Stroke risks increase with high levels of anxiety

 

The negative health effects of anxiety, such as increased coronary heart disease risks, have long been documented and accepted in the medical community. But now, research suggests that individuals with high levels of anxiety have an increased risk for stroke.

The researchers, who are from the University of Pittsburgh, published the results of their study in the journal Stroke.

They say that anxiety disorders - characterized by fear, unease and worry - impact nearly 20% of US adults each year and often last for at least 6 months.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops, and the American Stroke Associationsays this cuts off oxygen and nutrients that are vital for the brain. When this happens, brain cells die, and depending in which side of the brain the stroke occurs, effects can include paralysis, vision or speech problems, memory loss and behavioral changes.

Stroke is the number four killer in the US and is a leading cause of disability, the researchers note.

"Anxiety is a very common condition in the general population," says Maya Lambiase, a post-doctoral scholar at the University of Pittsburgh and lead author of the study. But she notes that anxiety is a "modifiable behavior," adding:

"Assessment and treatment of anxiety has the potential to not only improve overall quality of life, but also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, later in life."

The investigators say their study is the first to suggest a link between high anxiety and an increased stroke risk, despite other known risk factors, such as depression.

High-anxiety individuals 33% more likely to have stroke

Individuals who are highly anxious have a 33% increased risk of suffering a stroke, researchers found.

To conduct their research, the team analyzed over 6,000 individuals between the ages of 25 and 74 who had never had a stroke.

These participants were part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which involved data collection between 1971 and 1975.

The participants completed questionnaires that assessed anxiety and depression levels, and researchers followed them for 22 years, during which the team recorded stroke occurrences from death certificates and reports from hospitals and nursing homes.

Results showed that participants with the highest anxiety levels were 33% more likely to suffer a stroke, compared with those who were less anxious.

"Most of the focus up until this point has been on depression," says Prof. Rebecca Thurston, co-author of the study.

"These findings encourage practitioners to assess and treat anxiety, as well as to reconsider popular notions such as 'worried well' - this worrying may not make us so well," she adds.

The researchers also found that people who had high anxiety levels were more likely to smoke and be physically inactive, which they say may also explain some of the links between anxiety and stroke.

"Even a modest increase in anxiety was associated with an increase in stroke risk," Lambiase says, "so greater education and awareness of anxiety management is important."

Medical News Today recently reported on a study that suggested a gene linked to stress increases heart attack risk in individuals by 38%


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How Illbliss And Clarence Peters Made Chidinma Ekhile S*x Tape Scandal Die Down

How Illbliss And Clarence Peters Made Chidinma Ekhile S*x Tape Scandal Die Down

Some weeks back, it was all over the place that Chidinma Ekhile aka miss kedike sex tape was released and many dispersed her and said lot of negative comment, she even defended her self by acclaiming she is a virgin. Nigerian rapper Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofor aka Illbliss in a chat with HipTV revealed that Chidinma’s alleged s*x tape scandal which went viral weeks back devastated the singer, adding that she cried profusely. Illbliss recounted how he and his team rallied round the Kedike hit singer and assured her the scandal would be strategically handled. He and Clarence Peter spearhead Capital Hill Music, which is home to Chidinma, Phyno and Da Suspect. Illbliss said: ‘I got an e-mail from a blogger one morning saying that ‘your artiste Chidinma has a sex tape out, get in touch with us’ and I called her that morning and told her (Chidinma). All she did was cry her eyes out, saying ‘I’m only a small girl; I’ve not wronged anybody, why will anyone do this to me?’ ‘…I told her that we will speak when we want to and it will not be to defend the sex tape issue but to communicate her success. And indeed it worked!’

