Off her forthcoming triumphant third studio titled “Black Magic” ; African diva Yemi Alade releases two fresh singles ahead of the set’s ar...
According to a report by Daily Post, a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, says former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki among other defectors to the All Progressives Congress, APC, were free to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He also spoke on speculations that some conditions were given to Atiku ahead of his return to the former ruling party.
”Atiku, Saraki and all of them are most welcome back. Because they are all PDP invention, they are all PDP children, they are all our own material, no matter where they go, their political DNA is PDP. No matter how they tried to run away, you cannot run away from your soul”, he told Premium Times.
”About giving conditions, I don’t think my brother Atiku was giving any condition. Who gave him such conditions? They are welcome back to where they are cherished, where they are admired, where they were made what they are,” he added.
On his presidential ambition, he said the PDP must choose a loyal party member the party can vouch for.
”I know that many others will also join the race. But what is important for us to know is that, in whatever we do, we restore that thing called trust in the party. We should also put Nigeria first. At the end, whoever should emerge from the party as candidate after primaries should be a candidate who is owned by PDP, who knows PDP and who PDP people knows,” he said.
Lamido further said the current administration is confused and was unprepared for governance.
“They went into the government unprepared, that is why they must continue churning out lies to mask their failure. During the campaign they kept saying PDP is Boko Haram, we are evil, and we were demonised. Now they are in government, they failed to move away from a political party seeking position to a party as an institution and a government.
“But because they have no simple sense of what is known as government and governance, they kept on with the same propaganda. And if you speak about the government which you have the right to speak, the operators and propagandists of the party called APC will mock you. It is very dangerous for a government to be mocking its citizen.
“They are utterly irrational and don’t know what is called leadership. They are simply sitting there on privilege, but they are thinking the government is their own right. Somebody who contributed nothing to the evolution of political Nigeria is today calling the shot in Nigerian government. And the culture of lies became their art of governance.
“When President was sick, he was taken abroad. Lai and Adesina were saying he was taking some antibiotics, he is just resting, and he is healthy, bla, bla. But when Buhari came back, he said he was sick. When Yar’Adua was sick, the same Lai and others were demanding for their right to know their president’s health condition, even the way he eats. But now they are in the government, we are now overwhelmed with tonnes of lies,” he declared.
According to a report by Daily Post, a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, says former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Senat...
Despite the work of artists and protestors, President Trump’s D.C. hotel has remained open, and reports indicate that the State Department might even be encouraging world leaders to book rooms there. In response, 17 Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform have sued the General Services Administration for records related to the hotel that it hasn’t been providing the committee. Per the Washington Post:
At issue are documents that the Democrats say the administration is required by law to provide. Specifically, they seek monthly financial reports the hotel is required to file with the GSA, records of payments from the hotel’s foreign clients and details on how the agency decided to allow Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, to retain the deal after he became president.
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the committee, called the hotel “a glaring symbol of the Trump Administration’s lack of accountability and a daily reminder of the refusal by Republicans in Congress to do their job.”
Several years prior to his election, Trump signed a lease to open the hotel in a building owned by the federal government and managed by the GSA. Under the lease, the Trump Organization pays rent and shares some of the profits. Many expected the lease to be voided after Trump was sworn in because it contains a clause that bars any elected official from gaining “any benefit” from the deal. However, President Trump and Ivanka Trump have kept their stakes in the hotel, which is posting higher profits than expected after GSA records released during the Obama administration showed the hotel was losing money.
The Trump administration now has 60 days to respond to the federal lawsuit.
(Via Washington Post )
Despite the work of artists and protestors , President Trump’s D.C. hotel has remained open, and reports indicate that the State Depart...
Lavender on your pillow, avoiding all digital screens, meditation – there are seemingly endless ways that supposedly promise a good night’s sleep.
But according to sleep expert Sammy Margo, it could be as simple as eating the right foods before bed.
Margo, author of The Good Sleep Guide, revealed how not only can certain foods help us drift off, but the wrong ones can keep us up.
New research by Simba Sleep has revealed that over two thirds (69%) of Brits feel sleep-deprived, and our love of spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol may hold the cause.
About a third of people struggle with insomnia, and judging by Margo’s suggestions, we should all be eating foods more likely associated with breakfast before bed – brinner, anyone?
