World Hepatitis Day: 2 Million people dieing from it.

Kicking Hepatitis out of Nigeria with the Royals, General Yakubu Gowon, Princess Peju Hameed, Chief Agboola, Prof. Victor Adetiloye and Latasha Ngwube: Good will Ambassador. 

Today is world Hepatitis Day, yet only a few are aware of the disease. It is estimated that over 450 million people in the world are infected with the Hepatitis virus infection in the world, and 50 million are in Africa. Sadly enough, people die of Hepatitis B & C. More than 90 per cent of carriers of the disease are not even aware of it. 

After the adoption of a resolution during the 63rd World Health Assembly in May 2010, the World Hepatitis Day was endorsed to be globally celebrated on July 28 in honour of the 1976 Nobel Laureate Baruch Samuel Blumberg for his outstanding research work on the discovery, and effective test for hepatitis B. 

The virus kills and damage the liver; it is more dangerous and deadly than HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. There is need to create awareness programmes to help minimize the spread of the deadly virus. However, WHO is alerting people to the risks of contracting hepatitis from unsafe objects, such as; unsafe blood, unsafe injections, and sharing of sharps objects, including sharing drug-injections equipment. 

Also, to mark the day in Nigeria, her Majesty Yeyeluwa Wuraola Ogunwusi, Latasha Ngwube among others flagged off the WALK for life against Hepatitis on the street of Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria. Despite the rain, her majesty still did walk, as a good will Ambassador; creating awareness and educating the people about the hepatitis virus infection. They were healthcare personnel there for people to get screened. 

"Did you know about 4,000 people die daily from 1- of the 5 strains of Hepatitis?, did you know it is treatable/curable if detected early?"- Latasha Ngwube who was also screened today at centre of the event today in Ile-Ife Osun state Nigeria. Latasha Ngwube took the walk today with her majesty Yeyeluwa Wuraola Ogunwusi alongside with the youth as the good will Ambassador. 

It is advised, that everyone go for a test, and take necessary precautions. Effective treatment are available for hepatitis B and there is cure for hepatitis C, so, it is very crucial to talk to your health care manager or doctor in order to know your hepatitis status, and way out where necessary. It is a standard precautionary measure for all pregnant women to be screened for hepatitis in order to protect them and their unborn baby. 

Furthermore, all women should get Hepatitis A and B vaccine before pregnant. There are safe and effective vaccine against Hepatitis A and B types. In Europe, Germany for instance, most of the European women get the vaccine before getting pregnant; the vaccine is in three package which last in the body for 10, years. 

Save tips: Avoid sharing needles or personal items such as; razors, needle, clippers etc. Avoid tattoos, and other body piercings activities and also avoid casual and unprotected sexual intercourse. Let us spread the NEWS and not the virus!

Queendaline Schneider

Photo credit: Latasha Ngwube.

Green Town (Grünstadt) Wine Festival Germany 2016

The Grünstadt wine Festival on Sunday, July 24, 2016, in Luitpoldplatz street. From 10:am, is the worlds of wine, live music bands, food and wine vendors, and the children carousel was part of the events. It was a nice and lovely day, as the people enjoys the music bands, and wine at the occassion. 

It is estimated that 65 percent of the German wine production is coming from the Rheinland-Pfalz. Germans are also known for the production of wine, however, Germany is the eighth largest wine producing country in the world. 

Speaking with some of the winegrower, in the Leiningerlandes at the Grünstadt Wine Festival, it is obvious that white wine is the highest production of wine in the area or in Germany. According to Mr Klaus Grün, one of the winegrower (wine is good Otto grün) Grünstadt-Sauseheim, who has been in the business for over 30 years, he is the third generation of the otto grün wine. He explained that they produced 30 percent red wine and 70 percent white wine. And in his own word he says "wine is good for enjoyment, one or two glasses a day isn't bad". He went further to explained, that since the people are in the area of wine, it also makes the people to drink wine. And of course wine is a tradition in Germany. 

I also met Miss Anna Lena, she is the 67 winegräfin, Leiningerlandes from Obringheim. She explained about her new office as the new elected weingräfin, for tourism, and continue to promote wine in Germany. Alongside with her father, they also talk about various wine production; in their styles, such as; dry, semi-sweet, sweet white wine, red wine, and sekt. They produces 40 percent red wine, and 60 percent white wine. Müsel wine is good has been in existence since 1737, it was founded by Johan Sebastian Müsel, and Anna Lena and her family are the eight generation of the Müsel wine. 

Personally, I find this interesting,that most of the winegrower in Germany inherited their vineyard from their forefathers, and are still able to meet up with good production of wine. There is also in Germany, a wine Queen, and wine princess but in Leiningerlandes is the wine countess (weingräfin), I guess this is coming from the history in 17 century, Countess Eva of the Leiningerlandes Castle. And this has become part of the wine festival in Grünstadt or Leiningerlandes as the people elect new wine countess (weingräfin) every year, to show case the wine festival annually. 

It was indeed a great day today, because the rain can disrupt the wine festival, and that would have stop people from coming out. It was a nice event as the people in Grünstadt and around Grünstadt sitting outside and inside the tent, eating and enjoying a glass
of wine.  Three music bands performed, starting first with TSG music band. TSG is also one of the oldest music band in Grünstadt, it was founded in 1861, and they are in partnership with Grünstadt music school according to one of the member of the band, Daniel Hennig. They are also known as the Blaskapelle Grünstadt. And around 1:pm, the Akkordeoh Orchester Leinngerland starts to play... Such a nice event! Also I will not forget the friendly gestures, as the people interacted with me there, especially the older ones. Oh what a friendly gestures! Indeed wine gladdens the heart"- Psalm 104:5

Few Africa countries are into wine production, such as; South Africa, Egypt amongs others. But Nigerian produces palm wine. Palm wine is an alcoholic beverage created from palm tree or coconut palms. It is known by various names in different regions of Nigeria. The yoruba people of Nigeria call it "Emu" meaning wine. Usually, the white liquid that is first colleted is tends to be very sweet, and non-alcoholic before it is fermented. As a child I drank a lot of new palm wine, as it is claimed to be healthy, (Palm wine it said to be a good source of vitamin B1,B3 &B12), so therefore a lot of parents in Nigeria gives their child or children new palm wine to clean their stomach. There are no wine festival in Nigeria (Africa) but palm wine plays an important role; in many ceremonies in some part of Nigeria, for example, the Igbo people of Nigeria use palm wine as part of traditional marriage rites. Etc

As white wine or sparkling wine is rooted in the German culture, so is palm wine deeply rooted in the West Africa culture (Nigeria). But there are really no wine festival in Nigeria as it is here in Germany, since Nigeria do not belong to the red or white wine producing regions of the world. 

Queendaline Schneider.