But if you have some millions of naira, you can live in any of the Fool's Paradise in Lagos.

I am not lonely in Lagos and thank God for Helen and Princess and other sweethearts in the hot city of Lagos. Helen's clothes are tailor-made for body enhancement, and she is really attractive, but I am missing my one and only Sweetest 24/7!

Women Budget for Beauty During the Credit Crunch

9 Oct 2008 08:00 Africa/Lagos

Women Budget for Beauty During the Credit Crunch

LONDON, October 9/PRNewswire/ -- Purse strings are tightening up and down the country as the credit crunch hits home and a recent survey of 3,500 women aged 16 to 60 reveals it is affecting their beauty choices. In response to the downturn, female consumers are turning to affordable classic brands like Pond's that they trust, can perform a number of functions and contain simple but essential ingredients.
Changing Trends

- The survey by PONDS on current UK beauty buying habits showed
that on average women use 3 products as part of their daily skincare
regime. In a month, across the country, they spend GBP14 on skincare
products, with women in Northern Ireland spending the most at an
average of GBP25 and women in the South West just GBP10.

- 35% of those surveyed across the country are now spending
less than GBP5 a month on their skincare regime, which equates to 16p a
day. A third spend between GBP5 to GBP10 a month or 30p a day, with a
further 20% paying out up to GBP20 a month or 60p per day. The
remaining 15% spend over GBP20 a month.

- Furthermore beauty product buyers are moving away from
science-based or trend led ingredient fads and back towards trusted
brands containing simple ingredients. From the women surveyed, 53%
would purchase a product with a few simple ingredients while only 9%
were attracted by the latest technology or scientific ingredients.

Versatile Products
Therefore any products which can perform more than one task and reduce spend is popular with the cash conscious consumer. Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser is perfect as it provides just this in a versatile cream that gently soothes and comforts whilst providing deep cleansing and moisturising. It costs just GBP3.99 and can be used in a multitude of ways such as a moisturising face mask to hydrate parched skin, a cleanser for soft, supple skin and even removes the most stubborn of eye make-up including waterproof mascara. If using in all three ways a pot will last up to a month saving pounds on buying three different products.

"Sales of the Pond's Regener-Activ range has increased by 39% compared to the same period in 2007. Customers are able to purchase an entire anti-ageing routine of four products for under GBP30." Says Peter Reynolds, Marketing Manager for Pond's. "Pond's is one of the oldest and most trusted brands and therefore provides both reliability and affordability."

Pond's is seen as an affordable, trusted brand and in the survey a third said that it was the most nostalgic and trusted product to them.

All products in the Pond's Regener-Activ range contain micro-capsules of marine collagen and pro-retinol designed to act from the inside out to help stimulate natural skin cell renewal and skin radiance. The microcapsules help transport pure anti ageing actives to the deeper layers of the epidermis. This range includes the Day Treatment SPF15, GBP6.49, the Deep Night Treatment, GBP6.49, Anti-Age Skin Perfectioning Serum, GBP9.99 and the Eye Contour Cream, GBP6.99.

With a unique heritage of understanding women's beauty needs, Pond's remains a beauty ritual for millions of women throughout the world.
For more information visit http://www.pondsinstitute.co.uk

Pond's is available in branches of Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, Wilkinson and independent pharmacies nationwide.

Notes to Editors
Pond's sales figures provided by one of the largest health and beauty retailers in the UK.
Survey conducted by 72 Point, figures available on request.

Source: Pond's
For further information on Pond's, images or samples please contact: Katie O'Brien or Michelle Ganner at Neville McCarthy Associates Tel: +44(0)20-7940-2900, E-mail: katie@nevillemccarthy.com .

Exclusive Interview: Barack Obama on Health and Fitness

8 Oct 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos

Exclusive Interview: Barack Obama on Health and Fitness

On Newsstands October 21st, 2008

NEW YORK, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Senator Barack Obama opens up in an exclusive interview in the November issue of Men's Health magazine, on newsstands October 21, 2008, about how health and fitness has driven his success in life, love and leadership. Only weeks from the presidential election, Obama shares how he balances his time on the campaign trail, the promise he made his daughters, how he avoids disappointing others and his personal battle to stay fit and healthy while running for President, which he admits has not been an easy road, "I wish I was getting a 90-minute workout. Most of my workouts have to come before my day starts. There's always a tradeoff between sleep and working out."


