More photos from Toolz and Tunde Demuren's pre-wedding dinner

More photos from Toolz and Tunde Demuren's pre-wedding dinner

The pre-wedding dinner took place last night. Their traditional wedding is this Saturday. More pics after the cut...

credit:Linda Ikeji

What you should know about Zika virus

As health officials try to confine recent health disasters, Ebola Virus Disease, Lassa fever and Bird flu to the past, a new virus is fast becoming a major threat.

Although the virus, Zika, was discovered in the Americas, there are concerns that the disease may become a worldwide problem, especially as it is transmitted by mosquitoes.

The World Health Organisation has said that though the symptoms shown by people with Zika, which is currently found in Brazil, are only mild fever, skin rash and conjunctivitis for about two-seven days, it is a different story for pregnant women.

Zika reduces the growth of the foetus, leading to microcephaly or stunted brain growth, hence pregnant women have been advised against travelling to areas where the virus has been spotted.

In the meantime though, here are facts you should know about Zika virus, according to WHO:

1. Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
2. People with Zika virus disease usually have a mild fever, skin rash (exanthema) and conjunctivitis. These symptoms normally last for two-seven days.
3. There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available.
4. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.
5. The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

Transmission

Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.

Zika virus disease outbreaks were reported for the first time from the Pacific in 2007 and 2013 (Yap and French Polynesia, respectively), and in 2015 from the Americas (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa (Cape Verde).

In addition, more than 13 countries in the Americas have reported sporadic Zika virus infections indicating rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus.

photo source: developmentdiaries.com

Prevention

Mosquitoes and their breeding sites pose a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people.

This can be done by using insect repellent; wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible; using physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows; and sleeping under mosquito nets.

It is also important to empty, clean or cover containers that can hold water such as buckets, flower pots or tyres, so that places where mosquitoes can breed are removed.

Special attention and help should be given to those who may not be able to protect themselves adequately, such as young children, the sick or elderly.

During outbreaks, health authorities may advise that spraying of insecticides be carried out. Insecticides recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers.

Travellers should take the basic precautions described above to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Treatment

Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines.

If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available.

credit:Punch online

Oral sex raises risk of getting cancer by 22%

• 
  
  
• A new study, published in the journal JAMA Oncology, suggests that oral sex dramatically increases the risk of head and neck cancers. The disease has traditionally been considered to be one that affects smokers and heavy drinkers in later life.

But over recent years, as cases have been rising, it has been linked with the common human papillomavirus (HPV).

It is believed oral sex may be the main way HPV – more usually associated with cervical cancer – ends up in the mouth.

The HPV is the name given to a group of viruses that affect a person’s skin as well as the membranes lining the body – for example, in the cervix, anus, mouth and throat.

HPV is very common and highly contagious. More than three quarters of sexually active women acquiring it at some point in their lives.

HPV-16 is a well-known cause of oropharyngeal tumours – those, which affect the middle part of the throat including the soft palate, the base of the tongue and the tonsils.

While HPV does not directly trigger cancer, it causes changes in the cells it has infected (for example, in the throat or cervix), and these cells can then become cancerous.

Men are twice as likely to get oropharyngeal cancer as women, according to NHS choices, because performing cunnilingus is more risky than fellatio.

It is the 11th most common cancer worldwide, according to World Health Organisation figures.

Worldwide almost half-a-million patients a year will be diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

More than two-thirds of cases are diagnosed in advanced stages where the cancer has already spread to regional lymph nodes or beyond, the global oral cancer forum reports.

Approximately 150,000 patients die each year and many more suffer from the complications of treatment.

While girls aged 12 to 13 are offered a vaccination to help protect them against types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, there is no immunisation programme for boys.

An official recommendation on whether to offer the HPV vaccine to all adolescent boys is expected in early 2017.

This new study, published in the journal JAMA Oncology, is the first to show conclusively that HPV-16’s presence in the mouth leads to the development of oropharyngeal cancer.

This follows a study in The New England Journal of Medicine which showed that those infected with HPV were 32 times more likely to develop oral or throat cancers.
WHY MEN ARE MOST LIKELY TO GET OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER?

Oropharyngeal cancer is twice as common in men than in women, according to National Health Scheme (NHS) Choices.

