Thursday 14 March 2013

Moderate coffee intake promotes life expectancy’

MORE findings by local researchers have shown that there is a link between moderate consumption of coffee beverages and increase in healthy life expectancy.

An average of two to five cups of coffee (about 200 to 300mg of caffeine) per day will reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, gall bladder disease, among other diseases that shortens healthy lifespan.

The local researchers under the aegis of Ignite, a science based programme on coffee and health, recently shared their findings with stakeholders in the health sector, stressing that abuse or misuse of the widely consumed substance account for health problems often attributed to the substance.

Consultant Cardiologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, Dr Akinsanya Olusegun, noted that coffee, the most pleasurable hot beverage in the world, is also one of the most controversial beverage with long history of being blamed for many ills.

He, however, noted that recent studies indicate that coffee may not be so bad after all and may impact positively on healthy life expectancy, “as the antioxidant effect of coffee is becoming increasingly known.”

Akinsanya observed that a May 2012 study by the New England Journal of Medicine found that coffee drinkers “who drank at least two or three cups a day were about 10 or 15 percent less likely to die for any reason during the 13 years of the study.”

The result, according to him, further corroborated earlier studies that had shown that coffee moderately reduces the incidence of dying from cardiovascular disease, based on a large prospective cohort study published in 2008.

Also, a 2009 prospective study in Japan following nearly 77,000 individuals aged 40 to 79 found that coffee consumption was associated with a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Moderate consumption of this beverage had also been shown to reduce the risk of developing heart failure.

Continuing, Akinsanya said, “Besides, scientific studies have found that regular coffee consumption lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes by up to 67 per cent. This appears to result from reduced levels of blood glucose, increased insulin sensitivity, and decreased storage of both fat and carbohydrate.

“Scientific studies show that coffee’s compounds lower blood pressure over the long term, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is believed to be a result of the beneficial action of chlorogenic acids on the arteries.

“A meta-analysis of the available prospective studies from 1966 to 2011 shows that moderate coffee consumption is associated with lower risk of stroke. In the pooled analysis, habitual moderate coffee consumption was associated with decreased risk of stroke,” he said.

Nutritionists with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Dr Bartholomew Brai, though noted that coffee was still poorly understood in this clime, but scientific evidences are suggesting that coffee has several bioactive properties that account for the health benefits.

He observed that the potential bioactive are caffeine, polyphenols, which are antioxidants, diterpenes, cafestrol and kahweol found in the oil. Coffee also contains fiber and micronutrients.

“Antioxidants (that protects from free radicals that damages DNA and cells and triggers cancer and other chronic diseases) are natural in coffee and it is the highest source of antioxidants among diets of fruits, tea, wine and so on. Also, for every cup of coffee (240ml), there is chlorogenic acid of 70 to 350mg; magnesium of 7 to 24mg; Potassium of 34 to 116mg.”

Public Health Physician, Dr Kemi Odukoya, however, stressed that it is not advisable to consume coffee in gallons, but in moderate form because excessive intake, like any other substance, would be deleterious.

She said complaints of restlessness, agitation, awareness of heartbeat are attendant effects in very high consumers of >5 cups of coffee/day.

“But, these are almost negligible in low consumers <2 cups of coffee/day, and moderate consumers 2–5 cups of coffee/day. Coffee drinking is not intended to replace other healthy life style behaviours like exercise, smoking cessation, reduced salt and fatty meals,” she said.

Lil Wayne, Birdman's Daughters Writing 'Paparazzi Princesses' Novel

Lil Wayne and Birdman have one of hip-hop's most storied partnerships, and now their teenage daughters have teamed up for a new book. Reginae Carter and Bria Williams, both 14, have helped pen Paparazzi Princesses, which tells the story of two young girls dealing with unintentional fame as they grow up as the kids of famous parents. But the book also looks to handle the struggles of normal high schoolers, like schoolwork and hallway crushes.

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"There's no better feeling than watching Bria and Reginae make this dream come true," said Birdman in a statement reported by AllHipHop.com. "They took an idea, worked extremely hard, and brought it to life. It's the kind of story that everybody can feel, and it's only the start of much bigger things for these two wonderful young ladies."

Lil Wayne added, "Proud doesn't even begin to describe how me and the Birdman feel. I can't wait for everybody else to experience their story." Paparazzi Princesses, which was co-authored by Karyn Langhorne Folan, will be out June 4th.

FG loses bid to stop N37.6bn Odi compensation

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday dismissed the Federal Government’s bid to stop the execution of a judgment ordering it to pay N37.6bn as compensation to Odi community in Bayelsa State.

