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Why We’re Heavily Investing In Book And Culture Series – HOMEF Director, Bassey

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Executive Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, has explained that the organisation’s strong commitment to its Book and Culture Series stems from the need to raise environmental awareness among Nigerians, especially those in the Niger Delta.

Speaking on Monday in Benin City during the third edition of the Book Readings and Culture event, Bassey emphasized that literature plays a vital role in building environmental consciousness and preserving cultural values.

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The event featured readings from the works of environmental activist and traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State.

“We are investing time and resources into this series because without reading, our struggle for a safe and healthy environment cannot be fully grounded,” Bassey stated.

READ ALSO: HOMEF’s School of Ecology Empowers Young Activists with Environmental Knowledge

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We must carry intellects along, and literature is a powerful tool to help people understand what is happening around them.”

The event was attended by representatives of the Edo State Ministry of Education, university lecturers, students, and members of civil society organisations.

Bassey stressed that the Book and Culture Series also aims to highlight cultural values that support environmental sustainability.

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“Our culture forbids pollution and oil spills. These are not things our ancestors tolerated,” he noted.

“The Book and Culture Series is therefore critical for reminding us of who we are and what we stand for.”

Highlighting the environmental degradation in oil-producing communities, Bassey lamented that pollution has led to a decline in life expectancy in the Niger Delta, resulting in fewer elders and more young people with little hope for a healthy future.

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READ ALSO: HOMEF Decries Alarming Rate Of Malnutrition, Food Insecurity

During the event, King Bubaraye Dakolo read from three of his books — The Riddle of the Oil Thief, Pirates of the Gulf, and The African Voice.

He criticized the Nigerian oil sector regulators, describing them as the weakest in the world, noting that over 300 oil spills occur annually without accountability or justice for affected communities.

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When asked how he managed to write five books chronicling the realities of the Niger Delta within just three years, King Dakolo attributed his output to his deep connection with the region and his ancestral roots as an Ijaw monarch.

Priye Gift Johnson, a master’s student from Benson Idahosa University and and another student from the University of Benin also read excerpts from the king’s works, praising him for preserving the stories and struggles of the Niger Delta through literature.

The event concluded with King Dakolo’s induction into the HOMEF Hall of Fame, in recognition of his contributions to environmental advocacy and cultural preservation.

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Eating Takeout Food Often May Increase Heart Disease Risk — Study

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Research suggests that higher takeout food consumption may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease.

In a new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers said eating takeout food too often can influence systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease.

The study of over eight thousand people in the 2009 to 2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who eat greater amounts of takeout food are likely to have various elevated risk factors for heart disease.

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They were interviewed in their homes and also visited a mobile examination centre, where they recalled their food intake, received cardiometabolic health assessments, and had blood collected.

READ ALSO:23 Ships With Fuel, Food Items To Arrive Lagos Ports – NPA

Mammograms may predict heart disease risk in women — Study

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The researchers found a correlation between the amount of takeout food a person consumes and their likelihood of developing chronic low-level inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular pathology.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease and the consumption of takeout foods are both on the rise, and while that does not prove a causal relationship, the study explores whether there is a connection between the two.

The study tracked degrees of systemic inflammation according to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a scale that quantifies the risk of inflammation related to the intake of specific dietary substances.

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READ ALSO:Food Security: 14,000 Smallholder Farmers To Benefit From N4bn Smart Agriculture Training In Bauchi

The three major takeaways from the analysis included that a higher level of takeout food consumption corresponded to an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile consisting of lower HDL, as well as higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance.

Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs in a reaction, who was not involved in the study, explained that “Takeout food raises the cardiovascular risk not because of one ingredient, but because of a predictable combination of nutrients, additives, and preparation methods that adversely affect blood pressure, lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial function.”

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This includes excess sodium that increases blood volume and blood vessel stiffness, and unhealthy fats, usually saturated fats or trans fats, that increase cholesterol level and atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, also not involved in this study, declared, “It is also important to recognise that frequent takeout use often reflects broader lifestyle pressures such as demanding schedules, limited access to cooking resources, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep, all of which can quietly compound cardiovascular risk.”

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How To Identify Fake Kiss Condoms In Circulation

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in major markets across the country.

Contents
Original DKT Kiss condoms
Fake Kiss condoms

In a public alert published on its website recently and referenced as Public Alert No. 042/2025, the agency said the warning followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.

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NAFDAC stated, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is notifying the public about the sale and distribution of fake Kiss condoms in various Nigerian markets.

“The information was received from the MAH-DKT International Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on contraceptive social marketing. Its mission is to provide Nigerians with affordable and safe options for family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“The fake Kiss condoms have been reported to be found in Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, and various markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and others.”

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READ ALSO:Married Man Denies Wife At Brazil Concert To Kiss Tems On Stage [VIDEO]

Kiss condom is a brand of male latex condoms designed to offer sexual protection, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

To help consumers avoid counterfeit products, NAFDAC outlined key differences between original and fake Kiss condoms.

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Original DKT Kiss condoms
The original product comes in a light red box pack with clear instructions printed on the lower part of the pack, including single-use warnings and storage and caution information. The box contains detailed medical device information, including MDSS GmbH, Germany, and a complete Nigerian address at Isolo Industrial Layout, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The condom pack is light red, with the word “Kiss” closely written on six lines. The wallet outer pack is lighter red, carries the Oshodi-Apapa address, manufacturer details, and a clear product description beside the condom image. The hidden flap includes revision dates, medical device details, and caution information, while the wallet inner contains detailed instructions and eight bullet points under important notes.

READ ALSO:Lagos Names Mandy Kiss Anti-drug Abuse Ambassador

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The original condom is large, oval-shaped, well-lubricated, and has a large teat end for semen collection.

Fake Kiss condoms
In contrast, fake Kiss condoms come in darker-coloured box packs with little or no additional information. Some boxes are plain white inside and lack condom images. The address is wrongly listed as 42, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, while the manufacturer’s address is incomplete or missing. Storage and caution information is absent.

The condom pack is darker, with “Kiss” loosely written on five lines and wide spacing. The condom strip is longer than the original. The wallet outer pack is also darker red, carries incorrect or missing addresses, lacks colour wave designs, and shows inconsistencies in barcode lines. Medical device and caution information are missing, and the hidden flap contains no details.

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Inside the wallet, information is summarised with only six bullet points. The fake condom is thinner, round-shaped, less lubricated, and has a smaller teat end.
(TRIBUNE)

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Lagos: Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers On Lekki-Epe Expressway

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Fourteen persons suspected to be involved in traffic-related robbery have been arrested at various points along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos over the past two weeks.

The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, via a post on her official X handle, @AbimbolaShotayo.

According to her, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad based in Elemoro carried out the operations that led to the suspects’ apprehension.

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READ ALSO:VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market

She explained that the arrests followed sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminal activities associated with traffic congestion and improving the safety of motorists and other road users along the busy corridor.

Adebisi noted that the development reflects the Command’s determination to strengthen security and uphold law and order on the Lekki-Epe axis, adding that the Tactical Squad has continued to proactively identify crime-prone areas and respond swiftly to threats posed by criminal elements.

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She called on residents and commuters to support police efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.

READ ALSO:VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market

Security is a shared responsibility. Members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” she said.

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The police spokesperson further reassured residents and road users of the Command’s commitment to maintaining aggressive patrols and security operations to protect lives and property in the area.

She reiterated the Command’s community policing message, “See Something, Say Something,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the police and the public in sustaining peace and security.

 

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