It is most common in heterosexual men in their 40s and 50s (compared to the rates in homosexual men).

This indicates that performing cunnilingus (oral sex on a woman) is more risky that performing fellatio (oral sex on a man).

The concentration of HPV in the thinner, moist skin of the vulva is much higher than the amounts of virus shed from the thicker, dry skin of the penis, and this affects how easy it is to pass the virus on.

Other research indicates that HPV can be present in semen and passed on at ejaculation.

And previous research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found HPV now accounts for more head and neck cancers than tobacco or alcohol.

Spread by skin-to-skin contact, not just by sex, HPV affects almost everyone at some stage in their life.

In most people, the immune system fights it off and it does no harm.

But on rare occasions, the virus takes hold, leading to a chain of events that ends in cancer of the cervix, penis, anus, vagina or mouth.

Around 15 strains can cause cervical cancer – and HPV-16 is the most common.

The most dangerous HPV’s, 16 and 18, which are transmitted through sexual contact are known to cause up to 95 per cent of cervical cancers.

Now these two HPV’s are also being linked to oral cancer.

A different study done by Dr. No-Hee Park, a leading expert in head and neck cancers at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), United States (U.S.), showed that the mouth was, at the cellular level, structurally very similar to the vagina and cervix.

Both organs have the same type of epithelial cells that are the target of HPV 16 and HPV 18.

The majority of oral cancers are cancers of epithelial cells, primarily squamous cell carcinomas, not unlike the cancers that affect the cervix.

Park’s study also showed that smoking and drinking alcohol help promote HPV invasion.

Combine tobacco and alcohol with HPV, and the epithelial cells in the mouth, and you may have the formula for the development of an oral cancer.

The new research, carried out at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, suggested people carrying the virus in their mouth were an alarming 22 times more likely to develop a potentially lethal tumour.

The finding was based on almost 97,000 people who provided mouthwash samples and were cancer-free at the beginning of the project.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ORAL CANCER?
Mouth ulcers, which do not heal within three weeks

Red or white patches in the mouth
A lump or thickening on the lip
A lump in the mouth or throat
Unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth
Loose teeth for no apparent reason
Difficulty moving the jaw
Difficulty in swallowing
Speech problems
A lump in the neck.

Be aware that a hot, red, painful lump usually means an infection, rather than a cancer. Lumps that come and go are not usually due to cancer either. Cancer usually forms a lump that slowly gets bigger.

Dr. Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, added: “Your dentist will check for signs of mouth cancer during your regular check-up so it’s important to attend regularly to catch any signs you may miss yourself.”

They were followed for an average of four years, during which time a total of 132 cases of head and neck cancer were identified.

The study participants were compared with 396 healthy people who acted as controls.

Mouthwash samples were analysed for the presence of several types of oral human papillomavirus (HPVs) in both groups.

These revealed people with HPV-16 in their mouthwash were 22 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer (oropharynx is the part of the throat directly behind the mouth) than were those with no detectable trace of the virus HPV-16 in their samples.

In addition, the researchers found for the first time that the presence of other types of oral HPVs, known as beta and gamma, which are usually detected in the skin, were also associated with the development of head and neck cancers.

*Adapted from DailyMailUK online

Emirates A380 pulls in nearly 8,000 visitors in two days

The Emirates A380 welcomed nearly 8,000 visitors in two days at this year’s edition of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIA). The two-class configured version was on display from 21-22 January and was open to both trade visitors and the general public, allowing them a glimpse into the largest commercial passenger aircraft in the world.

Click here to watch a video showcasing the highlights of the Emirates A380 display at the Bahrain International Airshow.

Emirates is the largest operator of the A380 and was the first airline to order the double-decker aircraft. Over 50 million passengers have flown the Emirates A380 since it commenced operations in 2008. The A380 fleet has also flown over 56,000 round trips and has travelled over 750 million kilometres.

Over 1,200 pilots and more than 17,000 Cabin Crew support Emirates A380 operations, flying to 37 destinations around the world.

The Emirates two class configured version of the A380, which was on display at the Bahrain International Airshow, features 58 flatbed seats in Business Class and 557 spacious seats in Economy Class, as well as Emirates’ popular OnBoard Lounge. The aircraft has among the widest individual in-seat Economy Class screens in the industry, measuring in at 13.3 inches.