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081008/NY37704 )


On Why He Works Out:

"My blood pressure is pretty low, and I tend to be a healthy eater. So I probably could get away with cutting [my workouts] back a little bit. The main reason I do it is just to clear my head and relieve me of stress. It's a great way to stay focused."


On Staying Healthy On The Campaign Trail:


"I wish I was getting a 90-minute workout. Most of my workouts have to come before my day starts. There's always a tradeoff between sleep and working out. Usually I get in about 45 minutes, 6 days a week. I'll lift one day do cardio the next."


On Trying To Quit Smoking:


"There have been a couple of times during the campaign when I fell off the wagon and bummed one, and I had to kick it again. But I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack."


"There wasn't some dramatic moment. Michelle had been putting pressure on me for a while. I was never really a heavy smoker. Probably at my peak I was smoking seven or eight a day. More typical was three. So it wasn't a huge challenge with huge withdrawal symptoms."


"Eliminate certain key connections--that first cigarette in the morning, or after a meal, or with a drink. If you can eliminate those triggers, that should help."


On How He Would Improve The Health Of Americans:


"We need to have an awareness built in throughout various agencies charged with improving health. I'll give you a specific example. My grandfather died of prostate cancer. As men age, regular checkups are critical. But it's hard to get them to go in for that mildly unpleasant checkup. Increasing awareness of the difference it could make shouldn't just be the activity of the Department of Health and Human Services."


"A good friend of mine who was the head of the Illinois department of public health designed this wonderful program targeting black men, where health information was provided through barbershops. The idea was that black men underutilize doctors and don't talk about health much. But they go to the barbershop, and that's where they kind of let loose. The department designed programs where clinics at different barbershops would provide various health screenings, talk about prevention. Those kinds of strategies have to be developed and targeted, perhaps, because a lot of the time we're most resistant to going to doctors. That kind of thinking should be embedded in a lot of the work we're doing."


On What He Would Change In The White House:


"We're going to do a thorough evaluation, but it may need an upgrade. The bowling alley, I understand, offers us some potential for expansion."


On Managing His Time on the Campaign Trail:


"I'm part of an organization, and one of the things I really try to push in the organization is to make sure that everybody is focused on the two or three things that are really going to be game changers. I ask them to design my schedule in a way that focuses not just on what's coming at us, but on being active instead of reactive. I think we've been pretty successful. I don't spend a lot of time returning phone calls or e-mails. If somebody needs something, most of the time there's somebody else who can handle it.


"Eliminating TV has been helpful-- I'm still a sucker for Sports Center."


"The most difficult thing is to carve out time to think, which is probably the most important time for somebody who's trying to shift an organization, or in this case, the country, as opposed to doing the same things that have been done before. And I find that time slips away."


On Being a Father and Presidential Candidate:
"The pledge is, they'll get their dog, win or lose."


"Their main concern was, 'When are we going to get a dog?' They did ask about what they called 'secret people,' which were the Secret Service folks. 'Are we going to have to have these people with sunglasses and earpieces following us around all the time?' And I told them, well, not right away. They've adjusted wonderfully. And I've tried to make sure that they haven't had to participate too much in the political process."


"What I've been able to do is create a zone of normalcy for my kids. I have been able to transmit to them my absolute interest in them and my absolute love for them."


"I don't miss the important things. I haven't missed a dance recital. I haven't missed a parent-teacher conference. But there are some things I do miss, and those are some of the tradeoffs you make."


"But, look, there's no question there are sacrifices involved here. I'd like to say that quality time replaces quantity, but sometimes it doesn't. You know, a lot of the best moments of family life happen spontaneously. If you have less time to devote to them, there are fewer of those moments."


What Being A Father Means To Him:


"I would like to think that most of the issues related to my father have been resolved." "That's part of what writing Dreams from My Father was about: understanding him, his own personal tragedy. He wasn't a presence in my life, he was an idea that I had to wrestle with for a long time."


