Living/Style
Steming The Tide Of Kidnapping
In the last few years, Nigeria has been experiencing increasing wave of kidnapping which started in the Niger Delta where it took firm root as part of the crisis in that region.
Now it has gradually spread all over the country through the East from where it has now spread to the northern part of the country.
The latest victim is Mr. Waje Yayoke, secretary to Kaduna State Government, who was kidnapped and released after about two weeks in captivity.
Kidnapping, the taking away of a person against the person’s will, usually for a ransom, or in furtherance of another crime is becoming everyone’s nightmare in the country. Today, foreign visitors and tourists no longer feel safe. For this reason they are becoming more reluctant to visit the country. Neither do citizens who are probably wealthy and influential. Victims also include children, parents and even grand-parents or anybody whose relations could be blackmailed into paying handsome ransom. Lives are perpetually endangered and citizens sleep in their houses with an eye open. But kidnapping is not only a criminal offence but a direct threat to national security because of its wide implications for internal security and the pubic image of the country internationally.
Given the state of kidnapping in the country, there is no doubt that Nigeria is fast becoming one of the major kidnapping centres of the world.
This has obvious implications on the country’s development trajectory and even the quality of governance. Characteristic of this phenomenon is the kidnapping act itself followed by demand for ransom in nearly all cases. Protracted negotiations process; payment of such negotiated ransom and the final release.
The victims are inevitably traumatised if they come out alive. The entire phenomenon is criminal, running foul of the constitution and the criminal code. Unfortunately, this criminal act is mostly perpetrated by youths. This says a lot about the state of affairs in the country today.
The Nigerian Police and other law enforcement agencies have been powerless to arrest this phenomenon. The current strength of the Nigerian police force is 312, 223 for a population of 150 million, a ratio of 1 policeman to 480 citizen. In most cases if not all, the kidnappers get away scot-free after collecting their handsome ransome. The kidnappers are hardly arrested, detained and charged to court, prosecuted and convicted. This partly accounts for the increasing wave of the crime. Desperate politics has also come to compound the phenomenon thus making it more ubiquitous and commercialised.
The common tendency is to blame the country on the unacceptable rate of unemployment in the country, the inefficient and corrupt police force that is ill-equiped to fight crimes and collusion between kidnappers and politicians.
These factors however, appear to be mere symptoms of a larger malaise that we have yet to recognise and accept namely: the failing state system in Nigeria. A failed or failing state is often used to designate a state that is incapable or that is increasingly finding it difficult to fulfilling the basic functions of a sovereign government which include physical control of its territory, provision of security of life and property for its citizens the monopoly of use of legitimate physical force and inability to provide reasonable public service for its citizens and interact with members of international community on equal footing without suffering from feeling of inferiority complex.
A state becomes a failed state when and where citizens and groups conclude that they too should no longer be bound by the terms of social contract. In this scenario, the hobbesian state of nature reigns. Is this what we are witnessing today in Nigeria?
It is time for the Federal Government to take this matter with all seriousness that it deserves since it inevitably impact on the governing capacity and sovereign integrity of the state itself.
Lucy Eze
Though there are various ways to enjoy marijuana, smoking remains the most popular way to get high. This method also happens to have the most devices available.
When buying a smoking device, you must get a high-quality product. Not all apparatuses are made the same way and provide the same doses. Various studies prove that the device you use is equally important as the weed itself and can make the overall smoking experience better.
Buying a suitable smoking device is all about understanding your preferences and tailoring accessories accordingly.
The Main Types of Pipes
There are many ways for cannabis users to smoke marijuana. A hand pipe, also known as a dry pipe or bowl, is a convenient and easy method to smoke weed, especially for people who occasionally smoke. Featuring a small chamber, a hand pipe delivers harsher hits than other types of marijuana pipes.
On the other hand, a water pipe or a bong is ideal for experienced users. From small designs to large, water pipes, unlike hand pipes, contain specific chambers to hold water and deliver a smoother experience.
The one-hitter is a tiny and discrete pipe designed for a single inhalation or, as the name suggests, one hit. One-hitters are popular because they help users control the dosage of their marijuana intake.
And then, there are portable vape or vape pens that offer a smoke-free experience. Vape pens are a discreet way of getting your fix when on the go.
How To Choose A Good Dry Pipe
Whether you are looking to get high at home or while hanging out with friends, pipes make consuming cannabis much easier and quicker than packing blunts or rolling joints. As they are practical, every marijuana user must have at least one good dry pipe. With so many different pipes available at various price ranges, you should consider multiple factors to find a suitable dry pipe.
The first thing you should consider is size. The size directly translates to portability. For those who travel a lot, a pipe smaller in size might be ideal. In contrast, if you plan to use the dry pipe as a tabletop centerpiece, you might want something bigger.
