₦airaland Forum

HIV is one of the most dreaded diseases in the world and it is not difficult to see why this disease is so scary.

You only have to see the poignant progression that this disease follows, leading to AIDS in some cases and leaving the patient, a debilitated mass of bony flesh.

So, how comforting would it be to many who are currently battling this disease to know that there is actually a cure, and there has been one since as far back as 2008.

There is a saying that goes What you don't know doesn't kill you; but in the case of HIV, what you didn't know was actually killing you. Silently.

HIV works by attaching itself to a protein called CCR5 in the patient's cells and replication continues until the body is ravaged by the disease. There are people who have a genetic mutation that makes them lack this CCR5. No CCR5, no protein for HIV to latch on to, so such people are immune to the disease and the cure of this disease lies with these people.

About 1% of the Caucasian population have this trait, hence the immunity.

There is a man called Timothy Ray Brown who had HIV in the mid-nineties and lived with the virus for 11 years till 2006. He had been managing his HIV albeit not too successfully but managing it the same till fate dealt another blow on him in 2006; he had developed a form of cancer known as acute myeloid leukemia.

His doctors decided to give him a bone marrow transplant for the leukemia and probably thought that since they would be giving him the transplant, they might as well get him a donor from the 1% of people that are resistant to HIV, which was what they did.

After the transplant, he was cured of the leukemia AND the HIV. To date, he has been free of HIV completely and he even set up a foundation to help with the cure for HIV.

The cure for HIV, though still in research would obviously not be too far from this.

Currently, due to the limitations of science, the bone marrow transplant is not advised unless it is a life or death situation due to the risks involved in bone marrow transplant.

Science is evolving everyday and what could not be done, say, 10 years ago can now be done and even the bone marrow transplant can be carried out without the intrusive bone marrow operation. What is needed can now be obtained from the blood of the donor.

This gives hope that those living with HIV would soon heave a sigh of relief. People with HIV can talk to their doctors about this option and if it would be right for them. Even if it isn't, the eureka moment cannot be too far on the horizon.

Actress Tonto Dikeh Details Her Domestic Violence Story - TEXT

Full text of Actress Tonto Dike's interview detailing how hubby beat her blue black and humiliated her....

Video Interview transcribed for SDK Blog
How did you feel when your son was handed to you after birth?

The feeling was really strange. It was like carrying my own heart in my arms. I heard his heart beat. I was so overwhelmed but I enjoy every minute of it till date.


When you had him, did you care about your career or it wasn't important at that moment?

Truthfully, I didn't have any other thought apart from being a mother. I just dedicated my life to going through my pregnancy, coming to terms with it and giving birth. I knew that I was not going back to work immediately because of the love I have for my son. I knew it was impossible to leave him at home. I have always told myself that when I give birth, I would like to breastfeed my child for a year and not go anywhere. I breastfed him for a year and a week.


What do you miss most about being single?

You really do not miss anything. Life is in stages. When it is time for you to be single, you'll be single. When it is time for you be married, you'll be married. When it is time for you to be elevated into another stage of your life, you will be elevated. I wouldn't say I miss anything being single. My single days were my single days. I did what I did during my single says, that was what was expected but now, I don't miss it.


What has been your greatest challenge as a mother?

I have never had any challenges with motherhood. I have a competent nanny that takes care of my child properly even when I am not there. Even if I didn't have a nanny, the welfare of my child would have been one of my greatest worries. I do have the best workers. I work with the best people. Anytime I am away which I am hardly ever, I know my son is safe.


There's been much publicity lately on your foundation. Can you tell us what it is about?

Well, my foundation wasn't launched recently. It's been around for 10years now. What you have been seeing is the "Tonto Dike Back to School Project". Basically, we are sending children back to school, focusing on the girl child , not forgetting the boy child too. There's a saying that goes "children are the leaders of tomorrow". I believe in change and if it has to come, we need to invest in the children who are going to bring about it. That's what the initiative is all about. I go to random schools that need me.


Is it marriage or motherhood that is preventing you from continuing your career?

