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Jalal Stresses Need To Enhance Automotive Industry

The Director-General, National Automotive Council of Nigeria, Mr Aminu Jalal, on Sunday in Lagos said the Federal Government needed to enhance the nation's automotive industry for sustainable economic growth. Jalal told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that this was necessary because the current state of the industry was discouraging. He said capacity utilisation in the industry had dwindled from 90 per cent in 1981 to 10 per cent currently.

``There were more than 50 auto component manufacturers in Nigeria before, some of which were original equipment manufacturers (OEM). ``But many of them have closed down due to lack of demand and infrastructure,’’ Jalal said. He said the installed capacity of the Nigerian automotive industry surpasses the annual vehicular demand as indicted by data from the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA).

``Annual installed capacity in the assembling/manufacturing is 150,000 units, valued at N550 billion, while 70,000 new and 200,000 used vehicles valued more than N400 billion were imported annually since 2008.

``The potential value added, if imports were locally assembled, will be N145 billion with additional value incidental, if local content programmes are vigorously pursued,’’ the director-general said. He said the automotive sector, at full capacity, could employ 70,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers and 200,000 in indirect employment.

``But unfortunately the total current operating capacity for the local assembly plants by value is just six billion Naira,’’ Jalal said. He urged the Federal Government to urgently address the issues of low demand, competition from China and India and lack of infrastructure so as to revive the sector.

``These are some of the challenges that affect the sector, and if they can be eliminated, the sector will benefit the economy through jobs, wealth-creation and technology-acquisition. ``The automotive local content generates many Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and high-paying jobs and that is why both developed and developing economies nurture and protect their automotive industries,’’ the director-general said.

Jalal said with an annual auto import bill of more than N400 billion, the automotive sector in Nigeria was well positioned to improve the nation’s economy.

``Large employment generation, effective utilisation of local raw material and resources, acquisition of technological know-how, foreign exchange savings and earnings are just some the gains if the sector operates at full capacity.

``The industry has the potentials to turn Nigeria into the auto manufacturing centre for the ECOWAS sub-region and beyond,’’ he said.(NAN)

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Farmers In Flood-ravaged Area In Kogi Want FG’s Assistance

Farmers in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi have appealed to the Federal Government to provide seedlings and relief materials to cushion effects of the 2012 flood disaster.

The farmers, in separate interviews in Ibaji on Sunday, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they lost all their crops and granaries to the disaster. NAN reports that Ibaji Local Government Area was the worst hit area in the state by the 2012 floods.

This had led the Federal Government into evacuating all residents to Idah town in the state. The area is a border riverine community between Kogi and Anambra, comprising no fewer than 34 villages with farming as the major occupation of inhabitants. Mrs Eke Emeje, a farmer at Odeke village, told NAN that she left grains she recovered from her granary behind during evacuation of the area because rescue boats refused to carry goods.

"I waited for three days with some grains I took from my granary, but the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) refused to take any goods.

So, I had to leave everything to save my life. "At the camp in Idah we were not given enough food and when the flood receded we came back home to see that all our farms and granaries had been washed away. "Now, we are hungry and there is famine in our land.

The farming season is approaching and we have no seeds to plant. "Most of our houses collapsed and we are living in danger. Government should save us from starvation," she pleaded.

Pastor Jude Atta of the Glorious Faith Ministry, Idah and a cassava farmer at Ugwoda, told NAN that he lost about five hectares of cassava farmland to flood. He said he presently has no cassava stems to plant in the new cropping season. "We were expecting a bumper harvest then, but the flood came overnight and destroyed everything.

I lost crops spanning over five hectares. "Our granaries were washed away, and seedlings is a major problem we are now having," Atta said. He said one Mr Dave Ogwu, out of goodwill, had distributed seedlings to a few farmers in the area to alleviate their sufferings. Atta however noted that the seedlings could not reach all the farmers.

He called on the Federal Government to rescue the community by providing seedlings and relief materials to assist the inhabitants in agricultural activities. Another farmer, Pastor Peter Oyaka of Grace of God Mission at Enweli, told NAN that he lost both crops and economic trees to the flood.

He expressed regrets that relief materials did not get to some farmers and appealed to government to come to their assistance. "There is no hope for the planting season because our seedlings were washed away and we thought we were going to get improved seeds from the government.

"We heard of the relief funds but it did not reach the real farmers because what was meant for us were diverted. "It is very appalling and disheartening and I have been crying every day since the floods, hoping I can meet President Goodluck Jonathan to tell him the plight of farmers here," Oyaka said.