"Somebody once said that every man is either trying to live up to his dad's expectations or make up for his dad's mistakes. And I'm sure I was doing a little bit of both. But I feel that somewhere in my late 20s or early 30s I sort of figured out what his absence had meant. It is part of what I think has made me a pretty good dad. I don't think it would have too much of an impact on my decision-making as president. There's no doubt that it has contributed to my drive. I might not be here had it not been for that absent father prodding me early in life."


On Not Disappointing Himself Or Those Around Him


"I always try to make sure that my expectations are higher than those of the people around me."


"A lot of people have a lot at stake in this election. The American people are having a tough time."


"I never want people to feel as if I've overpromised to them. I try to explain in a real honest way how difficult some of the changes I'm talking about will be. But I never want the effect to be that I'm not working as hard as I can on their behalf...that I'm not continually trying to improve. I'm actually glad for the high expectations."


"One of the interesting things about a campaign like this is that it really does push you to the limit and then some. And it turns out that you have more in your reservoir than you expected."


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081008/NY37704
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN7
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
Source: Men?s Health magazine

CONTACT: Allison Falkenberry of Men's Health, +1-212-573-0524,
Allison.Falkenberry@rodale.com; or Meghan Holston of Coburn Communication,
Inc., +1-212-382-4450, Meghan.Holston@CoburnWW.com

American Lawmakers To Pass Law Against Obesity

Photo Credit: Freaking News.Com

As the fears of economic depression increase in America, the critical situation could be the answer to check the expanding waistlines of Americans and in fact American lawmakers are considering Legislation to Reduce Obesity in the Workplace. You think I am joking? Well, read the following report.

7 Oct 2008 15:00 Africa/Lagos

Lawmakers Consider Legislation to Reduce Obesity in the Workplace

Special legislative task force to discuss employer role in weight management

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- As American waistlines expand, there's little surprise that this public health issue poses a challenge to the nation's employers. In some states, including New York and California, government regulators are stepping in to urge businesses to take action.


A special meeting of the California Legislative Task Force on Diabetes and Obesity has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, at the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute in Milpitas, Calif. At this hearing, which will be chaired by California State Assemblyman Joe Coto, experts will testify about the benefits of workplace wellness programs, the role of the employer and the economic impact of this serious public health threat. Task Force members will incorporate this testimony into their discussion and use it as a basis for potential legislation in California.


"The biotechnology industry proudly supports and commends the Legislative Diabetes and Obesity Task Force in their efforts to combat this epidemic," said Joe Panetta, President and CEO of BIOCOM, the association for the Southern California life science community. "The life science industry has been at the forefront in improving and sustaining the health of our workforce through workplace wellness programs. We understand that it makes good business sense and creates a more productive workforce."


American workers want help from their employers to lose weight according to a 2007 national survey of 500 members of the Synovate Global Opinion Panel (SGOP) who are overweight and work full-time outside of the home. Two out of three respondents to this survey report that they are interested in employer-sponsored weight control programs. But less than half (44 percent) of overweight employees have access to these types of programs.


Johnson & Johnson has one of the first corporate wellness models that dates back nearly 30 years. "We hope that our example can help other employers evolve beyond flu shots and blood pressure screenings to truly have a positive influence on the well being of the people who work for them," said Susan Tierman, M.D., Medical Director of North America for Johnson & Johnson.


Overweight and obesity is associated with an increased cost of healthcare, lost work days, absenteeism, low productivity and high turnover rates in the workplace. In California alone, the annual cost of medical care attributable to obesity is estimated to be nearly $7.7 billion(1) in a state where more half of all adults (55.9 percent) are either overweight or obese.(2)


"It is important for employers to offer programs with realistic end goals in mind -- specifically that modest, gradual weight loss is best. These types of programs are the best way to help reduce the financial impact of increased health care costs -- and should be a part of every business's employee wellness program," said MRC Greenwood, Ph.D., an obesity expert and co-chair of the Reality Coalition, a consumer advocacy organization aimed at getting consumers to adopt healthy, realistic approaches to weight loss that include diet, exercise, and evidence-based medicine and programs.