I actually slowed down way before marriage due to personal reasons. I found myself thinking about what I really wanted. I was blocked emotionally and spiritually. There was this veil covering my face and I needed to identify with something greater which is God. I left my career to find God. I haven't gone back to acting because of my son. That's not to say that I am off the screen forever, I am coming back.


Lately, there have been many stories concerning the happenings in your marriage. What do you have to say about this?

I have heard and read about it. Words cannot quantify how I feel about it. Like you rightly said, the whole issue is out there because I am a public figure. In all of these, I am just praying for strength, wisdom and everything else I need to move in and grow. It is a bitter experience for me to air. It is not easy. I am here because I believe I'll be helping someone out there by sharing my experience.

Do you have any regrets going into the marriage?

I try to live a life of not regretting my actions. I see every stage I am in as an elevation. I feel like I am going through this fire to come out stronger than I was. For now, I do not regret my marriage.

What has been your most embarrassing moment as a celebrity?

There has been a lot of moments. I cannot pinpoint any particular event. Just sitting down and reading something ill about yourself is embarrassing.


If you had your way, what story about yourself would you like to delete from the Internet?

If I had a way, I'll like to delete my whole existence because of my child. I know that the Internet never dies, he's going to grow up to read my stories and it is going to hurt him.


Tell us something about Tonto Dike that people do not know
I think people do not know that I am born again. I have been born again for a very long time. I did backslide at some point but I found my way back to God. It's been amazing and wonderful. I attend Mountain of Fire and I have two great pastors from two good churches that pray for me all the time.


Who do you miss most as a person?


Well, it's hard for me to be away from my child. I have only been away from him twice . The first time was when I went to Warri. It's really hard to stay away from him because he's very clingy. That's why I have a picture of him that I take with me everywhere I go.


What has been your biggest life lesson?

It has to do with going through things and not letting them bother me.


What is that misconception about you that has brought you close to tears?

I have heard a lot of things about me. It's the same thing, it never changes. Something that has really hurt me recently was someone coming out to associate me with drugs, as a mother. It hurt me so much because no one sees how much of a good mother I am. Nobody knows the sacrifices I have made for my son. I have a file at home, I do a drug test every month. I write letters to my son, detailing how much his presence has changed my life. That rumour really broke and almost destroyed me.


You recently revealed that you have been treating STDs due to your husband's cheating ways

First of all, this interview is not meant to discredit my ex husband. It is not to bring him down or make people hate him. I am doing this for him to be a better man and like I said earlier, someone somewhere might learn from this. I did mention something about STDs. I am not taking back my words because they are not lies. I would not promote it, I would not embarrass my ex husband in that manner. Domestic violence is real. I do not understand how I went through it over and over again. I didn't stay back because of my son, I did it For myself because I loved my husband with all of my heart. I stayed because he begged me a couple of times to stay and I just didn't want to give up on my marriage. I believe people change. Anytime we had issues, my husband comes with a Pastor to beg. We have never had real counselling because he never admits his doings. I asked him over and over again why he kept doing it and if he felt no shame. I have pictures and videos of my domestic violence. I also have pictures at the Nigerian Embassy in Ghana because I had to run to them at some point. I didn't release the pictures because I was stark naked. My husband has really humiliated me so much. For anyone to tell me I am telling lies against my husband, it really hurts me more.


Were you on holiday in Ghana?

Yes, and he stays in Ghana.



Is it true that his mother once caught you with marijuana and you pushed her down after she confronted you?
That is a lie from the devil. I am close to my mother-in-law and she has never seen me smoke. Mum, if you are watching, you know there were times that I was really sick and you offered me drugs that would make me better that I rejected because I knew I was breastfeeding my baby. I was scared of taking as little as Alabukun because I didn't know what it was going to do my child. I am saying this with God as my witness, my MIL has never seen me smoke and I did not push her down. Mum, if you are watching this, please tell the truth. I know that Kunle, your son put this story out there. You are a woman like me, you know this is not true. I really do not want to believe you said this.


Recently, a lady named Rosaline Meurer made a video saying she's your husband's PA, that she knows you and you are very nice to her. She also celebrated him on his birthday on her IG page. What do you have to say to her claims?