How Illbliss And Clarence Peters Made Chidinma Ekhile S*x Tape Scandal Die Down

How Illbliss And Clarence Peters Made Chidinma Ekhile S*x Tape Scandal Die Down

Some weeks back, it was all over the place that Chidinma Ekhile aka miss kedike sex tape was released and many dispersed her and said lot of negative comment, she even defended her self by acclaiming she is a virgin. Nigerian rapper Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofor aka Illbliss in a chat with HipTV revealed that Chidinma’s alleged s*x tape scandal which went viral weeks back devastated the singer, adding that she cried profusely. Illbliss recounted how he and his team rallied round the Kedike hit singer and assured her the scandal would be strategically handled. He and Clarence Peter spearhead Capital Hill Music, which is home to Chidinma, Phyno and Da Suspect. Illbliss said: ‘I got an e-mail from a blogger one morning saying that ‘your artiste Chidinma has a sex tape out, get in touch with us’ and I called her that morning and told her (Chidinma). All she did was cry her eyes out, saying ‘I’m only a small girl; I’ve not wronged anybody, why will anyone do this to me?’ ‘…I told her that we will speak when we want to and it will not be to defend the sex tape issue but to communicate her success. And indeed it worked!’

Africa's youngest billionaire Ashish Thakkar, OC Ukeje, Kenneth Gyang, Saeed Jumah and others win at The Future Awards Africa 2013 in Port Harcourt

The names of the 16 winners of The Future Awards Africa 2013 were formally announced yesterday, at an annual awards ceremony hosted by the Rivers State Government; Dr. Rotimi Amaechi in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Chude Jideonwo, executive director of The Future Project and co-founder of The Future Awards Africa, commented, "I am delighted to announce the winners of this year's The Future Awards Africa. This year has been the most difficult year to judge to date, with so many compelling and inspiring stories of young Africans, all of whom deserve to be recognised and rewarded. The winners of this year's Awards will go on to inspire a new generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs across Africa and we're looking forward to seeing the winners go on to touch thousands of lives across our great continent, leaving behind a legacy that will be recognised for years to come."

The Future Awards Africa, described by the World Bank as 'The Nobel Prize for young Africans', recognise and reward the success and achievements of young people aged between 18 and 31 living in Africa. They have been awarded in 15 separate categories, including: advocacy and activism, business, agriculture, education and fashion.

Guests included the CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Wiebe Boer, magazine publisher Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Rivers commissioner for information, Ibim Semenitari, comedian Julius Agwu, amongst others.

In just eight years, the Awards have produced over 120 winners and 1,200 nominees in Nigeria. This year the awards became pan-African for the first time with 85 young Africans from countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Liberia all nominated to receive awards. The Awards were presented in partnership with Microsoft, the British Council, Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Access Bank.

The winners of this year's Awards are:
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM
This award is given to a young person who has demonstrated exceptional vision, passion, and commitment to a social or developmental cause and made a measurable impact on lives.

WINNER: Orode Uduaghan-Okpu (24)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
This award is given to a researcher, scientist, innovator, inventor who has distinguished herself or himself and achieved a measurable breakthrough in the field of science and technology.

WINNER: Hugo Obi (32)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN COMMUNITY ACTION
This award is given to a young person who has remarkably changed the lives of a community or communities.

WINNER: Ife Adebayo (30)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN NEW MEDIA
This award is given to a young person who is reaching new frontiers as an innovator, publisher, business owner, entrepreneur, or professional in new media.

WINNER: Kingsley Ezeani (23)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ENTERTAINMENT TALENT
This award is given to a young person in the entertainment industry who has recorded remarkable achievement in music, acting, dance, television, and other fields of entertainment.

WINNER: OC Ukeje (32)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISE

This award is given in conjunction with the British Council and it is now called 'The British Council and The Future Awards Africa Prize for The International Young Media Entrepreneur of the Year'. It is awarded to a young person working in the media who stands out among his or her peers, demonstrates entrepreneurial and leadership abilities, potential to change his or her sector, market awareness, and understanding.

WINNER: Uche Pedro
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN JOURNALISM
This award is given to a writer, reporter, presenter, producer, and other professionals working in the journalism profession who has demonstrated excellence in the work of telling of stories and bringing the news to the public.

WINNER: Toyosi Ogunseye (29)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN BUSINESS
This award is given to an entrepreneur who has demonstrated extraordinary vision, leadership, and commitment to running a business enterprise, and recorded measurable business success in terms of growth (profit, market share, employees) and/or in terms of his or her reputation (creativity, quality, and aesthetic).