Additionally, smoking pipes are made from different materials. While commonly made from glass, marijuana smoking pipes can also be made from wood, metal, or ceramic. Typically, glass pipes are the best option for marijuana smokers as you will be treated to smooth and flavorful smoke regardless of the strain.
You should also take into consideration your budget when looking to buy a marijuana dry pipe. Remember that a low price doesn’t always translate to a low-quality product. You will still be able to land some great deals if you look around.
How To Choose A Good Water Pipe
To find a good water pipe, size is the first thing you should consider. If you are passing the bong with your friends, a larger bong might be a better option. On the other hand, if it is for more personal use, choose a smaller one.
Secondly, think about the material. Cannabis users often prefer glass as it provides the cleanest and the purest-tasting hits. However, it can easily break and is usually pricey. So, for a rowdier situation, an acrylic water pipe might be a better option.
How To Choose A Good One Hitter
If you are looking to buy a one-hitter, the pipe’s material is the primary concern as one-hitters are all generally the same size. The material can affect flavor and durability, so you must choose wisely. The common materials used to make one-hitters are glass, acrylic, and metal.
One-hitters made from glass offer an unparalleled flavor, while those made from acrylic and metal can make the hit less flavorful.
Furthermore, one-hitters highlight various features like a removable bowl, self-ashing mechanism, design that allows for easier cleaning, and heat resistance.
How To Choose A Good Portable Vape
Unlike desktop vapes, portable vapes are easy to carry around and use discreetly. What’s more, they tend to be less expensive and versatile, making them an ideal option for beginners. When looking for a portable vape pen, you should consider if they are made for vaping dry herb or wax.
The next thing you should consider is battery life. This factor is vital if you are on the go without access to a device charger. A few vaporizers come with external batteries, while others have long battery lives.
Furthermore, you should consider things like temperature control and the type of heating—conduction or convection. Also, see if the vape pen is easy to clean or not. Lastly, look at the price. As you will be holding onto your vaporizer for a while, it is a good idea to invest in a quality product from a certified seller like WeedSmart, a Canadian marijuana dispensary.
Explore the Arena of Marijuana Smoking Devices
With a wide array of marijuana smoking devices available on the market, it might be daunting to decide the one that’s best for you. The right choice for you will depend on your needs and what you think might be the best for you. If you don’t like a specific device’s feel, you can always look for other options.
With the harmattan season drawing closer, there is the need for ladies particularly to become sensitive to their skins in terms of applications in the most natural ways in order to overcome the season and remain radiant and attractive. Here are some tips for you.
Symptoms: The skin is evenly dry and there can be a tendency to chafing (more so during this period).
There is both water and oil loss in the skin. This may seem to be a matter of little concern but it can be a sign of more serious problems like essential fatty acide deficiency that can result in cardiovascular disease such as stroke, heart attack etc.
Dry Skin can also be a sign of an underactive thyrond.
If you are supplementing with Vitamin A in amounts over 100,000 units daily, dry skin may be the first warning of overdose. It is dangerous to take too much of vitamin A.
Natural Remedies:
Diet and Nutrients –
*Eat a nutritious diet of vegetables, fruit, grains, seeds, legumes and nuts. High sulfur foods like garlic, onions and asparagus help keep the skin smooth and youthful.
*Avoid animal fats, hydrogenated oils and fried foods
*The situation to this problem is not superficial creams which contain Vaseline or aluminum but obtaining enough unsaturated fatty acids in the diet. These would be uncooked vegetable oils, such as wheat germ oil, corn oil, seseme seed oil and soy oil. Take additional Vitamin E Supplementation of about 800-1,200 units a day.
*If you are not taking supplemental Vitamin A, begin taking a moderate amount (not over 25,000 units a day for a few days. Carrot juice (or 15 mg beta carotene daily) will also help.
*Take a B-Complex Supplement, Vitamin C (1,000mg 2-3 times) daily and zinc (15mg daily).
Applications:
*’Misting’ is helpful. Spray your face with a fine mist of water atleast three times a day. To increase the effect, add some aloe Vera to the mist water.
If you do, you must not spray into the eyes.
*For your shower, rinse off every day with lukewarm water using as little soap as possible. Do not use hot water.
*For itchy skin, add vinegar to the bath water and take two tablespoon of vegetable oil daily. Helpful herbs include yarrow, violet and margoram. Dry-brush message your skin, to tone it up.
*Add two to three drops of lavender essential oil to warm water and apply a warm compress to your face.
This will hydrate the skin and stimulate the water and oil glands.
*Ripe, mashed avoicado alone or mixed with ripe banana is an excellent moistening mask. It will deep over the throat and face (except the eye area). Wait 10-15 minutes, then rinse off.
*Drink an adequate amount of water and keep the house or room cooler.