First of all, I do not know her personally but I am aware that she's sleeping with my husband. I am aware that my husband is taking care of her and she is the reason why he abandoned his son. I'm aware that she's the reason he abandoned his family because he took her on a trip. She's not my husband's sister, he is not her brother. She doesn't know me and I have never spoken to my husband about her before. I know their story and I know that they are in love. It's not just a relationship.



Rosaline posted a picture of a car on her IG page

My husband bought the car for her. He is responsible for her upkeep. I have pictures of them on a trip together. That's something my husband has never done for me or his family. It hurts me because I watched him make every dime he has and I know the sacrifices I made. All I expected from him was to be good to his family. It's not his first time. I have practically dragged someone off my husband's private part before. The women are not my problem. I was once single. I am not a saint. I forgive all of them with the love of God in my heart.



Is it true that he has kids from other women?

Yes, it is. My son is not his first child. That was one of my major concerns in the early stage of my marriage because he lied about not having any child. I didn't even know he was married unto the day the pictures were posted online. Recently, two women have contacted me that they have children for my husband but I cannot verify it. Like I said earlier, this interview is not to throw dirt on hi, pm. One of them said her child is 9months old, the other said her child is two years old. Just as i can't verify the gay accusations laid out against him. There are claims that he's bi-sexual.I don't know if it is true or not.


Is there any chance that you both would work things out if he claims to be a changed person?

I don't know what the future holds. I just want this phase of my life to be over and to be strong for my son. I really want it to be over because it is preventing me from moving on to greater things. I read negative things on the Internet over this issue everyday and it is really affecting me. There are huge projects I am supposed to be working on now but the issue keeps dragging me backwards. Going back to my marriage is a big impossibility. I do not pray to go back. I just want a cordial relationship for my son. He has hurt me so much and it is crazy how he keeps hurting me. People from his camp keep saying nonsense. He brought elders all the way from my village down to Abuja to beg me. Two hours later, I saw a post online by one Mr. Paul who claims to be his manager, saying I lied about all the revelations I made about buying my own cars and all. I do not have anything that belongs to him with me. I left my home with nothing. The clothes I wear today were given to me by Utee because I left my home with absolutely nothing. Thinking of all my husband's verbal abuse, I felt ugly, unworthy, less human. Then I called Utee and told her I wanted to feel powerful and beautiful.


That was the lowest point in my life, having to ask for help. She responded 2 hours later. I do not want anyone saying I have any of my husband's property in my possession. I admit seizing one car and selling it off to give my son a better life. I have threat messages from him, saying the car wasn't mine and I have to return it. They have the Police searching for the car everywhere. I have proof of anything I say about my husband.



There's a picture of a car he claimed to have gifted your son for his birthday

There's no such car. That picture is an old picture. I take Uber to drop my son off at school and pick him up. That's how I run things now. We do not have any car belonging to my husband with us.


What advice do you have for women going through such?



First of all, to anyone who has been battered and bruised physically and emotionally, you are beautiful and God loves you. The truth of this matter is that most women live in self denial, they want to stay and make it work. They also want to pray and see changes. I advise that you seek help instead. In as much as you claim you are still in such marriage because of your children and wanting to give them a better life, you are actually hurting them. Most abusers grew up in hostile environments and I took my son away from such because I do not want him to grow up and become such a man. It is time for us to speak up for ourselves. The society doesn't help women because the backlash we receive from leaving our matrimonial homes is always horrible.


The society needs to give us a break, we are humans and we need to heal. I said earlier that granting this interview is not out of anger or to bring down my husband. If my story heals just one person out there, I am okay with that. I am speaking up for all women. Enough is enough! Love does not hurt. It is not supposed to hurt. Please speak up and seek help. I have a deaf ear from all that violence.


I just want to say to everybody that this really hurt me so much and I want it to die down. I want to move forward and stay strong for my son. In as much as half of you would not believe my story or that I am a changed person, I have nothing to prove to you.


I want to thank all the women that have been sending me messages and DMing me, you all have been my source of inspiration. I also want to thank my husband's first wife, Mrs. Bimbo Coker for all the love and support. She's been in that position and her advice have been so helpful. Thank you

This article is for both men and women. At least if a woman forgets what might be harmful to her, her man/husband might remember and in the process, achieve a common goal- Protecting their unborn child.

