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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, has urged Nigerians to make the right choices and take responsibility for the progress of the country rather than blaming leaders alone for its challenges.

The State CAN Chairman, Bishop John Bogna Bakeni, made the call in Maiduguri, noting that the turnaround of Nigeria’s economic and political situation depends on the deliberate actions and conduct of its citizens.

According to him, ‘As I said in my message on the pulpit, Nigerians must make the right choices. We must hold our leaders accountable at all levels, but we must also take responsibility.

‘We must choose to do the right thing and be deliberate in our choices of good over evil. It is not enough to desire a better country; we must make efforts to build it,’ Bishop Bakeni said.

Delivering his sermon titled ‘We should not lust after evil things as they also lusted,’ drawn from 1 Corinthians 10:6, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri said corruption, dishonesty, and social decay begin within individuals and families.

He said many of the challenges facing Nigeria, including kidnapping, banditry, corruption, terrorism, and tribalism, arise from moral negligence and the failure of families to instill proper values in their children.

‘We cannot continue to blame the government alone. Parents must monitor their children and instill discipline and honesty in them. Evil thrives when families abandon their moral duties,’ he added.

The unity service, held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Maiduguri, brought together priests, pastors, church leaders, and worshippers from across the metropolis. It was jointly organised by Maiduguri Metropolitan CAN and the Borno State CAN leadership.

In his remarks, the Maiduguri Metro CAN Coordinator, Pastor Timothy Olanrewaju, thanked members for attending despite the economic challenges. He said the annual gathering was meant to thank God for His mercy and to pray for peace in Borno and Nigeria.

‘We just came out of a devastating flood, and though it returned this year, God took control. That is why we gathered to praise Him and offer prayers for the land,’ Olanrewaju said.

He also commended the Borno State Government for its response to last year’s flood and its ongoing efforts to return displaced persons to their communities.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects millions of women worldwide, often leading to irregular periods, acne, weight gain, and fertility challenges.

Detecting PCOS early makes it easier to manage symptoms and prevent long-term complications such as diabetes, heart disease, and infertility. While there is no cure, lifestyle changes, especially diet, can play a huge role in managing symptoms and balancing hormones.

In this article, Tribune online examines eight foods that can help regulate hormones if you’re living with PCOS:

1. Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are packed with antioxidants and nutrients that help reduce inflammation. They are also low in calories, making them excellent for weight management in women with PCOS.

2. Fatty Fish

Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce insulin resistance and lower testosterone levels, two key concerns for women with PCOS.

3. Avocados

Full of healthy fats, avocados support hormone production and improve satiety. They also provide potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, a common issue for some PCOS patients.

4. Berries

Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are loaded with antioxidants that fight oxidative stress. They also have a low glycemic index, meaning they won’t cause a rapid spike in blood sugar.

5. Nuts and Seeds

Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are rich in fiber and healthy fats. They can help balance estrogen and progesterone while also reducing cravings.

6. Eggs

Eggs are a nutrient powerhouse, offering protein, vitamins, and healthy fats. They help regulate blood sugar and support overall hormonal balance.

7. Legumes

Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are high in plant-based protein and fiber, which aid digestion and help manage insulin resistance.

8. Green Tea

More than just a refreshing drink, green tea can lower testosterone levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making it a great choice for women managing PCOS.

A PCOS-friendly diet doesn’t have to be restrictive. By incorporating these foods into your daily meals, you can support hormone balance and improve overall health. Along with medical advice and regular exercise, the right diet can help you take control of PCOS naturally.

Youths from the Irekari axis comprising Idoani, Idogun, Imeri, and Afo communities in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday staged a peaceful protest to express their frustration over the deplorable condition of roads and other decaying infrastructure in the area.

The protest, which began on Thursday, has continued for days as the demonstrators vowed to remain on the streets both day and night until government authorities address their grievances.

Armed with placards bearing various inscriptions such as ‘Fix Our Roads Now,’ ‘We Deserve Better,’ ‘No Development, No Peace,’ and ‘Irekari is Part of Ondo State,’ the protesters lamented years of neglect by successive governments despite their contributions to the state’s economy.

They condemned the alleged exclusion of the Irekari Local Council Development Area (LCDA) from the recently announced Operation Emergency Road Construction programme of the Ondo State Government.

While appealing to both the federal and state governments to urgently rehabilitate and reconstruct the roads to revive economic activities and safeguard lives, leaders of the protesting youths specifically called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to remember the axis in his developmental plans.

The youths also accused a marble company operating in Afo of worsening the condition of the roads through the movement of heavy-duty trucks. They urged the government to channel part of the taxes and royalties collected from the firm into road rehabilitation projects.

Beyond the issue of roads, the protesters decried the lack of electricity supply, dysfunctional health facilities, and the inactivity of the local magistrate court all of which they attributed to the poor road network discouraging workers and service providers from staying in the area.

They noted that good road infrastructure is essential for socio-economic development, as it facilitates the movement of goods and people, but lamented that Irekari communities have been largely cut off.

They pointed out that the two main access roads the Ipele-Idoani-Isua Federal Road and the Oba-Ikun-Afo-Idoani Road have deteriorated over the years, leaving commuters, including students and parents of the Federal Government College, Idoani, and the Navy Secondary School, Imeri, in excruciating pain.