Mrs Lilian Amabi, a farmer at Unale, told NAN that her family escaped being wiped out at the farm settlement when their house collapsed. "Government said we should not take anything but now we have returned to nothing. How can we survive the hardship if government does not help us?" she demanded.(NAN)

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Avoid Gossip In Relationships

New things are bound to happen in a new year, and one thing to avoid when it comes to relationship are gossipers. Blessing Ukemena writes on how doing away with such people could enhance relationship.

Gossip is unconstrained and often derogatory conversation about other people, and can involve betraying a confidence and spreading sensitive information or hurtful judgements. Research shows that people who gossip the most have very high levels of anxiety.

They are generally not particularly popular, because they cannot be trusted. Spreading private information or negative judgements is painful to others, and reflects poorly on the gossiper. Gossip has been known to destroy relationships time and again. In the new year, it is best to focus on developing one’s self and ignoring matters that are not  related to us.

Olufemi Joseph, a single guy who resides in the FCT, told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that he was once in a beautiful relationship with a lady three years ago called Hannah. They were both undergraduates in the University of Abuja, and they had met in school. They later broke up because his friends had said somethings that were untrue about her. He had gotten angry and left her, and refused to listen to her pleas.

Till today, he still regrets his action as he was yet to find another love like hers and would gladly marry her today if she agrees. He still kept contact with her even when she was engaged to be married to someone else. Some would say that men do not gossip, but rather discuss other people. Gossiping is gossiping, no matter how it is described.Both men and women gossip.

Why people gossip
Certainly, there are a lot of reasons people gossip and they include:
To Feel Superior: People who don’t feel good about themselves temporarily feel better when they judge others negatively.

Out Of Boredom: When people can’t generate interesting discussions, based on knowledge or ideas, gossip can rouse people’s interest.

Out Of Envy: People gossip in order to hurt those whose popularity, talents, or lifestyle they envy.

To Feel Like Part Of The Group: People gossip to feel as though they belong to the group. Yet, when acceptance is based on being “in on a secret,” it is not based on a person’s identity, but on exclusion or maliciousness.

For Attention: A person gets to be the centre of attention temporarily while divulging a piece of gossip. Yet, spreading gossip or rumours is like buying attention; it’s temporary and has little foundation.

Out Of Anger Or Unhappiness: A person can derive a sense of retribution with disparaging remarks.

It is wrong to always talk about others
There are times when we cannot just help hearing a little juicy tale of what happened to somebody, but you have been dying to meet up close and personal. Most people have a natural curiosity about what’s going on among people in the community.

Some of the best books are biographies that tell the life stories of other people. They are not based on one-sided, offensive judgements of the person. Gossip, especially as it concerns relationships, is negative.

What to do? In any case, when you happen to walk into a gossip group, do the following:

1. Firstly, you need to be prepared  not to participate in gossip in any shape or form. This means not being the first person to introduce a new gossip topic, and it also means not adding fuel to the fire, by joining in  any gossip. This can be hard as we are surrounded by lots of gossip, but take one day at a time, and soon, it will become easier. Make it clear to others that you will not participate in gossip and that you don't want to listen to any gossip. This can be scary, as gossip is often a (unhealthy) way of bonding friendships and groups. Be courageous and stand your ground. Don't be a willing participant.

2. It’s best to simply change the subject. If they were talking about Jane for example, here are some other possible responses:“I notice that you talk about Jane a lot. I’m curious why she interests you so much?” “Let’s take a look at it from Jane’s side.” “I am more interested in what you are up to.” “Let’s talk about something more positive or decide what we’re going to do this afternoon.”

“I feel uncomfortable listening to negative judgements about people, unless we figure out how to help them.”

In conclusion, gossiping shows others the gossiper’s insecurity and meanspiritedness. It also leaves everyone involved feeling as though they’ve just eaten a bad apple.

Ultimately, the right insight into the intricacies of human relations and behaviour is more interesting, uplifting, and enlightening than one-dimensional judgements and rumours. In case it's one of your habits, make a decision to change it this new year. So, have a refreshing and gossip-free new year.

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Spend Your Leisure In A Garden

Do you know that the most beautiful place to spend your leisure is in a garden? A well decorated garden, with beautiful flowers, enhances the quality of air that circulates in the environment.

Gardens are usually situated in a serene environment and encircled with both scented and beautiful flowers, basically for relaxation after the hard day's work.

Due to the aesthetic nature of gardens, they are used for different occasions such as birthday, wedding, child dedication, burial and other social events.