WINNER: Saheed Jumar (28)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN PUBLIC SERVICE
This award is given to a professional or technocrat who has made outstanding contribution in public service.

WINNER: Dr. Adanna Chukwuma (31)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
This award is given to a professional or a technocrat who has made an outstanding contribution in the private sector.

WINNER: Kayode Temenu (29)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN AGRICULTURE
This award is given to an entrepreneur, advocate, or professional who has demonstrated vision, leadership, and commitment and made a measurable impact in the field of agriculture, and agro-related causes and organisations.

WINNER: Precious Peter Nweke (31)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN FASHION & STYLE
This award is given to a young person who has demonstrated measurable achievement in the field of fashion and style. This includes designers, photographers, models, stylists, make-up artistes, entrepreneurs, and business owners.

WINNER: Aisha Bello (24)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ARTS & CULTURE
This award recognizes extraordinary achievement in the promotion and the preservation of the best of our arts and culture. This includes young creators, innovators, entrepreneurs, designers, artists, film makers, and cartoonists.

WINNER: Kenneth Gyang (27)
THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN ENTERPRISE SUPPORT
This award is given to a young person(s) who has excelled in running a business or organisation whose service or work enhances supports or provides solutions for SMEs.

WINNER: Ayodeji Adewunmi (29), Opeyemi Awoyemi (25), and Olalekan Olude (29)

THE FUTURE AWARDS PRIZE IN EDUCATION
This award is given to a young person who has recorded measurable impact in advancing education through advocacy, activism, innovation, enterprise, and, institution building.

WINNER: Otto Orondaam (26)
THE YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR
WINNER: This prize is given in partnership with the African Union Commission (AU) and is awarded to a young African whose work sets him or her apart as a role model, setting the pace for other young leaders on the continent.

WINNER: Ashish Thakkar (32)
*Nominees aged 32 were 31 in the period under review (2012/2013)

Profiles of the nominees are available on thefutureafrica.com/awards

About The Future Awards Africa
In seven years, The Future Awards Africa has produced over 120 winners and 1,200 nominees across the world. Our mission at The Future Awards Africa is to inspire leadership and build enterprise. With its umbrella The Future Project, it has been in the forefront of inspiring a new generation of leaders/leadership and entrepreneurs for Nigeria, working with the Africa Union, the US Government, the British Council, the

Ministry of Youth Development, the Nigerian Presidency amongst other organs. Winners of the awards over the years include: D¹banj, Don Jazzy, Mercy Johnson, Tolu Ogunlesi, Banky W, Seyi Law, Bridget Awosika, Ify Aniebo, Debola Lewis, Matse, Jesse Jagz, M.I, Linda Ikeji, Toolz,Cobhams Asuquo, Onye Obanatu, Lamide Akintobi, Mosumola Umoru, Toyosi Akerele, Funke AkindeleUche Nnaji, Banke Meshida-Lawal, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche and others.

About Red Media Africa
Red Media Africa is a PR & Communication firm under the parent company, RED. An innovative media company focused on Africa, RED's vision is to excite and empower an evolving generation through the media¹s limitless possibilities. Built across tools and platforms, its Communication Division holds Red Media, Red Marketing and Red Media-SME Support; and its Content Division holds the Y! brands, including Y! TV, Y! TV, Y! Magazine, YNaija.com, Teen Y!, TeenYNaija.com, Y! 2015, YNaija2015.com and the Y! Annual Black Ball/Y! 100Most Influential List. It also anchors a development firm, The Future Project Africa, which presents Africa¹s leading youth platform, The Future Awards Africa, and other projects including the Nigeria Symposium for Young & Emerging Leaders and The Future Enterprise Support Scheme.