A pregnant woman has a helpless, choice-less and vulnerable child within her and it behoves her to do all within her power to protect the child.

Many couples have found out the hard way that possibly what they did (or didn't do) during pregnancy was what led to the deformation, lifelong reaction, or even death of their unborn child and many wished that they had done things differently.

Some cynical people might say that people have been having babies from the time of our fore fathers without all the advancement in medicine and research. Yes, it's true but not every single person who ever got pregnant back then had a healthy baby. Many people then had also lost pregnancies, or have had complications or stillbirths too. The purpose of this article is to reduce all that through knowledge.

We all know that during pregnancy, you should not smoke or drink so that would not be included here, but if you didn't know that already, you are welcome.

Below are the things you are to avoid:

1. RAW AND UNDER-COOKED EGGS: In these parts, they are called ''half cooked'', ''watery yolk'' etc. Many people like eggs that are not well cooked for various reasons that vary by individuals, but during pregnancy, this is a no-no. In fact, it's not only raw or under-cooked eggs but things that contain raw eggs like mayonnaise, cakes and chocolate mousse and (ice cream in regions that have weak regulatory bodies) the reason that ice cream is mentioned here is because in countries that have good Food regulatory bodies, they ensure that the eggs used in ice cream is pasteurized, thus safe to eat but in some countries that have weak regulations like er, some countries, you cannot know what is used for the ice cream you buy. Eggs is not bad as it is a very good source of protein that is required during pregnancy and is a readily available way to get protein. Just make sure that when you want to eat eggs or things that contain eggs, that it is very well cooked.

Reason: Salmonella. Eggs might harbour salmonella bacteria but when you cook them well, you kill off these bacteria, but if you do not cook well, you might get salmonella from the eggs and this causes food poisoning. About 4% of cases get bacteraemia which is the presence of bacteria in the blood and can lead to intrauterine sepsis (Neonatal Sepsis)

2.COW’S LIVER:

I have friends that all they eat is liver in food. They love the taste so much and they have heard that it is highly nutritious; this is very true. Liver is nutritious but might be just too nutritious for a pregnant woman.

Reason:There are 2 types of Vitamin A. The first one is called provitamin A carotenoids (of which beta-carotene is one) and the preformed vitamin A.

For Provitamin A carotenoids, the sources are mainly from fruits and vegetables. There is no limit to the amount of this type of vitamin A that you can consume. Sources include carrots, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, tomato products and fruits.

Liver contains high amounts of preformed vitamin Aalso known as retinol. You can find this vitamin in eggs and milk as well.

Preformed vitamin A are highest in liver and fish oils as well but in lower quantities. The USDA, the food agency in the US, recommends getting NOT MORE than 10,000 IU of preformed vitamin A from animal sources,supplements and foods all combined each day. This is because preformed vitamin A, above these limits can affect the unborn child. A small portion of cow's liver for example, contains 30,000 IU of retinol. Which is already above the recommended limit.

Taking above the limit can cause teratogenic (Deforming) effects on the baby. It can reach the foetus quickly through the placenta causing dangerous teratogenic effects which disturb the development of an embryo or foetus or may cause a birth defect in the child. It may halt the pregnancy completely or give conditions like heart conditions, cleft palate, blindness & limbs reduction to the child.

So, this must be avoided during pregnancy.

GRAPES AND RAISINS: Did you know that Grapes are Raisins and Raisins are Grapes? Well, now you know. Raisins are dried Grapes.

Reason: The reason to avoid Grapes (and Raisins) is due to high amounts of resveratrol present in them. This chemical present in Grapes can cause the following for pregnant women:

Excessive heat in the stomach which can lead to diarrhoea, a dangerous condition for pregnant women because of fluid loss.

Acidity in the Grapes can lead to heartburn for pregnant women, who are already susceptible to heartburn anyway because of the pregnancy.

Resveratrol in Grapes can be toxic to hormonally Imbalanced pregnant women which might lead to severe complications.

Another reason to avoid grapes is the level of pesticides usually used on grapes before harvesting, to prevent pests from attacking it.