Before creating a garden, one should consider the soil texture available in that particular location. Apart from the soil texture, you should also consider the availability of water in the area, because for the garden to look charming, it must be watered regularly.

You must also consider the type of flowers and plants to cultivate that will hardly breed mosquitoes, and at the same time, attract patronage from customers.

Maintaining The Garden
It is very essential to water the garden at least twice daily, preferably morning and night so as to prevent the plants from withering.

Always consult a horticulturist for the maintenance, since it’s their area of specialty. However, the plants should be treated with insecticides to prevent pests and insects from eating up or destroying the flowers which may likely shrivel.

Give attention to the flowers and plants by trimming them at least once a month so as to retain that beautiful and charming looks.

Do not dispose hot liquids or foods on the flowers. It withers immediately just like vegetables.

Do not play with sharp objects or spray harmful chemicals that are not meant for plants, in order to increase the lifespan.

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Oily Skin: Eight Ways To Make Makeup Last

Skin types vary, and it is important to remember to wear your makeup in line with your skin type. Blessing Ukemena writes with report from WebMD.

One problem with oily skin is that they can attract dirt more than other skin types, and are thus more prone to breakouts. Now, just because you've got oily skin, that doesn’t mean you have to forever forego makeup. It's a matter of knowing what works with your skin type.

These eight ideas, from a makeup artist and a dermatologist, are expert solutions for wearing makeup if you have an oily complexion.Is your skin parched? You can nourish it while keeping your makeup looking fresh all day.  Some types of cosmetics will help more than others, but the difference starts with how you care for your skin before you reach for your makeup.

One valuable tip to remember is that no matter how oily your skin is, always moisturise. After each wash, always moisturise before putting on your makeup. Yes, it's tempting to just skip it, but the key is for your makeup to stay on, and by this, it will help perfect your look.

You want to always stick to oil-free moisturisers, and make sure it is water based. One of the recommended moisturisers is Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturising gel for oily skin. From then on, you just apply your makeup. These eight strategies will get you started.

First, apply foundation
After your foundation is applied, let it set in for 5-10 minutes before you apply a translucent powder or a setting powder. (You can be on to eye makeup during this time!) Using a face powder brush, you want to sweep the powder lightly onto the face, making circles on the cheeks. Make sure to target the forehead and bridge of the nose as well. We use powder so that the oils on our face will set in. You want to be sure it is a light powder that is in the shade according to your foundation to make it more natural.

Prepare your eyes
To cut down on eye makeup creasing, avoid priming your lids with concealer. Something, that, Warren says, many women with dark circles or redness do. Instead, use a primer specifically designed for eyelids. The base creates a perfect canvas for eye shadow and liner while absorbing crease-causing oils throughout the day.

Don't overdo powdering
It sounds like the right thing to do to pile on the face powder. But going overboard could backfire by making your pores push out more oil. Apply powder just on areas that are shiny. Use a matte translucent formula, which can cut shine on any skin tone. If you do apply too much powder, dampen a makeup sponge and blot it over the over-powdered areas.

Carry blotting papers
No matter how flawless and matte your makeup looks in the morning, if you’re prone to oiliness, you’ll spot shine by midday. Some blotting sheets simply lift the oil from your skin. Others deposit a bit of powder to sop up the oil. The trick to using blotting papers without taking off all of your makeup is to press the paper where you’re oily and then roll it off your skin, instead of rubbing the paper on your skin.

Go oil-free
Since your skin naturally produces more than enough oil, invest in makeup products (especially foundation and blush) that are oil-free and noncomedogenic, which means they don't clog your pores. Also, use face cleansers and toners that are infused with glycolic acids, which cut down on excess oil, says Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in Washington, D.C.

Look for 'long wear'
Water and oil can do the same things to makeup: make it smear, smudge, or slip. That's a reason to stick to eye products that are waterproof, water-resistant, or long-wear. One of the best, long-wear combos is water-resistant eyeliner and cream eye shadow over an eye primer.

Think soft skin, not slick skin
Those heavy, anti-ageing creams are fine for nighttime use, but before you put on your makeup, reach for a lighter moisturiser that hydrates without being greasy. Don't forget your sunscreen – look for an oil-free formula. After you’ve put it on, place a tissue flat on your face and press gently to remove any excess before applying your makeup base.

Use a mask
Once or twice a week, use a treatment mask. Those made with kaolin or bentonite clay are best for oily skin types, as they naturally absorb oil and impurities while calming irritation. Apply a little amount of the mask with your fingers. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, and then, rinse it off with warm water for an immediate matte finish.