The airline currently has 72 A380s in service and has a further 68 on firm order.

The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.

We inspire travellers around the world with our growing network of destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine and world-class service. Find out more.

His Majesty the King's Advisor for Youth and Sport Affairs Saleh Essa bin Hindi; HE Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh, Bahrain Minister of Health; HE Hesham Al Jodar, Minister Bahrain

More than 17,000 Cabin Crew support Emirates A380 operations, flying to 37 destinations.

The Emirates A380 welcomed nearly 8,000 visitors in two days at this year’s edition of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIA).

Emirates becomes world’s first airline with 1 million Instagram followers

Global carrier sets the pace for brands on Social Media
Monday, January 25, 2016 — DUBAI, UAE – 24 January 2016 – Emirates continues to engage with its fans far and wide as it becomes the first airline to hit the coveted one‎ million follower mark on Instagram. The remarkable achievement positions Emirates as the largest transportation brand on the popular photo and video-sharing platform.

Recently named the world’s most valuable airline brand, Emirates launched its Instagram channel in November 2013. In less than three years, the airline’s diverse and engaging content on Instagram has generated over 5.8 million likes and comments. From sports, lifestyle and travel, to adventure and food, Emirates uses the channel to tell visual stories that embody what the brand stands for: connecting people with what they love. Creative activations such as its hugely popular “Emirates Cabin Crew Instagrammers” campaign - where six members of the airline’s cosmopolitan cabin crew community exclusively took over the Emirates Instagram channel to showcase their life, travels and experiences - generated over 1 million likes and comments in less than two months.

“As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Instagram is a great platform for us to share inspiring visual content about our people, interesting aspects of our operations, places to see, and things to do while travelling. Emirates has grown its Instagram following organically, and we are proud to hit the 1 million followers milestone,” said Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand.

Aside from its recent Instagram milestone, Emirates has also become the first airline to hit 500,000 followers on LinkedIn. This positions the airline as the most followed travel brand in the world on the professional social media network as well as the most followed brand in the Middle East.  With a combined community size of over 11 million users across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Instagram, Emirates has set the bar for engagement, not only in the airline category but amongst other lifestyle brands.

“Our engaged and growing audience on social media reflect the deep-rooted connection that our customers and fans have with the Emirates brand. We would like to thank all of our fans for their support. We will work hard to continue surprising and delighting them with relevant, entertaining, and inspiring initiatives,” Boutros added.

To thank its 1 million Instagram followers, Emirates has launched a month-long global competition on Instagram with flight tickets and goodie bags up for grabs. To participate, users need to upload a photo or video on Instagram featuring Emirates, using the hashtag #ILoveEmirates and mention @emirates for a chance to win a pair of Economy Class tickets to any one of Emirates’ 150 destinations, or one of five goodie bags featuring products and merchandise from the Emirates Official Store.

The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.

We inspire travellers around the world with our growing network of destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine and world-class service. Find out more.

The Otedola Sisters! DJ Cuppy & Temi Otedeola cover Diaspora Quarterly

DJ Cuppy (Florence Otedola) and her younger sister, fashion blogger Temi are the cover girls for the latest edition of Diaspora Quarterly, its’ first of 2016!

Striving to do more and be more than just another set of kids with a famous last name, the sisters share with DQ their inspiration, passions, dreams and plans.

In the latest edition of Diaspora Quarterly, a magazine which aims to celebrate Nigerians at home and abroad, see how recent returnees such as Pediatric Intensivist Dr. Bunmi Ode and OB-GYN Dr. Chito Nwana, are doing their bit to improve healthcare in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, DQ celebrates Nigerians in the Diaspora such as Anne-Marie Imafidon, a child prodigy doing great things in technology and science, Temidire Alesh, a neuroscientist with a passion for volunteering, Reginald Onoriode the Nigerian with three “first class” degrees as well as Dr. Sam Achilefu, whose groundbreaking ‘cancer goggles’ may bring great improvements in the treatment of the disease.

DQ also takes you to Tanzania with passionate traveler and televiQsion personality, Ebonylife TV’s Arit Okpo, and then brings you back home with news on sporting achievements, tech and much more.