The Federal High Court on February 19, 2013 had ordered the Federal Government to pay the money as damages for the invasion of the community.

Not satisfied with the ruling, the Federal Government applied for stay of execution on the judgment, pending the determination of its appeal at the appellate court.

But Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday struck out the Federal Government’s suit, insisting that government must pay the sum.

Akanbi, in his ruling, also described the Federal Government’s application as frivolous and lacking merit.

Counsel for the government, Mr. Michael Nomeh, had urged the court to grant his client’s request for a stay of execution on the payment pending the outcome of his client’s appeal.

Nomeh, who represented Ade Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), had argued that it would be difficult to recover the money from the community if the appeal sailed through.

But Lawal Rabana (SAN), Lucius Nwosu (SAN) and Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), who are counsel for Odi community, asked the court to ignore the Federal Government application.

According to them, Odi people are entitled to the special damage of N17, 6bn and general damage of N20bn awarded in their favour.

They pointed out that since the Federal Government could not bring back to life those who lost their lives during the invasion of the community, the appropriate step was for government to pay the damages.

“You cannot say that because of N37.6bn that your citizens in whose land you explore crude oil should be subjected to suffering. The Federal Government cannot go bankrupt or collapse if the money is released to the Odi community.

“If in the event that the appeal succeeds, the Federal Government can get the money back as these people are not foreigners that will abscond. Odi will continue to remain an integral part of Nigeria forever,” Rabana, one of the counsels for Odi community, argued.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Akanbi declared that the Federal Government’s application was not in good faith.

Akanbi explained that the Federal Government had resources and assets, which far exceeded the money the court awarded as compensation to the people of Odi.

He noted that granting the FG’s application would amount to denying the people of Odi justice, which they had sought for over a decade.

“The whole world is watching Nigeria and they expect that the government should pay the compensation and not subject the community to the rigour of judicial processes,” Akanbi added.

He described as baseless the fear expressed by the Federal Government that it would be difficult to recover the money from the people should its appeal succeed.

Mba appeals to NFF

Nigerian international, Sunday Mba has made a passionate appeal to Nigeria Professional Football (NPFL) clubs, Enugu Rangers and Warri Wolves to ‘amicably settle’ their long-running dispute over his ownership.

The two clubs have been enmeshed in a bitter dispute over the ownership of the player which prompted head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi to declare that he may consider dropping the star from the squad for the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Kenya on March 23.

The attacking midfielder has now voiced his sentiments about the issue.

“The coach (Keshi) has the best interest of the country at heart and I completely respect his judgment in this matter. He wants the best for the national team and it is only logical that he builds his team around players who are playing regularly for their clubs every week,” Mba exclusively told supersport.com.

Mba took the football world by storm with a superlative display at the 2013 Afcon in South Africa where he netted the winner for Nigeria in the showpiece game against Burkina Faso.

The 24-year-old wants to perform at the peak of his powers on a consistent basis and acknowledges that he can only do that if he plays regularly.

“I am pleading with the clubs (Wolves and Rangers) to amicable settle this because for me, I am a professional and I just want to resume playing,” he said.

Mba also took the time to allay fears over his physical condition ahead of the game against Kenya.

“I am in great shape physically. As a matter of fact, I think I am in the best condition I have ever been in since I turned pro.

“I also want the fans to recall that before the 2013 Afcon, the Nigerian league was on break but I still did well at the tournament because I never joked with my training (sessions).

“I have intensified my regimen after the Afcon because I understand that the stakes are even higher now and there are so many people who now look up to me as a role model.

“The coaches (at the training camp in Abuja) have been fantastic and every day, after the usual training exercise with the team, I still work out on my own. I want to keep performing at a high level because I cannot afford to let my nation down,” he explained.

Mba has scored five goals in 10 appearances, for Nigeria.

Rihanna: Under her spell

Since Rihanna's last visit here in 2008 she has become the world's biggest female pop star. With news of another tour to New Zealand just out, Scott Kara takes an alphabetical look at how RiRi came to be ...

A: A girl like me

Rihanna's second album and when the world got their first glimpse into the sometimes troubled life and loves of this young, talented and saucy new star. So she didn't write many of her songs back then, but you sure believed her on soaring and dark ballad Unfaithful, when she brands herself a "murderer" for being an adulterer. It's dramatic stuff. And it's tracks like that, and the more playful S.O.S., that makes her R&B pop so deliciously gritty and graphic. No wonder the world sat up and listened.

