Valentine day occurs every February 14th where candy, flowers and gifts is exchanged between loved ones. Valentine’s day is full of love, laughter and celebrations and GACN was not left behind. The management and staffs of GACN had a great time expressing their appreciation and support for one another on this special day. Personal experiences were shared, jokes were told, lunch was served, gifts were exchanged, pictures were taken and merry making all round.
Nigeria has been faced with series of increasing security issues over the past decade. More predominantly, since the inception of Boko Haram in 2002 several threats to national security including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, robberies, clashes between herders and farmers, etc. have emerged and equally become menaces to our society.
Notwithstanding the nation’s investments and efforts to curb these emerging security challenges, it is also important for individuals to adopt and apply practical personal safety and security measures. Listed below, are a few tips to help protect lives and properties:
As of December 2020, there are over 200 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 being developed. Of these, at least 52 candidate vaccines are in human trials.
The best COVID-19 vaccine is the first one that is available to you. Do not wait for a specific brand. All currently authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines are safe, are effective, and reduce your risk of severe illness.
COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca is a vaccine used to protect people aged 18 years and older.
COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca stimulates the body’s natural defences (immune system). It causes the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus.
This will help to protect you against COVID-19 in the future. None of the ingredients in this vaccine can cause COVID-19.
The EU medicines agency (EMA), EMA has thoroughly assessed the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for people aged 18 and above. The AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 has an efficacy of 63.09% against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Longer dose intervals within the 8 to 12 weeks range are associated with greater vaccine efficacy.
There is no substantive data available related to impact of ADZ1222 on transmission or viral shedding. In the meantime, we must maintain and strengthen public health measures that work, namely, masking, physical distancing handwashing, respiratory and cough hygiene, avoiding crowds and ensuring good ventilation. As of 19 April 2021, the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective at protecting people from the extremely serious risks of COVID-19, including death, hospitalization and severe disease (WHO, 2021).
The EU medicines agency (EMA) has said clotting should be listed as a rare vaccine side effect. After a study looking at 86 such cases in the EU, the EMA concluded the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risk and that there was no definite causal link.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before you get vaccinated if:
However, a mild fever or infection, like a cold, are not reasons to delay vaccination.
Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria felicitated with a public presentation and formal launch of seven (7) books authored by Halima M. Usman who is also a GACN Stakeholder and key influencer of AKK Forum held in kano.
As with most things in life, moderation is the key. People who are constantly tied to their jobs deal with the symptoms of stress and burnout. Overworked employees are more likely to suffer health problems, more likely to be absent and/or sick, less efficient, less sociable, and overall more difficult to work with. It is in the best interest of both the employee and employer to avoid these pitfalls through smart human resource management.
Now that we’re clear around what work life balance is and who it’s for, let’s go through the top 9 reasons why work life balance is important.
Reason #1: Work Life Balance Means Less Stress
Work place stress causes about 7 million Nigerians to suffer from stress and depression annually, which usually leads to death. Most Nigerians identify their jobs as their main source of stress.
The biggest problem is that most people think they have no choice, but that’s not really true.
Remember that work life balance is ultimately created through your choices, that is also what is causing most of your stress. By agreeing to take on more work when you don’t have the capacity or not delegating work that could be delegated, you’re creating more stress for yourself.
Here are the choices you could start making for yourself to relieve a lot of your stress and anxiety:
· Saying NO to things that aren’t priorities.
· Delegating as much as can be delegated.
· Choosing to do things that are priorities (and letting go of non-priorities).
· Prioritizing your own well-being.
The end result is a more manageable workload and more time doing the things that are important to you. That’s going to greatly decrease your stress and anxiety levels.
Reason #2: Work Life Balance will improve your mental health
One of the biggest reasons why work life balance is important is because it relates to your mental health. When you feel balanced you’re more capable of dealing with negative emotions and thoughts.
The human brain isn’t meant to feel stressed-out and under pressure all the time.
Creating more balance in your life gives you breathing space to think, which allows your subconscious thoughts to bubble up to the surface.
Reason #3: Work Life Balance Means Better Physical Health
Part of creating a balance for yourself includes taking care of your physical health. And yes, that includes things like:
· Eating healthy meals.
· Reducing sugar and alcohol intake.
· Healthy sleep habits.
· Regular exercise.
Most professionals are chained to a desk most of the day and glued to your couch at night because of how exhausted and stressed they are.
That means that most professionals are often found sitting and never outside.
The simple fact is that human beings aren’t meant to sit so much, nor are they meant to be cooped up indoors. You’re meant to stand, move and get outdoors. That means that achieving balance includes more movement and outdoor activity.