The Editor-in-chief of Diaspora Quarterly, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, wishes all the readers and supporters of DQ a wonderful 2016, filled with renewed hope and positive changes for Nigeria and Nigerians all over the world.

For extras, past editions and more from the magazine, visit www.diasporaquarterly.com

credit:BN

Olashore Wins International School Award

A Globally acclaimed secondary school in Nigeria, Olashore International School, has just won the British Council International Schools Award (ISA). This was made known during the recently organized road show in Lagos by the Principal of the School, Mr Derek Smith.

The British Council International School Award (ISA) is a benchmarking scheme that accredits schools as having an outstanding level of support for nurturing global citizenship in young people, and enriching teaching and learning. ISA is a yearly award given to participating schools. Applications from interested schools are called in every year, August/September period and schools are selected on the basis of their application. The British Council offers the ISA as an accreditation framework for schools to record and evaluate their international work and embed it into the curriculum.

According to the Principal, Mr Derek Smith, Olashore won the award based on various projects organized in the year 2015. His words: “We did a lot of projects which lasted for a period of twelve (12) months in the year 2015 which cuts across Human Rights, Supporting International Communities, Civic and Governance, Learning Through Technology, Global Awareness, International Food, and Africa Is Not A Country. It was a wide range of project involving everybody in the school. We believe that International work exposes educators to new practices and perspectives, aiding their professional development and as such raising teaching standards. For young people it is a window into different cultures and countries, preparing them for life in a global society. In November 2015, we submitted all the projects done, and International panel of judges were sent up to review these projects, at the end of the process, we emerged 47marks out of 49marks. We had all our evidences.

L_R: PTA Vice Chairman, Olashore International School, Mr Adekunle Ogunbufunmi, Principal, Olashore International School, Mr Derek Smith, Chairman, Board of Governors of the school, Prince Abimbola Olashore, and PTA Chairman of the school, Mr Otunba Bolarinwa ,during the Olashore Road Show Event in Lagos recently.

This accreditation award will last between 2016 and 2019. The British Council World -wide runs a network of registered schools and they offer International exams. I’m happy because our school gained recognition for what we do, and this is quite encouraging to do more”.
Organized annually by the school, the Road show kicked off its 2016, national and international interactive road shows starting from Port Harcourt, and also touched a number of other major cities including Abuja, Warri, Lagos and rounded off in London UK. The Road Show is aimed at fostering parents’ involvement in the education and development of their wards and in decision making. It is an avenue for invited prospective parents to learn more from the testimonials of some of the current parents at Olashore, and meet with the school authorities in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Principal commented “The idea of the Road Show is to go round to meet with our parents, get prospective and project what we are doing in the school. We realized that what is done in school is not adequately explained and understood by parents, so we felt this platform will be better to do so. Aside that, parents like us to come around to explain better where they haven’t been able to explain and convince their friends of what the school has in the offing and the reason they need to get their wards in. The Roadshow has been successful all the years”.

Commenting on the school, The Chairman, PTA Olashore International School, Mr Otunba Bolarinwa stated “I’ve been a parent in this school for seven (7) years and I can testify to the fact that the school has a lot of benefits in the offing. Having existed for Twenty-two (22) years with standard and quality education, I’m proud to be associated with it and I urge the prospective parents to partake of this quality for their wards. Affordability should not be a problem because the school provides scholarship scheme for the less privileged, and even at the PTA level, we make provision for similar purpose”.

One of the prospective parents, Mrs Blessing Ishomo, pointed out “We were invited for this Road Show and I think I’m glad that I’m here. As a parent, I’m looking for two things- Academic Excellence and the God Factor. With the presentation from the principal, I’m excited because it is holistic. I love academics though, but I also love Critical thinking, drama, music, leadership trainings, amongst others which Olashore School offers. I advise other incoming parents to check this place out, and if it marks all their checklists, then they should try to consider it”.

Established in 1994, on 60 acres of land, Olashore International School is a co-educational school which offers high calibre education in a wide range of subjects. It is one of Nigeria’s leading boarding schools, is particularly appealing to discerning Nigerians at home and abroad, as well as expatriates residing in Nigeria, who desire a school with a strong value system, proven track record and a clear sense of purpose.