B: Barbados

The country where she was born on February 20, 1988. It's also the place that inspires her love of snappy, arse-shaking beats, and her dancehall-style delivery, which was first heard on debut breakthrough single Pon de Replay, like a double-dutch song done Caribbean-style.

C: Collaborators

In fact, there are a whole fleet of songwriters and producers who help write Rihanna's hit songs. There are the originals, such as Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers, the duo who discovered Rihanna in 2003, produced her debut album, Music of the Sun, and are still involved today.

Then there are the famous names she's worked with, from Justin Timberlake (on Rehab) and Eminem (most notably on Love the Way You Lie parts 1 and 2) to dance-boffins Calvin Harris (We Found Love) and David Guetta (most recently on the bombastic Right Now). She's also fiercely loyal to Norwegian producers Stargate, who have worked with her since the start and produce some of her best work, like Drunk On Love with its masterful sample of The xx's Intro.

D: Domestic violence

For people who don't listen to Rihanna's music, the altercation between her and then-boyfriend Chris Brown in early 2009 is perhaps what she is best known for. Brown was charged with assault in March 2009 following the incident, which meant Rihanna had to cancel her performance at the Grammys. The dreaded DV also cropped up in the video for Love the Way You Lie (off Eminem's Recovery album) and most unnervingly in We Found Love, where a drug-addicted Rihanna is in an abusive relationship with a bloke who looks similar to Brown.

E: "Ella, ella, eh, eh, eh"

From the chorus of arguably her best-known song, Umbrella. The lead single from 2007's Good Girl Gone Bad was No1 in 13 countries, including in New Zealand, where it was on top for six consecutive weeks and became the year's biggest-selling song.

F: Forty-eight metres and five years

The distance Chris Brown was ordered to stay away from Rihanna after pleading guilty to assault, and the number of years probation he got for his trouble.

G: Good girl gone bad tour

October, 2008, her first visit to New Zealand when she played two nights at Vector Arena and one in Wellington with support from soon-to-be boyfriend Brown. Wearing a dominatrix-style outfit and thigh-high boots, she opened with Disturbia, played her new single Rehab - written "by a very good friend of mine" - and did a duet with Brown on Umbrella.

H: Highest-selling female artist

Okay, she's seventh-highest selling, behind Madonna, the diva threesome of Celine, Mariah and Whitney, and Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand. And yes, she does have the advantage of coming from the age of digital downloads, but with more than 100 million records sold in total in just eight years, this girl knows what it takes to sell music.

I: Influential

As much as parents of teenage girls probably hate to admit it, there is no denying Rihanna's influence and pulling power as the world's biggest female pop star (see Q for the Queen of Pop battle with Gaga). Because, let's face it, RiRi is not an ideal role model - and not that she wants to be either, telling MTV.com a few years back: "The things I say in my songs, they expect it of me, and [being a role model] became more of my job than I wanted it to be. I just want to make music. That's it."

Last year, Forbes magazine ranked her as the fourth most powerful celebrity, with earnings of $53 million, behind Bieber, Oprah, and J.Lo.

J: Jay-Z

Her mentor, the one who signed her to Def Jam in 2005, and also the man who bought her a Jeep Wrangler and silver Porsche convertible which, Rihanna told Rolling Stone magazine recently, she hasn't even driven yet, because she hasn't got her licence. "Things keep coming up," she said.

K: Kanye West

Though he's not a huge influence on her career, she has teamed up with Uncle Kanye a few key times in recent years, singing alongside him on Jay-Z's Run This Town from The Blueprint 3 (2009).

She appeared on All of the Lights off West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and his song Can't Tell Me Nothing is sampled on Numb, her loping and exotic-sounding duet with Eminem on her latest album Unapologetic.

L: Love

Or should that be love-hate? Whatever the combination, love is a difficult emotion if you are Rihanna.

M: Movies

Safe to say she's got a bit of work to do on her acting career. She made her Hollywood debut as herself in cheerleading movie Bring It On: All or Nothing in 2006, and starred as weapons specialist and crew mate Cora Raikes in last year's colossal flop Battleship. That film starred Kiwi actor John Tui as Lieutenant Walter "The Beast" Lynch, who told TimeOut Rihanna was "awesome, a constant professional". This year she is in new Seth Rogen action comedy This Is the End and next year she is the voice of a stubborn and belligerent teenage girl in animated feature Happy Smekday!.

N: Nude

That's the name of her latest line of perfume, just one of the many other business ventures she's got her fingers in. But it could also refer to nudity, something Rihanna is utterly at ease with, if her latest album cover and constant barrage of nudey-rudey Instagram photos are anything to go by.

