Plant's names and its Uses.

1. English Name:    Fluted Pumpkin Leaves
    Local Name:        Ugu (Igbo)
    Botanical Name: Telfairia Occidentalis

Ugu is a leafy vegetable which is used in Nigeria for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It is Rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and folic acid which makes it highly nutritious. It is also a good source Of vitamins A, C and, k and lots of minerals. Researchers also found out that eating meals rich in fluted pumpkin leaves and seeds helps prevent Cancer, Improves blood count, Beats diabetes, Reduce blood glucose & Cholesterol levels. it's Used for soups like Efo Riro, 

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2. English Name:    Jute leaves, saluyot leaves
    Local Name:        Ewedu (Yoruba), Rama Ayoyo (Hausa/Fulbe) 
    Botanical Name: Corchorus

In the western part of nigeria, it is used in the preparation of Ewedu soup. Once grinded, it's got a slimy consistency just like Okra. It's a good source of fibre, low in calories but high in vitamins. In herbal medicine, it is used to control or prevent dysentery, worm infestation and constipation. Ayurveda (ancient Hindu system of healing) use the leaves for ascites, pain, piles, and tumors. Elsewhere, the leaves are used for cystitis, dysuria, fever, and gonorrhoea. The cold infusion is said to restore the appetite and strength.

3. English Name:   Bitter Leaf
    Local Name:       Onugbu (Igbo), Efo Ewuro (Yoruba), Shakwa shuwaka (Hausa), Etidot                                               (Cross River State of Nigeria)
    Botanical Name: Vernonia Amygdalina

As the name implies, the plant is actually bitter and is used in preparing the popular Nigerian bitter leaf soup. Most times, its sold already pre-washed in the Nigerian market.There are several species of bitter leaf-some large, leafy and deep green leaves, while some have comparatively smaller broader leaves. The bitterness is usually removed by boiling before the leaves are cooked as soups or added to soups made with other vegetables or eaten as spinach. it is rich in vitamins and minerals.

In traditional nigerian medicine it is used to treat Fever, malaria, hepatitis, diarrhea, dysentery, and cough. The leaves are also used as medicine for Stomach ache, Head ache, Scabies, Gastro intestinal disorders.
Bitter leaf also reduces the sugar level of the body drastically and repairs the pancreas and kidneys which makes it great for diabetic patients.

4. English Name:     Eru "wild spinach" or African Jointfir
    Local Name:         Afang leaves (Ibibio), Okazi/Ukazi (Igbo)
    Botanical Name: Gnetum Africanum
Okazi for example is a climbing plant like Ugu and Uziza. It's got a tough (hard) papery glossy texture and is somehow tasteless without any distinctive smell. it is used in the preparation of Afang soup and okazi soup. Some people also add it to egusi soup. locally, it's used as a remedy for sorethroats, nausea , reduction of pain during childbirth or as a dressing for warts. it's a rich source of protein and is strong in essential and non-essential amino acids. it also has an anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties. It contains iron and iodine.

5. English Name: False cubeb leaves (The seeds from the plant is known as mkpuru uziza (uziza seeds))
    Local Name:      Uziza leaves/ Ashanti pepper leaves/ Benin pepper leaves/ Guinea cubeb leaves
    Botanical Name: Piper guineense

In the local Nigerian market, it is known as hot leaves. it's peppery and is usually used in small quantity to add flavor and a very nice aroma to soups like Ofe nsala, Vegetable soups and sometimes Egusi soup. It is rich in anti-oxidants and has preservative properties.

6. English Name:    Bush buck
    Local Name:        Utazi (Igbo), ‘arokeke’(Yoruba)
    Botanical Name: Gongronema latifolium

Utazi leaves is very Sharp-bitter and sweet and is used in small quantity in preparing soups like Nsala soup, Ugba Sauce,Yam and also in garnishing dishes like Abacha Ncha, Isi ewu, Nkwobi e.t.c. It is also used locally in the treatment of cough, intestinal worms, dysentery, dyspepsia and malaria. It is also taken as a tonic to treat loss of appetite and also In the treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure.

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7. English Name: Clove Basil
    Local Name:     Nchuawun(Igbo), Efirin(Yoruba), Daidoya (Hausa), Ntong(efik), Aramogbo (Edo)
    Botanical Name: Ocimum gratissimum

Scent leaves is used in the preparation of foods such as pepper soup, Ofe Akwu, Yam porridge, Vegetable soups e.t.c and as the name implies, it gives a wonderful aroma to the meals it's prepared with. In traditional medicine, it is used to lower blood pressure as well as reduce blood sugar level. it is used in the treatment of piles. it is said to be useful in the medication for people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome virus AIDS, In Congo, scent leaf decoction is used for diarrhoea, gonorrhoea infection, vaginal douches for vaginitis and used in treatment of mental illness. In Nigeria it is used as a strong mosquito repellent as well as other insects.

8. English Name:   Curry leaf "sweet neem leaves"
    Local Name:       Efirin Oso(Yoruba), Marugbo sanyan(Yoruba)
    Botanical Name: Murraya koenigii

In Nigerian meal preparation, it is added to stews, meats, fish to add flavor to the dishes. Its got small pinnate leaves which are highly aromatic. Other uses include it being used as a good remedy for nausea and indigestion, The leaves are chewed to lose weight, it is known to improve eyesight and also prevent cataract, it is used to improve hair color.

9. English Name:   Water leaf
    Local Name:       Gbure (Yoruba)
    Botanical Name:Talinum Triangulare

Water leaves are used in the preparation of soups such as Efo riro, Edikaikong, vegetable yam e.t.c. It's mostly abundant during the rainy season and once added to soups, it tends to increase the volume of water/ liquid in it hence the name "Water leaves". According to scientific studies, it is said to be rich in mineral salts and amino-acids as well as having anti-scorbutic properties i.e prevention against the scurvy disease.

10. English Name: Lagos Spinach, plumed cockscomb, quail grass, silver cock’s comb (En);                                    célosie, célosie argentée, crête de coq (Fr); borlón, cresta de gallo
      Local Name:     Shoko yokoto
      Botanical Name: Celosia Argentia

 Shoko yokoto is a leafy vegetable mainly popular in the western part of nigeria. it is also the main leaf used in the preparation of efo riro, a popular vegetable soup. Sometimes, the leaves are crested with Purplish/Red discolorations in the middle. It is rich in Beta- Carotene, Folic Acid, Ascorbic acid, Calcium, Iron, Protein.

11. English Name:    African spinach, "Green"

      Local Name:        Inine (Igbo), Efo Tete (Yoruba), tete eleegun(yoruba),
      Botanical Name: Amaranthus Hybridus  

Known as "Green" in the local market due to its colour, this leafy vegetable is the second most popular leafy vegetable after Ugu. it's used in the preparation of various Nigerian dishes. 

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12. English Name:   African eggplant leaf (Garden egg leaf), Gboma
      Local Name:       Efo Igbo(Yoruba)
      Botanical Name: Solanium marcrocarpon 

Garden Egg leaves are used in the preparation of vegetable stews and yam dishes by some people.The leaves have a very bitter taste.
Update: Aside from the fruit, every other part of S. macrocarpon has been reported to cause heart failure, digestive problems, and lethargy in dogs. Because S. macrocarpon is part of the Solanaceae family, it contains alkaloids, giving the plant and fruit its bitter taste. Consuming the plant in large frequencies may potentially be poisonous.S. macrocarponcontains glycoalkaloids and the levels found in the fruit were 5-10 times higher than what is considered safe, and may not be safe for humans to eat. Source

13. English Name: Moringa leaves
      Local Name:  Igbo: "Odudu oyibo","Okwe oyibo", "Okwe olu", "Uhe", "Oku-ghara-ite"
                               Yoruba: ("igi iyanu","malero", "Ewele", "Ewé ilé", "Ewe igbálé", Idagbo monoyé )
                                Hausa: Zogale
      Botanical name: Moringa olefera

      More on moringa Here..............................

14. English Name:   ???

      Local Name:        Oha / Ora leaves
      Botanical name: ???

Oha leaf is really popular in the eastern part of nigeria. it's the major ingredient in the preparation of the famous Oha/ Ora soup. It is an uncommon leafy vegetable which is not a climbing plant like ugu instead, it is rather a kind of leafy tree called Oha tree! The tree can grow from 1 year to up to 100 years and from a small feet to tower up to 200 feet or more. It bears no fruits or seeds compared with other leafy vegetables. All the young shoots of the leaves are eatable. It starts to yield or to produce eatable leaves from one year. As it grows and towers in height, people always employ climbers to climb and pluck the leaves for sale and for home consumption.

15. English Name: Mint leaves Scientifically known as Mentha
      Local Name:    Na'a Naa (arabic)
     Mint leaf is an aromatic herb which is mostly used as to make things like breath fresheners i.e peppermint. It's NOT the same as scent leaf (Efinrin/nchuawun). In the local market especially with the hausa vendors, mint is known as " Na'a naa ".

16. English Name: Spring onions, Scallion

      Local Name:    Alubosa elewe (yoruba)

A scallion is one of various Allium species, all of which have hollow green leaves (like the common onion), but which lack a fully developed root bulb. It has a relatively mild onion flavour, and is used as a vegetable, either raw or cooked. Many other names are used, including green onion, spring onion, salad onion, table onion, green shallot, onion stick, long onion, baby onion, precious onion, yard onion,gibbon, syboe or scally onion.Source

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17. English Name:  Roselle or Sorrel
      Local Name:      Yakwa leaves 

This leaf is really popular with the Hausas and is used in the preparation of Miyan Taushe. Yakwa is called roselle or sorrel in English. The come in two flowering varieties, the red and white. The red flowers are used to make our popular zobo drink. The white flowers are sour and used to make soups in some part of the country. The yakwa leaves themselves are used to make different kinds of soup including groundnut soup....Thanks for the contribution True Elegance Boutique1:33 p.m.

18: English Name:    English spinach , Indian malabar spinach
      Botanical Name: Basella alba; the red type is Basella rubra
      Local Name:        Amunututu (Yoruba)   Thanks for the contribution ayodele.olufemi

19: English Name: ???
      Local Name: Atama leaves / Beletientien
This is an annual Herb cultivated in the delta areas. It smells and taste like tarragon; usually used fresh or dried in the preparation of Banga soup. 

THE CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION LAWS IN NIGERIA

The origin of contemporary education laws and edicts in Nigeria has been traced to regional laws, current constitutional provisions and military decrees. Durosaro (1998) traced the evolution of decrees to the period after the independence of Nigeria, the subsequent collapse of the first republic and the consequent military intervention in the governance of the nation. He highlighted some of the very important decrees on education and they are presented in tabular form below.

Name of Decree	Date	Function
Decree No.47	1971	Establishment of Industrial Trust fund
Decree No. 29	1972	School year variations from January – December to September- July each year.
Decree No.1	1974	Establishment of National Universities Commission
Decree No.12	1976	Covers students loan board.
Decree No.9	1977	Establishment of the national board of technical education
Decree No.11	1977	Registration and control of educational and correspondence colleges in Nigeria
Decree No.46	1977	Provides for the federal government take over of all universities in Nigeria then.
Decree No. 2	1978	Established the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Decree No. 33	1979	Established federal polytechnics
Decree No.19	1984	Used to eradicate all private universities and to ban the establishment of same.
Decree No.16	1985	Used to empower the federal ministry of education, through the national universities commission to assess and accredited courses in both the federal and state universities. ii. promulgated on National minimum standard and establishement of institutions.
Decree No. 4	1986	On federal colleges of education
Decree No. 13	1986	On federal universities of technology
Decree No.20	1986	Caused the variation in the school year from October-September to January-December.
Decree No. 26	1987	On national Library board (amendment)
Decree No. 28	1987	Provided an amendment to existing decree in Federal Polytechnic
Decree No. 32	1987	On educational correspondence college accreditation.
Decree No. 6	1988	Was on university of Ife (transitional) provisions amendment.
Decree No.7	1988	Provide an amendment to the university teaching hospital decree.
Decree No. 12	1988	Was on students’ loan board.
Decree No. 26	1988	Used to prosecute and prohibit academic staff union of universities from participating in trade union activities
Decree No. 31	1988	Provided an amendment to the national primary education commission decree.
Decree No.49	1988	Provided some amendment to the national universities commission decree.
Decree No. 53	1988	Was on Nigerian educational research and development council.
Decree No. 33	1989	Was on Joint Admission Matriculation Board.
Decree No.40	1989	Covered the mathematical centre
Decree No. 41	1989	Made provision to regulate and control student union activities.

Scent/Bitter leaf and its uses

Research has been made, and test being carried out on scent leaf and bitter leaf. It was discovered that aqueous extract of bitter leaf could be used as adjuvant in the management of people living with Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). Acquire Immune Deficiency Syndrome. (AIDS); and for restoration of skin colour and form as well as calming and vitalizing the body.

The botanical name of bitter leaf is Vernonia amygdalina, bitter leaf popularly known as Ewuro in Yorubaland and Onugbo in Ibo land. It is a shrub plant that grows predominantly in tropical Africa. In Nigeria, the plant is locally called bitter leaf due to its bitter taste. Scent leaf, botanically called Ocimum gratissimum, scent leaf or Basil belongs to the mint family Lameacea. It is called Effirin in Yoruba land and Nchuanwu or arigbe in Ibo.

Vernonia amygdalina  and Ocimum gratissimum are among the traditionally used herbal plants to treat different ailments. Vernonia amygdalina has been found useful in the therapy of asthma, schistosomiasis, malaria, measles, diarrhea, tuberculosis, abdominal pain and fever.

Ocimum gratissimum is commonly used in cooking due to its minty aromatic flavor.

NOUN Produces 15 First Class As Obasanjo And Others Graduate

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo last Saturday was among the 10,653 graduands at the 5th convocation ceremony of the Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

It was learnt that 15 of the graduands made first class.

Obasanjo who was said to be unavoidably absent, bagged Master’s Degree in christian theology.

Other notable graduands include the Emir of Hadejia, Jigawa State, Adamu Abubakar and the traditional ruler of Awgu, Enugu State, Igwe Felix Okechukwu.

Others were over 70-year old Rear Admiral Orisha, (Rtd), who bagged fist class in Mathematics and a 78-year old Femi Balogun, who bagged LL.B from the School of Law.

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Vincent Tenebe reinstated the commitment of the institution is establishing study centres in the over 774 local government in the country on the next 15 years.

He also stated that strong efforts are being made to ensure that law graduates from the institution are allowed to attend the Nigerian Law School. Stating that if such is feasible in countries like UK, India, South Africa, Tanzania, there is no justifiable reason why it shouldn't be in Nigeria.