Also, avoid cereals that contain raisins like ‘’Fruit and Fibre’’ etc.


PAWPAW, PAPAYA (UNRIPE AND SEMI-RIPE): Although Pawpaw is rich in vitamin c and nutritious; In the middle-east, Pawpaw has been used from days of yore to induce abortions.

Reason: It is due to what is contained in pawpaw, mainly unripe and semi-ripe pawpaw- papain and latex which is well known to trigger uterine contractions. Also, avoid the seeds in smoothies and other sources.

PINEAPPLE: Pineapples are rich in bromelain, an enzyme naturally occurring in it.

Reason: The substance bromelain, in pineapples, softens the cervix and leads to pre-term labour. It can lead to miscarriages in early pregnancy too so it should not be consumed during pregnancy.

LICORICE: Licorice is the root of a plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. Did I hear “Who eats this licorice anyway”?

Licorice is used as spice in several cuisines and because Licorice is sweet, it is used in candies and sweets eg. “Twizzlers” and several diet gums. Its extracts are often used as flavouring agents to mask the bitter taste in medicinal preparations.

Reason: Natural licorice contains a component called glycyrrhizin, which decreases the strength of the placenta thereby allowing harmful hormones into your baby’s system during foetal development. These hormones can interfere with the development of your baby’s brain.

A study found that women who consumed large amounts of licorice during pregnancy, had children that were less intelligent, had low IQ and had behavioural problems.

Licorice can also cause uterine contractions and lead to pre-term labour.

Consumable items that contain licorice usually have it written on their labels, so read the content of what you want to eat and if it contains licorice, avoid it.

HOTDOGS/SAUSAGES AND SHAWARMA: Sadly, you might have to do away with your beloved shawarma and hotdogs during pregnancy.

Reason: They are prone to Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that causes listeriosis, which may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or other serious health problems for you and your baby.

Shawarma is even worse because it contains multiple possible sources of this pathogen. If you do not get it from the processed meat which is the sausage in it, you can get it from the meat sliced in it and if you avoid both, you can still get it because it is like an incubator for bacteria due to its salad-like preparation. So, for baby's and your sake, avoid shawarma, hotdogs, beef jerky, sausages. the risk is not worth the pleasure.

Other things to avoid, which I would not be able to expatiate on include:

Sugar-rich foods, Canned foods, Herbal teas and herbal supplements, caffeine products, Anything unpasteurized, salads outside (Not super-hygienically homemade), peanuts, cashews, chestnuts, filberts/hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts, raw vegetables, unwashed fruits and vegetables, swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tile fish.

Summarizing all this, just keep it simple, know that you have weeks to deprive yourself of certain pleasures, know the goal, which is to have a healthy child and be healthy. Always wash everything you want to eat (except of course, it cannot be washed) Always boil anything you can boil to kill bacteria and never take any drugs not given to you by a doctor that knows your pregnancy status.

At the age of 17, with a body mass that was fast resembling that of a wrestler, Pa Ubong Hanson discovered he had strength that was unrivalled by his peers in Ikot Eyo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Lifting objects that made his friends’ jaws drop, quickly earned him the monikers“World Sampson” and “Super Dragon”.

Then at the age of 20, he did the expected.

That day, Pa Hanson planted his two stout feet in the ground in front of a car and asked the driver inside it to engage the gears.

“I told the driver to hit the accelerator and drive the car forward while I pushed it backwards. My strength won against the car. It could not move forward at all,” he said.

That was the beginning of exploits that took Pa Hanson, now 77, across different countries in Africa, where he pulled cars with his dreadlocks and tested his strength against multiple men in unmatched tugs of war.

In his heyday, Pa Hanson was a hulk of raw muscle. Pictures of his younger self show him as someone in the league of world renowned body builders and wrestlers.

Today, with a head of grey dreadlocks and a face encircled by a tuft of equally grey beard neatly bound together at the chin, he is like an old soldier that never dies.

Thanks to social media, more than 20 years after Super Dragon retired from active strength performance, his pictures surfaced, showing him in a tug of war with 10 grown men, who strained unsuccessfully to pull him by his arm.

