PROFILE ABOUT MYSELF (MISS MARY EMMANUEL UMOH)

I am Mary Emmanuel Umoh by name, and I am fondly called by friends “pretty Damsel”. I was born in 21st march 1992 at the Iquita hospital Oron Local Government Area.
I am from Ndon Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Atai Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State Nigeria. I am from a Christian family, among three (3) siblings, I am the first daughter.
I am a devoted member of the Apostolic Church and a full communicant and a chorister.
I live residently at #10 Marina road Oron Local Government Area.
I attended the most outstanding nursery school in Oron ‘Holy Handmaid Infant Jesus Nursery School’ Oron. Later gain admission into African Methodist Episcopal Commercial School Ndon Ebom, Uruan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. I was appointed the dormitory prefect, and I was partially rude to students due to the experience I had when I was a junior student. I threaten them till the essence for them to realise that dormitory is a war front. Although it was part of school life. I went further for computer programme which I had a Diploma in Graphics and Design in 2009.
Fortunately for me, I got admission into the University of Uyo, Department of Communication Arts, faculty of Arts.
I am dark in complexion, tall and a round face with a pointed nose. I am gentle in nature and outlook.
My likeness are as follows;

•     Humbleness

•     Meekness

•     God fearing

•     Hardworking etc

My dis-likeness are;

•     Proudness

•     Boastfulness

•     Laziness

•     Dullness etc.

My best hobbies are;

•     Singing

•     Dancing

•     Acting

•     Reading

•     Watching movies

•     Cooking etc.

My favourite foods are Afang soup, pounded yam, coco yam porridge, salad etc.
I like watch Naija music and Ghanaian’s movie. My best musician is 2face Idibia. My favourite actor Van Vicker and my best Actress is Jackie Appiah because of their outlook.
My best colour is blue (love), Pink (gentleness), white (honesty). My best attire is English dressing. I like attending church programme, wedding ceremonies etc.
 I like indoor games e.g  Ludo.
I like visiting places like Museum, Calabar Zoo, libraries, Cyber-café etc.
My best known languages are English, Ibibio which is my mother’s tongue, Oron, Annang, Igbo etc. I am generous in character, soft spoken and popularly known by people.

MALARIA AND MATERNAL/INFANT MORTALITY IN NIGERIA

MALARIA; can simply be defined as a recurrent fever caused by a parasite, transmitted by a mosquito bites. It’s also a common mosquito borne disease.

MATERNAL:  it can easily be known as a mother or motherly.

INFANT: it’s a child during the earliest period of its life. A child below the age of seven years.

MORTALITY: the process of being subject to death.

Malaria and maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria is a recognised risk factor for death.

Malaria is the main killer of infant and young children. Malaria in maternal during pregnancy is also a recognised risk factor for low birth weight and probably decrease the survival of offspring, particularly during their first month of life. On the other hand acquired maternal immunity may protect infants against malaria infection or disease.

The infant during the first four months of life had the lowest risk for Plasmodium falciparum which may be partly due to acquired maternal immunity. There was a positive association between malaria during pregnancy and malaria during first socio-economic status. However, this association was weaker in the first four months of life and in those women who contracted infection during the second half of pregnancy.

It seems that on the whole, malaria during pregnancy was not a major factor for infant mortality. These results suggest that ignoring acquired maternal immunity may overestimate the hazard of malaria during pregnancy on infant survival.

Malaria can be a serious illness in children especially those under five (5) years old. Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitos that carry dengue that bites during the day. A person may also get malaria if they get infected blood during a blood transfusion. Malaria occurs all year round.

SYMTOMS OF MALARIA

An infant is unlikely to get malaria in the first two month of her life. This is because of the immunity the maternal gave to a child during pregnancy. As the child grows older, the child losses that immunity and the risk of catching malaria increase.

Malaria tends to be more severe in children under five years old. Symptoms start showing about 10 days to four weeks after bitten.

The following are symptoms of malaria:

• Fever

• Shivering

•  Cold

•  Irritability and drowsiness

• Poor appetite

•  Sleeplessness

• Vomiting

•   Stomach pain

•   Rapid breathing

•   Headaches

Malarias could have an effect in brain functioning.

As mosquitoes cause this disease, it is important to keep mosquitoes at bay. By keeping the surroundings free of mosquito breeding grounds, Such as stagnant water. Get rid of old flower pots, vases, air coolers etc.

PREVENTION OF MALARIA IN INFANTS AND MATERNAL

ü  Dressed in light coloured clothes. Dark colour attracts mosquito

ü  Dressed in a long sleeved and full length garment to avoid skin exposure

ü  Staying in air-conditioned or cool areas. Mosquito do not strive in cool temperature.

ü  Use mosquito nets while sleeping, not only at night but during the day time.

ü  Keep yourself away from hedges and bushes; these are areas where mosquitoes are commonly found.

THE HISTORY OF MARY ONYALI-OMAGBEMI

Mary Onyali-Omagbemi was born in February 3, 1968. She was popularly called the queen of Nigerian spirits.

She was brought up in Nigeria by her parents during her early years. Her father passed away when she was a young child and her mother was left to raise her and her younger siblings, a sister a two brothers. As the eldest of four children, much of the responsibilities of child raising fell strongly upon Mary.

Mary was interested in her philosophy; she did not want to succumb to the pressure of marrying and having children. Getting involved in the sport of track and field was more coincidence for Mary.

In her primary school, she participated in sport; she always seemed to be extremely competitive at everything and always proved to be the best. During her secondary school years, she competed in the long jamb, high jump and track events and also continues to win. At this level she realised that this was something she was good at. She began to love the competition and the pleasure of winning. This started to affect her studies and her mum threatens to discontinue her participation in the sport.

After her secondary school, she continues to run, with hopes that one day she would get news of college scholarship. She competed and won the junior category championships and went on to compete in the senior category as a junior and also won, but this was where Mary’s first disappointment came. By winning the senior category in the 100 and 200 meters she was chosen to represent Nigeria in Ghana in 1983 in her first international competition, but the opportunity was stripped from her with the excuse that she was young and did not have enough experience. After that year, she began to receive even more recognition and the opportunity to show her talent in 1984, she again won the senior division and was chosen again to go to kwara. Unfortunately, the same devastation struck again, she was again denied of her right to compete in the 100 and 200 meters race as a junior, She defeated the senior women. Now she was given the opportunity that she deserved the right to compete in the African games in Cairo, Egypt, only her second major competition. In 1986, she went on to compete in the world junior championships in Athens, Greece and left with a silver medal in the 200 meters. From then on she was recognised as the little Nigeria girl who did not quit and was very likely to stay.

Recognition came from the then athletic Director of Lagos, Nigeria who is now her father –in-law. He had maintained a relationship with the administration at Texas Southern university and introduced them to the young woman named Mary Onyali. Upon Mary’s return from the African championship in Cairo, Egypt in 1985, she was on her way to the United States. She was ready for US Collegiate track and field. The move presented feelings of fear and nervousness, but yet there was great excitement to leave Nigeria and pursue her athletic career as well as obtain a free education and make her mother proud. Mary was on her way to Texas Southern University (1985-1990) where she went on to become NCAA champion.

In 1990, Mary won silver at the world cup in both 100 and 200 meters and in 1991 she won an African games gold medal in the 100. She also won the bronze medal in 4x100 metres relay at the 1992 summer Olympics; she also won the 1994 Commonwealth games. She performed especially well in the ALL AFRICA GAMES, winning a total of 7 individual medals in the short sprints. She is very inspirational for many people. Mary took the year 1997 off to have a beautiful baby girl which has been her most rewarding decision ever made.