NEWS
The Disconnect between Matter, Energy and Chronic Disease Management
By Mukaila Kareem
I was recently in Canada for the annual conference of the International Association of Nigerian Physical Therapists living in North America. I am certain I will have a lot of explanations to make by the time my relatives who live in Calgary find out that I was in their hometown without stopping by.
My itinerary was to arrive at 12 p. m. local time and make a brief surprise visit to my relatives before the welcome and informal gathering of the association members in the evening. However, it turned out that my second flight was canceled and I had to stay overnight in Atlanta due to computer glitches that affected the airlines that weekend.I missed the scientific session on Friday and barely met the dinner gathering in the night. You may be wondering what this has got to do with metabolic energy and chronic disease management but bear with me, as the one hour fourteen minutes bus ride for the planned picnic from Calgary to Drumheller, the dinosaur capital of the world, inspired the writing of this article.
Suffice it to note that I have been to Calgary before but never ventured into the countryside and, as with all places, experiences inside the big cities never represent the real-life experiences of most people. The landscape from Calgary to Drumheller is no different from driving anywhere in the flat plains of Midwest United States, but instead of corn and soybean fields, there are wheat and beautiful yellowish canola plantations. My biggest shock was the oil fields that occasionally dotted the canola and wheat plantations. There are unmanned pulley systems, called jack pumps, drilling oil in real time on the farms! Alberta’s so-called oil sand was formed from the decomposition of plants and marine life about 200 million years ago, when the western part of Canada was believed to be mostly underwater.
This experience made me wonder why petroleum engineers do not engage in debates about kerosene, gasoline, diesel, or engine oil. These are constituents of petroleum or “crude oil” and each of them has different lengths of carbon chains attached to hydrogen atoms. They are combustible under various conditions, but these conditions are basic facts in all engineering fields, perhaps because the core training of engineering is about different kinds of energy masked in complex mathematical formulae (I hate math!). For example, you can drive your car at 70 miles per hour on a full or half tank and the purpose of keeping your car in motion remains the same until you run out of gas.
This is not how metabolism works: How the body processes your pizza, or my favourite West African pounded yam, is different when we are hungry than when we are full. In other words, the flow of energy when foods are broken down could be linear, circular or bifurcated for the purpose of building, burning or both. While the engineers are taught to follow the energy flow in a closed system, the modern health practice seems to be chasing the shadow by focusing on the nature of macronutrients that can be distilled to the confusing high fat, low carb and low carb, high fat diets.
Be it engineering or medicine, there is a world of difference between matter, a tangible substance that occupies space and energy, a property that does not have mass or volume. However, while energy cannot be separated from my favourite West African pounded yam or the gasoline, matter has been described as “a frozen light.” Energy has also been described as “not itself stuff (but) something that all stuff has.” As it turns out, photosynthesis is the primary storage that provides the energy that powers life. It initially stores intangible photons or sunlight energy in transient energy carrying molecules called ATP and NADPH, in what is often called light reaction.
How then do plants handle useful excess energy? As a son of an African farmer, I am familiar with making barns to store harvested corn or yams. In the same vein, the plants trap atmospheric carbon dioxide as the storage molecule, in what is called carbon fixation, but no different from making barns or my mom buying a bunch of baskets to store her kola nuts before selling them off-season, when the glut is over. A plant enzyme called Rubisco hitches a molecule of atmospheric carbon dioxide molecule on a 5-carbon compound to make two molecules of 3-carbon sugar.
This sugar can be regarded as my mom’s kola nut “basket,” which is initially energised by ATP and then embedded with the sun derived high energy photosynthetic electrons from the transient NADPH, to form the basic nutrient called glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. This simple sugar is the prime end-product of photosynthesis and can be metabolised as an immediate food nutrient by both plants and animals. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is therefore the energy-rich simple sugar that connects photosynthesis with metabolism.
