HOW TO WIN SCHOLARSHIPS IN NIGERIA

WOW! Wow!! Wow!!! It’s so great to be a winner; so wonderful and exciting to win a scholarship! Isn’t it? Of course, it is; you then become a “big guy/girl”. I can understand that a lot of students do apply for and sit for scholarships exams very often and yet don’t get to be successful winning any. Well, take heart my dear, it does happen. Personally, I don’t really like the phrase “how to...” it sounds quite “scammalous” to me. I’d prefer the title “winning scholarships...” or doing this or that and not really how to do them. (Well, that’s by the way) In this column, I will be giving you useful tips and hints on how you can win the scholarships you apply for, to study here in Nigeria (and even abroad!). First of all, why do you need this scholarship? A lot of students, whose parents/guardians can comfortably and conveniently pay their fees, are some times the ones who apply for and win these scholarships. Many of them use the money for “flexing things”. I am not in any way against some students applying for them; for wise students, they use the grant for “investments”. Also, winning a scholarship is like a prayer answered for some indigent students for whom these scholarships, I suppose, were originally meant for.        

Now, let us get to work! I will be writing more from an individualistic viewpoint; by God’s grace, I am a scholarship recipient as well –Agbami 2012 Scholarship Award of #100,000 per session. How then did this happen? First of all, you must understand that information rules the world (and truly it does!). I could not have applied if I didn’t know that such a thing existed. Some students make the mistake of waiting for the information only from the radio, newspaper, television, peers, etc. Note this: good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who work for it! Numerous reputable companies in Nigeria usually make provisions of scholarship awards as part of their social responsibility. Your ability to get updates on time is very necessary. Don’t waste your time! You should rather subscribe to websites –such as Nairacareer, Scholarship Resource, myschoolcomm.com, etc- to receive latest updates and information on these scholarships, based on your requirements, STRAIGHT TO YOUR MAILBOX! This is not a cure-all actually; you still have to keep your ears to the ground (and your eyes on the net and notices). There are some “smart” guys around also who could help you find what you are looking for; it wouldn’t be outlandish to patronize them (at a little pay sometimes). Well, thanks that now such information is quite very accessible by many cause it spreads like WILDFIRE on campus.

When you have got the information you want, it is your duty to provide ALL necessary documents required of you by your host (both originals and photocopies) during the application, and keep them safe. Try to register much earlier before the deadline; I don’t really know why, but just try. By this time, you don’t need anyone to tell you that you must prepare real hard –READ! (i.e. if you are short-listed). What then should you read? Most scholarship exams are usually IQ questions, demanding to know your ability to reason and take decisions within a limited time. As a result, you need to add to your kit books on (especially) GMAT and GRE questions involving Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning/Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and even ABSTRACT Reasoning! Also, you have to be versatile; try to be current in the affairs of life for questions could as well come from current affairs.

Don’t overwork yourself! You are going for an exam, and so you need to be healthy. Eat good food, rest well the night before the exam, and feel confident and hopeful as you go out to write the exam. Make sure you have all required documents with you, be at the exam centre minutes before the exact time and never be afraid of those supervisors and machines (yes, most scholarship exams are written with computers). Do not also be carried away by the “confused” looks on fellow candidates. Be focused, as well as relate well with others after the exam to get more info regarding the results and updates.  Don’t play around! Skip those questions you consider are wacky and answer the ones familiar to you. If there is still time, go back and try to answer those you skipped. Remember to read the instructions carefully!

Finally, in fact, actually, you should not neglect the God-factor. To be frank with you, I never really prepared hard and yet I won! Grace differs. Commit everything that day in prayers to God (I don’t intend to sound religious, but that’s the truth!)

Now you get going and are on your way to making your dreams come true. Good luck!!!

(Thanks for all the comments in the last edition; by God’s grace, I am PLUS 1 today! Join me celebrate. God bless us all!)

NEWS!!! ENLIGHTENMENT SERIES ANNOUNCES A LITERARY COMPETITION ON THE TOPICS:

1) PERFECTION –CAN I EVER BE PERFECT? 2) THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW –WHEN IS TOMORROW?

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Watch out for another edition of Enlightenment Series next week Monday. <www.skola93.blogspot.com>

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.

My father, my Father!

We are so sorry for late posts, please bear with us.

“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, ‘My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof!’” (2 Kings 2:12a)

Hello, good day and welcome to another edition of the Enlightenment Series. How was your weekend? Splendid, I guess! Some of the last week’s comments on the topic HALITOSIS are relayed thus: “Nice” –Iam-switch. “Very informative, keep it up!” –Theodore Uzoamaka. “Informative” –Kachi. “We need more of these” –Jaypee. “A nice write-up; bravo, boy!” –St Melchizedek II. “I enjoy reading your article! Keep it up!” –Osinachi Michael. Thanks a lot; it was very rewarding! Feel free to participate in this periodical by sending in your article.