ADEBOLA WILLIAMS; FOUNDING PARTNER OF THE FUTURE PROJE CT SPEAKS


ADESUWA ONYENOKWE; A MEMBER OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDIT COMMITTEE


AWARD WINNER IFE ADEBAYO


AWARD WINNER- KINGSLEY EZEANI


FASHION AT TFAA2013


GBENRO AND ISIO AT TFAA2013


JESSE JAGZ PERFORMS AT TFAA2013


OC UKEJE - WINNER OF THE FUTURE AWARDS IN ENTERTAINMENT TALENT


OC UKEJE, JULIUS AGWO AND GBENRO AJIBADE


REP OF THE TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION PRESENTS AWARD TO AYO DEJI ADEWUNMI (29), OPEYEMI AWOYEMI (25), AND OLAL EKAN OLUDE (29)


RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR AMAECHI SPEAKS

Desmond Elliot Not Joining Labour Party

Desmond Elliot Not Joining Labour Party

An industry source has informed Nigeriafilms.com that popular actor turned movie director, Desmond Elliot has not joined the Labour Party to contest in the 2015 general elections, contrary to recent reports. We were told that the best friend of Uche Jombo has not yet decided under which party to achieve his political ambition in 2015. The industry source confirmed to us that the former 'Everyday People' actor is eyeing politics and is doing everything possible to become an Honourable come 2015. "Desmond has not joined the Labour Party, forget about the news reports flying around on the internet. He's yet to declare which party to make his dream come true in 2015," the source confided in Nigeriafilms.com. Desmond Elliot will not be the first entertainer eyeing political post. The likes of Tony One Week, Rotimi Makinde, RMD and others are with one political party serving their fatherland.

Obasanjo to APC: I'm still in PDP

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo,  on Saturday told the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) that he remains a 'card carrying member' of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said, 'My Party is PDP. My politics is Nigeria, Africa and the World in that order. I am a democrat and I do know that one of the essential ingredients of democracy is opposition.


'Always put Nigeria first above personal and group interests.


'The politics that should be played should be politics with decency, without rancour and one that has Nigeria at the heart of all that is done.


'I am incurably optimistic about Nigeria and I am also totally committed to Nigeria and nothing will divert me or distract me from that commitment.'


Obasanjo spoke while receiving leaders of APC at his Hilltop home in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State.


He  told the leaders of the APC, who visited him on Saturday in continuation of their consultations on political developments in Nigeria that he is a democrat that believes in the existence of opposition.


The former president said these after a two-hour meeting held behind closed-doors. He commended the APC leaders, saying opposition was an essential ingredient of democracy.


'I regard this as an honour; to come and present your party and tell me the objectives. But let me start by saying that I am a card-carrying member of the PDP. But the politics I play traverse Nigeria, Africa and world in that order.


'I am a democrat and one of the essential ingredients of democracy is opposition. A democracy that has no opposition built into it is not democracy. As an opposition, you are enhancing democracy. You are at home, you are welcome.


'I will just appeal that the politics you play is politics without rancor; without bitterness; with decency; that has Nigeria at heart. I am an incurable optimist about Nigeria. I am totally committed to Nigeria and nothing will divert me from that commitment,' he said.


The APC leaders eulogised the virtues of the former president, describing him as a reference point in Nigeria's politics.


The former president has become the latest bride for the  APC.


Not ready to leave any stone unturned, the leadership and chieftains of APC latched on to the souring of the relationship between Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan to woo the former president to declare for their party.


The party had paid similar visits to all former members of G7 governors, who similarly had soured relationship with current leadership Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Their effort yield five governors out the seven in the former G&, as both Gov Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Sule Lamido Jigawa developed cold feet at the last moment.


APC leaders were in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Saturday to try their luck on Obasanjo, after all by his actions and words his sympathy appears to have shifted against the party.


APC's  delegation was led by the party's Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari; former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu; former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ((EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Interim National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Others leaders of the party in attendance were governors of Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Kwara, Adamawa and Rivers states, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, Mallam Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso and Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, respectively.


Also in attendance were former governors of Kwara and Borno states, Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator Alli Modu Sheriff, respectively; former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Imam; Senator Osita Isunazor and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Bello Masari.


The chieftains of the APC had earlier converged on the Oke-Igbein Government House and left for Obasanjo's house in a white Coaster bus marked OGGH 142, at about 5.40 p.m. They were all received by Obasanjo who was clad in white flowing garment (agbada) and a blue cap to match. They went straight into a meeting which lasted for 25 minutes.