The five foods you should eat before bed:
1. Bananas
Although generally considered an energy-boosting food, bananas are rich in magnesium which relaxes muscles and they also contain serotonin and melatonin, which encourage sleep.
2. Almonds
Known as a great source of healthy fats, almonds are also bursting with tryptophan and magnesium, “which both help to naturally reduce muscle and nerve function while also steadying your heart rhythm,” according to Margo.
3. Honey
Just one teaspoon of honey is enough to stimulate the release of melatonin in the brain and shut off orexin (which keeps us alert), thus helping you to wind down.
4. Oats
As well as being yet another food rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids which promote sleep-inducing melatonin, oats encourages insulin production and naturally raise blood sugar.
5. Turkey
One of the most famous sources of tryptophan, turkey is also a great source of protein and will make you feel full.(Daily Times)
Lavender on your pillow, avoiding all digital screens, meditation – there are seemingly endless ways that supposedly promise a good night’s ...
It is that season again, that time of the year. The famous orange glossy fruits are out again. Growing up in the western part of Nigeria, the love I had for agbalumo as a kid was nothing compared to that of my meals. I also remember using its seeds to play and calculate at some point. Without knowing its benefits, I cherished this fruit.
Having studied and learned more about this fruit, I would be sharing in today’s article most of what you need to know about this special fruit and its different health benefits.
Known to the Yorubas as Agbalumo, to the Igbos as Udara, and to the Hausas as Ciwoh, this amazing fruit (African Star Apple) has many benefits that would amaze you when compared to its size.
Agbalumo is very beneficial to human health
Agbalumo/Udara has this sweet-sour taste with this milky juice coming out when squeezed or sucked before consuming its flesh. It also has a chewable edible skin that is usually orange in color.
Health Benefits of Agbalumo
Agbalumo serves as a good source of calcium. The calcium content in one agbalumo fruit is about 10 percent the amount you need in a day and calcium serves as a source of strength for the bones and teeth.
It is also a very good source of Vitamin A and C. A single agbalumo fruit provides about 5 percent of the daily recommended value of these vitamins in the body. This helps to prevent gum diseases such as scurvy and also helps fight other diseases in the body.
According to the locals, this amazing fruit can be used as a natural remedy to treat sore throat, toothaches, and constipation.
agbalumo
Its parts (the leaves, roots and barks) have also been said to be used in times past in preparing traditional herbs to treat cough, yellow fever and high blood pressure.
It has also been said to help in weight management. Agbalumo contains fibre which helps in reducing your appetite and prevents you from eating too much. This fruit provides 3g of the recommended 25 to 38g daily intake of fibre needed by the body.
It helps in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, thus, could be useful in preventing heart-related diseases.
Its seeds are useful in treating diarrhea.
Other uses of this fruit include treatment for hypertension, intestinal issues and cancer.
This is the season of this wonderful fruit. Try as much as possible to take an adequate amount of this fruit to obtain its maximum benefit.
It is that season again, that time of the year. The famous orange glossy fruits are out again. Growing up in the western part of Nigeria, th...
It is no longer news that Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson was pregnant but the identity of the baby father was hidden. Earlier this week, the actress reportedly gave birth to her baby in Ghana but the
The news of her delivery flooded the internet over the weekend. The identity of the father was still unknown.
Few days after the news that Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson gave birth, details of her baby daddy surfaced the internet.
According to YEN, the father of Yvonne’s baby girl is a fashion photographer based in London.
It was also reported that the caring father was by her side during the birth of the baby girl.
It is no longer news that Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson was pregnant but the identity of the baby father was hidden. Earlier this week, the...
A newly unsealed docket in the criminal case against Paul Manafort and his longtime business associate Rick Gates alleged that both men had received “millions of dollars” from Ukrainian and Russian oligarchs that would allow them “to live comfortably abroad” and therefore make them a flight risk.
The government wrote in the documents unsealed on Tuesday, which include arrest warrants and the terms of their release, that Manafort and Gates “have connections to Ukrainian and Russian oligarchs, who have provided” them with “millions of dollars.”
“Foreign connections of this kind indicate that the defendants would have access to funds and an ability ‘to live comfortably’ abroad…a consideration that strongly suggests risk of flight,” the filings said.