Today, we have another interesting topic to talk about. The first paragraph above is an excerpt from the Bible story which we know about –the taking of Elijah into Heaven. Now, let’s consider the two characters mentioned. Elijah was a prophet of God whom He used mightily to correct his people the Israelites and bring them back to Him. He, Elijah was able to command fire from Heaven, famine and rain on the land, disgrace the worshippers of Baal, run faster than a chariot, and even divide the Jordan. Such a mighty prophet! Yet, he became insecure and wanted himself dead but was told by God to raise Elijah as successor. Elisha, a rich animal farmer, left all and followed Elijah to be tutored/mentored by him and was able to receive a double portion of Elijah’s anointing. Truly, Elijah was his father.

Who is my father? My father naturally is that man who was involved in the process of my existence and is identified as a parent toward me, performing the functions and responsibilities of a parent toward me. Of course, my father is usually many years older than me. My father could also be that man whom I look up to for direction, advice and mentoring. Now, talking about my natural father, what is my relationship with him like? He’s my father because right from birth, he’s been the fatherly face and voice over me. I stay(ed) in his house; he pays/paid my fees, feeds/fed me, clothes/clothed me and teaches, talks and advices me. I reciprocate by rendering him my unreserved obedience, loyalty, respect and compliance –sometimes even when he’s wrong.

Let’s assume all these happened while I was still nwata n’ulo nna m (a kid in my father’s house). Now, I think I’ve grown and therefore need no longer to reciprocate my father his deserved and desired benefits. Ok, let us say, as a kid perhaps from a Christian home, I was introduced to another Father. I was told He’s the Creator of the whole earth and is worthy to be praised, glorified, respected, obeyed, loved and feared. As I grew, my Father told me that for me to be His child, I’ll have to believe and accept His only begotten Son –Jesus Christ. I accepted the condition and then began to know more and more about my Father; how He loves, protects, provides, preserves, directs and chastises me. I also came to know I should reciprocate by serving and obeying Him and loving my fellowmen –shikina!

Then I also realize that I’m still under the influence of my father –as a son/daughter of the soil- as long as he’s still alive. I recognize some similarities in the ways both fathers relate to me and sometimes some “clashes/conflicts/differences”. Sometimes, my Father tells me to do this, and my father is not in support. My father also instructs me to do that which is sometimes not in tandem with my Father’s will. I’m now left in a dilemma; but my Father tells me that I should obey my father and authority over me (Eph. 6:1-2, Rom. 13:1) and my Father’s word tells me to obey Him rather than men (Acts 4:19).

Of course, if I had remained a sinner, I’d have to battle for an alloyed patriotism to 3 fathers –the 3^rd being the devil, who is in fact more demanding than the other two! Let’s leave him out of the matter now. Now, I ask, “Can I claim to have a perfect/good/right relationship with my Father when I don’t with my own natural father? Is it possible to say I’m completely happy or fulfilled when both fathers always “clamour” for my 100% allegiance, inasmuch as my father was also created by my Father? Is it proper to make my Father glad in me but become a sorrow to my father? Which of them should be given primary priority when making/taking very important decisions of my life? Don’t I have a right to follow my own will? ” I need your answers please! My father here could also mean my people, origin, identity group.

N.B: This write up is not the personal state of the author, but is written especially for those who are in like condition to find the way forward. For example, non-Christians converting to Christianity, or a catholic converting to another denomination, or a (prospective) missionary/business person without parental support, or an issue in choice of career, marriage, etc. Please comment wisely (Christians especially).

My view: Ask your Father to direct you to the right mentors that will help guide you accordingly –someone like you needs right, godly mentoring. I do not also think that your father will be in contrast with your Father if he is also your Father’s son, because he is used by your Father, alongside other mentors, to shape you up to be the best you should/ought to be. Nevertheless, it has to be your Father first before your father, inasmuch as you have a right/will, and also a duty of making your father glad and be his worthy successor, for if not for him, you would not be existing or be where you are now (no matter your current status) –think about all those investments he has made in your life all these years. God bless us all!

Watch out for “How to win scholarships in Nigeria” next week Monday. <www.skola93.blogspot.com>

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.

HALITOSIS

Definition: Halitosis, also known as bad breath, is a condition which occurs when noticeably unpleasant odours are exhaled in breathing. The bad smell is usually caused by chemical molecules containing sulphur which are produced when bacteria that live in the mouth breakdown protein in the diet. According to Wikipedia, the intensity of the bad breath differs during the day and is usually worse upon awakening (i.e. “morning breath”) because the mouth is exposed to less oxygen and is inactive during the night.

Bad breath, as we know, is something quite detestable among many people and could cause certain social repercussions. It is quite annoying, limits communication and favourable association/relationship amongst individuals, friends, associates, relatives, and even between spouses and strangers; a majority of the population are usually affected by this condition at one time or the other.