Akande, in his remarks, said they were in Abeokuta to introduce the APC as an opposition party and also to show their support for Obasanjo on the 18-page letter written to President Goodluck Jonathan recently.


He said that the former Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman of the PDP was in the best position to write such a germane letter to anyone, considering his wealth of experience about the political landscape of the Nigeria.


Senator Tinubu, who also addressed the gathering, said the party saluted the courage of Obasanjo for speaking the truth about the state of the nation. He said their visit was not to woo Baba, but to tap from his wealth of experience.


'You have come out of tribulation and held the highest position in this country. We are here because of your courage and salient point. Nobody can dispute the fact by saying he has more information than you.


'You have surmounted number of crises. Nigeria is divided more than before. We need to realise a stable Nigeria. We want to encourage you to continue to speak the truth. We have resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria. We want you as our navigator,' he said.


Obasanjo, in his response, added that the issue of Nigeria went beyond party politics. He called on the political class to play politics without bitterness or rancour, as the nation gravitates towards another political dispensation.


Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, has described moves by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to woo some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as antithetical to spirit of progressive politics.

As The House Of Reps Revisits The Impeachment Clause

 

In this piece, JOHN AMEH X-rays the impeachment clause in the 1999 Constitution and a renewed attempt by the House of Representatives to simplify the process of impeaching the President and the Vice-President 

The beauty of democracy rests largely on inbuilt checks and balances. It also provides the latitude for the minority to have their say, while the majority has its way. 

In theory, there is a separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary which constitute the three arms of government. However, in practice, what exists is interdependence. 

Under a Presidential system of government, the constitution confers enormous powers on the head of the executive branch who is the President. 

It however gives the legislature a leash with which to ensure that such powers are not abused. 

Of all the powers vested on the legislature to keep the President in check, the most potent is the power to impeach and possibly remove him/her from office. 

To impeach is to accuse, indict, incriminate, charge or arraign before a tribunal and eventually to remove from office. 

This power has over the years been used to threaten sitting Presidents. Nigerian has so far had four elected Presidents since 1979, none has been impeached. 

It is however worthy of note that the closest the National Assembly has gone in an attempt to use this power was on August 13, 2002. 

The then House of Representatives led by Ghali Umar Na'Abba handed President Olusegun Obasanjo a two-week ultimatum to resign or be impeached. 

The lower chamber of the National Assembly at the time accused the President of committing 17 constitutional infractions some of which include his 'illegal' deployment of troops to 'murder' innocent civilians in Odi and Zaki Biam as well as refusal to pay deserving states the 13 percent derivation among other offences. 

A political solution was found to the problem with dire consequences for those who dared to go beyond mere threats. 

The process of democratically removing a sitting President from office is a tedious one. 

In a bid to simplify the process, the Mr. Emeka Ihedioha-led Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, proposed an amendment to the existing law. 

A bill to this effect was sponsored by Mr. Yakubu Dogara and three others. The bill seeks to delete Section 143 from the 1999 Constitution and replace it with a new one. 

The long title of the bill reads, 'A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of Section 143 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Remove Ambiguities in the Process of Removal of the President and the Vice-President from Office on Allegation of Gross Misconduct and to Provide for a More Transparent and Democratic Procedure for Impeachment and for other Matters Connected Thereto, 2013.' 

Under the proposal, the process of impeaching the President and the Vice-President will start from the House of Representatives and end with the 'trial' of the offender by the Senate, where the Chief Justice of Nigeria will preside. 

The current provision stipulates among other things, that the President or Vice-President may be removed from office on the completion of a process which starts with the signing of a petition against the President by at least one-third of members of the National Assembly. 

The signed document which is expected to state that the President is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of his functions is then presented to the Senate President. 

He shall notify the President within seven days of the receipt of the impeachment notice. 

Copies of the notice must also be given to individual members; the Senate President is also required to give each member a copy of the President's reply. 

Whether or not the President replies, each chamber of the National Assembly shall resolve by motion without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated. 

A two-thirds majority of members is expected to vote in support of an investigation before such can be carried out. 