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Fight Bacterial, Urinary Tract Infections With Onion

Onion can serve as ornamental, vegetable, spice or medicine. It’s good for vegetarians.

It is effective for curing many bacterial infections including bacillus subtilis, salmonella, and E. coli.

Onion is not as potent as garlic, since the sulfur compound in onion is only about one-quarter the level found in garlic. There are many different varieties of onion such as red, yellow, white and green. The species has both mild and strong flavour. Onion can be eaten raw, cooked, fried, dried or roasted. It is commonly used in salads, soups, pastries and other dishes.

Health Benefits Of Onions
According to healthdiaries.com, onion fights bacterial and urinary tract infections.

During World War II, the swap vapours of onion paste were used to reduce the pain as well as accelerating the healing of soldiers' wounds.

The high content of iron in onion makes it beneficial for the treatment of anemia.

Just by eating half a medium raw onion daily can significantly lower cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks.

The anti-inflammatory agents in onion are useful in reducing the symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and gout.

Onions help to lower blood pressure naturally. It also thins the blood, dissolves blood clots and clears the blood of unhealthy fats.

It helps to reduce the risk of tumours developing in the colon.

Add plenty onions in your cooking as it helps to relieve chronic constipation and flatulence.

Chromium in onion helps diabetic cells respond appropriately by bringing down the insulin level and improving the glucose tolerance.

Studies revealed that by applying onion juice on the scalp twice a week for two months will enhance hair growth.

The pungency increases blood circulation and causes sweating. It is useful in cold weather to ward off infection, reduce fever and sweat out colds and flu.

Mix equal amounts of onion juice and honey. Take 3-4 teaspoons of this mixture daily. It helps dissolve mucus and prevents its further formation.  It is also one of the best preventive mixtures against common cold.

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Fire Razes Block Of Flats At Gwagwalada

A block of four flats located along Demonstration Road in Gwagwalada, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was on Saturday razed down by fire.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent who witnessed the incident reports that efforts by men of the FCT Fire Service to put out the fire which started at about 10 a.m. was abortive. Some occupants of the flat who spoke to NAN blamed the cause of the fire on one of the occupants whom they alleged left her cooker on.

The suspected, occupant however, denied the allegation, saying that she had not even opened her kitchen when the fire broke out. ``I had not even opened my kitchen this morning.

I just went across the road to buy chicken and met the house on fire on my return. ``My little baby would have been in the fire if not that I carried him with me,'' Ifeoma Amadi, the occupant, said in tears One of the occupants, simply identified as Augustus, was said to have travelled to Enugu this morning to attend his sisters` burial.

While other occupants of the building were seen salvaging a few property from their flats, everything in Augustus` room was burnt as access could not be gained into his apartment. Meanwhile, Mr Ignatius Amadi, the Caretaker of the block of flats, said that the fire started from the mattress of one of the occupants.

He alleged that the occupant may have left her phone on her mattress while charging it, adding that there may have been electricity spark somewhere.

The house, which according him, was the major source of income to the owner, was completely razed with properties worth millions of Naira. Some of the occupants of the flats said that besides their property that were burnt in the inferno, there were other valuable documents including certificates and cash. (NAN)

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A/Ibom Govt. Set To Tackle Flood In Uyo Metropolis

Akwa Ibom Government says it has set machinery in motion to tackle flooding in Uyo metropolis. Mr Etido Inyang, the Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom Governor on Technical Matters, disclosed this in Uyo on Saturday while fielding questions from newsmen on the activities of his office.

He said that the flood normally experienced in some parts of the city would soon be a thing of the past with the various interventions by the government to tackle the challenge He disclosed that contract to handle the control of flood in the city had been awarded and that work had started. “Contract has been awarded and we need two rainy seasons to really take care of the situation.

``We have taken from the House of Assembly to Tropicana, behind Tropicana and across the third ring road to Mbiakok in Nsit Ibom council area.”

He said that another major drain would be constructed from the State Secretariat to IBB Way by Women Development Centre through the third ring road and empty into Ibesikpo valley. “So there is a well articulated plan already put in place to control flood in the state capital and its environs.

``I think in all, the administration has taken the issue of flood very well. ''We have a master plan that was done by TRO & Partners and daily, we are executing that plan.

By the next two rainy seasons, you will not see any flood in Uyo and its environs,” he said. The special assistant advised citizens to stop excavating the soil near the outfalls to avoid prevent erosion inherent in such practice. Inyang explained that it was part of the plan that made Itam junction and its environs now flood free. (NAN)

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