The most shocking of the pictures, was the one showing him pulling a car with a rope tied around his neck.

Old age has certainly told on Pa Hanson.

“In those days, I used to pull cars with my dreadlocks. My hair was the source of my strength,” he told our correspondent, when he was tracked down after his pictures went viral during the week.

According to Super Dragon, when he discovered his strength, he was in an auto mechanic school, with the hope that he would make his living repairing vehicles.

But fate pushed him in a different direction. He said he quit being a mechanic in 1964 and went fully into body building.

“I started to stop moving cars and life weights in my early 20s. At the time, I could beat up five of my mates at the same time. Right from that time, I realised that there were many things that I could do that others could not. My fame started growing. Whenever I was to perform, it was like I was possessed. The hair I used to pull vehicles never hurt. I felt nothing,” he said.

Pa Hanson told Saturday PUNCH that through the 60s and 70s, he ventured outside Nigeria to perform and spread his fame.

He said, “I went to Cairo, Egypt on a tourist visa and performed in public arenas. From there, I went to Ethiopia and established there for a while. I used Ethiopia as my headquarters for about seven years.

“After I left Ethiopia, I went to Kenya and also performed there. I performed in stadia and was always motivated when I saw the large crowd of people coming to watch my performances.”

While Pa Hanson, went around the continent performing, his wife of more than 40 years, held forth at home.

“I married my wife very young and she is now in her 60s. So, she was there at the early stage of my career. All my children were brought up and educated with the proceeds of my performances in and outside Nigeria,” he said.

Pa Hanson reminisced about his time in the stadia of Ethiopia and Kenya, where he challenged anybody in the crowd who felt he was strong enough to come out.

He said with just one arm, sometime up to 15 men could not move him.

Finally in the 80s, he decided to come back home.

Between the 80s and 90s he performed in schools in Akwa Ibom and surrounding states, as pupils paid a token to watch him.

With an extraordinary strength at his age, one might think that Pa Hanson has a special lifestyle or diet which keeps him in great shape, considering the fact that he lived in Ethiopia.

This, he said, would be a wrong assumption.

“I don’t have any special food or diet. But I do not smoke or drink alcohol,” he said.

But Super Dragon is not your everyday old man.

One could mistake him for any agile 50-year-old man.

In fact, our correspondent asked him to clarify the truth to his age claim because his physical look would make many doubt that he was indeed 77 and he simply laughed.

“Why would I lie about my age? What do I start to gain? My parents were literate and had a record of when I was born, but such records are long lost. I was born just before the start of World War II. Shortly after I was born, he went off to fight in the war,” he said.

Pa Hanson’s daily exercise regime would humble a lot of fitness enthusiasts.

According to him, he takes a walk every day, which sometimes goes on for up to 20 miles.

He said, “Apart from taking a walk, I jog around my compound on a daily basis. When I jog, I engage dynamic tension. (a process that involves tensing the muscles of a given body part and moving the body part against the tension as if a heavy weight were being lifted).

“I also lift weights every day. Men of my age group always marvel when they see me. Most of my peers cannot even walk due to old age. I have never had any illness like diabetes or arthritis that affects old people of my age and I have never been hospitalised.”

But Pa Hanson is not the only one with his kind of strength in the family. One of his brothers – Tarzan – went on to become a renowned wrestling champion.

None of his children tows his path because they simply could not match their father’s strength.

He said they made do with simply copying some of his workout regime for personal development and not professional use.

One of his children, Koko, told our correspondent that their father’s popularity actually made them an envy among their peers.

“People fear us because we are Super Dragon’s children. They were always afraid of taking us on in fights even though we don’t have his strength,” he said.

With an education that stopped at standard school level, Pa Hanson speaks good English, which he ascribed to his travels and exposure to many countries.

But despite his physical strength, he said his talent has been wasting away since he retired because government does not think he has anything to offer.

“There is a lot I can still offer young people in terms of sports and strength training. But I don’t think the government cares so much,” he said.

Pa Hanson currently keeps body and soul together through farming.

Ponponkon:
Bro lalasticlala the liars always say that Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is only working in Aba alone but these pictures are for your perusal