O: Oonst

This is a musical ingredient that she - and producers such as Harris and Guetta - have used to great effect. Somehow that unique pop voice of hers (see V below) makes these banging anthems palatable rather than obnoxious.

P: Princess of China

was an unlikely but inspired collaboration between British chart toppers Coldplay and Rihanna for the band's album Mylo Xyloto. The worrying and creepy thing though, especially for poor old Gwyneth Paltrow, one imagines, was the seductive onscreen nose-to-nose chemistry between Chris Martin and Rihanna.

Q: Queen of Pop

It's a close race between RiRi and Gaga, and both have equal claims to the throne. Bottom line is, Rihanna takes the current crown for the simple fact she just never goes away.

R: Rated R

The name of her unforgiving and stroppy break-up album, which includes the controversial, Ne-Yo-penned single Russian Roulette. Dealing with domestic abuse (once again) the song's video featured Rihanna playing a game of Russian roulette, standing in a gas chamber and writhing in a padded cell.

S: Style

Let's be blunt. She's hot and looks good in anything, which makes it hard to nail down Rihanna's style. Her latest fashion line for British retailer River Island is very much indicative of her own personal style, with everything from stripey zebra bra-tops and luminous neon dresses to tummy-revealing mesh crop-tops. Whether it's for everyone is another story.

T: Twitter

Not many people make headlines for deciding to un-follow, and then follow someone again, as when Rihanna and Chris Brown made the big decision to become Twitter pals once more in late 2011. But that's what happens when you've got 26.5 million followers.

U: Unapologetic

The title of her seventh and latest album from last year (surprisingly her first to reach No1 in the US), which contains Nobody's Business, perhaps her most provocative song yet. It's a duet with Brown and on it they "make out in this Lexus" and defend their relationship, declaring: "Always be my boy, I'll always be your girl, Ain't nobody's business."

V: Voice

Love the Way You Lie Pt 2 (the Rihanna version of the Eminem song which appeared on her Loud album) is the perfect example of her mysterious, at times sweet, and unique pop voice. Because although she has that fleet of songwriters behind her, it's her voice and that distinctive sensual and sultry style, that makes the songs what they are.

W: Work ethic

Forget the tabloid fodder and her seemingly undying love for Brown, because there is no denying Rihanna is a workhorse. Seven albums in seven years is almost unheard of these days in pop music, even if some of them are hit and miss. But it's quite something in Rihanna's case, given the consistently chart-topping nature of the records and the stream of singles that come from them. All this and she still finds time to Instagram herself, tweet her every whim, and Facebook her 62.5 million fans.

X: X-rated

Sample lyric from that catchy little number, S&M: "Sex in the air ... I love the smell of it. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me."

Y: Yo

As in Ne-Yo, one of her Def Jam label mates who in early 2007 spent a week giving her vocal lessons. Out of those sessions came the track, Hate That I Love You (off Good Girl Gone Bad). It's a very Rihanna-like love song with an equal dose of disdain and romance, to lyrics such as: "That's how much I need you, And I can't stand you."

Z: Zillion

A rough estimate of the number of Givenchy-designed outfits she wore during the opening show of the Diamonds World Tour in the US this week, which ranged from an elegant cape and thigh-high black studded boots to a miniskirt with trainers and a glam red frock and high heels. Still, no amount of outfit changes will cover up the fact you've lost your voice. Let's hope there are no more bouts of laryngitis in the lead-up to her New Zealand show(s) in October.

Who: Rihanna
Born: Robyn Rihanna Fenty, February 20, 1988
Where and when: Vector Arena, Auckland, October 6
Tickets: Visa presale 9am, tomorrow, to 5pm, March 18 (visa entertainment.co.nz); Live Nation presale, 12pm, March 19, to 10am, March 20 (see livenation.com.au for details); Ticketmaster presale 2pm, March 20, to 5pm, March 21; General sales, 9am, March 22.
Essential listening: A Girl like Me (2006); Good Girl Gone Bad (2007); Rated R (2009); Loud (2010); Talk That Talk (2011); Unapologetic (2012)

- TimeOut

CAF clubs recall Super Eagles players

The four clubs campaigning in CAF competitions have recalled their players from the Super Eagles in preparation for this weekend's round of qualifiers in both the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup.

Media Officer of the Super Eagles Ben Alaiya told Brila FM that coach Stephen Keshi has permitted several players to rejoin the quartet of Enugu Rangers, Kano Pillars, Heartland FC and Lobi Stars, who have recalled their players numbering about a dozen for this weekend's continental matches.

Rangers have recalled the trio of Emeka Eze, Chibuzor Okonkwo and Chigozie Agbim. While fellow Champions League campaigners Kano Pillars have recalled Gabriel Reuben, Gambo Muhammed, Mannir Ubale and Papa Idris.

Heartland have also recalled Daniel Akpenyi, Benjamin Francis and Obinna Nwachukwu. While Lobi Stars have recalled Ezekiel Bassey and Tony Okpotu for their Confederations Cup game against Liga Luculumana of Mozambique this weekend.

Rangers will travel to Bujumbura today (Thursday) with a 25-man contingent of 18 players and 7 officials for their weekend encounter with Burundian champions Vital'O, while Nigerian champions Kano Pillars will play host to AC Leopards de Dolise of Congo Brazzaville, who knocked Heartland out of the Confederations Cup last season and went on to win the competition.

Heartland will play host to two-time Gabonese champions US Bitam at the Dan Anyiam Stadium this weekend.

The Nigerian Cup holders will be hoping to fire from all cylinders against the visitors following their dismal start to the NPFL season, having lost their opening League game 2-1 at home to newly promoted Nembe City last weekend.

B.O.U.Q.U.I signs with US label, to release double album

Nigerian rapper Bukola Folayan better known as B.O.U.Q.U.I has signed with US based record label Xist Music USA.

A statement released by the label says Xist Music USA and B.O.U.Q.U.I’s label outfit ‘Bouqui’s Place Entertainment’ ‘have joined forces making her the first African artiste and the first female act on the label’.

This move according to Xist Music will offer an intensive distribution of B.O.U.Q.U.I’s album and materials in the United States of America and the UK.

She will also head the sister label ‘Xist Africa’ which will launch in Nigeria ‘soonest’.

B.O.U.Q.U.I who has released two albums in her career – the self-titled B.O.U.Q.U.I and the follow up Redefinition also plans to release a double album in 2013 titled ‘Marks of a General’ and ‘Eve Of Independence’.

We’re no ghosts, Boko Haram tells Jonathan

THE Sheikh Mohammed Abdul’aziz group, a faction of the Boko Haram sect which has claimed to be working towards ensuring dialogue with government, on Wednesday, said its members are no ghosts as alleged by President Goodluck Jonathan when he visited Borno and Yobe states last week.

This is just as the leader said the peace process was still on course, adding that the group would continue to talk with government to ameliorate the suffering of its people.

Sheikh Abdul’aziz, in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday, said the group was willing to sit with government at anytime to bring peace to the state and the country at large.

“I call on Governor Kashim Shettima to disregard all those propaganda aimed at disrupting the peace process, as we are ready and willing to continue to dialogue with government.

“We have met with officials of Borno State government and a delegation of Northern Governors Forum on peace and reconciliation, headed by Air Vice Marshal Mukhtar Muhammed (retd),” he said.

According to him, “Allah has also sanctioned dialogue in all human undertakings, so we will pursue it to its logical conclusion. As such, if there are those who feel left out in the process, the doors are open. Let everybody come, as the Borno State government has shown seriousness and commitment to the peace process.”

Speaking on the statement made by the leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, that they were not ready for dialogue; Sheihk Abdul’aziz said the person who appeared in YouTube as leader of the sect was an impostor.

According to him, the purported Sheihk Abubakar Shekau, who went further to disclaim him (Sheihk Abdul’aziz) is not the real Sheihk Shekau.

“The voice is not that of Sheihk Shekau and Sheihk has never hidden his face, Sheikh’s voice is heavily Kanuri accented. The man is an impostor deliberately brought to the frontline by those opposed to the peace process. We know them and we will disclose their identities at the appropriate time,” he said.

He stated further that “let me state categorically that Sheikh knows me and has confidence in my ability and is aware and he blessed the peace process. When I was being sworn in by the late leader of the group, Sheikh Muhammed Yusuf, he did so in the presence of Sheikh Mallam Ibrahim Mubi, Mallam Ibrahim Agaji, Mallam Sani Kontogora and Babagana Mulima. So, it is impossible for Sheikh to say he does not know me, while it was he who promoted me to my present position.”

Meanwhile, a traditional ruler from Zamfara State, the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, on Wednesday, disagreed with those calling on President Jonathan to grant amnesty to members of the Boko Haram.

At the opening of a three-day workshop on peace building and conflict management for sustainable development, organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in Kaduna, the emir insisted that “amnesty is for peaople you know and not those you don’t know.”

He said he was against the call for amnesty for the sect members, adding that “you can’t give amnesty to people you don’t know.””

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