Photos from Chiwetel Ejiofor's sister traditional wedding in Enugu..

Photos from Chiwetel Ejiofor's sister traditional wedding in Enugu..

Chiwetel Ejiofor's sister Kandibe, a medical doctor recently did her traditional wedding (Igba nkwu) in Enugu State to her man, Dele. Chiwetel was there. See more photos after the cut...

credit: Linda Ikeji

VP's wife, Dolapo Osinbajo, pretty in red at an event in Abuja

VP's wife, Dolapo Osinbajo, pretty in red at an event in Abuja

Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Dolapo Osinbajo, looked lovely in a red dress she wore to the premiere of Airtel Touching Lives Season Two which held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja yesterday January 21st. More photos after the cut...

credit: Linda Ikeji

Pibona; Beauty without Limits

Pibona; Beauty without Limits

She wants more than just another product; she is not seeking empowerment, she is empowered. She is choosing to take better care of herself. She is looking for peace, solutions and fulfillment. She is Pibona. Enhance your natural beauty with long -lasting perfecting mineral makeup products, which turn up the volume and create a fresh, polished look that is simply flawless.

 

Our luxury, perfected and lightweight mineral makeup collection is formulated in the USA. With distinctive colors for the woman seeking a value added experience of product.

Launched in January 2013, at the Oriental hotel, Lagos Nigeria.

These bestsellers are Hypoallergenic, Paraben Free, and oil -free, water-based and contain SPF protection.

Play with colors on:www.pibonacosmetics.com     

credit: Linda Ikeji

Wait, we will now pay N50 to FG every time we receive money in our account?

The Federal Government has imposed a stamp duty of N50 on bank customers for money received into their accounts. This implies that every bank customer will henceforth pay N50 stamp duty for money received into their accounts through electronic transfer, cash and cheques.

This directive was contained in a circular to all Deposit Money Banks and Other Financial institutions titled, "Collection and Remittance of statutory charges on receipts of Nigeria Postal Service under the Stamp Duties Act”.

The circular in part reads

“As part of efforts to boost its revenue base, the federal government of Nigeria is exploring revenue opportunities in the non-oil sectors especially taxes and rates. It is in recognition of this fact that banks and other financial institutions are enjoined to support government’s revenue drive through compliance with the provisions of the Stamp Duties Act, LFN 2004 as reinforced by the court judgement in Suit No FHC/L/CS/1710/2013. 

In this regard, the CBN pursuant to the provisions of its enabling laws, hereby issues this circular to all DMBs other financial institutions: With immediate effect, all DMBs and other financial institutions shall commence the charging of N50 per eligible transaction in accordance with the provisions of the Stamp Duties Act and Federal Government Financial Regulations 2009, that is, all receipts given by any bank or other financial institution in acknowledgment of services rendered in respect of electronic transfer and teller deposits from N1, 000 and above; For all avoidance of doubt the following receipts are however exempted from imposition of stamp duties: payments of deposits or transfer by self to self whether inter or intra bank; and any form of withdrawals/transfers from saving accounts; It should be noted that these charges are only payable by receiving accounts; Each DMB shall open an account designated as NIPOST Stamp Duties Account into which all charges collected shall be paid. The balances in such accounts shall be transferred monthly by the DMBs to CBN NIPOST Stamp Duty Collection Account No. 3000047517; Other financial institutions shall remit their Stamp Duty collections to any DMB of their choice”.

credit: Linda Ikeji's blog

Buhari signs pact with UAE govt to recover looted funds

Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi signed six agreements to enhance bilateral relations between them.

The signing of the agreements on trade, finance and judicial matters was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Attayar signed the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, while the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah signed the Agreement on Trade Promotion and Protection with the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs.

According to the statement, the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, Sultan Bin Saeed Albadi signed the Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.

At a reception after the signing of the agreements, President Buhari reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and restoring Nigeria’s dignity in the comity of nations.

“The President also urged all Islamic countries to support the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and denounce the atrocities of Boko Haram as un-Islamic and against the teachings of the Holy Prophet,” the statement added.

In his remarks, Crown Prince Zayed Al Nahyan said that the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE will be strengthened by President Buhari’s visit and the signing of the agreements.