They maintained that the worsening road conditions have crippled economic activities in the axis, as neither the state nor the federal government has responded to the community’s repeated pleas for intervention. Years of neglect, they said, have left the once-thriving communities as shadows of their former selves.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, one of the youth leaders, Mr. Sunday Akinsehinwa, said residents of the four Irekari communities have suffered untold hardship due to the poor state of the roads linking their towns to other parts of the state.

He added that economic activities have almost been crippled, while access to healthcare and education has become a daily struggle.

According to him, indigenes of the communities have resorted to self-help by contributing money to carry out remedial works, particularly on the Ipele-Idoani-Isua road, but their efforts have proven inadequate given the extent of the damage.

The ongoing protest, according to him, was triggered by the continued silence of the state government, especially Governor Aiyedatiwa, who had previously passed through the same route during a campaign visit to Idoani in October last year.

They also recalled that Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami travelled through the dilapidated Oba-Ikun-Afo-Idoani road earlier this year to attend an event in the area.

While appealing to the Federal and Ondo State Governments to urgently rehabilitate and reconstruct the roads to protect lives and revive economic activities in the LCDA, leaders of the protesting youths specifically appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to remember the axis.

‘For many years, we have been abandoned. The roads from Idoani to Idogun and from Imeri to Afo are completely impassable. Farmers cannot take their produce to the market, and commercial drivers are avoiding our routes because of the terrible condition of the roads,’ he said.

Another protester, Miss Tinuola Adeoye, decried the lack of basic amenities in the area, including potable water, electricity, and functional healthcare centres.

She urged the state government to intervene urgently, saying the communities feel cut off from the rest of the state. ‘We are not asking for too much. We only want good roads, light, and schools that work. Our people are hardworking, but the neglect is killing our motivation,’ she said.

The protesters called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to visit the area and see firsthand the level of infrastructural decay, urging his administration to include the Irekari axis in ongoing rural development and road rehabilitation programmes across the state.

Meanwhile, efforts to get a reaction from the Ondo State Ministry of Works were unsuccessful as of press time, but a senior official who spoke off the record said the government was aware of the situation and that plans were underway to rehabilitate some critical roads in the Ose axis.

Responding to the development, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said the state government was committed to addressing the situation as a matter of urgency once the rainy season subsides.

Ajanaku explained that the Irekari axis was discussed at the last State Executive Council meeting under the Operation Emergency Road Construction programme and expressed optimism that rehabilitation would soon commence on the Idoani, Idogun, Imeri, and Afo roads.

He added that both the federal and state roads serving the area had already been brought to the government’s attention and assured residents that the affected roads would soon receive attention.

However, the protesting youths remain sceptical, citing previous unfulfilled promises by successive administrations. They vowed to sustain their protest until tangible action is taken to address their demands.

Some grassroots leaders in the OBIdient Movement’s Lagos chapter have turned their criticism towards Dr Yunusa Tanko, the national coordinator, accusing him of backing a disputed list for the state’s leadership council.

The pushback came in a statement released at the weekend by Obiasogu David and Hon. Bamidele Akpata, representing support groups, the Central Organising Committee, and other stakeholders.

They rejected a circulating list for the State Coordinating Council, saying it was allegedly put together without their input by a group of politicians close to Tanko.

‘The purported list of the Obidient Movement State Coordinating Council for Lagos state, now making the rounds, hit us with rude marvel. This isn’t because we lacked knowledge of and were not actively involved in the process of revamping and structuring the Obidient movement in Lagos state, which has been running for months.

‘But the eventual decision and choice of the leadership for the movement in the state were totally abrupt and surreptitious, and the source of the list and some of the names enlisted are unknown to any active Obidient in the state.

‘To give it a befitting context, a set of position-seeking political actors, for intents that raise doubts, met and drew up a list, wherein they shared positions with loyalists, branded it ‘State Coordinating Council’ and imposed on the ObidientMovement in the state.

‘Such a move slaps us, as well as every concerned and active member of the Obidient movement in the state, with sharp, irksome shock, especially considering its covert and manipulative manner.

‘Our unequivocal stand is that of utter disregard and rejection of the purported list. We resolve to ensure that the Obidient Movement, for which we laboured to pioneer and build in the state since March 2022, must not derail from its core principles of integrity, truth, democracy, transparency, and populism, the virtues our leader, Peter Obi, espouses.

‘We must, also, reiterate that the movement in the state is not a political structure for any politician to hire or hijack for self-aggrandisement or to further their political agenda.

‘We are a people-driven movement, built on sacrifice, resilience, and the conviction to rescue Nigeria and Lagos from decades of failed leadership. Therefore, it is imperative that the decisions and activities of the movement, especially a vital one as forming the leadership of the movement at any level, must be subject to and co-opt the core principles of the movement.

‘In view of this, we insist that the leadership of the movement must be constituted through wide consultation and popular consent of the active stakeholders of the movement, a process that is devoid of political gimmicks and the interference of self-willed politicians.

‘Such leaders of the movement must embody the values and qualities of leadership, be active members of the movement from the founding times, and above all, must be chosen by active stakeholders of the movement, especially the Obidient support groups.

‘We call on those who shared the purported list to withdraw it immediately. The national leadership of the Obidient movement must, as a matter of urgency, call for a meeting with stakeholders of the movement in the state to discuss progress’.