About Overweight and Obesity


Currently, approximately 65 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Research suggests that overweight individuals appear to be on the pathway to obesity.(3,4) Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of developing health problems such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.(5) Factors that can contribute to overweight include an abundance of high-calorie foods, low levels of physical activity, behavior, environment, and genetics.(6) Multiple studies have shown that a modest reduction in weight improves health outcomes significantly in overweight or obese patients.(7,8)


About the Reality Coalition


The Reality Coalition is a group of esteemed experts on obesity, nutrition, diabetes and healthcare policy who share the common goal of advancing an agenda for realistic approaches to weight loss to achieve improved public health.


The Reality Initiative was launched in 2006 and is supported by an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. The Coalition developed a white paper entitled Help Not Hype: Getting Real About Weight Loss (published in Obesity Management, February 2007), which was introduced in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission at NAASO, The Obesity Society annual meeting in October 2006. Committed to changing the national weight loss dialogue and broadening its sponsorship base, the Coalition is expanding its efforts in 2007 to invite business leaders, private, public, professional and non-profit groups to partner in our work.


Reality Coalition Members include co-chairs Louis J. Aronne, MD, Dr. George L. Blackburn, MD, PhD, and MRC Greenwood, PhD; Arthur Frank, MD, Obesity Specialist; Gary Foster, PhD, Behavioral Psychologist; Barbara Moore, PhD, Nutritionist; Judith Stern, ScD, Nutritionist; Anne Wolf, MS, RD, Dietitian; Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, CNS, Nutritionist; Johanna Dwyer, PhD, Nutritionist; Susan Cummings, RD, Dietitian; Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH, Public Health Expert; Valentine Burroughs, MD, MBA, Diabetes Expert; Morgan Downey, JD, Obesity Specialist, Shaping America's Health, The Obesity Society, National Consumers League, America On the Move, American Dietetic Association and the American Pharmacists Association.


(1) http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/pubs/files/AdultsObese_FS_120104.pdf
(2) http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/pubs/files/Hlth_CAs_RT_090908.pdf


(3) Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, Johnson CL. Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2000. JAMA 2002;288:1723-1727.


(4) McTigue KM, Garrett JM, Popkin BM. The natural history of the development of obesity in a cohort of young US adults between 1981-1998. Ann Intern Med 2002;136:857-864.


(5) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Overweight and Obesity." http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/. Accessed 12/22/05.


(6) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Overweight and Obesity: Contributing Factors." http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/contributing_factors.htm. Accessed 12/22/05.


(7) Hauptman J, Lucas C, Baldrin MN, Collins H, Segal K. "Orlistat in the long-term treatment of obesity in primary care settings." Archives of Family Medicine 9:160-167.


(8) NIH, NHLBI. Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. HHS, PHS; 1998. p. 29-41.


Source: The Reality Coalition

CONTACT: Dave Schemelia of HealthSTAR Public Relations, +1-212-532-0909,
or cell, +1-609-468-9325, dschemelia@healthstarpr.com

Web Site: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity

FRC to Host Panel Discussion on Post-Abortion Mental Health Effects

7 Oct 2008 15:42 Africa/Lagos

FRC to Host Panel Discussion on Post-Abortion Mental Health Effects

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thursday, October 9, at 10:00 am, Family Research Council, will host a panel discussion with leading researchers and clinicians on abortion history and associated mental health effects. Data from numerous studies will be discussed and analyzed to explore associations between abortion and mental health, and substance abuse disorders. Additionally, results from a national poll conducted through the Elliot Institute examining politics and post-abortion awareness will be presented. Join us to learn more about the body of research the American Psychological Association failed to assess in its recent report on abortion and mental health.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080930/FRCLOGO )

Who: Priscilla K. Coleman, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University;
Catherine T. Coyle, RN, Ph.D., Alliance for Post-Abortion

Research & Training; Tom McClusky, Vice President for Government Affairs, FRC; David Reardon, Ph.D., Elliot Institute; Vincent M. Rue, Ph.D., Institute for Pregnancy Loss; Martha Shuping, M.D., Shuping & Associates


What: Panel Discussion: Post-Abortion Mental Health Effects, Awareness, and Politics


