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Beyond the Tears: What Ogogo’s Death Should Teach Us About Cancer, Traditional Medicine and Nigeria’s Future

 The death of a beloved public figure often leaves a nation asking the same questions: Why did this happen? Could anything have been done? Was there another treatment? Why are we losing so many people to cancer? The recent death of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, at the age of 66, has once again brought these questions to the forefront. Ogogo died on August 23, 2026, after battling stage-four cancer. His family had disclosed his advanced illness only weeks earlier, prompting public concern and an outpouring of support.  For those of us at TCM Nigeria, this is not simply another celebrity death to report. It is an opportunity to ask a much bigger question: What can Nigeria's traditional and complementary medicine community genuinely contribute to the fight against cancer? And perhaps even more importantly: How can we honour traditional knowledge without abandoning scientific evidence, medical safety or our personal faith? We Must Not Lose the Essenc...
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When the Mind Is Under Siege: What the Death of Professor Jason Arday Teaches Us About Health

The death of a 41-year-old Cambridge professor raises difficult questions about stress, public pressure, mental wellbeing and the way we understand health. The death of Professor Jason Arday is one of those stories that makes it difficult to simply read the news and move on. At 41, Arday had already achieved something extraordinary. In 2023, he became the youngest Black professor in the history of the University of Cambridge, where he was appointed Professor of Sociology of Education. His academic work included questions of race, inequality and the experiences of Black people in education. But in the final weeks of his life, the story surrounding him changed dramatically. Arday resigned from Cambridge in August 2026 following intense scrutiny of his academic work and allegations concerning plagiarism and inconsistencies in aspects of his professional and personal history. He denied deliberately plagiarising. Cambridge had also begun an investigation into questions surrounding his appoi...

Breast Cancer Is Not Contagious: Separating Facts from Myths and Supporting Early Detection

  Recent social media posts have claimed that Nollywood actress Temitope (Tope) Osoba died of breast cancer. That information is false . Tope Osoba publicly shared her journey with breast cancer, underwent treatment, recovered, and returned to acting. Her story is one of resilience and survival, not a death from breast cancer. This serves as a reminder of how easily misinformation can spread online and why it is important to verify health-related claims before sharing them. Her experience also provides an opportunity to educate the public about breast cancer, clear up common myths, and encourage early detection. Can Breast Cancer Be Transmitted Through Sex or Intimacy? The answer is no . Breast cancer is not contagious and not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) . It cannot be passed from one person to another through: Sexual intercourse. Touching or caressing the breast. Kissing or sucking the breast during intimacy. Hugging, sharing meals, or living together. Br...

Why Adults Should Never Stop Playing: The Hidden Link Between Play, Memory, and Mental Well-being

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Most of us learned that saying as children, yet many adults gradually stop living by it. Between work, family responsibilities, financial pressures, and the constant demands of modern life, play is often viewed as a luxury rather than an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. We make time for deadlines, meetings, and responsibilities, but rarely schedule time simply to play. Perhaps it is time to rethink that.   Play is More Than Entertainment When we hear the word *play*, many of us immediately think of children running around a playground. Yet research in psychology and neuroscience increasingly suggests that play continues to benefit us throughout adulthood. Playing games can stimulate memory, encourage problem-solving, improve concentration, reduce stress, and strengthen social connections. Whether it is a board game, a puzzle, a quiz, or a friendly sporting activity, play gives the brain an opportunity to exercise different c...

Play, Recall, and Mental Wellbeing: What a Simple Quiz Game Taught Me About the Human Mind

When we think about mental health, we often focus on stress, anxiety, depression, or burnout. Yet mental wellbeing is also about keeping the mind active, maintaining confidence in our abilities, enjoying meaningful social interaction, and finding activities that challenge us without overwhelming us. While developing  Snake & Ladder Quiz , I observed something interesting that reminded me how closely psychology, learning, and mental wellbeing are connected. The game was originally designed with one educational objective:  to encourage recall . In Bloom's Taxonomy, recall is the ability to retrieve previously learned information. Whether it is basic computer fundamentals, networking concepts, or cybersecurity knowledge, the goal was to create an enjoyable way for people to remember what they already know rather than simply memorizing new facts. During one multiplayer session, I played against a friend. Initially, neither of us answered every question correctly. Some question...

Privacy Policy for Board Game Quiz

Welcome to Board Game Quiz . Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you use our mobile application. Information We Collect Board Game Quiz may collect the following information to provide multiplayer gameplay: Player display name Selected game character or avatar Selected quiz category Game progress during active sessions Chat messages sent during multiplayer games We do not collect sensitive personal information such as passwords, financial information, or government identification. How We Use Your Information The information collected is used solely to: Create and join multiplayer game rooms Display player names and avatars during gameplay Synchronize game progress between players Provide real-time chat functionality Improve game performance and reliability Data Sharing We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. Information is shared only as necessary to enable multiplayer gameplay between connec...

Sugar Consumption, Dopamine, and Habit Relapse: The Hidden Link Between Diet, Cravings, and Self-Control

Introduction: Why Sugar and Self-Control Are More Connected Than You Think Many people struggle with breaking habits like overeating, excessive sugar intake, or compulsive behaviors such as pornography use or masturbation habits. What most don’t realize is that these behaviors often share a common root: the brain’s dopamine reward system. In this article, we will explore how sugar consumption can influence cravings, emotional regulation, and relapse into addictive habits, even after long periods of abstinence. Understanding this connection can help you build stronger self-control, improve mental clarity, and support long-term behavioral change. The Brain Reward System: Dopamine Explained Simply Dopamine is often called the “feel-good chemical,” but its real function is motivation and reward learning. Every time you: Eat sugary foods Scroll social media Watch stimulating content Engage in pleasurable habits Your brain learns: “Do this again to feel good.” The problem begins ...