Reason #4: A Balance Lifestyle Enhances Your Ability to Be Present
One of the biggest complaints from most people is the inability to be present (both at home and at work). What that looks like is this:
· Your mind feels like it’s always “on”, racing and cluttered with thoughts that can sometimes be difficult to interpret.
· Always thinking about work when with family and friends (which the leads you to constantly check email).
· Worrying about what’s going on in your personal life when trying to work (such as your overflowing laundry, family etc.)
The good new is that your brain can be trained to be more present and calmer through consistent practice of specific mindfulness practices. Doing that is part of how you create a balanced life.
Reason #5: Work Life Balance Improves Your Relationships
Working too much means less time with those you love, but it also means less quality time with them too. It’s pretty difficult to be present and give others your full attention when exhausted and overwhelmed.
A balanced lifestyle means more time with family and friends that’s high quality
Having a balanced lifestyle means developing deep connections with other people (and not just family, but colleagues and friends too).
Reason #6: A Balanced Lifestyle Increases Engagement at Work
When employees are happy and feel motivated by their job, they’re more likely to be loyal and engaged. Being engaged is about feeling committed to something so that your do your best.
Many employers falsely believe that engagement is created through pressure or incentives. Although this might work (a little) in the short-term, it ultimately creates stress, anxiety and resentment. That’s not exactly a recipe for long term engagement or morale
Reason #7: Work Life Balance Increases Creative Thinking
The brain needs space to think, it is not meant to be constantly bombarded by people, social media, email, phone calls and texts.
When you’re stressed, overwhelmed and/or anxious, you have no capacity to think creatively, but with balance comes clear, creative thinking, and that means better work product too.
Reason #8: Real Balance Brings Happiness and Fulfillment
One of the biggest reasons why work life balance is important is for your own happiness and fulfillment. Balance is about feeling good about yourself and being in control of your life and career path.
Reason #9: Work Life Balance Brings Higher Levels of Success
There’s a misconception that balance doesn’t work for those who want to be successful but that is just not true, it is based on a common misconception that work life is about settling for less. Work life balance is about creating a life of success on your terms by:
· Prioritizing and focusing on what’s most important to you;
· Ensuring your own well-being (thereby enabling you to serve others to the best of your ability); and
· Being in control of your life.
A balanced lifestyle makes you more well-rounded, a more creative thinker and more productive, that means, you’ll have more ability for success in both your personal and professional life.
Credit: Heather Moulder, J.D, ACC(2021)
https://www.pasadenavilla.com/2019/05/08/work-life-balance-importance/
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210302-why-work-life-balance-is-not-an-achievement
Recent technological improvements have resulted in the daily generation of massive datasets in the oil and gas industry. Applying advanced analytics and artificial intelligence provides oil and gas companies the ability to identify trends and predict events throughout processes. This will enable quick response to disruptions and improve efficiencies.
“Big data analytics is the use of advanced analytic techniques against very large, diverse big data sets that include structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data, from different sources, and in different sizes from terabytes to zettabytes” [1].
What is Big Data? It can simply be defined as unstructured (not organized and text-heavy) and multi-structured data (including different data formats resulting from people/machines interactions) [2].
Big data offers numerous opportunities for businesses, whether used independently or with existing traditional data. Data scientists, analysts, researchers, and business users can leverage these new data sources for advanced analytics that deliver deeper insights and power innovative big data applications.
Some common techniques include data mining, text analytics, predictive analytics, data visualization, AI, machine learning, statistics, and natural language processing [3]. To handle the volume of data being generated today, open-source software such as Apache, Hadoop, Apache Spark, entire Hadoop ecosystem are designed to ensure flexible data processing and storage [4].
Characteristics of Big data include Volume, Veracity, Velocity, Value, and Variety. See the image below.
Application of Big data Analytics in the Industry
In the quest to search for what lies below the surface, oil and gas companies have been exposed to large amounts of data. They have complex systems that have evolved over time and now contain disparate data sets. Big data analytics can play a major role in improving operations and productivity across the industry value chain as follows:
GACN, as Nigeria’s strategic gas aggregator, continues to explore avenues for leveraging predictive analytics statistical techniques in key activities like price aggregation, gas portfolio management, and network code agency services, to make predictions, create reports and inform key decisions regarding gas pricing, DGSO (domestic gas supply obligation) performance, gas demand trends, portfolio growth projections, etc.
The transition towards implementing big data technologies in work operations may not be easy for many oil companies because of lack of expertise and rigidity towards accepting new work practices but once they get around the limitations, they will reap its full benefits.
In conclusion, data is just like crude; it is valuable, but if unrefined it cannot be put to good use.