When: Thursday, October 9, 2008
10:00am - 12:00pm

Where: Family Research Council
801 G St, NW
Washington, DC 20001

RSVP: 1-800-225-4008
http://www.frc.org/

*Complimentary lunch will be served*

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080930/FRCLOGO
Source: Family Research Council

CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Maria Donovan, both of the Family Research
Council, +1-866-FRC-News


Web Site: http://www.frc.org/

Go Red For Women Cheers on Toni Braxton as She Dances Her Heart Out

SWIRE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION TONI BRAXTON AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION TONI BRAXTONSix-time Grammy winner and "Dancing With The Stars" competitor, Toni Braxton, supports Go Red For Women because of her personal struggles with heart disease. The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women gives women the power to fight their No. 1 killer. Choose to beat heart disease at GoRedForWomen.org. (PRNewsFoto/American Heart Association) DALLAS, TX UNITED STATES 10/06/2008


6 Oct 2008 19:46 Africa/Lagos

Go Red For Women Cheers on Toni Braxton as She Dances Her Heart Out

Spokeswoman Wears Dancing Shoes to Fight Heart Disease - the No. 1 Killer of Women

DALLAS, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women cheers on national spokesperson Toni Braxton, as she competes on "Dancing With The Stars." The Grammy-award winning R&B vocalist is a passionate supporter of Go Red For Women because of her personal struggles with heart disease. "I am dancing to celebrate my own triumph over heart disease and raise the consciousness of America's women that they have the power to beat our number one killer. We have the power to choose life."


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081006/DC37174 )


WHAT: More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including cancer, yet studies show that only 21 percent of women view heart disease as their greatest health threat. That's why Toni Braxton has teamed up with the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women to provide knowledge and tools to help women make simple life-saving choices in their daily lives.


WHO: The winner of six Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is a Billboard chart-topping singer and Broadway actress, selling over forty million records worldwide. For "Dancing With The Stars," she teams up with season one champion, Alec Mazo, who returns for his fourth season. Toni has worked with the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women as a national spokesperson since 2005.


WHEN: ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" airs weekly on Monday and Tuesdays at 8/7 p.m. Central.


WHY: "More than 42 million American women are living with one or more types of cardiovascular disease," said Nieca Goldberg, M.D., Go Red For Women spokesperson, author and medical director of the New York University Women's Heart Program. "Last year more than 460,000 women died of cardiovascular disease -- that's about one per minute. It's time women understand they are at risk and make healthier choices for themselves and their families."


Additional Information: To learn about the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women visit GoRedForWomen.org.


Go Red For Women is nationally sponsored by Macy's and Merck & Co., Inc.

About Go Red For Women

Since 2004, Go Red For Women has captured the energy, passion and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease -- the No. 1 killer of women. We want millions of women across America to take heart disease personally. Go Red For Women engages women and the men who love them to embrace the cause. Healthcare providers, celebrities and politicians also elevate the cause and spread the word about women and heart disease. For more information about Go Red For Women, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit GoRedForWomen.org. Go Red For Women is nationally sponsored by Macy's and Merck & Co., Inc.


About the American Heart Association


Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006-07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081006/DC37174
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: American Heart Association

CONTACT: Megan Lozito, +1-214-706-1359, Megan.Lozito@heart.org, or
Leslie Holland, +1-214-706-1438, Leslie.Holland@heart.org, both of the
American Heart Association


Web Site: http://www.americanheart.org/
http://www.goredforwomen.org/



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Tears of the Desert

Come here my love,
I have a song for you.
Come here my love,
I have a dream for you…

With such beautiful and soulful words of innate passion, Halima Bashir, MD, begins the lucid prose of her vivid memory of the poetic beauty of her childhood and Zaghawa family in Darfur in her unforgettable war memoir Tears of the Desert, but we are soon gripped by the gory horrors of her picturesque true life story as a ruthless Sudanese soldier stabbed a knife into her thigh as she kicked him in his groin in her desperate resistance against being raped by these devilish Sudanese soldiers on rampage in Darfur.

Click here to order for the Tears of the Desert,: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur.

Thanks to Katie O'Callaghan of Random House for sending me the hardcover edition of Tears of the Desert.