Whereas Gates was released on his own personal recognizance, or a promise that he will return to court, Manafort was released into a “high intensity supervision program.”
Both men were placed on house arrest after the government successfully argued that they “pose a risk of flight based on the serious nature of the charges, their history of deceptive and misleading conduct, the potentially significant sentences the defendants face, the strong evidence of guilt, their significant financial resources, and their foreign connections.”
Manafort and Gates, who both pleaded not guilty on Monday, were required to turn over their passports to the FBI and notify the bureau of their movements. According to the filing, Manafort currently has three passports with different numbers — and has “submitted ten US passport applications on ten different occasions” over the past decade.
“Manafort and Gates are frequent international travelers, consistent with the nature of their work for foreign entities,” the filing read. “Within the last year, Manafort has traveled to Dubai, Cancun, Panama City, Havana, Shanghai, Madrid, Tokyo, and Grand Cayman Island…The investigation has also revealed that Gates and Manafort traveled to Cyprus, the place where many of their foreign accounts are based.”
Additionally, Manafort allegedly registered a phone number and email address using an alias, according to the government. He traveled with that phone to “Mexico in June 2017; to China on May 23, 2017; and to Ecuador on May 9, 2017.”
The New York Times reported in July, citing financial documents filed in Cyprus, that Manafort was in debt to pro-Russian interests by as much as $17 million by the time he joined President Donald Trump’s campaign team in March 2016.
Manafort also has significant business ties to the Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, who signed a $10 million annual contract with Manafort in 2006, according to the Associated Press, for a lobbying project in the US that Manafort said would “greatly benefit the Putin Government.”
That relationship turned sour in 2014, though, when Deripaska’s representatives filed legal complaints in the Cayman Islands alleging that Manafort all but disappeared with $19 million Deripaska had given him to invest in a Ukrainian TV company called Black Sea Cable.
In early 2016, Deripaska’s representatives “openly accused Manafort of fraud and pledged to recover the money from him,” according to The Associated Press. “After Trump earned the nomination [in May], Deripaska’s representatives said they would no longer discuss the case.”
In a July 2016 email, Manafort asked his longtime employee Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian-Ukrainian dual citizen, to offer Deripaska “private briefings” about the campaign.
Kilimnik, too, may appear in the newly unsealed docket. According to the government, “Manafort, Gates, and a Russian national—who is a longstanding employee of Davis Manafort Partners, Inc. and DMP International LLC (collectively DMI)—served as the beneficial owners and signatories” on the many offshore accounts they had opened.
“More than $75 million flowed through these overseas accounts,” the filings said, “and the government has substantial documentary evidence to support that allegation.”
Manafort also represented the value of his assets on loan applications “in divergent amounts, ” according to the court filings. The values varied wildly in 2016, when he was serving as Trump’s campaign chairman — from $48 million in February 2016 to $136 million in May 2016 to $25 million in November 2016 — suggesting “considerable resources, the full extent of which is unclear,” the government wrote.
Gates, meanwhile, “frequently changed banks and opened and closed bank accounts,” prosecutors said. He allegedly opened 55 accounts with 13 different banks, some of which were based in England and Cyprus.
A newly unsealed docket in the criminal case against Paul Manafort and his longtime business associate Rick Gates alleged that both men h...
Not in contention for a Super Eagles berth, their brilliance over the weekend caught the eye as they made our weekly list of outstanding Nigerian players.
Anthony Nwakaeme
There really isn’t a better time for Hapoel Be’er Sheva forward to get firing than this time. Nwakaeme who started off on the left of the Camel’s attack scored a beaut of a goal almost reminiscent his goal six days before against Maccabi Tel Aviv. It wasn’t Tony working his way to the shot this time, it was more instinctive, seeing a loose ball from Maor Melikson’s heavy touch, the forward ran up five yards to hit a perfectly-placed, low, first time shot form the edge of the box in the 63rd minute to put his team ahead. He put the icing on the cake six minutes to the end of regulation time when he and Melikson combined for an unorthodox one-two-three that had his teammate play a strong, low cross through a thicket of defenders. Tony took a touch with the cleat of his boot popping up the ball before he fired home.
The forward with three goals in his seven starts will hope to replicate such scoring form with the Super Eagles in a bid to join the squad to the World Cup in Russia.