Stress is the body’s natural response to changes in our life. These changes can be positive or negative and because life involves constant change, our goal should not be to eliminate all stress as that is impossible but to eliminate unnecessary stress and effectively manage the rest.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) recognizes two types of stress:
Acute Stress: This type of stress is short-term and is a more common form of stress. It often develops when we consider the pressures of events that have recently occurred or face upcoming challenges in the near future. For example, we may feel stressed about an upcoming work project or an examination. Acute stress will usually disappear once we meet the task. The short-term effects of acute stress include headaches, an upset stomach, as well a moderate amount of distress.
Chronic Stress: This type of stress develops over a long period and is more harmful. It occurs when we can not see a way to avoid the stressors and stop seeking solutions. For example, it can be caused by a traumatic experience or a continuous negative occurrence. Chronic stress makes it difficult for the body to return to a normal level of stress hormone activity and can go unnoticed for a while, as people can become used to feeling agitated or hopeless.
A lifestyle of frequent stress can lead to anxiety, depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, low body immunity, PTSD, sleeping difficulties, stomach upset, erectile dysfunction, etc.
Signs of Stress
Fatigue, Aggressiveness, Irritability, Frustration, Depression, Restlessness, Forgetfulness, Headaches, Muscle spasms, Nervous twitches, Chest or Back Pain, etc.
Stress Associated Behaviors
Food cravings or not eating at all, sudden angry outbursts, drug & alcohol misuse, higher tobacco consumption, social withdrawal, frequent crying, relationship problems, etc.
Treatment
Medicine: Doctors will not usually prescribe medications for coping with stress unless they are treating an underlying illness such as depression or an anxiety disorder. In such cases, antidepressants will be prescribed. There is however a risk that the medication will only mask the stress rather than help resolve it. People struggling with overwhelming stress are strongly encouraged to seek medical assistance.
Stress Relieve: This includes exercise, reduction in the intake of alcohol, drugs & caffeine, a balanced diet, priority/time management, rest, constant communication with loved ones, acknowledging the stressors, etc.
Noticing the signs and symptoms of stress is the first step to taking action.
Stress Management Techniques
Removing or changing the source of stress, altering how we view stressful events, lowering the effects that stress might have on our bodies, learning alternative ways of coping, etc.
An unknown author once said, and i quote “Don’t stress the Could Haves, If It Should Have, It Would Have.”
There have been reports of a third wave of COVID-19 in various countries and a warning from the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 for Nigerians to be wary of neglecting the guidelines set by NCDC. Thus, it is essential for individuals to take responsibility for the protection of themselves, loved ones, and the community. The following key points may prove useful for the upcoming festive season:
2. Use of vitamins and minerals can boost your immune system and keep you healthy.
Additionally, the security situation in Nigeria has recently been compounded by various issues such as Ethno-religious conflicts, Proliferation of Arms, Kidnapping (for ransom), Terrorism and Insurgency, Armed Robbery, Cultism, Secessionist Groups, Fraud, etc.
As is said, there is no Sec_rity without “U”. Hence, Personal security is vital, neglect may be very traumatic. Some Recommendations are highlighted below:
There have been several reports of armed banditry and kidnapping in Kaduna; herdsmen/farmers clash in North East and North East; South West Governors ultimatum to Miyetti Allah; Arewa Consultative Forum’s warning to South West Governors on verbal attacks and threats on herdsmen, abduction of passengers by suspected Fulani herdsmen along Lagos-Benin-Ore road and recent attacks on lone joggers on the bridge in the early hours of the morning in Lagos. Before you embark on any journey, please check security reports of your intended destination. Ensure proper journey management and avoid unnecessary inter-state trips. Additionally, you may wish to subscribe to news alerts.
It is advisable to conclude all journeys before 8pm. This is not the season to attend overnight concerts or social events. Also, ensure to have adequate means of identification on you at all times. Inform family members of your intended movements and call to update them, if you experience any unexpected delays, change in plans, or emergencies.
Be informed of the state-wide curfews imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are unavoidably outdoors beyond the curfew, please cooperate with Policemen at check-points when stopped and interrogated.
Dress modestly, avoid public display of wealth and carrying large sums of cash, utilize the alternative electronic modes of payment and banking platforms.
It is also advisable to avoid having loud telephone conversations about personal details such as finance, business transactions, or travel plans whilst in public. If necessary, reduce your voice pitch or delay such conversations until you have privacy.
In conclusion, PLEASE STAY SITUATIONALLY AWARE AND SAFE!!!!!!!!!
The discovery of the new strain of COVID-19 and the resurgence of severe cases of the virus calls for urgent action by all to mitigate the spread of the deadly virus. Below are useful recommendations on staying safe this period:
The Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria Limited (GACN) was incorporated in Nigeria on January 2010 for the purpose of stimulating growth of natural gas utilization in the Nigerian domestic market.
