Friday, April 5, 2013

Foods that boost virility




Food performs various functions in the body, the most basic of which is keeping us healthy to be able to meet other obligations, including sexual obligations, especially for men.

Nutritionists say food can boost or bust a man’s libido, depending on what he ingests. Indeed, researchers say it’s impossible to build manly vigour on a diet of denatured foods like processed meats and other junk foods that fill the space these days.

Experts warn that to boost manly strength behind closed doors, men need foods that are well supplied with the elements that give strength and stamina.

Nutritionist and weight loss expert, Dr. Oluwakemi Oluwa, says all foods that are best for building health, pure blood and vitality are also best for virility building, most especially when eaten in their natural form. Indeed, she nails foods that have undergone “processing, refining or improper cooking,” such as refined flour, refined sugar, and polished rice, among others. These foods, she contends, are only filled with pure starch or other carbohydrate, literally starving the nerves, bones and blood vessels of the elements which they need most.

In terms of warning, researchers recommend this diet for the impotent and sexually debilitated men, especially those over 40 years of age. Young men in their prime who scientists consider already sexually overstimulated are advised to use less of eggs and meats — especially red meat, because of its stimulating character.

They also advise that, where possible, a breakfast could consist of mainly fruits and vegetables, with two small portions of solid foods to round off the day.

This being the case, what foods do we have within reach which can give men the sort of strength they always dream of?

Nutritionists recommend full diet for this category of men, with a fairly liberal allowance of meat, eggs and other proteid (protein-rich) foods. Poultry, fish and sea food are said to be of little help here, though their dietary value cannot be contemned. More important, they also advocate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables eaten “as is.”

Top on the list is watermelon. Currently in season and sometimes throughout the year, this fruit is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. It is also considered as a good source of potassium, and a very good source of vitamins A and C. Its crowning glory, however, is citrulline, an amino acid that stimulates nitric-oxide production and increases blood flow to the male organ, strengthening erections.

For those with sweet tooth, it seems to pay off here. Researchers at the University of California say the flavonoids usually found in dark chocolates improved blood-vessel dilation by more than 10 per cent among men that ate it. The result is an improved blood flow to the nether region, with the attendant boost as needed.

Other sources of flavonoids are green and black tea, apples, apricots, blueberries, pears, strawberries, cabbage, onions and tomatoes.

It’s not just the phallus shape of bananas that make them a fruit of interest. Their libido-boosting values are also of great importance. Said to be high in potassium, nutritionists say this lush fruit relaxes blood-vessel walls, allowing for better blood flow throughout the body. Indeed, a study published in the journal, Hypertension, claims “it offsets a high-sodium diet, keeping the blood pressure in check.

Though smelly, the influence that garlic has on men’s sexual well-being overrides its obnoxious smell. This is because this vegetable boosts blood flow to the penis by increasing nitric-oxide production and relaxing the blood vessels.

Walnut is another rich fruit that scientists say boost the libido. In separate researches, the European Food Safety Authority, and researchers at the University of Malaya in Malaysia say L-Arginine, an amino acid found abundantly in the fruit, is one of the building blocks of nitric oxide. As such, they say, a diet that includes these nuts with the rock-hard shell makes for consistent, rock-hard erections.

Ginger is spicy and can be used as food seasoning, meat tenderiser or taken in juice form. Whichever way you like it, a study published in the International Journal of Cardiology claims that ginger rids the blood vessels of free radicals and decreases inflammation, thus relaxing the arteries and improving blood flow. The researchers say just about one teaspoon of ginger (in powder form) a few times a week is all you need to reap its cardiovascular rewards.

Better still, a Nigerian scientist at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Yinusa Raji, reportedly fed rats ginger extract for eight days. At the end of the experiment, he found that their testosterone levels had increased, while their testes had gained weight. The jury is still out on these findings, though.

Nutmeg is also a seasoning agent and it is available in powder or block form — all in its natural state. In a study of natural aphrodisiacs published in the journal, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers say nutmeg increases libido and erectile performance, what with its myristic acid, which they say stimulates the production of nitric oxide, “the key to a healthy erection.”

Olive oil is not only good for anointing, as a study published in the journal, Lipids, seems to suggest. The researchers claim that the revered oil helps increase testosterone production. And when the testosterone level increases, we know better.