Beyond being the first nutrient compound, plants can combine and rearrange glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate to form simple sugars (glucose, fructose and galactose), starch (tubers and grains) and structural elements, such as cellulose found in trees and woods. Furthermore, the plants use this sugar as the building block to synthesise amino acids, proteins and fats. In other words, fats and proteins are offshoots of sugar! In physics, macronutrients are regarded as matter with “frozen light” or stored energy. During combustion, the energy in gasoline is used to produce motion in your car, while giving off water vapour and carbon dioxide.
In metabolism, glucose, a six-carbon molecule, is slowly and systematically broken down into two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules. Interestingly, breaking down pyruvate involves stripping off 3 carbon dioxide molecules, called decarboxylation, while harvesting the high energy hydrogen electrons to produce NADH. To prevent from blowing us apart, the hydrogen electrons are delicately guided to combine with oxygen to form water (H2O) and release the energy currency of all cells called ATP.
Here comes the big disconnect. In clinical settings, the regimen of controlling blood sugar with medications or insulin shots primarily converts glucose to fat synthesis, which in the context of more substrates secondarily leads to the formation of cholesterol. In other words, a 6-carbon glucose, a simple sugar, is transformed to at least 16-carbon palmitic acid (fat) and then to a more complex 27-carbon cholesterol compound. These are all anabolic pathways that build more matter and do not break the bond energy to form water and carbon dioxide. Sadly, unlike a typical engineer, a modern healthcare practitioner does not address energy flow within the context of metabolic syndrome.
I have seen this movie for more than 30 years where patients with diabetes on the so-called hypoglycemic agents end up with increased weight gain and high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, otherwise called hyperlipidemia. This is why most patients on the so-called intensive glucose control end up taking not just medications for lowering blood glucose but also cholesterol medications, a case of creating more problems and then taking credit for seeming to solve them.
I had the opportunity to jaw-jaw about this unfortunate polypharmacy and chronic disease management with a new friend during the conference’s African Night’s Owambe party, the Nigerian style. I was led to the table where my mentor and teacher, Professor Balogun, was also seated. There were two gentlemen I did not recognise but I casually introduce myself by first name to the gentleman closer to me, but Professor Balogun did a more formal introduction over the loud Naija songs in the background. Lo and behold, Ema Gye is a University of Jos trained medical doctor who practices lifestyle medicine in Calgary and with that we talked like we’ve known each other forever.
It was another great gathering of Nigerian Physiotherapists living in the USA and Canada. Thank you, Prof. E. B. John and your exco team, and immense thanks to the local organising committee led by Mr Tunji Bello and Mrs Adejumo. I missed the scientific session, but the picnic to Drumheller, Alberta was like a scientific session on the road and I truly had a blast.
Kareem, a doctor of physiotherapy, writes from the USA and can be reached via makkareem5@gmail.com
By David Torough, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have neutralised more than 60 terrorists and rescued at least 70 kidnapped victims across various theatres of operation during a week-long offensive against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers between October 30 and November 5, 2026.
The operations, conducted across the country’s six geopolitical zones, also resulted in the arrest of dozens of suspected terrorists, collaborators and criminal elements, the recovery of weapons and ammunition, and the surrender of several terrorist fighters and their family members.
According to a press briefing issued on November 6 by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops recorded significant successes in operations targeting terrorist strongholds, kidnapping networks and criminal logistics channels.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI dealt heavy blows to terrorists in Borno and Yobe States, killing 58 terrorists during separate encounters at Buni Yadi in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and Bitta in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
The military said 48 terrorist bodies were recovered following an attempted attack on Buni Yadi, alongside 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, a 60mm mortar and other military equipment.
At Bitta, troops recovered seven terrorist bodies after repelling another attempted infiltration, seizing four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, a PKM machine gun and a radio.
Three additional terrorist bodies were recovered around Apama and Jauro Bashir along the withdrawal route of the fleeing fighters.
The operation also recorded the surrender of 12 terrorist fighters and family members between November 2 and 4 in Bama and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State. The surrendering individuals reportedly cited sustained military pressure and disagreements between rival JAS and ISWAP factions.
