By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The Founder, DrumsView Concepts (A youth Academy), Mr Isioma Williams, says his first quarter programme  “Janggu Drum Training Workshop” has been suspended in compliance with the second wave of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic guidelines.

Williams in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos noted that the decision was to compliment government’s effort to flatten the curve of the virus  currently ravaging the society and claiming lives.

He noted that in spite of the fact that the workshop meant to empower the youths on traditional drumming through training, the health and life of participants were as important.

“I have stopped plans to hold our first quarter programme ‘Janggu Workshop’ for now and it is basically to comply with government protocol on the COVID-19 second wave.

“The pandemic is still wreaking havoc in Lagos, other states and across the globe, as being reported, with increasing deaths related to the COVID-19, so it is proper we all stay safe.

“I am praying and hoping that in no distance time, things will change for good and activities back to normal, so that we can be running our programmes as scheduled,” he said.

According to him, the inspiration to promote Nigeria’s culture on the drum beat and place is to meet standards and stand out, adding this has sustained him in the career, amidst challenges.

He added that among his programmes, was the drum clinic, organised to further teach the originalities of Nigerian and African drums and drumming culture, so as to improve on the quality.

“The whole essence of this Janggu training workshop and drum clinic is to equip ourselves with the knowledge that will help us preserve and promote our culture, which is being embraced by all,” Williams said.

The artist advised the participants of the programmes and  the general  public to also embrace all government warning, directives and guidelines rolled out to curb the further spread of the pandemic in the country. (NAN)

By Alex Enebeli

An Etiquette Life Coach and Fashion Entrepreneur, Etienying Akpanusong has expressed concerns over lack of etiquette among some teenagers and young adults.

Akpanusong who spoke during a virtual ‘Book Taste’ event held to mark her 33rd birthday, also announced her upcoming book titled: ‘My Etiquette and I’.

“I think times have evolved, etiquette is commonsensical and I will not need to write a book on it if common sense is common as it should be.

“Parents of today are not in charge of their children as they should be or used to be in the past decade.

“They seem to be so busy these days that they do not have the time to invest and spend with their children to guide them in the right path of life.

“And there is a stage a child gets to, you cannot influence them anymore,” she said.

Akpanusong expressed optimism that the book would help its readers maneuver their ways from social, formal manners and social media.

She equated etiquette to good manners that required people to be respectful, considerate of others and desisting from actions which could hurt them.

Addressing the loss of etiquette among youths, she attributed it to `evolving times factor’.

Akpanusong noted that beyond helping people cultivate good social manners, the book would open up opportunities and doors to places they could only imagine.

“My Etiquette and I is a manual to prepare us to set ourselves up for opportunities when they present themselves,” she added.

According to her, the book is targeted at teenagers, young adults and adults.

She added that etiquette differed from culture to culture globally which provided tips on how to adapt in such circumstances.

“A section on international protocol explains the broad aspects of etiquette. The onus is on you to fortify yourself on the culture you find yourself and then comply.

“What you deem right in your environment will not be applicable to others, so you prepare yourself to fit in,” she said.

Akpanusong said she began her etiquette life coach during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days where she ran a PET project that trained over 500 youths.

She further deployed her social media platforms to start her personal coaching etiquette and had them also published on print media.

She further said that it took her three years to write the book, adding that it comprised three chapters, which focused on Formal Protocols, General Etiquette and Social Skills. (NAN)

By Kemi Akintokun

Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Wife of the Lagos State governor, on Friday welcomed the first baby of the year 2021 at Alimosho General Hospital, Igando Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sanwo-Olu presented gifts items to the baby and other babies during her goodwill visits to the hospital.

NAN reports that the first baby of the year, a boy weighing 4.3kilogrammes was born to the family of Mr and Mrs Onumba at 2:38 a.m. at the hospital.

Sanwo-Olu said the birth of a child required that the mother is adequately taken care of, to ensure that she got skilled care during labour and delivery.

She added that the birth of a child brings good fortune to a society, saying it was not by chance.

“We are here today not just to celebrate new lives having it in mind that our show of love, kindness and compassion is only an extension of gratitude to God,” she said.

She commended the Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Madewa Adebajo and his team for their relentless efforts in rendering effective services to patients.

Sanwo-Olu advised pregnant women to live a healthy lifestyle that would guarantee the wellbeing of their babies.

She, however, urged the people of Lagos to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols in order to curb the spread of the viral disease in the state.

Also, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for health said that celebrating the first baby of the year was symbolic as the first annual activity of state health calenders.

Abayomi , represented by Dr Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health said the celebration was one of the state’s ways of showing its commitment to the total health of the mother and her child.

“This is a very symbolic event and the significance is demonstrated by the priority visit of the wife of the governor and the presence of important dignitaries.

“They make it a duty to be here to rejoice with our mothers on the birth of their children and that, in itself, speaks volume,”he said.

Abayomi reiterated the state’s commitment to ensure that Lagosians have access to good healthcare delivery and reducing maternal and child mortality.

“It is still very sad that a significant number of people still lose their lives during child birth, because they either don’t have access to medical care or end up in the hands of quacks.

“We will continue do more to reduce maternal mortality through provision of basic healthcare, renew infrastructure and increased human capacity,”he said.

He advised the people to avoid activities that could increase the spread of the ongoing pandemic.

Dr Madewa Adebajo, the Medical Director of Alimosho General Hospital commended the state government for it’s effort in making healthcare more acssessible to the people.

Adebajo said that the hospital took delivery of over 2,000 babies yearly, noting that it’s personnel would continue to put patients first in it’s service delivery.

He added that the newly built oxygen centres in the facility would also help to further meet the needs of patients.

“We have some challenges before, but I can categorically say that most of the problem had been solved.

“We have more workforce now, better and capable to attend to about 50,000 patients that come here on a monthly basis to seek for healthcare.

“We delivered over 2,000 babies annually and intend to do more for our patients this new year,” he said.

NAN reports that other hospitals visited by Sanwo-Olu included, Mushin General Hospital, Orile Agege Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). (NAN)

By Uchenna Ugwu

The wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Racheal Umahi, has welcomed the state’s first baby of 2021 at the Mile Four Maternity Hospital, Abakaliki, delivered around 12:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.

The baby boy, who  weighed 3.75kg at birth, was given birth to  by Mrs Esther Nwabuchechi, of Ezza-North Local Government Areas of the state, who has seven children.

Umahi, while welcoming the baby, thanked God for the gift of a baby boy and commended the hospital’s management for their commitment and attention to the baby who was incubated.

Speaking during her visit to the first baby who was delivered through a cesarean session, she said: “We are joining the family of this baby to thank God for safe delivery and for the gift of a baby boy.

“We pray for healthy recovery of the baby and mother.

“We pray he  is brought up properly for the betterment of the society and his family,” she said.

The hospital’s  Administrator, Rev. Sister Charity Munoye said that the cesarean operation was successfully done.

“The baby was born at 12:00a.m, weighing 3.75kg and was delivered of Mrs Esther Nwabuchechi.”

Munonye applauded Gov. David Umahi and his wife for impacting the lives of indigent patients in the state.

Nwabuchechi, thanked God for a successful surgical operation and support from the governor’s wife.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that  Umahi presented various baby and food items to the baby’s mother at the hospital. (NAN)