The Chief Justice of Nigeria shall within seven days after the passage of the motion, request the President of the Senate, to appoint a Panel of seven persons of unquestionable integrity to investigate the allegation(s). 

A President who is being investigated shall have the right to defend himself in person and or be represented before the Panel, by legal practitioners of his choice. 

The panel is to report its findings within three months if the allegations are not proved, the impeachment proceedings ends. 

However, where the panel proves the allegation(s) and reports same to the National Assembly, each chamber is expected to consider the report, and if by a resolution of two-thirds majority of all members, the report of the Panel is adopted, then the holder of the office shall stand removed from office as from the date of the adoption of the report. 

For the new bill, this extant procedure is 'cumbersome.' 

The new bill simply empowers the Committee of the House of Representatives on Judiciary to decide when to initiate impeachment once allegations of 'gross misconduct' are leveled against the President. 

Sub-section 2(a) stipulates that once such a decision is made, the 'Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary of the House of Representatives shall propose a motion for the allegation to be investigated 

A simple majority is all that is required to commence investigations. 

The bill provides that, the committee shall present its findings to the House, indicating whether the impeachment is called for or not. 

Sub-section 4, provides that, if any article of impeachment considered by the House is approved by a simple majority vote of members present, 'the President or Vice-President shall be impeached.' 

Following the impeachment by the House, the bill provides that, the 'Speaker shall within seven days, transmit the House resolution to the Senate for trial.' 

Upon reaching the Senate, the upper chamber is also required within seven days to 'formulate rules and procedures for holding a trial of the impeached office-holder.' 

According to the new bill, the trial shall take place within 14 days at a session 'presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria,' while a select committee of House members shall serve as 'prosecutors.' 

The bill provides further, 'The Senate shall within seven days after the trial, consider in a closed session, the verdict and within 14 days after consideration, vote in plenary on a verdict.' 

Sub-section 8 stipulates that, should the Senate's verdict concur with the resolution of the House, two-thirds majority of Senators present shall vote to convict the office-holder, 'and the holder of the office shall stand removed from office.' 

The Senate is given the discretion to decide whether the impeached office-holder should be banned from holding public office or a position of trust in the future by a simple majority vote. 

Having been impeached, Sub-section 9 disallows any court from entertaining litigation in respect of the matter. This agrees with part of the existing law. 

At a recent public hearing on the proposed piece of legislation, the Nigeria Labour Congress agrees that Section 143 as it stands today is 'cumbersome, ambiguous, fettered, time-consuming and not intended to achieve the result of effecting change. 

Mr. Benson Upah, who represented the NLC President at the hearing, said the President himself knows that it is almost impossible to impeach him under the present law. 

This, he said, encourages him to treat resolutions of the National Assembly with levity. 

He said, 'This no doubt defeats the letter, spirit and essence of the principle of separation of powers. 

'It needs no stating that democracy suffers when checks and balances go with the wind. 

'When democracy suffers, the rights and privileges of the citizenry also suffer. 

'In other words, it is the precursor to dictatorship or tyranny.' 

The NLC equally noted that much as the proposed change was welcomed, utmost sense of responsibility and decorum should come with the reviewed powers of the National Assembly. 

The labour leader said this was required in order to minimise or eliminate the temptation for abuse. 

Contributions at the session generally took after that of the NLC, with some supporting the new bill and others are foreseeing danger of possible abuse. 

Some contributors noted that the 'exuberant conduct of most members of the House' could drive them to initiate the impeachment of the President at the slightest provocation. 

The bill is not yet a law. From the public hearing, the Ihedioha committee will report to the House on its findings. 

Members will consider the report on the bill in plenary and either endorse it or reject it. 

To approve this proposed amendment, two-thirds (240) of the 360 members of the House must vote to accept it. 

Similarly, Senate must also endorse the bill as an item to be included in the new constitution by two-thirds majority vote. 

The final lap is the approval by two-thirds (24) vote of the 36 state Houses of Assembly for any change to be effected in the constitution. 

Will simplifying the impeachment process curb executive excesses? only time will tell.