Troops also arrested 50 suspected terrorists, collaborators and logistics suppliers across the theatre and rescued a female abductee who escaped from the Mandara Mountains.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 18 kidnapped victims in separate operations in Kebbi State, including seven victims abandoned by fleeing terrorists following a military pursuit and four others rescued after troops responded to an ambush.
Troops also rescued seven kidnapped persons during operations around Geso and Ayan Geso in Zamfara State, while two kidnapping and cattle-rustling suspects were arrested in Kaduna State. Another suspected terrorist was apprehended at a clinic in Kagarko LGA while seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.
In the North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised five suspected kidnappers in separate engagements in Benue and Kogi States.
Two kidnappers were killed during an encounter around Edimogbo Forest, while three others were neutralised during an operation in Obele Forest. Troops recovered six AK-47 rifles, 19 magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition and other equipment from the operations.
The troops also rescued six civilians, including a baby, during a response to a kidnapping incident at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State.
Additionally, a wanted member of the Konyo Boys bandit group was arrested in Takum LGA, Taraba State, while a terrorist, his wife and two children surrendered to troops in Kogi State with an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a radio.
Further operations led to the arrest of a suspected terrorist logistics supplier and a suspected gunrunner in Kogi and Benue States respectively.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 18 kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara States. Fifteen victims were rescued following an encounter with bandits around Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora LGA of Niger State, while three others escaped from their captors in Lema-Ndeji Forest in Kwara State.
The operation also led to the neutralisation of two Ansaru terrorists in Nanu Village, Kaiama LGA of Kwara State, and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG bombs, 33 motorcycles and ₦4.105 million, among other items.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued one kidnapped victim in Abia State following an attack by gunmen on a residential compound in Umunneochi LGA.
Troops also recovered a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges during a search operation in Anambra State.
In a separate development, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested a suspected terrorist in Kanam LGA of Plateau State during a stop-and-search operation. An AK-47 magazine and a round of 7.62mm Special ammunition were recovered from the suspect.
The Defence Headquarters said the week-long operations also resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, communication equipment and other logistics used by criminal groups.
However, the military disclosed that an officer, a soldier and a civilian hunter lost their lives in the course of the operations, while wounded personnel were receiving attention.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their courage, resilience and sacrifices, while appreciating the contributions of other security agencies.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to strengthen cooperation with security agencies by providing credible intelligence on suspicious movements and activities.
The CDS also called on citizens to deny criminal groups access to logistics and other forms of support, avoid mob action and refrain from spreading misinformation and disinformation.
The Armed Forces reiterated their determination to sustain ongoing offensive operations until lasting peace, security and stability are restored across the country.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded 7,156 road traffic crashes, resulting in 3,445 deaths and 22,292 injuries across Nigeria between January and September 2026.
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, represented by the Jigawa Sector Commander, Usman Masa’udu-Matazu, disclosed this on Monday at a press briefing in Dutse to commemorate the 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash Victims.
The 2026 commemoration is themed “A Light That Unites Us”, while the decade-long slogan is “Remember. Support. Act”.
Mohammed described the figures as more than statistics, saying they represented lives lost, grieving families and distressed communities.
“These numbers are more than just statistics as they represent human lives, families in grief and communities in distress,” he said.
He identified excessive speed and reckless driving as major factors responsible for road crashes, stressing the need for motorists to make responsible decisions.
He also said that Nigeria recorded 10,446 road crashes in 2025, resulting in 5,289 deaths and 33,400 injuries.
According to him, the country recorded 9,570 crashes in 2024, with 5,421 deaths and 31,154 injuries, compared with 10,617 crashes, 5,081 deaths and 31,874 injuries in 2023.
The corps marshal noted that though crashes declined by 10 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023, fatalities increased by seven per cent.
He said the annual world day of remembrance for road traffic victims provided an opportunity to remember people killed or seriously injured in crashes and acknowledge the work of emergency responders.
