Basics on HIV.

HIV - Human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus which attacks the immune system of an infected person; if left untreated it further degenerates to AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Despite years of research, a proven effective cure hasn't yet been found for HIV, infected persons live with it for life. Infected persons can live a long healthy life if they adhere to medical advice and take proper medication.

The major ways of getting infected with HIV include, having unprotected anal or virginal sex, sharing unsterilized sharp objects, through mother - child transmission and breastfeeding.

The HIV virus is quite fragile and cannot survive for long outside the human body. Contrary to certain myths HIV cannot be transmitted via sweet, saliva or urine with a certain percentage of possibility of contacting it through oral sex.

Early diagnosis of HIV is a sure way of ensuring an infected person stays healthy. Post-exposure prophylaxis(PEP) can help  stop an exposed person from being infected if started within 72 hours of possible exposure to the virus. A negative or positive result should be confirmed within a 1 - 4 months period.

The reason for treatment of an HIV patient is to have an undetectable viral load. Since the HIV virus posses ability to be resistant to a particular antiretroviral drug, most patients take a combination of drugs as advised by their doctors which are to be taken daily.

Without treatment the immune system of the individual is attacked, giving room for various sickness to attack the body. HIV patients are encouraged to, exercise regularly, stop tobacco intake, eat healthy diets and take their medication.

Constant routine medical checks is also advised.

Enenim Ubon writes on health related matters and other contemporary issues. 

Winning the Malaria war.

Plasmodium infection commonly referred to as Malaria is a disease caused by a plasmodium parasite,  which is transmitted by the bite of infected female Anopheles  mosquitoes.

It's severity is of varying degrees based on the specie of plasmodium responsible for the infection. Five species of Plasmodium have the ability to infect humans; Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malaria, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium knowlesi.

Malaria is both preventable and curable. Early symptoms include fever, headache and general body weakness. If left untreated, malaria can progress to severe illness and death.

Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo account for half of the world's yearly malaria deaths. The more reason why efforts should be intensified in these countries to curb the number of malaria infections yearly.

While early detection is important in order to get prompt medical care, prevention through the use of vector control mechanisms is strongly advised. Indoor residual spraying and the use of insecticide treated nets; while the World Health Organisation reports antimalaria drugs resistance and Anopheles mosquitoes resistance as the threat to ending the malaria scourge, it(WHO) also urges the use artemisinin-based combination therapy(ACT) in the treatment of malaria.

The Global Malaria Program has set a target of achieving the following objectives by 2030:
- Reducing malaria case incidence by at least 90% by 2030.
- Reducing malaria mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030.
- Eliminating malaria in at least 35 countries by 2030.
- Preventing a resurgence of malaria in all countries that are malaria-free.

The global effort to eliminate deaths from malaria is an ongoing process and requires the support of government at all levels(in the affected regions) and the citizens. The world Malaria day celebrated on April 25 each year serves to continuously draw awareness, that more has to be done.


Article written by Enenim Ubon.

GOVERNOR UDOM'S AKWA IBOM - WHERE ACCOUNTABILITY MEANS NOTHING. - Enenim Ubon

During the buildup to the 2015 election, I did not fall for the entire “Udom is right” noise,  as far as I was concerned it was unnecessary hype of someone who was yet to prove himself in rendering service to his people. In a rejoinder to one his fanboys titled “WHY THE GANG UP AGAINST UDOM WILL FAIL”, I succinctly, stated my reservations about the idea of giving one candidate a free ride to become governor, while anyone not towing that line is seen as an 'enemy of progress'.

Two years and seven months after, the entire hype has still not been justified. In the early days of the administration, all we heard were 'ground breaking' ceremonies. So rampant were these gathering of sycophants, that one began to fear the possibility of a tsunami! Well,  when the dust settled, the first project that surfaced is the governors multi billion naira country home - oga governor even built a chapel opposite too, after all he is a Deacon!

When he remembered he had a duty to perform, he led another group of sycophants to commission a moribund Peacock paints. 

Of all the numerous failings of the Udom led administration, the most unfortunate trademark is it's lack of accountability. How a chartered accountant/banker can feel so comfortable running a secretive government, allotting and disbursing state funds as if it were his retirement benefits leaves one in shock; but then “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”. 

On Friday 28th November 2017, the governor presented the 2018 budget christened “Budget of Consolidation on Industrialisation” amounting to N651.500 Billion to the state house of Assembly.

While those in government cycles saw the occasion as another avenue to make noise, the budget presentation was a sad reminder of the fact that the government of Akwa Ibom state has no idea of what it means to run a transparent government. As a matter of fact, it appears the hallmark of the present Akwa Ibom government is to ensure that by the time it leaves office, the phrase “transparency in governance” will no longer be used in Akwa Ibom state - the saddest part of this is the fact that the executive arm of government is led by, a financial expert and two former civil servants, who ought to know the importance of transperancy.  

The 2017 budget was passed by the state house of assembly in March 2017(8 months ago), with less than a month to the end of the year, a complete break down of the budget is no where to be found. All we have seen are monies alloted to subheads; item by item cost, specific project sums are only known to the governor and whomever he has decided to show it to.  How then can we evaluate that truly the monies the governor claimed(before the state HOA on friday) has been spent on projects in 2017 has actually been spent.  

The governor on the occasion(presentation of the 2018 budget) claimed that monies from the 2017 budget was also spent in the “Resuscitation of Peacock Paint Industry”, unless there is another location where the paint industry operates from, other than that, the Peacock Paint in Ikot Ekan, Etinan LGA has not been resuscitated - facts are sacred. 

A search for the 2017 budget on the official website of the State Government will prove my assertion that the state government has a lot it is hiding. 

I also won't be surprised if the 2018 budget also becomes a classified document like those before it.  

Till date AKSG hasn't stated how much it received from the Paris Club Refund - the reason for this is getting obvious. 

The government should realize that it cannot keep telling us it has achieved things with state resources, without telling us specifically how much was budgeted and subsequently spent on achieving same. 

Every financial expert ought to know the importance of transperancy and understand that it is a sine qua non to good governance but alas in Akwa Ibom the situation is different.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice” - Proverbs 29:2 

In Akwa Ibom we really don't know who is in authority! 

The new task before the state government seems to be getting endorsements from all corners, school children not excluded - I hope the endorsement of posterity can also be bought alongside. 

While we arise to the faith of greatness, it is important the government of Akwa Ibom State realizes it cannot keep working in accordance with the old order. 

The writer can be engaged on @EnenimUbon on social media platforms. 

YOU ARE RUNNING ALONE. - Enenim Ubon

Your existence isn't dependent on anyone's recognition, 

So live and let others live. 

Everyone's entitled to not give a heck about your existence. 

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In the fast lane, there's no room for unnecessary breaks - lest you get hit. 

It's an odd world, expect little fairness. 

Hold unto your faith, let your beliefs see you through. 

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Look less to mere mortals. 

Depend not on dust nor ribs.

Even when you err, learn to forgive yourself. ‎

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They lied when they said “what doesn't kill you makes you stronger“. 

Believe me, somethings will always make you weak(whenever they come up) - in such moments faint not‎. 

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Let the day of adversity proof to you, that you're strong enough.

If the day of sorrow catches you kneeling, let it be that you're saying a prayer. 

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If you wanna cry - carry on; the tears will wash off the unwanted layers. 

When your soul trembles - ‎hold on for “He'll never leave you nor forsake you”. 

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You'll be heartbroken, bashed, hurt, disappointed, made a fool of - laugh/cry/wail it off, even the bitter herbs all have their uses.

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You'll ‎letdown, crack, disappoint a few hearts - let the eternal words “do unto others as you would want done to you”, guide you. 

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Flee from where you/'your little' is not appreciated.

The viciousness,madness,mayhem will drive you crazy. 

Reduce the negativity you face - you need a clear head and stable emotions to face the future.  

Stand by your friends - when they are down.

All that sad soul needs on some days, is a hand to hold.

‎You could be someone's angel.‎

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Hold on dearly to a family that loves you;‎

They are the snipers who look out for you.

On the day you face your earthquake, 

Their warmth all around will enliven your soul.‎

And when you melt a heart ‎- don't make it as useless as  candle wax. ‎

A good craftsman turns clay to a cynosure - you'll be better off for it. ‎

Enjoy your singularity - you'll miss the days of lesser cares when it's all over.‎

When you've become one with another - make the journey enviable & worthwhile. ‎‎

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Many may not wish you well, but people with good hearts still abound. 

When no one is willing to take a chance on you, someone will be willingly to give you a try - don't make them regret it. 

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Try not to judge people always - to every man his own baggage. 

A wise man once said “the demons that people carry are not written on their faces”. 

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You're getting older and there's nothing you can do about it - learn to number your days and apply your heart to wisdom. ‎

‎Be merciful and you shall obtain mercy. 

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Stay in your lane as often as you can - believe me the advantages are numerous. ‎

Stand for something - your ship is heading for destruction if every wind toss it all about. ‎

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Live, Love, Touch Lives, Create an Impact, Leave a Legacy.  

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You can be greater than you've ever imagined. 

‎©‎ Enenim Ubon‎

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