The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, is dead.

The monarch, who attained the age of 100 years in 2014, passed away Tuesday evening after he reportedly lost consciousness.

Report revealed that the monarch’s corpse has been taken to a morgue as at press time.

Other details about Oba Odulana’s death were sketchy as at press time.

The Personal Assistant to the late monarch, Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, however denied the death, saying it was a rumour. He said Oba Odulana still ate yesterday, adding that he was hale and hearty.

His death will throw the city into mourning after brouhaha over promotion of nine high chiefs on January 1 which pitted the Olubadan-In-Council against the state government.

Next in line to the throne is the Balogun of Ibadan land, High Chief Saliu A.O. Adetunji.

Oba Odulana mounted the throne in 2007 as the 39th Olubadan of Ibadan land. He was the 17th Olubadan since the title was elevated from Baale Ibadan to the Olubadan in 1930. The first traditional ruler to bear the new title was Oba Okunola Abass who reigned from 1930-1946.

Red Star Express Plc gets SON’s Quality Management System re-certification

Lagos, Nigeria, 2016. In recognition of its strict adherence to global best practices, Red Star Express Plc., a foremost logistics company in Nigeria, has been re-certified by the Standard Organization of Nigeria adjudging them as being compliant to quality management, as a result of their conformity to the requirements of NIS ISO 9001:2008 standard.

The re-certification came after a successful audit carried out by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to certify the company’s conformed to the requirements of NIS ISO 9001:2008 standard.

The Managing Director, Red Star Express Plc., Sule Bichi, reiterated that, the certification was a giant stride in Red Star’s pursuit of excellence in logistics industry by evolving and marketing a range of technology-driven services designed towards quality delivery to its teeming customers. “We are glad that SON deemed it fit to re-certify our company after the successful audit and we hope to keep giving our best in quality delivery”.

Speaking also on the re-certification by SON, Quality Assurance Manager, Red Star Express Plc., Toyin Owolabi, stated “that the successful audit of the company’s Quality Management System was an attestation of Red Star’s commitment to continually adhere to global best practices and standards in all of its operations and processes. It is a privilege to be re-certified by SON, this highlights our constant desire in maintaining excellence since the last accreditation in 2013. We hope to keep up with the standard in order to ensure quality service to our customers.”

Red Star Express Plc., is a premium logistics solution provider in Nigeria in area of revenue, network coverage and market share in the domestic and international market. It enjoys a domestic strength of 169 offices in Nigeria, deliveries to additional 1,500 communities, over 1400 highly trained personnel and over 500 vehicle fleet. It prides itself of automatic proof of delivery and advanced technology with all operations done online and real-time. It operates as the Nigerian licensee of FedEx, which is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories around the world.

Does spanking children slow cognitive development, increase criminal behaviour?

A scientist has made a definitive case against spanking, including how it slows cognitive development and increases antisocial and criminal behaviour.

A new book by Murray Straus, founder and co-director of the Family Research Lab and professor emeritus of sociology at the University of New Hampshire, United States (U.S.) brings together more than four decades of research that makes the definitive case against spanking, including how it slows cognitive development and increases antisocial and criminal behaviour.

“The Primordial Violence” (Routledge, 2013) shows that the reasons parents hit those they love includes a lot more than just correcting misbehavior. It provides evidence on the effect spanking has on children, and what can be done to end it. The book features longitudinal data from more than 7,000 U.S. families as well as results from a 32-nation study and presents the latest research on the extent to which spanking is used in different cultures and the subsequent effects of its use on children and on society.

“Research shows that spanking corrects misbehavior. But it also shows that spanking does not work better than other modes of correction, such as time out, explaining, and depriving a child of privileges. Moreover, the research clearly shows that the gains from spanking come at a big cost. These include weakening the tie between children and parents and increasing the probability that the child will hit other children and their parents, and as adults, hit a dating or marital partner. Spanking also slows down mental development and lowers the probability of a child doing well in school,” Straus says.

“More than 100 studies have detailed these side effects of spanking, with more than 90 percent agreement among them. There is probably no other aspect of parenting and child behavior where the results are so consistent,” he says.

credit: The Guardian