He also said it sought to draw attention to the experiences of victims and bereaved families, advocate better support for them and promote evidence-based measures to prevent further road deaths and injuries.
Mohammed said the campaign was designed to honour victims, support survivors and their families, and inspired action towards safer roads.
“Remember, Support, Act is a campaign created to honour the memory of those who lost their lives on the roads, support victims and their families, and inspire society to build a safer and more compassionate mobility culture,” he said.
He said activities marking the commemoration would run from Monday (Yesterday) to Nov. 15, with a focus on reflection, empathy and renewed commitment to road safety.
He emphasised that safer roads depended not only on laws and systems, but also on the daily decisions of motorists and other road users.
On its operational response, he said the FRSC used data from its Road Traffic Crash Database Management System to identify high-risk locations for patrols, enforcement, surveillance and rescue operations.
He also said the corps had intensified public enlightenment campaigns through churches, mosques, schools and the media to educate road users.
He called for stronger collaboration among governments, media organisations, transport unions, civil society groups and communities to reduce road casualties.
He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to the Marrakech declaration on road safety adopted at the fourth global ministerial conference on road safety in February 2025.
According to him, the declaration recognises the importance of safe, accessible and sustainable transport systems and calls for efforts to prevent deaths and serious injuries.
Mohammed therefore urged Nigerians to support safer walking and cycling and work towards a country where no life was needlessly lost on the roads.(NAN)
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has inaugurated 353 operatives of the state-owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow, following the successful completion of an intensive retraining programme aimed at strengthening intelligence gathering and improving security across the state.
Mutfwang charged the operatives to uphold professionalism, impartiality and discipline in the discharge of their duties, warning that they must operate within the confines of the law and adhere strictly to the established code of conduct.
He gave the charge on Monday during the passing-out parade of the personnel at Jos Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, where he also commissioned vehicles and motorcycles to enhance the outfit’s operations.
He described the occasion as a historic milestone in Plateau’s quest for lasting peace, the governor emphasised the importance of timely information sharing and collaboration with conventional security agencies and traditional rulers.
“Today marks a historic day on the Plateau, particularly for Operation Rainbow, as we witness the passing out of the 353 retrained personnel. I urge you all to take seriously the need for quick information passage to facilitate timely usage. Be reminded that as you are trained and retrained to enforce the law, you are not above the law,” he said.
Mutfwang clarified that Operation Rainbow was primarily an intelligence-gathering outfit established to complement conventional security agencies, rather than operate as an independent armed force.
“They are trained and retrained so that they can complement the conventional security forces, and whenever they are short of personnel, the operatives of Operation Rainbow can be handy. More so, they are locals; they know their terrain,” he stated.
He also dismissed claims that the outfit was dominated by a particular religious or ethnic group, insisting that its recruitment reflected Plateau’s diversity, with Muslims, Christians and people from different ethnic backgrounds represented.
The governor appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support to the state and expressed optimism that Plateau was beginning to witness positive security developments. And also commended members of the State Security Council for their sustained efforts towards restoring peace, assuring residents that the vehicles and motorcycles commissioned were procured with state resources and would be deployed to strengthen the outfit’s daily operations.
The Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, General Nash Yakubu (Rtd), disclosed that the outfit now had over 3,000 personnel, following the addition of the 353 operatives who had completed the retraining programme. He said 11 operational camps had been established across the state, with plans to extend the outfit’s presence to all 17 local government areas.
According to him, the personnel received training in intelligence gathering, neighbourhood surveillance, early warning signals and professional discipline to enable them to identify threats and provide timely information to relevant security agencies.
Yakubu added that the outfit planned to deploy drones for surveillance to improve its monitoring capacity and strengthen security coverage across the state. He urged the newly inaugurated operatives to remain professional and disciplined, stressing that they would work in collaboration with other security agencies.
He further disclosed that the 353 personnel would be deployed to their respective local government areas to strengthen community-based intelligence gathering and help protect lives and property.
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