So, as the world marks the 15th ‘birthday’ of Viagra, with its controversial side effects, the uplifting — literally — derivable from the aforementioned foods can be indulged in, with no fear of untoward side effects except, possibly, that of a quick visit to the labour room by Oga Madam nine months after

Mo’Cheddah joins others ‘missing’ in action



Mo’Cheddah joins others ‘missing’ in action

CHUX OHAI takes a look at some wave-making music artistes that are less visible on the entertainment scene


Mo’Cheddah

Modupe Oyeyemi, aka Mo’Cheddah, has won some awards and proved herself a worthy artiste. Since scandals are also part of the game, this pretty singer has had her fair share of darkish tales.

In one of such scandals, a naked photograph of the singer suddenly popped up on Twitter. She was said to have mistakenly tweeted the picture while trying to send it to another artiste named ElDee da Don.

As expected, the picture, which showed Mo’Cheddah in her natural ‘swim suit’ posing before a mirror in her bedroom, and an accompanying message to ElDee urging him to pretend that it was sent by one of his pals, went viral on social media and attracted shocking reactions from her followers and fans.

Embarassed, Mo’Cheddah had tried in vain to deny the tweet. But the damage had been done. The tweet subsequently fuelled the rumour that she was actually neck-deep in a sizzling romance with ElDee. Some followers of both artistes were further convinced that the photograph was a clear evidence that she was in love with him.

More important, however, is the fact that the singer, who arrived the music scene at the same time as Wizkid is far from being active in recent times. Indeed, while Wizkid and her other contemporaries including Davido and Tiwa Savage, seem to be everywhere, many fans are simply asking, “Where is Mo’cheddah?”


Ruggedman

Rapper Micheal Stephens, aka Ruggedman, was recently the special guest of V-Channel, an entertainment cable TV channel on Startimes at its weekly ‘Celebrity Night Out’ party at Troy Lounge in Ogba, Lagos.

The event had fellow music stars, such as Kenny Saint Brown and Essence in attendance. Many music fans turned out to express their love to the rapper and Ruggedy Baba, as he is fondly called, partied the night away with attention-grabbing dance moves, amidst cheers from gathering.

It was Ruggedman’s first real public appearance in a long while. The last time he had a real outing was in 2012 when he performed alongside other artistes in a concert in Asaba. The show was hosted by the Delta State Government to celebrate its success at the last National Sports Festival.

Always controversial, the rapper was said to have almost started another controversy after he goofed during a recent appearance on TV continental. The subject was his much-publicised breakup with erstwhile pal, 9ice.


Paul ‘Play’ Dairo

Not long ago, Paul Dairo reportedly sued MTN Nigeria and Ultima Limited for allegedly infringing on his copyright. Both companies were said to have used his song ‘Angel of my life’ for the MTN-sponsored reality TV music talent hunt show, Project Fame without his permission.

The development implied that Paul, who was in the USA, had finally recovered from a spell of ill-health that kept him away from the music scene and the limelight for a while.

The singer has been reportedly struck by a strange illness that almost ended his career. Last year, after leaving his hospital bed, he had promised to head straight to the recording studio and out with two new albums at once. But so far, his fans are still waiting for the fulfilment of that promise.


Tony Tetuila

Tony Tetuila was one of the groomsmen of Tuface Idibia during the latter’s recent wedding to actress Annie Macaulay in Dubai. It was an indication that both artistes had remained close friends despite the challenges that they had to face these past years.

But, while Tuface’s career appears to be constantly on the rise, it seems that Tetuila’s quiet struggle to regain relevance is yet to yield positive results.

Meanwhile, the singer, whose last successful album was recorded a couple of years ago, has been spotted in some fun spots in Lagos simply idling away. Last year, he was rumoured to have impregnated a young lady living in the United Kingdom.


Olu Maintain

After recording ‘Nawti’, his last album that enjoyed tremendous reception from music fans here in Nigeria, Olu Maintain sort of faded out of the entertainment scene. Lately it was rumoured that he had dumped his American girlfriend, Natalie Nunn, for a Nigerian female artiste.

If that story is anything to go by, it is possible that the singer, who rose to fame with the success of the hit-song, ‘Yahoozee’, is too absorbed in his new relationship to realize how much music fans yearn for his return to the scene.


Bouqui

Fans of self-styled rapvangelist Bouqui (real name is Bukola Folayan) were pleasantly surprised when she brokered a new deal with the American records label known as Xist Music, which is guaranteed to launch her career to greater heights. Even they felt better when it was announced that the award-winning rapper planned to release a double CD album titled ‘Marks of a General and Eve of Independence’. But that was where the excitement ended.

The truth is that Bouqui has been ‘missing in action’. Many fans think she has skipped too many A-list concerts in town and she has been lying too low for comfort. Although she released a single album early this year, it was hardly noticed.


Faze

Having joined his pal, Tuface Idibia, at Musiz Records, one would have expected Chibuzo Orji, aka Faze, to have upped his game. But the R&B singer and ex Plantashun boy appears to be having a tough time turning his career around. Not even the arrival of his fourth and most recent album, ‘Refazed’, in which he tries to reassert his relevance on the music scene, has made a difference.


Eedris AbdulKarim

Ex-Remedies star, Eedris AdulKarim, can be seen here and there. But his efforts to reclaim his former position as a foremost rapper has not yielded results. Beyond his last single CD, in which he carried on his private ‘conversation’ with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, it is certain that Mr Lecturer ought to prepare more punchy handouts for his fans.

Can this APC cure Nigeria’s headache? (1)



As the merger of the country’s major opposition parties crystallised a few months ago into a mega party known as All Progressives Congress, known better by its catchy acronym, APC, I received an email from my friend, Richard Mammah, who wanted to get my opinion on the new party. “Is the new mega party in Nigeria a marginal improvement over where we are coming from?” Mammah asked pointedly. My immediate response was emphatic: “It is (if it succeeds). It is important that genuine democrats and progressives find a way to key in as soon as possible”.

Since then, there have been debates (among progressives) about the desirability of “joining” the new party. Expectedly, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party responded to the news of the merger with disdain. “No merger will succeed against us in 2015”, was the party’s official position through its former national secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who spoke to journalists in Abuja. Oyinlola dismissed the merger as “gang-ups”.

“We don’t think we are threatened by what we would call gang-ups”, said the former governor of Osun State who was sent packing by the court in 2010 before he could complete his second term. “In those days when the National Party of Nigeria and Nigerian Peoples Party closed ranks, it was called an accord. When the Unity Party of Nigeria and Great Nigeria Peoples Party did the same, they called it a “gang-up.”

“Honestly speaking, ganging up is an indication of some weaknesses. Why can’t a party stand on its own and contest elections if it is sure that it would be acceptable to the people? You don’t need to gang-up. If you are ganging-up, then you don’t have the strength. The only true national party today that cuts across every nook and cranny of the Nigerian federation is the PDP. A gang-up has never succeeded; it will not succeed.”

Oyinlola’s diatribe was upped by Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State who described the opposition parties as “inventions of the last two years”. “They are the invention of pain, agony and anger”, Lamido said, adding, “They thought the PDP is like them. We have political party history from 1998 when they were not in existence. Those who were talking in the ANPP, ACN and CPC were formally PDP members that were flushed out in the field by the party (PDP).”

Bamanga Tukur, the national chairman of the PDP, in his now infamous reaction to the merger, described his party as the “Messi of Nigerian politics”. “If you go for a contest, you have the striker. You know Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentine football star)? The PDP is Messi in that contest. They (opposition) are no threat at all. It is better, it inspires the PDP to action. In that contest, tell them the Chairman said the PDP is the Messi”. Football lovers in the country must feel insulted and incensed by this laughable comparison.

Of course, the PDP is grandstanding and its disdain for the APC is borne out of fear more than anything else. I can understand the position of the Oyinlolas, Lamidos and Tukurs. It is one that demands no response. For them, there is no meaningful job other than being in the corridors of power. And that has to be done by any means necessary. I felt differently, however, when I read a response on the merger from a much younger former colleague, Ohimai Amaize, who “joined” the PDP by way of political appointment about three years ago.

In his piece, “The APC, is it a merger or ‘maga’?” Amaize asked, “What is the core ideology of this new contrivance? What is its blueprint for Nigeria’s regeneration? An existing manifesto or some consultants are still working on it? When will it be ready? Perhaps, a few months to the next general elections! And this is part of the problem. Contrivances don’t work”.