Joel Obi
Injuries have not been fair to Joel Obi. The midfielder worked his way to full fitness after a lengthy layoff to begin the Serie A season with Torino. Two games into the season, Obi was with a goal and an assist but injury struck unfortunately after 10 minutes into his third game of the season. The former Inter Milan player had to sit out 49 days due to the muscle injury. He returned to score the winner for his team against Cagliari over the weekend. Joel came on in the 56th minute replacing Afriye Acquah and he quickly got on in the action almost scoring few seconds after coming on. Obi looked lively all through his cameo, popping in the danger zone engaging in a number of goalmouth actions.
His most important action came ten minutes after he had come on. Cagliari’s goalkeeper Rafael stopped a shot at the near post with his foot but the ball rebounded off the inside of the crossbar to line up perfectly for the onrushing Obi to head in. The midfielder will hope to stay injury free as he builds his impressive substitute performance for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side.
Mikel Agu
Much-maligned Mikel Agu showed what made Gernot Rohr take a liking to him in Bursaspor’s 4-0 win over Antalyaspor . The midfielder was effervescent in the midfield and defensive third with a 90% pass completion rate from a team-high 72 passes while still posting three tackles and two interceptions. The former Porto player did score the game’s opener with his only touch in the box all game. Agu rose highest in the 37th minute to head home Pablo Batalla’s inswinging corner to set his team on the rout of Samuel Eto’o’s team.
The midfield has been a lynchpin in the Crocodiles’ midfield starting all of the team’s games snapping at heels and winning an impressive 3.6 tackles per game (Second in the League). Agu will, however, have to do more in the green of the Super Eagles to win over critics who continually question his inclusion in the National team.
Ogenyi Onazi
There were three red cards, eight yellow cards and 33 fouls in Trabzonspor’s game against Galatasaray but incredibly Ogenyi Onazi who played in the midfield that saw 42% of the match action was without a foul. What made it even less believable was the fact that Onazi led the game in tackles with his eight tackles alongside four interceptions.
The defensive midfielder was instrumental in his team’s first victory in their last six games as he delivered a solid performance, covering huge distances across the midfield for the 89 minutes he was on. Onazi hardly putting a foot wrong against the best midfielder in the Turkish SuperLig, Fernando. The Nigerian midfielder will hope he is rewarded with his third consecutive start against Kayserispor as he continues on the path of redemption at Trabzonspor.
Peter Olayinka
Olayinka got his goalscoring tally to five in a fortuitous manner. The 21-year old was on for the full duration of Zulte Waregem’s 2-1 win over KV Mechelen. Olayinka’s cross from the by-line on the left was intended for Sandy Walsh but it bounced off the turf into the net. The Nigerian who is on loan from Gent has proved a shrewd acquisition by Zulte Waregem with his contributions in goals and assists. The former 36 Lions player has seven assists this season from his 13 starts for Waregem.
Not in contention for a Super Eagles berth, their brilliance over the weekend caught the eye as they made our weekly list of outstandin...
It’s high in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions.
Also, cucumbers are low in calories and contain a good amount of water and soluble fiber, making them ideal for promoting hydration and aiding in weight loss.
This article takes a closer look at some of the top health benefits of eating cucumber.
1. It’s High in Nutrients
Cucumbers are low in calories but high in many important vitamins and minerals.
One 11-ounce (300-gram) unpeeled, raw cucumber contains the following:
Calories: 45
Total fat: 0 grams
Carbs: 11 grams
Protein: 2 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Vitamin C: 14% of the RDI
Vitamin K: 62% of the RDI
Magnesium: 10% of the RDI
Potassium: 13% of the RDI
Manganese: 12% of the RDI
Although, the typical serving size is about one-third of a cucumber, so eating a standard portion would provide about one-third of the nutrients above.
Additionally, cucumbers have a high water content. In fact, cucumbers are made up of about 96% water.
To maximize their nutrient content, cucumbers should be eaten unpeeled. Peeling them reduces the amount of fiber, as well as certain vitamins and minerals.
2. It Contains Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that block oxidation, a chemical reaction that forms highly reactive atoms with unpaired electrons known as free radicals.
The accumulation of these harmful free radicals can lead to several types of chronic illness.
In fact, oxidative stress caused by free radicals has been associated with cancer and heart, lung and autoimmune disease.
