Paul ADEPOJU

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As early as five in the morning, protesters were already outside setting up barricades with logs of woods, trees and tires. The atmosphere was still cool that it looked as if things were normal. For a second, you would think the barricades were set up to inform drivers to be conscious and cautious of a faulty car nearby. It looked like a harmless gathering of early risers. But two hours later, things had gone haywire. Commotion was everywhere to the extent that you'd believe a revolt was taking place. Now look around and compare the scene with what held sway say like 2 hours ago. They aren't comparable and it's just one evident change you could see, burning tires.

Most times when there are civil actions like strikes and protests, at least a tire fire is seen on every street. This is not restricted to Nigeria, West and North Africa, or any other place; tire fires unite the world.

Understanding the importance of burning tires during struggles is quite difficult, almost impossible because recorded history has no definite description of the world's gradual interest in tire fire, and the world's acceptance of burning tires as a means of making peoples' grievances known.

The Arab Spring was initiated in Tunisia after a young man set himself on fire. Had he drowned himself in water, the effect wouldn't have been widely spread because some people would see his death as accidental or suicidal. But people all over the world take arson serious.

Tire fire is a serious strong message to the government suggesting that the people are annoyed and are ready to do anything; literally going all the way to achieve their set goals.

Rising global interest in addressing environmental challenges like global warming and climate change could tempt some badly hated governments to ban the burning of fires since it is scientifically proven as a major harm to the environment. Burning fires produce a lot of smoke, which often carries toxic chemicals from the breakdown of rubber compounds while burning. A single tire contains about the equivalent of 7.5 liters (two U.S. gallons) of oil. More than enough fuel to burn down 3 houses, or more when in the hands of a "professional".

States and cities like New York state, Minnesota and several others already have legislation in place to prevent or check indiscriminate burning of tires. But not in Africa. The anger of the people fuelled by the loss of interest of the government in addressing and regulating fire tire could be seen as an extension of the continent's centipede steps in addressing enormous challenges. Hence when there is a tire fire, the gory black images shot and aired by the foreign media paints the picture of a hardened government and resolute citizens that will go to any extent, including an interference with the delicately balanced ecosystem, to make their voices heard.

The burning tire is also expected to instill fear in the mind of those who are opposed to the cause. Tires are typically not prone to self-ignition as a tire must be heated to at least 400°C for a period of several minutes prior to ignition. Anyone who is ready to go all the way to that temperature and beyond should be taken serious because he/she/they are armed with a weapon of mass destruction. They can cast, bind and destroy with strong fire. That's why protesters are often prevented from getting access to properties and infrastructures of national or state importance. With just one misguided rolling burning tire, a national treasure could become a black heap of ashes. The fear of this happening is a bargaining power in the hands of protesters.

Apart from fuelling fires, tire fire also fuels anger. Throughout my experience with riots and rioters, protests and protesters, I've not seen happy people happily flaring tires. No. It's something you do when you are angry and you want to show your anger. In some environment-friendly conservative cultures, you throw shoes and you get attention. But elsewhere tire fire and arson might not even get mentioned in the newspapers which causes more anger and pressurised bottle becomes filled with maddening anger. This is what is happening in Nigeria.

Tire fire isn't an every protest event, it's reserved for those tough times when the issues affect every Nigerian irrespective of age, sex religion, and standard of living. During the military junta and the fight for democracy, tire fires were all over the country. A foreign tabloid even used the phrase "nation up in flames" to describe the struggles then. A re-enactment was also achieved during the labour-spearheaded strike action to oppose the recent hike in fuel pump price as a result of the president's removal of fuel subsidy.

While Boko Haram crisis is dividing the nation along religious, ethnic and sect lines, tire fire is uniting the rest of the nation. During the entire period of tire flaring, Boko Haram was on break. Robbers that decided to operate at night also had to contend with residents who stayed up till daybreak burning tires to ward off criminals.

Some of the questions that come to my mind every time I see thick black smokes from a tire fire is: Where are these tires coming from? Who is footing the bills (I've never seen protesters contribute money to buy a burning kit that includes tires). I also want to ask who is providing the matches? Who is striking the fire? More questions, few answers.

You rarely see the planning that goes into burning tires, but you will definitely see the resulting thick smoke and ashes on the road. This is an attitude that Nigeria and Nigerians should work on improving and utilizing to achieve a lot of great things. The burning tire symbolizes the aggregation of the peoples' affliction and dissatisfaction. The resulting thick smoke rises beyond what could be hidden or contained by any powerful force. And the ashes you step on while going about your daily chores are meant to remind you that the battle is not yet over, it is only suspended until a later date when the pressure will become unbearable and a burst will become inevitable. This is the mystery of the burning tire in Nigeria, and beyond.

When I first read about the superstar's video on NotJustOk, I thought it was another effort of the media to bring 2Face to the same par with Kokomaster D'banj. But I was wrong. The video is a classic timeless masterpiece. That's why I'm sharing it here. Shot at locations across Ghana, this is Africa's sensational, Nigerian international and Jostified singer - 2Face Idibia in Raindrops.

If I get to the hospital any minute after eight, I'm going to be late, except it's a Thursday which happens to be the city's monthly environmental sanitation exercise. On this day of the week, dirts from the closets find their way to the main roads where they are picked up the state's environmental health officers.

It is worthy to note that the environmental sanitation exercise is quite recent. And if the volume of dirts that are packed is anything to go by, then the city actually deserves more than Thursdays to keep citizens clean and healthy. But we can't spend the better part of the week just cleaning. Very soon, there will be nothing to clean up.