According to Amaize, “The assumption by some of our youths that Nigeria will be transformed simply because some ‘big guns’ within the political class have assembled under the toga of a new opposition party remains nothing but an illusion. The notion that a group of recycled politicians uniting against the ruling PDP in the name of ‘opposition’ will present an already-made change, is at best, a hasty journey to a land of frustration. It is not that simple. There is nothing like already-made change. Nirvana does not exist. We must humble ourselves, bury our pride and work under existing political platforms no matter how educated and enlightened we think we are”.

Amaize admonished Nigerian youths to be wary of the APC. “When this new opposition party was being formed, what was its agenda for the youths?”, he wondered. “Is there any or will it hurriedly cook up one within the next few days? Which of the pro-APC youth activists on Twitter can confidently tell us the youth agenda of their new party? How many of my fellow Twitter busybodies were consulted to share their ideas for this merger before it was hatched? None! Because as far as they are concerned, you are not important in the scheme of things and do not exist”.

These are legitimate questions from a very “concerned” young Nigerian knowing Amaize’s antecedent before he joined the “transformation” wagon. However, the analysis shows a shallow and opportunistic reading of history. It presupposes Amaize is “happy” with the way things are in the country and if ever there is any talk of change, it can only take place “under existing political platforms”. And by this I am sure he means the PDP.

Of all the arguments in support of the emergence of the APC, or what the response of genuine democrats should be to the new party, two stand out. In his piece, “APC and the continuing crisis of Left politics in Nigeria”, Adagbo Onoja concluded that, “As long as there is no Left party or a broad-based democratic coalition in Nigeria, comrades would have no option but spread to whichever platform they find space to continue the struggle in whatever ways possible”.

In his article, “Reflections on party combinations”, The Guardian, March 7 & 14, 2013, Edwin Madunagu noted: “The announcement of a merger of the leading opposition parties in Nigeria is a development which no serious political formation or tendency in the country can ignore or dismiss with cynicism of the type: ‘They always do this whenever a major election approaches’”.

“Yes, ‘they’ always announce coalitions, alliances, mergers, working agreements, etc, and the more uncharitable commentators may also remind us that they almost invariably fail to achieve their minimum post-announcement objective, that is, to actually deliver a living (and not a still-born or mortally sick) child”, Madunagu wrote. “When we have granted the cynics and pessimists their due, we may still insist that we are confronted with a development, which rules out the option of ‘Siddon look’.”

These two arguments speak for themselves and capture, to a great extent, what the response of radical and progressive elements, particularly youths and students, should be with regard to the APC as we head toward 2015

Rape: NGO takes custody of minors



The orphanage

The two minors, allegedly raped by the Director of Light of Hope Orphanage, Mr. Atunde, have been taken into custody by a non-governmental organisation, Project Alert on Violence against Women.

The teenagers were taken in by the NGO after Atunde was arrested by the Zone 2 Police Command on Wednesday.

Project Alert had on March 26 written a petition to Zone 2 after officials of a private secondary school where the minors were students made complaints that both girls had been sexually abused by Atunde.

A copy of the petition made available to us read, “On Friday last week, 13-year-old (name withheld) came late to school crying and not walking well. On close observation, they saw a trickle of blood coming down her legs. When asked what happened to her, she said, ‘Daddy forced me to have sex with him.’

“She pleaded with the officials not to tell Mrs. Atunde; she was afraid Atunde would be informed and could drive her away from the orphanage,” the petition said.

The petition also claimed that the NGO had earlier received a complaint from a former cook of the orphanage, Mrs. Akintunde, concerning Atunde.

Akintunde had alleged that she was fired by Atunde late last year when she stumbled upon him having sex with one of the female orphans.

We gathered that Akintunde, representatives of Project Alert and Atunde met investigators at Zone 2 on Thursday.

Executive director of Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine Effuah-Chukwuma, said, “The girls are presently in our care, we have taken over their welfare. We got a document from the police to have them examined at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. They have been examined by doctors today but still have to undergo more tests tomorrow.

“We intend to notify the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs formally because they licensed Atunde to operate that orphanage. It is important that the ministry investigates what is going on there because the girls have already said they are not the only victims there.”

The Police Public Relations Officer Zone Two, Mr. Femi Balogun, when contacted said, “The investigation is ongoing; Atunde is in our custody.”
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