Fruits and vegetables, including cucumbers, are especially rich in beneficial antioxidants that may reduce the risk of these conditions.
One study measured the antioxidant power of cucumber by supplementing 30 older adults with cucumber powder.
At the end of the 30-day study, cucumber powder caused a significant increase in several markers of antioxidant activity and improved antioxidant status.
However, it’s important to note that the cucumber powder used in this study likely contained a greater dose of antioxidants than you would consume in a typical serving of cucumber.
Another test-tube study investigated the antioxidant properties of cucumbers and found that they contain flavonoids and tannins, which are two groups of compounds that are especially effective at blocking harmful free radicals (6).
3. It Promotes Hydration
Water is crucial to your body’s function, playing numerous important roles.
It is involved in processes like temperature regulation and the transportation of waste products and nutrients.
In fact, proper hydration can affect everything from physical performance to metabolism.
While you meet the majority of your fluid needs by drinking water or other liquids, some people may get as much as 40% of their total water intake from food.
Fruits and vegetables, in particular, can be a good source of water in your diet.
In one study, hydration status was assessed and diet records were collected for 442 children. They found that increased fruit and vegetable intake was associated with improvements in hydration status.
Because cucumbers are composed of about 96% water, they are especially effective at promoting hydration and can help you meet your daily fluid needs.
4. It May Aid in Weight Loss
Cucumbers could potentially help you lose weight in a few different ways.
First of all, they are low in calories.
Each one-cup (104-gram) serving contains just 16 calories, while an entire 11-ounce (300-gram) cucumber contains only 45 calories.
This means that you can eat plenty of cucumbers without packing on the extra calories that lead to weight gain.
Cucumbers can add freshness and flavor to salads, sandwiches and side dishes and may also be used as a replacement for higher calorie alternatives.
Furthermore, the high water content of cucumbers could aid in weight loss as well.
One analysis looked at 13 studies including 3,628 people and found that eating foods with high water and low calorie contents was associated with a significant decrease in body weight.
5. It May Lower Blood Sugar
Several animal and test-tube studies have found that cucumbers may help reduce blood sugar levels and prevent some complications of diabetes.
One animal study examined the effects of various plants on blood sugar. Cucumbers were shown to effectively reduce and control blood sugar levels.
Another animal study induced diabetes in mice and then supplemented them with cucumber peel extract. Cucumber peel reversed most of the diabetes-associated changes and caused a decrease in blood sugar.
In addition, one test-tube study found that cucumbers may be effective at reducing oxidative stress and preventing diabetes-related complications.
However, the current evidence is limited to test-tube and animal studies. Further research is needed to determine how cucumbers may affect blood sugar in humans.
6. It Could Promote Regularity
Eating cucumbers may help support regular bowel movements.
Dehydration is a major risk factor for constipation, as it can alter your water balance and make the passage of stool difficult.
Cucumbers are high in water and promote hydration. Staying hydrated can improve stool consistency, prevent constipation and help maintain regularity.
Moreover, cucumbers contain fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements.
In particular, pectin, the type of soluble fiber found in cucumbers, can help increase bowel movement frequency.
One study had 80 participants supplement with pectin. It found that pectin sped up the movement of the intestinal muscles, all while feeding the beneficial bacteria in the gut that improve digestive health.
7. Easy to Add to Your Diet
Mild with a distinctly crisp and refreshing flavor, cucumbers are commonly enjoyed fresh or pickled in everything from salads to sandwiches.
Cucumbers are also often eaten raw as a low-calorie snack or can be paired with hummus, olive oil, salt or salad dressing to add a bit more flavor.
With just a bit of creativity, cucumbers can be enjoyed in many ways.
Here are a few recipes to help incorporate cucumbers into your diet:
Baked Cucumber Chips
Quick Pickled Cucumbers
Thai Cucumber Salad
Strawberry, Lime, Cucumber and Mint-Infused Water
Cucumber and Mint Sorbet
Cucumber Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese
The Bottom Line
Cucumbers are a refreshing, nutritious and incredibly versatile addition to any diet.
They are low in calories but contain many important vitamins and minerals, as well as a high water content.
Eating cucumbers may lead to many potential health benefits, including weight loss, balanced hydration, digestive regularity and lower blood sugar levels
It’s high in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions....