Monday, September 7, 2009

GANI FAWEHINMI: A TRIBUTE

…we spend our years as a tale that is told…For it is soon cut off and we fly away…ps 90:9,10

He bestrode the nation’s social and political landscape like a colossus perching on the wings of law in his struggle to free the oppressed and the voiceless. He stood unequaled among his contemporaries for he was a constant thorn in the flesh to irresponsible leaders at a time when others were unconcerned, some others fled.

Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), is no more and its hard to say goodbye. It is hard to accept that we don’t have our Gani with us again.

This was a man who was honoured as Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) when the power that be were reluctant to give him his well deserved honour as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). For Gani, no oppression was too trivial to overlook, none too big to fight, no leader too fearful to engage. He became nightmare to dictators. From Gowon to Obasanjo,Buhari, Babangida and Sani Abacha, he fought the establishment tooth and nail for the emancipation of the masses and in consequence faced torture, incarceration and all forms of inhuman treatment such that no Nigerian activist living or dead match his detention record. The cancer that eventually took his life cannot be unconnected to the inhuman treatments meted out on him in prison.

Gani, a recipient of many national and international awards such as the international bars association’s Bernard Simmons award one again demonstrated his sense of purpose when he rejected the national award offered him by president Yar’adua in protest against years of misrule since 1960.

Gani lived a fulfilled life, he was consistent with his creed and left a legacy for us all. Now that he’s gone, may his legacy live on.

Adieu, Gani. May you rest in perfect peace and we achieve your dream Nigeria which you lived and died for.

Comments are welcome in honour of this great man.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

SHEA BUTTER: NATURE’S GIFT FOR BEAUTY AND HEALTH

Botanical Name: Butyrospermmum parkii
Origin: Africa
Texture: Butter-like solid
Melting point: 89-95oC

Shea butter, the beige coloured creamy solid that readily melts in the hand is derived from the seed of shea tree(karate nut tree: vitellaria paradoxa) found in the semi arid west and central Africa.
It comes from the large shiny brown seed (shea nut) contained in the egg shaped green fruit of the shea tree. Every part of the shea tree useful t man as a source of fuel(wood), food, income, raw materials etc.
SHEA BUTTER EXTRACTION
Shea butter processing is historically done by village women as passed down to them through their elders. To produce shea butter, the nuts picked from the shea tree are cracked, grilled and pounded by hand. They are then boiled in water until the oil rises to the surface of the kettle. The when scooped into a gourd is then allowed to cool which thickens into a butter-like consistency referred to as the shea butter.
USING SHEA BUTTER
Although shea-butter’s melting point is 89-95oC, it readily melt in the hand. This quick rate of absorbability make is effect almost immediate especially on the skin. There are many different uses for shea butter. Highlighted below are some of the ways it may be used.
· Add a spoonful to your bath. This is especially helpful for those with dry and itchy skin, or some muscles.
· In massage, Shea butter can be used to soothe overexerted muscles, sprains, dislocations, etc.
· Shea butter which has a conditioning effect can be added as recipe for handmade soaps
· Massage into the scalp to heal dry scalp symptoms and stimulates hair growth
· May be used also by pregnant women to keep the skin supple and prevent stretch mark even after birth