The information contained here seeks to render the issue as a social condition with medical reference and would not in any way act as a substitute for the medical advice of your own health care professional. (I am not a health care professional –I be Engineering student o- but feel this researched information would be needful. Oko Emmanuel, in our last edition says, “Man originated from the grave”; thanks to others who made their comments as well.) A lot of us dislike being accused of having bad breath, no matter how sincere the person might be, and yet many of us prove incapable of pinpointing to those who have it to their faces that they do. Why then is this so? According to Sam, a student, “If it’s my friend, I’ll tell them right away; if a stranger, hmm... I’ll just maintain!” Another, a career-person has this to say: “In fact, it’s not user-friendly!” Having looked at this as a social condition affecting a lot of us, it would be appropriate that we seek ways to ameliorate the condition of our mouths.

Causes: A lot of factors are considered causes of halitosis. Some of these are listed below:

1)                  Systemic diseases –such as kidney failure, lung infections, diabetes mellitus, carcinoma, renal infections, etc., can be at the root of (chronic) halitosis. However, these are extremely infrequent in the general population, and individuals afflicted by such often show additional symptoms than bad breath.

2)                  Tooth decay and gum disease –waste products from the anaerobic bacteria growing below the gum line have a foul smell and have been clinically shown to produce a very intense bad breath.

3)                  Smoking –this is one of the most common causes of bad breath, especially because it can lead to gum disease.

4)                  Mouth –there are over 600 types of bacteria found in the average mouth, many of which produce high levels of foul odours mainly due to the breakdown of proteins into individual amino acids. Dry mouth can be caused by general illness, medicines and simply not drinking enough fluid.

5)                  Tongue –this accounts for 80-90% of all cases of mouth-related bad breath. Large quantities of naturally-occurring bacteria are often found on the posterior dorsum of the tongue, where they are relatively undisturbed by normal activity. This part of the tongue is relatively dry and poorly cleansed, and provides an ideal habitat for anaerobic bacteria.

6)                  Nose –in this case, the air exiting the nostrils has a pungent odour that differs from the oral odour. This may be due to sinus infection or foreign bodies in the nostrils.

7)                  Food –garlic, strong spices and herbs, usually are the favourite culprits; including some other foods.

8)                  Esophagus –this is usually due to ageing food retained in the esophagus. Improper closure of the esophagus allows air to enter it from the stomach and gases escape to the mouth.

9)                  Stomach –this, according to most researchers, is a very uncommon source of bad breath, except in belching.

Diagnosis: How do I know that I have bad breath?

 1)  Self diagnosis –smelling one’s breath, or asking a close family member/friend (confidant) to help. One popular home method is to lick the back of the wrist, let the saliva dry for about 1 minute and smell the result. Another, scrape the posterior back of the tongue with a plastic disposable spoon and smell the resulting residue.

 2) Professional diagnosis –laboratory tests used in dental offices such as Halimeter, Gas chromatography, BANA test, β-galactotestsidase, etc., can be used to carry out professional diagnoses of halitosis.    

Management and treatment: As a rule, effective treatment is not always easy to find for chronic halitosis. However, something can still be done as measures to manage it:

1) Maintaining proper oral hygiene –this is in fact the best approach to this condition. Activities including daily brushing, and gentle cleaning (not scrubbing) of the tongue surface (twice daily), flossing, and periodic visits to dentists and hygienists, should be maintained.

2) Gargling with an effective mouthwash –especially right before bedtime. Mouthwashes may contain active ingredients that are inactivated by the soap present in most toothpaste. Thus it is recommended to refrain from using mouthwash directly after tooth brushing with paste. Mouthwashes often contain antibacterial agents including cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine (which can cause temporary staining of the teeth), zinc gluconate, essential oils, and chlorine dioxide. A new approach for home treatment of bad breath is the use of oil-containing mouthwashes and two-phase/component (oil: water) mouthwashes. Essential oils have been found effective in reducing halitosis, and are being used in several commercial mouthwashes.

3) Eating a healthy breakfast –especially with rough foods which help clean the very back of the tongue.

4) Chewing gum –chewing sugarless gum can help with the production of saliva and thereby help reduce bad breath; since dry mouth can increase the buildup of bacteria leading to bad breath. This helps in cleansing the mouth and washing away oral bacteria. Chewing may also help after eating certain meals, especially those rich in proteins.

5) Of course, smoking should, if possible, be quit, since it is one of the most causes of bad breath.

Delusional halitosis (Halitophobia): This is a condition in which one worries or fears about bad breath –fear/worry of having bad breath. This tends to affect young men and could be linked to depression, diffidence, etc.

Finally, bad breath is something we all worry about. It would be nicer if there were pleasant odours everywhere out there, for a healthy society is also a wealthy society.

Expect another exceptional write-up same day, next week on the topic: My father, my Father!                                                         Watch out! <www.skola93.blogspot.com>

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.