I'm currently working with an health energy expert to come up with a recycling plan but that is not the focus of this post. I'm exploring good sides of accumulated dirts to health.

They always say cleanliness is next to godliness. Which is true. But have you ever wondered why the poor man rarely falls sick, or why children of poor parents fair better than the rich kids. The reason is simply innate immunity.

Innate immunity refers to the body's self protection measures to ward off infections and infectious agents. Take chickenpox for instance. Almost every patient that I'm aware of their medical condition didn't return to the health center with chickenpox. The first (and only) encounter with the virus is often strong enough to teach the body how protect itself in the future. This has been proven to be true.

Lots of protective vaccines act by the introduction of the causative agent into the body system. This entry elicits immunological reactions that attacks and destroys the invading organism, and configures the body against future occurrence. It is so simple and scientists often rely on this to help the body protect itself against foreign invasion.

Talking of dirts, lots of infective micro organisms are live in dirts and usually expect unsuspecting individuals to come in contact with the dirt in order for the (the organisms) to continue their own life cycle. Understanding this principle can help modulate the body system and make it more responsive to reacting against foreign organisms on its own without much external interventions with their associated side effects. But there is the need for caution.

There are organisms that we can't just expose ourselves to in order to raise our immunity. Doing so is both stupid and suicidal. But we can work on other subtle conditions. This can help in tackling the issue of resistance since circulating antibodies will be the agents cleansing the body system.

While lots of ethical issues are involved, I can't help but be amazed at how difficult it is for good hygiene to ensure good health while the filthy insane man that eats dungs, sleeps in the open and drinks urine still remain hale, strong and healthy. His life clearly shows that there is more to dirts than filthy scents. It's left to scientists to tap into this raw demeaning yet pluripotent world of dirts. This could be a cutting edge area of research in medicine, a sector that has exhausted almost all availble options.

US President Barack Obama was at his best last night when he delivered the annual State of the Union address to the joint session of the US legislature. In the just-beyond-an-hour speech that is the last of his administration (except he gets a second term), he reiterated his commitment to ensuring equity in sacrifices made, less bailouts for companies, and new proposals on how to generate more jobs and ensure safe environments. From my point of view, the gave the Republican leading candidates an idea of what to expect when they go head-to-head at the polls. Watch the speech in its entirety below:

I live in a country with a larger proportion of citizens having malaria parasites swimming in their blood hence unless it has become a very serious illness, very few patients take malaria serious. Even out of those that are conscious of the malaria parasites in their bloodstream, very few voluntarily go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment. It is often over-the-counter tablet count that counts. And to a large extent, it is working... almost perfectly.

Four years ago, I read about a WHO TDR initiative in some parts of Africa and Asia that tested the efficacy of using local pharmacists in making drugs available to those who need them. The statistical analysis of figures gave highly significant results. But the problem however is that such measure further increases the possibility of resistance development that could be as a result of wrong diagnosis or incomplete dosage that could lead to tolerance and resistance.

Recently, a three-month old baby was pronounced dead after he was given a high dosage of antimalarial drug that was bought over the counter. Laboratory investigations showed that the baby's blood test tested negative for malaria parasites. It is a popular public health service announcement that drugs shouldn't be used without consulting the doctor, yet more drugs are bought without doctors' consents. This shows that to reduce mortality, health authorities ought to take drug retailers more serious than they currently do.

People are too busy or too poor to go to hospitals. The proximity of drug sellers to citizens of third world countries makes it even more difficult for the hospitals to properly regulate drug intakes. In commercial buses, parks, and on foot, drugs of varying qualities are presented at ridiculously cheaper prices.

Fake drugs are ubiquitous, expired capsules are cosmopolitan while adulterated syrups still rake in millions of dollars annually. Even quality well kept and perfectly dispensed medicines are also harmful when improperly used.

Unlike the popular notion that drugs are good, no drug is perfectly good. It's a give-and-take scenario in the body system. The drugs takes care of the ailment and in return, it leaves a side effect.

Current potent malaria drugs weaken the body system. Cancer drugs can shut down the immune system. Several others can induce vomiting, appetite loss, hair loss, insomnia, destruction of well needed body cells and a host of others. There are even drugs that can negatively affect libido. And some, when not properly used, can stop heart beat.

Tablets look harmless, but the quantum of energy embedded in the molecules is scary. If only scientists can also demonstrate the mechanism of action of most of the drugs that people use without medical advise, very few will dare to take them. But the secret is properly kept away.

To make drugs safer, natural drugs should be the focus. Purification should be the method. And street sales must be outlawed.

It is funny how beers could get to the most interior villages and rural areas, but safe drugs cannot reach all. It is a pure demonstration of unseriousness and sheer ineptitude.

There are many massive drug retail companies that can invest in tackling the avoidable deaths as a result of unsafe drug intake, and can help collate pharmacovigilance data at the local levels. Furthermore, they can also provide essential services to tackle adverse drug reactions and can transport victims to medical facilities nearby for treatment.

As a medical professional, I'm very scared of drugs. I don't abuse or use them indiscriminately because they are very powerful. The adverse effects of drugs also make drug intake a last resort and not a first line of action because what has been ingested is difficult to withdraw without exerting its effect to the fullest.

Our bodies shouldn't be a laboratory for dangerous experiments by indiscriminate use of drugs. We are higher on the food chain, we should know better.